“And remember to only drink water from upstream unless you want to drink dragon spit…” Tigu said cheerily as they walked around her home. They had been reintroduced to a rabbit and a snake as well, who had greeted them politely before returning to whatever tweaks they were doing to a forge.

Tie Delun listened with half an ear as Tigu gesticulated charmingly, clearly proud of her home. And what a home it was! The house was really nothing special compared to Delun’s ancient inherited stone manor, but the air here was of a different quality. Pure, clean, and invigorating.

It was a shame that Delun could not fully enjoy it, for his heart was a bit unsettled.

Meeting Tigu’s other family members had certainly been an… experience.

→

“I see. Well, I shall allow it.” Lady Meiling decreed as Tigu returned from her task, a teapot in one hand and a great many snacks balanced on the other.

Delun let out a small breath at the approval and as Lady Meiling sheathed her terrifying eyes, reining in her intent. The gentle touch of a needle poised to paralyze him for life lifted.

“Tea and snacks!” Tigu declared as she set down a tray laden with food and tea which she quickly set about pouring for them. Delun took a sip to calm his nerves, as did Loud Boy. Rags—the Bastard!—had escaped most of the questioning by bowing out of the race, as it was. He had called Tigu his Sister, and that was more important than any romance.

That scored him a pleased smile from Lady Meiling… and then increased the pressure of her intent on him and Loud Boy.

Lady Meilings questions had been perfectly gracious and cordial. Delun held no grudge for the bared threat, given that; It was a mother’s duty to look after her family, and he had no doubt that Master Jin’s genial attitude could just as easily become the stern face of a mountain should they offer any disrespect. He just hadn’t expected a mother who made every bone in his body quake with the certain knowledge of what a wrong answer would lead to, if not his demise, then a great deal of pain.

His answers, along with Rags and Loud Boy’s, had thankfully been satisfactory, for they were neither tossed out on their rears nor slain for being toads lusting after the swan that was Tigu. Though he supposed a swan wasn’t a good metaphor. A beautiful tiger was probably better—Tigu’s ferocity and passion far eclipsed any mere swan.

With the interrogation apparently concluded and as the atmosphere changed to something more cordial, Delun began to relax. Lady Meiling rose to attend to her baby, amusement dancing in her eyes, and as Loud Boy, Rags, and Tigu regaled each other with tales of their respective travels, he sampled the contents of the tray Tigu had brought.

Each and every item, one after another, was almost the most delicious thing Delun had ever eaten. They paled only in comparison to the cookies Tigu had made specifically for him and sent through the trading company to his Sect—cookies he had almost wanted to save, perhaps even mount in a frame; but in the end, the temptation to eat Tigu’s cooking had been too great.

“How did you like the cookies I sent? Did they last? Were they still good?” Tigu asked excitedly.

But his moment of weakness proved to be a boon; for he could smile and tell her the truth.

“They were delicious,” he said with a smile. “They eclipsed all others in flavour.”

Tigu blushed slightly at the compliment.

“Well, come on! Enough sitting around! Let's go on the ‘grand tour’, as Master likes to say!” Tigu exclaimed.

They were all sitting up and getting ready to go back outside when someone else entered the house.

At first, Delun assumed the scruffy old man was some old servant of Master Jin’s. He was clearly quite mad, muttering to himself about “stubborn dirt-ghosts.”

“You have to be patient, Gramps!” Tigu scolded as she got up and handed him a cup of tea. “Patience is Key!”

“I would be more insulted if the annoying thing wasn’t right,” the old man grumbled, and then, taking notice of them, his eyes narrowed. “Oh? And who are these little sprouts?”

“Tigu’s friends, Grandfather,” Lady Meiling said, her infant on her hip. “The ones she told you about, who helped her at the Dueling Peaks. Zang Wei had his cultivation shattered, Dong Chou had his chest torn open and was nearly exsanguinated before Ri Zu managed to stabilize him, and Tie Delun risked his sect and himself defying the Shrouded Mountain Sect.”

Her voice was gentle as she relayed what they had done, and the old man’s clear suspicions turned to approval. Delun realised then that this obviously wasn’t a servant. Lady Meiling had even done them a favour and given them much face with her introduction.

But there was something about this man that put Delun on edge.

“Ah, it's always good to have some friends by your side during the toughest battles!” He declared, patting Tigu’s head before squinting at Loud Boy. “Hmmm. I have not seen that method of repairing a dantian in a while—and so soon after it was punctured? Not bad, boy.”

“It wasn’t much, old man! I’m destined to rise up, you’ll see!” Loud Boy boasted brashly.

“Yeah, this loud mouth is pretty cool, when he's not brooding!” Rags chuckled.

“I don’t brood, damn it!” Loud Boy shot back, clearly offended.

“Haaa? You find every dark corner you can and sit there trying to look hard!” Rags exclaimed, before leaning in conspiratorially to the old man. “Sister Minmin hung a cloth over one of the light crystals, and sure enough, that's where he sat!”

“What?! No she didn’t!”

The old man laughed at their brash language and boasting. “Ha! You little sprouts certainly don’t lack enthusiasm!” he said, shaking his head. “Not a bad choice of companions.”

“Yeah! They’re the best!” Tigu agreed, and the old man’s smile softened.

“Well, with such vigorous extollations of your virtue, you must be fine young gentlemen!” He looked again at them. Delun found himself drawn into the old man’s eyes—and he felt his soul seize.

There was a blade, there.

Beautiful, pristine, and undamaged despite its hundred thousand battles. It stood alone at the peak of a mountain.

A blade of Will. Commitment. Of such potent Qi that a mote would burn Delun down to ashes and vaporize his soul.

A sword of shining, unconquered light.

The doom of all that saw it unsheathed.

Sweat erupted along his back.

“I trust you will treat my Great Granddaughter with the respect she deserves?” the old man asked, almost kindly—as if this man could not obliterate Delun’s entire line with as much effort as a man squishing an insect.

If Lady Meiling was terrifying, there were no words that Delun could use to articulate the sheer menace this man oozed simply from existing.

Delun was inordinately proud of himself for being able to squeeze out a “Yes, Sir!” and not sound like his voice was a few octaves higher.

Rags and Loud Boy didn’t seem to notice.

“Of course!” Loud Boy thundered. “She's our Sworn Sister!”

“Come every Hell and every Realm,” Rags agreed.

The old man’s eyes faded from twin burning pits of death back to just an old man’s eyes.

But Tie Delun could never forget that gaze.

The old man smiled.

“Now go out and play, you little fools. Granddaughter, I require your delicate hands!”

Lady Meiling huffed and rolled her eyes, but their last sight of them was of Tigu’s mother massaging the man’s shoulder while he made stupid faces at the babe that had been transferred to his lap.

→

“And this is the barn! We muck it once a week, or more if it gets dirty, but our charges are normally out in the fields this time of year, so it doesn’t get too dirty,” Tigu narrated as she patted the side of the bright red building. It was a beautiful building; the sides were carved with twisting vines and flowers, as well as clouds up higher. Each of the four corners had the character for “protection” inscribed upon them.

Delun refocused on the moment. He was being impolite, not listening to his host! He shook his head and refocused on her actions and smile.

She really was completely better.

“It's pretty big for only housing five animals,” Rags mused.

“There shall be more! Fa Ram grows bit by bit every year!” Tigu riposted. “And that there is the duty roster! Pi Pa wants us to sign it when we finish our chores—it’s useless, though, because nobody doesn’t do them!”

Loud Boy walked up to read the duty roster. Almost immediately, his eyes bugged out.

“Miss Cai mucks the barn?” Loud Boy asked, incredulous.

“Of course the Blade of Grass does. Everybody does! Master does it the most!” Tigu said.

Rags and Loud Boy nodded, easily accepting Tigu’s words—while Delun still thought it was very strange. Still, who was he to say that to Master Jin? It obviously worked.

“Of course I do what?” a melodious voice asked.

“Miss Cai!” Rags and Loud Boy shouted, clasping their fists in greeting. Delun did the same a moment later, turning to face the woman. She was in simple working clothes, rather than her dress, with a basket full of mushrooms slung over her shoulder and an axe hung at her hip.

She was also somehow even more beautiful than during the tournament—even her voice was sweeter. Delun banished the thoughts from his mind as fast as he had them, fixing his gaze upon The Young Mistress of the Verdant Blade Sect’s eyes.

“Hello again, Dong Chou, Zang Wei. I see that you’ve accomplished your goal—and I’m happy to see you as well, Tie Delun.”

Delun greeted the Young Mistress of the Verdant Blade Sect politely. The two other boys regaled her with the tale of Loud Boy’s accomplishment, and the woman ruffled his hair affectionately.

…it was truly strange to see Cai Xiulan so open and… nice. She was acting without any coldness at all!

“And it’s thanks to your help too, yeah?” Rags said, and punched Cai Xiulan in the shoulder. He seemed to realise just how overly friendly the gesture was… and then the woman punched him back good naturedly.

Delun tried to center himself and find his root on what felt like shifting sands. For a moment, he felt as though he were going to fail, a flash of the sword burned into his memory threatening to fell him, but the moment passed.

He swallowed thickly and, seeking a distraction, looked again at the designs on the barn walls.

“I’m guessing you did these designs, Tigu?” he asked, and she nodded, beaming.

“I did most of it, but Master, Mistress, and the Blade of Grass did some too!” She said, sharing the accomplishment.

“They look great.” Delun said with a smile.

“I’ve improved this year again!” Tigu declared, before her eyes widened. “Oh! And I have yet to show you my pride and joy! Next winter, I need to add you to my collection!”

Tigu looked like she was about to drag them all off again— before a soft cough caught their attention.

Cai Xiulan looked slightly… strained.

“Just… remember our deal, Tigu.”

Tigu pouted. “Oh, fine! Be that way, Xiulan.”

“We’ll play La Cross later,” Xiulan said, and Tigu seemed to relent. “We have enough for full teams once Xianghua comes back.”

“Fine…” Tigu sighed, and both women sealed the deal by bumping fists together.

“What’s La cross?” Rags asked, interested.

“Well,” Tigu began as they started marching back towards the house, “we take these sticks…”

→

At first, Cai Xiulan was originally going to come with them—but instead, she was waylaid by Miss Biyu, who had arrived during the tour. Instead, it was just the four of them, as they ventured into the cold, dark tunnel underneath the ground.

It looked like a cold cellar, but a hundred times as massive. They walked past stored victuals and food left over from last year, until they reached an offshoot of the main room, blocked off by a blanket.

“Wait outside for a sec, I gotta check stuff,” Tigu told them as she sidled past the blanket, holding it in such a way so that they couldn’t see in.

Delun looked at the others, and in near-unison they shrugged.

Tigu was back out a moment later, a smile on her face, and one hand on her hip. “Now! Behold!” she shouted, tearing back the curtain—and Delun’s tumultuous heart was stunned.

The room was full of ice sculptures. Light crystals shone through them, forming fractals of light and making them glitter like carved gemstones.

Animals of all shapes and sizes were what they saw first, followed by bouquets of crystalline flowers and frosted mushrooms.

Past that were people. Master Jin, shirtless, his fists in a martial stance, the sculpture radiating power and calm. Cai Xiulan, her eyes focused on the horizon, her beauty captured in breathtaking detail and her flowing dress a masterpiece. Lady Meiling, in profile with a soft smile on her face.

Delun’s crafter’s heart was awed. Rags and Loud Boy were struck dumb—for the final sculpture was one of all four of them, clearly copied from one of the Crystal Master’s recorded images.

Delun was smiling, his arm slung over Tigu’s shoulder. Rags and Loud Boy had stupid grins on their faces.

“I’m quite proud of my accomplishments this winter!” Tigu declared. “I’ve improved by leaps and bounds!”

“I do believe you have,” Delun said honestly. The heart and soul she had poured into this work was evident, and her skill was undeniable. Delun would have to increase his own practise!

Tigu took them along the rows, telling them her thought process behind each piece and how she had improved herself to get the effect.

It was truly a wonderful time, listening to her passionate words— and then Rags opened his mouth.

“What’s under the blankets, though?” Rags asked. “The ones that didn’t turn out? I still think they would be pretty good!”

Tigu frowned. “No, those ones are the nude pieces. I promised the Blade of Grass not to show anybody hers.”

All three of them considered the explosive technique that had been hurled into their midst. Rags, for a brief moment, had a lecherous grin, before he realised what the Young Mistress of the Verdant Blade Sect would do to him if he peeked.

All three of them turned in askance to Tigu—and they beheld her completely and utterly pure eyes, with not one bit of filth crossing her mind.

“You, uh, do a lot of nude sculptures?” Loud Boy ventured.

“Of course!” Tigu roared. ”The body is beautiful! It is power and perfection! It is the essence of the effort spent on improving oneself! It is utterly stunning—you three are utterly stunning!”

All three of them froze at her earnest declaration.

“Rags! Your life has scarred your body and given it a character unlike any other! It has faced sacrifice! It is rough around the edges, but that's what gives it its charm!”

The man flushed completely crimson.

“Loud Boy! I can see how you refine yourself! Each month, progressing a little more! I would capture this, showing how a brave man builds himself!”

Loud Boy looked honestly touched by her words.

“Handsome Man! Your physique is completely and utterly beautiful! Your proportions are perfection! The cut of your muscles sublime! Your freckles accentuate your cheekbones, producing a spectacular effect! I say no word of a lie! You are handsome beyond compare!”

Delun had expected to exult at her words. Instead, he felt only ashamed as he gazed upon her passion.

→

Her words resonated through his mind as they ascended back up to the surface, as they formed teams and were given sticks to catch the ball with. He was called to serve with Tigu, her grin bright as she selected her friends to join her on the field of battle. They began their ‘La Cross’ game. Delun had never really played too many “team” games before. His youth had been spent smithing and carving. He loved the light of the forges. But… well, it was called the Hermetic Iron Sect for a reason. Their techniques required a lot of time alone, either contemplating steel and stone in order to see their secrets, or in pitch darkness, deep beneath the earth.

Perhaps he should have been more concerned that half the players were animals, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. This entire trip had been more shocking than he predicted. Spirit Beasts joining in their game was the least of it.

Instead his eyes only found Tigu’s bright smile.

Could… could he truly match that? That passion, that drive, that utter dedication? She eclipsed him utterly right now. Her family eclipsed his utterly. Was he really just a toad lusting after a tiger? What right did he have, to love a woman that was better off with somebody that was better than ugly Delun?

The game started; they slammed into each other, pushing and shoving, a scrum to get the ball. The rush of adrenaline coursed through his system, as they traded possession back and forth— until Tigu managed to get the ball.

“Handsome Man! Go Long!” she roared, winding up for a pass. The ball sailed through the air. His eyes tracked it as it sped past the small set of seats where the Young Master of the Misty Lake Sect, Miss Biyu, and the old man were watching. He shuddered as the old man’s gaze landed on him… and then he turned his eyes back to Tigu.

Determination. Passion. Faith.

Tie Delun moved.

He rammed past Gou Ren and shoulder-checked Liu Xianghua out of the way. He bulldozed over a rabbit that spouted lurid curses at his charge.

The fear and unsteadiness drained out of his body. There was no room for those—they fled before her utterly earnest words. Her drive to improve, her care for them… and for him. He filled his mind instead with the power of those yellow eyes, burning with fire and life—the most beautiful things in the world.

The burning sword and deadly needle, he cast from his mind. He would persevere! His body and soul were iron! If he lost his temper, he would reforge himself! He would carve out a man from his still unworthy body, chiseled and hammered to perfection like the statues Tigu made. There was nothing perseverance could not overcome!

He reached out with his stick and caught the soaring ball.

He was Tie Delun of the Hermetic Iron Sect! And Iron became Steel only in the harshest fires!

His grin was fierce. His resolve, set.

A dainty pink pig cross-checked him, slamming him into the ground so hard there was a collective gasp from the spectators.

Tie Delun laid there for a moment, twitching.

“...are you alright?” Cai Xiulan asked.

Tie Delun shoved himself up, fire burning in his eyes.

■