Once questions of leadership had been resolved, Wu Ling's group progressed as quickly as they could away from the Pilgrim's Road and any signs of civilization. Were the group restricted to the Martial path cultivators among them, they likely would have moved several li further, however, neither Fang Lin nor Yu Jinqi were accustomed to this type of physical exertion.
"I know Brother Fang and I are weak," Yu Jinqi acknowledged when they finally stopped alongside a swift-moving stream to camp for the night. "But Brother Wu isn't a Martial cultivator. How have you kept this pace so well?"
"Never underestimate the legs of a zither player," Wu Ling said with a wry smile as he surveyed the place they'd chosen to rest for the night. "We kneel for hours at a time playing to entertain. Compared to a day of kneeling and playing, a day of walking isn't so bad."
"Brother Ling used to practice the sword with me before the Shining Blade Hall cast him and his mother out," Su Xiang added while she cleared a space to start a small fire. "And his mother was a renowned blade dancer. Not all artists are as sedentary as scholars," she said, a hint of warm pride in her sworn brother coloring her voice.
"It seems. Leader Wu. Can do anything." Fang Lin panted, slumping against a nearby tree. They had barely covered twenty li today but the trails they'd followed had all been rough paths worn by animals and occasional cultivators over the years and the terrain had taken a toll on the refined scholar.
His fine robes were in disarray, his brow was covered in sweat and several long strands of hair had escaped the neat bun he'd set his hair in at the start of the day. If he looked, he was certain that he'd even find bits of leaves and sticks caught in the expensive silks of his robes from hours spent trudging along the narrow trails. The fact that Wu Ling not only wasn't even winded, but looked just as pure and pristine as when they'd set out this morning only irritated the young lord more.
"I can't do everything," Wu Ling said with a light-hearted grin. "For example, I'll be counting on Brother Fang to place a formation ward around our camp. We won't be able to set any tents until we know the area protected by Brother Fang's work," he said, offering the young lord a slight bow over cupped hands.
"Oh, Brother Fang," Jin Wuya chimed in. "Do you know the Obscuring Veil Formation? Sister Su and I would appreciate a screened area to bathe that's close to camp if you can indulge us," she said, her eyes shining in anticipation of a cold plunge to wash off the day's dirt and sweat.
"You all…" Fang Lin started softly. "What kind of ward do you want? A formation that sounds an alarm and provides no barrier can be one hundred paces on a side, a barrier that can stop an attack from a middle-stage Brawler not more than twenty paces on a side," he said helplessly.
At the moment, he wanted nothing more than to remove his boots and place his aching feet in the stream while the women prepared an evening meal but it seemed like he'd have to work for his supper.
"No need for an alarm, I'll paint a few bullfrogs to watch over us," Wu Ling said, his eyes already looking for good spots to paint a rock. "No need to stop serious attacks either, since we'll have an alarm to warn of threats, just construct a barrier that keeps out pests and camp scavengers," he instructed. "You have no idea how often Sister Xiang and I wished we had something to keep raccoons out of our supplies on our last expedition."
"Fifty paces across then," Fang Lin said, pushing off the tree and pulling out a collection of small golden flags and engraved jades. "Should I mark the barrier lines with chalk for everyone to see?"
"I think we all have keen enough senses to work it out if you tell us where the points are," Wu Ling said, looking around the group for confirmation. "If you need anything moved out of your way, I'm sure Brother Zhang can help," he added.
"I'm going for a walk," Xiong Dahuo announced, pulling a brace of throwing knives out of his own cosmos bag. "I'll see if I can bring back anything to roast."
"Brother Xiong," Yu Jinqi said hesitantly. "Can I accompany you? There may be edible herbs or mushrooms I can harvest while you hunt. That is, if I won't be a bother and disturb you."
"Look at you, working hard to grow a spine! Since when were you so brave?" Xiong Dahuo teased, clapping a hand on the young alchemist's shoulder. "Of course, you can follow me, but when I say be still, you don't move a muscle. If I find something mighty to kill, you can help carry it back too," he laughed, wrapping his arm around the scholar's shoulders and leading him away from the camp.
As Wu Ling painted his first bullfrog, he looked over the group that had come together for this adventure and breathed a relieved sigh. While he appreciated everyone's vote of confidence in his leadership, the truth was that none of this would have come together without Zhang Buyan's circle of friends. The older man graciously gave way for Wu Ling to take the lead but things wouldn't have come together with this much trust and respect if there weren't existing bonds to build on.
If Wu Ling wanted to maintain his position, what he needed to deliver to this group was real gains. Fang Lin's participation in this expedition was so unexpected that he hadn't developed any plans to deliver benefits to the young lord that would silence his constant objections and build enthusiasm for the journey.
As chess pieces went, Wu Ling firmly labeled Fang Lin as an adversary that he would have to overcome before he had any hope of turning him into a piece he could rely on.