"Come, tell me, what do you think of my Golden Tide Martial Sect?" Zhang Buyan said, gesturing broadly to the bustling sect full of disciples in light yellow robes bearing the wave crest of the sect. "It must be very different from your own mysterious sect," he said, wondering if the young Artist would divulge more about his affiliation now that they were away from the banquet.
"Actually, it's surprisingly similar," Wu Ling said, taking in the disciples hauling in nets full of fish or traps containing shellfish from the boats leading to a bustling fish market attached to the sect. "My sect is full of artists plying their craft but I didn't expect to see your sect so engaged in fishing."
For someone who had grown up in the Shining Blade Hall, the Golden Tide Martial Sect hardly felt like a martial sect at all. At times, when he was very young, Wu Ling thought that it was normal for a person to almost always have one hand wrapped around the hilt of a sword, either real or practice. It wasn't until he'd expressed this to his father that he'd been shown to the places where cultivators who awakened a second path as scholars dedicated themselves to the study of common laws or pursued other knowledge that supported their virtues.
Still, to encounter a disciple of the Shining Blade Hall copying books or engaging in any pursuit other than martial training was a rare exception. At the Golden Tide Martial Sect, however, it seemed to Wu Ling that half the disciples were too busy hauling nets, cleaning fish or mending sails to have any time to cultivate!
"Every sect runs on a combination of silver, gold, and spirit crystals Brother Wu," the burly man said with a hearty laugh. "Our unawakened candidates and early-stage Brawlers work the boats to train their bodies on the waves, hauling nets and attuning themselves with the waters. More seasoned disciples hunt spirit beasts that live within the lake but the population isn't nearly large enough to sustain much training there so we must venture elsewhere to test our might."
Within a few short minutes, Zhang Buyan had secured a space for them at a bustling cafeteria by the lakeshore. Only when he had set a large bowl of hearty whitefish stew and a generous portion of rice in front of his guest did Zhang Buyan truly regard his new friend critically. While it was true that Wu Ling wore a trace of black paint around his eyes, dark circles could also be seen beneath them and his aura felt depleted in a way that suggested the young Artist had been drawing heavily on his energy reserves recently.
"Brother Wu, are you well?" Zhang Buyan asked directly. "You look as though you haven't slept in some time. How can this brother help you?"
"Is it so obvious Brother Zhang?" Wu Ling said with a tired chuckle. "I had thought I put myself together better before I made the trip across the Outer Wards." Of course, he'd napped in the carriage ride over but that only contributed to his slightly disheveled appearance. "The truth is, I haven't slept much these past days because my sister Xiang, you remember Su Xiang from the banquet, yes? My Sister Xiang has offended a pair of Elders in her sect and is being suppressed because of it," he explained, picking at the delicate fish in the soup and eating without tasting much of the rich broth's flavor.
"It seems this happens in every sect," the burly man said, resting a meaty hand on Wu Ling's shoulder. "Is that what brings you here today? I had hoped that you would come for a pleasurable visit but seeing your face, I doubt that's the case."
"Brother Zhang sees things clearly," Wu Ling said, setting his chopsticks down and giving the other man an evaluating gaze, as though pondering how much he should say before he finally spoke again. "I've spoken with my sister's family, you may also remember her uncle Su Jixin from the banquet. He reminded me of your interest in a hunting expedition and suggested that we take my sister Xiang along with us as soon as she's released from her 'period of contemplation' in a few days," he explained, carefully watching the older Brawler's eyes for his reaction.
"You don't have to come with us," Wu Ling offered politely. "My sister and I are both trying to make our breakthroughs to the second stage before we return, but if you're willing to, I believe I may have found a destination that is worth your while to visit with us."
"So that's how it is," Zhang Buyan said, scratching his beard in thought. "You want to stay away long enough to return with some accomplishments that can shield her from the Elder's displeasure. Ha! It's not like I've never had to do the same," he said with a hearty laugh, clapping Wu Ling heavily on the shoulder.
"When I failed to become a Soldier by twenty and had to be sent out of the Inner City, my father was furious! I was assigned to the worst manual labor standing in fish guts up to my knees for the hottest summer months. Then, when I finally had a chance to go hunting, I didn't come home until I'd slain a Golden Tailed Stag and brought home its horns as a gift of atonement."
"Even if she doesn't manage her breakthrough," Zhang Buyan said. "I believe that we will surely have achievements sufficient to boast of that those Elders will plaster over whatever offense has perturbed them. Brother Wu shouldn't hang his head so low," he said, giving Wu Ling's shoulder a firm squeeze. "Trust your Big Brother Zhang to help you both!"
"Brother Zhang, we've only met the once," Wu Ling said with a cautious smile. "You're willing to adjust your plans and go so far with us to help my sister and I?"
"If you want someone who thinks long and makes deep plans, then speak to Fan Chaoyang or Fang Lin. They make careful arrangements and have many considerations," Zhang Buyan replied, waving his hand as though shooing away the other Young Lords like flies.
"I knew from the moment you were bold enough to instruct me in posing to attract a woman's eye that you were a man who would be a sincere friend given the chance. Seeing you fight Brother Xiong, I couldn't be more convinced that you're the kind of friend I need more of. But Brother Wu, I will not help you for free," he continued, placing a thick forearm on the table and leaning in close to speak in quieter tones. "There is a kind of help I need from Brother Wu and perhaps it will help with our expedition as well…"