Chapter 13 — Reunion

Half a month had passed since his return from the secluded valley. Zhang Qingyue had now been at the Canglan Sect for three full years, and with that his days of chopping bamboo were over as well. Only, the marks he submitted just before it ended would have made even him blush.

Because of that inexplicable trip into the valley, Zhang Qingyue had spent the following half month dizzy and light-headed, short of qi and thin of blood, his whole body prone to sudden exhaustion. Privately he guessed that it must have been caused by the massive blood loss he had glimpsed in his dazed state that day. But when he searched his whole body he found not a single wound. Uneasy at heart, yet not daring to ask his master, he simply buried it inside.

He said nothing, but his body answered for him. Before, however poor he was, he could at least fell two big black-jointed bamboos. Now a few strokes left him gasping, cold sweat beading his brow, and half a day's work could not bring down even one. In truth, no wonder: that day in the secluded valley, the Blood-Devouring Pearl had drained nearly half the essence and blood from his body. Had he not always been sturdy, he would long since have been bedridden. Still, for Zhang Qingyue to chop bamboo as he once had was now pure fantasy.

This state persisted until, after half a month, he began to feel somewhat recovered, his spirit and strength a little better. But by then the bamboo-chopping assignment had also ended. On the final day, under the watchful eyes of Senior Brother Song Dayi and the others who had come to inspect, Zhang Qingyue summoned every ounce of strength and finally felled a single black-jointed bamboo before the time ran out.

Song Dayi and the rest exchanged glances, struck dumb. Only Tian Lingsu stepped forward, cheerfully clapped him on the shoulder, and said, "Xiaofan, don't worry. You have one-tenth of my skill—a good tenth, at that. That's already quite good."

Zhang Qingyue could only smile bitterly.

At dinner time, the whole household of Dazhu Peak sat gathered in the dining hall. After Tian Buhui and his wife had taken their seats, Song Dayi first reported on Zhang Qingyue's situation. Tian Buhui gave a cold snort and did not even glance at Zhang Qingyue. It was Su Wan who smiled and said, "Ah, Xiaofan, you have been with us on Dazhu Peak for three years now."

Zhang Qingyue hastened to reply, "Yes, Mistress."

Su Wan sighed softly. "Time flies so fast. Three years gone in a blink." Then she paused, raised her voice, and said to the other six disciples, "Do you all feel the same?"

The disciples of Dazhu Peak all gave a start and sat up straight at once. "Yes!"

Su Wan gave a little huff. "Your junior brother has grown up now, and yet in these three years you have made no progress at all. Are you trying to anger your master and me to death?"

No one dared speak, but every eye turned toward Song Dayi. Pressed by his junior brothers, he steeled himself and said, "Rest assured, Mistress. This time we will surely do you proud!"

The word "unconvinced" was written plainly on Su Wan's face. She was about to speak when Tian Buhui suddenly cut in: "Old Six."

Du Biyan said, "Master, you called for me?"

Tian Buhui said mildly, "These past few days I have seen you in the kitchen when you have free time, dancing about before the pots and pans. What is the meaning of this?"

Du Biyan's face flushed red. His mouth opened and shut, and he stammered, "Master, you—how did you see that?"

Su Wan said with a note of surprise, "Biyan, what is it?"

Du Biyan said, "Your disciple was trying to see whether he could make those things move..."

Everyone was moved at once. The realm of "driving objects" was the fundamental basis of cultivating magic treasures in the Canglan Sect's arts; it could not be imagined without reaching the fourth level of the Jade Clarity Realm in the Grand-Vast Mystic Clarity Way.

Tian Buhui nodded. His face showed little, but a flicker of joy still passed through his eyes. "And? How did it go?"

Du Biyan said, "It seems—it seems it moved a little."

A stir went through the room like a clap of thunder. Everyone was delighted and astonished. Old Five Lü Daxin, who sat beside him, clapped him hard on the shoulder, his face wreathed in smiles. Across from them Su Wan was beaming too. "Well, you rascal! Who would have thought you had it in you. When did this happen?"

Encouraged by the others, Du Biyan relaxed as well. "Only recently. A few days ago I was cultivating in my room when I suddenly felt that, under my thought-force, the water cup on the table moved a little. I wondered whether I had broken through to the third level." Here he gave a rather embarrassed laugh and added, "But I had no confidence in it and dared not believe it, so I kept testing it now and then. I never expected Master to notice."

Tian Buhui smiled slightly. "That is how it is. Between the third and fourth levels of the Jade Clarity Realm there is a world of difference in effect, yet when one first succeeds there is nothing obviously different. You are a nimble sort; late to enter though you were, I never thought you would come from behind to lead."

Everyone laughed and offered congratulations. In the midst of it Tian Lingsu put in, "Sixth Senior Brother, have you decided yet what magic treasure you will cultivate?"

Du Biyan said, "Not yet. I have only just had it confirmed from Master's own mouth that I have reached the fourth level. I have not had time to think about it."

Su Wan said with a smile, "No hurry. Take these few days to think it over slowly. But you all know your master's temper—he has never forced you to cultivate immortal swords. Whatever you fancy, once you have made up your mind, go and find the materials."

Zhang Qingyue looked on in sheer envy, watching his sixth senior brother grin from ear to ear, and then heard Tian Buhui say, "Old Six."

Du Biyan said, "Master."

Tian Buhui said, "By the old custom of our Canglan Sect, a disciple who has cultivated to the fourth level of the Grand-Vast Mystic Clarity Way must go down the mountain to travel the world, and at the same time seek fine materials and numinous things to cultivate a magic treasure. Whether you obtain some divine object that gathers the spiritual qi of heaven and earth depends on your own fortune and destiny. Make your preparations and go down the mountain in a few days."

Du Biyan was taken aback. There was reluctance in his eyes, and joy as well. He said softly, "Yes." Then something else occurred to him: "But Master, the meals here have always been your disciple's responsibility. After I leave..."

Beside him Lü Daxin chuckled. "What are you afraid of? Wasn't I here before you entered? Rest easy—no one will starve."

Du Biyan and the others all burst out laughing. Only Tian Lingsu said with a grin, "Fifth Senior Brother, you have some nerve bringing that up. The food you cooked gave me nightmares when I was little!"

Lü Daxin's face reddened, and the whole room roared with laughter. When the laughter had somewhat subsided, Tian Buhui said mildly, "From now on, let Old Seven handle the kitchen."

Everyone was startled. Lü Daxin said in surprise, "Master, our junior brother is still young..."

Tian Buhui cast a sidelong glance at Zhang Qingyue. Zhang Qingyue hastened to say, "Rest assured, Master. I often helped Sixth Senior Brother in the kitchen, so I know how to cook."

Tian Buhui nodded and said no more. He waved a hand: "Eat!"

Three days later, Du Biyan finished packing, handed over all the affairs of the kitchen clearly, and went down the mountain. In these three years, of all his senior brothers, Du Biyan was the youngest and the liveliest in temper,

and Zhang Qingyue had been closest to him. Now that he had gone, Zhang Qingyue felt a deep reluctance, and it seemed to him that Dazhu Peak had suddenly grown a shade lonelier.

After that, Zhang Qingyue began his second "assignment" in the Canglan Sect—cooking.