If the question meant anything significant to Hou Lei, he didn’t show it. “Sure. Spear Shore is a city somewhere on the western coast of the empire. I’ve never been myself, but I’ve heard it’s one of the largest cities in the province.” Hou Lei glanced up at the ceiling in recollection. “Can’t say I’ve heard about any Hidden Ring. Are they a sect or something? If so, they must be small or I would’ve heard about them.”

  “They aren’t some notable sect from another province in the empire?” Ishin pressed.

  “I don’t think so.” Hou Lei chewed on his inner cheek. “I think I know the names of the notable sects throughout the empire, more or less. And they definitely aren’t one of the Grand Sects. It’s possible they’re a smaller regional sect.” He gave a shrug. “Or they might not be a sect at all. That was just a guess—there are many other organizations aside from sects. Who are they?”

  Ishin wasn’t about to reveal what had happened on Tyrant’s Rest, especially to someone he’d just met. “Just some people I met in the Nine Striped Hills. Nothing more.”

  The look on Hou Lei’s face showed that he was unconvinced, but he didn’t seem to care enough to ask further. That was fine—and in truth, Ishin was relieved that Hou Lei at least had information on one of his queries. He’d rather have learned about the Hidden Ring, but he’d take what he could get.

  “Spear Shore— is it close?”

  Another shrug. “It’s in the West Falcon Province, but a ways away. I don’t know the exact distance, but it’d probably take you six or seven months to walk there. Not sure how long by sky chariot.”

  “Sky chariot?” Ishin had never heard the term before.

  “Heavens, they don’t even have those in the Nine Striped Hills?” It seemed Ishin’s ignorance never ceased to surprise Hou Lei. “They’re flying spirit tools. Expensive, but used for traveling great distances. You can see them in the skies sometimes. You haven’t seen any since arriving?”

  Ishin thought about all the time he’d spent indoors since his arrival—first waiting with Lou Heng at the Moonpetal Hotel for his mother to arrive, then spending the next week secluded inside the Traveler’s Abode processing the Rupture Wailing Storm Pills. His limited time actually walking through the city had been spent looking for specific buildings, so he hadn’t bothered to watch the skies. After further thought, Ishin did remember seeing some unidentifiable objects flying above the city when he’d been approaching from the Nine Striped Hills.

  “That sounds incredible,” Ishin replied honestly. “How much does one cost to buy?”

  “More than you can possibly afford,” Hou Lei chuckled. “More than I can afford. I’ve never even flown in one before.” He made a dismissive gesture. “Point is, Spear Shore is far.”

  Too far. Ishin wasn’t naive. He had barely survived his journey to Yellow Dome City. No, I would’ve died on my own without Lou Heng’s help. There was no possibility of him traveling for six or seven months alone. Not in his current state, at least. No, my next step has to be becoming stronger… so that I can survive a journey to Spear Shore and search for any hint about my clan. And perhaps with strength… will come enough money for one of those sky chariots.

  Ishin considered the Eight Oaths Resolve disciple before him. Hou Lei, while a stranger, was offering a path to reaching the third layer. With only seventeen coppers to his name, Ishin didn’t really have any better options. Besides, even if Hou Lei was using him for his school’s own ends, at least he was honest about it.

  He reminds me of Lou Heng in that regard. And honesty… honesty’s worth a lot to me.

  “All right, I’ll join you.”

  Hou Lei pounded the table with enthusiasm. “Excellent!” Ishin’s bowl shook from the vibration. “Tomorrow, swing by my school. I’ll introduce you to Rhee, and she’ll decide how to train you.”

  “Rhee?”

  “She’s the number one disciple amongst our class and will be the leader of our team. She’s great—you’ll see.”

  If she was stronger than Hou Lei, then Ishin was eager to meet her. “Looking forward to it.”

  Hou Lei rose from the table. “I’m sure! Bring all your stuff and wear whatever you need to for a fight. She’ll want to test your skills herself. Make sure to get there before noon. I’ll head back now to tell her all about you.”

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  The enthusiasm was contagious, and Ishin found himself excited for tomorrow. Before Hou Lei left, Ishin realized a problem. “Wait! Where is the Eight Oaths School?”

  “Eight Oaths Resolve School,” Hou Lei corrected. “It’s in the Eastern Quarter along Ardent Street. Has eight spires protruding from the center building. Surely you’ve seen it.”

  “New to the city, remember.”

  “Right,” Hou Lei drawled. “You know what, I’ll actually meet you here tomorrow morning after breakfast and walk you there.”

  Relief washed over Ishin. “Thank you. I appreciate your help.” He moved to bow to Hou Lei in respect and gratitude.

  “None of that,” Hou Lei said, waving him off. “I’m not your master or even your senior.” Grinning widely at Ishin, he added, “I hope to soon be your teammate.”

  Ishin reversed his bow and returned the smile. He was starting to like Hou Lei. “I hope so too.”

  “Tomorrow then!”

  “Tomorrow.”

  Hou Lei left, and Ishin made his way to an eagerly awaited bath. The experience was nothing like his time at the Moonpetal Hotel. The tub was stained bronze, and the water was cold. But it was a bath—and he was provided soap. Still, Ishin didn’t spend longer than fifteen minutes before leaving.

  Afterward, he went to the old innkeeper. He swore the woman never slept—or even moved from her perch by the stairs.

  “You no longer reek,” she commented. “Though your clothes could use a wash.”

  Ishin hadn’t switched to different robes after the bath, merely putting the same outfit back on. And he agreed with the old woman. The upper left portion was burnt off, nearly falling apart. Dirt, blood, and sweat still coated the worn-out fabric. These robes had been put through the wringer and should probably be burned instead of washed.

  “I’ll keep that in mind, thank you.”

  She huffed before pointing at the corner of the room behind Ishin. “Your spear is over there. Clean as we could get it. Ran some people through, did you?”

  Ishin walked over to his spear. The blood was gone and the steel tip gleamed in the candlelight. He hadn’t expected them to clean it this well. “Something like that,” he called back.

  “The Dueling Pit is a place for animals. You’re lucky to have come back unscathed.”

  As Ishin thought back to the events from earlier today, he knew she was right. “Don’t worry. I won’t be heading back.”

  The next morning, Ishin waited outside the Traveler’s Abode, dressed in his tribe’s combat leathers. He performed some basic stretches in the street, getting used to the attire. He’d missed wearing the leather armor. It felt natural and reminded him of home. It reminded me that I’m the son of the Daihu Tribe’s First Warrior. Former First Warrior. Ishin suppressed the thought.

  “That looks painful,” Hou Lei remarked as he approached the rundown inn.

  Ishin was executing a standing overhead extended leg stretch, stimulating his quadriceps. From his position, he saw that the disciple was dressed in silky blue and orange robes this time.

  “A little,” Ishin replied with a groan. “But necessary.”

  “Necessary to do it in armor?”

  Ishin lowered his leg to better address Hou Lei. “No, but you said to dress for battle.” He glanced down at his attire. “Is it not appropriate for your school?”

  “It’s great,” Hou Lei beamed. “Between those and your scars, you look like a real barbarian warrior!”

  Ishin didn’t care for being called a barbarian, but let it go. Hou Lei was right, though. He did look like a warrior—and that, Ishin was fine with. I am a warrior. And I’ll wear that title proudly.

  “Glad you approve.” Ishin grabbed his spear and pack from the ground and slung it over his back. “Shall we get going to your school?”

  “Let’s!”

  Hou Lei led Ishin across the city. It took almost two hours of navigating the winding and twisting roads of Yellow Dome City. The city was truly massive. The whole journey, Hou Lei regaled Ishin with stories about his time at the Eight Oaths Resolve School.

  Ishin learned about Wan Bo, a twenty-year-old disciple who was a metal cultivator and the third identified member of the school’s Exhibition Tournament team. More interesting to Ishin, Hou Lei also spoke about Zhu Rhee, the team’s leader.

  Zhu Rhee, Hou Lei explained, was the granddaughter of the school’s grandmaster and considered a prodigy. She was already at the fourth layer, despite being only eighteen, and Hou Lei claimed she could hold her own against fifth-stage cultivators. Even more telling was Hou Lei’s own admission that he’d never managed to beat her in a duel.

  Ishin had asked what type of cultivator Zhu Rhee was, but Hou Lei had only laughed and refused to answer—stating that it would be more fun for Ishin to go into his match against her blind. Ishin supposed that was fair. In a true fight, I wouldn’t know the chakra aspect of my opponent beforehand.

  As the sun rose prominently above the city skyline, Ishin and Hou Lei arrived before the Eight Oaths Resolve School. The school was a single wide orange-and-blue rectangular structure that matched the size of the Dueling Pit. Like Hou Lei had promised, eight prominent spires protruded from the smooth marbled roof of the school. The spires alternated between blue and orange, which Ishin figured were the school’s colors. Each stood fifty feet tall, eclipsing the height of all surrounding buildings, and were wide enough that Ishin suspected there had to be rooms and chambers within.

  “Welcome,” Hou Lei exclaimed, “to the Eight Oaths Resolve School!”