Spring Winds
Chapter 17: Test

"Ahh, it's finally over," Zhu Na Ran cheered as she exited the testing hall. "After a month of torture, I'm free!"

"Don't get too excited." I can't have her get too excited and run off again.

"Wah, come on, Senior Sister. Can you genuinely say that you're not excited to finally not have to attend classes anymore?"

"They weren't a chore."

"Blah, boring," she groaned, doing a faux gag for effect. "My brain would have melted in if I continued with those lessons. Lucky for me, I'm an inner sect disciple, so I'm free!"

"Hmm."

"Martial Aunt Jing Ran!"

Looking back, a furious Instructor Rui stormed out of the classroom, shaking his fist. "Martial Aunt Ran, we are not finished yet!"

"Ah, Instructor Rui," Zhu Na Ran spun around with an easy-going smile. "How may this martial aunt help you?"

"You cheated," he fumed. Smoke was practically steaming from Instructor Rui's ears.

I looked over at my junior sister to see if this was true. She just flashed me an innocent grin and a wink.

What is that supposed to mean?

"Ah? Cheating? That's a serious crime that you accuse me of," her smile grew at his accusation. "Are you sure you're able to carry the weight of responsibility should you be wrong?"

"Huh," Instructor Rui scoffed. "If I'm wrong, then I will kowtow to Martial Aunt ten times."

"Hmm," a mischievous grin appeared on Zhu Na Ran's face. "Very well."

Ah, what is she planning? Rubbing the growing crease between my brow, I followed the two back inside the classroom.

"Martial Aunt Jing Hua, can you wait from the side of the room? I don't want any interruptions for this test."

"Of course, Instructor Rui. Whatever makes the process easier."

"Thank you, Martial Aunt Jing Hua, for your understanding," Instructor bowed before walking towards his desk.

My junior sister was already sitting at her desk with a knowing grin on her face. I walked past her and sat at a side table in the back of the room.

Picking up a book from his desk, Instructor Rui frowned as his eyes scanned down a random page. "Martial Aunt Jing Ran, recite to me the entirety of Yun Cai Peak's sect rules."

He wants her to recite all four thousand rules by memory!

Schooling my expression, I looked over to see how Zhu Na Ran was reacting to this test. Her smile dropped as a passive expression covered her face. However, I couldn't see a trace of panic in her eyes.

"Very well," standing up, she straightens her back and coughs, "From the teachings of ancestors, there are eight chief virtues, Hyo, Ti, Zhong, Xin, Li, Yi, Lian, and Chi. The value that should be learned is Jen, as it is the supreme virtues of humanness in the Anatomy of Sacred. Jen incorporates all eight virtues as to understand the meaning of Jen; they must understand the eight virtues. The Yun Cai Peak Sect's Book of Virtue teaches sect members the virtues of Yun Cai Peak as well as all eight virtues.

Rule one from the Book of Virtue: Do not disrespect one's elders and seniors… "

---

"And finally, rule four thousand from the Book of Righteousness: One must not show anger or annoyance.

Did I miss anything, Instructor Rui?"

Instructor Rui fumed in shock and fury as his face grew red as Zhu Na Ran had a goading smile.

Realizing his attitude, Instructor Rui schooled his features. "Ehm," Instructor Rui grunted. "It seems that it was my mistake, Martial Aunt Jing Ran. I apologize." He dropped down his knees with a thump and began to kowtow to her. "Please, forgive me for my ignorance."

"Eh, it's no issue," she yawned. "If you excuse us, Instructor Rui, it's late, and we must be heading back now." Zhu Na Ran looked at me with a victorious smile. "Let's go, Senior Sister!"

"Farewell, Instructor Rui," I bowed before Zhu Na Ran, and I started our journey back to Yu Lan Peak.

"You did very well."

"Ah?" My junior sister smiled. "Is Senior Sister complimenting me? Wow, the sun is rising from the West today."

"Tch," shaking my head, I couldn't stop a small smile from slipping out. "Take it however you want."

"Wah," her smile deepened. "Then, I will be sure to remember Senior Sister's words. Now come on, let's hurry back! I have to tell Master what happened today," and started to skip away.

"Don't go too far, or you'll get lost."

"Eh, I won't," she called back with a radiant smile on her face.

---

"Haha! That's my disciple!" Master cheered as he gobbled down another bowl of rice, dropping small white grains into his messy beard.

I should have Master groom himself. I can't have the image of Master sink further into the muck.

The three of us sat around a small dining table in the main hall, enjoying dinner together. As usual, Master prepared such a massive feast of food that there was barely any room for us to set down our rice bowls.

However, with Zhu Na Ran flaunting her victory to Master, he made it an excuse to bring out more food than usual.

Off to the side and in large baskets: fruits, cakes, and wine jars sat waiting for us to get to them.

Where does Master get all this food? I wouldn't even see this much food out during my family's New Year's celebration.

"Eat more vegetables," picking up some greens; I dropped it into my junior sister's bowl. "It's not good to overeat meat."

"Erm," Zhu Na Ran pouted as she ate the leafy greens.

"Haha," Master laughed as he bit into another duck leg.

"You too, Master," picking up a more substantial portion of vegetables, I created a green mountain atop Master's rice. "You're getting old; it's not good for you to keep eating fatty foods so frequently."

"Huh," he groaned with disdain as he slowly picked up a limp green leaf. "I'm no rabbit, you know."

"I know, Master," picking up some vegetables for myself, I decided to lead by example.

"Erm…"

Sigh. "Master, don't be picky with your food. Look at Junior Sister; she's at least eating her greens."

Master looked between his bowl and Zhu Na Ran before sighing in displeasure. With reluctance, Master began to munch down on the leafy greens slowly.

I felt the corner of mouth twitch as watched my Master and junior sister eat the greens as if it was torturous for them.

Master looked like he could barely swallow down one piece; his face was even turning a bit green as he painstaking shallowed. "Uh," Master trembled after he finished off the rest in a few bites.

How long had it been since Master ate greens? He looks as if his body is going to reject what he just ate.

Gods, if he wasn't a cultivator, I'm not sure how well his body would've faired based on his appetite.

"Uh, these have no flavor," Master groaned before taking a bite of meat. "That's better," smiling; he cleaned off what would be his fourth duck leg of the night.

"Erm, done!" With a semi-full mouth, Zhu Na Ran displayed her empty bowl and slammed it down the table.

"Good job."

Dinner finished quickly before all of us went off on our separate ways back to our quarters. Since the manor's completion, we each had our courtyard. Master resided in the main hall, and Zhu Na Ran had her's across from mine, divided by a large central courtyard.

Since the night was still young, I figured to could study a bit before bed.

"Senior Sister!" Popping her head from the window, Zhu Na Ran smiled at me as she waved.

"Junior Sister, what are you doing here?" Why didn't she knock and go through the door?

Jumping through the window, she made her way over to me. "I'm bored," she shrugged as she sat on the edge of my desk. "Whatcha doing?"

"Studying."

"Boo, why? Classes are already over."

"It's good to brush up on some old material, so one's mind stays sharp on the subject."

"Blah, boring!" Sticking her tongue out, she faked a gag. "Well, anyway, I came to ask if you want to take a bath with me."

What.

"See, Master pointed out where there is supposed to be a hot spring, so I was wondering if you wanted to go with me."

"Can't you go by yourself?"

"Yeah, but…"

Sigh. Can't this girl navigate her peak?

"Please, Senior Sister," she begged.

"..."

"I don't want to go alone," she started to pout with large puppy eyes.

"..." Look away, Lian Hua, can't fall for this again.

"Senior Sister," Zhu Na Ran began to tug on my shoulder coquettishly. "Please?"

"...fine…"

"Yay! Thanks, Senior Sister!" Immediately pulling away, Zhu Na Ran jumped up and ran out the door. "Lemme go get my stuff!"

Taking in a deep breath, I rub my brows.

Gods, I'm weak.