Torsten Hewson
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v2 c78: Aftermath
🕑 Added 2021-11-16 03:28:25 +0000 UTCXiulan’s eyebrows raised at the tall, solidly built Young Master of the Hermetic Iron Sect. His face was flushed, he nervously glanced back at his junior disciple, who was nodding rapidly. He took a breath then held out a necklace with an intricately carved pendant.
“Rou Tigu! I—I, uh, made this for you.”
The night had started rather innocently enough at a Chao Baozi, aside from Xianghua’s interruption. The restaurant was crowded at this time of night. Rags’ and Loud Boy’s mortal friends had gone to get more drinks. Even Xianghua’s sudden arrival had been but a splash in the pond. As the ripples settled from her arrival, her Junior Brother having swiftly retreated from the overtly flirty woman was sitting with the boy Xianghua had brought with her. Xiulan felt a certain measure of satisfaction, that her Junior Brother recognised trouble when he saw it.
It had taken her a second to place this Bowu, though. A half forgotten memory had risen of coming to the aid of a crippled boy when she had visited the Misty Lake. Xiulan had intervened when she saw a junior disciple mistreating him. Sending a disgraceful junior disciple on his way with a warning, she had aided the boy in getting back to his home. She hadn’t even known Xianghua had a sibling at the time; the familial resemblance was obvious, though, if you saw them together.
Xianghua had let Gou Ren go without much complaint, Simply smiling as Gou Ren started his conversation with her brother as she was accosted by Tigu.
An Ran had seemed to not really know what to do at the stronger cultivator’s sudden intrusion, and had retreated to speak with the rest of the petals.
Which is when Rags’ mortal friends had returned, each one carrying a tray, an entire tray of wine bottles.
Xiulan had understood that there were no fights the next day, but really, the fact that they were so loose about things was astonishing. She was fine with them getting a little drunk, but that was all together a bit much.
She had joined in, though in moderation, when something else unexpected happened.
She had noticed the Young Master of the Hermetic Iron Sect, Tie Delun, entering the establishment which was a bit strange. None of the other sects were here, and he seemed nervous and uncertain.
After Tigu had spotted him she’d eagerly waved him over to join them.
“Handsome Man! Come eat with us!” She had shouted merrily, hanging off Xianghua’s shoulder.
The man’s face had flushed at the attention from Tigu. He’d squared his shoulders, glanced at his junior for a moment then marched over to Tigu.
Tigu cocked her head to the side. Her eyes shone as she looked over the piece and its intricate detailing.
“Why did you make this for me?” she asked.
The man blushed deeper. “Ah… A token of my appreciation, for your support during my match, Miss Rou. Your words… er, inspired my strikes.”
Tigu actually colored and she scratched the back of her head. Xiulan raised an eyebrow. Was she about to see Tigu try to run off and inform Master Jin of a suitor?
“Ah, it truly helped you? Ah, then—” She stood, and performed a proper bow. “Thank you for this gift.”
She took it, her fingers ghosting over the carvings. Tie Delun grinned, and breathed a sigh of relief. He nodded happily, oblivious to Loud Boy and Rags, who were staring daggers at the man.
Tie Delun bowed his head to Tigu. “I’m pleased that you accept this token. I shall leave you to—”
Tigu grabbed his arm, stopping him. She pulled him into the seat next to her.
“How did you make it?” Tigu asked, her eyes shining. “Do the carvings mean anything? What material is it?”
The man seemed taken aback at the rapid-fire questions, as Yun Ren leaned in, staring at the pendant curiously. “Ah, it is made of silver, from the mines near The Silver Shore.” Tie Delun began.
Two of her students, Huyi and Li, decided that the table had gotten a bit too cramped for their tastes, and stood, dragging another over to sit elsewhere. They nodded to Delun’s Junior brother, who after a glance at his Young Master, tentatively came over and sat with them.
Tigu calling out to Tie Delun seemed to be some sort of breaking point.
Another cultivator, wearing a blue tunic approached the full table, curious at the sudden gathering. “What is going on here?” He asked, looking around at the strange group that formed.
“A good time” Rags declared. He took a sip of wine, tilted his head to the side and then offered up a bottle to the newcomer.
“This is pigswill.” The cultivator in blue stated primly, brushing down his expensive clothes. He brought out a bottle that was tied around his waist. “This is what a man should have.”
Rags took a swig of the proffered bottle. He nodded at the taste. “Smooth, have a taste brother,”
He handed it to Loud Boy, who indulged and promptly started coughing.
Uproarious laughter followed. Rags offered a seat at the table to the cultivator and the man in blue sat down.
Xiulan drifted off to the side, simply observing. She sat at the bar, and watched as the others interacted, Tigu somehow managing to pull in more and more people with her boisterous attitude. It was amusing to watch how happy she was.There were some intense stares from some of the men, but so far none had tried their luck with her, which she was grateful for. Being seen as aloof and untouchable had some benefits after all. She watched the gathering in peace.
It was like the soldiers she once knew. Rowdy and growing rowdier. The thought invited a dull ache, but did not hurt as much as it once did. She idly sipped her drink, remembering the names.
More and more people came to see what was going on, as the table got louder. Two disciples from the Misty Lake, who Xianghua waved at, joined the Petals. A nervous looking woman wearing a beautiful brooch that Tigu seemed to know was waved over. The orange-haired girl slung an arm around her shoulder, declaring them friends.
Members of the Framed Sun Sect, their forces entirely defeated, and looking tired, noticed the commotion, and wandered in. They saw the mix of three different sects and independents. Several scoffed, and Xiulan thought they had a mind to start trouble, until they saw an image projected on the wall. Yun Ren had brought up the image he took of the Dueling Peaks Sunset, the inspiration for their sect’s techniques.
The Young Master of the Framed Sun Sect marched over immediately, his eyes focused on the image.
And another group joined the party.
The crowd grew rowdier, gathering more stares from the curious. Cultivators wandered in from the outside happily joining the group in their celebration. Disciples went back to their sects to spread the word of the gathering bringing even more.
There was some commotion, as Tigu started arguing with someone about art, clearly getting frustrated.
“Oh, so it's like that?! Well, allow me to show you!” Tigu suddenly boomed, pointing at another person. She raised her hands, a single Qi Blade forming over each. They were small, Tigu being too tired from the competition to summon her full strength.
It was enough for her desires though, and Tigu’s Qi blades rent into the table.
“Hey!” The owner of this branch of Chao Baozi shouted, who until this point had merely been watching them warily. He was fat around the middle with massive arms and a bright red nose. His face was a cross of fear and indignation, and an older gentleman, who had been leaning against the bar all night, straightened up. He was some manner of cultivator, that was clear to Xiulan, the fifth stage of the initiate’s realm, from what she could gather. She had not seen him in the tournament however.
Tigu flushed, seeming to realise what she had done, and stood, bowing her head to the owner.
“Rou Tigu apologises for the damage to your property!” She said contritely. “I shall acquire another for you!”
The man seemed surprised at her display of remorse.
“Ah….uh… if it can be repaired, we’ll do that instead.” He offered, “How bad is the damage?”
Tigu nodded, and several people lifted off plates, bowls and cups so she could pick it up and show the owner.
A carving of Tie Delun stared back, his muscles bulging as he and his hammer in mid-motion as he delivered a strike to an opponent. So lifelike it seemed that the hammer would whirl out of the carving and strike down whoever was facing it..
There were gasps of shock and whistles of appreciation from the crowd.
The owner stared at the carving in his table. He licked his lips. A mercenary smile stretched across his face.
“I’ll forgive you if you do the rest of the tables like that. A different one for each.” He offered.
Tigu brightened.
“Handsome Man, I challenge you!” She shouted. “I shall finish more tables, and at a higher quality than you!”
The man seemed utterly confused as Tigu gave her terms to her fellow carver, but he squared his shoulders and nodded.
“As you Say Miss Rou. I apologise, but I’ll be challenging your might.”
Tigu laughed. “I welcome every challenge! Never apologise for it!”
The pair spread out and began to work. Ragged cheers rose up from the crowd as splinters of wood started to fly.
“Hmmm? Sitting off to the side like always, how boring.” Xianghua sprawled into the seat next to Xiulan. She had a wide smile on her face, as she took a swig of her own wine. “Though I’m surprised you’re here at all. I try for years, and nothing. Tell me, who succeeded in making Cai Xiulan come to a bar? Who stole this accomplishment from me?”
Xiulan let the needling comment slide off her back. Even after nearly a decade of tolerating Xianghua, Xiulan didn’t know what to make of the woman. They didn’t see each other often, and she was everything Xiulan wasn’t, or so she had thought. Arrogant and boastful. Free with her words and rebellious. Constantly needling Xiulan, or demanding that she go out and do something not related to cultivation…
Everything she had learned from Master Jin. And Xiulan had refused her every time, claiming that the time was better spent cultivating.
She could admit now that Xianhua had tried to be her friend and she had rejected her.Xiulan looked at Xianghua, whose eyes were on Bowu, who was deep in discussion with Gou Ren. A sister’s smile. Shoulders not tense. Like Xiulan herself felt, when she left Fa Ram.
“...I wish I had done so sooner. Back when you offered.” Words tinged with regret. Memories of a friendship that could have been, if not for her own thoughts on duty. “It is an enjoyable experience. As are the songs. Have you heard of the one with the Whore and the Donkey?”
Xianghua made a show of glancing into her cup curiously, then back at Xiulan.
“Are you sure you’re the same person?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.
“...no. I don’t think I am.” the Blade of Grass admitted after a moment.
Xianghua’s face went blank, as she examined Xiulan’s expression, before scoffing.
“Don’t change so much, fool. It makes things difficult for me.” She said bluntly, turning back to the party. Several shirts ahd come off, and Yun Ren had stopped his images, instead setting up a collection of cups and a ball, a game he had learned from Master Jin. But there was almost a fondness in Xianghua’s voice.
Xiulan closed her eyes. They sat together, both watching as the carvings got more and more intricate.
Xiulan poured Xianghua a drink.
“Hmph. Took you long enough.” Xianghua said.
She held up her cup.
Xiulan hooked her arm around Xianghua’s
They drank, their arms linked.
Xianghua seemed inordinately pleased with herself.
“Before the Semifinals, will you have another drink with me?” Xiulan asked.
The answer was immediate.
“Of course not.” Xianghua stated bluntly, sticking her nose in the air. “I have to take care of that handsome brother over there.”
“Do not toy with him or his heart.” Xiulan said, focusing her intent on Xianghua. The other woman paused, and raised an eyebrow. “And don’t interfere with my juniors.”
“She certainly let me monopolize his time easily enough.” Xianghua smirked.
Xiulan frowned.
“You are infuriating sometimes.”
“This Young Mistress can only be infuriating to her lessers. Do work on your composure, Blade of Grass.” She smirked again, before her eyes turned serious. “...it is not my intention to toy with him.”
“What about your father?” Xiulan asked.
“What about him?” Xianghua replied derisively. “If he thinks to choose my future, he is a fool. I choose my own destiny. Is that not what a cultivator does?”
Xiulan went quiet, digesting her words when there was a sudden commotion, as two men stood, snarling at each other. Tigu for a brief moment perked up, happy that Master Jin’s statement about cultivators and restaurants was about to come true. Before she slumped, remembering the tournament rules. No fighting outside designated areas. She considered the two men, before her eyes widened with an idea.
Things were getting heated in the argument, when Tigu came back with a barrel. She went to the arguing pair with it.
“This doesn’t count as fighting, right?” Tigu asked, as she slammed a barrel down in between the two angry men. She looked over at the owner of the restaurant for confirmation.
The fat man nodded tentatively.
“Go on then!” Tigu demanded. The men seemed utterly confused… but complied with her demand. The two angry cultivators rammed their elbows onto the barrel, and clasped hands.
The entire restauraunt’s attention turned to the pair.
“The next round on the one in yellow.” Xiulan stated.
“A fool's bet, but I shall oblige you. Be thankful for my charity, Cai.”
Both women snorted.
There was a roar, as the yellow clad man toppled his opponent. Xianghua waved for the bottle, as they watched another man walk up, to challenge the man in yellow.
=========================
Eventually, the night wound down. Xianghua collected her sleeping brother from Gou Ren. The groups of cultivators broke off, or some simply fell asleep across tables, much to the owner’s exasperation.
But one thing stuck with Xiulan.
Xianghua’s statement, of choosing her own destiny.
It invaded her thoughts, as she tried to get to sleep, Tigu curling into Xiulan’s side.
She thought of it on the day of rest, as Tigu slept, recovering her strength.
She thought on it up to the last minute before her match, the first of the day.
Duty warred with desire. She pushed down the intrusive thoughts, and tried to focus— when she saw Xianghua cheerfully leaning up against Gou Ren. Her Junior Brother looked mildly concerned at the aggressive tactics, and seemed to be trying to use Bowu as a shield against his sister. Yun Ren just kept taking pictures.
“The Beautiful and Graceful Demon Slaying Orchid Versus—”
Xianghua caught Xiulan’s gaze, and winked.
The match started. Her opponent took advantage of her lapse in concentration, throwing himself forwards.Her own destiny. What was her own destiny? It was still something she was figuring out.
She thought about it, as her body moved of its own accord.
What happened next was not beautiful nor elegant.
There was an ugly crack as Xiulan stepped forwards.
Two foreheads connected. Her opponent sprawled to the ground.
The shocked silence afterwards was punctuated by Tigu’s laughter.
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Sorry for the mixup with the early post of the chapter on RR. Now things are ready!
Comments
Steven Whitfield
I laughed out loud at the last paragraph!
Mondred
Thx for the chapter. "His face was flushed, he nervously glanced back at his junior disciple" ->"junior brother"? unless he already took a disciple.
Sanairb
All the statues would have to be of a nude Jin though.
paul Emmer
Very well done
Faolen
Headbutt!!
Red Viking
The Grass has finally returned to the Earth.
Nick Marini
Beautiful form from Xiulan. Learning from the best.
BrauBaer
Funny, beautiful and fucking wholesome. I was smiling from beginning to end. Thank you for the chapter! <3
Sam
Really great chapter. This is the kind of chapter that made me subscribe to the patreon. And though it is clearly stated that it was not beautiful or elegant, my mental image of a distracted Xulian turning her head at a charging opponent and laying them out with a headbutt is magnificent. **chef's kiss** One note, take it or leave it. The flow of this sentence bugged me, it needs a pause in between "Brother" and "having": "As the ripples settled from her arrival, her Junior Brother having swiftly retreated from the overtly flirty woman was sitting with the boy Xianghua had brought with her" Dashes might be a good fix. Something like: "As the ripples settled from her arrival, her Junior Brother–having retreated swiftly from the overtly flirty woman–was sitting with the boy Xianghua had brought with her."
Manga Muse
Really glad to have discovered this series and your work. I genuinely feel like I strive to be a better person after reading. Proud to be a patron and am looking forward to the following chapters :)
Randall Norman Pick
Honestly given her usual moveset no cultivator would see that one coming.
Nicholas Grey
The man’s face had flushed at the attention from Tigu. He’d squared his shoulders, glanced at his junior for a moment then marched over to Tigu. Tigu cocked her head to the side. Her eyes shone as she looked over the piece and its intricate detailing. There needs to be some visible text break or marker between these two paragraphs here to indicate that the opening scene is inserted.
FlawlessMovement
That’s so genuinely funny. I love it
ericksond
Very nice. Read this early before work. Refreshing.
Adam Rosenberg
Is headbutting against the rules?
Nick
Did Xulian just get herself disqualified from the tournament by headbutting someone ?
Morgan
Truly a story worth reading
A K
Yeah, the ending was really dramatic :-)
TheOne320
Loved this chapter. The headbutt at the end was epic.
Rairarku
Honestly, yeah. Everyone looks at her atk and dex stats, as if her charisma isn't as high as though two.
TheOne320
I really think she likes him as a brother. She has never made any subconscious reacts to him.
reji
Who teach her headbutting? Tigu?
Demian Buckle
Thank you for the Chapter.
Chad Hagner
Loved this chapter, and the headbutt finish was perfect!
Zeta
All that's left is for Jin to arrive and beat up that impostor for the second time
Oliver Wolfe
His brother got a mystic sword from his unknown ancient ancestor guardian spirit, so both brothers are doing pretty well on vacuuming up the tropes from Jin right now!
Casualfarmer
A very minor character that was brought up again. the girl who was rude to Tigu in the first restaurant and git blasted with Tigu's intent.
Eric Bloom
Who's the girl with the beautiful brooch that tigu'er calls her friend? I feel like I missed something.
Jan Alexander
Haha. Headbutt finish.
fbt
talking is only a small part of personal interactions, ofc; actions, reactions, glances, pauses, silence, expressions, etc. It's a nice interaction chapter that isn't all talky (I'm reading another story where the author totally doesn't get this). I admire this when it's done well.
Joel Bullock
Daaamn Xuilyn with the classic headbutt
Gabriel
Very fun and I think it really captured something about being at a gathering with changing perspectives.
taukid
Just imagine watching that perfect, graceful young mistress headbutt someone into the ground, lol
The Lost Pages
For as little talking as happened in this chapter, this is one if my favorites from the tournament arc. We'll done.
J03MAN
It seemed almost explicit to me given the last two chapters.
IG884HIRE
I'm getting a vague "on the autism spectrum" feeling from Xianghua. That just me reading into her odd personality, or is that actually what's going on?
Eric
Get me a quote and I'll consider it.
James
I was thinking something similar about how Jin might have interesting input for the modified pill furnace the kid made for his sister. Be interesting to see what Casual does with these newer characters.
STORRM
oh my god man that was so good, so satisfying, so refreshing. I kinda want to see Gou Ren end up with an accidental harem now, like all the anime tropes Jin is trying to avoid happing to Gou Ren and Jin just standing off to the side shaking his head. its only right that the anime training he did should result in anime tropes happing to him.
Nick
Thanks for the chapter
Sean McClain
I hope they offer the crippled little brother an invitation to the farm so with Jin's modern knowledge and Meiling healing arts may be able to fix it.
SuperiorFreak
First, profound mudballs. Now, profound headbutts. Truly Earth Chan is a wise master.
Undead Writer
Worth the wait! Love it! Thanks for the chapter!
Bonifacio Mario Peña Jr.
And so the framed sun sect became a renowned photography club. Traveling the world with their camera crystals in search of new vistas to take home. Developing new and varied techniques for both photography and martial arts from the sun cutting through the darkest of jungles, spreading it's light and warmth through the coldest land scapes, And turning scorching deserts into blinding mirrors of heat and light This is not that story. In other news, Tigu shall carve a series of statues in hermetic iron. And the sect shall use them to teach it's techniques instead of scrolls. They also get a bunch of fan girls because anime.
Kara Nina
I think someone is getting just a tiny little bit jealous.
Eric Hutchinson
This was a great chapter
mhaj58
Someone commission the artist to draw an illustration of that last scene with Xuilan and the headbutt
Andrew
Thank you!
Nicholas Grey
I LOVED this chapter. Lots of character development for Lanlan, and a much needed boot up the rear! A few notes: "Xianghua had let Gou Ren go without much complaint, Simply smiling as Gou Ren started his conversation with her brother as she was accosted by Tigu." - simply (no capital). Also, two "as" in quick succession - perhaps "when Gou Ren"? "Tie Delun, entering the establishment which was a bit strange." - "establishment, which" (otherwise it means that the establishment was strange) “A good time” Rags declared - "A good time!" "A carving of Tie Delun stared back, his muscles bulging as he and his hammer in mid-motion as he delivered a strike to an opponent." - the sentence doesn't parse correctly. Perhaps "his muscles bulging in mid-motion as he and his hammer delivered a strike", or "his muscles bulging, he and his hammer captured in mid-motion as he..." “As you Say Miss Rou.", - "As you say, Miss Rou." (capital, comma) "had rejected her.Xiulan looked" - space after full stop "Have you heard of the one with the Whore and the Donkey?" - either "the one called the Whore and the Donkey" (capitals for a song title) or "the one with the whore and the donkey" (no capitals needed) "Several shirts ahd come off" - had "himself forwards.Her own destiny." - missing space "What happened next was not beautiful nor elegant." - "neither beautiful nor elegant" or "not beautiful, nor elegant"
Purpose of empower
love it thanks!
Bobtur
Do you like lemons ?
Gary Hixenbaugh
Excellent, well worth the wait.
Undead Writer
ITS HERE!!
Undead Writer
YEEEEESSSS!!!!
Rallaster
Damn, those last 2 lines though. I laughed so hard I cried. Phenomenal chapter!
AlbusScitus
I have to say this is a great chapter. It's tone fits perfectly with the rest of the story and is an awesome follow up to the climax of the previous chapter. It also wraps things up in a semi tidy way, leaving some plot threads alive, but otherwise is a satisfying conclusion to this mini-arc.
Nicholas Grey
I think everyone underestimates Ti Gu's charisma as a dominating stat...
Yeeeees
Darune Albane
... nice ending to the fight 😂
Jake
That was just fun to read!
Ask-if-I-like-lemons
It's amazing as always! I gotta tell you man. Out of all my Patreon subscriptions, this has been by far the most worth it.
Qrystof
I hope it was one of Jin Rou's moves. God, I'd love for him to just have arrived and see or hear about it.
Sean Ulrich
Xiulan uses Headbutt! Critical hit! It’s super effective!
Gam
The holy text has come Jonathan!
