Promise and Betrayal: A Mo Dao Zu Shi (the Untamed) Story

Chapter 3

Shortly after the pair leave, Grand Master gathers us all in pavilion. In a grave announcement, he tells of recent concerning Wen Clan activity and the Lan Clan's plan to prematurely conclude the session. He tells us all to return our clans, and with our newly acquired knowledge and strength of mind, to help our clan prepare for imminent confrontation. We have the rest of the week to gather our minds and our things.

I use the allotted time to meditate on my future. Do I return to the Xiao Clan? I have no way of knowing where they have traveled to at this hour. From traveling with them, I have an idea, but it is only a rough estimate. They loosely adhere to a migration route, moving south for winter, east for spring, north for summer, and west for autumn. They are likely making their way west; but it will take time to locate them, and time is not something I have. On the second to last day, I reach a decision: I will embark to find those that need help, and if I happen upon ill news of my clan, I will find them. If I hear nothing for too long, I will find them. But until then, I will wander alone, helping those that may need the help of a cultivator.

The next day, I say my farewells. I have made acquaintances, but no friends, here. They will all recognize my face and recollect my name, but they will not know me; and neither will I know them. I have grown much over the past few months, and so I have seen others grow as well. Just as I will not forget my origins, I will not easily forget this place.

I am not entirely sure where to start on my quest; I have never attempted a journey such as this, but I resolve to travel from town to town and listen to rumors. In my limited experience, rumors are where the need for a cultivator's assistance manifests itself. The closest town to Cloud Recesses is Caiyi Town, still in the region of Gusu, likely meaning the Lan Clan presides over its troubles. Still, it is not a bad place to start.

I reach the town by sundown the same day, my hood pulled low over my face, my swords carefully hidden by my cloak, because I do not wish to attract unwanted attention. The cloak will be a bit inconvenient should the need to draw my swords arise, but I opt for disguise over efficiency. I wear traditional men's robes, the flowing sleeves noticeably absent. My robes are black and gold, the colors of my clan. Despite this, many people have had no contact with the Xiao Clan. They will not recognize my colors, nor will they recognize me, but they will see the relatively fine fabric and deduce that I am no normal traveler. Such is the character I have set out for myself.

The town is not crowded when I arrive, the last fingers of the sunset painting the sky in brilliant reds and vivid oranges. I manage to secure the last available room at an inn, albeit with some silent once-overs from the inn workers. I pay them no mind—I am used to it. I do not look entirely masculine, but nor do I look feminine. Androgyny is the product of my upbringing and the curse of my real gender.

The inn's tavern is reasonably crowded, packed with cultivators, farm workers, travelers, and merchants alike: a rich breeding ground for rumors. I select a spot near a wall, next to what may likely prove to be the rowdiest and drunkest table in the entire tavern. They will talk, and I will listen.

A waiter comes to take my order. I tell him to bring me tea. I do not drink, nor will I start to. As I sip my tea, I listen to the table to my right, the loud table, engaged in a drinking game. I will learn nothing useful from them. The table to my left, a table bearing a party of merchants, looks more promising.

"Wen Clan activity is getting concerning," one of them is saying. "I heard they've started to punish cultivators that won't follow their orders."

Another leans forward. "I heard they're moving their troops. Like they're getting ready to attack."

The other scoffs. "They wouldn't dare! Sure, the other four main clans are smaller, but one against four? Their odds are terrible!"

"They've gotten more violent, that's for sure," a third merchant says. "I would bet on something big happening. Their clan leader has some secret—a weapon that would put him above everyone else. No one's got any idea what, though."