Preparations

-Here you are... You must be Miss Ying ChangLai-

I approach the little pagoda in the wood where the general told me to meet with a Taoist Master.

-I indeed am... And you are?-

The man in white clothes turns around revealing his old smiling face

-I'm not someone important... I'm an errant Taoist who happens to know well your General.

So... You are the prodigious soldier I've been told about... Come here and seat with me-

He show me a circular rock in the centre of the pagoda so I approach, seating down with crossed legs

-Close your eyes and first of all regulate your breathing... I suppose you know how to do as much-

-Mhn-

I begin exercising as I normally do, calming and emptying my mind with slow deep breathes

-Can you feel the nature around you?- I reach out my ear

I can hear the leaves waving and the buzz of bugs's wings... I can even hear a little bunny digging in the ground far away

-Not hear but feel-

-How do I do it?-

-You must concentrate on its energy... Life is but a gigantic web full of different energy flows that interwine all around us and keep us in place.

Once you find the desire strings, grab them and follow them... -

-I cannot... See anything-

-You never will if you keep thinking so physically... Distance yourself with anything earthly, you don't need to see nor to hear... Forget your senses-

I frown trying hard

I keep hearing everything around me

What does that mean to distance myself with Earth?

...

-I am sorry Master...- I kneel down touching the floor

-It's nothing to be sorry about... It is your first time approaching the world of cultivation, you cannot expect to move mountains just because you want... Now go, your day is starting soldier.

And don't forget to empty your mind-

-I surely will Master- I bend one last time before leaving.

...

-This should be the last lantern...- I clean my hands looking at the fully adorned pagoda facing the little stone pool with lotus laying beside it.

I placed many soft blankets for them to rest, food by a little table and candles all over... I created a little stage with a few lanterns where Hua will be able to dance.

This was my last duty for today before going back to my room and get ready for the training...

Physical training today is with a guy I met once, we sparred with the spear...

-Ohh Miss Ying! It is truly awesome to be matched with you today! I've got stronger and I hope you did too hehehe-

-I surely did- I smirk getting ready for the duel.

With a few moves he's already on the ground spitting soil

-I'm sorry...- I reach my hand to help him up

-Wow... You are so strong! Not just good in moves but the strength inside your body is absurd!-

-Does it hurt...?- I reach for his cheekbone which seems a bit swollen

-I'm a tough man don't you worry Lady, more likely I should thank you for not holding back on me- he stares at the instructors giving us their backs and winks

"I didn't go all out tho..." I think to myself

-I know the feeling of not being able to go easy... I'll keep it a secret be reassured-

-Thank you so much- I sigh seating down

-I'm afraid of angering the instructors... That would really help to be honest-

-If you need to let go of some stress we can always arrange for us to meet in private, enjoying some kind of nightly duel...- purrs a voice behind me

-Oh Dong Hu! You too want to spar with her too?- ask the other man not getting the obvious double meaning

-Indeed... Last time I really enjoyed it- again that smile I hate.

At lunch we all seat together chatting casually -When is the next simulation? I forgot... It was soon right?- asks Wei

-It's tomorrow- replies Shun

-Tomorrow?!- Jumps Hua, getting ashamed right away at the confused stares he recive

-I mean... I didn't expected that, I will be too tired for it... I I I am tired, like I need a rest you know? Hehehe-

I laugh looking at him

-Ehy what's wrong with you?- widen his eyes Shun completely taken aback by his reaction

-Hahaha nothing nothing! Ah don't pull my hair!-

-Let's go you two! It's time to study now- tries not to smile Xiao

-Exams... Are we for real?! We already have the simulation tomorrow! There's no need to do exams too!- yells a guy falling back on his chair

-The simulation is practical Teamwork... We need to see how much each one of you actually know on their own!

You might find yourself alone on the battlefield so what would you do then?-

-Something will come up eventually...!-

-Shut up you fool and fill this paper...- sigh the instructor smashing a pile of sheet in front of the guy who proceed ro murmur inaudible words to himself.

-Now then... Let's all begin-

After dinner me and Hua get dressed and slip under the blankets waiting for the others to fall asleep.

I tap on his shoulder calling him before steppinh outside the room silently...

I open and close all the doors for him, scared thatche might make too much noise and soon after we are approaching the wall from where I normally escape

-Are you sure this is all right...?- he whispers

-Of course it's not all right...!

If they find us I'll probably be send home and you will be punished...- I say jumping on the wall and reaching out my hand as Hua keeps trying with no success

-So why are you offering me your help...?!-

-First of all... Cuz you wouldn't be able to do this alone without being caught....

Secondly, I was planning to go out anyway- I pull him up

-Again?!-

-Shh! Idiot- I flick his head before dropping him off on the other side

-So you did this before?-

-Yeah many times already-

-Still searching for you friend?- he asks following me

-No... I gave up on that, he's clearly not here-

-Oh so why?-

-Most of the time I just want some time alone to meditate or things like that, but tonight I as actually planning to go have some tea and a long well deserved chat with a friend-

-You have a friend in the capital?-

-Yeah it's a prostitute I met one night-

-What what?! You...?!-

-Hahaha no, we are just friends off-work... Well kind off.

We met like 3 times only and we spend most of the time talking trash about work haha

But she's still a prostitute and you can't change that...-

-So...?-

-She is a lot bolder than a Noble girl indeed, I wouldn't say she tried anything on me but I wouldn't even deny it-

-Oh... I see-

-Here we are! Let's go, Gege must be waiting-