Chapter 40 The Spirit Refining Technique
Li An waited for the empress to start with her plans, but all of a sudden, something strange happened. The two spies the empress sent suddenly disappear without a trace of them. Then she noticed that the side of the empress suddenly became eerily quiet. It was very unnerving as Li An did not know what the empress was thinking.
She decided to stealthily visit the palace and the empress' chambers. She wanted to know why the empress with her grudge suddenly stopped her plan.
The silvery moon cast long shadows across the imperial palace as Li An, now a slender figure draped in darkness, slipped past vigilant guards and silent corridors. Her senses heightened, she moved with the grace of a shadow, her small form blending into the night as she approached the Empress's courtyard.
Word from her patients in the clinic had hinted at disturbances in the palace: nobles whispered of conflicts with the emperor, all somehow circling around the empress, Su Mu Fang. Li An's curiosity, already piqued, had grown sharper at the thought that someone in the palace might be targeting her or Concubine Su.
As she neared the Empress's quarters, she stopped by a tall silk screen wall, partly obscured by the thick leaves of a willow tree that shielded her from sight. She peered into the courtyard. Flickering lanterns barely held back the night, casting a dim, orange glow over the scattered remnants of broken ceramics and toppled furnishings. The sight of destruction was unusual here, and a strange, heavy tension lingered in the air.
Inside the main hall, she caught a glimpse of the empress seated by a low table, her figure slouched, her usually pristine gown creased. Her hair, typically a work of perfection, was now unkempt. Su Mu Fang's face bore faint bruises, and her eyes were hollow with exhaustion, the dark circles beneath them a testament to her sleepless nights. Li An's gaze sharpened. Something had definitely shifted in the palace. Despite her age, she could tell that these signs of disarray didn't just come from inner struggles. The empress was enduring turmoil inflicted by someone else—someone very close.
Through the cracked window, murmured voices drifted out from the main hall, faint but discernible. Li An leaned closer, listening carefully.
"Her presence here must be curtailed immediately," came the gruff voice of a senior eunuch. "This growing sympathy for Concubine Su garners is a threat. Our orders are clear—to eliminate any influence she holds."
The empress's voice, typically commanding and authoritative, sounded weak. "Yet, haven't we been doing just that? Ever since her downfall, we've tried to ensure her confinement or death in the Cold Palace. But everything failed. I have a hunch that it was that goblin child that did all these. I'm out of ideas… What else do you suggest?"
"Efforts haven't been sufficient, Your Majesty," the eunuch replied tersely. "Perhaps even the girl—Li An—should be attacked constantly. However, you have withdrawn our spies…"
Li An felt a chill run down her spine as her name hung in the air. She clenched her fists, her youthful face set in an expression far older than her years. In her heart, she knew the Empress's disdain was mostly aimed at Concubine Su, yet she had already included her, a child, in their schemes—it was something she wouldn't forgive. Yet, the empress merely sighed, as though tired of this endless conflict.
"Enough!," Su Mu Fang said, her voice devoid of conviction. "Do whatever it takes, but avoid attention. As for the girl, forget her; she's of no consequence if her foster mother can be controlled."
Li An pulled back, heart pounding, as realization dawned on her. This wasn't just about petty jealousy or squabbles; this was about power, influence, and control—a ruthless game of survival. To the empress, she and Concubine Su were obstacles to be suppressed.
Li An shook her head softly, her lips curving into a humorless smile. She understood now that the empress and those in her circle would stop at nothing to maintain their grip over the emperor, even if it meant destroying the lives of innocents. She would remember this night well. As she stepped back into the shadows and slipped away from the courtyard, her mind was already planning her next steps. She would need to be vigilant, and so would her foster mother.
…
The days went by swiftly, and soon, Li An found herself facing a moment she'd long awaited: her eighth birthday. She sat cross-legged in the Cold Palace courtyard at dawn, taking in the first rays of light with a quiet sense of triumph. Now, she could finally begin the Spirit Refining Technique and practice it with Seedee.
The Spirit Refining Technique had been the subject of her study for weeks now. It was a technique of ancient origin, intended not only to enhance her physical abilities but also to prepare her body to form an energy core. Her journey with Seedee had brought her to this pivotal point, the beginning of her journey to mastery over spirit and body alike.
As the morning light spilled across the sky, Li An took a deep breath, feeling the energy around her shift and flow, brushing against her skin. She began to concentrate, focusing inward until the world around her faded away. She visualized her energy, letting it grow and pulse within her, and slowly but surely, she felt a warm sensation build in her chest—a budding core of energy.
Seedee materialized beside her, his figure shimmering faintly in the morning light. His voice, soft and encouraging, filled her mind.
"Remember, Li An, this is the beginning. The Spirit Refining Technique is a foundation, a means to create your core and strengthen your body, mind, and spirit in harmony. In time, you'll grow stronger, and your energy will be a force to reckon with."
Li An nodded, her expression calm but determined. She focused on her breathing, directing her energy flow from her core through her limbs, channeling it to each fingertip and toe, feeling her body warm with power. It was like nothing she'd ever experienced—a calm and potent strength coursing within her.
For hours, she meditated, her small body poised and focused. As she continued, she felt her body grow warmer, denser, more resilient. With each pulse of energy, her muscles strengthened, her senses sharpened, and she could feel her skin toughen, as though a protective layer was slowly forming beneath.
When she finally opened her eyes, the morning sun had risen high above the horizon, casting a golden hue over the Cold Palace courtyard. She exhaled slowly, feeling a renewed sense of vigor. She had reached a new level, and while she was only at the beginning, her confidence grew.
Concubine Su, who had been watching silently from a distance, approached, her face alight with both pride and a hint of concern. "Li An," she began softly, "you've worked so hard for this day. But remember, with power comes responsibility—and danger, especially here in the palace."
Concubine Su has been aware for sometime now that Li An is practicing something that most people know as internal energy. This is practiced and used by some of the most powerful warriors in the continent. Though it is rare for a girl to practice internal energy as, according to the ancients, their body is not built for fighting, she did not stop Li An from practicing it.
Li An smiled up at her foster mother, her eyes brimming with both innocence and the wisdom of someone far beyond her years. "I understand, Mother. I'll be careful. But this power isn't just for me—it's for us. To protect what we cherish."
Concubine Su reached down, gently brushing a hand over Li An's hair. "I'm proud of you, Li An. I have no doubt that you'll achieve greatness. But remember, patience is a virtue too."
Days turned into weeks, and Li An dedicated herself to mastering the Spirit Refining Technique. She trained her body and honed her energy, all the while carefully observing the shifting dynamics within the palace. She remained acutely aware of her surroundings, her young mind noting every change, every lingering glance, every whisper that came her way. It was as though a new clarity had awakened within her, allowing her to read the undercurrents of the palace with startling insight.
Yet, despite her growing power, she continued her work in her humble clinic, attending to the minor ailments of palace staff and occasionally the noble ladies who trusted her discreet skills. She knew that blending in, staying unassuming, was her greatest strength.
One afternoon, while treating a maidservant with an herbal remedy for persistent headaches, she overheard a pair of officials outside discussing the Empress's continued frustrations with Concubine Su's presence in the palace. One of them laughed bitterly.
"Imagine that… the mighty Empress being thwarted by someone banished to the cold palace. If her jealousy didn't cloud her judgment, she'd realize the real threat is the emperor himself."
Li An's heart skipped a beat. It was as she had suspected—the emperor's recent coldness toward the Empress was more than just marital tension. There were larger forces at work, and Li An understood now that she needed to strengthen herself quickly.
That evening, as she practiced the Spirit Refining Technique once more under Seedee's guidance, her mind was filled with determination. One day, she would rise above this palace's intrigues, a place where power and jealousy held sway over reason and compassion. She would become strong enough to protect her foster mother, strong enough to challenge even the Emperor if need be.
"Seedee," she whispered as her energy flowed rhythmically, "do you think I'm destined for something greater?"
Seedee's eyes glinted, his voice a soft, steady reassurance. "Yes, Li An. But destiny is something you will carve out yourself, with each choice and each trial. You are on the path to greatness, but it will be paved by your own hands."
Li An's eyes shone with an unspoken promise, her spirit undaunted by the challenges ahead. With her energy core beginning to take form and the Spirit Refining Technique strengthening her every day, she knew she was ready to face whatever trials awaited her, even those hidden deep within the shadows of the imperial palace.
For now, she would wait, training in the quiet sanctuary of the cold palace.