Chapter Text
QingHe sits protected within its borders marked by a mountain range, and the Unclean Realm is surrounded by towns on all sides extending to Lanling and the Northern lands. Between Yunping and the Unclean Realm where the Nie sect resides is a terribly arduous distance to traverse on foot. It is made worse, for Shu Yao is alone and upon first glance, unarmed and vulnerable.
The former prostitute (but is she, though? She’s not working in a brothel now, but what happens when her meagre savings run out?) gets in target practice with her needles against bandits and other unsavoury sorts within the week as she heads north-east into conflicting territory. Those areas are less populated, and far more dangerous than the main roads. As they are located at the borders of intersecting major sect territories, any issues - either with the living or with the undead are often neglected.
Those who attempt to rob, kidnap and that one handsy drunkard who tried to tear off her skirts right on the dirt path, meet the unforgiving end of her needles. Shu Yao takes the opportunity to relieve them of their money as they writhe like animals in heat. Her mother would be horrified at how dishonourable she is acting, but Shu Yao simply cannot bring herself to feel remorse. It was her life, or theirs. It’s not as if she was trying to kill them - in fact, she’s probably doing womenkind a favour. They would probably think twice before attacking a woman again.
Despite engaging in thievery, her savings do end up depleted before she reaches the Unclean Realm. Towns on the outskirts of QingHe are not as forgiving of strangers as Yunmeng, and her attempts to find work for food are often unsuccessful. By the time Shu Yao passes the entrance gate to the Unclean Realm, she is exhausted and desperately hungry in a way she hasn’t been for years. With only a few hours left before nightfall, she decides that finding safe shelter is more important than food, and braces herself before stepping into the evening crowd.
It is a windy night, and taverns have thrown open their doors to cool the roaring atmosphere of the locals drinking inside. The night market is in full swing, vendors waving their products and calling out discounts into the crowd. Shu Yao’s quick steps slow down to take it all in, the vibrant colours and mouth-watering scent of fried street food reminding her of Yunmeng, when she had visited the docks surrounding Lotus Pier with her mother. She is suddenly struck with a ridiculously strong craving for Yunmeng’s spicy cuisine, for Aunt Sisi’s fire noodles, but forces herself to turn away and head towards the inns. If they won’t allow her room and board for a night in exchange for work, she would have to resort to climbing rooftops again.
The owners of the three inns insist that they are fully staffed and turn her away, but one offers her a bun, which Shu Yao gratefully accepts. She chews on it slowly as she wanders back into the crowd, tired but unwilling to rest in the alleys to avoid being harassed again. Just as she ambles past a stall selling glass trinkets, someone bumps into her with considerable force and she tumbles to the ground with a yelp.
“Oh no. I’m so sorry, Miss, are you alright? I’m so-“ Shu Yao can hear the young man apologising, but her focus is on the half-eaten bun that had rolled out of her hand into a nearby puddle. She heaves a sad sigh at her lost meal and pastes a genial smile before turning to the culprit, opening her mouth to request some compensation. She takes a glance, and forgets about the bun entirely.
The youth is well-dressed - nobility, certainly. The metallic green of the sash at her eye level wraps around a forest green outer robe embroidered at the seams in gold. Shu Yao blinks in surprise at the paper fan clutched in his left hand. Odd, for QingHe as a whole did not seem to encourage the pursuit of academia, instead turning to industry to make a living and life. As she is hauled to her feet, the teenager offers her a sheepish smile in apology.
“This one is fine, Young Master. No harm done. May I ask, does Young Master happen to be part of the Nie sect?”
“I-ah-why would Miss ask such a question?” Shu Yao takes that as a yes, and gestures to the motif carved into the handle of the fan before asking eagerly, “Would Young Master know how to seek an audience with Sect Leader Nie, then?”
“I, yes, I am from the Nie sect, but why would you want to see my brother? Has he offended you somehow?” The young man flails a little, and even while she marvels at her luck, Shu Yao is amused. All she has heard concerning Sect Leader Nie are that the man is powerful, righteous and very straightforward in his dealings. Although perhaps given his little brother’s reaction, lacking a measure of tact.
“Nothing of the sort, Young Master Nie. This one merely wishes to join QingHe Nie as a disciple and was unsure of how to go about doing so. Requesting an audience with Sect Leader Nie seems to be the most efficient way.” Shu Yao elaborates.
“That is a relief, then, haha! I can lead you to the Unclean Realm now if you want? Da-Ge should have time to see you today.”
No questions. Not one doubtful or derisive look come her way, and Shu Yao is grateful. She nods in agreement and follows Young Master Nie with renewed energy. Perhaps her luck was turning.
Her luck, curse it, is as terrible as ever.
Sect Leader Nie had taken a look at his brother at the entrance to the hall and immediately dragged him off to the training fields, nagging at him the entire way. He had probably not noticed Shu Yao at all, which she would admit being somewhat thankful for, but now she’s on her own with no one to vouch for her presence. Passing disciples shoot her odd looks, and she hurries to follow her escort to the training fields. Better to be in sight of the Sect's young master if she’s caught.
Young Master Nie practising the sabre is...not a very pleasant sight to watch. Truly. He knows the proper stances and drills, but is half-hearted and only putting in the bare minimum amount of effort. Being under the judgmental eye of the Sect Leader is clearly not helping. Shu Yao cringes in sympathy as Sect Leader Nie shouts at him to put his back into it, and impulsively decides to make her presence known to the Young Master.
As expected, the teenager promptly drops his sabre and waves energetically at her. Shu Yao hides a smile behind her sleeve and approaches the duo. Sect Leader Nie levels an unimpressed frown at her even as the Young Master introduces her as a potential disciple.
“Disciple? You wish to take up our Sect’s way of cultivation? Can you even lift a blade, let alone a sabre?”
Shu Yao narrows her eyes at the disbelieving tone.
“Yes, I can.” She answers curtly. “And Sect Leader Nie should refrain from judging a book by its cover.” She hefts up the fallen sabre and points it straight at his face with nary a tremble. From the surprised look on the Sect Leader’s face, he hadn’t expected the tiny slip of a woman to hold up heavy steel like it was a kitchen knife, much less have the audacity to stick it in his face. (Come to think of it, no one does. Do people think courtesans capable of only swooning in the face of danger? It takes plenty of strength to fight off drunk clients who turn violent in bed, and to subdue them while naked and unarmed, thank you very much. Even after you kick them in the family jewels.)
“Pfft! Da-Ge, you should see your face- hahaha!” Young Master Nie bursts into laughter, snapping her out of her irritable commentary and Shu Yao realises with a start that she is still pointing a weapon in the Sect Leader’s face. She drops it, in the same manner that the Young Master had done mere moments before, with a horrified squeak.
“Please forgive my impudence, Sect Leader Nie! This one forgets her place.” She bows her head low and prays fervently that she may escape the Sect Leader’s wrath with her head intact. Silence follows, and to her surprise deep chuckles come from over her head.
“No need to apologise, little Miss. I know very well that my words were condescending. You were proving a point, and proved it you did. Consider yourself recruited. “ Gesturing to his brother, he continues in a more serious tone, “Huaisang will show you around and bring you to the dormitories. Training begins at 7 every morning. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With that, the man strides away with a last stern look at his brother.
Still smothering giggles, Nie Huaisang turns to her with a bright grin even as he speaks a formal welcome, which soon turns to,
“I’ve never seen Da-Ge so surprised by anyone before. You must be a really interesting person, Miss…Oh no, where have my manners gone to?” The young man turns red in embarrassment, and as much as Shu Yao is delighted to see the flailing from before again, it wouldn’t do to leave the Young Master to his self-flagellation. Not when he had brought her here without so much as giving her a look, and certainly not after he had helped her secure a place in his Sect.
“…and I didn’t even introduce myself or get your name before dragging you here. I am so sorry, what must you think of me now? How could-”
“This one is Meng Shu Yao from Yunping, Young Master Nie. “ Shu Yao interrupts and offers a grateful smile. “Young Master need not apologise, not after you have given me an opportunity of a lifetime.”
Said aloud, relief floods through her like a crashing tsunami. Nearly a month on the road, staking all her hopes on making it to Qinghe, and she has made it. She would feel even better, however, if she wasn’t running on nearly empty. The adrenaline that had kept her upright till now drains away with the relief, and she has a moment to mourn again for the half-eaten bun from an hour ago before darkness claims her.