The first few minutes back at the house were surreal for Sen. Uncle Kho, who had been old and bald for as long as Sen had known him, had undergone a transformation. Now, he looked like he was only a bit older than Ma Caihong. The wrinkles on his face had been replaced with smooth skin. His head was completely covered with long, shiny black hair that had been pulled up into a topknot. While he still wore a beard, it wasnât long, white, and flowing anymore, but trimmed close to his face. The only thing that was truly the same were his eyes. All of the years that some cultivation trick had peeled away from the manâs body were still plainly evident in the manâs eyes. They looked out at the world with a burden of ancient knowledge and countless secrets.
For all of the changes, though, the man was clearly thrilled to see Sen. He beamed at the young man like Sen had stormed the heavens, robbed them blind, and gotten away with no one the wiser. Sen couldnât help it. He smiled back at the man. Uncle Khoâs attention shifted away from Sen for a moment as he greeted Falling Leaf. The old cultivator produced an entire roasted duck from what had to be a storage treasure of some kind and lobbed it to the big cat. Falling Leaf deftly caught the bird in her jaws before trotting off to a corner of the courtyard to enjoy her meal.
For her part, Ma Caihong remained a little way back from Sen and Uncle Kho. Sen didnât think she meant to be rude, although he supposed it was possible. What little he could glean from her was more like caution. In a moment of insight, Sen realized that she was in almost as tricky a position as he was. Sen felt he had to tread with care around her because this was her home. If she ever told him to leave, he would have to do it. On the other hand, Uncle Kho had clearly formed an attachment to him. While Sen had no doubt that Uncle Kho would always choose his wife, she was family after all, it didnât mean that she wanted an open conflict with Sen either. Such a conflict would likely cause a rift between her and her husband. After being away for years, she no doubt wanted harmony at home.
A petty little part of Sen wanted to push the issue. Maybe he could get a little revenge on her for Master Feng. That would serve her right, wouldnât it? As Sen looked at that part of himself, he didnât like what he saw. Master Feng had been right about one thing. Sen didnât have a real quarrel with the woman.
He
hadnât been truly harmed by anything sheâd done. In fact, heâd only benefitted from her presence. Doing things to harm her would be a particularly nasty kind of ingratitude.
Master Feng said to make up your own mind about her
, Sen reminded himself. Master Feng had survived for a very, very long time without someone like Sen getting into the middle of his fights. It wasnât easy, but Sen made a very conscious choice to set aside whatever leftover anger he felt toward Ma Caihong. He would wipe their slate clean and see what she did.
âSince youâre here,â said Uncle Kho, drawing Senâs attention, âI assume it worked.â
âIt did. Would you like a demonstration?â
Uncle Khoâs expression turned amused. âWell, you canât blame an old man like me for being a bit curious.â
âOld man? I donât see any old men here.â
Uncle Kho looked baffled for a moment before he let out a little chuckle. âOh, donât be fooled. Iâm still an old man. Iâm just a very handsome old man. Isnât that right, my dear?â
Ma Caihong gave her husband an indulgent smile. âTruly, you are the most handsome man I married.â
âIâm the
only
man you married.â
âWell, that does make your victory easier, doesnât it?â
Uncle Kho snorted. âYouâre not wrong. Now, Sen, show me what youâve learned.â
Sen nodded and unlocked that part of himself that killed the ape and all that had come after it. He fashioned his killing intent into the same kind of mental arrow heâd used with Master Feng. Heâd considered just letting flow out across the courtyard, but he thought it would bother Falling Leaf. Ma Caihong hadnât asked for a demonstration. He unleashed his killing intent and, much as Master Feng had, Uncle Kho blinked in surprise when it reached him.
The cultivator frowned. âWell, weâll have to work on that.â
âDid I do it wrong?â
âWrong? Oh, no. Nothing of the sort. But we canât have you sending that out at just anyone. Weâll have to work on toning it down so you send an appropriate amount at people closer to your cultivation level.â
âIs that truly necessary?â Ma Caihong asked, suddenly much more interested in the conversation.
âTry for yourself. Sen, if you wouldnât mind.â
Sen looked to Ma Caihong, who nodded at him. He sent her the same kind of focused killing intent heâd sent Uncle Kho. She actually blinked a few times.
âWell now,â said Ma Caihong. âWonât that be a delightfully ghastly surprise for some foolish young master?â
Uncle Kho howled with laughter at the thought. âIf only I could be there to see their expression when it happens.â
âI wouldâŠ,â said Ma Ciahong before she hesitated. âI would help you learn to control it, Lu Sen. If youâll allow me.â
There it was. It was the golden opportunity that Senâs pettier self had yearned for. If he declined, she wouldnât wonder why. She would
know
. That choice wouldnât come without cost, though. Uncle Kho would want to know why heâd rejected the offer. Then, Sen would have to explain. It might not destroy his relationship with the old cultivator, but it would almost certainly put a strain on it. It would create a wedge. Sen wondered if a choice as small and petty as this had laid the foundation for Master Feng and Ma Caihongâs dispute. As much as it was an opportunity to strike at the woman, it was also the peace offering that he knew he should take. Sen considered the two paths in front of him for a moment. Before he could change his mind, Sen offered Ma Caihong a bow.
âI would be grateful for any help you could provide me.â
Sen knew it wasnât much to build on. He expected Ma Caihong knew it, as well. But it was
something
. It was a tiny piece of common ground they could stand on. He wasnât sure if he hadnât kept his face as neutral as he meant to, or if Ma Caihong had simply intuited his thought process, but her expression said that she knew. There was a bit of relief and a bit of gratitude there as she inclined her head in his direction.
âAlright, enough of all this,â said Uncle Kho. âIâm sure youâre still tired, not to mention dirty, and probably hungry. So, letâs get you a hot bath and a hot meal.â
Sen didnât quite groan aloud at the mention of a bath and food, but it was a close thing.