Sun Shi spun around, his heart leaping into his throat. The voice calling his name, his real name, was impossible. Only a few people knew that name in this world, and almost all of them were gone. His eyes landed on the figure standing a little way off. It was a man, older, with a familiar sternness softened by something he couldn't quite place. As the figure stepped closer, Sun Shi's breath hitched.
"Instructor Li?" Sun Shi whispered, disbelief flooding him. It couldn't be. He had seen the black fire, felt the shockwave from the cliffside. He believed everyone...
He didn't hesitate. Sun Shi bolted towards the man, closing the distance in a few quick strides. He threw his arms around Instructor Li, clinging to him tightly. "I thought you were dead!" he mumbled into the fabric of the instructor's robes, the years of pain and loss momentarily breaking through his carefully built composure.
Instructor Li stood stiffly for a second, clearly taken aback by the sudden embrace and Sun Shi's words. Then, slowly, tentatively, he returned the hug. He pulled back slightly, holding Sun Shi at arm's length, his hands resting on the boy's shoulders. His eyes, usually sharp and assessing, were wide with surprise and a flicker of hope.
"Sun Shi?" Instructor Li's voice was rough, filled with question and wonder. "Is it... is it really you, Shi?"
Sun Shi nodded, tears welling in his eyes. "Yes, Instructor, it's me. I'm alive."
A shaky breath escaped Instructor Li. A genuine, relieved smile spread across his face, a sight Sun Shi hadn't seen often, even before the tragedy. "I can't believe it," Li said, pulling him into another, firmer hug. "After... after that night... I thought you were gone too."
They held onto each other for a moment, two survivors of a devastating storm, finding an unexpected anchor in each other.
When they finally pulled apart, Sun Shi wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. "How?" he asked, his voice still thick with emotion. "How did you survive? The Obsidian Moon Sect... they destroyed everything."
Instructor Li's smile faded, replaced by a somber expression. "When the Obsidian Moon Sect attacked, when the explosions started," he began, his voice low, "I found a small, hidden escape tunnel near the training grounds. It was old, barely known. I rushed to the Sect Master, begged him to come with me."
He paused, a deep sigh escaping him. "But he refused. He said the Shaolin Sect was his life, his home, and it would be his funeral pyre. He told me to go, to escape, and if I could, to find you. He believed in you, Shi. He believed you were the future of Shaolin, that you could one day restore its name."
Instructor Li looked back at Sun Shi, his eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and pride. "I barely made it out before... before the black fire consumed everything. I followed the tunnel, emerged far from the sect, and I've been traveling since then, trying to find news, trying to find you. But I never expected... not here, at the Azure River Sect."
"I see," Sun Shi said, the weight of the Sect Master's last words settling heavily on him. His promise to the Chief echoed in his mind: "My fist will pierce the heavens themselves. I will forge a path of justice. My fist… will be equal to heaven."
"So," Instructor Li asked, changing the subject slightly, his eyes scanning Sun Shi, "where have you been staying? Where did you go after...?"
"At the Verdant Valley Sect," Sun Shi replied, keeping his voice neutral.
Instructor Li's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "The Verdant Valley Sect? Isn't that... the sect known for teaching the Seven Weapon Form?"
"Yes, that's the one," Sun Shi confirmed. "I've been learning their foundational forms."
"And you picked a weapon?" Li asked, a hint of his old instructor's curiosity returning.
"A Bo Staff," Sun Shi said.
Li blinked. "The staff? A humble weapon indeed. Not much for killing."
Sun Shi thought of his reasoning, of subduing rather than destroying. "It can punish, Master Li. It can control."
Instructor Li studied him for a moment, a thoughtful look on his face. Then, his gaze seemed to sharpen, focusing intently on Sun Shi. "Now that I'm looking at you properly," he said, a puzzled frown forming, "your Chi core... it's completely gone. I can't sense it at all."
Sun Shi grinned, a touch of his old boastfulness surfacing. "I concealed it."
Instructor Li's eyes widened again, a mixture of astonishment and amusement on his face. "You are still full of surprises, aren't you, Shi?" he chuckled, a warm, familiar sound.
Sun Shi laughed, a genuine, light sound that felt good after so long. "I try my best, Instructor."
The brief moment of levity passed, and a more serious tone returned. "What do you plan on doing now, Instructor Li?" Sun Shi asked.
Instructor Li looked out at the horizon, his expression pensive. "I... I need to find some peace within myself," he admitted. "Everything that happened... it was too much. Too fast. I need time to process, to heal. I think... I will venture out into the world, travel, see what there is to see. Find a new path, perhaps."
Sun Shi smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile. He understood the need for healing, for finding a new purpose after such devastation. "Good luck, Instructor Li," he said sincerely. "I hope you find what you're looking for."
Without a second thought, Sun Shi lowered himself into a deep kowtow, the highest form of respect, towards Instructor Li. It was a gesture of gratitude for the man who had been his teacher, his guardian, and now, unexpectedly, a fellow survivor.
Instructor Li seemed touched by the gesture. He helped Sun Shi rise, and they stood for a moment, just looking at each other, a silent understanding passing between them. They exchanged final goodbyes, promising, without needing to say it aloud, to carry the memory of the Shaolin Sect with them. Then, with a final wave, Instructor Li turned and walked away, a solitary figure heading towards an uncertain future. Sun Shi watched until he was out of sight, a renewed sense of purpose hardening his resolve.
He turned back towards the Azure River Sect, the encounter with Instructor Li a bittersweet reminder of what he had lost and a confirmation that he wasn't entirely alone in the world. His mission to deliver the scroll for Master Kael was still important, but his mind was already turning to the next steps in his path towards vengeance.
After Sun Shi delivered the scroll to the Master of the Azure River Sect he took his leave and began the journey back to the Verdant Valley Sect.
When Sun Shi finally arrived back at the Verdant Valley Sect, he immediately sensed something was different. The air felt... charged. There were visitors. He could see unfamiliar figures moving around the courtyard. Curiosity piqued, he made his way towards the main temple, where he knew Master Kael spent most of his time.
He reached the entrance to the temple and paused, listening. He could hear voices inside, Master Kael's familiar calm tone and another, distinctly female voice. He peeked around the doorframe, his eyes scanning the room. Master Kael was seated, speaking to a woman. She was young, or appeared to be, dressed in elegant red robes with hints of gold embroidery.
He strained to hear their conversation. Master Kael was speaking, his voice firm. "...The Verdant Valley Sect has no disciple you can take to serve you, Master Guan."
The woman, Master Guan, replied, her voice smooth and confident. "There are tons of disciples there who surely bring you trouble."
Sun Shi, hidden from view, frowned. Why would another sect leader be asking for disciples? And why would she think Verdant Valley disciples were trouble?
Master Kael sighed, a sound of weariness. "Master Guan, I think I can't help you any further. I think you need to understand this."
There was a moment of silence, and then Master Guan spoke again, her voice taking on a sharper edge. "I heard there was a Nan among your disciples. I want to take him into my sect."
Sun Shi's blood ran cold. "Nan"—the common term for someone without a Chi core
Master Kael's tone shifted, becoming cold but fierce. "That is just a rumor," he stated flatly.
Master Guan chuckled, a sound that sent a shiver down Sun Shi's spine. "Then who is the brat on the other side of the door that's listening to our conversation?"
Sun Shi froze. He had been caught.
Master Kael sighed again, the sound resigned. "Show yourself, Sun Shi."
Embarrassed and with his cheeks burning, Sun Shi stepped into the temple, bowing low to both Master Kael and Master Guan. "Master Kael," he mumbled, not meeting their eyes.
Master Kael looked at him, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, he spoke, his voice gentle but with an underlying seriousness. "Sun Shi, Master Guan here is the leader of the Absolute Rose Sect. She is looking for someone to... serve her sect. If you were to leave the Verdant Valley Sect and go with her, would you agree?"
Sun Shi was completely taken aback. Leave the Verdant Valley Sect? Go with this woman? He scratched his head, unsure how to respond. Master Kael had given him refuge, taught him the foundational forms. He felt a sense of loyalty.
"As long as it is within my capability, Master Kael, and it is what you wish," Sun Shi said, choosing his words carefully.
Master Kael's lips quirked into a smile, a warm, familiar expression. He chuckled softly. "Well, Sun Shi, I guess it's time for you to take your own path. I did not expect to keep you here forever. You are meant for greater things." He added, his eyes twinkling slightly, "Do what you want, Sun Shi. The choice is yours."
Sun Shi looked at Master Kael, then at Master Guan. This was unexpected, a sudden fork in his path. But Master Kael's words resonated with him. He had a larger goal: vengeance against the Obsidian Moon Sect. Staying hidden at the Verdant Valley Sect wouldn't necessarily help him achieve that. Going with this mysterious Master Guan might open up new opportunities, new knowledge, perhaps even bring him closer to the information he needed.
"I... I will be willing to go with Master Guan," Sun Shi said, making his decision.
Master Guan's laughter filled the temple, a surprisingly joyful sound. "Good! Excellent! Pack your things, boy, and come with me. We leave shortly."
And so, within a short time, Sun Shi had gathered his meager belongings. He stood outside the Verdant Valley Sect's entrance, a small bundle at his feet, ready to depart. Master Kael walked him to the waiting carriage.
"Thank you, Master Kael," Sun Shi said, bowing deeply. "Thank you for everything. For the refuge, for the teachings." He looked the old master in the eye, a sincere promise in his voice. "I will come back, Master. I promise."
Master Kael smiled, a gentle, knowing smile. "I hope so, Sun Shi. I truly hope so. Go now. Your path awaits."
With a final nod, Sun Shi climbed into the carriage with Master Guan. He waved goodbye to Master Kael as the carriage began to move, watching until the entrance of the Verdant Valley Sect disappeared from view.
The carriage was comfortable, more so than anything Sun Shi had ridden in before. As they traveled, Sun Shi couldn't shake his curiosity about Master Guan. She seemed young, too young to be the master of a sect, especially one called the "Absolute Rose Sect," which sounded quite powerful.
"So, Master Guan," Sun Shi began, deciding to just ask directly, "if you don't mind me asking... how old are you, exactly? You seem... quite young to be called a Master."
Master Guan burst into laughter, a clear, ringing sound. "Ah, Sun Shi," she said, amusement in her voice, "it is very rude to ask a woman her age, you know." She paused, then added, "But fine, since you'll be serving my sect and you seem genuinely curious, I shall tell you. I am ninety-eight years old."
Sun Shi's jaw dropped. He stared at her, his eyes wide with shock. "WHAAAAT?!" he yelled, completely caught off guard. Ninety-eight? She looked like she was in her early twenties!
Master Guan smiled, a hint of vanity in her expression. "Yes, ninety-eight. It's because of my Chi core. It's a white core. It allows me to heal and regenerate, which has slowed my aging process significantly. I can maintain this youthful appearance."
Sun Shi was still reeling. "So... you're immortal?"
Master Guan shook her head gently. "Immortal is different from youthful, Sun Shi. My technique is merely a way to extend life and maintain appearance, a sort of mimicry of immortality. I can live a very long time, yes, but death is still inevitable for everyone. True immortality... that is something that perhaps can only be achieved at a much, much higher level of cultivation, a level I have not yet reached."
Sun Shi was in awe. A white Chi core, used for healing and extending life to this extent. This world of Murim continued to surprise him with the capabilities granted by Chi. He had only just begun to understand the power of his own dual core.
After a few more days of travel, they finally arrived at the location of the Absolute Rose Sect. As the carriage approached the sect's entrance, Sun Shi looked out the window and was met with another surprise. The sect was beautiful, surrounded by vibrant rose gardens, but as they went inside, Sun Shi noticed something striking about the disciples he saw practicing in the courtyards and moving about the grounds.
They were all women.