Chapter 44 - Gathering Clouds
Zhou, the largest nation on the grand continent, stretches from the Iron Mountains in the west to the Eastern Mountains of Qi in the east. It shares borders with the other three nations, with the longest border being with Chu. A few days' march north of New Hope City, beyond the Chu plains, a long natural barrier extends from west to east, dividing the two nations. This barrier is the southern face of the Zhou Plateau, commonly known by many as the Land of Eternal Light.
In the years leading up to the Crimson Century, the Zhou Plateau was inhabited by many Zhou citizens and martial artists. While it was not rich in resources, the plateau offered affordable and readily available land for settlement. Some of the higher areas of the plateau became homes to martial arts sects, as practitioners believed that being closer to the Heavens would aid in their cultivation.
In the early years following the Crimson Century, both the Zhou Plateau and the nation of Zhou itself remained relatively unchanged compared to the rest of the grand continent. With natural barriers along all three of their borders, the nation of Zhou was the least affected by the Crimson Century. This, coupled with their role as instigators of the century of bloodshed, led Zhou to commit the most resources to the restoration efforts.
As new roadways were constructed to facilitate the transport of raw materials from Zhou to the rest of the grand continent, the Zhou Plateau grew in popularity because it presented the easiest passage to the rest of the continent. With an increasing influx of people and activity, the once-small towns on the plateau flourished into bustling cities, and the previously lesser-known martial arts sects gained recognition and renown. Among these sects is the Heaven Steps Sect, named after their home atop a lofty land protrusion in the eastern reaches of the Land of Eternal Light.
As the years passed, the Heaven Steps Sect consistently succeeded in passing down their teachings to young and aspiring martial artists. Each successive generation shared their enhanced knowledge and enlightenment regarding the sect's martial arts with the next. Over time, the Heaven Steps Sect steadily expanded to the renowned powerhouse it is today, earning the respect and admiration in the martial arts world.
A young lady leans against the railing of a grand pavilion situated at the highest point within the Heaven Steps Sect. Her lashes flutter as she blinks in response to the oncoming breeze. Her long, dark hair, glistening in the sun with a subtle red hue, sways gently with the passing wind. The silky sleeves of her white robe, adorned with a golden stitch depicting a plateau and a sun, waves along with her hair. Resting her chin on her palms, she sighs as she gazes at the horizon.
"Sect leader…" She mutters as she brushes her bangs aside. "Under the Heavens… What could possibly make you move with such urgency?"
***
The sound of excitement rings out from the middle of a small estate. The courtyard at the center of the estate, although humble, is beautifully decorated by neatly trimmed bonsais of varying ages. Two girls run back and forth across the courtyard, laughing and giggling as one tries to catch the other.
"Hehehe! Lixue, you can't catch me!" The younger girl taunts as she seems to be almost gliding around the air, dodging all of the older girl's attempts to catch her. "Hehe! Try again!"
"You're too fast, Hanni!" The older girl laughs as she fails to tag her little sister once again. "Come here now, your hair is a mess. Let me fix it for you."
"Hmmm?!" The little girl exclaims as she sticks her head over the koi pond by the edge of the courtyard. Upon seeing the tangled mess of dark hair in the pond, she makes her way towards her sister. "Quickly quickly! What if someone sees?!"
"Who's going to see? We're at home, dummy!" Lixue laughs as she reaches her hands around Hanni's shoulders. The moment her palms pass the little girl's head, Lixue hooks her hands together, pulling the little girl into her chest. "Gotcha!"
"EHHHHHHH?! No fair! W-w-we- I mean y-you tricked me!" Hanni flails her hands as she voices her complaint. "That doesn't count!"
"Hanni, did I admit defeat?"
"...Well… I guess not… B-b-but you tricked me!"
"That's part of the game, isn't it?" Lixue chuckles as she pats the angry girl's head. "Besides, I'm not as fast as you, so I have to use my head to make up for it. Now, come inside. I'll comb it and braid it for you."
"Really?!" Hanni, forgetting her short moment of anger, grins at the thought of her sister braiding her hair. "Okay! You win. Hehe. Let's go!"
In her excitement, Hanni pulls her sister's sleeve a little too hard, causing Lixue to almost tumble onto the ground. The two laugh it off as they make their way out of the courtyard and into their house.
***
On the far east of the Zhou plateau, an elderly figure sits cross-legged, leaning against a large tree facing the setting sun. As the clouds roll by with the wind, they collide against one another to form larger clouds, blocking out the sun's rays. A breeze sweeps through the space between the clouds and the plateau, brushing against the figure. Despite the chill, there's no sign of shivering. With the last ray of light vanishing beneath the horizon, the figure's sharp eyes snap open.
It's time.
The figure rises, parting the overhang of their robe to reveal a slender blade. Holding the sheath with one hand, they wrap the other around the red-threaded handle. With a sharp metallic sound, they draw the sword from its sheath. With a flick of the wrist, the blade dances in a fluid motion around the figure before vanishing back into its sheath.
As the figure turns, leaves around them split before flying away by the wind. And as the leaves disappear into the young night, so does the elderly figure.