Chương 68: Chapter 65 - Heaven above the Heavens

Song spent most of the night sitting by Mae's side, switching partway with a grateful Seojoon. His elder cousin gave him a deep bow of thanks, and hugged him fiercely, before thumping him on the shoulder and telling him, "don't let this get to your head, and rest up properly, I know you." Song… gratefully accepted the thanks, and the hug. And the thump.

It wouldn't be Seojoon without it, and after the painful conversation with Juwon, he was thankful that at least there was some semblance of normality in the Lee household. Though Cyrus had words. Ungrateful Hoser was a new one for Song, and he still wasn't sure what it meant even after Cyrus's explanation. He did what he could to catch up on sleep, then awoke at sunrise to practice out in the yard with Wook. He wasn't about to let a little thing like a monsoon keep him from his martial arts drills.

["I'm gonna go work on my Void weaving, or whatever. You go freeze your nuts off yourself. And I'm saying that as a Canadian."] Cyrus snipped, before disappearing into the depths of Song's mindspace. ["More freaking rain than Vancouver."] Song didn't mind it. With a warm deel on and a quick run around the training yard he was nice and toasty, if a bit damp.

He and Wook went through the basic forms of the Way of the Ram, before moving into a more fast paced spar with Wook using some of the higher level forms that Song didn't know, while Song parried what he could with the wide low stance of the Stellar Crane. It became clear pitifully soon that Song was still at a novice level in his new martial arts.

"I keep feeling like I'm missing something…" Wook complained as his knee stopped just before it impacted Song's rib cage. The Way of the Ram favoured kicks and headbutts, coupled with close clinches to throw opponents off balance and keep inside the range of most conventional weapons.

"I don't wish to second guess your Master, but… are you sure he's teaching you correctly?" Song sighed, bringing his wide armed stance back down, and playing with the strings on his sling staff.

"He said that my body isn't quite the right… shape. And that he's being forced to adapt it. I think that it'll start to come together as I learn higher level techniques."

"Ahhh," Wook patted his shortest brother on the head, looking down from up high.

"I see." Song's eyes narrowed.

"What. What do you see."

"Nothing!" Wook commented, spinning on his heel and heading back towards the dining tent.

"Breakfast."

"What do you see Wook!?" Song demanded, falling in beside his brother.

"Don't worry about it, little brother." Wook chortled. Song grumbled, but he didn't push the matter. Better that his brother didn't wonder any deeper about his Master.

"I spoke with Juwon on the way here," Song said quietly as they walked through the Lee family compound.

"Have you?"

"Does it have anything to do with why he's been even more staid than usual? Tae spent almost all of yesterday badgering him about going along to get you, and he didn't react at all."

"Mmm. I'm worried about him," Song hazarded, not quite sure of how much to tell.

"Just watch out for him, please Brother Wook? I know he'll listen to you, even if he still treats me like a child and ignores Tae." A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Listen to me!?" Wook laughed.

"Elder Brother Juwon? He only listens to his books and Father."

"Please, this is serious Wook."

"You're always serious, it's a personal failing." Wook rubbed Song's head once more then jumped away as Song swatted at him.

"But very well, I'll keep an eye on him. Just for you, little hero."

"Thank you." What awaited them at breakfast was a lovely surprise. Mae was seated at the table, in a serious conversation with Taeyang of all people, along with Seojoon and Uncle Seok. Auntie Haru and Mother ran around passing out bowls filled with urum – creamy clotted mare's milk – and pieces of piping flatbread for spreading it on. There were also some dates; Father must have splurged with the traders! Song sat down, his stomach grumbling.

As he did so, he managed to catch the final snippet of Tae's conversation.

"You'll see. They'll all consider you the true Jade Beauty of Nakjo. It'll be a tale told through the empire." Mae's voice was quiet, but hopeful. She brushed aside a lock of shimmering green hair.

"Even though I'm a Demonic Cultivator?" In the muted light, it was harder to spot that she was so thoroughly changed. But looking close, one could make out the shimmering gold and jade stones that flecked her cheeks, and the fact that her skin was just a bit too smooth. Up close she looked uncanny, like she was human but not.

"Psh. What demon?" Tae rolled his eyes.

"Everyone knows demons are as ugly as their hearts."

"You see, Mae?" Seojoon interjected, his tone a good natured complaint.

"I'm going to have to work twice as hard to keep half as many of the young men away. And you're practically as strong as an expert refinement cultivator already."

"That's my concern. I hope she doesn't catch the fancy of some Imperial noble young master," Seok groused. He slapped a wad of urum on his fried bread with a splatch.

"Or worse, the Emperor."

"We'll make sure she's kept safe, Brother." San said, reaching over and grasping his older brother's shoulder.

"Harumph. You see that you do," Seok grumbled.

"And I'd better not be hearing rumours of the Living Doll of Changpo or any other such drivel. We don't need that kind of nonsense in our village."

"I'll talk to the village council," San said.

"But tongues will wag, brother."

"Let them. I'll cut them out when I see them." Seok growled, then took a big angry bite of his bread.

"Not if I grind their bones first," San agreed, then started in on his own meal. Song fairly goggled. He'd never seen his father and uncle so… comfortable with each other before. He absently watched his family, somehow feeling like an outsider. Tae had changed the subject to discuss the exciting prospects of applying makeup to porcelain skin, and the intricacies of washing stone hair, while Wook discussed training techniques with Seojoon.

Auntie Eunjie laughed at something that Mother had said, the tired and worried lines of the past few days melting away like winter snow. Truly, this was heaven above the heavens. This was what Master Crane had meant by what was important in life. Song happily snuck the bowl of dates when nobody was watching and piled them on his own bread, then hastily slapped a big heaping spoonful of urum over them to cover up his crime.

He took a big bite, the fresh dates popping in his mouth and mixing with the creamy urum to make a fruity confection that complimented the slightly sour taste of the bread perfectly. ["Can I –"] Cyrus began. ["No,"] Song said back, firmly. He wouldn't miss a second of this for the world. ["Nuts."] Halfway through the meal, Lee San stood and cleared his throat for attention.

"The family will be having another meeting tonight to discuss Song's reward for his heroic ride, as well as what is to be done with Mae." At Mae's horrified gasp, San sputtered, then quickly amended.

"Nothing bad, we just need to discuss what will be done regarding a teacher for you Mae. Much as I did for Song. But given the severity, it's best that I have the council's advice."

"Don't worry Mae, we'll make sure that you're well taken care of." Chohee smiled at the little girl, who was kicking her feet back and forth nervously. They all would. Song nodded firmly. He'd risked much to see this scene. It had all been worth it. And all because he'd been willing to make a single delivery. A small thing, and yet so profound. Truly, the dao of delivery was not a simple thing.