Cultivating Chaos 3 -CH1- (Patreon)

“You’re not still sore at me, are you?” Locke asked.

Ash didn’t immediately respond. He was currently busy inspecting the back of his eye-lids for the truth of sleep. He didn’t want to deal with the trickster in his head.

“Don’t be so grumpy, my Chosen One,” said Locke in a pouty and insufferable tone. He had the firm mental image that she’d been saying it while pinching his chin. Since she’d revealed the fact that she was in truth a woman a few hours ago, Ash was having a harder time dealing with her. “Besides, aren’t you glad? Just think of all the fun we can have now. I can say terrible things to you.

“Though… I suppose it’ll be more fun for me when I remind you of all the wonderfuly dirty thoughts you have and how I’d be happy to help, and you running away or screaming at me.”

I swear-I swear, Locke, that this is the dumbest joke you’ve ever made.

“But it isn’t a joke, my Chosen One,” purred Locke. “I’m a woman. I always have been. I was born one and lived as one for hundreds of years.

“I was just-well, I had a peek around your world just before I gave myself to you. It was surprising how many men didn’t like the idea of a woman guiding them. Being taught by a woman or taking advice from one.”

Ash couldn’t actually deny that Locke was correct. There really were a great many men who simply

“My Chosen One, don’t be that way,” Locke pleaded, her tone changing once again. “You know you’re my one and only. I chose you above all others.

“I know we fight and-well, that I’m a bit of a bad girl and cause you problems, but didn’t you miss me when I was gone? I know you did. I’ve always had your back.”

He couldn’t deny that.

When they’d fallen into the cave to escape from the assassins, she’d done all she could for him. Silently holding back his tribute with all that she was while Chunhua and Na helped him physically.

Letting his thoughts drift further and further back, he really had no ground to stand on. From the veil-overlap with the Kin and meeting up with Trav, to the competitions and getting rid of Bartek, Locke had been there.

Tricking his brother, the war with the Deng, saving his sister, qualifying to join a sect, learning his carving abilities, and honestly creating the Sheng Alliance as a whole. Locke had been a foundational support for him.

I just feel like you lied to me. You hide things from me.

“I know. And I’m sorry, my Chosen One,” Locke said in an earnest tone. “Forgive the bad girl? I promise I’ll make it up to you later. Cross-my heart and hope to die without getting laid.”

Unable to help himself, Ash rolled his eyes and grinned.

Locke was still an insufferable ass. She’d just become a flirty insufferable ass.

“By the way, Na isn’t actually asleep. She’s dozing in and out but… not asleep,” Locke warned. “With that said, since I think you’re likely to be busy in a moment, I made a critical mistake.

“I prioritized your tribulation that we fought down over keeping an eye on Tai and Ehrinis in the Hall. I missed a few days of making sure she had birth control. There might just be an oopsie.”

Ash had no idea how to respond to either of those statement.

“So… oops! I’m sure she’ll be fine and Tai’s swimmer’s didn’t win the prize. I guess we’ll find out in a month or so, though.

“Anyways. I’ll be away for a little bit. Working on a surprise for you, my Chosen One. If Chunhua or Jia show up before I get back, stall. I want to be there when you have your first time with either of them,” Locke said in a rush and then went silent.

Before Ash could complain or mentally chase after her, he felt Na shift against his side.

“Master Sheng?” she asked quietly.

That was certainly the last thing he wanted her calling him. Instead of responding, he grunted.

“A-Ashley?” Na tried this time.

“Yes, Na Sheng?” he replied.

“I’d like to perform my nightly duties again,” she murmured in a quiet voice. Her hand on his chest began to slowly move back and forth.

Ash knew that sunrise was still a few hours away. It was likely that everyone would be returning at some point during the day as well. The only person who wouldn’t be around was Chunhua who was working on her own tribulation.

“Sure,” agreed Ash, opening his eyes and looking down to her at his side. “I’d like that. Perform away, Na.”

He was done running away. From Na, or anyone else. He’d stand up to whatever came up and handle it one way or another.

And surprises can be fun. Right, Locke?

Locke didn’t respond to his bait. She remained silent.

“Then I shall,” Na said and then moved over the top of him. Her slim and athletic waist settling down over him. She was still quite naked.

Her blue-black hair was pulled back behind her head in a loose pony-tail. Her light-brown eyes that nearly glowed gazed down at him with unhidden anticipation.

She and Mei shared nearly every trait and had very similar facial attributes. Except Na was incredibly pretty. To the point that when she smiled, she often was capable of causing Ash to miss a step.

Prettier than even Mei, though where Na was slim and athletic, the ideal beauty for this world, Mei was curved and fully built.

Ash couldn’t deny he was more attracted to Mei’s figure, but could never truly look away from Na’s face without forcing himself.

“My dear cousin lied to me,” Na whispered, her right hand coming up to caress his jaw and cheek. “Sex is far… far… far more worthwhile than she ever let on.

“And do remember… Yue is my partner wife. I have claimed her space for her by joining you in bed. You cannot deny her. Just as you’ll not be able to deny Jia when she asks as shes Mei’s partner.”

I… fine. I’ll not decline.

If possible… Tala-Tala or Jia should be next. I promised one, and the other…

Ash’s thoughts trailed off as he considered the idea of sleeping with Jia. His heart skipped a beat as his thoughts flew backward.

Back to his somewhat faded desires and a long held crush for Jia. An unrequited love for one of his first friends in this veil.

It’d only recently been reignited through her direct pursual of him.

Then Na smiled and leaned down and kissed him ferociously, shattering and shooing his thoughts away. Jia, Tala , and everyone else couldn’t hold a place in his mind with Na at hand.

***

Exiting house number one on Sheng street, Ash yawned. Scratching at his chest he looked out ward, wondering what might happen today.

“Don’t forget… for lunch today, we need to swallow that Tribulation crystal,” Locke reminded him. “Just… ah… make sure Na is nearby. Fairly certain you’ll choke on it and we’ll have to do something.”

Errr… yeah. I don’t think I can swallow a plum. Please tell me there’s another way?

The rough and full of life laugh Locke let out at that made the skin on Ash’s neck prickle.

“Ooh, my Chosen One… yes, there’s another way we can absorb it rather than swallowing it. We just need to sit down with it and take it in like it’s Qi,” Locke confessed. “We just have to use some of the energy we took from the Tribulation itself to crack open the crystal.

“Swallowing it would grant us more Qi but I’m sure I can absorb most of it without a concern if we crack it open. Trust in me to take care of you.”

Ash was starting to wish that the purely sarcastic and mocking version Locke would come back. He wasn’t sure how much of the added playful and flirtyness he could handle.

“I was always like this. It was getting harder and harder to suppress,” said Locke, clearly reading his thoughts. “You were getting a little uncomfortable with me at the end there, too. Now I don’t have to hold back and I can say really fun things!

“Besides, I was being nice just now. I could have said something like, ‘If I had my original body, I’d show you how I’d swallow you and your crystal, my Chosen One’.

“See? I’m super nice. I’m actively toning it down when I feel I should. It’s not all sex-kitten twenty-four seven, which, you know, it could be.”

Ash felt his ears burning at the way Locke had just said that in his mind.

“Ah! Ashley, what a pleasant surprise.”

Looking to the speaker, Ash found Master Zha standing not far away.

The master of the outer sect, Gen Sheng’s lover, and a ruthless cultivator, she was exactly what someone would expect as a master.

She looked to be in her early forties but that meant little. The world of the cultivator was filled with mysteries.

Her black hair was pulled back from her face in a tight pony tail and her dark brown eyes were locked to Ash at the moment. She was very attractive for an older woman and would have likely been a real beauty in her youth.

Standing next to her was quite possibly a younger-version of the outer sect master. Ash didn’t have to think very hard to arrive at the idea that it was Zha’s niece.

Just as slim and athletic as her aunt, she shared most of the same features with her aunt. When described by Zha, she’d said her niece had been attractive. She’d partially under-sold it.

This niece was just as pretty as Na was, if not more so. Perhaps it was that she was a fully matured young woman and had a year or two on Ash, he wasn’t sure, but he couldn’t deny that she was incredibly attractive.

“Ashley, this is my niece, Siu Zha,” said Master Zha. Then she put a hand behind Siu’s back and physically shoved her toward Ash. “Siu, this is Ashely Sheng.”

The beautiful young-woman stumbled forward several steps, not expecting the sudden push. Coming to a stop just in front of Ash she pressed one hand into the other and bowed her head to him.

Ash quickly bowed his head in return to her as well as returned her gesture back to her. Trying to give her some measure of respect despite her aunt having already taken that from her.

She was handing her off like a prized pig.

Master Zha looked around themselves to the surroundings, then back to Ash.

“I hope you’ll be able to incorporate my Siu into your harem. If you do utilize her, please make sure you’re using lightning vine, Ash. She can’t afford to have a child put upon her yet, but I wouldn’t be too cross either if she did. You’d just have to care for her.

“By the way, Ashley, I’ve finalized all the payments. I had them deposited with the alchemist’s store,” Zha said, apparently satisfied they didn’t have anyone listening in. “Good work. I have to go check in on my Gen. I’ll see you later.”

Not waiting any longer, Zha inclined her head fractionally to Ash and then left. Leaving behind Siu as if she were nothing more than a bartered object that’d been traded off.

Once Zha was gone and out of hearing range Ash finally looked back to the niece.

“I-I’m in your care,” Siu murmured in a soft and warm voice. It was a voice that struck at Ash in a way that made him want to care for her.

Her entire body was brought in on itself in a way that felt weak. That he needed to step in and protect her with himself or she might be taken immediately.

“Pass,” Ash said simply, firming his resolve and strengthening his spine. “I’ll be honest with you, Siu, you’re lovely, but I’m not interested. I already have more women than I want to deal with. Literally.

“My entire alliance keeps getting called ‘my harem’. If I can limit that number by even one, I’d be happy to do so. So unless you want to join my alliance, you can just… do whatever you want.”

Glancing up at him through her bangs, Siu seemed to be considering him.

Suddenly she stood upright, her shoulders squared, and she met his eyes firmly.

“Ah, thank you for that,” Siu said, her tone moved to a much stronger and stable one. “My aunt was determined to make me a concubine to you.

“And while you’re handsome enough for an Outlander, you don’t really fit my tastes. I’ll just tell her we had a quick go of it but it didn’t work out. Maybe I’ll join your alliance as well. I heard the requirement is being a maiden though so I’m afraid I’m already disqualified. My youth wasn’t so kind to me and that was taken from me by force.”

Waving a hand at Ash, Siu turned and started walking away as well.

Unable to really process the whole situation, Ash just watched the beautiful Siu leave.

“In other words… Zha wanted Siu here to protect her from others. Siu was willing to come here if only to appease Zha and was willing to act a part to that end,” murmured Locke. “Hm. Well, I suppose that makes sense given the culture. Poor thing. She’s had a rough road.”

“It isn’t-” Ash called after Siu, causing the young woman to stop in her track and look back at him. Taking several steps after the woman Ash caught up to her. He didn’t want to shout after her. “Ah, that is… it isn’t a requirement. That’s just one of my people not listening to my wishes and spreading silly rumors. Are you sworn to anyone?”

“No,” Siu said, shaking her head. A curious smile flit across her face as her eyebrows drew upward.

“Then you’d be welcome to join the alliance if you wished. Though they will indeed say you’re part of my harem if you did so,” explained Ash with a shake of his head. “If anyone gives you a problem about joining, just seek me out. I’ll fix it.”

Siu’s smile grew wider at that and she pursed her lips.

Then she leaned in quickly and kissed his cheek. Reaching up with her hand she lightly pat the same spot she’d kissed with her fingertips as she drew away from him.

“Trying to save me already? I’m flattered,” Siu said. “I think I will indeed join your alliance. You don’t seem like the type to impose your needs on me and this sounds like a safe place to grow.

“And who knows. Maybe I’ll force my way into your actual harem after all.”

Once more, Siu turned and walked away from him. Leaving him standing there in the road.

Distantly, the sun just started to appear over the horizon and cast it’s first true rays across the world. Forcing Ash to turn away and look back to his home.

A safe place to grow.

That does seem to be the crux of the entire problem, isn’t it?

Creating a safe place to grow. Finding the unpolished and unnoticed talents.

Giving a chance to those who would never have it.

“So it would seem. Yes,” Locke agreed grumpily. “Though… I don’t like her. She was far too free with you. Far too free.”

It reminded Ash of exactly the same way Jia sounded when she was jealous or envious of Mei. As if Locke were frustrated at what Sui had just done.

“Of course I’m jealous,”admitted Locke with a soft harrumph. “You’re my Chosen One. I selected you above all others. Before Jia, before Mei, before anyone. Mine. my Chosen One.

“I’ve reigned it in this long and I no longer have to hide it. So yes, Sui was far too free with you.”

The possessive qualities to Locke’s wording was a surprise to Ash. Yet at the same time, it wasn’t, really. He’d definitely felt some strange vibes from Locke in the past and now they made sense.

An ownership that didn’t really fit with the personality he’d known as Locke.

“Damnit all,” grumbled Locke. “You know, I don’t mind if you realize I’m childish, a bad-girl, an insufferable ass, sarcastic, and all the other awful traits about me that you tend to list off, but what I can’t stand is when I get interrupted.”

Interrupted?

“Ashley!”

A second after the shout, Ash turned back toward Sheng Street. In the far distance he could see Sui nearing the exit. Much closer than that though, was a group of four people heading for him.

At the front was a very excited looking Ying Yue who was running straight toward him

“It seems they all passed their tribulation,” Locke said and then sighed. “That’s good though. We’ll need everyone we can and then some. I suppose I just thought I had a few more hours of you to myself. Its always so much harder to speak with you when they’re all around.

“Oh well, that’s fine. I always have you all to myself in the evenings and mornings. Or when you got to the bathroom.”

The thought of a woman listening in on him going to the bathroom was a bit too much for his thoughts at the moment. So much so that he was surprised when Yue was within twenty feet of him.

Her light-brown hair was cut short and pinned close to her head. She’d added a single blue ribbon that right down the middle of her hair line toward the back of her head.

Her hazel eyes had a beyond fanatic edge as she stared right through his head right now.

Sprinting with cultivator speed she was suddenly in front of him. Then went right through him. Carrying him clear off his feet and into the grass beyond the road.

“ASHLEY!” she screeched and then buried her face in his neck. Holding onto him with all her strength she curled up into him. Her legs pressing to his sides, her hands clutching at his chest.

Then she started to let out long whimpering sobs that turned into full volume wails. Clinging to him with all her strength.

I… should have suspected something like this. They had to leave for their tribulation while I was missing.

“There, there,” whispered Ash, laying his arms around the small and feisty survivor of the evils of the world. “I’m alright. Everything is fine. Chunhua and Na are fine as well.”

Staring up to the sky above, Ash just laid there, holding onto the hysterically crying young woman. After a few minutes, other faces appeared above him.

First was Mei, looking much like Na though with the much fuller figure.

“Hello, Master Sheng. I’ve returned to you,” Mei said, grinning at him.

Next to Mei was Jia, her midnight black hair hanging around her face and shoulders, making her black eyes all the darker.

“Indeed, greetings, Master Sheng. Your Jia Sheng the Bound has come back,” said Jia with a wide smile. “As I always have and will. Your Mistress and your Bound one would like your company when you have time.”

“Really? We’re starting with that?” Mei asked, looking at Jia with an even wider smile.

“I mean, you and I are working together now, should I not lean into that?” Jia countered. “I will get what I desire. I will not let myself or anyone else get in my way again.”

At the edge of his vision on the other side, Ash saw Rou. She seemed to be hovering on the edge waiting for her moment to step in.

Then Jia and Mei stood up fully and were now discussing something else.

Turning his head toward Rou, Ash continued to hold and pet Yue.

“Hello, my Qi Healer,” Ash said, not responding to Jia or Mei.

Glancing away, then back to him, Rou stepped closer.

Her hair was fully red now, the dye having washed out now. Her blue eyes picked across his face as if she were looking for something wrong.

“You’re… alright, my cultivator?” she asked in a tentative tone.

“Very well. Thank you. In the end, Na and Chunhua saved my life. They’re both fine as well,” Ash said, repeating his comment from earlier. “I survived my tribulation, the inner-sect leader is… I’m pretty sure Gen killed him by now, and everything else is resolved.”

Rou smiled and nodded her head at that sharply. Then she let out a soft sigh.

“I’m glad that my partner saved you and that she is well,” Rou murmured while Jia and Mei discussed something. Rou looked to Jia and Mei and then back to Ash. “Did you perhaps let Chunhua joi-”

A hard clack brought Ash’s attention to the side.

Standing in the doorway to his home was Na.

She was in a disheveled uniform, her hair was in a somewhat wild spill, and she looked tired.

Rou, Jia, Mei, and even Yue were all looking at Na right now.

“Well. At least they can’t see the hickey you left on her shoulder. There were actually some teeth marks on it,” offered Locke in a conciliatory tone. “And be thankful it wasn’t me standing there. I’d likely be wearing my uniform so that I could show it off. Nothing like a good love-bite to assert dominance.”

Na ignored everyone who was standing there, and instead looked to Ashley.

Pressing one hand into the other, she bowed her head to him.

“Thank you for allowing me to perform my nightly duties,” Na deadpanned. “Each time was most enjoyable.”

“That works, too, I guess. I still would have showed off the hickey,” said Locke in an offhand way. “That was just too blunt and had no… sexual appeal to it. Almost boring, I guess.

“I mean, listen to how I’d do it. Now, imagine me just sliding the uniform down a bit as if it were an accident and showing some skin, and the hickey. Isn’t that a lot better?”

“Oh,” Yue said, looking at Na. Then she pushed her head up under Ash’s chin. “Good job, Na. Really good job. Thank you.”

Ash assumed that she’d said it like that to remind him that by accepting Na, he’d accepted Yue. Which was the last thing he wanted to consider right now.