Straw Targets

Early the next morning, Chu Bai rose as usual and practiced breathing techniques in the courtyard for a while.

By the time the sun was high and the family sat around the square table for lunch, Chu Bai casually brought up the work as a practice partner.

"Father, Mother, a teacher at the academy found me a job."

Chu Bai took a mouthful of rice and tried to keep his tone light. "A family in the city wants a young attendant for their son—someone to run errands and sort his books."

"Oh?" Chu Xianglin set down his chopsticks, pleasantly surprised. "That's good news. How much does it pay?"

"Three hundred coins a session."

Clatter.

The chopsticks fell from Chu Xianglin's hand onto the table. He stared wide-eyed, wondering if he had misheard. "How much? Three hundred coins? For one session?"

The harvest depended on the weather. Even when he took odd jobs in town during the farming lull and worked himself to the bone for half a month, he might not save three hundred coins.

"Yes. They're a wealthy family, so they're generous." Smiling, Chu Bai picked up the chopsticks and handed them back to his father. "The work is easy, too. It won't interfere with my cultivation, and I might even learn something."

"Good! That's wonderful!" Chu Xianglin's face glowed with excitement. "I knew my son would make something of himself! You haven't even gotten into the Dao Academy, and you're already earning good money!"

But his mother, Li Qing, frowned slightly. She looked more worried than pleased. "Bai, isn't that... rather too much money? What family pays so much for a young attendant? Could it be dangerous?"

A mother always noticed such things.

Warmth stirred in Chu Bai's heart, but his expression did not change. "Don't worry, Mother. Daoist Zhang recommended me himself. He wouldn't lead me into a trap, would he? They value me as a scholar and an inner disciple. They're paying for my standing, not my strength."

Hearing that an "immortal master" had recommended him, Li Qing relaxed a little, though she could not help reminding him, "Then be sharp while you're in their residence. Don't offend anyone important."

"I know, Mother."

After lunch, Chu Bai returned to his room and changed into a clean short shirt his mother had sewn especially for him at New Year.

Before leaving, he glanced back at the shabby but welcoming courtyard. After a moment's thought, he still could not bring himself to tell them about Second Aunt pressing for repayment.

Those four taels of silver were a sword hanging over his head, but they also represented what he owed Second Uncle. Since he could shoulder the burden, there was no need to make his parents worry.

"Father, Mother, I'm off. I'll be back before sunset."

Chu Bai hurried into the city and followed the address Daoist Zhang had given him to the southern district, where only wealthy merchants and powerful families could afford to live.

The streets were broad and clean, with green willows shading both sides. Even the air seemed fresher there.

In front of the vermilion gates bearing a plaque that read "Zhao Residence," Chu Bai spotted a familiar figure.

Gu Qinghe stood beside a stone lion, clutching the hem of his clothes with both hands. Every so often, he craned his neck to look toward the street corner.

"Brother Gu," Chu Bai called as he approached.

"Brother Chu! You're finally here!" Gu Qinghe visibly relaxed, as though his anchor had arrived. "This is my first time at a place like this. I can't help feeling a little uneasy."

Chu Bai patted him on the shoulder and smiled. "What's there to fear? We're earning money with our own abilities, not stealing or robbing. Come on."

They straightened their clothes and stepped forward to hand Daoist Zhang's wooden token to the gatekeeper.

The gatekeeper glanced at it. Though he was hardly respectful, he gave them no trouble. "Wait here."

A moment later, a side gate opened, and a middle-aged man in fitted fighting clothes emerged.

His face was stern, and his hawklike gaze swept over the two of them. The faint pressure he gave off made Chu Bai's heart tighten—this man was a true cultivator.

"I'm Wu Shang, Young Master Zhao's instructor," the man said in a low voice. "Since Fellow Daoist Zhang recommended you, I assume you have some foundation. Follow me."

The two hurried after him through several deep courtyards until they reached a secluded but spacious compound.

The moment they entered, the smell of burning rushed over them.

Across the enormous practice ground lay wooden posts and straw men, charred and smashed to pieces. The earth was pitted with craters, as though a small war had just been fought there.

At the center stood a young man of eighteen or nineteen in a brocade robe, his hands clasped behind his back. Arrogance and impatience showed on his face.

"Young Master Zhao, the practice partners are here." Wu Shang stepped forward and cupped his hands.

Young Master Zhao gave Chu Bai and Gu Qinghe a sidelong glance and snorted. "These are the people that old Daoist Zhang found? They look like twigs. Can they take a hit?"

"They can sense qi, so their reactions should be better than ordinary people's," Wu Shang replied evenly. Then he turned to the two of them. "Wait to the side and watch while I instruct him."

Chu Bai and Gu Qinghe hurried to a corner and stood there like two wooden posts.

Wu Shang turned his attention back to Young Master Zhao. "Young Master, the spiritual energy flowed smoothly through those Fireball Techniques you cast earlier, but your control was too poor the instant the fireballs left your body. A spell doesn't end when you throw it. It should be like a throwing knife in your hand—aim it where you want it to strike."

"Spare me the lecture. As long as it hits hard enough, who cares about accuracy? Just blow them up!" Young Master Zhao cut in impatiently.

"Power means nothing if you miss." Wu Shang shook his head and pointed to a relatively intact straw target ten paces away. "Try again. Sink your qi into your dantian and let your intent follow your will."

Chu Bai stood in the corner with his eyes lowered, looking meek. In truth, all his attention was fixed on the practice ground.

He stared hard at Young Master Zhao's hands.

Young Master Zhao drew a deep breath and swiftly formed a hand seal.

As he moved, Chu Bai could clearly sense the fire-aspected spiritual energy in the air converging on his palm like moths rushing into a flame.

So this is a spell... Chu Bai's pupils contracted. Though he could not hear the incantation, he could make out the path the spiritual energy took through Young Master Zhao's meridians.

The next instant—

"Go!"

Young Master Zhao gave a low shout, and red light blazed in his palm.

Whoosh!

A crimson fireball the size of a fist shot out with a wave of scorching heat. It flew in a straight line and struck the straw target dead-on.

Boom!

The straw target exploded. Before the straw fragments could fall, they caught fire in midair and scattered like countless sparks.

Only half a charred stump remained where the target had stood, belching thick black smoke.

Gulp.

Gu Qinghe swallowed with difficulty, his face turning deathly pale.

The corner of Chu Bai's eye twitched.

That was a practice spell with its power reduced?

That was what they called "a few bumps and bruises"?

If that damn thing hit a person, even iron armor wouldn't save them. Their organs would be shattered, then they'd be cooked alive!

They looked at each other and saw the same fear in each other's eyes.

Those three hundred coins weren't going to be easy money!

Just then, Wu Shang slowly turned toward the two of them in the corner.

"Did you see that clearly?"

He pointed to the pile of charred remains on the ground, his voice devoid of emotion.

"For the next two hours, that straw target... will be you."