Chương 69: Chapter 66 - A Reward for Hard Work

["Wow, deja vu."] Cyrus commented while the council made themselves comfortable around the room. ["Is it just me or are all these meetings starting to feel the same?"] Song had to agree, though he didn't know what 'deja vu' meant. He'd seen the Lee family council more in the past couple months than he had in the previous few years. And now he was standing before them again. At least this time it was for doing something good. He hoped. There was much less pomp and circumstance than the last couple times as well.

In fact, several of the council weren't even in attendance. Hana and Duri, as the elders in charge of the care of the horses, had bowed out, saying they weren't necessary for the discussion. Great Uncle Gunwoo had sent his regards as well, complaining the rain was affecting his achy knee. So had Uncle Seok, who'd claimed he was too close to the matter to come up with an appropriate reward.

He'd taken Song aside after breakfast and given his personal thanks, but it'd stopped at anything more than a short bow from one on high offering gratitude to one who'd provided good service. Song had been nettled, but he hadn't done it for his uncle anyways, he'd done it for Mae, and seeing her there smiling under the pavilion while raindrops spattered the ground and his precious Lee family ate delicious food in peace? It'd all been worth it. Though he wasn't going to say no to whatever reward they came up with.

Often a well performing cultivator could expect cultivation materials. Treasures with just enough qi to help push through bottlenecks, but not enough to cause qi poisoning. Unfortunately, the Lee family stores mostly contained treasures filled with Wood qi, so he couldn't even guess what reward was coming his way. When the remaining council – Subin, Eunji, Seojoon, Juwon, Minsu, and Bora – were all in place, Lee San called the meeting to order.

Song's father was more lounging than sitting at attention today, he held Kkongi on his arm and was feeding the pheasant-tailed hawk bits of meat which it snapped up with ferocious glee. Song suddenly recalled the jaws of snapping grasswolves and shivered. Seojoon stepped forward and got on his knees, bowing his head low first to Lee San, and then to Song. He bowed twice each time, as a lesser to one who was above them.

He said contritely, if a bit stiffly, "I offer my thanks to the Lee family for the funds they helped provide for saving my younger sister, and to Lee Song for heroically riding to deliver it. I shall never forget this debt." ["Oh, now he shows humility."] Cyrus complained. ["When he can earn brownie points for it."] ["It's about face, Cyrus,"] Song pointed out. ["He needs to show proper respect as the moment requires."] ["Blech. My grandma always used to talk about that. I think she called it 'chemyeon' or something. At least it meant I always got Nike cleats for Christmas. Couldn't shame the family by playing lacrosse with shabby shoes."] ["You sound like Tae,"] Song sent a shiver against his dantian, meant to simulate a laugh. ["Yeah, well, Tae understands irony better than the rest of you."] Song had to agree with that. Irony was practically Elder Brother's Dao.

Lee San gave a lazy wave before he spoke, jostling Kkongi who let out an angry screech before leaning in for more meat.

"We've done as any clan should for one of our own, Seojoon. And your own father provided most of the funds, from your own inheritance. You've already sacrificed enough. Raise your head, proud son of the Lees, let us make use of this time to choose a reward for young Song, who ventured in the Gangho alone and returned to us a young Hero." Lee San's moustache twitched, and he pulled at his beard, his eyes alight with delight as he continued, "Or so I've been told by my eldest son.

Were they really calling you 'The Crane Child of Nakjo'?" Aunt Eunji barked a laugh, then covered it with a cough. Elders Subin and Minsu looked interested, running appraising eyes over Song but keeping their thoughts to themselves.

"Yes, Patriarch." Song managed to avoid reddening this time. He'd come to terms with his Dao name by now, and hearing it said so reverently and respectfully by the soldiers back at the waystation had given it a new shine in his eyes.

'Rising' or 'High Flying' was often an epithet added to up-and-coming young cultivators, and Crane Child suited them.

'The Flying Crane of Nakjo' would do nicely for a future Dao name, yes. Maybe 'Naldahak' or 'Gonghak' with the ancient characters for flight or empty sky. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

"Well, whatever we give him, it can't be gold. We're fresh out," Elder Subin said, tapping his fingers on his chair-arm.

"And we now owe a favour to some mysterious peddler on top."

"Ha! Song should have gold spilling from his pockets if what the army told me was true," Eunji interjected in her husky voice.

"Is it true you killed almost a half-dozen grasswolves out there, Lee Song?" Song nodded, then added, "Though the Yu's grasswolf poison did most of the work."

"Who gives a damn? Nobody says the Tangs are any less because they kill with poison," Eunji laughed.

"Well done!"

"Actually – " Minsu began, then held his peace. Actually, people do look down on the Tangs, just not to their face, Song finished the thought. But deep down he didn't care. Nobody in refinement could take on a foundation level demon, plus a dozen others, without some kind of trickery.

"Normally we would reward martial arts techniques, or elevation to cultivator status, or precious treasures, but Lee Song doesn't lack for any of those, and we don't have any that suit him." Subin's lips pursed.

"I don't like feeling poor, Lee Song. Kindly do not do this again."

"His mother would agree with you," San said, completely deadpan. Kkongi shrieked, though in amusement or just general wickedness, Song couldn't tell.

"We could offer him an official position?" Subin said, his eyes narrowing as he looked Song up and down with consideration.

"He was quite handy during the trip. And has shown his worth as a messenger. Perhaps as the family's head of… procurement?"

"You make him sound like a courtesan of the Hao sect," Eunji scoffed.

"Don't look down on procurement," Subin snapped.

"You of all people should know that, sister. As Li Zhui says, wars are both won and lost on logistics. And having someone with a demonstrated ability to deliver through anything has meaning for the clan." Song felt his toes curl. Having an official position in the family at his age was a considerable honour! But.. did it suit his Dao to be so locked down?

"That may be suitable for Lee Song, but it's a poor reward," Elder Minsu complained. He gestured at Song.

"Our youngest cultivator has just fought a mighty battle in the Gangho, and lived to tell the tale. He will need time to properly recuperate and let his mind focus on other things."

"We could send him to Chengdu?" Grannie Bora's crackly voice spoke up, and everyone turned to her in surprise. Cyrus's excitement was palpable. ["Oooh! A vacation! Say yes, say yes, say yes!"] Song twitched. ["What's a vacation?"] ["What!?"] Cyrus cried in injured shock. ["Y'know, you put on some khakis and a hawaiian pattern shirt and then go somewhere sunny and overpay for beer while you see the sights and lay on the beach?"] Song shook his head in amazement. ["That sounds indolent."] ["Damn straight! There was this time we went to Hawaii, or was it Cancun…"] Cyrus's hopeful voice turned into muted muttering as the Canadian disappeared back into his own thoughts.

"Interesting…" San said, pulling at his beard while he considered the old woman's idea.

"Why?" Bora shrugged.

"My son sent a message with the peddlers to say that he's aiming for Imperial recognition for his restaurant. I sent a letter back with them that I wished for the Immortals to smile on him, but why not do more? It would be a great honour for our clan to have an Imperial Restaurant."

"Hmph. If he left –" Eunji harrumphed.

"Then he's not in the Clan, yes yes, we know your thoughts. But I disagree as long as they keep in touch, and I would very much love to have an Imperial Restaurant that we could visit for cheap," Subin interrupted his sister.

"Does he have a chance, Elder Bora?"

"Oh, he loves to brag, but I'm not sure. He's a bit of a dreamer my son," Bora shook her head, though out of fondness or frustration Song couldn't tell.

"Eunji, you've been, what do you think?" Eunji looked strangely thoughtful, then shrugged.

"If he can, then anyone can, I suppose."

"So you propose we send Song to Chengdu to your son, Elder Bora? He can provide some aid and enjoy the hospitality and the culture of Chengdu." San looked down at his son.

"What say you, Lee Song?" It was rare for a child of the plains to have the opportunity to visit the big Imperial cities. This was a chance to go see the wider world he'd heard spoken of in the Tales. To see real Orthodox cultivators in the flesh, and maybe even have another adventure in the Gangho! Preferably one without grasswolves this time. He smiled and gave a small bow.

"Yes, Patriarch." Lee San sat straight and squared his shoulders, setting aside Kkongi who let out an angry squawk.

"Lee Song, in return for the bravery you have shown, and the honour you have brought to the Lee Clan, I am rewarding you with an opportunity to see the world. Do you accept?" Song bowed low, a son to his father.

"Yes, Patriarch. I hear, and accept your will." Lee San relaxed back into his chair once more.

"Good. Take a few days more rest while I decide who will be chaperoning you."

"May I accompany our youngest, father?" Juwon, who'd been silent up until this point, asked quietly. Lee San looked his eldest son over, his eyes flicking to Seojoon before flicking back.

"No. You have responsibilities here that cannot be left. It will likely be Eunji, or Subin. Song, you're dismissed for now. Go and join your brothers in the field, then report to Hunter An. You still have duties to be done." Song bowed once more, backing out of the yurt as he did so. His face was serious, but there was a smile in his heart. He was going to Chengdu!!!