51 The Birthday Surprise

"Uhm. . . Hi Cai'er?"

"How about, 'I'm sorry Cai'er, I didn't mean to take up all of your free time with my sleeping bath, I'll get out and let you clean up right now so you can get back to working on your project'?"

Zhu Cai put on a face like she was grumpy and grumbled at Yun, however it was obvious that she was glad to see her out of training. Reaching down with her great strength she drug Yun out of the tub by her arm and all the way to the door, where she unceremoniously dropped her outside before closing it and latching it shut.

Yun was a little flabbergasted, but quickly grabbed her clothing and headed for her own sleeping area.

After a short, but much needed, nap she woke and dressed in some casual clothing, taking her new uniform to be washed. Once entering the living room she encountered Zhu Cai sitting on the chair scowling at her.

"How could you not tell me you came out? I've been working my butt off on projects while you were in there so I could have things done when you came out!"

Yun paused for a moment in thought about that statement, as something was occurring to her mind about the room they were standing in.

"Wait a moment... Working... Furniture!?"

"It's cute to see your little gears turning, Yun'er. Yes, I decked out the room with decent furniture with some of the materials I had on hand. You probably didn't notice in your sleep addled state, but your bed has also been updated by me. In fact, you basically had no comfortable furniture in this place at all when we arrived."

Yun looked at Zhu Cai again with a new light in her eyes before teasing, "You just keep surprising me, Cai'er. First you can cook, now you can make furniture? When will the miracles cease?"

"Hey, if you're not going to appreciate my hard work I'll just pack it all up and you can have an empty living space again."

"No, no, this Yun would never dare lack appreciation for the mighty Zhu Cai's hard work! Let me make you dinner, or work the tension out of your shoulders!"

Yun scuttled over like an old servant teasingly before tickling Zhu Cai ferociously, leading to both of them wrestling on the floor having a tickle fight for over an incense stick of time before finally flopping over laughing on the floor.

"Cai'er, thank you for being my friend. You're the only friend I've made since coming here. Not that this Yun has had a lot of time to meet others since arriving. From day one it's been pretty active. Serving Sister Rong as a disciple, then finally taking her position and being separated from the lower disciples before going off on the tournament and now coming back to closed door cultivation, it's a whirlwind."

"You're right, Yun'er, you've had very little time to meet others. Keep in mind thought, the road of cultivation is a lonely road, one where anyone could strike out at you at any time. Cultivators are jealous, prone to fits of rage and subversion. Never trust the vast majority of them. Even your closest friends may betray you for some benefits or a possible road to the higher levels."

"This Yun understands, Cai'er. Master also imparted this wisdom to me when he brought me here. In my heart I understand it, but also feel that the heart can lead one to trust another at a deeper level."

Zhu Cai was quiet for a few moments before she sighed heavily, "Yun'er, I have no ambitions towards your lucky chances. As a crafting disciple my lucky chances will be very different from yours, and I also have no ambitions towards the highest levels of cultivation, but instead towards the greatest heights of crafting. If you are to trust someone, I'm glad you chose me and not some other cultivator."

"Know what, Cai'er? Tomorrow is my tenth birthday. Will you celebrate with me the advent of my first decade? My brother and father aren't here, but in their stead this Yun has such a good friend."

Zhu Cai turned her head to stare at Yun, "What do you mean tomorrow is your tenth birthday? Why didn't you tell me sooner! Now I have almost no time to prepare! Shoo! Shoo! Let me prepare for it!"

With that Zhu Cai nearly physically removed Yun from the personal quarters and shut the door behind her before flying into a flurry of work. With a shrug Yun decided this was as good a time as any to go and visit her Master to report her progress.

Walking down the long flight of stairs, she soon arrived in the cavern the Elders inhabited. Waiting patiently at the designated location just inside the cavern, she stood attentively as a good disciple should.

"Young disciple Yun, congratulations on your advancement." another Elder spoke out to her as he entered the cavern from the stairs, she was not familiar with this Elder, but she was less than surprised that he would know her, considering her stature, age, and accomplishments so far in the sect.

In response to his praise Yun turned and bowed politely, "This Yun thanks Elder for his praise, does Elder know if this Yun's master, Elder Lei, is present?"

"Hmm? Yes I believe he's just over here in this cave, come with me and let us go check."

The Elder led Yun forward towards a cave off to the side, but just before they entered it they heard a familiar voice call out.

"Come here Yun. I've just exited my chambers and am ready to receive your report."

Elder Lei exited a cave on the opposite side of the cavern just then, and the Elder who had been leading Yun to another cave had nearly turned green as he ignored everything to continue walking into his cave. Yun was uncertain for a moment before she realized his foul intent and gave his retreating back a fiery gaze. What a scumbag.