18. Cultivating and Training (4)
The next morning arrived with a crisp clarity. The sky was a pale blue, and the first rays of sunlight filtered through the thin paper windows of the small Jiu family compound. Birds called from the few trees in the courtyard. The air carried the faint scent of dew on stone and the distant smoke of breakfast fires from neighboring homes. It was the day before the clan escort would take the selected youths to the gathering point. Tension and anticipation hung over the household like a thin veil.
Jiu Yin stood silently in his room, arms crossed, watching the woman on his bed. He had felt the shift in their bond moments earlier. The connection had strengthened. She was waking.
Yan Qing’s eyelids fluttered. A soft groan escaped her lips as consciousness returned. Her golden-yellow eyes opened slowly, confusion clouding them at first. Then they widened in fear as she saw him standing over her. She scrambled backward on the bed, pressing herself against the wall, her long black hair disheveled and her red lips parted in shock.
“What… what happened?” she whispered, voice hoarse and trembling. “Where am I? What did you do to me?”
Jiu Yin smiled calmly. He extended a hand toward her, palm up, in a gesture that looked almost gentle. “Sit up. You are safe. For now.”
She hesitated, eyes darting around the small room as if searching for an escape. After a moment she took his hand. Her fingers were cold. He helped her sit up slowly. She swayed slightly, one hand pressing against her chest as if checking that her heart was still beating.
“You are now bonded to me,” Jiu Yin said simply, his voice steady and matter-of-fact. “You should be grateful for such an honor. I spared your life when I could have ended it.”
Yan Qing stared at him, confusion and fear mixing on her face. “Bonded? What are you talking about? What do you want with me?”
Jiu Yin reached for one of the small vials he had prepared the night before. He tossed it lightly onto the bed beside her. The dark crimson liquid inside caught the morning light.
“First things first,” he said. “Drink.”
Yan Qing picked up the vial with trembling fingers. She uncorked it and brought it close to her nose. Instead of the metallic scent of blood she expected, it smelled strangely sweet. Almost intoxicating. She hesitated, looking up at him with wide eyes.
“Drink,” he repeated, a little more firmly.
She brought the vial to her lips and took a small sip. The taste was rich and sweet, like honeyed wine mixed with something deeper. She drank more, then suddenly gagged, nearly coughing it back up. Her body shuddered violently as the blood took effect.
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Jiu Yin stepped forward quickly and placed a hand on her shoulder, steadying her. “Do not fight it. Swallow.”
She forced the rest down, tears stinging her eyes. When the vial was empty, she gasped for breath, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. The color had already begun returning to her pale cheeks.
“You are now my blood thrall,” Jiu Yin explained calmly. “You are bound to me. You will need to drink my blood regularly to keep the hunger at bay. Without it, you will slowly lose your mind and become little more than a beast. In return, you will serve me. You will have protection, resources, and a place at my side as I rise.”
Yan Qing looked at him like he was insane. “A blood thrall? What on earth is a blood thrall? What have you done to me?”
Jiu Yin’s smile remained patient. “It is a special bond. You are still mostly yourself. You have no weakness to the sun. You have gained a new affinity for blood, especially Qi-rich blood. You will feel a strong loyalty toward me. In time you may even gain greater power. But you must drink from me regularly. That is the price of your new life.”
He left out the part about resisting the urge for two days potentially breaking the bond. That was his secret to keep.
Yan Qing stared at him for a long moment, processing everything. Her golden-yellow eyes were filled with a mixture of fear, confusion, and reluctant acceptance. “What… what are you?” she finally asked, voice barely above a whisper.
Jiu Yin smiled again, this time with a hint of mystery. “In due time. Once you prove yourself, you will find out.”
He offered her his hand. “Stand up. It is time to introduce you to the family. You will be my new steward.”
Yan Qing took his hand and rose unsteadily to her feet. She was still pale, but the blood had already begun to stabilize her. She followed him out of the room, her steps cautious.
In the main courtyard, Qiu Yu was sweeping the stones. When she saw Yan Qing walking beside Jiu Yin, a strange look flickered across her face for a split second. It was a flash of jealousy, sharp and unexpected, before she quickly lowered her eyes and returned to her work. Jiu Yin noticed it but could not quite place what it meant.
Jiu Ping and Jiu Lan were already in the main room, discussing last-minute preparations for the tournament. Both women looked up as Jiu Yin entered with the newcomer.
“Mother, sister,” Jiu Yin said calmly, “this is Yan Qing. She will be serving as my new steward. I helped her several days ago, and she has sworn to follow me to repay the debt.”
Jiu Ping’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, but she recovered quickly and offered a warm, if cautious, smile. “A new steward? Welcome, Yan Qing. If my son trusts you, then you are welcome in our home. Please, sit and have some tea. We have much to prepare before tomorrow.”
Jiu Lan’s green eyes narrowed as she studied the newcomer. She said nothing at first, but the suspicion in her gaze was unmistakable. Still, she offered a polite nod. “If you are here to help my brother, then you are welcome. We leave for the tournament in two days. There is much to do.”
Yan Qing bowed respectfully, still slightly unsteady on her feet. “Thank you for your kindness. I will serve the young lord well.”
The family sat together for a light breakfast. Jiu Ping asked gentle questions about Yan Qing’s background. Yan Qing answered carefully, sticking to the story Jiu Yin had given her. She had been helped by the young lord several days ago and had sworn to follow him to repay the debt. The conversation remained polite, but the underlying tension in the room was palpable. Jiu Lan watched Yan Qing closely. Qiu Yu kept stealing glances at the newcomer, her expression unreadable.