Unintended Cultivator

It took a couple of days before Sen found himself once more at Grandmother Lu’s door. He never came during the day, so even he was a little shocked at how run down her little hut looked in the sunlight. At an impatient noise from Cultivator Feng, Sen roused himself, reached out a hand, and knocked on the door. Then, he stepped back and waited. Sen worried that the cultivator might grow impatient, but the man seemed content to simply stand there at the door for however long it took. After several minutes, the door cracked open enough that Sen could see Grandmother Lu peering out suspiciously at them. Before either Sen or Grandmother Lu could speak, the cultivator stepped forward. He gave a gracious bow.

“Honored Grandmother,” he said, “may we please come in to speak with you? I promise, we will not waste your time.”

Grandmother Lu looked to Sen and he gave her an emphatic nod. She heaved a great sigh and opened the door enough to let us in.

“Well, I suppose you better,” she muttered.

“Gratitude,” said Feng.

Sen followed Feng into Grandmother Lu’s. He worried what the cultivator’s reaction might be, but the man didn’t twitch so much as an eyelash at the humble little home. Instead, he bade Grandmother Lu sit and then, seemingly from nowhere, he produced a teapot and cups. Sen had no idea how he did it, but the man produced steaming tea and poured cups for himself, Grandmother Lu, and Sen. The boy awkwardly toyed with his cup but didn’t actually drink any. Instead, he looked nervously between Grandmother Lu and Cultivator Feng. Sen had to admit that Grandmother Lu took it all in stride, as though she hosted strangers who performed minor miracles on a daily basis. She waited quietly until the tea was cool enough, then sipped. She closed her eyes and made appreciative noises. Only then did she fix Sen with a stern look.

“Where have you been boy? You don’t usually disappear for so long.”

“Forgive me, honored grandmother,” said Feng. “I fear that his long absence was my doing. I will be taking Sen as my disciple. There were matters that needed resolution before we could leave.”

“Disciple,” muttered Grandmother Lu. “What sort of disciple?”

“Ah, I failed to introduce myself. I am Cultivator Feng Ming.”

Grandmother Lu’s eyes went a little wide, but it was the only hint of surprise that she showed. “A cultivator. I see. So, you intend to make Sen a cultivator?”

Feng inclined his head. “I will be entering into secluded cultivation for a time. I need someone to attend to those occasional worldly matters that might intrude on me during this time. In exchange, Sen will receive some small instruction from me.”

“A worthy exchange,” said Grandmother Lu in a soft voice. “But why have you sought me out?”

“A trifling matter, I assure you. Sen expressed some minor concerns about your disposition while he is away. I cannot have him distracted, so I fear I must impose on your good nature to ease his mind. After all, it is often difficult to focus when one worries for family.”

“Oh,” said Grandmother Lu. “Yes, he is a distractable boy. I wouldn’t want him to fail in his duties out of concern for me.”

Cultivator Feng beamed at Grandmother Lu. “Exactly. As such, I have made some small arrangements on your behalf. If you’ll allow me, I’d be most pleased to escort you to a modestly more comfortable place for you to stay.”

Grandmother Lu gave Sen another inquisitive look. He nodded his head in the affirmative.

“Very well, Cultivator Feng. Since it’s for the boy’s benefit, how could I refuse?”

After everyone finished their tea, Cultivator Feng made the tea set disappear. Grandmother Lu took a few minutes to gather up a few treasures she couldn’t part with and then stepped out of her little hut for the last time. Cultivator Feng took up station at her elbow and walked along at the pace she set, only occasionally directing her down one street or another. He engaged Grandmother Lu in light conversation about things that happened long before Sen was born. If Grandmother Lu found the topics odd, she showed no sign of it. She held up her end of the conversation and, save for the occasional stop so she could briefly rest, the small group made steady progress across town.

When Cultivator Feng led Grandmother Lu up to a finely appointed home, she shot Sen an incredulous look. When a servant opened the door and gave her a deep bow, she finally seemed at a loss. Cultivator Feng greeted the servant and ushered Grandmother Lu into the house. She looked around in pure wonder at the decorative scrolls that hung on the walls and the carefully polished wooden floors. Finally, she turned and gave Cultivator Feng as deep a bow as she could manage. Cultivator Feng gave her one in return. As a final gesture, he handed over a small jade box.

“What is this?” She asked.

“A few medicinal pills,” said Cultivator Feng. “They are reputed to provide some minor relief to the joints. One every six months should suffice. Now, I’ll leave you to say goodbye to your grandson.”

With that, Feng left through the front door. Grandmother Lu looked at Sen with equal parts gratitude and disbelief on her face.

Sen smiled and spoke. “There’s money to see you through. I didn’t ask for details, but he promised it would be enough that you wouldn’t have to worry about things.”

“Why would you do this for me?” She asked.

“You helped me when you couldn’t really afford it. I’ll never forget that. Plus, I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. I really would have worried. I want you to be here when I get back.”

Grandmother Lu didn’t cry, but she did pull Sen into an unexpected hug.

“You be careful, boy. Cultivators are fickle and dangerous. You do your best to come back alive. I’ll do my best to still be here when you do.”

“That sounds like a deal to me, Grandmother Lu.”

Grandmother Lu took a moment to straighten Sen's robes, a thoughtful look on her face. “You’ve been family to me more than mine ever was. From now on, if anyone asks you your name, you tell them that it’s Lu Sen. And you just call me grandmother.”

It took Sen a long time to find his voice again after that declaration. When he did, all he said was, “Yes, grandmother.”

Grandmother Lu gave him a little smile. “All right, boy. I suppose it’s time for you to go hold up your end of things with the cultivator. May blessings find you.”

Sen walked over to the door and gave her a bow. “And you, grandmother. Oh, make sure you take those pills.”

“I’m not senile, boy. I’ll remember.”

He smiled and slipped out the door. Cultivator Feng was waiting in the yard. He appeared to be in deep contemplation of a small maple tree. Yet, as Sen approached, the cultivator turned and gave him an appraising look.

“I believe I’ve done my part,” said Feng.

“You have, master,” said Sen.

“I’ll have your undivided focus?”

“You will, master.”

“Good. Now, let’s be on our way. I don’t particularly enjoy this town.”