Legend of The Young Master

Chapter 122: Ascetic Maiden

Wuyi gave the Pavilion Mistress a look of honest surprise, followed by an amused smile. He found the notion of her being an ascetic maiden surprising, given her flirtatious demeanor. Noticing Wuyi's reaction, Lady Xueyan realized what his smile implied.

She, the Pavilion Mistress, who was always respected, even by equals or enemies. This candid and challenging interaction with Wuyi was a new experience for her, causing a hint of a blush to cross her cheeks.

Seeing this, Wuyi decided to shift the conversation to make the Pavilion Mistress more comfortable. "You require my expertise for more than just vanquishing beasts," he deduced.

"Exactly. I wish to secure your services for the entire summer season. Additionally, do you have skilled Qi warriors—perhaps archers—who could remain here after your departure? Maybe veterans you'd consider retiring, or those who've sustained injuries?" She paused, pondering. "I'm at a loss for how to recruit new warriors for the future defense of the fortress.

Our sect doesn't send warriors; we spend all our lives here in the fortress. We've become sitting ducks. Lianhua used to be a thriving town where one could find such men, but those days are long gone." She inhaled deeply.

Wuyi inclined his head. "I'll give it due consideration. Let's be forthright: my faction could benefit from a stable arrangement. We don't have bases in many cities and are looking to bolster our ranks and gain some fame for our faction. Would you be open to having women among the fighters?"

"Women?" queried the pavilion mistress, her tone laced with surprise.

"Yes, I have women in my group—archers, combatants," Wuyi explained, noting her reaction. "It's becoming more common, especially in foreign lands."

She shook her head dismissively. "I don't think so. What sort of women would these be? Wayward souls trained in Qi cultivation? Hardly suitable company for the women of our pavilion."

Wuyi leaned back, adjusting the weight of his Qi armor. "Fair point, my lady. But I imagine they'd be less troubling companions than the sort of men in my faction who frequent brothels and inns, cheat, and rob. Is it fairness of you and your pavilion disciples to decide not to indulge in carnal pleasures, thus making you righteous, while those women are considered wayward?"

Lady Xueyan replied, "If you're so supportive of women, why do you call your organization a brotherhood and not a brother and sisterhood?"

"I did not decide the name; we are just an outer faction of the Black Brotherhood. We still call ourselves brothers because it began with me. It's about me, as I am a brother to all. It has now become a neutral term; our brotherhood doesn't differentiate between women and men—I am a brother to all," Wuyi clarified.

Wuyi felt that the pavilion mistress loved making random arguments with him for no reason. Their gazes locked, as sharp as two swords clashing. Finally, the pavilion mistress conceded. She realized she couldn't sway this outspoken youth and acknowledged the truth in his words. She decided to steer the conversation elsewhere.

"We're not enemies here," she said. "Take your time to consider my proposal. Do you require a ritual for the departed?"

That was surprising for Wuyi, and he felt a newfound respect for her. "That would be most welcome."

"So not all your fighters share your skepticism towards the righteousness of the heavens?" she inquired.

"On the contrary," Wuyi stood, "warriors are as prone to spiritual beliefs as any other group—perhaps even more so. They understand the cycle of karma, birth, and death, so it's natural they would believe in the heavens." He paused, regretting his earlier sharpness. "My apologies for my rudeness earlier, especially considering your generous offer.

Our dead warriors, noble or not, died true to their beliefs, regardless of your opinion of me. A ritual for the departed would be a kind gesture and likely help maintain discipline among my ranks."

She stood as well. "You're surprisingly endearing in your polite disarray," she commented. "I believe we'll get along just fine, Young Master Black. And perhaps you'll forgive me if I counter your evident disregard for my beliefs on heaven and righteousness with an attempt to enlighten you. Whatever wrongs have been done to you, it wasn't the work of the Heavens, but of men. Heaven is righteous.

I know you are not demonic but you don't find their path wrong either."

He inclined his head. "You always misunderstand me, venerable mistress. I don't strictly adhere to righteous or demonic ways; I believe in my own path. But I am ready to learn the righteous ways of heaven from you, as long as you allow me to help you understand the carnal ways of mortals," he said, his smile tinged with playful mischief.

"You're quite the mischievous young man, aren't you?" Lady Xueyan responded, both delighted and entertained by his remark. "We shall have a gathering this evening in the temple."

"You would permit my band of unaligned cultivators within your stronghold?" Wuyi inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"Considering I plan to hire you as my fortress's guardians, I'll eventually have to trust you within these walls," she retorted with a hint of pragmatism in her voice.

"Quite a sudden shift in stance, venerable mistress," Wuyi observed, a trace of surprise in his tone.

She nodded, gracefully moving towards the inner chamber of the hall. "Indeed, it is. I've come to new understandings," she said, offering him a formal bow.

He halted her with a gesture. "You mentioned the wild demonics encroaching closer. What do you mean by 'closer'?"

She exhaled deeply. "We've reclaimed twenty farmsteads from the forest. Our community has grown since my novice days. Once, the Wilderness was leagues away to the north and west. Now, this fortress marks the boundary, as it did in our ancestors' era. The demonics have become strong."

He shook his head. "Wasn't there a great wall built with a massive array to keep strong demonics away?"

She shrugged. "As time passes, the demonics grow in number, and the array weakens. They don't heed walls. The King had plans to push it back, but it seems his new consort occupies his attention."