Chapter 51 - A Sect Mission

Two years had passed since Ao Wen properly entered the Sacred Flame Celestial Temple as Medical Saintess Cong Houzi's adopted daughter. At first, Ao Wen thought she'd be returning to her own life the moment she set foot in the teleportation formation to enter the sect. When she emerged from the bright light of the receiving formation she'd truthfully been a bit lost. What more was there for her to do?

Clearly quite a bit! Within six months she had formally passed her Alchemy Novice exam, demonstrating the fundamentals of concocting Elixirs, using massage and acupressure to treat patients, diagnosis by pulse reading, and the half dozen other skills expected of an Alchemy Novice. It had been hard work but rewarding and her family had celebrated with her. Six months after that, Ao Wen witnessed the true spectacle of a Master Alchemist exam when Senior Brother Huang finally advanced. The party afterward demonstrated just how many fans the effeminate alchemist had, lasting a full week before his departure to the Western Army.

Things after that had calmed, leaving Ao Wen to her cultivation and studies. Occasionally, Cong Houzi sent her to sect competitions, some of which she did well in, most of which she found humbling. The true sect really was full of extraordinary talents.

One sweltering summer day, Qi Yue brought Ao Wen something new. "Little Yu, Master sent me with a mission for you," she said without her usual teasing tone. Over the past two years, their relationship had become increasingly ambiguous as Ao Wen had progressed from an elder teen to a young woman. Qi Yue had always had a hint of inappropriateness in her turns of phrase or her gestures of physical affection but in the past several months things felt… less joking and more genuine. The recent shifts in tone made Ao Wen even more concerned at the serious expression on Qi Yue's face.

"A mission?" Ao Wen asked, surprised. Sect missions weren't common among core disciples. The bulk of sect missions were carried out by the outer court and included tasks like collecting herbs, hunting spirit beasts, and other essential activities of the sect. The missions undertaken by inner sect disciples were more difficult and frequently more dangerous but they also rewarded disciples with better cultivation resources. Few missions required a core disciple to complete unless there was a need for a rare skill. Given that, Ao Wen had only gone on a handful of missions with Huang Yuze or Qi Yue over the past two years. Virtually all of those related to… "Yin Fiends," she breathed.

"We don't know for sure yet," Qi Yue said, her voice betraying a hint of concern. "This request came from the Southern Palace. A mortal kingdom within their borders hosted a competition for young alchemists," Qi Yue explained, flopping onto the cushions next to Ao Wen and resting her head on Ao Wen's lap as she explained. "At some point during the contest, one of the contestants released a cloud of smoke that caused several adverse reactions. No one is sure that it's Yin Fiend Transformation because the smoke caused dozens of concoctions to react all at once and the Heavens only know what will happen in the presence of so many uncontrolled reactions. Still, the Southern Palace asked Master for help and this time, she wants you to lead the mission," Qi Yue finished, looking up at Ao Wen through her long lashes with barely concealed concern. As Qi Yue approached one hundred years of age, Ao Wen felt painfully young at times, and having this kind of responsibility thrust on her at such a tender age made Qi Yue's heartache.

"I understand," Ao Wen said, gently stroking Qi Yue's hair before she stood to take the command token and mission scroll from Qi Yue. "If it really is an outbreak, I should probably go quickly. Are you coming along with me?" Ao Wen had only commanded missions on two other occasions and in both cases, Qi Yue had been at her side to offer advice and to help directly on the one occasion where things had turned out more serious than anyone had expected at the start of the mission.

"No," Qi Yue said with a petulant turn to her lips. "It's not exactly a secret, it's just never been important enough to mention," she began to explain, recovering a bit of her teasing manner. "I'm forbidden from entering the Mao Kingdom since I "bewitched" one of their princes a few decades ago when I was on a mission to treat one of their King's favored concubines."

"Bewitched? You? I don't believe it," Ao Wen said with a laugh.

"It's not my fault," Qi Yue said with a flounce as she crossed her arms under her breasts looking more like a willful elder sister than a mighty Independent Alchemist. "I may have inadvertently caused issues with the struggle for the throne just by being there," she confessed. "The eldest prince died in a stupid war with one of their neighboring kingdoms leaving the sons of various concubines contending for things. Lots of people liked Song Yufeng and expected him to take the slain Crown Pricne's place as heir apparent. Unfortunately, he became so 'moved' by seeing me that he swore immediately to forsake the throne and to pursue Alchemy. I used to get letters from him telling me about his advancements, asking if I would take him as a disciple, all sorts of stuff," she said with a dismissive hand wave. "Last I heard, he was bitter about the whole thing. His half-brother took the throne and the two have been clashing publicly about everything from border security to military spending. He hasn't written to me in ages, thankfully," she said with a teasing wink at Ao Wen. "But his half-brother the new king never rescinded the old king's order banning me from entering the Mao Kingdom, so I have to sit this one out. You'll be fine though," she said warmly. "When has my little Yu ever done anything less than three times as much as someone else in her same position would do?"

"I just do what I have to," Ao Wen said blushing at the praise. "Now, hug me," Ao Wen started then paused. "Really hug me," she said, holding tightly to Qi Yue's soft figure and inhaling the fragrance of jasmine that always accompanied her. These past two years, Ao Wen had lost count of how often they had stayed up late into the night, curled up on a sofa or her bed, laughing and gossiping about events in the sect, discussing cultivation or just keeping each other company as they both read a book. Of everyone she had met here, Qi Yue was the one she treasured the most.

"Come back safe," Qi Yue whispered into Ao Wen's ear.

"I will," Ao Wen replied, forcing herself to not linger and collecting the things she'd need for the mission before heading to the teleport formation. Emerging from the formation in the Southern Palace, the guardians stationed around the formation bowed deeply upon seeing the elegant azure and white robes she wore or more specifically, the badge of a core disciple of the Alchemy Hall emblazoned on the chest of her robes.

Entering the busy mission hall, all activity stilled as she moved to the center of the vast chamber. "I have a priority mission from Medical Saintess Cong Houzi," she said, holding aloft the command token and gaining instant silence in the hall. "I require two Champions and a Formation Master."

"I will be your Champion," an attractive man in the robes of an inner disciple called in response to Ao Wen's requirement. His brows were sharp and pointed, his entire body carrying the aura of a naked sword. "Disciple Feng Hou the Sun Blade at your command Celestial Fairy," he said with a deep bow. Feng Hou possessed the lithe muscularity of a panther hidden beneath his flashy gold-trimmed robes. Everything about him seemed calculated for maximum visual impact, from artfully tousled chestnut hair to the ruby-encrusted gold-hilted sword at his waist. His piercing garnet eyes radiated scorching intensity, both charming and evaluating with every glance.

"Celestial Fairy," a graceful woman with white hair and intense blue eyes called out. Her pale blue robes gave her the appearance of an ice cultivator even though they were adorned with the many geometric patterns common among Formation Masters. "May we know the details of this mission before we agree to accompany you? Or is this a secret mission?"

"There's nothing secret here," Ao Wen said calmly. "We're investigating a possible outbreak of Yin Fiend Transformation sickness in the Mao kingdom. Thankfully, the outbreak occurred at one of their academies and the entire island upon which the outbreak occurred has been sealed by a defensive formation. I need a Formation Master to bypass those defenses and I need Champions to protect us from any cultivators who may have succumbed to Yin Fiend Transformation. The sooner we move, the less time there is for that to occur. Do you have any other questions?"

"None," the woman said, bowing with cupped hands. "Formation Master Shi Tan is happy to serve at Celestial Fairy's direction." Formation Master Shi Tan exuded ruthless rationality from her snow-pale tresses to her frost-blue robes. Not a single wasted gesture or inflection marred her glacial poise. Crystalline eyes observed Ao Wen and Champion Feng Hou with impartial assessment, committing each detail to flawless memory. If Feng Hou could be described as possessing the sharpness of a naked blade, Shi Tan's gaze beheld the world with a mind that had been sharpened just as much as any sword.

"This Bo will also be your Champion," a deep gravelly voice called. The man who spoke towered over most of the other disciples present, standing nearly two and a half meters tall with broad shoulders and muscles that strained the simple brown robes he wore. The man carried an iron rod as thick as Ao Wen's wrist and as long as he was tall across his shoulders and he radiated a strong earthen aura that gave him the presence of a walking mountain. "This Bo will crush Yin Fiends wherever they are," he stated flatly.

"Celestial Fairy," a young man wearing the badge of an Independent Alchemist spoke up from the crowd of disciples, cupping his hands and bowing deeply. "Alchemist Chu Yun has long heard legends of the Medical Saintess' methods of dealing with Yin Fiend Transformation. If the Celestial Fairy will indulge this unworthy alchemist, he would count it his eternal blessing to be able to observe the Medical Saintess' methods up close," he said, keeping his eyes downcast as he poured out flattering words like spoiled milk.

A dead silence enveloped the mission hall as many disciples stared at the young alchemist in shock. The Celestial Fairy had descended from the inner sect looking for fourth stage cultivators. This third stage cultivator not only didn't meet the standard of the mission, his services weren't even required. Worse, the Celestial Fairy in question wasn't only a core disciple of the Alchemy Hall, she was the Medical Saintess' adopted daughter! For another Alchemist to put himself forward on this mission was a direct slap to her face! He might as well have directly said that the Alchemy Novice would need a more capable alchemist to complete her mission. Almost unconsciously, every disciple standing within three meters of the Independent Alchemist moved a few steps away as though they would be struck by a lightning bolt from the Heavens when Alchemist Chu was punished for his hubris!

"I do not have the time to argue with you," Ao Wen said, already feeling the pressure of time to reach the site of the outbreak. "You may serve as my medicine boy on this mission," she said, returning his insult with a stinging criticism of her own. The vaunted inner sect alchemist was only fit to fetch and carry herbs for her! "You will not question the commands you are given, you will not offer your opinions, and if you get in my way," she said before turning to the towering man with the iron bar. "I'll ask Champion Bo to crush you like a Yin Fiend."

"This Bo will not dissappoint the Celestial Fairy," the towering man said with a grin, cracking his knuckles and standing intimidatingly close to the impudent alchemist.

"Enough," Ao Wen said firmly. "This Celestial Fairy thanks the gathered heroes for their attention and apologizes for disrupting the business of the mission hall," she said to the gathered crowd, bowing slightly with cupped hands. "Champions, Master Shi, please follow me," she finished as she swept out of the mission hall.

Not mentioned, Alchemist Chu blinked his dark eyes several times before gathering his black robes and rushing after the departing group. Ao Wen's command that he serve as a medicine boy cut at his pride in a way few had dared to since he clawed his way to the inner sect but he swallowed down his pride and hurried after the departing group. This was a mission he couldn't fail!