AU: Unbroken 2 (Patreon)

This one really just kind of got away from me, and kind of didn't develop how I wanted.

Its supposed to be a lot more light hearted, and I couldn't focus on the right stuff.

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And So, I found my way to a piece of land. It was quite overgrown, and clearly untamed.

Just looking at it made something come undone in my chest. I reached into my cart, and scratched Big D under his wattles. My new pet crowed enthusiastically.

“You tell ‘em, Big D.” I said, as I pulled out my shovel and got to work.

Each day was a blessing.

The province was stunningly beautiful, with clean, clear water, verdant grass, and a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees—as well as just a touch of magic.

It was the colourful birds that danced through the air. It was the massive mushrooms in the forest that glowed at night. There was also a strange, fiery-feeling root that I found.

It was just enough to be beautiful, without being alien. The book on the local flora I had brought was proving its worth—because I had to forage for a lot of my food. That said, less of them were poisonous than I thought.

Each day I woke with the dawn, and each night I fell asleep after a filling dinner.

I stared at what I was building, and found it good.

So I gave everything I had to it.

There were some rough patches, of course. But Big D did his job well, alerting me to predators, and one beast in particular he kept running off. He was a good little boy, so he got extra herbs for his dedicated service.

Though one predator... Well, I let that one live. Big D alerted me to an injured young fox, limping along. I couldn’t bring myself to kill it.

So instead, I bandaged Basil Brush’s paw, and took care of him for a little. Just enough to heal. He was a bit of a lazy beast, content to be carried around and given scritches. Was he somebody’s escaped pet? Whatever the case, he stayed for a few days, before he vanished into the forest.

I wished Basil luck.

That said, I was kind of worried about him—the day after he left Big D killed a strange flying cat/bat thing that was twice his size.

He got hurt a bit, but a few herbs later, he was fine—and I wrote a sign to commemorate things.

I have to admit I was giggling the whole time I was carving it.

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“You couldn't evade a chicken, and eventually resorted to just approaching him?” Yun Ren asked his cousin Huohuo. 

The young woman’s face was crimson as he finished reading the report.

Somebody more experienced wouldn’t have done it… but due to Jin’s power, and his Young Mistress’ command to treat him gently, he had decided that it would be a good learning opportunity for the young ones.

But clearly, Huohuo had been promoted too early.

“It's a demon! It's not natural, it's definitely a Spirit Beast! And it worked out in the end!” She tried to defend herself.

“Fool.” Yun Ren deadpanned, and chopped her on the head. Her ears dropped, and she started to whine piteously. He sighed. She wasn’t going to learn anything like this. “So, what are your opinions of the observation target?”

“He's actually just a farmer. Like with rice paddies and everything. He spends all his Qi during the day, reinforcing the soil, and falls asleep every night out of exhaustion. He's normally mostly better by the morning, and then he does it all again. If he's actually cultivating, he's definitely not getting anywhere.” The young woman replied, looking just a touch confused. “The only thing  he's really cultivating are the Seven Fragrance Jewel Herbs. They’re in pots all outside his house, and the only thing he does with them is eat them—and he fed me a bunch because he thought I was hurt. They were so yummy!”

“And his fingers feel really good when they were scratching your ears.”

“Oh, man they were the best—” Huohuo cut herself off and started to sweat.

Yun Ren sighed and shook his head. Man, cute little Huohuo was already that age? Where did the years go?

“Dismissed.” he declared, and sent her on her way.

Yun Ren dismissed his agent, and earmarked her for additional stealth training, before turning to look out his window.

Jin had been telling the truth about farming, and by every metric he had been completely honest with them.

It was his job to be paranoid about things… but it was also really nice to have a potential problem scrubbed off the list.

Jin was just a farmer. And a kind one at that, if he would care for an injured fox.

He’d spread the word. Rou Jin was good people… and a good fit for Verdant Medicine Hill.

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Of course, I eventually ran out of some of my spices, and had to go back into town. I came with a couple of pelts, and some of the cool mushrooms I had found.

Even though I had said we would meet again, I didn't actually have too much hope that I would see Xiaoxing. She had her work, and Verdant Medicine Hill was a big place.

Yet to my surprise, she was there. We bumped into each other, not long after I finished my errands, and spent the rest of the day… and the next day, too, together.

It was really nice having somebody to talk to. We walked the city, visited the archive, and she even showed me inside the Medical school. We chatted about everything, including what the Spiritual Doctors did, and it was absolutely humbling to learn just how advanced these people were in the arts of healing. Even the mortal medicine was in some cases nearing the 1900’s in terms of complexity, as far as I could tell.

And it was really fun watching Xiaoxing talking so passionately about it—and to my surprise, she asked me my thoughts. I guess she was a teacher.

We ended up discussing everything that I half remembered from the stuff in the Before. I was a layman, and she, even as a mortal, basically had magical cure-all in formations and Spirit Herbs. So it probably wasn’t too helpful.

It was a fun couple of days, but soon enough I had to go back home. I extended the invitation for her to visit me, but a single woman travelling a few days out of town on her lonesome was probably a no go. Especially a scholar like Xiaoxing.

At the end of the day, I did purchase a couple more animals with the money I got from the things I sold. Two pigs. A boy and a girl. I named them Chunky and Peppa.

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Liangyue Liling was content as she sat in the innermost compound of the sect, taking tea, and playing mahjong with her closest friends, Nezin Hu Li and Tang Mei. The fox-eared woman was regaling them with a tale about one of her clanmates whose stealth had been foiled by a chicken, of all things, while Tang Mei was showing off the newest creation of her daughter, Meihua—an absolutely stunning set of medical needles. They were so sharp and fine a person wouldn’t even notice them piercing them.

She wished more of her family was available, but alas: Mei was working on something, and had the Xong brothers running about, and her dear husband was conducting her son’s exams.

Though out of them she really wished her Meimei was here. Yun Ren had said something quite interesting—

There was the sound of footsteps, and her daughter wandered in, looking slightly lost.

Liling smiled as her Meimei approached. She was looking forwards to having a light bit of teasing. It was not often that she got to do such things, her daughter was much too invested in medical matters.

“So, daughter, I heard that you spent a few days with a young man.”  Liling began with a smile.

“Yes, I did. It was great.” Liling paused at the easy admission and distraction in her voice.. Then Meiling dropped a sheaf of papers on the table. “He solved the wasting thirst.” 

“He what?” Liling blinked, wondering what the wasting disease, also known as Sweet Urine Disease, had to do with this. Liling wasn’t the best at medical pursuits: She was a formation crafter, not a healer. but she listened diligently to her husband and family—if only so that she could engage them in conversation about their passions. Largely incurable, even Qi filled reagents didn’t seem to work right in some cases. 

“He solved the wasting thirst disease. We were talking about medicine, and well, a lot of the stuff he thinks is really weird, but not entirely wrong if he couldn’t afford anything with Qi in it. Brilliant work arounds, really, and I’ve implemented some of them as a trial but thats besides the point.”

Meiling reoriented herself. “We got onto talking about mortal diseases, and he mentioned reading something where some Spiritual Doctor removed a bunch of pancreases from animals without killing them—and then they developed the symptoms of the wasting thirst. Jin mused that it was a humor of the pancreas that somehow was not being produced—and possibly, a healthy pancreas could be induced to produce more of this humor, and it could be extracted and administered as at least a balm to the symptoms. So I removed my pancreas, stopped regulating my body, and isolated every humour from it I could.”

Liling carefully refrained her sigh at her daughter casually mutilating herself—but that was the one thing she couldn’t scold Meiling for. Her father was exactly the same. “And, what did you find out?” Liling asked instead.

“I quite swiftly developed the symptoms of the wasting thirst over the course of the week, and then I found the humour that regulates it. Unmetabolized sugar in the blood, it's so damn obvious now.” Her daughter’s eyes were bright, and filled with something that Liling knew had been present in her eyes the day she had met Hong Xian. “I think I know how to actually fix it now, but it will require some reagents that aren’t exactly common. For those who can’t afford it? I’ll be able to make the humour soon enough. And I think I can make it in large enough quantities to make it cheap enough for mortals to afford.”

Liling felt her heart lurch at the passion in Meiling’s voice, and her Sworn Sisters wore similar expressions.

Meiling was making plans to go and visit after she refined things, and even talking about adding the boy’s name to the family medical formation as a contributor—an honour every doctor in the province desired—and many outside it.

This was likely going to cause problems. Politics were a bit difficult, concerning Meiling’s hand. An unfortunate reality of the world.

And a man in the first stage of the initiate’s realm, no matter how bright and kind, was not a good match.

At least, was not a good match for Hong Meiling.

She would have to speak to her husband about this.

Liling nodded along, as Meiling kept talking, however. At least until she noticed something.

“Daughter, you returned your pancreas to its proper location, did you not?”

Meiling’s eyes turned from wide and excited to slightly shifty. “I need more data on the effects and it's not like I actually need it—” Her daughter cut herself off at Liling’s stare. 

“Mei, yer gonna put yer organs back in yer body.” Liling said calmly in her harsh Pale Moon accent—the kind ubiquitous to Miners, and seeder types.

She went back to her room and put her pancreas back in.

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Some days were mundane. And some days were rather fantastical.

‘Here is your change.’ The enormous green bear said, as he dexterously fished the coins out from his pouch.

“Thanks, Paobu. This is really good stuff.” I said as I raised the jar. “I haven't had sweets in a while!”

The Spirit Beast smiled at me. Let me tell you I nearly shit myself when he came trundling out of the forest. He was as big as my house.

And then he bowed politely, stopping just outside my fence, and asked if I wanted to buy any honey. 

He gave me an entire spiel on how his honey was the best, and gave me a free sample… and dropped the bombshell on me that Big D was a Spirit Beast.

I must admit I was kind of dazed for the first part, and had just agreed to buying some. I had thought Big D was just a smart chicken, not a sapient one.

“Is it good? I asked the chicken, and he nodded.

The bear clapped his paws together happily.

With that mind screw out of the way, though, I turned to the Spirit Beast. He was basically just a big, green, happy looking bear.

“So how does one become a honey seller, anyway?”

‘Honey is tasty. Everybody should love honey, and I wished to see the lands outside the forest.’ The bear said. ‘Everybody thought Paobu was strange, but here he is! His first customer!’

“Well, I'm honoured to be your first customer.” The bear brightened up even more. Big D was watching the entire exchange curiously, but he was satisfied with how the bear had bowed before coming in.

I ended up treating him to lunch, and we talked shop for a while. It was surreal as hell, but also kind of fun.

“You just go and find the hives in the forest? That's not very sustainable if you have repeat customers, though is it? Why don’t you use a frame hive, and have a bunch of drop off locations?”

‘A frame hive?’ The bear asked curiously.

“Yeah here, lemmie show you.”

By the end of it, his eyes were sparkling.

And that was how I got a Brother Bear.

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“Ah, man, how do you do this to yourself all the time? I'm clumsy, blind and deaf!” Meiling studiously ignored Gou Ren’s constant complaints about the Qi suppressing poison as they walked towards Jin’s farm. The man always complained incessantly about everything—but he never failed to get the job done.

“So your natural state, then.” Meiling sniped, and Yun Ren started chuckling from beside her, while Gou slumped at the stake to his heart. He was clearly plotting vengeance, however. Well, she welcomed it at any time. It kept her sharp.

“You should know better than to complain to our princess. She's a merciless slave driver.”  Yun Ren said. His hair was black and his ears and tail were absent. He was a bit tired, after his return from the Cloudy Sword Sect; Not that it had been especially a hard “infiltration.” He just asked to see the herb gardens, and they agreed. He had determined that no, they hadn’t been stiffing them on the herbs. Those were the best ones—and they knew of nobody who produced better.

Which said some things. Things Meiling needed to confirm.

Or at least that was the excuse. She just wanted a bit of a relaxing time after the sudden excitement last week.

A Forest Bear of all things came to the gates of Verdant Medicine Hill. The normally reclusive Spirit Beasts were rarely seen, but this one, was, of all things, selling honey.

For what the Spiritual Realm Spirit Beast wanted or needed the money for she had no idea, especially because the honey was just normal, mortal honey, but he was perfectly within his rights, enshrined in the old ways.

So Meiling had to calm the commotion down, and process his application, referencing thousands of years old laws.

The bear had sold all his honey in a couple hours. The novelty was the big reason. Hells, Meiling had brought some herself, and it was good honey.

Soon, though, they both arrived at the farm. There was a sign upon it that declared, in extremely good calligraphy, “Beware of Chicken”.

They paused. Meiling raised an eyebrow as a scent hit her nose; the smell of the moon.

“He has really good calligraphy.” Gou Ren said, as he scratched his chin. “But really, beware of chicken?”

It was at that movement when a head dropped down at their feet. The head of a hawk.

The chicken gazed down at them, and Meiling pretended to be shocked, while Gou’s mouth dropped open.

The Spirit Beast bowed to them.

Meiling couldn’t help but stifle some laughter.

But, by the old laws of the Azure, they bowed back, polite, as if it were another human greeting them. Satisfied, the rooster showed them in—to were Jin was working shirtless in the rice paddies, starting to bring in his harvest.

“Yer drooling, Xing’er.” Gou Ren jabbed.

Meiling introduced the brothers as her cousins, escorting a mortal lady.

They ended up staying, and helping him bring in his harvest. It was amusing three Earth Realm cultivators doing peasant’s work.

And yet… it was not truly onerous, because the company was good. Both Yun And Gou were drawn into Jin’s tireless energy and cheerful, joking demeanour. Meiling actually started to feel a bit left out, as the boys started being boys.

But it was a fun day. A peaceful day.

And then Jin showed them his Spiritual Herbs.

The things were practically dripping with iridescent dew; and instead of seven faint scents it was like it was perfumed. The smell was heady and intoxicating.

“Yeah, they’re my seasoning. They’ve been growing really well! You guys can have as much as you’d like.”

“...would you be willing to sell these to the medical academies and the sect?” Meiling asked.

The man scratched his chin.

“Well sure, but I won't be able to do too many. They’re a little finicky to grow right.”

They stayed the night, after having an absolutely delicious meal, Meiling was tempted to… well. Do something improper.

But she was the Young Mistress of the Immortal Medicine Sect. She could not.

The next day, Jin brought out a cart, and a cultivator willingly acted like a mule for people who he thought were mortals.

Part of Meiling thought he shouldn’t degrade himself so. The other part grew more attached to the honest, humble soul he was.

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I ended up spending the Mid-Autumn festival in town, together with Hu Lian and Huo Ji, Xiaoxiao’s cousins. They were good folk. Hu Lian had a wicked sense of humor, and Huo Ji was just a solid guy—they really liked the idea of hockey and lacrosse when I started explaining it.

We partied, had drinks, and watched the dragon dance that was performed by Hong Xian himself—the Master of the Immortal Medicine Sect did the dance on a flying sword, soaring through the sky. The puppet was insanely lifelike—and apparently used actual dragon scales, the shed skin of the Lord of the Lake.

I still didn’t entirely get the Azure Mountains Culture, but apparently the Sect Master was also some kind of priest as well; he had a lot of different religious obligations he had to perform.

It was a lot different than what I was expecting, if I was honest. In a good way.

I also made two new friends. An old lady, who was blind in one eye, and I guess her husband? An older man who was missing his arm, and was so horrifically scarred it was a wonder he was still alive.

They heard I was a farmer, and to my immense surprise, they gave me a gift: a kitten. Because every farm needed a kitten, apparently.

Whatever the case, I spent a lovely time, and returned home. Big D was there to greet me, along with Chunky and Peppa. The carp who had been nibbling my toes jumped out of the water too.

I loved my life. I had some friends. I had my farm. I was thankful for every moment.

I worked. Each day I pumped my Qi into the earth; for I had no use for it, other than to nourish the land around me.

I was a free man. Free from all the bullshit of cultivators. Free from the battles and politics.

Free from the cruelty of the world.

I was a nobody, and I loved it.

I would live out the rest of my days here. On a little slice of heaven I’d made for myself.

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That night, I dreamed. I dreamed of a grassy field. It was beautiful, and warm, with a breeze that flowed and made things perfect.

And.. I was not alone.

She was a rather short woman, with brown hair, freckles across her nose, and bright blue eyes. She had a tattoo on one of her hands that dissapeared up her sleeve; it looked to be designed like a stylized flower.

Her presence was massive, despite her size. She felt like a mountain. She walked towards me, all regal and ethereal, and we got to talking. She told me her name, and asked me not to make a big deal out of it.

My only response was that I had no fucking clue who she was.

She seemed to find that very funny for some reason.

But.. well, she told me about the Path of Shennong. About the past, about her good friend Xiaoshi, and how this would help the province. She seemed rather apologetic, when she told me that I would never be an immortal, or challenge the heavens if I took her hand. That I would one day die of old age, surrounded by friends and family.

Honestly, the dream deal sounded like a good one. So I agreed.

I thought that would be the end of it, but apparently I'm stupid.

Because I woke up looking into Tianlan’s eyes.

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Honestly, things didn’t change too much; There were no grand quests, no world ending threats that I knew of.

I just got a new friend who enjoyed pranking me entirely too much. Some days she even formed an earth-construct body to do it, the ass.

But she liked my ideas. She loved my farm.

And she swore to me I would have a good, long life.

Of course, thats when life got complicated.

Xiaoxing met up with me at the medical academy to show me that they had actually managed to synthesize insulin out of my half-assed explanation.

I was so shocked that I sat down heavily on the big fancy stone chair in the giant lecture room.\

The thing lit up like a gamer chair, in five colours, and there was a pulse that ran through the room.

Xiaoxing stared at me, her mouth open.

‘Aw, shit.’ I heard Tianlan mutter in my head.

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