Heavenly Shae

Chapter 9.5: "Unofficial Complaints."

Shae flipped through her stack of practices and exercises searching for something specific. During her relaxing bath she had decided which practice to focus on. It took a quarter hour just to find the correct set of bound pages. Mortal memory being fickle, she couldn't recall the exact title or where in the pile she had found it last night.

Manifold Journey was a series of twelve practices Wise Wuan had combined and adapted to be used by new cultivators. It was meant to be used during a journey, and ideally, soon after a cultivator learned to control qi. The notes explained that this meant it was rarely used, as it would need to be taught quickly to inexperienced students.

While Wise Wuan's work had made the practices much easier, new cultivators still found the practices difficult to control. Few brand new to do usage could easily move themselves and their qi without problem. Thus, the monks rarely had an opportunity for their students to use Manifold Journey as their skill was usually only adequate for the practices after they arrived at Golden Orchard. Once there, they didn't possess a strong reason to make a large journey adequate to satisfy the practices needs.

One exception to the cultivator needing good control was if they had a compatible qi type that wouldn't riot within their channels when left alone too long. Yungfan had told Shae that while her qi was strange, it's behavior wasn't unprecedented. Users with high elemental affinity could often leave their aspected qi in their channels for long periods without backlash or rioting.

Wind qi was well known for moving on its own, as well as a few others. These types often took a toll on their users by wearing down their mental stamina or painfully impacting their qi channels. Shae was no exception as her demigod qi wore her down. A day of qi strengthened running had left her channels rather sore.

Her qi's combination of continuous movement and staying within her channels was unique, but Yungfan claimed it was well within theory. The monk's concern was what the trade off would be. What clear downside would emerge that might restrict her future?

Shae was less worried about it. I'll take it as it comes, and restart my path if I need to.

She looked over the first practice: Scout Destination. She thought that was a poor name: it was too metaphorical in meaning, and the so-called scouting was more about the journey than the destination. It was simple in that it required the user to cycle a bit of qi through their head in a certain rhythm, then think through their destination and what the user wanted from the journey and what they expected at the destination.

It included a suggestion to use this time to research the trip. The distance to be traveled, how many stops and for how long. Most important though, was what the user wanted from the trip. The text used flowery metaphors but Shae read between the lines. This was the step that laid a mental foundation for the other practices to build on. Sloppy work here would limit her overall success.

She decided to take it seriously, and began testing the practice immediately. What I want is to be able to use all these practices successfully. She knew this circular logic might backfire, but she hoped it would help her learn the practices faster. She intended to set other goals as well, but told herself she was just waterproofing right now.

She cycled the skill and read through the next practice. She was immediately restless and stood to walk circles around the table where Scribe Bai still sat.

"Miss Shae, do you recall what I asked you not to do last night?"

"Um, qi practice? But I thought that was just for your lamp?"

"It was for my own peace of mind, the lamp was an excuse."

"Oh..." She kept walking and slowly returned her qi to her Dantian.

"Since you've interrupted me anyway, and my curiosity now has the better of me. What did you need to tell Master Long?"

She squinted her eyes at him. "Hmm, will you help?"

"I promise nothing, but if it's a simple question..." He shrugged.

"It's kind of a security concern."

"So the guards should handle it?"

"I'm worried they are involved. When did Master Long go in the lake? Much before I returned?"

"Hmm, nearly right after the geyser calmed, so yes at least an hour before."

"Right. So." She sat back at the table, lowered her voice and leaned forwards. "Someone who looked like Master Long approached me just before I came here."

Bai didn't look surprised. "How do you know it wasn't him?"

She ticked off her fingers, "Completely different personality. Ignored my very reasonable response. Different qi element. And completely ignored my threats and insults after he walked away."

"Very reasonable response?" He raised an eyebrow.

"And he didn't have his sword."

"Ah, now that is actually suspicious." He nodded.

"Yea, so?"

"So?"

Her eyes went wide briefly. "So what do you think? Subterfuge and impersonation? Fox spirit?"

Bai shook his head, "Not a fox spirit. Did he respond directly to something strange you said?"

"Uh, Hmm, what do you mean?"

"Many elders and masters are known to send illusory messengers to deliver specific orders or news. Only ever over short-range, but if it didn't actually converse with you..."

"It might have just been rehearsed?" Shae thought. "Could be, but they scanned me, I felt their qi."

"Hmm, like this... Or like this...?" He made two hand gestures, releasing qi with each.

"Ah? Well, those felt the same, but they felt like your qi. It didn't feel like Long's, his is water, this new person's is steam."

"Steam is one of the main illusion elements."

"Mhm, and it just didn't make sense. They knew Guard Tu left me alone but not why. He should have reported to Long and- and it just didn't make sense, okay!" She crossed her arms.

"Have you spoken to Guard Tu yet?"

Shae stopped with her mouth open.

"Well, it seems like you have a task now." He looked back at his work.

"Yea." Shae's stomach rumbled very loudly. "Uhhh, new task, which way is-?" It gurgled again.

Bai pointed to the tree line, "Red flag. I'll watch your things."

"Thanks!" Shae shouted, already a dozen paces away, running awkwardly in the direction indicated.

Aside: Scribe Bai

Bai immediately restarted his work after the tedious girl left. He made swift progress without the distraction present. Even her flipping pages at the table had been enough to slow him down. I really need to work on my focus, again.

The busy square in Minlin city had been great for that, it let him practice a focus technique, but the calm and quiet of the geyser had him ignore the technique in favor of his more useful abilities.

Focus, Bai. He breathed and let the concerns pass him by. Meditation practice could be helpful even outside of cultivation.

The work flew by, and he grimaced at the footsteps approaching from behind.

"Feeling better?" He asked.

"Uh, Senior Bai. Yes, I am well." The girl walked to her spot, skimmed a few pages, and looked over her things, slowing at the bow and strange staff. Then she began cleaning up her papers.

He frowned at her back. Checking his own paperwork he tested a hunch. "Getting back to earlier: what's eleven times nine?"

"Uh..." She froze.

"Come on, it's not that hard. You were doing well before."

"Eight sets and five- no, three?"

"Correct. Leaving now? I thought you were staying to wait for Master Long?"

"Hmm, well, I changed my plans. I've decided to leave with the caravan."

"Oh? And why are you taking all of Miss Shae's things, Apollo?"

The girl that looked like Shae froze. "Sorry. Who's Apollo?"

"Why you are, my dearest Apollo. Do you know why you're my favorite disguise specialist?"

She sighed and stood straight. She still looked like Shae, but something in her body language had changed. "Why?"

"Because your master always announces when you will be on these outings."

She sighed dramatically and flipped her hair back. "That has been rather inconvenient, though I didn't think it mattered that it was me specifically. What gave me away?"

"Your usual tell."

"And I suppose you won't tell me what that is?"

"Who says it's just one thing?"

She huffed and flipped her hair again. "Ugh. That's not funny. So the same deal as usual?"

Bai sucked air between his teeth. "Can't see that working. This is new ground for us."

"What? How so?

"I can't just ignore your attempted theft from an outsider."

"Outsider? Who?" She followed Bai's gaze down to Shae's pack. "The girl? We've been over this, new recruits are fair game."

"She's not been officially recruited, Apollo."

The girl that looked like Shae paled. "This isn't an okay joke, Bai."

"It's no joke. She missed the testing. Supposedly she has an introduction letter, but no one's seen it."

"Right, well," she quickly pulled out the bound pages and replaced them on the table. "Good thing you caught me or I might have gotten myself into trouble."

"Good that I caught you impersonating a non-sect member to investigate their personal belongings?"

The woman hissed, "They are out in the open, unguarded, anyone can see. And I was just testing you personally. Nothing to do with the girl."

"Hmm, but I may have to report you for failing proper scouting and reconnaissance. You should have known she wasn't a recruit."

She finished replacing the papers, Bai thought they looked exactly as Shae had left them. One of the pages was even tucked under itself, threatening to crease if more weight was applied. He reached out to correct it. She batted his hand away.

"What do you want?" The woman snapped off.

"To fix that- oh, you mean to overlook this?" He paused and hummed. "Keep yourself and your friends away from my whole department for the foreseeable future."

She grimaced. "Friends! Hah! Can't control them. And we get assignments for specific departments too often, even for Scribes and Analytics. Best I could possibly get away with is a month."

"That's hardly enough. Tell me when you all get assignments for Analytics?"

She shook her head, face stern, "Not a chance. Info leaking is basically a death sentence. I'd rather let your worst report of this go through."

"My worst? Do you know that Shae saw through your sorry attempt at Master Long." He shook his head and looked sad. He clicked his tongue, "tsk tsk. Impersonating an Elder to an outsider?"

She went pale again but her face held firm.

He sighed, understanding she wouldn't budge. "Fine, no info. Stay out of Analytics until you get a direct assignment, or two months. And you leave me out of your pranks as long as possible. The girl, too." He pointed his thumb over his shoulder to where Shae still was.

The false Shae sighed heavily, then batted her eyebrows at him. "Why include her?" She put on a better cute and innocent act than Shae had. Bai guessed she was changing her disguise or using some technique to help.

He squinted and thought he saw her eyelashes lengthen. "What part of no pranks makes you think that is acceptable?"

She ran a long fingernail along her jawline then down her neck, drawing the sharp point down the front of her robes. The cloth split revealing entirely too much cleavage. It was a very incongruous sight, considering the girl had practically no chest. Her voice pitched lower as she leaned across the table. "Come on, Bai darling, can't we work something out."

"Stop that!" Bai flicked his fingers at the woman, a few streaks of qi flying across the table and impacting the woman's torso with a ripple. She didn't react as the extra layer of qi illusion fell apart and returned her appearance to a fully clothed Shae. "That's just weird, she's practically a child." He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and looked around. No one seemed to be staring at them. "Staying away from Shae is probably doing you a favor if she's spotted you once already."

The woman slumped slightly. "Uh, fine. You're both off limits until I have no choice."

"So we're in agreement?"

"Yes."

"Excellent. Now that the business is done. I would love to take you out for dinner at the sect."

"Hmm, I think you already turned down that offer."

"I'd rather not build a relationship on bargains and your seductress talents. You are interested in me aren't you?" He gave a pleasant smile.

"She blushed and looked away. I wear a lot of masks, you know."

"Yes, but through those masks, a lovely personality still peeks out. I'd like to get to know the real you." He reached across the table and set his hand on hers. She flinched slightly but didn't pull away.

"If we were to meet, would you have a preference for my appearance? Not this body, I hope."

Bai flinched and almost pulled back. "Oh, heavens no!" He shuddered slightly. He took a breath and centered himself. "I assume your true self is off the table? Then, whoever you are most comfortable as."

"It's my job to be comfortable as anyone." She smirked.

"Then take your pick. Perhaps I'll use that to know how interested you are." He smirked back.

"Stop, stop, that's enough." Elder Bai said. "We don't need the details of your romantic life, Junior Bai."

"Hmm, I'm not sure, a bit of surreal drama is nice once and a while." Master Long chipped in.

"Surreal?" Scribe Bai sounded hurt.

"You can't expect us to believe every word of that? Can you?" Long explained.

"It's what happened!"

"Thank you, Junior. Just a few points to clarify. You are reporting to us, yet you agreed to not report Apollo?" Long asked.

"Allow me." Elder Bai butted in. "You've been away for quite some time, Master. The rules for Apollo's department have changed due to a bit of inter-sect politics. The key highlights are that reporting guidelines changed slightly, but we are more informed of their activities. Apollo would only receive penalties if Junior Bai reported directly to Apollo's master. He is required to report to us regardless."

"Hmm, so the bribe is intentional? Smart, adds another realistic layer to their training. What about the information change?"

"A safety precaution, supposedly. Sect members above body cleansing are informed of that department's general activities. Thus we knew that a member was on this expedition. We do not know their identity or goals, but it has supposedly saved many lives."

The younger man was nodding along. "And Apollo's Master likes to give her a challenge, so leaked that she would be on this outing."

"Hmm.. training injuries were always their largest challenge. Yet, the masters I knew would claim this will make them soft."

"That was the pushback. Yet the department was suffering, still is, really." Elder Bai shrugged.

"Hmm, they always did struggle, but those that survived were the best of the best. And were entirely too cautious, we could hardly get them to take assignments." Long shook his head. "I'll have to get caught up on the finer details sometime. Let's continue."

The sword cultivator nodded. "My question is, what was the significance of the math question? Have you gotten better at bluffing? Surely she shouldn't have answered?"

"I expect Miss Shae would have answered faster, actually. Probably in base ten as elevens are quite easy in base ten, much like thirteens in Empire Standard."

The two other cultivators looked at each other then back to Bai. The sword cultivator opened his mouth, then paused.

Master Long spoke first. "So, the girl knows some math? She is full of surprises."

Elder Bai snapped his jaw shut and nodded along.

"Some? By my standards... Well, I haven't tested her but I suspect she is much better than most her age. Reads fast, too. She was asking about challenging first year classes this morning."

Master Long smiled wide. "Ahh, I always enjoyed a student that was up for a challenge."

"He means testing to skip the class."

"I know what he meant." Snapped Long. "Most think their tutors covered everything, it's so fun to teach them that there is always more to teach!"

The Bai's shared a glance.

"Yes, I know that the first year classes are based on prescribed tests." Long frowned at them.

Both Bai's sighed in unison.

"What happened with Shae when she got back?" Sword Bai asked.

"I told her I'd report the incident, the original one. It wouldn't do to tell an outsider that someone had impersonated her and tried to walk off with her belongings." He shook his head and the others nodded. "Then she wanted more info about the trip back to the sect. Said she was planning on joining the caravan today. I directed her to the guards as they have made the trip several times."

"So, she just left?" The swordsman said with surprise on his face.

Long shook his head. "Missing out on valuable tempering, and possible enlightenment."

Both Bai's looked at the man then at each other. "You tell him."

"No, you were just about to."

"But you already had the floor."

"And you are my senior, I might miss a detail."

"What's to miss? You already-"

"What is it!?" Long interrupted, his words sharp.

Scribe Bai cleared his throat, "Miss Shae had already completed tempering, Master Long." He bowed slightly.

"Yes, Junior Bai mentioned it." He shrugged. "I remember him using it as an excuse. Likely just avoiding showing off his qi pressure's strength. You have been doing your practices, yes? Why I remember when you were younger-"

"Master!" Sword Bai pleaded, looking nervously at Scribe Bai. He turned to cough into his sleeve. "The point is she doesn't gain anything from the pressure here."

Long frowned. "No, no, there's always more tempering to do. Just one little step on that path doesn't let you forgo the journey."

The Bai's glanced at each other again. The younger's facial expression silently communicating: Your turn.

The sword cultivator tried again. "Miss Shae delivered a letter from Elder Ngoc who had traveled to Pilgrim's Rest. Elder Ghon apparently completed Shae's directed tempering there and she returned to Minlin City from the mountain, alone."

"Hmm." Master Long glanced at the ground in front of him. "Well." He paused for a few breaths, then nodded to himself and looked up. "I suppose she'll have to find somewhere more challenging for the next step on her tempering journey."

The Bai's shared a confused glance.

Long raised a finger. "Ah! One last thing. Why is this specialist called Apollo? It is a nickname, yes?"

"Hah! Nope!" Sword Bai yelped. "I'm leaving, I've heard this too many times." He turned and scurried away.

Scribe Bai smirked and watched the man leave. "So, as she left..."

"Excellent doing business with you. I'll be off." Apollo bowed deeply to the scribe, "Cultivator Bai, my sincere Apollo-gies, for the inconvenience."