Spring Winds

"Snore!"

Sleeping on my shoulder, my junior sister peacefully snored as we rode the back of the wagon. Her veil was puffing up and down with each snore.

"Martial Aunt Ye, does Junior Martial Aunt Zhu always snore?" Seated in the driver's seat, one of our group members nodded his head towards Zhu Na Ran. I believe his name was Lang Hu. He was a disciple of Bu Qiong Peak as he donned black and red sect robes with white cloud patterns along his collar. I wasn't sure if he was the disciple of the head disciple or something, but that's irrelevant. He was apart of Zhu Na Ran's group as she specialized in martial arts.

"Yeah! I sometimes wonder if Martial Aunt is a Martial Uncle because of how loud she snores!" Another chimed in. This youth was from my department, Xie Fang. He was from Shan Xi Peak, indicated by his blue and white robes.

"Eh, I don't mind," I calmly replied while eyeballing Zhu Na Ran's sleeping form. However, ever since that incident back in Zhui Si City, my junior sister, has been on edge. She didn't drop her guard until we were at least a mile outside of the city. I wonder what made her so upset?

The other two disciples that were with us were also asleep. I don't blame them for sleeping. We've been rotating on driving the wagon for the past few days. It's bound to make them tired even if they cultivate well. They're still children, after all.

"Ehm…"

Zhu Na Ran shifted slightly on my shoulder, her brows scrunched up. Since my shoulder was becoming numb, I gently directed her head into my lap. Her body unconsciously followed the movement and repositioned itself so that she was sleeping on her back.

"Heh, Martial Aunt Ye, you care about your junior sister," Xie Fang pointed out.

"Ehm," I softly answered as I brushed her stray hairs off her forehead. Gently rubbing the crease between her brows, her face gradually relaxes. "I'm weak when it ever it comes to her."

"Hmm, you two have a solid sisterly bond," Xie Fang replied.

"Yeah," I answered softly. "... sisterly bond."

The rest of the trip had passed quietly. By the dawn of the next day, we've returned to the gates of the Yun Sect. Other groups arrived around the same time as all walked through the gates together with our groups.

"Hey, look, it's the Martial Aunts…"

"What? Really? They went on this mission too?"

"Do you think I have a chance?"

Excited whispers fluttered through the air as we walked through the gates. Ever since Zhu Na Ran defeated the disciple from Yun Duan Peak, Yu Lan Peak's name has been the latest topic of discussion for the last few months. Perhaps it's because not much is know about us and our status within the sect that seemed to have made us celebrities.

Master was over the moon on the flattery that he would receive from others. Especially the grand gifts that the families from the Summer Selection, made Master just a little bit greedy. However, I saw through all their false smiles and honeyed words. All they're want is to gain a foothold into our sect and attempt to push up their child to be a Master's disciple. Surprising, even a few approached my silly junior sister if she were willing to take in their child.

How could I let these tigers eyeball our peak?

As the head disciple of Yu Lan Peak, it was my duty to remind Master and my junior sister of our peak values. While they were busy reciting and copying our peak and sect scriptures, I had to chase those lecherous people off of our peak.

The things I do for these two.

"How did your mission go, Martial, Aunt?" A calm voice called out to us. A youth dressed in pristine white and silver robes approached us. His attitude and aura would make people think that he was a celestial that descended from the heavens.

"It went well," I curtly responded. I wasn't sure why this youth would want to talk to us after what my dear junior did.

"Hmm, the same could be said here," he responded with a slight smile. He tilted his head to the side as if trying to look behind me. "Hmm, I don't see Junior Martial Aunt with you," he said before flashing me a benign smile. However, I couldn't stop the slight shiver that his glaze gave me. All of the hairs in the back fo my neck seemed to have risen. His eyes were like that of a predator, starved, and crazed.

"She is busy with other tasks."

"I see," the youth said calmly, eyes narrowed and but did not discern any visible thoughts or emotions. It was almost like the youth was artificial; he didn't even seem human. "Well, Martial Aunt, I'll leave so you may continue your business. Farewell." He leisurely turned around and walked away, lost to the sea of disciples coming by.

Just what happened to him? He didn't give off this vibe the last time that we've seen him, which were only a few days; a week at most.

"Senior Sister! I'm done with work!"

A familiar call brought me back down from my thoughts. Roughly patting my shoulder, my junior sister gave me her usual bright smile. I didn't say anything and only looked at her hand on my shoulder and back at her.

"Oh, sorry," she said sheepishly and quickly removed her hand. "Are you ready to leave?"

"Ehm. Let's go."

The two of us made the hike back up Yu Lan Peak. It would've been more convenient if Master had escorted us back, or taught us how to use the transportation talisman; however, he was away on official business.

"Ugh," Zhu Na Ran groaned out.

"What's wrong."

"Ahh, I just wish that this sword would become useful." She shook her sect issued sword a bit before dropping her hand down limply. It was dull and was light gray with silver trimmings. Just an average sword that every disciple had for training before they could receive their own. To receive a personal sword, a disciple would need to pass an end of the year exam and accomplish an important task before they could have their sword forged. Most peak masters had a unique sword, even if they didn't practice martial arts or sword cultivation. Just having a unique sword of their own was quite an honor.

Anyways, my poor junior sister had been moping about carrying this sword ever since Master brought it to us to practice. She kept saying that martial artists shouldn't rely too much on their sword, as it can make them wander from their practice. I'm not sure where she got that idea from, but she needed to carry one out on each mission for safely, much to her chagrin.

"If only this could fly, then maybe it would be worth carrying."

"They can."

"Wha- what! Really!" She suddenly exclaimed. "Senior Sister, is what you're saying, true?"

"Eh, I've read that if you practice enough in cultivation, you can even fly. Making a sword fly would become as easy as breathing."

"Wha! Wow," she said in awe before her expression changed to a serious one. "What. Senior Sister, this isn't a ploy to make me practice more, is it?"

Yes.

"No. When have I ever lied to you?"

"Hmm," Zhu Na Ran narrowed her eyes suspiciously. She pranced around me as if trying to find a flaw in my words or see a crack in my mask. Hah, good luck with that, my junior. I've cultivated this mask since birth. Its essential muscle memory at this point. "Okay, I believe you, Senior Sister," she said hesitantly.

We walked for a bit longer before we arrived at the enchanted gate of Yu Lan Peak. To an untrained eye, it would appear that it would just be stairs leading up to a field of magnolia trees. However, in reality, it was a massive security array. If an unwelcomed intruder stepped into the magnolia forest, they would become lost in the field of trees, as the woods would shift in the position every so often. Never able to escape this maze of flowers once they entered.

The key was the Yu Lan Bell that Master had given to us. Surprising, this bell has more uses than expected. Like a blooming peony, it seems to keep revealing a new layer as time goes by.

Holding out our bells, they both ring at the same time, three times, before an opening in revealed in front of us. Stepping through the door, it closes quietly behind us, and all that is left is just a blooming forest filled with fragrant flowers.