We arrive at the Abbot's courtyard in record time, where Master Lai knocks, causing the voice of the Abbot to welcome us. Entering, we find the Abbot in the same position as before, book in hand under the eave. He notices us and stands to move into his home, while waving us in.
Once we are all sat around the low table, with tea in hand, he starts to explain why he requested this talk, "Disciple Sarah, after our previous talk, where you revealed your origins to us, I realised the Grand Temple would not be able to help you. For this, I am truly sorry." He bows his head to me, his body radiating regret.
"Abbot, there's no need to apologise. I had no expectations of the temple being to help me in this way, nor do I hold any ill will against it for that." I reassure the Abbot. He straightens and looks at me, with an apologetic expression on his face.
The Abbot takes a second to regain his composure, then continues, "While trying to find ways the temple could help you, I sought the counsel of the current librarian. He was apprenticed to a Taoist who walked all of China, before she settled down at White Cloud Temple in the capital. The reason I mention this, is because he told me that in her travels, she encountered a group of beings, called 'Sorcerers'."
My surprise must of shown on my face, as the Abbot questions me, "What is it, disciple? Do you know of them?"
Should I hide the fact that I am aware of the Mystic Arts? Although... they don't know anything of the future, so this could be an opportunity to create a backstory for myself, in case I get investigated in the future.
"Ah, yeah." I start, "In my time, the Masters of the Mystic Arts, an order of these sorcerers, are pretty much public knowledge. There's a man called Stephen Strange, who is member of a group called the Avengers, which routinely save the planet from destruction, that is known as the Sorcerer Supreme."
Both the Abbot, and Master Lai, listen with rapt attention, not interrupting me, "According to this Strange, the Masters of the Mystic Arts are practitioners of magic, who dedicate themselves to defending the earth from mystical threats that wish to harm it." I finish and look at the two, waiting for any questions they might have.
They exchange a glance, before the Abbot speaks up, "...Though your words allude to many dangerous events, your description of sorcerers mostly matches the information given to me by the librarian. According to his master, she was given an item by these sorcerers, as thanks for her cooperation in an important matter." The Abbot stands and walks over to a dresser, where he pulls out a copper disc, engraved with unknown symbols.
A magic item?
As the Abbot brings it to the table and shows it to Master Lai, I try and use Spirit Read to divine it. Closing my eyes to concentrate, I commune with the item. Somehow, the process feels easier then with Jian; perhaps on account of my training, or meditation, which recently reached skilled?
After a couple of seconds, the item opens itself up to me,
[Spirit Read
Name – Disc of Guidance
Type – Magical Item (Support, Eldritch Magic)
Function – Projects the image of an arrow, that rotates to point to the closest Sanctum.
History – One of many created by a master sorcerer of the Mystic Arts; they were made with the intention of being given to trustworthy people, to guide them to a Sanctum should they require assistance. This particular one was given to a female Taoist, after she assisted the sorcerers in saving a village from a demon.
When one wishes to use it, them must only speak the passphrase, 'Lead the way.']
I need this.
While I could use Stickfall to find my way to the... Hong Kong Sanctum, I think? It would take me months of trial and error. But this... This is an easy ticket into learning sorcery, and a way for me to start the quest given to me by the Heavenly Dao. With magic in my hands, I might even be able to escape this era and reach the future.
Finished with Master Lai, the Abbot turns to me, while explaining, "The Taoist told her disciple that this item can guide one to the home of the sorcerers, where it can be exchanged for a service." The Abbot gives me a pointed look, "I wasn't sure if the tale was to believed, but given your knowledge of these sorcerers, I know, now... that this service should be rendered onto you, dear girl."
By the time the Abbot finishes, my thoughts are racing. Master Lai notices my state, and asks, "Disciple Sarah, are you okay?"
Why are these people so nice to me?
I look between the two with watery eyes, "...What have I done to deserve this gift? Ever since I've come here, the temple has done nothing but help me. People like you... I wish I'd met you when I was young."
Maybe my life would've been...
The Abbot get up and walks around the table to my side, then kneels down, "Disciple, what we have done for you, we would've done for anyone who came to us in need. There is too much apathy in the world, too many who would ignore the pain of others. That is not the Taoist way." He looks a me with a kind expression on his face.
"When you can reduce the suffering of a single person, why wouldn't you?" Master Lai says nothing, but I can sense that he agrees with the Abbot.
I wipe my eyes with the sleeve of my robe, then look at the Abbot, my voice quiet, "...Thank you."
He gives me a slight smile, then moves back to his cushion. He picks up the Disc of Guidance and turns it over in his hand, before placing it in front of me, "Here. The librarian is okay with me giving this to you, so from now on, it's yours. Though, I hope you don't leave us too soon, at least not before we've trained you in the art of combat." He adopts a serious look, "As much as I wish it wasn't so, the current China is a dangerous place, even more so for a lone, foreign woman."
Master Lai speaks up once the Abbot finishes, "Indeed, the Abbot is right. In my travels through the outside kingdoms, I faced much prejudice on account of who I am; but not as much as you will face here, I fear."
Master Lai looks at the Abbot, who nods, "We don't want you to think we are forbidding you from leaving temple grounds. We simply wish for you too not rush off, not until you master the Qi stage."
I understand the serious of what they're saying; it's much of what I've considered myself. While I do want to run off to the sorcerers as soon as possible, they're not going anywhere any time soon. I can take my time here, with from the priests, learning to defend myself.
I bow to the two, then straighten up, "I understand, Abbot. I too don't wish to put myself in danger, just because I ignored the risks."
The Abbot looks thankful that I agreed, "I am glad, disciple." He gathers the empty cups from the low table, and stands to put them to the side. Feeling the conversation coming to a close, I stand and bow to the two masters, "Thank you for the talk, it has helped me greatly."
They bow back as I turn to leave. Once outside the Abbot's courtyard, I head off in the direction of my masters home.
It's time to start speeding up my cultivation.
…
After another two weeks of training, I finally mastered the Jing stage,
[Internal Alchemy – Jing Stage (Mastered): You have successfully built your foundation. With all your energy channels opened, and a reservoir of your Jing gathered in your Lower Dantian, you can now begin to convert it into Qi and step onto the path of cultivation.]
My completion of this stage did not come with any improvements to my physique. Master Hong informed me that the benefit of this stage is the same no matter the level of one's progress.
Master Hong was happy to see me master this stage so quickly, but requested I hold off on moving on to the Qi stage until she has taught me the art of combat. When I asked her why, she told me that she is worried that one day, I could consume all my inner power while fighting a foe, and will be lost in how to continue, due to having only acquired muscle memory for that level of combat.
I acknowledged the fear, and agreed with her point. So, today, after over two months in this world, I'm finally learning how to fight.
I'm standing in my masters courtyard, with her opposite me. Off to the side is a weapon rack, on which stand a couple wooden swords, "Master, am I going to learn to fight with a sword? Isn't that too early for me?" I question her, worried she might be skipping a few levels.
Master Hong rolls her eyes at me, then assumes a stance, "While my goal is for you to become proficient in two martial arts, one internal and one external, I myself have only mastered the Baguazhang, an internal art. With your mastery of Daoyin, you already have the body strength to pick this up quite quickly."
She begins to walk in a circle, her hips facing the direction she's walking, while her upper body twists towards the centre of the circle. Her arms are out and up by her sides, mimicking holding a large bowl, "The Baguazhang utilises circular walking to maintain distance from your foe, which grants you room to evade and deflect attacks. Using your positioning, you can employ hand strikes, footwork, and throws, to deal with multiple attackers."
Master Hong demonstrated a few strikes on an imaginary foe, while keeping to her circular movement. As she finishes her last strike, the air in the courtyard is disturbed, blowing outwards from her palm and picking up some scattered leaves, "...When you can harness your Qi, you too will be able to use it in your attacks."
I must be sporting an amazed expression right about now, as once Master Hong turns to me after she finishes her demonstration, she laughs at the look on my face, before getting serious, "Assume the initial stance in Daoyin, and we can begin."
…
Me and Master Hong are circling each other, both of us reading the other. Master Hong moves first, stepping in and sending a palm strike from her left, which I push away. While she's extended, I move beside her and gently pull her arm away from her, to throw her off balance. I know she's allowed me to do that, I'm nowhere near her level yet.
As she tries to recovers, I get behind her and strike her back with two palms, sending her tumbling. Master Hong takes a moment to regain her balance, then calls for a stop. We bow to each other, before Master Hong starts to talk, "Well done, disciple. You took advantage of the opening I gave you, and used it to disrupt my stance." She praises me, sincerely, "Judging by the skill you've shown, I think its time for you to start learning from the master I've invited."
She straightens her ruffled robe, then leads me out of her courtyard and starts to walk me somewhere. While we are on the move, I take the time to check my new ability,
[Baguazhang (Skilled): An ancient martial art that uses a circular stepping pattern to create distance and control ones opponent. This art specialises in evasion and deflection, and turning your foes force against themselves. Combined with various strikes and kicks, this internal art is deadly in the right hands.
Your proficiency with Baguazhang has increased your physical ability, your Qi control, and your combat instincts. In the future, when you take on another martial art, you will find that it comes easier to you.]
There isn't much there that I didn't already know, but the benefits are helpful.
Master Hong stops us outside of a building I haven't seen before and knocks. A second later, the door is opened by a young girl, about ten years old, dressed in a blue robe. She looks up at us with a nervous gaze, "Masters." She bows, "The Hall Master in seeing a guest right now." She steps to the side to let us in.
We enter the room, an open space with minimal decoration, where Master Hong smiles at the girl, "We are expected, disciple. The guest has come at my request."
The girl blinks, before a startles expression appears on her face and she bows, "Uh- Of course, Elder." I chuckle at the girl as rushes off further into the building. She comes back a minute later with Master Lai and one other man; who looks around the same age as Kang Cheng, but dressed in a black robe, armor covering his chest and shoulder, with greaves protecting his legs.
As they reach us, Master Hong greets the new man, "Fellow Taoist Wu, thank you for coming at such short notice."
The man, Wu, bows to her, the starts to speak, his voice gravely, "Taoist Hong," He starts, "You called, so I came." He looks at me, his eyes widening slightly, perhaps at my foreign appearance, then focuses back on Master Hong, "Is this the one?"
She nods at him, then turns to me, "Don't mind him. Wu Cai may be a man of few words, but he is the greatest warrior I know." Wu Cai grunts, causing Master Hong to let out a small laugh, "Master Wu is a master of many forms of combat, but specialises in swordplay, which is what I invited him here to teach you."
Master Lai, who has stood aside in silence, takes this moment to speak up, "Indeed, disciple Sarah." He addresses me, "Master Wu is a Wandering Taoist, who has been on many a journey with me, saving my life more times than I can count." Wu Cai gives a Master Lai a sideways glance.
Master Hong nods in agreement, "It's as Fellow Taoist Lai says, disciple." She bows to Master Lai, "Thank you for receiving him, Taoist Lai, but we must be going now." She turns to Wu Cai and nods her head to the entrance, causing him to start to leave, but not before saying farewell to Master Lai.
After me and Master Hong say our goodbyes, we leave, and start heading back towards Master Hong's home. Once inside her courtyard, she stands to the side while Wu Cai moves to grab two wooden swords from the rack. He moves to the centre of the yard, then throws one to me.
As I reach out and catch it by its handle, I'm stabbed in the chest by Wu Cai. I collapse to my knees, dropping the sword, and clutch at my chest in pain. Wu Cai bends down and picks up my sword, as I look up at him with a grimace on my face.
He looks down at me with a frown, "Before one can become a warrior, they must first master pain." He hands me my sword to me as I try to rise, "For the next two hours, I am going to attack you, and you must try to defend. If by the end you are unconscious, I will leave. Is that understood?"
I give Wu Cai a shaky nod of my head as he steps back and takes a stance.
...This is gonna be rough.