a post-cyberpunk xianxia epic
It proved an exceedingly difficult task, and yet, somehow, Tiao eventually managed to fend off a horde of disciples interested in talking with the Crown Prince as they were trying to leave the Luanshi’s cafeteria. She was barely able to get five words in while they were eating and most of them were admonitions doled […]
PRESENT DAY. The mist was heavy on Yunji the following morning, hanging like a milky specter over the jagged landscape. Craggy precipices too shallow for anything but birds were the only sight to break through from afar; the morning blanket rested plushly atop the heads of wind and elevation molded evergreens that thrived on weaving […]
The entry to Luanshi’s Cultivator Dormitories was an austere looking building built of black iron wood, ancient rivets, and reclaimed glass. It protruded from the hollowed out side of Yunji, more welcoming than an undressed cave mouth with its low electric lights and its painted screens, its hearth with water always ready for tea. The […]
Tian Xiaoxu was the first to dismount when they came upon the two leaders of Luanshi’s hallowed halls. Immediately, he was on his knees before Jiling, hands held before him in deep respect, begging the Lady of the Mountain’s favor and aid in their deep trouble scenario. “Lady Jiling of the nascent swarm, Master Xueyu […]
Tian Xiaoxu was slower than the wildfire rumours that spread from his wager’s spark. Even as he walked from the Ren estate back to Skyline Manor, he heard the noise of his actions chatter past him in whispers and bits: spoken as story through the open doors of a teahouse, replayed by children in the […]
The morning was still dim when Tian Xiaoxu rose. He had little time or desire for breakfast—not when it was such a momentous day for his young brother. The crown prince dressed quickly, as plainly as he could to spite the elegance of his wardrobe, and rushed to rouse his sibling. “Come on, Yuhui,” he […]
The sun was high overhead, just beginning its descent to the other horizon when Tian Xiaoxu came to disturb his brother’s silent retreat. Ren Li hadn’t given him many details but when one younger brother was bothered, the other usually matched. If Xiao knew anything at all, it was that Tian and Ren moods were […]
Just as Xueyu was stepping away from the pair of doctors attending the wounded men to scan the alleyway for any sign of the missing prince and his prized pupil, it seemed he found what he was looking for. The swordmaster’s eyes immediately snapped to the boys suddenly materialized before him, wide and then impossibly […]
“Fei—” Xiao stepped back into Fei as Li advanced. He held Boon aloft before him glinting mercury warnings in the light. “Fei—do it back, do it fucking back—!” “Okay okay!!” Fei stammered, focusing hard on his brother. He closed the space between himself and Quan in his mind, adorned himself in his posture, his predator […]
Most of Fanxing City’s vendors were already set up by the time Xueyu turned onto the street at the top of Zhongxin Market with his entourage. It was a convoluted and bustling place, full of old men whose dealings only centered around digging up discounts, merchants hungry for the back and forth of a haggle, […]