Chương 40: Chapter 37 - Getting the Gang Together

Song still wasn't ready to face his family. So he snuck back into the Lee compound and grabbed last evening's prize. Then he ran to deliver it to his teacher – with a couple hangers-on in tow. Hunter An Iseul looked down at the jackal that Song had deposited by her feet, then back up at Song, then back to the jackal.

"You say you hunted this?" She said. Song gave a bright, questioning, "Yes?"

"Hmm." Iseul considered the two standing behind Song."I won't complain about your presence, Miss Yu– a physician is always welcome. But I fail to see why you are here, Jo Jinu." Jinu shrugged.

"Patriarch Yu said, 'fostering good relations between the clans through the shared experiences of the younger generation is most admirable'." He gave his best Yu Jii impression, and Dami held back a giggle. ["So… why does she get a Miss Yu, but you're still boy,"] Cyrus laughed. Song cycled some qi against his dantian. ["That's a good rendition of 'Kw'"] Cyrus called back. ["Was that supposed to be 'Quiet'? Come on, man, it's not like I'm bothering you at all times of the day."] Song cycled his qi more strongly this time. ["Fine, fine, spoilsport."]"Are you distracted, boy?" Iseul snapped her fingers in front of Song's eyes.

"Sorry, Teacher," Song jumped to attention.

"As I was saying," Hunter An drawled.

"You're a bit too smart for your own good, Lee Song. I give you a bow, and you return with a stick and string. I ask for a jackal, and you return with a carcass so infested with Void qi that I'm surprised it hasn't already dissolved into a thousand transparent maggots." Song's mouth hung open. Iseul loomed over him, her arm muscles rippling as she stuck her pointer finger into his chest.

"You didn't kill this jackal, did you?" Mutely, Song shook his head. Hunter An frowned, withdrawing her hand.

"Explain," Song looked askance at his two friends. Dami had a look of feigned disinterest, but her eyes were sparkling. Jinu just looked bored.

"I… met someone during the Lotus moon. A Void body cultivator." Iseul raised an eyebrow, and tapped an impatient foot. Song's tongue wagged faster.

"They were the one who killed the jackal. Because they wanted me to focus on my training."

"Oho~! How fortuitous!" Iseul said with only a hint of sarcasm.

"You randomly ran into exactly what you needed, at the darkest hour, in the middle of the whole damn Great Nakjo Plains, and they offered to train you? Just like that?" Song shook his head.

"No, I had to complete a test first." Iseul gave a mocking Hah!

"And you actually completed it properly? Just how they asked, and not through some trickery? What a lucky teacher!"" Master," Song corrected. Whatever Iseul had been about to say, she skipped a beat, her face growing serious.

"A Master… have you told your family?"

"Yes. We had a council meeting about it this morning."

"Well, well. I don't suppose you'll still need us, then?" Iseul glanced over at where the other hunters were cleaning their morning kills.

"Saves me some time and energy." Song shuffled his feet.

"Actually, I was hoping to keep learning from you, Teacher. I was only able to achieve what I did through your teachings. And I'd still like to learn about scouting, hunting, and tracking." Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

"Why not ask your fancy new Master?" Hunter An scratched at her neck and frowned.

"Are they not qualified?" Song… wasn't actually sure about that. So he made do with the easy excuse, "He's left until the end of the month. And he told me that your lessons on circulation were 'good' and to keep learning from you." Iseul snorted.

"Oh? He has the qualifications to critique my work, does he? A peak refinement cultivator, then? Or maybe even at adept foundation?"

"No," Song gulped.

"Master is an expert Core level cultivator." Iseul took a step back, her eyes widening.

"You –""WHAT!?" Dami shrieked.

"Lee Song, you never even mentioned a Master, let alone a CORE LEVEL master! WE SHARED AIRAG TOGETHER AND EVERYTHING!" Dami's eyes were wild as she advanced on Song, her tentacle emerging from her sleeve and whipping about in agitation.

"Are they from the Tang Clan? Is that how you thought of the poison orbs? Or are they a wandering free cultivator from the war?? Is he handsome? Does he have a Dao Name?? What's his Sign!! If he's Core level he must be famous! Have I read about him in the Tales??" Song backed away, his hands up defensively.

"His name is Master Crane. I don't know the rest. But he definitely looks… unique. Unforgettable, really."

"Master Crane…" Dami looked up at the sky, as though she was watching a beautiful crane winging through the clouds.

"What a marvelous Dao name. You'll let us meet him, right? RIGHT?" Song coughed.

"Maybe. Eventually. Master's a private person, though kind and generous. He gave me a treasure, and even a Dao name." Iseul was looking down at her chest, muttering, "'he said I was good…'" but her attention focused back up at Song's words.

"What kind of treasure?"

"A hundred-year Moonscale Carp."

"Let me see," the hunter said. She grabbed Song's wrist and cycled her qi through his meridians.

"It's true! You're already an adept!" Song nodded.

"Master says I need to start clearing my upper Shaoyang meridian. He also taught me the next stance to practice while I cycle."

"Agghhh!" Dami groaned.

"It's not fair! This is why I keep telling Father that spending my time cooped up in the medical tent is keeping me from my own fortuitous encounters in the Gangho!"

"Be careful what you wish for, girl," Hunter An barked.

"Song's just lucky whoever it was didn't decide to just eat his heart for the easy cultivation." Jinu, who'd been heretofore silent, spoke up.

"You said he gave you a Dao name?" Song hesitated.

"He did…"

"Agh!" Dami's tentacle thumped against Song's chest, and he fell back with an oomph.

"You even got a Dao name before me?? You're not even handsome, or a notable martial artist!" ["Ouch."] Cyrus said.

"Because you're so pretty…" Jinu muttered, then shut his mouth as Dami's head swiveled menacingly in his direction.

"It's… Haksaekki…" Song mumbled. An and Jinu stared at him, then burst into laughter. Hunter An was laughing so hard, she had to bend over. She waved at the other hunters.

"You lot! Get over here! Our little Song has a fancy Dao name now, and you'll never guess what it is!!!"

"Haksaekki…" Dami said, holding her hands over her chest, her eyes still scanning the sky.

"The child of crane. It's… perfect." — By the time they finished inducting Dami and Jinu into the hunters the sun had begun to set. Song couldn't put it off any longer. He had to return home. Juwon was waiting for him at the entrance of his Yurt, one foot tapping.

"Elder Brother?" Song said respectfully, coming to a stop in front of Juwon. Juwon frowned.

"You know why I'm here." Song held his head.

"Yes."

"Have you already paid and apologized to Master Cho?"

"Yes. I gave him my yuanbao from the grasswolf."

"Good. I understand that Seojoon gave him an extra two gold ding as well," Juwon sighed.

"I know why you did what you did. They were in the wrong. But you were also wrong. I agree with Seojoon, you have too much pride, Song. You know what happens to those in the Gangho with too much pride. They insult the wrong old monster, or kick some Nascent Soul who rejuvenated their youth, and then their families are hung by hooks over the coals of the Crimson Hunger for a thousand years." Song flinched.

"The word just came down from the council," Juwon said, suddenly changing the topic.

"We'll be moving out in five days – it's time to head west."

"Already?" Song replied, not sure what else to say.

"Yes. In the meantime, Hamin has been reduced to a stablehand until he learns respect." Song felt a surge of vicious glee, which was instantly doused as Juwon continued.

"And you will act as a family servant until you learn to get a handle on your pride. For the duration of the move, you'll obey any Lee who gives you orders. Do you understand?" Song felt his insides twist. He! The disciple of a Core level cultivator, and son of the Patriarch, made to be a lowly servant!" Do you understand," Juwon said, leaning forward menacingly.

"Yes, Brother," Song whispered.

"Good," Juwon's tone returned to normal.

"And next time, Song? If you properly knock them out, they can't complain. Thank you for trying to defend my honour." Juwon gave Song a pat on the head as he walked away. ["Talk about mixed signals. Your culture is weird, Song."] Cyrus muttered.

"You don't get to speak, Canadian." Song grumbled, walking into his yurt.