The smell of dried flowers and spices hit Ke Yan Mo's nose as he follows his sisters into the fourth shop of the day. Or was it the fifth? Shelves lined with petite jars filled with rouge, blush, and all sorts of beauty products. There was a slight fog in the air that brought on the urge to sneeze. Dropping the large wooden box and wicker bag, he was forced to carry on the ground Yan Mo asks. "Am I mule?"
"Yes, why else would you be here?" said Hua Lin. Qin Hua Lin was what you would expect, any woman from the Celestial Summit to look like. She was tall and slim with posture so straight you'd think she was a walking pole. Her light blue dress flowed off her broad shoulders, a stark contrast to her long black hair. A small pearl-like set of Everstone earrings adorned her ears. And she carried the air of scholar until she opened her mouth, of course.
"Er(2) Jie, do you think I'm a mule?"
"No," Yan Mo smiles, turning to Yan Wen expectantly. Su Ya Wen was a simple faced woman who always reminded you of another simple faced woman. Yet she was always hailed as one of the beauties of the cultivators. She carries this free and alluring aura that one either loved or hated. The smaller woman smiles up at him lovingly. Gently she pats his cheek before continuing, "You are too tall to be a mule. A pretty ox maybe, but not a mule." Hua Lin bursts out in laughter as Ya Wen ignores an astounded Yan Mo, moving to the numerous bottles of fragrance.
"Ha ha ha," Yan Mo says sardonically, "Shi Jie, can I leave now?"
"No," both older women said simultaneously.
Dramatically throwing himself around Yan Mo whines, "Aren't you too cruel?"
"Cruel? You’re lucky we talked Dan Dan into letting you off the mountain," Hua Lin says, picking up a container of powder.
"Wu(5) Jie is cruel too.”
"Be thankful she is with child, or you wouldn't even get these few hours of rest," said Ya Wen.
"Thinking about it, you really do have good luck. The year Dan Dan is supposed to teach you she gets pregnant, again," chimes Hua Lin.
Yan Mo slams his hands onto the table in front of him, "Luck! Do you call being challenged to be duel every day without warning, luck?"
"Haven't the duels stopped? Dan Dan is already three months along."
"Just because Wu(5) Jie isn't able to beat me up, doesn't mean she hasn't found others with able bodies." Yan Mo says his sad eyes and straining smile, eliciting snickers from his sisters.
"That's still good luck. Your year under Dan Dan was cut short, and by New Year's, you'll be back with Shifu."
"It's been a long five years, right Yan Mo?" Ya Wen asks, scratching Yan Mo under his chin as you would a dog.
Slumping onto the empty table in front of him, Yan Mo replies with a sigh, "It has."
"Who was your favorite teacher?" Hua Lin asks. Suddenly both women’s attention was on their little brother. Their faces read serenity, but their eyes were alight with fire.
Sensing danger Yan Mo smiles widely, "How could I have a favorite,” he says slowly, “Everyone taught me differently and diligently."
"Impossible," says Ya Wen placing the jar of fragrance down with a thud, "Someone's teaching style had to be more to your liking." There was a moment of silence as Yan Mo tried to figure his way out of the so easily placed trap.
For the past five years, his older sisters had been taking turns "managing" him as his Shifu like to call it. The first year was with Da Shu Jie. All Yan Mo did was clean and meditate to bring balance into his slightly hyper qi, according to Luo Yang. Though he was bored out of his mind, Yan Mo missed the meditation after his year with Ya-Wen started. His 2nd oldest sister tended to cause pain, then to give the medicine as well. When Ya Wen told Yan Mo, they’d be traveling for a year, he was excited. Going around the New Realm, witnessing different types of martial arts and cultivations styles until he found a mix of his own sounded terrific. But as soon as they left Evergreen Yan Mo realized he was going to be a servant more than a student for the rest of the year. And then it was all downhill from there.
San(3) Jie believed that Yan Mo’s fitness required improving, and he spent all four seasons running up and down the peaks of Evergreen. Just when he thought he was done for the day, she’d say softy “again” until it was time for bed. Then there was Hua Lin. Thankfully just as he thought, Hua Lin’s teaching focused on books. But to his demise, Yan Mo spent almost every hour of the day in his sister’s room reciting New Realm history and old literature. One day Yan Mo asked how all of this knowledge was supposed to help with his martial arts, and Hua Lin replied, “I don’t know. I’m just making you do it because I had too.”
Then there was Zhang Dan Dan, who believed the only way for Yan Mo to learn was for him to engage in combat as much as possible. For the past six months, no, whether it was during dinner, in the bathhouse, right before he went to bed or any other place she could think of. Zhang Dan Dan attacked Yan Mo. A shiver runs down his spine as he recalls the memories.
“So, who is it, Xiao Mo?” Hua Lin asks.
“I like Shifu’s teaching style the most,” Yan Mo says awkwardly.
“Huh? If you say that, then what are we,” Ya Wen says, upset.
"My lovely sisters,” Yan Mo begins, “How could you make me choose, hmm?” Rising to his full height Yan Mo starts his one-man show of compliments. Flamboyantly he gestures in Hua Lin’s direction, “Si(4) Jie spent day in and day out collecting material to further my knowledge. Now I can recite all the poems about the Old realm. Ke Yan Mo will never embarrass Evergreen at any poetry gathering.” Hua Lin roles her eyes, causing Ya Wen to snicker as Yan Mo continues.
“And Er(2) Jie!” Yan Mo swoops behind Ya Wen placing his hands on Ya Wen’s shoulders, “Thanks to our vast travels I now am one of the most versed young men in all the realm who knows who, what, when, where and how many cultivation styles there are in the New Realm.” Spinning Yan Mo takes center stage near the front of the store, drawing the attention of the few patrons.
“I, Ke Yan Mo, have become a vastly diverse person thanks to the detailed attention of my fellow sisters.” Panning to the crowd Yan Mo scrunches his face in despair, “How could they ask me who my favorite is? Without them, I could never be the Ke Yan Mo that stands in front of you.” Turning back to his sisters Yan Mo straightens his robs, gathering his hands in front of him. He bows to Ya Wen. “Thank you, Er(2) Jie,” Ya Wen accepts the bow with a then bows to Hua Lin, “Si(4) Jie,” Hua Lin clasps her hands in front of her but doesn’t bow. The show continues. “Thank you for showing this lacking Shi Di your favor. I’m forever grateful.” Yan Mo ends the show with a grand bow.
“Nice!” Hua Lin says, leading the small crowd into an array of applause. Yan Mo basks in the mini glory as he walks up to his sisters. “What a great show.” Hua Lin says, still clapping.
“It wasn’t a show Si(4) Jie. I was being serious,” Yan Mo says offended.
“Of course, you were glorious Shi Di.” Says Ya Wen, she picks up three containers of perfume and a few blocks of soaps as she heads to the counter.
“Since the two of you enjoyed my show. Can I leave now? I promise not to get into any trouble.” Yan Mo says, helping Hua Lin carry pallets of rouge and powder to the counter. Hua Lin and Ya Wen exchange a look before examining Yan Mo. Standing erect, he tries to look on his best behavior.
“Okay. You can leave.” Ya Wen finally says, turning to the clerk and pays for their purchases.
"Er(2) Jie, You believe him?" Hua Lin asks.
"This is PingYo. There is only so much he can do, right?” Ya Wen says, looking at Yan Mo.
“Right!” Yan Mo says, slowly backing towards the door. "Thank You, Er(2) Jie."
“Besides, we’re here, and he’s not that stupid.”
“Exactly.” Yan Mo called from the other side of the store.
"Alright, alright. But you have me us before it's dark." Hua Lin warns, “We’ll wait for you at the Palm Inn.”
"I got it!" Yan Mo says, heading towards the door.
“Alright, Shi Mei, grab the bags.” Says Ya Wen. Earning a groan from Hua Lin, who suddenly has been demoted to mule status.
Yan Mo parts the curtains of the cosmetics store and bounces out into the busy streets of the human city PingYo. The sun was high, and the smell of street food filled the air. “Freedom!” He says with a lengthy stretch and grin.
Deciding to stroll through one of his favorite places, Yan Mo heads for Trinket Alley. Yan Mo had been born in a city similar to PingYo, but his hometown was much bigger and more hectic. You would think that one would get bored wandering around the same streets, but Yan Mo enjoyed it. He likes watching all the different people. Every stroll among the market was like a treasure hunt. Leisurely heading down the Main Road, Yan Mo turns down the third forked ally on the left-hand side with a skip in his step.
The booth lined street was crowded for midday, and still, Yan Mo was hard to ignore. In his honey-colored robes, he stood slightly taller than most of the crowd. His broad shoulders and slim waist modeled his lifetime dedication to being his sisters' punching bag. The large Everstone earring that dangled from his right ear and thick long braid branded him as an Evergreen resident eliciting friendly smiles from most of the citizens. There was an alluring aura that drew your eyes to watch the Young Master as he passed. As much as he was known for his mischievous nature, rumors of his good looks promoted many of marriage proposals and brothel invitations. Yan Mo was vaguely aware of his effect on people but chopped it up to them being kind. So happily, he waves to the familiar faces before stopping at his favorite booth.
"Handsome Shao Ye (Young Master)! You are here again," called the vendor.
"Again? You say that like I come here often." Yan Mo replies with a smile.
"You do. You must miss me." Says the vendor coquettishly.
"I don't miss you just your toys," Yan Mo says, picking up a wooden bird. Dark wood made up the smooth body while the detailed wings were made up of a lighter grain. If you pulled the string under the bird's belly, and its wings would flap back and forth. Yan Mo smiled at the small toy.
As a child, Yan Mo was never afforded the luxury of toys. His aunt worked as a maid in the house of a noble family, and Yan Mo was tasked with helping her take care of the young lords. He'd watch as the spoiled boys played and sometimes destroyed the prized possessions. Then leave them out to be ruined in the rain. But were the young lords ever reprimanded? No. The next day the sinners would cry for their loss, and the head butler punished Yan Mo. The master of the house would bring them so many presents that this week's favorite was soon tossed into the corner with the rest. Yan Mo used to stare for hours at the pile full of the best bows and arrows, hackysacks, and metal toys made to look like animals and soldiers. Yan Mo wanted nothing more than to have someone bring him toys. To have the freedom to sit, play, and imagine was all he wanted to do at that age.
One day the temptation was too strong, so he swiped a small wooden horse from the pile and hid it under his mat in the servant’s quarters. Of course, the young lord caught him playing with the toy, and he was punished unmercifully. His aunt saved him from being beaten to death, but Yan Mo has never forgotten the look of satisfaction on the young lord's small yet wicked face as he was being whipped. He spent another year in that house before his aunt succumbed to illness. Then like a miracle, Fan Jin Tao appeared and brought him to Evergreen. From that day forward, Yan Mo was allowed to play with as many toys as he wanted. His sisters still bring him back trinkets whenever they travel. His room is decorated with years’ worth of gifts, and though he was far past the age of playmaking, Yan Mo still likes to collect the little prizes.
"You like it?" the vendor asks.
Yan Mo nods as he sits the bird down when a small metal tiger catches his eye. As he reaches for the toy, his hand collides with that of another. Yan Mo looks up to find the owner to be a slightly taller guy with curly hair. His dark-colored hair was bunched in a messy topknot and spilled down in waves over his shoulder. Soft brown eyes shaped like the almonds give Yan Mo pause, just enough for the curly-haired man to pick up the tiger.
"Hey! I saw that first!" Curly held up the tiger in question. Yan Mo nods eagerly with a smile reaching for the toy. But Curly holds it out of reach before looking towards the vendor.
He asks, "How much?"
"I said I saw it first!" Yan Mo says, grabbing for the toy, but the giant holds it out of reach. For once in his life, Yan Mo wished he was a tad bit taller.
"But I'm the one who picked it up," Curly insisted.
Yan Mo began, "Listen I really want to buy this and-"
"Do you have another?" The curly man said abruptly, cutting him off. The vendor shook their head no. "Sorry, but I need to buy this."
"A gift?" Yan Mo asked, slowly putting his hand down. Maybe the curly giant was buying it for someone. Yan Mo already had a similar treasure. He didn't need another. He stepped back from the giant, thinking of giving in.
"No. I'm going to take it apart."
Yan Mo yelled, "What!" drawing the attention of people nearby, "What did he ever do to you?"
"Nothing." The giant said, scanning the booth for more torture victims.
"Don't worry, handsome Shao Ye. I have many more toys." The vendor said, trying to step in.
"I want that one." Yan Mo was astounded. He had thought the curly-haired monster cute. Now he was determined to take the toy from the scary man. He was midway through a plan to topple the giant over when the sounds of coins shifting tinged in his ear.
"Well, that's unfortunate." Yan Mo says with a chuckle.
"What is?" the giant asks, confused.
"Your evil plan has been foiled, good sir. You won't be able to buy that toy."
Curly's eyes grow wide and shift in alarm as he rises from his bent position. Trying to cover the panic washing over his features, he rolls his shoulders back, puffing out his chest. "Why not?" he asks in a deep voice.
Yan Mo and the vendor snicker, instead of giving off the intimidating aura he desired. The giant looked like a frightened puppy. "Because you just got pickpocketed," Yan Mo says. The giant's eyes grew wide, dropping the toy on the table. He frantically pats his body, looking for his coin purse.
"What? But it was just here?" Yan Mo notices the giant's red ears as he pulls a few coins from inside his outer coat paying for the precious tiger.
"The kid in the grey." Yan Mo says nonchalantly. Curly looks around to find a skinny looking kid who was eyeing them from a few booths up. The giant turns towards the kid and starts walking his way, "I wouldn't do that if I were you." Just as Yan Mo warns, the kid takes off, and the giant follows.
Comments (0)
See all