A Child's Innocence

Jinshen was sitting on a the ground, staring up at the clear blue sky that brought him comfort and besides him was that man from when he first went through the body transformation.

The man's face was now fully visible, his sharp yet gentle gaze now fully on Jinshen.

He was muscular and aged, with bulky arms and long, graying hair that reached his shoulders. Wrinkles traced his weathered face, but youthful energy still danced in his grey eyes. He wore mismatched rags, stitched together into a rough tunic and leggings. Despite his appearance, his smile was strong and unwavering.

"Ya know, Jinshen," he began, voice a blend of teasing and stern, "ever since I pulled ya out of that life as a slave... I noticed something real annoying about ya."

The man stood up from the ground with a small grunt of exertion as he took a deep breath before speaking.

"You overestimate your strength way too much. You think you're at the level of a First Class Disciple right? But, let me tell ya this. A First Class Disciple ain't shit in the real world."

Jinshen looked at him in utter shock, he was still processing that he was with the man who saved him, he remained silent. Taking the criticism to heart as he listened to what the man had to say.

The man smirked slightly, turning to look at him in a bit of fatherly mocking, one that came from the heart.

"You're just at the Qi Accumulation stage brat. That's why you can't get ahead of those guys despite having something the other's don't, you've got the training of the Darkwing Sect in your mind kid. Use it.

Jinshen's mouth opened as just as he was about to speak, he awoke back in the real world with a jolt as he sat up in the bed he was in.

He was in a normal looking room with brown walls and many cupboards and shelves that stored many herbs stored in jar. Some of the jars stored liquids of different colors, some were yellow and thin while some were more brown and thick. 

His robe was now changed into a more simple, white one made of cotton that didn't have designs of any sort.

He took a deep breath to compose himself before he stood up from the bed. His body was nearly fully healed, his left arm still had a few scars on it. But except that, it was completely fine.

That dream, it felt a bit targeted. Maybe its a hint of sorts from my Qi. I haven't cultivated ever since I've found the Nanomachine-

His thoughts were interjected by a mocking and somewhat taunting voice that echoed in his mind. 

Maaster~ Ya finally woke up. I didn't want to make ya seem suspicious so i just did the most necessary of healing. To prevent you from being a cripple and all.

Jinshen took a deep long breath to compose himself and stop the urge to yell at Nanomachine in his mind

Oh my, thank you. He responded in a sarcastic manner that seemed to amuse the Nanomachine further.

Before their banter could continued the door the infirmary opened as a middle aged man walked in, dressed in a high collared black robe with a symbol of a crane on his chest.

"Ah, you're awake are you young man?" The man said with a small warm smile on his face "You put on quite a performance, deserving of the first position."

He was tall and slim, with charcoal-black hair tied into a ponytail. Gray streaks had begun creeping into his hairline. His features were wise, but not cold—more like a man who had seen much, yet still enjoyed life to the fullest and was now prepared to teach others how to do so themselves.

Jinshen looked at the man in a stoic silent for a few moments, not responding immediately. Not even a hint of excitement at the revelation of him getting the first position he deserved.

"You are?" Jinshen spoke to the man warily, not wanting to anger anyone in the Demonic Sect since no one would help him if he did so to the wrong person.

The old man nodded slowly in understanding of Jinshen's wariness since after all, despite his friendly nature, he was a part of the Demonic Sect.

"No need to be scared kid. I'm Sima Ruyu, you can call me Elder Sima Ruyu."

Jinshen's eyes widened a fraction as he recognized that name almost instantly. He composed himself quickly nonetheless, looking at Ruyu.

"Very well Elder. I suppose you have news for me?"

Ruyu nodded, putting his hands behind his back as he stood up straight before speaking.

"Yes. The Trial of Blood will occur in two days time. Until then the participants will recover."

Jinshen breathed an inner sigh of relief as he gave a subtle nod of understanding at Ruyu.

"Very well Elder. But where will I be staying?"

Ruyu smiled as he opened the sliding door of the infirmary back up, gesturing for Jinshen to follow him with his finger.

Jinshen silently obliged, following Ruyu through the corridors and hallways of the base as Ruyu spoke to Jinshen.

"The Demonic Sect's base spans four li in every direction," Ruyu explained. "Most sects have walls. We don't need them. The mountains protect us."

He explained to Jinshen with passion, it seemed he had been waiting for someone like Jinshen to explain these things to.

Jinshen listened carefully, already making a mental map of the Demonic Sect's base which seemed to be a bit larger then most sects.

"These buildings." He said in a stoic yet still curious tone. "What are their functions?"

Ruyu paused a small smile on his face as he fell in step with Jinshen, matching his pace. He looked at Jinshen as he raised his index finger.

"Well, the first one is the medicinal and alchemy building, its located on the bottom of the Northern Mountain. It has three floors, The infirmary is on the ground floor. The medicinal storage is on the first, and the alchemy labs are in the second and third floor."

He raised his middle and ring finger before continuing.

"Then there is the weaponry, pretty self explanatory, its on the top of the Southern Mountain. Then their's the Demonic Ember Library, where we store the scrolls and techniques of the sect, it has 7 floors but after the first and second one, you need to get clearance from an Elder like myself."

He finally raised his pinky finger, a small excited smile on his face, akin to one of a small child.

"Then of course there's the Ashen Hall, where you'll be staying. It has a total of 5 floors, each one is separated into a hierarchy, the new members on the first floor and the Grand Marshall, his wife, Lady of The Twilight Flame, Lady Bai Yelan and their granddaughter on the top."

Jinshen's eyes widened in surprise at the mention of the 'granddaughter' of the Grand Marshall.

I knew that Mo Yuxan had been married at one point.. But a daughter? That's surprising.

He quickly composed himself before nodding slowly in understanding at Ruyu, his eyes landing on his wrist, specifically the small, wooden bracelet that was very crudely made.

"I suppose the Young Lady had made that for you? Elder?"

Ruyu nodded a small fond laugh escaping his lips as he put forward the bracelet in a prideful manner

"Yes, the Young Lady is not allowed to train in martial arts for now so she passes time by creating bracelets for every new member and old member. And you'll get your's soon so don't get jealous young man."

A faint smile of amusement spread across Jinshen's lips as he nodded, his eyes fixed on the bracelet which had the word Elder, spelled out on the beads.

"That is quite hard. But, I'll try my best to keep myself from snatching yours."