Section Nine: Cultivation

Section Nine: Cultivation

In July, Qiuye guided Qiyue to the hot spring hidden in the midst of a wooded grove. It was about thirty feet in diameter, with bubbles constantly rising to the surface, clearly a living spring.

Seeing that Qiyue was still wearing her clothes to enter the water, Qiuye couldn’t help but scold, “What’s wrong with you? There’s not a soul around, and you’re still afraid of being seen?”

“I just like bathing this way.” Qiyue paid her no mind, diving headlong into the water, then leaping up with a shriek, “It’s so hot!”

Qiuye had been waiting for exactly this reaction and burst into delighted laughter. Years ago, when she followed Zheng Feixian here, a group of fellow disciples discovered this spring; each joyfully jumped in, only to flee back to shore, scalded. “Coward!” Qiuye soared above Qiyue’s head, struck her with a palm to push her back under, then spun in midair, shed her clothes, and plunged in herself.

Qiyue surfaced, her face pinched in discomfort. “Soon enough, we’ll be cooked and ready to eat.”

“Focus on your cultivation. Use the heat of the spring to accelerate the flow of inner energy. Hold your breath, steady your mind, cast aside distractions, and perceive the blazing fire of the Tenfold Heart Method of the Supreme Sovereign. Once the fire ignites in your dantian, let its force surge forth as if oil were poured onto flames, and in an instant, undergo a rebirth through fire.”

Following Qiuye’s instructions, Qiyue concentrated on her cultivation. Soon, she felt the searing heat of fire rising in her dantian, but could not, no matter how she tried, make it blaze fiercely. She attempted several times, exhausting herself without success.

“What’s wrong?” Qiuye asked.

“It feels blocked. I can’t ignite the fire no matter what.”

Qiuye cursed inwardly. This was the most troublesome situation most disciples encountered, and many would never master the Tenfold Method in their lifetime. She dreaded this outcome, but dared not speak the truth for fear of crushing Qiyue’s confidence.

“Don’t rush. Take your time. Rest a while; staying too long in the water is taxing.”

Qiyue left the spring to rest for a short while, then, unwilling to give up, went back in to try again. Qiuye waited on the shore, hoping for her success. Experience had taught her: if the breakthrough did not come within a certain window, it might never come. Qiyue’s extraordinary talent was only revealed after mastering the Tenfold Heart Method—without passing this hurdle, her achievements would be no greater than ordinary folk; but if she succeeded, it would be a leap to the heavens.

“Master, if your spirit watches from above, please help Qiyue through this trial. The future of our sect may rest on her for decades to come!”

Yet three hours passed, and Qiyue still failed, no matter how she tried. Qiuye’s worry deepened, but she kept silent.

“The Marquis of Xin will arrive soon. Qiuye, you should meet him first. I’ll stay here and continue my cultivation.”

“Very well, I’ll bring you some food later.”

“I can’t eat! There’s energy enough here, no need for food. If you bring anything, bring wine!”

“Alright, don’t be anxious. Haste makes waste. At such a critical moment, you need the right timing, place, and harmony. Fate has its own will; the more you force it, the harder it is to succeed.”

With her advice offered, Qiuye sighed inwardly. She could only hope fate would not thwart such a prodigy at the threshold of the Tenfold Heart Method.

When Ling Luo arrived, many women in Chu’s capital were waiting eagerly. Everyone knew he was the husband of Princess Tianlai, the most beautiful woman in Zheng, and every woman wanted to see what the husband of the world’s greatest beauty looked like. Upon the carriage, which was as tall as three men, sat a handsome man in white robes, his seat draped in golden brocade. A holy white radiance seemed to flow around him, and his eyes were calm as a deep sea. He did not seem mortal, but like a celestial descended to earth.

His passage prompted countless citizens of Chu to bow in reverence, and many women, who had prepared passionate dances to catch his eye, dared not perform.

The carriage entered the palace, where Chu Gaoge waited inside to welcome him.

“What do you think of Chu’s capital, Senior Brother?” he asked.

Ling Luo kept turning around, embarrassment written all over his face.

“It’s mortifying!” Ling Luo forced himself to remain composed, but he couldn’t bear to look at the scantily clad women lining the streets. “I’ve long heard Chu’s women are open-minded, but only today do I see the truth. No wonder you could stand among beauties on North Spirit Mountain as if they were weeds—since childhood, you’ve faced such grand spectacles in Chu. I’m no match for you, truly!”

“Hahaha…” Chu Gaoge laughed heartily, having expected the upright Ling Luo would be shocked by such scenes. “If you like, shall I arrange for a few virgins to attend you tonight?”

“Absolutely not, absolutely not!” Ling Luo waved his hands, afraid others would overhear. He whispered, “If I cause the Marquis of Xin of Zheng to flee through the window here, it would humiliate Zheng!”

The brothers were delighted to meet again. They entered the palace, feasted, met the civil and military officials of Chu, but did not see the King of Chu.

After the banquet, Chu Gaoge accompanied Ling Luo to tour the imperial gardens.

“I hear the King of Chu is unwell…?” Ling Luo remarked.

Chu Gaoge nodded. “To be honest, the royal physician says he may not last much longer. Few in court know, but now that you’ve arrived and the King hasn’t greeted you, it’s hard to keep it secret.”

“Before I left, the King of Zheng urged me repeatedly to send his regards. Speaking of the King of Chu, he always remembers the days when they fought side by side on the battlefield, sighing that since they began to govern their countries, they’ve rarely met. He’s always hoped for a reunion to drink together, but fate has changed so suddenly!”

“The King still remembers the grievances of Chen and the unavenged hatred of Yan,” Chu Gaoge shifted to the main topic.

“The King of Chu’s diligence is admirable. The King of Zheng is equally concerned. Zheng and Chu are the leading powers of the realm, ever longing for peace and prosperity, unwilling to bring war upon the people. Yet while we seek peace, others desire war! Recently, the Black Wolf Army allied with several nations to invade Zheng, causing countless deaths. Korea acted as a minion, ignoring the favors we’ve extended for years—such behavior is shameful! Yet Korea is weak, and perhaps acted under duress when the Black Wolf Army threatened them. But Wei and Yan are truly incomprehensible! Zheng has maintained peace with them for years, never causing trouble, yet they aided the Black Wolf Army in attacking us! If Zheng does not respond, not only will the world mock us as weak, but even our own people will blame the King for incompetence!”

His words made Zheng’s intentions clear: Korea was contemptible, but could be dealt with later, for it was the weakest and unlikely to aid Wei or Yan. Zheng’s primary targets were Wei and Yan, which suited Chu’s interests. Chu could not attack Chen yet, for Chen would seek Qi’s help, leading to a fruitless campaign and a joint attack from Yan. The best strategy was to strike Yan first; if Chu did not attack Chen, Qi would not intervene.

“Wei and Yan are truly abhorrent! Especially Yan—Chu and Yan have never interfered with each other. When the King of Chen acted foolishly, Chu took up arms for justice, and Yan seized the chance to attack our rear. The King has decreed: better to ignore the unrighteous Chen for now, but Yan, who aided tyranny, must be eliminated!”

“In that case…” Ling Luo raised his palm, Chu Gaoge met it, and the two struck three times to seal their alliance, exchanging smiles. “Zheng believes that the best time to march is next spring, when the thaw begins.”

“Chu agrees, that is the perfect moment.”

The alliance was settled easily, and both sides were pleased. The details would be negotiated by others; there was no need for further discussion.

As they strolled through the gardens, Ling Luo noticed the waiting maids were also scantily dressed, shaking his head with a wry smile. Chu Gaoge saw the bemusement and laughed quietly.

“You may not have heard of Infinite City, Senior Brother.”

“I admit my ignorance.”

“But since this isn’t your taste, Chu’s most beautiful scenery leaves you unimpressed,” said Chu Gaoge, then asked, “What news of the Black Wolf Army lately?”