"It is good to see you, honoured mother." Shuren's hair was dishevelled, having just woken out of bed in the early morning, but he was already deep in a bow. A stinging pain pricked across his forehead. His mother retracted her fingers, her blonde hair slightly levitating in the room. "It's mum, you're sounding insufferable. I'll put the power of a silver next time." She gawked at her son with her piercing blue eyes. "Still, impressive, you really did train yourself till Iron Talisbody."
Shuren's mother hadn't appeared often at the manor in the past two years, having become an external elder ever since all her children grew up to take care of themselves. While his father refused to communicate with the main family, she held the connection from time to time. In the end, they were all from the Liu clan, and she had to ensure her children had the support of their resources when push comes to shove.
Unfortunately, unlike her two younger and cuter children, Shuren ended up becoming a bit obstinate and old-fashioned. The stuck up elders of the Liu Clan ended up rubbing too much off him.
"Shu, go get ready. I'm taking you for breakfast." and without hearing a response, she left. Shuren groaned, rubbing his hand on his head. His mother was still chaotic and wild, as always.
***
Hebi breathed cold air as he leaned against the gates, and dew could be found on the grass outside the manor.
Hebi was dozing off, since no one would dare to comment about it. He had a hidden talent for at least knowing when Shuren's father was around the corner, switching up his act. It was routine as usual, but even he couldn't help but widen his eyes at the ridiculous sight he saw. The composed, stoic young master, dressed well for the occasion, had walked out of the manor. And before he knew it, the lady of the manor in stark red garbs grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, like a mother cat grabbing her child, and flew off into the distance. Hebi rubbed off the morning scab between his eyes before saying, "That kid always gets played around like this when she comes, aye?"
***
The wind plastered Shuren's eyes wide open, making it difficult for him to say anything. The entertainment district north of their home was nearing closer, as he saw a tall pavilion surrounded by floating mist. His shivering hands struggled to grasp his robes, trying to circulate Qi throughout his body. "D-dearest…mother. Please-" A stinging pain went throughout his body from the neck. He felt his Qi being forced out, facing the cold once more. "M-mother, please. My robes. Slipping. Spare my dignity." Shuren eked out. Only then did he feel a cool surge of Qi on his neck.
The Divine Flavours Pagoda was the most renowned restaurant in Clouds City, entertaining many travellers from afar. Especially during the Seven Clouds Sect admission, when they would allow temporary sponsorships from other sects.
A mystical array of clouds surrounded each floor of the pagoda, shining in a myriad of colours. The top floor enveloped in a translucent cloud, an open space where the esteemed customer could view the outside and keep privacy. A dainty maid stood in place, head bowed and fists placed upon one another.
"The guests should have arrived by now…right?" She said, too nervous to move a muscle. A guest of the upmost floor would be at the very least a powerful cultivator, one she dare not risk offending. In the usual cases, both parties would arrive precisely on time, a custom so as to not offend each other.
Seconds turned to minutes as sweat formed on her forehead, so she took a peek up at the sky, only to see a bird hurtling down that seemed to have grown in size rapidly. Her pupils constricted as she realised it took the form of a man falling from the sky.
Shuren was supposed to be having breakfast right now. In his manor, while having a nice cup of tea. Reading Dan Zi's scriptures of poems in tranquillity.
He shut his eyes for a moment, deluding himself that this situation would go away, but his mother always liked her tests. The first step of Qi Mastery was to envelop the body. The second step, to ignite the muscles with Qi. The third, to contract and retract Qi within those muscles, forming a mobile rebound force.
One hand still clutching his robes, Shuren opened his eyes wide, enveloped in Qi, thus shielding it from the wind.
"What I need here," Shuren said, struggling to stretch out his left hand parallel to his body, until he locked his joints, "Is density!". The sensations of the sharp cutting of wind dulled as Qi enveloped his arm. Condense. Condense. Condense!
He shifted from free falling upside down to slowly shifting his body around with the arm as an anchor. Once his sight below his feet was the top floor, the strain on his arm lessened as Qi revolved throughout his entire body in equilibrium.
Now he had to protect his body and cause no damage to the establishment. Cycling Qi to his feet, he contracted and retracted, creating a buoyant rebounding field. And at the last point of contact, tilted his legs to lessen the shock even further.
Shuren clenched his jaw and grinned to hide the pain, instantly brushing off his landing. "Maid, bring me your best tea using the leaves of Silverwoods." Shuren commanded, his aura of elegance returning as he uncreased his clothing and fixed his posture. Once she had left his view, he waddled over, grimacing, to his seat.
"Not bad. Who's been guiding you?" his mother said.
When Shuren looked up, across his table sat his mother already.
"Honou- Father gives me guidance from time to time." He replied with a neutral gaze. The young maid stealthily placed his tea on the table, wanting to eavesdrop no more.
The servants had brought out their most renowned dishes, from the explosive Heartstrung Marinade Bicorn that made your blood boil, to the light and sweet Heavepetals soup, making you breathe out sparks. Shuren's eyes flashed as he saw what was a simple fish dish. He brought his ornate laced knife to slice into its autumn coloured meat. A golden sac of honeyed blood flowed out.
"This is…this is the Aurum Fish, from the excerpt of 'A Fish to Dragon' poem by Dan Zi!" He collected both flesh and blood to savour it. Sweat began coalescing at his brow at the intensity of the taste. Light and candied on the outside, but dense; sharp and spicy on the inside. Blowing out hot air, Shuren professed, "As Dan Zi says, the fish is sweet, light and weak. Inside, lie hidden and embroiled its wrath, relentless rage that defies the savage waters." Shuren set aside his cutlery and cleared his throat.
Fragile fish, fading, Strives against the waterfall, Seeking myths below. Ruthless resolve transcends death, The immortal dragon soars.
But what lay in front of him was a fish that failed to ascend, captured by its predators. One day, He would have to see a fish that managed to ascend to a dragon. Shuren mused, grabbing his tea.
Shu really gets silly at the most strange things. Truthfully, he would never act like this with anyone else, aside from his family. She rubbed her forehead, sighed wistfully when thinking back to the past.
Amused at her son's antics, she said, "I've heard some interesting news. A delegate from the north will come to formalise an alliance with the Seven Clouds. They'll send someone to stay for a while, so take this chance to make some friends."
Shuren's face soured. He did not like the direction her mother suggested. "If it's meant to be, it will be. If it isn't, then it is the will of the world."
"Stop copying your favourite poet and use your own words." Shuren's mother chided, taking a sip out of her phoenix feather receptacle. "I have an old friend in the sect. I've put in a word for you, which'll help you become a Core Disciple faster." She smiled, proud of her son, unaware that her final words were an insult.
Shuren didn't finish his first sip when he asked, "Mother, what did you do?"
His mother explained herself, "What? I know her, and she's an elder who needs some disciples. The faster you become a Core Disciple, the better it'll be for youm right?"
Shuren placed his cup of tea back on the table with a thud.
"I wish to be judged fairly and accordingly. I did not work only to backpedal off your connections. I will join the Seven Clouds inner sect through my own efforts, my own skills, my own power." Shuren criticised, but he ensured to still keep the utmost softness and respect in his tone.
"I thank you for always working hard to give us resources, even though they were taken away from us. Mother, please guide me, but know I'm past the age you need to carry me anymore." He looked down at his table, hiding his intense glare with tensed facial muscles. "The last thing I need is the Head of the Liu Clan laying claim to my success and results by using this as an example."
"Alright, I'll let her know." The lady of the Liu clan sighed and leaned back, staring upward at the sky. "Shuren, I can always refer you to the Codexuan Society, if you get tired of this place."
"You still take me for some spoilt brat. There's nothing I can achieve there." He shook his head with a wistful smile. Poetry and the art of words was just a hobby, nothing more. Right now his father was working hard as a merchant, and his mother working as an external elder for another sect. How could he be the one to slack around without focusing to improve their family's situation?
"I'm sorry for not being around as much nowadays. I'm going to get a lot more busy soon." She touched the badge on her robe, a stark red line cutting through a heavenly eye.
Hearing those words didn't mean much to Shuren. Since his youth, his mother had always been busy with work. But he understood.
"I'll prepare a suitable gift for you when you break through to Path Foundation." She glanced at the staff at his side. Mingjian worked really hard this time.
"Save your energy to look after Yuxi and Jing. I won't be able to see them as often now as well, so it's your turn to step up for the while," Shuren said, cutting another piece of meat.
He felt ringing pain in his forehead as a chopstick smacked right into it.
"Don't get smarmy with me, Little Shu. I'm your mother, I can coddle you as I see fit." Shuren's mother held three floating chopsticks in her hand, ready to strike.
Shuren reacted with a wearisome smile. "Either way, I'm aiming to become a Core Disciple within a year. If I can reach Rank 3; Core Genesis within three years, the chances of me becoming an External Elder is all but guaranteed." With a sip of his drink, he washed down the food down his throat.
"Has the new Patriarch contacted you, mother?"
"Not recently. Why do you ask?"
Shuren took a deep breath, thinking on what to say. In the end, he decided against it.
"Nothing."
If his mother didn't know, then Shuren could rest assured. Of the little game between him and the new Patriarch.
A bet for Shuren to achieve his goal without the support of the Liu Clan. Or give up his claim to succession to claim short term benefits. Today is the entry to the sect. I can't afford even a day to relax. Not until I see his smug face sour from my success.
Shuren stood up, clasping his hands to bow towards his mother. "My gratitudes, mother. I'm going to leave now. The Sect's initiation will begin in a few hours."
Though he tried to leave at once, he was met with the warmth of an embrace. Shuren could only stand still.
"The project I've been working on is coming to a close and once that happens, I'll be home more often. Do your best, and don't be shy to rely on me." His mother rubbed Shuren's hair, tightening her hug.
"Of course I will. If I don't work hard, I'd just be a waste. Have a bit more faith in me." With those words, Shuren broke the embrace to leave for the sect opening ceremony.
His mother watched as he left, her eyes strained with anxiety.
Foolish son, Yuxi and Jing are fine. You're the one I haven't spent enough time with. If it weren't for what happened back then, our connection wouldn't have been so estranged.
She faced north towards the slumbering Volkahor Mountains.
With the Order's new project in finding the Virtuous Paragon's legacy, I'll be able to return with enough influence to gain more influence in our clan. We're getting so close now, just wait a bit longer.