Shi ZhenXian slid his boot across the mud and nearly fell off the mountain.
What an idiot!
He thought to himself, gritting his teeth. He couldn't even remember the last time he had been in such difficulty during a fight. He was well aware that today was an important day and that he needed to remain calm and clear-headed.
But the night before a tavern owner, a friend of his so to speak, chased him to the foot of the mountain as Shi ZhenXian was returning to his Sect. Trying not to be seen, he took a bottle of Hundred Petal Nectar, a liquor so rare that it is confused with legend, from under his sleeve.
Shi ZhenXian trusted the innkeeper, so he handed him a silver pouch, grabbed the small jar, and rushed up the mountain.
Once at the top, being careful not to be noticed by any of the disciples, he quickly ran to his quarters, which were somewhat isolated from the rest of the buildings. Once he was sure that no one had seen him, he closed the doors behind him and threw himself on the chair. Only a few liters of that liquor were produced each year and most of it ended up on the tables of kings and emperors. Not only was it extremely laborious to make, but the ingredients required, including a hundred different varieties of flowers, were extremely difficult to procure. They ranged from the most common orange blossoms to roses, from violets to elderflowers. Saffron and Jade Vine were certainly the most difficult ingredients to find and often had to be imported from distant lands.
Having an entire flask of Hundred Petal Nectar in front of you was a fortune that came only once in a lifetime.
Shi ZhenXian could not resist the temptation to drink the liquor that he had longed to taste; so, as soon as the first sip slipped down his throat, all sense of responsibility vanished just as quickly.
He drank straight from the flask. He was too anxious to waste time looking for a glass. If it had been up to him, he would have already drunk it at the foot of the mountain but, in a final moment of lucidity, he thought it would not be a good idea to show it to anyone. It was too precious a possession to be shared.
Not to mention that a Taoist carrying a flask of liquor around doesn't give a good impression.
The taste of flowers invaded his mouth. The liquor slowly but steadily went down his throat until Shi ZhenXian, amazed, realized that he had finished it all. It was not a very large flask but the liquor was definitely strong.
The Taoist blinked twice, looked at the empty flask in a mixture of sadness and disbelief. That joy was as immense as it was fleeting. He didn't even have time to think that he fell backwards on the wooden floor with a thud.
"Ahahah ...", a light laugh escaped from his lips "What the fuck have I done".
He said in a thin voice, before closing his eyes.
**
How did I get myself into a situation like this.
Shi ZhenXian was the first disciple of the Qiyun Mountain Sect and was undoubtedly the strongest, after the Sect Leader. No one had ever dared to question his abilities and aptitudes, which is why everyone had great faith and hopes in him. Shi ZhenXian knew well how fundamental his role would be in today's battle but the emotion for that treasure received had gotten the better of him.
But Shi ZhenXian couldn't hold his alcohol well and he knew it well.
The morning came too quickly. The first lights of dawn woke the cultist. Even after that sleep he didn't seem at all rested. With difficulty he rose from the floor and swayed from side to side as he moved through his rooms, holding on to the furniture to avoid falling. His head, still in pain, throbbed with every step.
He grabbed the teapot with both hands and drank directly from it. He finished it all and slammed it on the table.
"I must have gone mad, but how could I do something like this," he whimpered out loud, covering his face with his hands.
He stood up still unsteadily and approached the mirror in his room.
His face was on fire!
Shi ZhenXian was particularly sensitive to alcohol - perhaps that was also why he liked it so much - and he turned purple even at the smallest drop.
The delicate features of his face were shielded by a mask of fire. There was no trace of his snow-white complexion anymore.
"How can I be still in this condition-"
He didn't even have time to finish his sentence when he heard a commotion coming from outside.
"Hurry up, everyone in formation! YOU! Go get your master!"
They're already here!
It was a cold shower. Perhaps due to adrenaline or a sense of duty, Shi ZhenXian seemed to come to his senses. A shiver ran down his entire back, he was starting to feel better, but he was still in the same state.
How could he let the enemy see him? But above all, how could he let his Sect Leader see him! At first glance, he would have immediately discovered his misdeeds.
If he had been a normal soldier or even a member of a different sect, no one would have said anything to him. Of course, it wasn't the best to get drunk before a battle, but no one would have blamed him. Many, both cultivators and non-cultivators, used to drink in company before a fight. Often, they did it to not think about the fear or to have what might be their last drink.
But Shi ZhenXian was the most well-liked, admired and praised disciple by the entire Mount Qiyun Sect. He himself was the master of many young disciples who saw in him an example of integrity, absolute dedication and sacrifice.
The main problem was that he was a Taoist!
His vows required him to abstain from worldly pleasures, which included wine.
Shi ZhenXian did not want to set a bad example and was very aware that a face like that would quickly expose him. Furthermore, he could not allow himself to be seen by the enemy like that, that red face was rather ridiculous.
He still had a reputation to maintain!
There was a knock on the door.
"Master, are you awake?" came a confident but childish voice from outside.
"Y-yes, I am awake. I'll be right there, you join the others. Do as you have been instructed and take care of each other."
"Yes, sir!"
He quickly grabbed a piece of cloth and tied it around his face, leaving only his eyes uncovered. He adjusted the sword at his waist and headed outside.
He had sent his disciple away because even explaining a veil over his face would not be easy. So, it was better to go and do his part without being noticed.
He quickly moved towards the central square of the fortress, where the fighting had already begun. They knew that the Laughing Mist Sect was on its way to them, but he had expected a more civil battle and not a surprise attack. Even if the perpetrator was a Demoniac Sect, this was a low blow.
Their purpose had never been clear. Their Sect Leader, Li HengYuan, wanted more control over the central plains, that was obvious, but… was that all?
This was the last of many clashes that had taken place over the previous months.
The disciples were very numerous, probably the entire force that the Sect had at its disposal. There were also rumors that the Sect Leader's favorite would finally take part in the clashes. Not much information was known about him, neither about who he was nor about the level of cultivation he had reached.
Shi ZhenXian leaped onto a rooftop to observe the situation from above. Swords were flying through the air while heart-rending screams resounded throughout the mountain.
In an instant, his senses sharpened.
He sensed a massive killing intent right behind him.
He spun around, narrowly dodging a sword thrown at him.
The same sword quickly changed direction and returned to the hands of the thrower.
"A cheap shot, don't you think?" Shi ZhenXian said, turning to the one who attacked him.
The man in front of him didn't make a sound, but instead, retrieving his sword, he lunged straight at Shi ZhenXian.
In response, he jumped up to dodge the stroke.
I shouldn't stand out, there are too many people here.
He decided to take the fight to a more isolated area, so with another leap he moved away, hoping that his opponent would follow him.
Luckily for him, that was exactly how it ended. His opponent didn't seem like the type to leave things half done, so he didn't lose sight of him for even a moment.
With a few jumps, Shi ZhenXian managed to reach a clearing located much higher up on the mountain. The cold wind of dawn made his clothes and veil move in the air.
With the few moves he had seen before, he could already tell that his opponent's skills were not to be underestimated, so, in the meantime, the two found themselves facing each other in the center of their battlefield.
Shi ZhenXian unsheathed his sword and launched himself into attack. It wasn't difficult for his opponent to parry it. The first exchanges were purely to test each other's martial arts levels. In fact, neither of them were attacking at full power yet.
He seems very young and yet he is already so skilled?
These were the thoughts that crossed Shi ZhenXian's mind as, for the first time in many years, he was forced to use more spiritual energy than usual.
Oh right, maybe I'm the one lacking today...
The demoniac cultivator attacked again. In just a few seconds, the two exchanged more than thirty strokes. Even if they were not yet using all their skills, if the fight had continued any longer, the situation would have degenerated. It was clear to Shi ZhenXian that the man's skills were beyond ordinary. If they really used all their strength, the Taoist knew he would prevail, but probably at the cost of destroying half the mountain.
Out of nowhere, Shi ZhenXian lost his balance and was forced to step back. One foot almost slid over the edge of the cliff.
What an idiot! Why did I drink so much yesterday! I could have finished this much faster…
In a mixture of shock and impatience, Shi ZhenXian pushed forward once more. His speed had increased significantly, but… his attack was still blocked!
His opponent had sensed his frustration and had managed to predict that his next attack would be of higher level.
And not only was the attack blocked, but with a slash he almost managed to hit Shi ZhenXian in the face.
As a result, the piece of cloth he had been carrying tied up until now was cut off.
The opponent's arm, which was still moving, suddenly changed trajectory, missing its target.
Is he destabilized?
Shi ZhenXian immediately took advantage of the situation. With a single quick step, he went around him until he appeared behind him and managed to hit him in the neck with his hand.
He had aimed for the neck meridian so as to immobilize him.
"You are not bad, why are you part of a Demonic sect?"
He did not get an answer.
"Are you close with your Sect Leader?"
Still no sound.
Maybe his family is part of the sect?
He thought to himself as he began to circle aroud him.
"What is your name?"
None of these questions were answered.
Shi ZhenXian was now in front of him.
"Hmm… should I imprison you, or end it here?"
He threatened, stroking the edge of his sword with his fingers.
"Shixiong!"
A voice emerged from the vegetation.
"Ah-! Xu Xinyi what are you doing here"
"Shixiong, is the fight over- Huh? You drank last night, didn't you? I can see it on your face, that's why you were fighting like that. You should have seen yourself, you looked like a drunk crane haha-"
"Hey! Is that how you show respect to your Shixiong?" he took a pause "Is it really that obvious?"
He said putting his hands on his cheeks and feeling their heat, while quickly changing his tone and manner.
"Without a doubt! However…" Xu Xinyi thought it was best to end the conversation at this point, considering who had been listening to them the whole time.
"Can I give you a hand? I can take care of this one now."
"Oh, would you? Just a moment"
He hit the cultivator's neck again with the edge of his hand. This time knocking him out.
"Take him to the prison. Make sure he can't use his spiritual powers."
"Yes sir!"
"How's the rest going?"
"You don't have to worry, everything is under control. The battle is practically over. I don't know if you realized it, but your fight with this guy really dragged on."
"Really?"
Shi ZhenXian looked up and only then noticed that the sun was now high in the sky. They had been fighting for at least four or five hours.
"I didn't realize. I'm going to take a quick look around to see if everything is okay."
"Ah-"he exclaimed, holding his head.
"Shixiong, if you feel tired from the fight, why don't you go and rest right away, I and the others will take care of it-"
"No no, it's my fault." He interrupted him, "Yesterday I was in a pitiful state, I can't let it have any more repercussions. I have to take responsibility."
Xu Xinyi said nothing else, he watched his Shixiong jump away in the direction of the main square. Even though the two only had the same master for a short time when they were young, they were very close.
Shi ZhenXian, from the hight of the branch of a tree, looked at the scenery that had been the background to his childhood and couldn't help but sigh. He wasn't the type to take himself too seriously, but in front of broken buildings, felled trees and the lifeless remains of those who had fought to the end, it was impossible to remain indifferent.
The battle was over, the only movements belonged to white shadows that collected and arranged the bodies of their companions.
That evening they would bury them quickly with a short ceremony. There were still too many problems to take care of.
Shi ZhenXian sat on that branch resting his head on the trunk.
Among the people he managed to spot the tired body of his Sect Leader. He seemed to have done well. Despite his advancing age, he was still the Sect Leader of the first Taoist Sect in the world, Guan Qiang. His skills and experience were not easy to match.
Against a tree a little further away from there, was laying the one who must have been the other Sect Leader, Li HengYuan. He was a man who despite his unorthodox methods and lack of moral integrity, had built himself, founded his own sect and had almost reached the pinnacle of martial arts.
But in demonic cultivation, obstacles are always around the corner.
At that point, Shi ZhenXian went downstairs and slowly walked towards his chambers.
Once inside, he put away his sword and slowly moved towards the mirror. After all this time, he could call himself presentable again. He was the same as before, no lively shadows colored his face anymore.
The air both inside and outside was heavy. Mount Qiyun was a silent and calm place. However, that day, the silence had a different flavor.