Chapter Two Hundred and Forty - Bathhouse Tentacles

The tang of blood was upon his tongue. A wash that soon stained the straying hairs curling across his upper lip. Strange, wayward thoughts drew him to [Of Perennial Shade] and what opinion she would hold on such an unseemly appearance.

When next they met, if, perhaps, it would not matter.

His allegiance was clear.

[Divine Qi] proved a dragon to control as it soared through [Meridian], [Channel] and [Core], possessing no equilibrium or kindly properties. This vaunted force- this energy of which a single droplet inspired continental genocide- held no equal.

Hushi and Shuidi had not the luxury to divide their attention and direct the [Cloud Dragon Sutra] to cultivate it slowly.

It was akin to pressing one’s lips to a volcanic eruption and drinking deep.

Further blood belched from their lungs as the hours whiled away, and when this grand undertaking was finally concluded, the three souls comprising the Fatherly [Asura] could scarce recognise their inner pathways.

“Cultivating the Path of [Body] was a simplicity, was it not?” Fu heaved, frothing [Water Qi] through the layers of his flesh to cleanse himself wholly. “One might wish for those days again.”

Shuidi’s attention was distant.

Hushi’s sparked a resonance of sharp pain as he further tempered his own [Meridians]. Now this was a thing of great fluctuation, balancing and shifting their mundane, if pure stockpile of [Spectral Qi] with both [Primordial Qi] and the latest addition of [Divine Qi].

Three powers that were as vastly different as Heaven and Earth.

[Spectral Qi] was multifaceted. Elemental. Simple. Purity dictated what one reaped by cultivating and tempering one’s [Meridians].

[Primordial Qi] was as its sire. A thing of immutable purity that when conjured, by way of its regality and origin, negated all lesser workings. To temper oneself, as they had in part, was to ascend beyond the mere limitations and predications of [Realm].

With the inclusion of [Divine Qi]... Fu mused best that it was the Heaven’s own force of creation. Manifestation did not diminish it as with the transient nature of base elements- of wind, fire, earth or any other- to conjure a fog from [Spectral Qi] would see it fade in time, to conjure a fog of [Divine Qi] would have it linger eternal.

As for its properties when tempered…

Is it not beyond belief?

One [Meridian] tempered from the Path of [Body]. What gains the cultivation of [Primordial Qi] had shown were less than half of this. To temper creation itself into one’s flesh, well, even the blind could see its benefits.

Yet this single [Meridian] was a slaughter unto itself. To cultivate it had required no less than three [Tribulations] to complete in any semblance of timely fashion, not to mention the weakness induced as his remaining deposits nigh fled from its strength.

[Dao of Four Horizons].

An aged Warship welcomed his landing, sailing fourteenth highest among the skies. The hour was indecisive, caught between late night and early morning, and the anemic rays of sunshine upon the distant horizon reflected this.

Fu moved through the unguarded screen there. Heated conversation filled his ears.

“...on the eve of it?” soured [Dour Faced Strategist].

Hua’s head snapped sidelong as he allowed their sight to reach him, then continued her retaliation. “History clouds this moment as much as I, Lianse,” she warned. “We must clad ourselves in this fog of futures for as long as is able. Bah. The [Cherry River Sage] does not enjoy repeating herself, nor will she continue to do so.”

This cabin was ill-fitting for the scope of their venture, no wider nor more resplendent than Fu’s floating home in Thousand Shore City.

For its size, Lianse seemed to take up much of it. The incessant gestures of warding and good fortune she tapped upon her person did little to remedy that. “Half truths are no answer, sage. The [Western Demon Front] yet stands, and does so by simple wisdom. A strategist wins first, then goes to war. Ten thousand eventualities I am well-prepared in counting. That you do not share further futures is no more than stubbornness.”

“Speak less, foolish girl,” hummed Hua. “Be as your Mingqin’er- grateful and silent for my presence alone. We are on course.”

“On course.”

“Bah. Is it not caves alone that hold echoes?” The [Cherry River Sage] turned. “Gao Fu, the night’s work is not done. Hmm, nor can it continue if you choose to dress so improperly. [External Arts] are no substitute for cleanliness.”

Hushi chuckled, and pressed Fu’s head down from within the douli. “Apologies, grandmother. I would argue that-”

“Do not. This breath is better spent elsewhere. For whom we are to visit, no thing can be out of balance.”

Visit? Our role is to sow discord in these final hours. A trifling task. Who ought we visit when such few moments remain until the hostilities begin?

With amusement on his face, Fu looked to Lianse. To have Hua’s irritation foisted upon him served to cool both, and he was happy to serve.

“Warriors bathed in Rakshasa bile smell better,” she dryly offered. “It is corpse-like.”

The stench of [Impurities] was akin to a Heavenly scourge, a malady unrivalled. Perhaps if he could harness it the [Hollow Throne] need not be fought over.

Upon his brim, Shuidi scraped an infinitesimal speck from her pincers. “This peerless mistress inhibited her [Senses]... there is wisdom in swift cleanliness. [Divine Qi] scours well.”

Lianse frowned. “JInghui Hua does not repeat herself. Humorous, no? For is this not the task you undertook yesterday? Know that the reaping of granules will gain nothing, Gao Fu. Surely you have not lost all reason. Those that are to tread within the [Hollow Throne] are not those that clash in this tournament. Sage, say you do not endorse this?”

“Gratitude, Lianse. We know,” attempted Fu.

A hum quashed his explanation before it began. “The oafish bloods of my blood have been availed of their insignificance, on this, you will not fret. As do they know when not to question their betters! Must their foundational understanding of futures be passed to you?”

Hushi offered to make a fool of himself if only that this sniping might cease.

“When must we meet?” Fu quickly cut.

Short was this hum. “Merely bathe, Gao Fu, swiftly. We go to turn hearts, not noses. See that you wash well, I will come for you when ready.”

🀧

Jade Songbird City had not wholly caught up with the Clear Sky’s traditions, and Fu thought it a mark of uniqueness over inconvenience. Those bathhouses constructed in more recent [Seasons] offered more, indeed, including attendants, [Affinity]-matching services and ambiance, and topical balms to nourish one’s [Spirit].

Master Gwo-hyeok’s was a heated, exterior pool without inscribed formation to dull nature’s sounds.

Fu enjoyed it rather much.

“Gao Fu,” the aging man had greeted, gently swatting his son-in-law’s ears to encourage a proper bow. “An interesting Path lies behind you I see. It has been too long since our last meeting. Hushi. Mistress Shuidi. We welcome you.”

The simplicity of conversation did as much to soothe him as these waters would.

“I would apologise-”

“Hmm. You will do no such thing,” shook Gwo-hyeok, stroking a grand collection of sloping, noodle-like wisps upon his upper lip. “Come, come.”

Despite the crook of this aged cultivator’s spine, he led Fu upwards with a fox’s swiftness. Hand-carted rocks, moss-covered yet firm, lined an ascending path beneath the boughs of wisteria up the side of this small mountain.

Pale lanterns lit the way, and their passage held a silence in the form of fishing with grandfathers or observing sunsets.

Comfortable.

Behind the final converging branches at the peak there came into view a mild paifang of mortal craftsmanship. A leather sheet was draped across it, detailing the half-worn characters for spring, and nothing else.

Gwo-hyeok pulled back the sheet, and entered despite the lack of obstructions on both sides of the arch’s pillars. Some steps further and a rocky shore revealed itself, hand-carted as with the steps to form a great ring about this steaming pool.

A vermillion shell was among them, and on this he placed his hand. “Another, old friend. A busy night,” and after a gentle rub, released.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

From within, the head of a leathery [Spirit Tortoise] emerged. It padded slowly into the pool, and flames roared beneath the surface to have the heat and steam rise considerably.

Fu derobed upon the rocks as no suitable space stood to protect one’s modesty, then slipped into the soothing waters. Pageantry dictated that this moment be treated as any other. As though they were oblivious or uncaring.

And yet-

“Fresh company! The Heavens whispered to me of fortune this night. Hye-hye-hye! Stranger of fate, will you share a drink with me? I fear our other companion is of great sensibility,” roared - above Hushi’s internal cursings of JInghui Hua - [Plum Axe Zhu].

Steam held no mystery for the Fatherly [Asura].

He saw the third point of this fateful triangle as she dabbed soft cotton against her skin. All Fu deigned to notice of the [Cherry River Doctor] was her tranquil features, given that he was a man of decent propriety.

Her eyelids were closed, and as she spoke her voice came like that of one that was needed elsewhere. Captive, yet authoritative. “It is not necessary to accept, nephew, you will not offend this unlikable fellow.”

A monarch among butterflies danced atop the water. Lizi, as Fu had often heard tales of. With small wingbeats she shed droplets atop the [Cherry River Doctor].

“Nephew?” laughed Zhu. “Hye-hye-hye! Do tell, Osadhih, do tell! A story as we drink? You would not ignore this small gift, would you?”

“Twice you have asked a thing, and nephew Fu has not been given a chance to reply.”

Fu stroked his whisker. “Forgiveness,” he smiled. “So austere a meeting requires propriety, but to stand and bow would do more disservice than good.”

[Cherry River Doctor] held her eyes closed. Perhaps a small corner of her lips twitched, perhaps it did not.

Laughter exploded from Zhu. “Hye-hye-hye-hye! Mysterious and well-spoken. This is quite the nephew you have! Your name, friend! I would see if it matches all I hope! [Humorous Hat]? Given that article you wore? [Venerable Fisher], for your partners?” he roared, raising a hand. “No, no! Do not tell me, I must guess more!”

“Gao Fu,” said [Osadhih], [Cherry River Doctor].

“Gao Fu,” tasted Zhu. The waters rippled as he thrashed his hands in childlike fancy. “Gao Fu! A name that carries such curiosity! But, Osadhih, must you spoil my fun?”

She nodded, never opening her eyes.

“This peerless mistress is Gao Shuidi, should you bother to ask on it,” snipped the [Spirit Crab]. “Her silent brother is Gao Hushi.”

Hushi buried himself lower in the water, focusing more on indulgence that whatever aberration of misfortune had brought them to this meeting.

Small suspicions arose about their current mood, for surely to bask in the presence of these Pillars was enough to freeze hearts and reduce their words to the babble of [Spirit Baboons]. The calm within them did not reduce caution, and yet all three pondered if this was some projected effect of his bath-sharing immortals.

Perhaps they had grown beyond stupefaction in the face of monsters.

“Of all the springs across our Jianghu, I am curious as to what might attract such venerables to this place?” Fu asked.

A vibrancy sparked in Zhu’s plum irises. “Jianghu. Why, you are a dish to be sampled Gao Fu! An old name, indeed, is it not Osadhih?”

“Jinghui Hua is blood of his blood, old man.”

Zhu thrashed all the harder, bolting upright. This held a distinct disadvantage for those at eye-level in so shallow a pool. “Nephew indeed!” He stomped behind him, rotating unpleasantly, and tossed a bottle from behind the rocks.

“Gratitude,” smiled Fu, fetching the wine mid-air.

“Hua, as an aunty? A grandmother? She was ever the matron when I knew her,” he laughed. “By the Heavens, how rich has this night become?”

There is terror in his likeability. It is as insidious as poison.

The bottles clinked against each other unceremoniously.

“Old friend, a drink, please. The very Heavens above have conspired to bring us joy, do not disregard so sure a sign!”

[Cherry River Doctor] lifted one eyelid. “Swill,” came her sigh. With all the gravitas of flicking dirt from one’s fingernail, she lifted water from the pool and had it shine in cherry hues before directing the droplets into each unstoppered bottle.

The widening of Zhu’s expression was nigh comical. “A delicacy. Hye-hye, I knew you would bless this meeting! Tremendous. All the more reason to partake!”

Ah.

Often the Heavens conspired to engineer these encounters. More reliable an excuse for Fu was that the machinations of men created more.

“To the honor of Gao Fu,” gestured the [Plum Axe].

When Osadhih opened her eyes the matter became obvious.

Some distillation of [Divine Qi], pure water of the [Cherry River] and the powdered leaf of some [True Lord Grade] [Constellation Seed] had sweetened his wine.

Shuidi hummed inwardly. “These Pillars wish to reveal our realm. To see which of these maladies will be absorbed and which, if any, might kill us. Easier methods exist.How humorous it would be if we refused, no?”

Nectar.

This was his first thought as the liquid rushed down his gullet. Thirst-slaking and thirst-making, for once it had met his lips their [Core] was both nourished and turned delirious by a want for more.

The composite energies were sweet without becoming sickly.

“Delicious. It has been some [Seasons] since last I tasted the waters of the Cherry River,” smiled Fu, turning over the bottle. “And one of Heaven’s treasures as garnish? We had not thought to add this to any beverage. A thousand gratitudes, friends.”

Zhu took his own taste. “Of all wines sampled across my lifetimes, this becomes highest of all! How outstanding, this night could surely not be improved!”

Disassociation had [Cherry River Doctor] view him as if a game of mahjong that lacked two suits. Her attention became impersonal, and Shuidi caught a glimmer at her mouth as she refrained from speaking her mind.

“I am gladdened you enjoy my addition. Nothing exists in the world that cannot be improved upon,” she said.

“A sentiment to live by, venerable aunt,” Fu dared, already transmuting the cataclysm of alcoholic content in Zhu’s potent wine. “Hua might say however, that one should look about their own home three times before seeking to improve the world.”

“Hau. How close you must be to address her so improperly,” she remarked, once more closing her eyes. “My elder sister is well bound by that statement. Inaction. Until as of late, that is. The [Cherry River Sage] is quite… involved in this minor province.”

There came a grunt. “No, no. By the Heavens, do not sully this night with talk of tomorrow. It is so tiresome. One must live for the moment, is that not right Gao Fu? Forgive Osadhih, it is in her nature to question and dig. A requirement for doctors indeed, but an axe upon the dinner table when it comes to enjoyment!”

“I saw no stain of plums upon him.”

An impression of disdain flapped from Lizi’s wingbeats.

“No stain of plums upon Gao Hushi or Shuidi,” continued Osadhih. “They need not bow to your opinion.”

Fu wiped wine from his moustache, recalling once more it needed a trim. “We hold more value in the moment, I fear. More so, venerable aunty, that there are times when I would not wish to think of Grandmother Hua. A bath is perhaps, chief among them.”

Much water splashed as Zhu thundered out a laugh. “Well said, well said. Yes. A mature woman is one thing, yet a wrinkled millennial does not inspire the flames of passion one desires for where we currently sit.”

The [Plum Axe] mistakes our meaning, I think. Does he infer… no, better not to ask what he means.

Further ripples spread as [Cherry River Doctor] rose from the bath. Gentle droplets traced the immense curvature of her-

Many white teeth flashed as Fu shied his gaze leftward, meeting only the beam and delight upon a plum-coated body. [Plum Axe Zhu] held a feral expression as he inspected every inch of the rising immortal, going so far as to nudge Fu’s shoulder as she emerged bare upon the rocks.

A wave of her hand conjured modest robes, cutting short his enjoyment. “Here, I sought tranquility. How predictable of you, plum one, that you would cut it short. Farewell Gao Fu, give Jinghui Hua my regards.”

She winked from existence.

Zhu splashed water across his own face. “Hye-hye-hye! We bore witness to a sight greater than all the treasures below Heaven! I would give all my love to that woman, friend Fu. My, the trist- our passion would have all suns appear as candles, so bright it would burn!”

Another sip was taken by both men.

Shuidi commanded several droplets from the bottle to land at her mouth, humming with approval as she drank. “Jade peaks worthy of climbing.”

How lecherous, sister.

The pool rocked as if caught mid-tempest. “Gao Shuidi, you are a woman after my own heart! To imagine you in human appearance, why, the thought is equally as scintillating. My [Mantra of Heavenly Plums] would suit our future offspring well.”

Beneath the waters, Hushi winced.

“The wind this peerless mistress chases is cool and mysterious. One of the Yin. Neither is your statement false, however, any patternage would look superior upon my shell or that of my offspring.”

“A pity,” considered the [Plum Axe]. “The matter of gender is not as complicated as many believe. There need not be… hye-hye-hye, no, I will refrain. Let it never be said I exert undue pressure for such matters! One’s proclivities are their own!”

Fu thought him a good match for a whirlwind, so lively and tumultuous was his [Spirit]. “You are considerate, friend. The subject however, I would shift to lighter topics. This tournament? [Righteous Melodies Phoenix] has put on a worthy contest, has she not?”

“[Righteous Melodies Phoenix]?” he replied, blankly.

“Our host, the City Lord. My hope is that her hospitality is worthy of all that visit.”

Lizi came to rest on Zhu’s shoulder where she sipped from his offered bottle. A plum light suffused her then, and in moments the scandalous form of a radiant young woman appeared on his submerged lap. “Lianse’s niece. The shapely one with gentle voice.”

Light dawned on his features. “[Righteous Melodies Phoenix]! Yes, yes. Millenia fosters strange habits, Gao Fu, and for this- well, hye-hye, let us say [Karma] serves as a better memory than the recollection of names.”

“Oh? How so?”

Zhu displayed all of his teeth, plucking loosely at strings Fu could not see.

Until he could.

From the center of the [Plum Axe’s] chest he saw a… reason could only name it a spread of colour, for that was indeed what grew. Not in strings or any perceptible weave, given that this block of interconnect ties were so dense it seemed a Heaven-spanning carpet emerged from Zhu’s flesh.

[Senses] revealed no end.

The skies revealed no end, nor indeed would the depths of the earth had he any measurable way of detection.

Zhu’s [Karmic Ties] seemed bound to every thing upon the earth.

“A common acquaintance,” he explained, bandying trillions of strings with his thumb- and yet, shifting only enough space in the carpet that his lower face might be seen. “Swifter to trace the degrees of separation between us than to recall a name or face. Hye-hye-hye, one pluck and we see all that are connected between us. The passerby, the third-cousin one of my progeny have conversed with, a [Mystic Realm] that we have both visited. It saves our time for more passionate pursuits!”

Gao Zhu had long speculated on the [Plum Axe’s] simplicity. A prediction for what grand, if clear, scheme might be enacted to seize the [Hollow Throne].

“A truly fantastic method, friend,” smiled Fu. “How better to recall your myriad encounters? To share [Karmic Ties] with so many speaks of a fulfilled life. I extend my congratulations, for what they are worth.”

Lizi stroked Zhu’s cheek. “Much, little serpent. Much.”

“Serpent?” was all Fu might reply. “A poor guess, friends.”

The water rumbled from a bellyful laugh that did not reach plum eyes. “Hye-hye. Once, and still, and not. I had wondered why the Heavens had arranged this meeting. Of course, they offer a mystery to distract me. These… false ties about you. They are exemplary.”

Hushi floated to the surface. “But lacking.”

“Even now they skirt us,” admitted Zhu. “Vexing. An entirely humorous thing! Do [Gleeful Viper] and [Thrice Clouded Boa] know of this treachery? I feel the former’s ties upon you as though they were as recent as a childhood dream.”

“Treachery? One would have to be aligned with serpents first to betray them, friend.”

This was waved, or splashed, away. “You all but admitted it. Worry not, their lurking ghosts were dealt with before I asked the question. We could not spoil all the fun, no?”

“Before the question or before the conversation began?” queried Fu.

Zhu looked puzzled. “The question. An axe cuts true. What reason have I to lie? Hye-hye. But I see this exercise has soured our enjoyment. A pity.”

Without further ado, he lifted from the pool.

“Until the tournament then,” offered Fu, admittedly dazed. “An honor, friend, to have met you. May [Summer’s] longevity bless you.”

“Hye-hye. And you, Gao Fu! And you, Gao Hushi! Gao Shuidi… hye, a final offer. When all has passed this coming day- if you survive your cultivator, there is a warm space by my side,” the [Plum Axe] grinned. “As is there a bed we might make warmer still.”

No clothes materialized as he made his departure, descending the stairs with a low, distancing rumble of laughter.

Fu sank lower.

If nothing else, it explains much about our brother.