Mage And Wolf
Chapter 84

Chapter 84: Chapter 84

Months pass in monotony, perfecting many different pills, restocking the Sect storage with them beside Elder Ming and spending my afternoons cooking and practicing martial arts.

The day has finally come to leave for the competition. Everything is a prepared as is going to be, I can make the aphrodisiac pill with my eyes closed. Literally, we tried. The Divine Fist and Sacred Thunder Styles and their basic skills are smooth and fluent at my hands in combat. Everything is the best it can be.

Elder Po recommended that I travel incognito to throw off any pursuit from the Sect, so I’ll be traveling with Elder Song, who isn’t well known, in plain clothes. He also recommended a backpack, to hide the fact I’ve got a storage ring or three. It’s full of cooking implements and ingredients with a change of clothes.

I’m not in sect robes of course, not even in my Priestess Robes which might look like cultivators garb. No, I’m in my combat outfit. My beloved leather pants, corset, a frilly cream colored blouse and matching silk sash. My saber hangs at my side, but that’s normal for anyone traveling these woods.

Me and Elder Song have made good time the first morning, not meeting anyone hostile. Not even a dangerous animal.

Then suddenly Song pinches my arm. "There’s a group coming up behind us. It’s an all female sect known for their haughtiness. They’ve got a powerful guardian and she knows I’m an Immortal." he whispers low enough even most cultivators might not hear him and I give a tiny nod.

He’s hidden his cultivation, appearing as a blank to anyone weaker than him, so whoever guards these girls is more powerful. I, on the other hand, only hid the nature of my cultivation, hoping nobody investigates further and causes trouble.

"Greetings travelers we are the ladies of the High River sect. Off to the cultivators competition."

"Well met noble ladies" I greet back "I am the Baroness Katrina, and this is my Master, Chef Song. I too am headed to the tournament. I hope to make an impression in the magical beast cooking competition.

Every eye lights up at this news and Elder Song smiles at me.

"Would you and your noble master care to join us? There is safety in numbers and the road grows weary without conversation."

Elder Song nods for me to continue.

"It would be our honor to join your noble sect for this trip. I shall make a special meal tonight in honor of new friends well met."

The day passes quickly, chattering away like the school aged girl I appear to be, Lycan genes and a baby face sticking me at a seemingly perpetual teenage appearance.

Just before dark their guardian appears with a duck and a small pig. Both are tier 1 magical beasts, I’m not sure if she’s testing my story, but it’s going to be a great dinner.

By the time the camp is set I’m well on the way to a dinner of Crispy Duck, barbecue braised suckling pig, sage stuffing and an assortment of curried, grilled and tempura battered vegetables. The smell is divine.

Even their elusive guardian appears to join us for the meal, saying nothing and sitting off to the side, but eating well.

We’re just ready to pack away the leftovers for tomorrow’s hike when we hear a crashing of bodies through the forest. Elder Song and the guardian just look annoyed, so it must not be too dangerous.

"See I told you, I smelled pretty women and good food. Didn’t I? My nose never fails me"

He’s got a point, as a Lycan I could track these girls perfume for miles.

The boorish man is soon joined by a dozen friends, all in robes that mark them as Inner Disciples of the Divine Fist Sect. They’re almost all in the low Condensation Stages, so they’re likely along to spectate.

"Good evening gentlemen, what might bring you crashing into our camp unannounced?" The most Senior of the High River Sect disciples asks in a haughty tone. They didn’t treat me that way, maybe it’s reserved for men?

"Ladies, you have the honor of meeting inner sect disciples of the Divine Fist Sect. Should there not be bowing and feasting?"

"I’d gladly fist him" I whisper to the girl beside me and she bursts into laughter, earning the ire of every male disciple.

"Is the High River sect always so ill mannered?" another asks.

An Elder appears among the Divine Fist disciples "It seems there is a small misunderstanding here. The boys just wish some food and nighttime companionship, certainly we can solve this as civilized nobles before cultivators"

The girls all look nervous.

"Cultivators solve with might" Elder Song whispers to me "If they win they’ll claim the girls innocence and the food". I can see the Divine Fist Elder heard him, and he’s giving us a condescending smirk.

"I’m sorry about your luck gentlemen. But I’m afraid I’ll not be so civil as these noble ladies. If you’ve the nerve to interrupt my dinner, you’ve certainly got the nerve to redress your insult as cultivators, right?"

Their leader, so proud of his sense of smell, is the first to attack. Heavenly Fist, the core attack of the Divine Fist Sect is his strike of choice. Blunt, brutal and straight on. I sway around his attack with the flowing grace of the Blooming Lotus Style and snap a hard kick into his groin faster than the eye can track with the Sacred Thunder’s signature lightning kick.

His hips turn at an odd angle and he falls to the ground, silently mouthing a scream his lungs lack the air to voice. Everyone has paused and I realize my mistake, I’ve mixed styles in a fight. Or maybe it’s the entirely black eyes when I’m using Qi.

The fight quickly turns into a melee. The boys have the numbers, but the ladies edge them out in power.

A baton wielding, tall lithe young man drives me back a step with a series of quick strikes. They’re not elegant, but efficient and powerful. Taking advantage of my much smaller stature, I duck his next strike and empower my claws, very nearly tearing his legs off and putting him out of commission.

At the last second I see a sword coming for me and foolishly put my arm up to block. To my surprise, it rebounds with a resounding clang. The Dragon Armor I embedded actually held against a Condensation Realm cultivators sword! Fortunately it wasn’t an energy imbued technique.

The rebound has put the cultivator off balance and a thin blade pierces him from back to front. It seems the ladies have won. Everyone backs off at some unheard signal and the Divine Fist Sect gathers their wounded and flees without a word.

"Well, that meal was more exciting than expected. Shall I whip us up some dessert?" I ask the High River ladies.

"Yes, that would be lovely, thank you" one tells out of habit, and I start digging in my bag for the box of cream puffs.

Nobody seems to know what to say, but I pass the box of puffs around and the awkward atmosphere turns to happy noises of girls experiencing new sweets.

"You take your food seriously, don’t you young lady?" The girls guardian speaks for the first time.

"Deadly serious." I affirm "My chastity as well"

She smiles at me "You’d be welcome and a good fit to the High River sect, should you wish to part with your current master".

"I thank you for the offer, but I still have a ways to travel on this path" I turn her down as politely as possible and she smiles her understanding.

"I don’t suppose you could teach me that pastry recipe?"