Torsten Hewson
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v2c77.3: The Misty Duel part 3
🕑 Added 2021-11-13 00:36:37 +0000 UTCShe awoke to a dull roar. It was like a physical weight. She could feel a dull rumble deep in her chest from the sheer power of it all. An all-consuming buzz of a hundred thousand voices, screaming and hollering. Stamping feet, thunderous applause. The Members of the Hermetic Iron Sect Striking their hammers against anvils. The howls of the Grand Ravine, and the barge-poles of the Misty Lake.
“What a battle! What an extraordinary battle! I swear upon my honour, that this bout will be spoken of for the next thousand years!”
The announcer was beside himself. His voice was hoarse as he shouted into his artifact. His aides were hollering and hooting, forgetting all decorum as they too joined in the roar of the crowd.
She could feel the grit on her face, from where her cheek lay. The sun was beating down onto her back.
“In all my years! In every tournament I have ever witnessed! Never have I seen such a bout!”
She got one of her arms underneath her, and tried to push herself up. She failed. Groaning, she rolled over onto her back wincing at the aggravation to her injuries.
She opened her bleary eyes.
The first thing she saw was her furnace. Its ports were dull. There was a crack from its impact into the ground, and its ripped straps hung loose.
Xianghua raised a shaking hand, and brought the back of it across her eyes, shielding them from the sun.
“All hail the victor! All hail Rou Tigu! The Tiger in the Grass, who has pounced into the tournament. Conqueror of the Mists!!”
Xianghua bit her lip, as her shoulders shook from bottled emotion.
She wanted to scream out. She wanted to cry. First Xiulan, and her miraculous ascension, and now this one. In any other year, in any other time….. She could have won.
The heavens were a fickle mistress. They spat upon her and her brother’s efforts.
She glanced out of the corner of her eye at her opponent. Tigu’s shirt was around her waist, with only her chest wraps preserving her modesty. She had bruises all over her stomach, burns across her shoulders, and Xianghua could hear a little hitch in her breath.
Tigu’s eyes were closed, and her face was directed at the sun, a look of absolute peace on her face.
She pulled her shirt back up around her shoulders. Yellow eyes locked onto Xianghua’s blue.
Her hands raised in the gesture of respect, her head bowing the lowest acceptable to any who were not her master.
“Thank you.” Rou Tigu intoned. Her head came up, eyes still closed , a grateful smile beaming at Xianghua.
There was absolutely no mistaking that look on her face other than one of praise and admiration. Even Xianghua could tell that she wasn’t patronizing her.
“Xianghua! Xianghua!” She heard her brother’s panicked voice calling her name. He was at the edges of the arena, both hands braced on the stone divider. Idly, she wondered how he managed to get down there so fast, until she noticed Gou Ren, his hand on her brother’s shoulder, brows furrowed in concern.
She held up a hand weakly waving at him, she saw her brother sigh with relief.
She catalogued the injuries she could feel. There were some burns, and likely broken bones, but Xianghua felt fine. Well, she would hesitate to say fine. She felt like she had been run over by a Wreckerball. Tigu had been remarkably restrained. Xianghua didn't know if it was insulting or not that Tigu sheathed her Qi blades at the last moment.
Xianghua breathed deep and centered herself. It was time to get up. She pushed herself up, wincing at the pain. Her legs were shaking. Her eyes were still a bit blurry, but she managed to stagger to her feet.
The wall of noise redoubled in its intensity.
“And still she can stand! Such resilience! Such fortitude! My friends, can you believe this? The Mist over the Lake is Eternal!”
Xianghua turned to face her brother, who had collapsed backwards onto Gou Ren, the man holding him up without complaint. He nodded firmly to Xianghua.
The small feeling in her gut when she looked at him intensified. She turned away, to bow to her opponent, as tradition dictated,Tigu was already moving.
Tigu darted around the arena, bending down to pick up—parts of Xianghua’s furnace? She took them up with obvious care, and placed them in a cloth she had pulled from her shirt, packing everything together.
“This is an amazing artifact!” Tigu called out, as she reached the furnace. Her eyes were bright with interest, as she walked around it twice, before gently picking it up too, bringing it over to Xianghua. “Make sure it gets fixed for our next bout!”
Xianghua stared at Tigu. She didn’t exactly know how to react to such aggressive… cheerfulness. It wasn’t even contentment with victory, but from the fight itself.
“I like you!” Tigu declared bluntly. “Fight with me again, okay?”
Such a strange girl.
Almost absently, she nodded her head. The offer of a powerful sparring partner was not something to turn down lightly. The fight had been a good stress test for the furnace. She had discovered a hundred different tweaks to improve it that she needed to tellBowu about.
Xianghua took a breath, and straightened herself out. She bowed to Tigu.
“I thank you for the match, Rou Tigu. I have learned much from it.”
“Have dinner with me tonight!” The girl demanded.
Xianghua chuckled. Really, who was so friendly after such a bout?
Until she coughed.
“Though I’m afraid you shall have to wait at least a week.” Xianghua muttered once the coughing fit passed. “The only thing in my future right now is rest. Tell your handsome brother to visit this fair maiden, won’t you?”
Tigu frowned. She cocked her head to the side, before reaching into her pocket, and pulling out a small packet.
“A week is too long.” She decreed, petulantly. “Take this, it will speed your recovery.”
“Oh, you dare insult me by giving me medicine?” She asked, but really, her heart wasn’t in it. Xianghua could feel the Qi pulsing outwards despite the wrappings. Just what was this child giving her?
“Yes. Become angry with me, get stronger, and challenge me again!” Tigu demanded, as she pressed the packet of herbs into Xianghua’s hand. “But do not get too angry to eat with us later!”
Xianghua shook her head in exasperation, before once more taking the haughty stance of a Young Mistress.
“Ha! You may have beaten me this day, But I’ll return, watch yourself, Tigu!” She declared, snatching the medicine from Rou Tigu’s hand. “You’ll regret giving me more power, now.”.
She got a bright smile in return.
Xianghua picked up her furnace and it’s broken parts, and began to limp out of the arena. She paused, the chanting from the arena finally registering.
“Xianghua! Xianghua! Xianghua!” The crowd roared.
They were chanting her name.
Xinaghua, Young Mistress of the Misty Lake, looked up into the crowd as the men and women from the Misty Lake slammed their poles into the ground, their eyes full of proud tears.
“A peerless competitor! The wielder of a powerful, heavens shaking artifact! Liu Xainghua! We, His Imperial Majesty’s Tournament Commision, Salute your might!”
She managed to get out of the arena, before she had to lean against the wall.
A loss. A frustrating loss. But there was a smile on her face.
A heavens shaking artifact, hm?
They were absolutely correct.
=====================================
Xianghua stared at the ceiling from the bed, the afternoon sun filtered through her windows casting the world in gold. Lifting the platform in the Earthly Arena was a difficult task, but at least she had help. Many hands made lighter work, she supposed.
A loss. Another loss, and even earlier than the last time. Though the last time she hadn’t been as injured, instead, she spent the rest of the tournament trying to goad Xiulan into sneaking out and enjoying the festival with her, instead of just cultivating.
She rolled the small ball of medicine Tigu had given her between her fingers. It was potent, absolutely filled to bursting with Qi. A treasure that an elder would hoard.
And she had been given it without a second thought.
She idly wondered if it would help with her brother's leg, but the injury was years old by now. Even a lot of Qi wouldn’t cure that. Or even most doctors.
She had paid a lot of money over the years, and each time they returned, shaking their heads.
She sighed.
The world lapsed into silence again.
There were footsteps outside her door. “Leave us.” a familiar voice commanded, and there were several whispers of acceptance. Xianghua slid the medicine under the covers.
The door to her room opened, and her father strode in. His blue robes immaculate, hard eyes locking onto her as he stepped through the doorway.
There was silence, as he took in her condition.
“You lost.” Her father said.
“I did.” She said not bothering to sit up, shrugging.
The man stared at her. Something crossed over his face. She had no real idea what was on his face. She never took the time to learn his expressions. It wasn’t worth the time.
She wondered when he would leave.
“Strength, however, forgives all. And we are... Pleased with your performance.”
The words were said haltingly, as he loomed over the bed. His hand extended, and she glared at him, as the offending appendage grabbed onto her shoulder hard enough to hurt.
It lasted a brief moment, before he pulled away.
The man turned, glancing at the furnace. He considered it. He opened his mouth to say something. But in the end, he didn’t.
“I will not be seeing you for quite some time. I have things to attend to out of the province. In my absence, Elder Bingwen shall be in charge.” He said it matter of factly.
Xianghua was confused. He was leaving? Why? What could be so important? But the man did not elaborate.
“Take care of the sect.” He clenched his fists. He stared at her, with a piercing gaze before turning on his heels to leave.
He opened the door and paused at another two people just outside it. Elder Bingwen stood with a smile waiting outside the door. Elder Bingwen, who had his hand on Bowu’s shoulder. Bowu seemed a bit confused, but shrank back from their father, glancing at the ground. Her father’s face was stone. He glanced at Bowu once, before continuing to walk away.
“Go on, Young Master.” The Elder said, as he released her brother’s shoulder.
Bowu hobbled forwards as fast as his legs could carry him.
Xianghua rose up and opened her arms, as he clambered onto her bed, but her eyes were locked on the Elder. He walked into her room, a gleam in his eyes.
“A fine show today, Young Mistress, a fine show.” The old man said, stroking his beard. “But now is not the time to speak on it. Please rest until your wounds are healed, and then enjoy yourself for the rest of the tournament.”
He was… happy? Inordinately happy from what she could tell.
He stared at the furnace, and his face broke into a wide smile.
“We look forward to both your future growth.” He glanced for a moment at the pair before departing.
Xianghua frowned after him.
“What happened?” She asked her brother.
He shrugged. “The Elders all came, and said that I needed a bigger room.” He whispered back. “They were all…. Well, they were a bit weird, and polite. They said… well, they said there was going to be a lot of changes.And that I could come into the main compound whenever I wanted.”
Xianghua pondered the new development.
“Are.. Are you alright? Gou Ren and the Image Master said that Tigu doesn’t hurt people too bad but…” He trailed off, wincing at her wounds.
She smiled at his concern.
“They are right. I’m mostly just tired, and out of Qi.” She confirmed. “A few breaks, but nothing too concerning. I could even get up right now if I wanted!”
Her brother chewed his lips, as he stared at her. He eventually nodded.
“Then… do you want to go and get dinner together?” He asked shyly. “Gou Ren said they were going to have a bit of a party…”
To be able to openly have food with her brother….
Well, that was no choice at all, was it?
But he had called her bluff.
“Just give me a moment to take my medicine.” She said. “I need some strength.”
She reached back into her hiding place, and retrieved the pill. She considered it for a second again, but at the hopeful look on her brother’s face, she bit down on it.
It would probably still take a bit for it to activate, but perhaps they would be able to catch the tail end—
Her eyes widened, as the Qi within surged.
============================
The Dumpling house was awash with noise. Loud Boy was covered in bruises, but still triumphant as he raised a cup with Rags and the rest of Rags friends.
Huyi and An Ran were both slumped over, sighing at the thought of their next matches. An Ran was against the Rope man from the ravine, and Huyi had the misfortune to be against the Handsome Man.
Both were complaining, though Huyi more than An Ran, who was again seated beside Gou Ren.
Tigu was content, as she stared around. She felt relaxed, she would sleep very well tonight.
“Oh? You dare start without me?!” A voice boomed. Tigu perked up.
Xianghua unceremoniously shoved a chair in between An Ran and Gou Ren, knocking the other girl aside, and sitting down beside him. The Smaller Blade of Grass’ eyes were wide in shock, as Xianghua leaned on Gou Ren smiling brightly at him.
Gou Ren froze, as Xianghua leaned in. Two fingers walked their way up his chest.
The small boy with the crutches was sitting beside Yun Ren, both with intense looks of interest on their face.
“But I suppose I can find it in me to forgive you.” She said, before glancing out the corner of her eye at Xiulan and smirking.
Tigu saw the Blade Of Grass’ eye twitch at the blatant invasion.
=====================
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The Victor is revealed.
And it might be a tad too subtle (and if you have to explain something, its no good,) but Liu Xiang got a lot of backlash from his own elders, with the whole furnace thing. Sect Politics.
Comments
BrauBaer
Thanks for the chapter.
Russel
No stress if you can't post it today of your having trouble with the chapter then sleep on it
Gary Hixenbaugh
If your having issues. Just post tomorrow. Give yourself time and don't stress out
Undead Writer
Night! I agree with Paratus.
Paratus
I'm gonna put this here in case Casual is stressed. If you're not ready to post, please go to bed and just update us in the morning. We know you've had writer's block the last few chapters and personally I'd rather have a completed story than have you burn out and drop it. Also, I'm going to bed. Goodnight everyone
Bonifacio Mario Peña Jr.
We need our cultivation pill fixxxx
Undead Writer
Chicken!!! I need my beware of chicken fix!!
Bonifacio Mario Peña Jr.
Haha me too!
Undead Writer
Same!!! Every few min I check
Gam
Lol I’ve been checking every hour so I’m right there with you Jonathan
Undead Writer
YES!! Is coming!!
Casualfarmer
my apologies. It will be updated in around 30 min.
Undead Writer
XD I’m addicted to this novel
Undead Writer
It has updated on RR and this one isn’t updating!!
Paratus
V2C77.2 has been up 2 seconds already on RR and we're not updated??? /pitchfork (Kidding btw)
crusaderstar
I think this many chars can work, but I have similar problems because there's no signposting, little snippets reminding you who is who. Not in a loud awk way but just little descriptors. Like I'm still uncertain whether Loud Boy is Bi De's disciple? And frequently confused mailman and evil body snatcher when they had tiny sections.
Daniel Gesualdi
So the entire sect is going steam punk.... I hope they convincr them selves they all have to act like xia that would be awesome
ByzFan
Wow! Such a great read.
Idan tal
So she got a piece of Fa Ram chi, I’m sure she had a breakthrough to the 5 stage. And the lake sect is planning a future with all of them carrying a “heaven shattering artifact”. How nice
Bigred411
I did not realize the backlash. Thank you for the comment at the end.
Bobby B.
Old boy got a SPANKING from the elders!
fbt
only vaguely related to this specific chapter, anyone else struggling a little as the cast of chars keeps expanding? I'll admit I'm juggling quite a few stories, but...lotta chars, man. Maybe just me? idk, rando thought, ignore freely!
John Brady Anderson
I will say that I am rooting for Liu Lake but would not be bothered with the Smaller Blade of Grass. I am rather happy Tigger and Xiulan seem to not be part of this, both because I loathe obligate harem stuff and that I felt like they were not a good fit.
Benjamin Lawton
Well, CF <i>is</i> working to get BoC professionally published – shouldn't be <i>too</i> difficult to make the jump from there to having an animated/live-action adaptation. Just be patient, maybe?
Will mILLER
But who is the victor in love?
Steven Howell
Same. I kinda hope Bowu becomes like, the official machinist of Fa Ram
Joshua
No way is Jin letting the chance of steam power be lost from being used on his farm. The kid is getting scouted for sure
Kristof Dohrmann
Maybe Ri Zu or Meiling might be able to heal Bowu, mainly because I like him and Xianghua, hope they'll interact more with the guys from Fa Ram.
Nicholas Grey
Xianghua picked up her furnace and it’s broken parts, - its His Imperial Majesty’s Tournament Commision, Salute your might - salute. No need for a capital. Also, "Commission" has 2 "s" She had discovered a hundred different tweaks to improve it that she needed to tellBowu about. - tell Bowu
paul Emmer
Well done what else can I say can't wait to see were you take us pure delight
s476
Wondering if she. And her brother end up on the farm / working with him because of steam engines etc
Jack Daniels
Great chapter, thanks for all your hard work.
Alex I
The monogamous master and his polygamous pupils, as a Japanese author would title it.
Robin
You know what would be hilarious? If everyone except Jin ended up with a harem. That’s not a suggestion, btw, just a though as I saw the ship war start!
Robin
I think it was pretty clear that someone had reamed him out, even if the who wasn’t clear, and that’s really the important bit. Please tell me Xianghua and Bowu make it to the farm, they need good people around them!
Darune Albane
There was/is one issue with cultivation stories .. creators are always weak
RJKY
Begun, the Shipping Wars have!
Mrdelta
where was Rizu for the fight? Prevous parts put her with Tigu when watching but did she go down with her into the ring again or did she stay in the stands with the Grass Gang?
Robert Mullins
Why would meiling hate pills? It was Jin who hated pills and most of that was due to his distain for cultivators in general.
Einhander
"She reached back into her hiding place, and retrieved the pill." A bit of a nit-pick, but doesn't Meiling hate pills? Why would her medicine be in pill form?
Steven Whitfield
Nice! Respect for your partner in the ring is core to pristine advancement. All else flows from that.
zoli bassoff
Great chapter, loved it
John Brady Anderson
I felt like it was perfectly clear that the rest of the elders had put their fingers to the scales once he was revealed as an artifact crafter.
Henry
Thank you for the chapter. I am really hoping something comes of Ri zu meeting Baowu.
Imspinnennetz
I do not know if An Ren has a crush on Gou Ren or she is simply following Xiulan's suggestions. From her first interaction, she seems to see him as more of a kin spirit rather than romantic interest
Demian Buckle
Thank you for the Chapter.
Joel Bullock
Brilliant, I hope there's not going to be awkward tension between Gou Ren and the two women with crushes on him
Calico C
I don’t think he cares all that much about recruiting. He seems more interested in his entertainment
Enochi
My only regret for this amazing piece of work is that I will likely never get to SEE a TV show or Movie version of it. Seriously my imagination was working over time trying to visualize this scene so epic. This is so much better then 90% of the shit being produced today. Why can't we have this in anime/Netflix form.
Imspinnennetz
I wonder if Zhang Li (Parasite cultivator observing the tournament) will attempt to coerce Tigu and Loud Boy to join the Shrouded Mountain Sect, as they are unaffiliated with any other sect. Also I expect that Baowu will make the staff artifact for Guo Ren maybe as part of his sister's courting gift.
Ichypa
Did An Ran and Huyi earn the right to have Tigu remember their names, instead of Smaller Blade of Grass and Fish Eyes?
Produx :}
Definitely don’t think it was too subtle, seemed pretty obvious that the dad was getting yeeted.
Robert Mullins
You misunderstood. They're not mad he did it to his son. They're mad that he didn't realize his son was an artifact making genius.
Carl Mason
As well he should face backlash, it is only natural when you effectively disown and forcibly cripple your own son because he cannot cultivate. Especially in the azure hills, it isn't as though it represents a great difference in power. Especially if said boy may become useful another way. Perhaps artificing.
Kyle
I can't stop grinning from how happy this chapter makes me.
aj0413
Man, I'm *SO* hyped for when Jin comes on the scene
Kara Nina
Probably perfectly ordinary medicinal herbs, by fa ram standards.
aj0413
Uh, I actually thought you were being a little *too* blunt about the sect politics lol Felt kinda like dramatic and suddent shift, which I guess was the point
Andrew
Thank you!
Empty Shelf
Meimei? Meimei, what was in that medicine?
LordDark
It might be past a love triangle at this point. You forget the little blade of grass.
Kara Nina
Ah, but the elders and Liu Xiang wouldn't show their troubles outside their circle because Sect image and all that. And with her impairment she would hardly notice even the most obvious social clues. A pov from her brother in some future chapter might do much more for showing the inner workings of a sect thanks to his rather unique experience and viewpoint of being both on top and at the very bottom in the past, before becoming a recognised master in his own right.
BRUNO ASTUR
And the father was trow out to think about what he has done.
Gabriel
Thank you, this chapter had a nice bitter sweet feel to it.
GameJunkie999
IT reminds me of Game of Thrones in a way. He didn't want a weak son who studied all day, he wanted a warrior. know he's paying for his bullshit.
Sean M.
I really loved this chapter! Tigu making friends with Xianghua seems like a really fun plot thread. Especially with the possible breadcrumbs about her brother, I'm looking forward to them meeting Jin
Luck
I think the backlash was pretty clear, he is obviously being punished for neglecting such as talent resource. I didn’t think too subtle.
Daniel
The subtlety is fine, in my opinion; it isn't enough of a point that it *has* to be explained, so letting people gloss over it won't hurt, and it can always be brought up again when it becomes relevant (at which point the people that caught it can pat themselves on the back). I wouldn't worry about it.
Sassy
Oh no, not a love triangle. Farmer please, anything but that
Ragav Kumar
For my part, I don't think it was too subtle; I think it was reasonably clear that the dad was being ejected, probably temporarily, so the elders could foster the golden goose (Bowu) that they had just realized existed in their midst.
Rairarku
Honestly same, I glossed over it as well. Glad it happened, though!
Rairarku
Oh, I am so glad to see that horrible father get some backlash! Honestly suppressing your own son? Horrible. Glad the elders are starting to treat little Bowu correctly, if only for his artificing skills. Thanks for the chapter!
RottenTangerine
Great chapter! And I appreciate the note because I would not have noticed that otherwise...
