Chapter 38 - Basic Respect

The Eastern Mountain stretches from the northern coast of the grand continent, following the Zhou-Chu-Qi border southwards before veering towards the southeast. The northern region of the Eastern Mountains is home to Mount Tai, often referred to as Heaven's Peak, the tallest mountain on the grand continent.

In the midst of the Crimson Century, a group of soldiers and their families were exiled from Qi for the crime of treason. Having escaped a death sentence by the grace of their Emperor, they migrated westwards in search of a new home. Despite the treacherous living conditions, the soldiers chose to settle on Mount Tai. Although the mountain rests on Qi territory, the Qi Emperor did not push the matter, allowing the soldiers to live out the rest of their lives on the battlefield where they grew up.

After the restoration period following the Crimson Century, a new Qi Emperor ascended to the throne. The young Emperor grants the soldiers and their descendants a royal pardon, welcoming them back as honorable citizens of Qi. Despite being able to return home after almost a century of exile, the people of Mount Tai decided to stay with their new home. With their exiled status removed, the surviving soldiers and their descendants introduces themselves to the world as the Floating Clouds Sect.

Even after a thousand years, the Floating Clouds Sect still stands tall as one of the great sects of the grand continent.

***

Sun and his students follow the hustle and bustle of Jing City as they make their way towards the Alchemist Association building. Along the way, they stop by a steamed bun store to grab a quick bite, much to the displeasure of Wei. Despite his disinclination, the young Zhou boy ends up buying a beef bun to help curb his hunger.

"We should've eaten at the Resting Crane Tree." Wei comments with displeasure as he stares at the beef bun with a single bite mark in his hand. "I can't eat this- it's… Dammit!"

In perfect harmony, the girls, Xi, Maoyi, and Anning pause their steps before turning towards Chunhua. Those who are currently chewing hastens their jaws to swallow their food before Chunhua speaks. Chunhua, noticing their expectant stares, laughs before taking another bite of his pork bun.

"Aet, Waei. Isht gooud." Chunhua says as he chews.

The girls sigh in disappointment, feeling as if they had been betrayed, before continuing their steps. Upon taking their second step, the girls pause again.

"Beesaiyes…" Chunhua pauses to swallow his bite. He raises his hand and points towards the tall building in the middle of the intersection ahead of them. "There it is. I'm sure you know that there's no eating allowed in the Alchemist Association building…"

They girls brace themselves for the follow-up. Yuyu watches curiously, still trying to figure out why everyone seems to be having so much fun whenever Chunhua and Wei speak. She tugs on Xi's sleeve, trying to get her attention. Xi turns, bending her knees, to face the little girl.

"Why does everyone laugh whenever Chun talks?"

"Um…" Xi pauses, trying to figure out the best way to explain the back-and-forth between Chunhua and Wei. Though she feels that 'back-and-forth' wouldn't be an accurate description, she can't seem to find the correct word. "Chunhua and Wei have this thi-"

"...or do you get special treatment as a Zhao for supporting them financially?"

*Pff-pfffff!*

The girls' cheeks puff as they cover their mouths to contain their laughter. Wei's face grows visibly flush from anger as Chunhua continues to tease him. Seeing his junior's trembling pink face, Chunhua decides that now would be a good time to move on. He stuffs the rest of the bun in his mouth as he makes his way past the girls and towards Wei. Upon arriving beside his junior, Chunhua extends his arm and rests it on Wei's shoulders.

"Don't take it so personally, Wei." Chunhua chuckles as he pulls Wei's shoulder closer. He tips his head slightly towards Wei's ear. His playful demeanor disappears as he whispers to Wei. "I'm not a senior who enjoys bullying his juniors. But I don't appreciate it when people talk down on my Blossom Mountain Sect. Despite your misplaced comment, I never spoke poorly of your family. Putting seniority aside, I think that at the minimum, we all owe each other this basic level of respect."

As Wei listens, he comes to the realization that the root cause of all his troubles today isn't Chunhua, but rather his own actions.

"Senior Chunhua… I didn't mean to disrespect you or your sect. I was just- I was upset abo- I actually respect the Blossom Mounta-"

"I respect your Zhao family as well. But that's not the kind of respect I'm talking about." Chunhua cuts Wei off mid-sentence.

Chunhua casts a glance over towards Yuyu and Dan. Wei's eyes instinctively mirror his senior's gaze.

"People talk, Wei." Chunhua, seeing the surprise in Wei's eyes, continues. "It's been the gossip of the Academy for a while now. I didn't believe the rumors at first, but now, I don't know what to believe. All I know is that those two earned their place, just like you and me. The thought that someone without any background passed the same test that took you and me years of preparation to pass might not sit well with you. But it's reality. Lashing out like a child won't change it. So, are you a child? Or are you Zhao Weixing, a respectable member of the Zhao royal family? Are you someone who can earn that respect by living up to his name?"

Hearing his full name, Wei lowers his head as he ponders the question.

Weixing… "Great Deeds"…

"Hey, why don't you think about it another time?" Chunhua whispers as he pats Wei's shoulder. "Look, they're all waiting for us."

Upon seeing Wei's slight nod, Chunhua smiles. His hand flattens against Wei's back, pushing the boy forwards.

"That's awesome! Everyone! Guess what?" Chunhua yells as he continues to nudge Wei towards the group. Upon arriving, a big smile stretches across his face. "Wei said he can get us special access to tour the Alchemist Association!"

***

Beneath the starry night sky, multiple shadowy figures blur as they weave through the mountainous terrain of the northern regions of the Eastern Mountain. The blurry figures come to a complete stop in front of an indistinct crevice at the bottom of the mountain, revealing a body on each of their shoulders. Their heads flip around, scanning the area. A moment later, one of the shadowy figures steps into the crevice. His hands glow with aura, palming random places on the crevice walls. After a series of seemingly random movements, the crevice sinks further into the mountain side, revealing a dark entryway. The shadowy figures disappear one by one into the entryway. As the last shadowy steps through the entryway, the crevice rumbles lightly as it returns to its original shape.

At the top of a neighboring mountain, shrouded by the darkness of the night, an elderly man leans against a large boulder. His sharp eyes fixate upon the crevice that the shadowy figures had disappeared into.

Found you.