Why on Earth Are You Here?
Mount Wudang in Hubei was greeting a clear late spring morning.
Long ago, during the second year of Guangde, the great poet Du Fu looked out upon such a season and penned the line: The mountains green, the flowers burn like flame. Truly, Du Fu was a master of his craft.
Yet I have never liked that poem. Or, to be precise, I despise its final line.
On what day shall be the year of my return?
The An Lushan Rebellion had barely ended before the flames of Shi Siming's revolt swept through the land, sending the Tang Dynasty teetering on the brink of ruin. It was entirely understandable that a wanderer taking temporary refuge in Sichuan would yearn for his ancestral home. But had Du Fu known the martial world—had he known how to raise a blade to defend his own words—would he have harbored such homesickness?
To an itinerant wanderer of the jianghu, a hometown is merely one among countless footprints left behind in the pursuit of a single sword and a jug of wine. To walk the realm for a lifetime in search of one's own righteousness—that is the true way of chivalry.
...Or so my lofty thoughts went. In reality, I was currently instructing the future hopes of Wudang gathered before Zixiao Palace.
"Next. Step forward into a level thrust, then sweep right with a waist parry."
At my command, the disciples raised their swords in slow, deliberate movements, assuming the proper stances before transitioning seamlessly into the next form. Contrary to popular belief, not all martial arts require loud battle cries and rigid, thunderous displays of technique. Slow though the movement may be, it must harbor no openings whatsoever. That is the true essence of Wudang.
As the disciples completed the forms, the second-generation disciples, including Yeong Yeong, wove between the ranks to correct their postures. Looking down on them from the top of the stone steps, watching so many blades align toward the exact same point in unison was an undeniably magnificent sight.
As the training progressed smoothly, a sharp sound cut through the air.
Screeech—
Looking up at the sky, I saw a falcon circling the open blue. The moment our gazes met, it folded its wings and dove straight toward me. It landed neatly upon the stone balustrade, a slender cylinder tied securely to its ankle. Ah, a letter from Eun Ae-hyang.
I untied the missive and gently stroked the bird's head, channeling a wisp of pure qi into its small body. The falcon closed its eyes contentedly, drinking in the gentle energy before spreading its wings once more and taking flight from the peaks of Wudang.
"Senior Brother, what is that?"
Yeong Yeong had slipped up the stairs, pressing close to my side as she asked. I had almost unrolled the parchment without thinking, but an instinctive alarm bell sounded in my head. Folding the tiny slip once more, I tucked it straight into my robes.
"Training comes first. I can read it later."
"My, your devotion to our Wudang Sect is truly as vast as the seas!" she beamed.
Our morning regimen consisted of two hours of formal instruction followed by another two hours of independent practice. I intended to read the message during the latter half. However, Yeong Yeong had stopped smiling. She began staring straight at me, her eyes unblinking.
"Senior Brother... there's a scent on that letter."
Oh, bloody hell.
Yeong Yeong's eyes had glazed over into the hollow, lifeless stare she had worn at dawn yesterday, fixing me with an unnerving chill.
"A scent? It's probably just the smell of the falcon."
"I don't think so. It's a very unpleasant scent. Wouldn't it be dangerous? Let me inspect it first."
"Come now, what danger could there possibly be for me? It's just a letter. Junior Sister, shouldn't you be over there—"
"Hand it over."
Yeong Yeong's voice dropped, flat and resolute, as she held out an open palm. A suffocating silence settled between us.
This wouldn't do. In moments like this, one had to rely on the venerable Master. Casting a glance past Yeong Yeong's shoulder, I called out with feigned surprise, "Ah, Master! What brings you out here—"
"Father is currently attending the elders' council meeting."
Tsk. Why couldn't he hover around his precious daughter like he usually did? Why did he have to be absent at a time like this? Yeong Yeong stepped closer, those pitch-black, dead eyes drilling holes into my face.
"Senior Brother. Don't tell me... it's a woman?"
"Well, I mean, even if I were keeping in touch with a wom—"
Shring.
The moment the syllable left my lips, Yeong Yeong's hand moved on pure reflex, easing her sword a few inches out of its scabbard. This was precisely why she terrified me.
...Though wait, you can't beat me in a fight anyway.
She was certainly scary, but in an actual duel, Yeong Yeong stood no chance against me. Seeing her draw steel actually made me a bit curious about what she planned to do next, so I stood my ground and watched. She drew the blade entirely, shifting her gaze between me and the cold steel in eerie silence.
However, her next action forced my hand. She brought the edge straight toward her own throat.
You crazy little—!
Shifting into the Floating Cloud Steps, I closed the distance in a heartbeat and snatched the hilt from her grip. Yeong Yeong spun on her heel, tracing a circular footwork to slip behind my back in an attempt to reclaim the weapon. I swept my arm down, evading her grasp. As her fingers closed on empty air, she planted a hand on my shoulder, vaulted clean over me, and lunged for the sword once more from the front.
At this rate, there would be no end to it.
Before her feet touched the tiles, my free hand caught her ankle, and I tossed her forward with a gentle heave. Yeong Yeong didn't panic; she twisted midair, landed lightly on her feet, and slowly stood up.
Taking advantage of the distance between us, I demanded, "What on earth are you doing?!"
Suddenly, Yeong Yeong's eyes welled with large, trembling tears.
"Uh... wait, what?"
Before I could make sense of the sudden shift, she burst into loud, sobbing wails.
"Dearest Brother! Are you really going to marry that woman?!"
"I never said it was a woman!"
"Then... it's not?!"
Faced with her desperate question, I awkwardly scratched the back of my head. Seeing my hesitation, her wails only grew louder. Look, I know you adore your older brother, but this is absurd. What are you going to do when I actually get married someday?
Still, letting her cry like this was dangerous territory. If she didn't stop, or if she cried hard enough to leave tear tracks on her cheeks, Master's wrath would dye Mount Wudang red with my blood. If that happened, I'd find myself envying even the half-baked peace Du Fu found in his twilight years.
Fortunately, Yeong Yeong's tears gradually began to subside. Though her body still trembled with lingering hiccups, she sniffled and spoke.
"Fine. Senior Brother, you can meet women."
"R-Right. Thank—"
"However! You must marry me."
"What?!"
You're twenty years old! How long do you plan to keep spouting embarrassingly childish nonsense like 'my brother is my ideal husband'?
Entirely oblivious to my exasperation, Yeong Yeong pressed on.
"Promise me, Brother. Otherwise, I'll start crying again."
There was no helping it. Tomorrow's problems would have to be solved by tomorrow's me. Besides, tomorrow's me would surely be stronger than today's me anyway. Letting out a long, defeated sigh, I gave her a reluctant nod.
The following dawn.
This time, I was the first to arrive. While waiting for Eun Ae-hyang, I took in our surroundings. We were north of Luoyang, alongside the Grand Canal originally dredged in the fourth year of the Daye era, its waters flowing deep and quiet. Though carved out by mortal hands centuries ago, time had smoothed its edges until nature embraced it, making it indistinguishable from any ancient, winding river.
As I watched the current, a soft rustle sounded beside me, and Eun Ae-hyang stepped into view—carrying two fishing rods in one hand.
We had agreed to set aside our swords for this duel, but the method she chose was unexpected.
"I know we agreed to step away from swords, but isn't this drifting a bit too far? There's no martial element here, let alone scholarly refinement."
"Oh, please. What could be a more definitive contest than this? Whoever catches more, or the largest one, wins."
"And pray tell, what does catching a fish have to do with determining who is superior?"
"You were the one who suggested finding an alternative. Don't tell me... you're afraid you might lose?"
"...Hand me a rod."
Our relationship had always been like this. Sometimes I managed to prick her pride; sometimes she got under my skin. In that sense, we truly were a match made in heaven.
Passing me a rod, Eun Ae-hyang laid out the terms. "The rule is simple. Whoever catches the most fish by sunrise is the victor."
"Simple enough. Prepare yourself—I'll catch so many the hook snaps."
Taking the rod, I sat down right where I stood, baited the hook, and cast the line with a wide flick of my wrist. A moment later, Eun Ae-hyang sat down right beside me, our shoulders practically brushing, and cast her own line. Wait, what?
"Uh, isn't this close enough for our lines to tangle—"
"I have to keep an eye on you so you don't cheat."
Cutting me off without a shred of hesitation, her voice was cool and resolute. Yes, that was Eun Ae-hyang through and through.
After that, the two of us sat in stillness, watching our respective floats bob upon the water. I stole a glance at her profile. Staring intently at the ripples, Eun Ae-hyang was just as breathtaking as she had been yesterday, and the day before that. Yet this morning, there was something distinct about her beauty.
Her skin looked even paler and clearer than pristine white jade, and unlike during our fierce duels, her dark hair was neatly brushed and elegantly gathered, giving her the aura of a maiden who had carefully dressed for a sweetheart. Come to think of it, we hadn't sat this close in a very long time. In a duel of blades, such proximity was an absolute impossibility.
The realization made this quiet moment feel strangely precious. For a long while, the only sound was the gentle lapping of the canal against the bank, enveloped in a profound silence. Eventually, it was Eun Ae-hyang who broke it.
"Doesn't this remind you of when we were young?"
"When we were kids?"
She nodded softly. "Yes. On days when we had no training, we used to sneak off to the stream to catch fish."
Ah, I remember that. And on some of those days...
"I also remember having to comfort you while you bawled your eyes out after getting thoroughly scolded by Master."
"My, in my memory, it was you who was wailing like a baby."
"Wailing? Why are you trying to pass off your own biography as mine?"
Just as we were trading old memories while waiting for a bite, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. A presence had appeared behind us. We both turned simultaneously toward the thick morning mist blanketing the bank.
Soon, the soft rhythm of footsteps echoed through the fog, and a silhouette began to take shape. That frame looks awfully familiar...
"Senior Brother! My, you certainly wandered far for an early morning stroll!"
Wait. That voice...
A moment later, Yeong Yeong stepped out from the white veil of mist.
"Yeong Yeong?! How on earth did you get here?!"
Yeong Yeong covered her mouth with one delicate hand, giggling softly. "Tracking down my fiancé's whereabouts is child's play. I simply followed the inner qi of the man I love."
Fiancé?! Hey, I never agreed to that! And more importantly, when did you learn Ground Shrinking Steps?!
While my mind spun in utter disbelief, a chill ran down the side of my neck.
"Who might this be?" Eun Ae-hyang asked, her gaze fixed on me.
"She's... my Master's daughter. My junior martial sister."
"And what is this nonsense about a fiancé?"
"No, wait, let me explain—"
As I frantically searched for where to even begin, Eun Ae-hyang's eyes turned arctic. Meanwhile, Yeong Yeong trotted cheerfully toward me, pulling a small pouch from the satchel at her waist.
"The tea leaves for breakfast today were so exquisite that I brought some along. I even packed the teaware—"
Yeong Yeong trailed off mid-sentence, finally taking a proper look at the woman beside me.
"Oh my. Could it be... Lady Eun Ae-hyang, the Fine Needle in the Spring Breeze, successor of the Earth Dragon Gate?"
Addressed by her famous moniker, Eun Ae-hyang gave a polite nod. "I am."
"Ah, so you are the woman my dear brother has been seeing lately."
"...Indeed."
"I do hope my fiancé hasn't caused you any trouble?"
At those words, Eun Ae-hyang's head snapped toward me, her glare practically demanding an immediate explanation. Look, I didn't see this coming either! Why on earth are you the one showing up here?!