"You can do whatever you want," continued Jia Jingzi, smiling, realizing that he was onto something. "You need to support each other to be the top three in the Thousand Reflections Trial. This exam may be called a tournament, but it's not a direct confrontation; it's the maze that you'll be facing."
Really? The top three? He was setting the bar very high, but that's what it takes to see the inside of his legendary pavilion.
Doesn't that force them to find a master? They have two months to prove themselves before he chooses a master for them, right? If one of them is not eligible to enroll, all three lose. He hopes this will strengthen their cohesion. Well, on paper, it's a good idea, but this time, it's Xiao who doesn't seem happy at all.
"Excuse me? If they lose, I lose?! But that's unfair! Why should they be allowed to drag me through the mud! Just because they're my shidi doesn't give them the right to... Shizun, please. Don't do this! This disciple can fend for himself, but I don't want to be burdened with dead weight. The strong survive, the weak die, that's reality. If they can't move forward on their own, they'll die. You're too soft on them. No one will lend them a hand. And I refuse to sacrifice my future for anyone!"
Looking down on them with the animosity of a domestic animal whose privileges are taken away as soon as newcomers appear, the hostility was as palpable as it had been at the very beginning when they had to share the same shizun. Jia Jingzi's plan backfired, but at least it highlighted the fact that the relationship between the three of them hadn't changed one bit. At worst, they didn't really like each other; at best, they were indifferent to each other. Too different, even opposed, in their ways of thinking, acting, speaking, and probably in their experiences—how could their master know where the problem lay, since he was also part of the problem through his absence?
"You can be the strongest in the world, like me, but find yourself alone at the worst of times. A truly powerful cultivator will have allies, friends they can count on. They have no desire to drag you down, quite the contrary. The maze you faced is nothing compared to the trial that awaits you. All three of you have your strengths and weaknesses; you are unique, but complementary. It is as a trio that you will achieve the best score, not alone. This trial is not just to test your mastery of martial arts and techniques. But you're also right, and that's precisely why you need to become independent and be able to defend yourselves. If the three of you manage to come first in this tournament despite your delay, it will mean that you have all grown stronger."
"Shizun, I don't mind being alone. In this world, you can only count on yourself." Xiao sneered, his expression more serious than one would expect of someone his age, refusing to open up to anyone. "Other people are only interested in themselves or will just be a burden. That's how people are. They're never there when you need them, and they're quick to betray you for their own benefit. This disciple will not let anyone slow him down in his quest, and certainly not incompetents. He will be independent and able to defend himself as Shizun wants, don't worry."
He turned on his heel, ending the conversation and walking away. Chuang and Ye exchanged glances, and the latter bowed in turn to leave. As the two began to walk away, their master collapsed to the ground at Chuang's feet, the timing almost too perfect.
They hurried back to him, very concerned, forgetting their previous argument in an instant. For once, they organized themselves to carry him back to the pavilion. On the way, they could hear Jia Jingzi's weak voice calling out to them, in pain.
"Here we go again... just when I finally got to see you after so long... if only... I had a little more time."
The three stare at him grimly. "Shizun should tell us what's troubling him. This disciple would do anything to heal him," Ye says with perfect resolve. Xiao nodded with the same conviction: "Yes, I agree. At least knowing what it is would allow us to think of a way to help you. Even if it's not for now, at least when we've become stronger."
"It's nothing, boys. Just a little rest. I just don't like to see you so divided. Take me to my bamboo chair and let's all four of us stay together for a while, okay?"
However, this does not seem to calm his disciples, who remain adamant, and Ye's tone becomes firmer: "Shizun. Enough mystery! Tell us what's wrong! How can we help you?"
The other two nod vigorously, for once agreeing on this point.
Jia Jingzi remains silent for a moment before sighing. He looks quite serious and waits to be seated in his chair before speaking, his gaze passing over each of them. "Your shizun was badly injured when he saved the sect, as you know, a long time ago. He was there even before most of the masters joined the Thousand Reflections Sect. Your shizun is no longer young. Like old people, his body is no longer what it used to be."
No sooner had he finished his somewhat vague explanation than his disciples began firing questions at him, starting with Ye: "Does Shizun need a new body?" Then Chuang, as if he'd had a brilliant idea: "Or... or we could make him one!" And finally Xiao, who was getting annoyed with his two shidi: "What are you two talking about?! There must be another way!"
Their master paled a little. What did they mean, make him a new body? Ah, children and their imaginations! "No... um... how can I explain this... it's not curable. We can't touch the essence of a person. That's why no healer has been able to do anything for me. I could leave you at any moment, hence my last wishes."
This time, Ye grabbed his shizun's arm. "'At any moment?' No. This disciple will not allow it. Shizun must be cured." "Wait," Chuang interrupted, shocked by this revelation and weighing these words with unexpected gravity. "You want us to focus on this stupid exam when you could die at any moment?!"
Xiao grits his teeth, irritated by his own helplessness. "When is this exam? I need to become powerful, and fast!" "No, seriously?! There are more important things!" Chuang exclaims, impatiently.
At this rate, none of them will participate—they'll worry too much. "But no, of course not! I... I didn't mention death! It's just that I could lock myself in this pavilion for a very, very long time, and then you would have no guide. You would be left to your own devices. This shizun would like to see you triumph before that happens."
This doesn't seem to reassure them any more. However, they all exchange glances and a mutual understanding seems to be established. To save shizun.
"We'll do as shizun wants," Chuang concedes wearily. Ye reluctantly agrees and Xiao bows silently. They finally agree to make an effort. Their discussion has been long, but Jia Jingzi has finally succeeded. He gives them a beautiful smile. "This shizun is happy to have been able to make you see reason."
He even pats all three of them on the head so as not to make anyone jealous, starting with Ye, who looks a little sadder. After all, he only has two arms for three children, so he always does one, then two, so that no one is left out. He has seen them squabbling sometimes.
"Very well. This shizun will wait to see which master you choose."