Eitsu's Nine Lives (永津の九生) [yuri/GL yokai reincarnation story]

25 - Líng Jiǎo

A/N: 4/8 chapters (30 Oct - 3 Dec).

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"All of us? At the same time?"

Eitsu scratched her neck irritably. "Did I stutter?"

They had spent the entirety of winter at Hanasan, without a single sign of Rei. Ayame showed some promise with basic cultivation arts, but Tsubaki had none.

"Your body just doesn't have the aptitude for ki production," Cheng Guk Lung had explained, part way through packing for a trip. An old family friend had requested his assistance in a matter, and he was in a hurry to head off.

So Tsubaki had been learning martial arts without the cultivation aspect. Her experience with dancing gave her a good base to start.

Zeng Guk Lung had been gone for several weeks when Eitsu brought a proposal to the elders of Hanasan.

"I'm always up for a fight," Zhāng Yàn laughed. He had picked up some Yamato-go words, mostly curses, and taught Eitsu a few Xiǎng swearwords in return. Otherwise they still needed the translation services of a logistician, and Cheng Guk Lung had passed that job to his juniors. A few disciples from the different schools who were learning strategy, diplomacy, and logistics would practice their translation skills as they followed Eitsu around. As a group, they were almost as good as Cheng Guk Lung by himself.

Zhào Xīn folded her hands. "I will not participate."

"Scared? Don't worry, I'm not asking to fight to the death."

"I think you're being a little ambitious, Lady. And in the case that you aren't, it would not do to have all the highest members of the five schools injured and unable to act if needed."

"You don't have to make excuses."

"I'll fight you. You're being far too rude." The woman who spoke wore black and blue robes and a disapproving frown.

"I would like to test my skills," said an older man in white and grey.

"I will participate," murmured a small woman in brown robes with a yellow trim.

"Good. Tomorrow morning, same place as last time?"

So it was that the next day, the entire sect was once more gathered around the clearing near the base of the mountains. This time, walls of metal and earth shielded the audience, and they stood much farther back, most of them perched in the treetops surrounding the clearing for the best view.

The combatants took their positions in the clearing, the four elders close together at the edge of the circle, Eitsu facing them boldly from near the centre. She smiled invitingly at Zhào Xīn. "Are you sure you don't want to take part?"

"Certain, Lady Eitsubyou. Are you ready to begin?"

""Whenever everyone else is."

"Combatants, introduce yourselves."

"Zhāng Yàn, Acting Master of the Gales of Battle School. Third DāntiánNovice. I hope to learn from you!"

"Líng Jiǎo, Acting Master of the Still Heart School. Third Dāntián Novice. Please guide me."

"This one is simply Kūn, Head Disciple of the Way of the Mountain School. Second Dāntián Adept."

"Shuǐ Yín, Acting Master of the Reflective Arts School. Second Dāntián Expert. I look forward to our spar."

"Then, I will count down from three." Zhào Xīn looked around at them all. "Ready?"

A chorus of "Ready!" replied to her.