Chp 30. Regrouping

30.REGROUPING

After the massacre of Baofeng the cultivators had all parted ways. Vowing to all send emissaries out to figure out a time and place for them to reorganize. Nie Huaisang had ordered everyone to return home. A massive effort was being put forth from all the clans to regroup and plan for a much more organized hunt.

The parting was short and sweet. Liu Yang and Huaisang had shared private words in which he left blushing more than anyone had ever seen him before, his face hidden behind his fan. Chang Su had acted especially odd in his interaction with her as well. His face looked carefully set as he boarded the boat to return to Qinghe with the rest of the disciples.

Huang Jin hadn't really paid attention to much as they bowed and made way with the formalities. She had felt incredibly guilty as she made one last bow to Liu Yang. Her soft smile set on her lips. Huang Jin smiled meekly back and lowered her eyes. The trip back was also very dull and gracefully eventless. For her it had felt like they were running, tucking their proverbial tails between their legs.

The whole trek back the only thing she could do was run through countless plans, upon plans. The moment they got back, she was going to figure all this out. She wouldn't rest until she did.

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It had been three months since the massacre and their rushed departure back to the Qinghe Nie sect. Ever since their arrival Huang Jin had been studiously trying to train herself to have some type of control on the Yin Iron. Every morning, she would rise and begin her training with her usual meditation, and warm ups. But, as the days progressed, she could be seen on the training grounds, a whirl of resentful energy constantly around her.

After she had seen that Wen Ruohan had been able to control the resentful energy, and harness it, she had been attempting to do the same within herself.

It had been painstaking at first.

Having to try and release the tiniest bit of hold on it, and try to focus enough to control it. She had to try and prick the tiniest hole, and keep it that size without letting the cracks begin to form. It was like trying to plug a whole in a dam with sand.

The first month had been hell for her. Her temper had been short with almost everyone.

She wasn't used to being like this. Constantly having the resentful energy just at the tipping point exhausted her and made her feel like she was just irritable all the time. Everything got on her nerves. The curse mark was getting worse now. It was almost always just showing on her skin even with the longest robes she could fight in. Chang Su had been having to treat it every other day now. She didn't have long to track down the demon and kill it. Months...maybe.

Every day got better and easier though. She had had a breakthrough sometime later with the talismans to track the demons. With the advice from Wei Wuxian those many nights ago she had finally produced a talisman that could be copied 10 times off of one original and still have the same powerful effects. It took a massive amount of power to write it but she could write three a day and still do her evening training without feeling wiped now.

Most everyone had taken to avoiding the smaller training field on the outskirts of the grounds. It had been one only used by new inductees for testing and was the least cared for of all of them. That being said it was still beautiful in it's construction. Surrounded by the rocky dry mountains on two sides and a large man made wall on the other. It was perfect for Huang Jin though. She didn't have to worry if she lost control for a few seconds and it kept prying eyes from distracting her.

She had become so used to the resentful energy within her peeking out that she barely worried trying to hide it anymore from the other cultivators. It was like a fine black mist that seemed to hover around her skin.

It was only a week until they were supposed to meet back at the Lotus Pier. Plans upon plans had exchanged hands between the sects for months.

A massive army of cultivators was being assembled. Every major sect would be sending their best, to battle the demons. It had been a massive effort.

Many greasy hands from all small and major clans were all trying to be involved. All trying to vie for fame and glory, and aiming to be in the right spot to obtain the most power after the dust of battle had settled. It was an infuriating game that Huang Jin refused to play.

She had tried to be a part of all of that and at least act the part she had signed up to play being Nie Huaisang's proverbial right hand woman. But after weeks of back and forth games, she had to put her foot down and leave all that nonsense up to him. She had argued that, after all, she needed to be stronger than ever in order for her to protect everyone and survive this.

Nie Huaisang finally caved after she didn't show up to the 4th meeting in a row.

Huang Jin sat cross legged in the middle of the small training grounds, the black mist around her a dense fog. She was dressed in fine black and gold robes that could have been for a man or a woman. Either way they looked beautiful on her. Her hair was pulled up in a high and tight ponytail with an intricate braid on either side of her head.

The beautiful tones of a dizi filled the air and the fog around her moved with the notes. Her eyes were closed in a peaceful meditation as she continued to play through the beautifully hand carved instrument.

Sweat beaded down her forehead as she began to play a different, more harsh tune. The fog around her shimmered alive, responding to the change in energy. It swirled in a harsh wind around her, whipping her hair back and forth.

Just as suddenly the tune changed again, and the fog whipped around the small training grounds like a small tornado of energy.

Just as the small tornado was doing procise and neat laps around the training grounds, a small black cat wandered through the small gates to the grounds, it's ears perking up, and its large orange eyes locked on Huang Jin. It began to saunter over to the sitting form in the middle, not a care in the world to the swirling mass of resentful energy, heading directly towards it.

Huang Jin's eyes opened mere seconds before the mass made contact with the little oblivious cat. Her eyes were glowing a fierce reddish gold. She clapped her hands together in front of her and spread them open wide, and the thick fog mimicked the movements and split around the cat, just in time.

Nie, the cat, continued to walk unfazed, towards Huang Jin.

A loud chirrup came from the frisky feline, and she jumped into Huang Jin's lap as soon she had reached close enough. The fog dispersed almost immediately, fading into a fraction of what it had just been. It quickly reappeared as a fine mist along Huang Jin's skin and the cat rubbed itself along her stomach.

She shook her head at the incredulous little creature purring loudly in her lap, the bright orange orbs staring back at her with a curiosity. "Nie, you silly little cat. Why would you do that?" she chastised, as she began to scratch and pet the purring feline in her lap. "You have that much faith in me huh?"

Nie meowed in response, closing her eyes and purring even more loudly.

"We all have that much faith in you." Chang Su said loudly, as he leaned against the entrance column. "I would say it is very well placed based on that little performance, as well." He smiled at Huang Jin.

Huang Jin eyed him with an annoyed look. "Well I am glad you both seem to think so." She continued to pet the cat in her lap, as it rubbed its body back and forth on her chest, kneading her legs with those tiny paws.

Chang Su pursed his lips in frustration. Huang Jin had been difficult to deal with. The last few days, especially. Given the look she had just given him, her irritation and short fuse were going to be especially bad today…He took a short calming breath before replying, "Yes, we do."

He pushed himself off of the column and began walking over to her, "Huaisang wants you to personally deliver this letter to the Yunmeng Jiang sect."

Huang Jin's hands stilled mid stroke as she was petting Nie. "What?"

"You heard what I said, Huang Jin. I know you did. Huaisang wants you to deliver this letter to Lotus Pier."

'Why!? Why do I have to personally deliver it? I am not some errand boy. Why does it have to be me?" Huang Jin spit out the swirling mist around her stirring.

"Huang Jin, calm down. There is no need to shoot the messenger. I don't know exactly why he wants you, personally, to go." Huang Jin eyed him even more impatiently and before she could interrupt, Chang Su continued in a slightly irritated voice. "I imagine he wants to ensure the letter arrives safely to Lotus Pier without incident. Maybe, because whatever is in this letter is important, and he only trusts you enough to safely get it there."

Huang Jin's eyes lowered in shame, she hadn't thought about it like that to be honest. Of course, Chang Su always knew what to say to calm her down quickly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you." She said blushing slightly, she focused on the swirling energy around her and it dissipated into the air disappearing completely.

"You don't have to apologize. You have a lot on your plate right now. Just remember that we are all here for you." Chang Su said, walking over to her and handing her the letter.

"Thanks." Huang Jin said, taking the letter,crossing her arms, and avoiding his eye contact.

"Listen, you don't have to believe me, I honestly don't care if you do or not. But, it will all make things easier if you were to just go and tell him how you feel. The self-pity party you have been throwing for yourself is honestly giving me whiplash. One second you are the Huang Jin everyone loves, and the next you are cobra snapping at anything that moves near it."

Chang Su held his breath as he waited for her to freak out at him for saying what he had wanted to get off his chest for a while.

Huang Jin stood there breathing slowly and didn't say anything at first. She stared at him with an incredulous shocked look on her face as a mixture of emotions whirled around her head.

She had been miserable to be around. She had had such a hard time controlling the overwhelming power of yin iron in her veins. It was like a constant buzz in her ear, and if she lost focus for even just a second, it tried to overwhelm her. To top all of that off she was trying to not be affected by the curse mark, and her constant worry about the future.

She sighed loudly, "You are right as always. I really have been miserable haven't I?" A small nervous smile began at the corners of her mouth, and she rubbed the back of her head, standing up. She looked adorable as she awkwardly stood, shuffling her feet, not a single sign of the irritable and grumpy energy she had just had.

Chang Su smiled back and shook his head. How was it that she always could defuse a situation so easily? "Go. Go see him and try not to get into an argument. And don't tease him too much, ok?"

"I-I...I will try not to." Huang Jin said smiling slyly and her cheeks blushed.

Deep down she knew she wanted to go. More than anything she wanted to see Jiang Cheng and talk to him. About everything. She wanted to apologize for everything she had put him through. Yet, her heart was scared beyond belief.

She looked down at the scroll of parchment in her hand and she clutched it tight, looking at Chang Su, worry, written across her features. "What if I screw it all up?"

"You won't. Just trust in yourself and let yourself feel what you are feeling."

"What about the curse mark?"

"You will be ok for a few days without my treatment. Just get back here soon."

Huang Jin's stomach was flipping knots as she warred with her worry and dread for having to confront Jiang Cheng about her feelings, and also her yearning to see him. She wanted to tell him exactly how she felt about him but she was terrified what it would mean if she did.

She finally smiled a huge genuine smile. Chang Su gasped as she basically jumped him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, hugging the crap out of him. "Thank you. Thank you for believing in me, and being there for me." She let go of him, and bashfully began to walk backwards. "Tell Huaisang the same thing. I owe him one." She turned, and ran right to her room to pack.

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It took a few days to get to Lotus Pier. Huang Jin hated traveling by sword. It had been so long since she had traveled by herself, and the few days that she was on the road alone, was exactly what she had needed.

It had given her time to reflect on all that had happened over the last few months. It felt like years had passed since she was last here.

Huang Jin knelt down and her hands rest on the small circular outcropping of charred grass, in the middle of a small meadow. It was a perfect circle, the same circle that she had created when she had activated the seal that had begun all of this. A tiny prickle of energy reacted and the mist began to seep from her pores and swirl around her hand. It felt like it was caressing her hands.

After all the years she had spent hating this curse, and hating the fact that she had such trouble controlling her emotions. She had kept everything on such a tight leash, and over the past few months. It had felt amazing to finally let go of her strict control and learn to finally work with the overwhelming power in her veins, rather than having to fight it constantly.

It had been difficult though.

She could feel herself losing touch with certain sides of herself. She had pushed away everyone in the process. Originally, she had told herself it was for their protection, but as time went on she knew it was for her own. She didn't want them to see just how on the edge she was, to losing herself. Losing that spark of light, that caring, nurturing side of herself that always made it to where she would do anything for anyone, but herself.

Was it worth it to finally be able to let go? Was it worth being able to control all this power inside her? She breathed in and the mist around her fingers grew and swirled around her.

She smiled. So far, it was absolutely worth it.

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By the time she reached the docks of Lotus Pier, it was just reaching dusk, the farmers and sellers were just packing up their wares for the day. The lanterns were being lit as the setting sun began to creep behind the tree line, and the frogs and crickets began to sing their nightly tune.

Huang Jin breathed in a large breath of fresh air, as she stepped onto the dock from the small boat she had rented to get there. It was just like she had remembered. The wooden docks were much nicer and looked newer than in her memories. The scenery and overall peaceful feeling of the place hadn't changed at all. The beautiful, tranquil setting was perfect.

No wonder Jiang Cheng would want to protect this so much. She wouldn't want anything to ever change this peaceful place.

She looked around and she noticed that several of the locals had stopped what they had been doing and began to take notice of her. Their whispering voices carried across the docks.

Shoot. So much for no one noticing my arrival.

She straightened herself up and brushed off the fact that a large majority of the townspeople were now looking at her. Her black and gold robes shone in the lamp light as it reflected off the brilliant gold embroidery. She hadn't planned on hiding her arrival but she had planned on at least wandering around a little before heading to deliver her message to Jiang Cheng.

She smiled and nodded her head to the villagers, now openly gathering, and staring at her. No one had dared to approach her, yet, but she politely excused herself through the small crowd and quickly darted off into a side area.

She still wanted to explore a little before she went to see Jiang Cheng. She threw out a quick cloaking spell before she jumped over the wall to the main part of the city.

She had remembered wandering these streets, not only as a child, but as a young adult. The hustling and bustling night market was a beautiful cacophony of noise, sights, and smells. People of all ages and all walks of life meandered through the lamp lit streets, buying, and selling all sorts of wares and goods.

"Come try the best wine Lotus Pier has to offer!" A man shouted from the doors of a tavern close by.

"You, pretty lady! You need this beautifully crafted ornament, for your beautiful waist." Another man at a table covered in beaded jewelry urged, as she walked by. She smiled politely, and shook her head, walking a little faster.

A waft of something delicious crossed her nose, and her tummy let out a large rumble. She sniffed the air and began to weave her way through the crowded, noisy market, to a small stall selling beautifully cooked brown meat on a stick. The gorgeous looking meat sat resting above a wooden stove, on a small metal cart.

An ancient looking woman with curved, worn hands, stood huddled behind the cart, and was slowly spinning a stick of meat over the open flames.

"You have finally come to try my meat?" the tiny woman spoke, not even looking at Huang Jin.

Huang Jin's tummy let out a huge rumble as if in response to the old woman's question. She covered her belly with her hands. "Uh. Yes I would love to try a little bit."

The woman gently grabbed a skewer from the pile of resting meat and handed it out to her, her eyes finally looking up at her. They were bone white in color and they stared emptily out at Huang Jin.

She was blind.

"Well you've been waiting so long to try a bite. Go on take it." The old woman tutted at her.

"Oh." Huang Jin grabbed the stick from her, and began to search her small satchel for some money to pay the woman. "I am so sorry. Yes. Thank you." She set down a large chunk of silver, eyeing the woman suspiciously.

"Uh. Do I know you?" For some reason she couldn't help but to ask. Something felt...odd.

"I know who you are. It is good to see you back here. I think it will be good for Lotus Pier in the end." The old woman said, her empty eyes staring at the flame in front of her, completely oblivious to the rest of the world around her. "Well eat and be gone. You have much to do, I am sure."

Huang Jin stared in shock at the old lady as she was waved off like an irritating fly by the ancient woman. She shook her head, and laughed nervously, turning around, she continued walking through the lively market. What an odd woman...

Shaking off the odd interaction, she quietly continued her leisurely stroll, without much more of a distraction.

It was actually really gorgeous here. She mused to herself as she took in all of the distractions of the market.

She hadn't even remembered that she still held the meat in her hands. The first bite of it was like heaven to her taste buds, and she almost moaned as the fatty meat hit her tongue

Holy hell this stuff was amazing!

She turned around suddenly, to head back to thank the woman, when she ran nose first into a solid muscular chest. It was like hitting a brick wall. She stumbled backwards, instantly closing her eyes, as pain shot through her nose, and she clutched at it. Ow…

"Oh my gosh I am so sorry. I didn't mean to…" she looked up through the blurry haze of tears in her eyes as the initial shock of pain started to ebb.

A hazy form began to take focus, the purple and gold robes the man was wearing were made of the finest material. His hands were clenched in tight fists at his sides, and as Huang Jin's eyes looked farther upwards her heart nearly stopped. The bright piercing grey eyes she had been yearning and dreading to see was staring right into her soul.

At least that's what it felt like...