Demonic Tribulations - Chapter 76 preview (Patreon)

Chapter 76 – Fa Yuan

“Elder En.” Fa Yuan bowed to the older man who had entered her tent after his carer – and bodyguard – had swept the inside clear of threats. None present, of course, not even a servant beyond Fa Yuan. Not that the woman, near as old as the Elder and on the brink of breaking through Core Formation, had left, instead taking stance beside the tent walls. “I am surprised to hear you here.”

“Amongst these ruffians, you mean?” the white haired older man sat down wearily, his hair having grown wispy and scraggly over the years. Old as he might look, he still carried the white robes with their gray lining and muted embroidery with great dignity. “The Wudang[1] sect heard your call. Though we are loath to involve ourselves in the muck of ordinary existence, the demons are an existential threat to good order.”

“How many did you bring?” She asked, as she placed a tea kettle on the coal stove not far away. She left it to boil slowly, while she prepared the remainder of the teaset and snacks.

“Here, you mean? Just the two of us.” He sniffed. “This was meant to be all talk, and a declaration of intent. Until, of course, your prince stole the march on us.

“Literally.”

“Not my prince.” Fa Yuan sighed. “He is impetuous and thinks himself the next Liu Bei[2].”

“Overinflated and in love with himself?” Sneered Elder En. “Appropriate.”

She laughed, sitting beside him. “It has been many years. Too many.”

“More than a decade, in truth. I have grown even older and you still are as beautiful as ever. My condolences.”

She inclined her head acceptance of his words in the spirit that it had been spoken. “And the sect?”

“Three hands.” Fa Yuan let out a little huff of surprise. “I told you, the Wudang sect will act when the realm is in danger.”

“Elders?”

“Just one other than me. I will have to travel quicky to reach them.”

“You brought her?”

The old man smiled, beatifically to her. However, the way his hand touched the ring on his finger told her everything that she needed to know.

“I’m surprised they let you.”

“Let me?” Elder En snorted. “What right do you think they have, to dictate my movements or that of my items?”

“Do you all not preach the removal of all attachments?”

“Preach, yes.” He sighed. “Perhaps it is because we fail at it so easily, that so few of our kind have ascended.” He shook his head. “Your brother’s ascension shook our rolls, I must admit.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Why apologise? Those whose faith in our path can be so easily shaken should not be walking it anyway. Better for them to learn it sooner rather than later, when old age and regret has found them.”

With the tea boiled, Fa Yuan began the process of serving it to the old man. They fell into comfortable conversation, speaking of acquaintances that they both knew of. The Wudang sect was one of the larger ascetic sects in the kingdoms, stretching across both the Shen, Wei and a few other kingdoms. Each chapter was not large and many integrated their existences into monasteries like the one they were currently visiting. Still, for all that, they were considered one of the hidden powers in the Middle Kingdom – at least, by those who knew of them.

“Your tea brewing skills still require more practice,” Elder En said. “But your snacks, as always, are impressive.”

“Your thoughts are noted, senior.” A small smile danced across her lips. “Next time, I shall come to visit you.”

“Bah! You know I do not have the right teas for this.”

“Then I shall gift you some.” Reaching for the tin, she closed it firmly and offered it to the old man. The usual push-pull routine of courtesy denial and insistence continued a couple of times before Elder En pocketed the tin at last.

“What is it with that look?” he said, waspishly as Fa Yuan stared at him.

“I’m wondering whether it’s time to ask about your companions. Or if I should wait, and let you bring the question about your presence to the close,” she said. “If we dither much longer, I’ll have to invite you to dinner.”

“Perhaps that is my goal,” Elder En said.

“Tired of eating vegetables and fish again?” Her lips twitched upwards. “You are a terrible ascetic.”

“I am a wonderful ascetic. I’ve survived near eighty years being an ascetic with the memory of roast duck and suckling pig on my tongue as a child.” Elder En sniffed. “But that does not mean I do not enjoy it when presented. Moderation – even in withholding oneself – is to be desired.”

“You’d get along well with Tou He.”

“The meat-loving ex-monk of yours?”

“I did not know you met him.”

“Once, long ago. That is one who will ascend high,” Elder En said. “Perhaps higher than me. Even if he strays from the path of Buddha, he still finds the heart of their philosophy.”

“Not as a cultivator?” she said, curiously.

“Perhaps that too. Or maybe he’ll ascend, propping himself up on two figures and not just one.” Lined brows deepened, as he sighed. “It makes one feel old, to see the youth dance past one. Knowing that ones own path was long ago cut short.”

“Senior…”

“It is fine. It was a choice I made, long ago. Not to stare at the heavens and desire them. I feared – I fear – their wrath too much. If I am to ascend, it will be in the next life. In the meantime, this one is more than adequate. I have my painting, I have my cats and I have my brothers. What more could a man ask for?”

Fa Yuan’s answer to that was to offer him more of the snacks, filling his plate with the red bean paste bun that he preferred. He smiled indulgently, taking a bite of the crispy outer layer, making appropriately delighted sounds. When he laid the half-consumed bun on the plate, red bean paste showing and crumbs falling – all gently guided to the plate with a subtle enforcement of will and aura – he added.

“I’m here to see an old friend, catch up with them. And ask, if she would, to tell this old man about the fate of the demon heretic she escorted.” Now, his voice grew colder and stern. “Why she let one live, when all good men and women would see them destroyed.”

A trace of killing intent leaked out from the older man, and Fa Yuan was reminded that Elder En was known by another name once. His title, before he had retired. Ten Paces Death.

And she was much closer than ten paces.

[1] Yes, the Wudang sect have finally arrived! For those who don’t read classic wuxia, the Wudang sect are famously ascetic, upright and orthodox. Sometimes, a little too much, though many of the great heroes of wuxia come from their ranks. Or get beaten down by them, for being a little too human.|

[2] Famous strategist from the Three Kingdoms era. In popular culture, considered the greatest strategist that ever lived. In reality, that was Han Xin.