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95.34% Learning To Live As A Cultivator / Chapter 307: Chapter One Hundred and Seven - I experience Deja Vu

Chapter 307: Chapter One Hundred and Seven - I experience Deja Vu

Deja Vu.

That was what Leon experienced with a slight shudder as he stepped through the door of the shop.  In the late summer of the previous year, when the relationship between himself and Jin Li had been verging on the ambiguous, although he'd still been considered half a servant at that time, Leon had stepped through shop doors to a similar scene.  Of course, there were differences.

At that time, it was Mr Clawse not Ursam who had been confronted by this pair.. or at least he thought it was this pair, he recognised the scorpion robes rather than the individuals, and Jin Li had not been with him.  And at that time he'd been holding lowly clear spiritual pills amongst other things, which had convinced them he was not worthy of their attention.  Perhaps they did not remember him?

His stomach sank as the woman's eyes scanned over him before narrowing in thought.

Ursam spoke quickly in an attempt to divert their attention.  "Listen, although this humble shopkeeper cannot help you with the matter that you spoke of, I do have many wonderful pills in stock!  In fact, I am one of the few in town to be able to sell the variant Energy pills directly!  Perhaps you might be interested in these instead?"

"Humble?" Jin Li snorted beneath his breath, but though he said this, he did catch Ursam's roundabout words.  He did not know the Xie Wei Sect, he did not know their reputation nor general manner, but he was not stupid.  He had also seen the tiny flinch his lover had produced as he'd stepped through the door to see these two people.  Ursam said they wanted pills, his small alchemist instantly became alarmed at their presence.  His alchemist was the only source of certain unique pills and seeing that Ursam had stated that the pair had not enquired after the variant Energy Pills, then it was likely they sought those variant Blood pills instead.  Well, he could be wrong.  His small alchemist was a nervous rabbit after all.

He was not wrong.

That woman did not take her predatory eyes of his small alchemist and instead languidly spoke a few words; "So, this student of the Institute supplies you with his pills as well."

"Students without wealthy backgrounds need to make money some how," Ursam reminded her.  "I feel pity for them, so whenever there is space upon my shelves, I try to sell a few things for them."

The woman glanced slyly about.  "There doesn't seem to be much room on any of your shelves," she pointed out.

"Indeed!  It's a shame that I won't be able to help this time," Ursam stated matter of factly, while his eyes flickered for a moment in Jin Li's direction.  If he had the ability to send Jin Li a written message in this stare, it would have read; 'Take your man away quickly.'  Unfortunately, there were no words.  However, Jin Li still managed to understand.  He even chose to obey them, while thinking if it were just himself, he would never flee from battle.  But he didn't want his small alchemist hurt, so he grabbed Leon's hand.

"Then this Lord and alchemist will return another day," he bowed slightly before tugging Leon towards the door.  He failed in his retreat.

Just as he had been momentarily (very momentarily, unlikely to ever happen again) in tune with the pervert, the burly man was very much in tune with his woman.  He blocked their way as the woman called for them to wait.

"I don't believe that you dear students need to leave so swiftly," she offered a smile that seemed warm but a little sinister at the same time.  "Don't mind us, conduct your business first."

"No, no," Ursam attempted one last time to protect the golden egg that was Leon.  He favoured this constant source of income!  His wife would beat him silly with her broomstick should he lose, hurt or otherwise inconvenience the youth who she'd grown fond of!  Worse, he might have to sleep in the shop again!  "It's as you say, my shelves are full!"

"Take out the things you wish to sell," the woman encouraged Leon, fixing her dark eyes upon him.  He shivered, thinking he could see a cold flame within them, but slowly pulled out a jade bottle from his interspatial bag.  It was snatched from his hand by the burly man and Leon couldn't help but let out a slight squeal.  He felt Jin Li's arms pull at him and carefully he was sheltered behind his lover's back.  He grasped Jin Li's hand and squeezed it gently, trying to convey that he was fine and that Jin Li needn't worry.

As he tried to restrain Jin Li's fury, the woman had taken the jade bottle from her companion and opened it.  Leon's heart raced in his chest, his eyes unblinkingly fixed upon the open bottle as a familiar and slightly rusty scent oozed out of it.  The woman frowned as she glared into the bottle of muddy red pills, before replacing the stopper and tossing it back towards him with a look of disdain.  Jin Li caught the jade bottle as the woman muttered; "Really only worthy of pity."

Leon released the breath his was holding slowly as he hid the triumphant expression in his eyes by staring at the floor. 

"Come." Deciding that she was wasting her time here, the woman commanded her companion to join her and together they stormed out of the door.  "Don't think this is over!" She left a parting shot aimed at Ursam.

The pervert sighed.  "High maintenance and too unpleasant a personality, a shame.  She'd be almost as pretty as my wife if she wasn't so... ah Leon, Jin Li!" He glanced at the bottle of pills still in Jin Li's hand with a slightly bewildered expression.  "Those burning energy pills... it's not like I can't purchase them, as a favour, but... well their not exactly of decent quality, I really can't offer you much."

"Ha ha," Leon laughed with a small breath of both amusement and relief, before glancing over his shoulder to make sure there was no sign of that pair from that sect. He claimed the bottle from Jin Li's hand and unstoppered it, releasing once more that slightly rusty scent. He poured the contents out onto the counter surface, watching as the pills rolled away from each other and making sure none fell and spoiled. One by one they became as crimson as the bright red robes that woman had been wearing, with the exception of the last. The scent also altered, becoming more firey and spicy, smothering the little rusty smell remaining. He picked up the crimson pills one by one before placing them back in the jar and only the mirage pill remained on the counter. "These six are B-Bursting B-Blood Pills," he grinned, happy that he'd decided to add the mirage pill to these pills in the end.

But unexpectedly, Ursam didn't look pleased, in fact he looked a little horrified, his eyes not tearing themselves away from the trick pill. "This pill..." he pointed to it, but a distance remained between his finger and the offending object.

"It's c-called a M-Mirage P-Pill," Leon advised him, tilting his head slightly confused about Ursam's reaction. "I j-just recently learned t-to m-make them."

"Ah ha," Ursam's laugh was without mirth as he looked up at Leon and the man behind him. His eyes widened as if in realisation and Jin Li caught him staring at him, so raised a brow in question. Ursam chuckled sadly once more before turning his attention on Leon. "You really shouldn't learn such... dastardly things. Bad for you. The people that teach them... well just don't learn from them. Okay, perhaps just this one pill, it did have its uses, but nothing else, understand?"

Leon nodded... even though he had no understanding at all.

Jin Li caught Ursam staring at him again, looking a bit unhappy. He sighed. "I don't look like him you know," he told him, as he did understand Ursam's reference.

Ursam chuckled mirthlessly for a third time. How had he not noticed before? After all, the shape of their eyes and brows, that way of looking down on others as if pitying people for not being so great, wasn't it all the same? They even had the same taste in preying upon little rabbits! It was no wonder that bastard had returned to the area when he'd thought that he'd not have to cross paths recently with him for at least another half year! Hadn't he mentioned something about his grandson and grandson-in-law then? Ursam's eyes fell upon Leon and this time, he was the one to look down on someone with pity.


Chapter 308: Chapter One Hundred and Eight - I learn to ride... sort of

A few tendays later and the Ascending Mountain Institute was suddenly visited by scores of cultivators. This was not some campaign to attract the attention of prospective students and their folks, like might occur in schools of another world, although many of these cultivators were indeed students. Instead they were came to the Institute as if they were four small battalions ready for battle. The Institute's students were no less aware of the reason for their presence and made themselves known in crowds, gathering around the building and nearby griffin's nests as if in greeting, yet somehow looked as if they were ready to protect their territory.

The building which the students surrounded happened to be once used by the inner school of scholars prior to the two schools somewhat merging in order to pool much of their resources and invest further into their studies, no matter their skill set. Over the passed few weeks, the architecturally imposing building with its decorative pillars, tall doors and ornate carved flora and fauna had been given a refurbishment, along with the (coincidentally) four dormitory buildings located around it. There had been many points on offer for sweeping floors and cleaning out cobwebs, Leon had joined a team that replanted the grounds with pretty and structurally pleasing plants and flowers. Other things, furnishings and such, had been purchased from outside and many temporary staff hired in order to keep the visitors well fed during their stay.

There were mixed reactions from the visitors regarding their efforts;

"Everything is so unexpectedly green this way north," murmured one with a heavy accent.

"Where are the servants to carry my luggage! You there! Pick up my bags!" The one pointed at sneered, did not bother retorting, just walked away arms crossed and cursing;

"Who does that fucker think he is? Laozi has better things to do!"

"Look, all girls!" A whisper came from the surrounding crowds this time and caught the attention of both males and females, the former couldn't help their instinctive reaction to scan over that group of flowers in interest, while the latter were either showed glints of unhappiness or delight dependant on circumstances.

In the end, all of the visiting students and resident students had opinions regarding the others, not all were favourable, but generally, the visiting students arrived peacefully.  How long this would happen to last was a different story.

But at that moment, a small alchemist had his hands full with a matter far removed.  Actually, they were holding a recently made, custom saddle.

Li Ming sniffed at the saddle in it's human's hands with interest. The thick, leather scent caused it to screw up its nose and turn its head away. Velana chuckled as she patted Li Ming's scaled head. "Your coeurl is an interesting beast," she mentioned to Leon, her eyes appraising the beast's mainly white skin with its lengths of black stripes stretching down its back.

"En," Leon agreed fondly, smiling brightly. The cub which had first approached him due to a small wooden fish charm, had become a young adult following a recent growth spurt. However, it never managed to shed all of its baby fur. Instead, it had developed a thick mane not unlike that of a lion from his former world. A small tuft also remained on the tip of its thick tail. It looked unusual on the coeurl, a feline species that were renowned for their thick, scaled hide and powerful agility, but Leon did not hate it.

Leon attempted to figure out how to place the saddle on Li Ming's back in vain, causing Velana to quietly chuckle. She took the saddle from him as if it weighed nothing and tossed it with ease on Li Ming's back. The coeurl blinked its blue eyes in surprise, unaccustomed to the weight, though it was more than capable of coping with it. It turned its head and shoulders attempting to see what was upon its back, circling as its fluffy mane partially blocked its vision. It yowled at Leon in complaint.

"B-be g-good," Leon said, softly, grabbing Li Ming's head and running his fingers through the heavenly silken fur. Li Ming purred contentedly, the sound a deep rumble in its chest, leaning into Leon's touch. As he distracted the coeurl, x fixed the saddle to the beast's back securely.

"You are aware that coeurls can't be muzzled?" Velana mentioned to Leon, who nodded in agreement. He'd rode on the back on Wu Ye before, granted it was usually Jin Li who lead or instructed the obstinate beast, but ropes and reigns were not the way of coeurl and their riders.  Instead, a rider held onto a horn at the forefront of the saddle and relied upon the strength of his thighs to remain stable.  To guide the beast was done through a series of whistles, nudges or pats, depending on the relationship between rider and beast.  Jin Li and Wu Ye seemed so at odds most times were throughly in sync when it came to travelling, if Jin Li was given permission to mount that was.

Li Ming, however, was playful and easily distracted and Leon was not authoritative enough.  It would take the pair some practice to be able to understand each other in this capacity.

Somewhat exhausted, Leon finally slid off Li Ming's back, but he really couldn't scold the beast for rushing about, tossing and turning him as he'd clung on the horn handle of the saddle for dear life as it really meant no harm. Even now, it nuzzled into Leon's waist seeking praise for its 'performance.' A sudden snort came from behind Leon and Li Ming was flicked in the head with the tip of a black tail; Wu Ye was not as generous as their smallest human. A low, disapproving rumble echoed in its midnight chest, causing Li Ming to whimper.

Teacher Volun chuckled as he watched the antics of the three. "T-Teacher," Leon greeted as did Velana, both bowing slightly with respect for the silver haired man of indeterminate age. Behind his silver framed glasses, Teacher Volun's eyes twinkled.

"I've completed my examination of Wu Ye," the Beast Tamer Teacher informed Leon readily. "It is definitely a prime example of its species and in good health as well. I can see Li Ming is also far from the small runt of its litter!"

Knowing that the silver haired human was talking about it, Li Ming stood tall once more, shaking its mane as if to clarify Teacher Volun's point. Velana chuckled again behind her hand and Volun's eyes brightened further.

"Look at those coeurl! So awesome!"

"Hmm... wait! Where are you going!?"

A youth with large amber eyes and skin as golden as autumn leaves suddenly appeared before them. He was tall and broad shouldered, with ropey muscle and a strangely unfitting baby face. He was dressed in a mix of furs and leathers with bone bracelets decorating his wrist and his long flowing hair, that was deep brown with wispy yellowing ends, was unadorned. Without thought, he rushed right up close to Wu Ye as if to examine the beast more closely.

Perhaps knowing that the youth meant it no ill intent, Wu Ye only pushed the young man over with one paw, it's claws remaining sheathed. A second youth, almost equal in height to the first, but less thick of form, hurried to pick the first off of the ground. "I'm sorry!" The second young man, who wore a similar style of long sleeved tunic and trousers to the first, crossed one arm about his chest with a closed fist before bowing deeply. "My friend here gets a little over enthusiastic when it comes to beasts. He meant no offence."

"It's ok-k-kay!" Leon stuttered out startled by the fervent behaviour of both youths.

The knocked down youth had already stood up and sidled over to Wu Ye as if he hadn't already been chastised by the black coeurl already. Wu Ye turned around, ignoring him. The young man began to mutter just beneath his breath; "Coeurl, pure Pantherian bloodline, Male, around one to two years in age..."

"You know your stuff, young man," Volun said approvingly. "Student of the Savage Red Sands Force?"

The first youth didn't answer, his eyes only taking in the magnificent matt colouring of Wu Ye's scaled hide, so the second youth hurriedly answered for both of them. "Yes, yes we are. I'm Hamset, he is Ahti. We are cousins and studying together. We are primarily martial arts students, but..." he glanced at his cousin whose attentions had turned to Li Ming. The youth's head had tilted to one side as he unrestrainedly examined the striped coeurl, who in turn was staring curiously at him.

"I don't know this breed... too strong and healthy to be of multiple ancestries, striped coat... a tigray?"

"A hybrid with a pure Tigray mother," Volun volunteered to inform the student of the school often stereotyped as being a training ground for barbarians and savages by not only the ignorant and ill informed. "And likely a father of the Tundras genus."

"Tundras?" The youth, Ahti looked thoughtful for a moment. "The Tundras are the only genus of the Coeurl family to not shed their fur, due to their habitats being in the most cold regions of the continents... that would explain its unusual mane and more robust stature..." Leon wryly thought that actually the latter was due to Li Ming overeating and under-exercising.

Volun rather liked this young martial artist; many of his own students were not as versed regarding the various bloodlines and breeds that existed for their own favoured beasts, let alone others. He thought that such a youth might be a good influence on them... alas, he was another school's student and training in a different field than his own. Still, it never hurt to be cordial. "We have many interesting beasts and not few rare bloodlines here," he told the man, amused when the youth's ears seemed to perk upwards with interest. "I have time, allow me to give you the tour of my outer beast tamer school."

"Can I?" The muscular young man glanced over at his cousin with pleading eyes, which sparkled with joy the moment that he understood that the other had given in to his request. Hamset gestured with one hand, sighing heavily as the other man hurried to follow the silver-haired Teacher.

"Your cousin really likes beasts," Velana stated in a matter of fact tone.

"I know," Hamset agreed, slightly disapproving before hurriedly explaining; "It's not that I look down on beast tamers, I don't, they are as honoured as any martial artist in the tribes. It is just that Ahti's father wishes him to be a martial artist and follow in his footsteps. He is my chief, so I must abide by his wishes and guide Ahti, even if Ahti would be happier otherwise." Velana nodded in understanding; this was not an unheard of thing in the cultivation world. Leon also had met a few who were ill suited to their specialism, but mostly persevered anyway due to expectations placed upon them.

Leon did not want to ride Li Ming home, but was unable to refuse those expectant blue eyes and almost immediately regretted it. He felt also that Wu Ye was laughing at his expense as they raced back together. He climbed off of the striped beast with shaking legs on their return, taking a few moments to settle himself before finding that he faced a dilemma... How was he supposed to get the saddle off of Li Ming?


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Ebonsolaris Ebonsolaris

Author’s note; sorry about the absences. No excuses, I’ve been out in the garden, digging, weeding and preparing newly built raised beds rather than writing, but it’s raining today. So I’ve finally finished this chapter! I do have a chapter started for CiaZA also. Will post whenever I finish it!

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