Spring Winds

Chapter 12: Bonding

"This," heaving up the stone steps, I grit my teeth as I force myself to continue upwards. "Sucks!"

Finally, atop a short landing, I can let myself get some rest. Dropping down the two buckets of water, I stretched my weak, shaky, and sore arms. How the hell did we get roped into this again?

Oh right. It's thanks to our 'wonderful' Master.

After the Senior Sister and I returned to Yu Lan Peak, our 'gracious' Master started our training immediately.

Who would've thought it would be just a super long list menial task like fetching water.

Or washing the mountain of dirty dishes

Or washing and mending Master's clothes

I don't see how this could help us advance in our cultivation or anything.

Master, are we your disciples or just glorified maids because to me, it's starting to look like we're doing all the chores that you are severely backed upon.

I'm starting to wonder if that's why Master chose us in the first place.

Senior Sister suggested that we bring up some outer sect disciples to start fixing up parts of the manor for us. However, Master rejected the thought.

"It would ruin the, um, the mystique of Yu Lan Peak, uh yeah," Master said while trying to think of an excuse. "Plus, think of this as a good bonding moment for you two sisters as you undertake difficult tasks and, um, train."

Mystique my a*s.

I'm sure after the disciple selection; many students have already been disillusioned, so what's a few more at this rate.

I heard the sound of wood hitting stone as Senior Sister dropped her bucket down, the water sloshing dangerously close over the edge of the wooden bucket.

Senior Sister winced as she rubbed her red hands as little cocoons started to form in the palms of her hands.

"Let me carry your bucket, Senior Sister."

Senior Sister flicked her eyes up to me as she stopped rubbing her hands. "No need," she said as she grabbed the bucket once more, blue veins protruding from her white hands as she struggled to lift it.

No need!?!

Senior Sister, do you think I couldn't hear you struggling to carry this bucket of water as water sloshes all over the place!

Look, your shoes and the front of your skirt is wet from the water lost!

Plus, it would be a shame for Senior Sister's beautiful hands to get messed up.

Compared to my tanned hands with layers of calluses on them, Senior Sister's were that of a noble young miss. White and smooth as if carved from the most exquisite mutton white jade.

"Too late, I'm stealing your bucket," snatching Senior Sister's bucket, I quickly picked up the other two with my free hand.

"Zhu Na Ran," Senior Sister cursed as I heard her attempt to run up the stairs after me.

"Hehe, want to carry it, come after me then," I smiled as I used up the remainder of my energy to skip up the remaining steps up to the next landing. Some of the water from the buckets spilled out from the jerky movements, and for that, I mentally shed tears.

My arms burned as I strained myself to keep pushing forward.

However, if it means that it would relieve Senior Sister from some hardship, then it would have been worth it.

Skipping up two more steps, I unceremoniously dropped the three buckets of water down, spilling a bit off the water as I did so.

"Ah, that was so painful," I groaned as I rubbed arms.

"Then," Senior Sister heaved behind me. "You shouldn't have done something stupid like that," and gestured to the trail of split water trickling down the stone stairs.

"Well, not all is lost," and pointed to buckets that were still more than half full. "See, we still have a decent amount anyway, so don't cry over spilled uh, water."

Senior Sister looked me in the eye for a while, her eyes narrowing by the second. A scary chill went down my spine before disappearing. "Fine, but if we need more water, then you have to go and fetch some more."

"Yes, sir!" I saluted. Whew, it was getting cold right there.

"Hmph," Senior Sister sighed as she picked up one of the buckets, this time with more ease, and walked ahead. "Try to keep up."

Smiling, I quickly picked up the other two buckets and chased after Senior Sister. "Hey, wait for me, Senior Sister."

---

"Bang! Bam!"

Lying still, I listened to the series of banging rang through the quiet night air.

Did a wild beast break into the manor?

Well, to be fair, there was no wall to block any animals from coming in, but there was still a barrier around this place.

Sitting upright, I look over to Senior Sister's sleeping form across the room. She didn't seem disturbed by the noise. Huh, I thought she was a light sleeper.

Slowly moving aside my padded quilt, I stealthy stood up from my sleeping mat. Reaching over to my boots, I slowly put them on.

"Bam! Bam!"

Freezing, I stopped to check if Senior Sister had any reaction to the sudden noise.

Ah, okay, none.

With the lightest footsteps I could muster, I tread across the dirt floor over to the door. Slowly pulling open the door, I cringed as it squeaked open.

Thankfully, Senior Sister didn't react once again.

Stepping outside, I carefully close the door behind me.

"Now, to find the source of the noise." Looking around, I checked to see if there was an intruder.

In the darkness of the night, I looked around to see if the barrier broke.

"Hmm, it doesn't seem disturbed," I mumbled as I checked for an opening,

"Bang! Bam!"

Turning my head to the noise, I narrow my eyes down in its direction. Could the beast be in the kitchen?

Zooming towards the kitchen, I arrived in front of the kitchen door. I noticed that the locking seal Senior Sister placed on the door broke.

Could this be a spirit beast that we're dealing with?

Steadying my breathing, I kick the door down.

However, no amount of mental preparation could have prepared me for what I had just witnessed.

Hunched over in the center of the kitchen on the floor was Master himself. Resembling some goblin, he froze in shock as he froze midway, eating a roasted duck leg. His beard and hair had bits of food stuck in them and grease stains on his lips, fingers, and clothes. Aside from the pile of bones and scrapes in one corner, these were the only evidence of his 'victims.'

Master stared wide-eyed at me.

I returned the stare with my shocked stare.

"So," Master gave a nervous laugh as he wiped the grease off his face with his sleeve. "Do you want some?" He held out his half-eaten duck leg towards me.

"Ah, this must be a dream, heh. I'll be goi-" This can't be happening.

"Wait! Wait, dear disciple," Master lunged at me and grabbed the hem of my clothes, staining them with the remaining grease on his clothes.

"Master, what are you doing," I hissed as I attempted to free myself for his iron grip. "Let go!"

"Dear disciple, don't tell your senior what you saw, alright?"

"Wah? Master, how do you expect me to keep this from Senior Sister! Look at this place," gesturing to the ruined kitchen; my heart panged a bit in pain.

After cleaning for so long, only for it to be ruined within a night.

"I know, I know! That's why you have to help this Master!"

"Didn't Senior Sister ban you from late-night snacks! What are you doing here in the first place?"

"I know, my disciple!" Master Luo sobbed. "I-I couldn't help myself! I don't even know what led me here! All that I could recall was sleeping then waking up here surrounded by food! I couldn't let go to waste! I just couldn't!" He cried but was still eating the duck leg as he used his free hand to keep a hold on me. "It's just so good!"

"When Senior Sister finds out, she-"

"She already has," instantaneously, a chill went down my spine.

"S-senior Sister," I smiled. "I thought you were asleep."

"Eh, I was," she nodded. "Until I woke to the sound of pots banging throughout the night."

"Oh, you too?"

"Eh, I had suspected that it was a beast that had broken into the kitchen for food," Senior Sister crossed her arms. "I suppose my guess wasn't too far off its mark."

"Hey! I am still your Master," Master huffed, "and I demand respect."

"Yes, and respect will be given if earned, Master. I had thought that this simple rule was simple enough for you to follow to take care of your health. However, you have proved to me that was too much of a task for you to follow."

"Hey, you don't need to be that harsh," Master mumbled.

"Master," Senior Sister continued. "Based on your selection of unhealthy dishes, I can conclude that you are not hungry, you're bored."

"W-well, it takes a lot of energy to cultivate okay."

"Then you should've taken a qi returning pill."

"Yeah, but-"

"Master," she cut in. "It's late. Junior Sister, you head back first. I'll stay here a bit longer."

"Uh, okay," I nodded as I edged towards the door. Looking back, I could see Master pleading with me to help him.

Sorry Master! This senior sister is too scary! I'll light some incense for you in the morning!