Chapter 11 — Two Steps Forward
The outer mountain had changed.
Before, danger hid in shadows.
Now danger walked in daylight — laughing, drinking, staring at others' spirit pouches openly.
More cultivators became greedy.
More hungry eyes watched the weak.
More blades hung from belts that once carried farming knives.
Cloud Veil Faction didn't care anymore.
Their strongest elder had died.
The second elder was injured.
Without pressure from above…
Rot grew from below.
And in places like this, rot spread fast.
---
Morning Within Thin Walls
A pale morning sun climbed slowly, painting the hut walls gold and tired.
Inside, Su Lan sat on a straw mat, breathing slow, trying to stabilize her Qi again.
Her thin fingers rested on her knees.
Sweat slid down her jawline.
She was improving.
Little by little, like a seed pushing through stone.
Long Tan finished his meditation.
His body felt heavier today — breakthrough strain still clinging inside muscles, bones buzzing quietly with leftover energy.
He opened his eyes and saw Su Lan biting her lip in concentration.
Her body trembled faintly.
"Don't push too fast," he murmured.
She exhaled. "I almost felt something break through."
"You will. But step by step."
Long Tan stood, stretching his shoulders.
"Slow effort lasts longer than sudden force."
She nodded.
She trusted him — perhaps too much.
That thought made his chest tighten.
---
Only Nine Stones
He reached into the old wooden drawer and counted spirit stones again.
Nine.
Just nine little stones to protect two lives.
> Not enough to survive the month.
Not enough for herbs.
Not enough to grow.
Money meant cultivation.
Cultivation meant survival.
Without stones…
Without strength…
They would be prey.
Long Tan closed the drawer gently, as if afraid the stones might vanish with loud sound.
---
Saber in the Yard
He stepped outside. The dirt in front of the house was still damp from night dew.
He picked up his saber — old iron, edge carefully polished by hand.
Not a grand weapon, but loyal.
He inhaled.
Feet grounded.
Spine straight.
Arms relaxed.
He began.
Slow swing.
Elbow tucked.
Wrist firm at the end.
Breath steady, lower abdomen tight.
Again.
The saber cut the air quietly, without show, without arrogance.
Each swing held patience.
Like a farmer turning soil, not a hero posing for war.
Su Lan stepped outside and watched silently.
After a moment, she picked up her wooden practice blade.
Long Tan noticed and nodded.
"Stance first."
She lowered her knees.
A little too low — her legs shook.
"Not that low. You'll exhaust too fast."
He walked behind her and gently lifted her elbow.
"Keep your arm steady. Saber follows your body, not the other way."
She adjusted, trying again.
Her balance wavered.
He held her wrist lightly, guiding angle.
"Breathe in when raising. Exhale when cutting."
She tried.
Cut the air.
Breath shaky, but trying.
A strand of her hair stuck to her cheek from sweat.
"You did well," he said.
Su Lan stared at her sword, breathing hard.
"I feel weak to the core," she whispered, frustrated.
"You are not weak," he said quietly.
"You are just beginning."
Her eyes trembled.
Hope and fear, side by side.
---
A Decision
After practice, they sat on the wooden step outside, catching breath.
Somewhere nearby, a pot clanged, a baby cried, and a drunk man shouted laughter.
The settlement was waking — tired, hungry, angry.
Su Lan drank water.
Her fingers shook slightly.
"Bandits again near the well yesterday," she whispered.
"I heard someone's bag was taken."
Long Tan's jaw tightened.
"I know."
"We can't stay weak," she murmured.
"No."
He looked at her directly.
"We go out tomorrow."
She blinked. "Together?"
"Yes."
Her breath caught.
Fear flashed — a real fear, not childish.
"But… what if danger comes?"
"It will," he answered honestly.
"No place is safe anymore. Alone, you are a target. With me, you learn, you grow, you survive."
She lowered her eyes.
Hands curled around her wooden blade.
"Will I… slow you down?"
He shook his head.
> "You are not a burden.
You are my partner."
Her breath softened.
Not happy — but stronger.
---
Resolve
Long Tan stood again, gripping his saber.
"Today we rest, train, prepare rations.
Tomorrow, forest."
"And if…" Su Lan swallowed, "if something happens?"
"Then we face it together," he said.
"No running alone.
No leaving someone behind."
A hawk cried overhead, passing between clouds.
Su Lan whispered, "I don't want you to die."
He didn't smile.
This world didn't allow soft comfort.
"If I fall," he murmured, "you must be able to stand."
Then he looked at her, steady as steel.
"And because I don't want to fall… we train."
Su Lan nodded.
Slow, firm, scared — but determined.
Like a candle learning how to be a flame.
---
Tomorrow would test them.
Not grand destiny — simple survival.
And in this harsh world, sometimes that was harder than any grand war.
They stepped back inside the hut.
Two fragile lights in a growing storm.
Far above, Cloud Veil Mountain loomed quiet and distant.
Once, it felt like a shield.
Now… it felt like a blade waiting to fall.
Rumors whispered through huts —
Cloud Veil elder still bleeding,
inner disciples fighting for power,
no one protecting the weak anymore.
Long Tan looked toward the mountain's fog-covered peak.
But not alone.
Comment it and let me know.
---