But he pressed on, Cansha Zhe’s expression shifting from disbelief, to bemused contempt, to deadly focus, realizing he was facing a genuine threat.
And as fast as he was, Cansha Zhe was still taking blows, wincing every time Alex’s Dark Qi-covered fist smashed into forearms or skimmed across the man’s armor, tearing off scales and links like shredding thinnest paper. Alex could tell his foe was slowly taking injury, but never had he faced a man who could move so fast, so quickly, reading Alex perfectly.
Alex felt a cold chill, realizing the man hadn’t been idle during Alex’s hundreds of hours of training. Had, in fact, been learning to judge him and his movements, whether out of boredom or ruthless foresight, until he knew Alex just as well as Alex knew his victims before he inevitably made the kill.
Alex leaped back with a frown. “How?”
Cansha Zhe chuckled coldly. “Because even using an internal Qi technique only Princess Cui Zhe’s elite assassins should know, I can read your movements as easily as a harlot’s smile. Because I know you utterly, boy, and you don’t know a single one of my own moves.” He chuckled coldly, unsheathing his deadly jian in a flash.
As Alex had known he would.
“One thing puzzles me, boy. How are you still among us now?”
Alex smirked. “I thought that should be obvious by the way I hold and carry myself. Would it scare you to hear that my family was granted a boon from an actual god? No blow inflicted above my heart will have any lasting effect. Come now, Cansha Zhe. Why do you think all your brothers’ deadly grapples and killing techniques did me no lasting harm?”
The man snorted. “You were an interesting curiosity, Alex, I’ll give you that much. Sha Shou actually grew quite fond of you. Pity you had to interfere. We might have even kept you on.” His smile widened. “You always were predictable. It’s good to see some things never change.”
Quickness check made!
But before he could be run through a second time, Alex was gone, now gazing at a frustrated-looking Cansha Zhe and a merrily chuckling Sha Shou, who had been stalking Alex from behind.
Sha Shou flashed a genuine smile of delight, half-mad eyes shining into Alex’s own as he gazed down at the kitsune brothers from the tree top. “Well done, Alex! I can’t tell you how surprisingly happy I am to see you still alive!” He dangled a slave collar upon his finger. “I don’t suppose you’d be willing to give up and put this on? More for formality’s sake than anything else, of course. We were almost friends, I’d like to think, and as soon as we put this sordid little affair behind us, I see no reason why we can’t continue exactly where we left off.”
“Don’t be an idiot, brother. We ran him through!”
Sha Shou shrugged. “No reason to let that get in the way of us finally replacing our fourth.”
Bullrush successfully chained 5 times!
Alex chuckled coldly from where he now crouched, shark-toothed dao held before his prey, the crippled Tusha Zhe looking up at him in horror. “You boys might want to look this way.”
As one the two brothers spun around, banter instantly fading, and Alex was suddenly hit by the killing glares of two men desperate to defend their brother at all cost.
“Put that down and back away, or I swear I’ll tear every inch of flesh from your bones!” roared a furious Cansha Zhe, glaring sheer hate Alex’s way.
Alex smirked, having blinked from tree to tree and then just behind the crippled Tusha Zhe in the handful of seconds the brothers had lost themselves in bickering. Perfectly attuned to any threat such that they feared nothing, but not perfectly attuned to a retreating foe who now held their sibling at swordpoint.
Sha Shou’s playful banter immediately faded. “Turn around and walk away, Alex. This is your last chance.”
Alex slowly shook his head, blade alive in his grip, his senses hyper-attuned to the pair before him. “Not until we strike a bargain.”
Cansha Zhe snorted. “A bargain, he says. What bargain, fool? Bitter we struck you from behind? You’re lucky even to be alive! Bargain for our brother’s life? You’d better just hope we’re willing to let you go, after daring to injure him! His beating heart is the only reason yours is beating as well, you fool!”
Sha Shou nodded. “He’s right, Alex. Our brother’s continued survival is the only reason why we haven’t torn out your lungs yet.”
Alex flashed a smile as cold as their glares. “You act like I should fear death. Fear the icy cold lapping waves from the River of Souls, filled with all the mad killers like yourselves screaming endlessly on.” Alex’s smile grew as their eyes widened, his blade resting ever so gently on the trembling young man’s neck, a trickle of blood leaking forth as the crippled man jerked and sobbed.
“Alex, back away now!”
Alex gazed almost pityingly at the desperate pair of men. “Don’t you get it? Even if you could kill me, what does it get you? Your brother will still be dead for all time, and you two fools will have only each other in a lonely cruel world that cares almost nothing for the plight of two kitsune males with no kith or kin to call their own.”
The pair of men froze, gazing at Alex in disbelief. Even the sobs of their injured brother stopped.
Sha Shou just stared at Alex for long moments. “How did you know?”
“My patron made your lineage very clear when he begged me to spare your lives.”
Cansha Zhe’s features reddened with rage. “I have had enough of your mockery, Ruidian bastard!”
Alex smirked. “Really? That’s the best you can do? I mean I’m not going to say look in the mirror or anything, but I think you might have some irony on those whiskers of yours.”
Sha Shou’s intent gaze bored into Alex’s own.
“Alex?”
“Yes, almost-friend?”
“Who is your patron?”
“You’re a smart guy, Sha Shou, even if you’re mad as a hatter. Why don’t you tell me?”
The kitsune flashed a madcap grin even as his older brother scowled.
“It’s impossible!” Cansha Zhe snapped.
“But what if it were true, brother? Oh, how glorious would that be?”
Cansha Zhe sighed, shaking his head. “The gods aren’t even real, brother. Just myths peasants and mortals tell themselves to find comfort in this cold, cruel world.”
Insight check made!
Alex couldn’t help it. He burst out in laughter.
Which was right when Cansha Zhe struck the now-casually standing Alex, darting forward so fast it was no wonder he had sidestepped Alex’s attacks so readily, his blade held low, in perfect position to run a surprised Alex through.
Cansha Zhe’s eyes lit with fierce triumph when his jian pierced Alex’s flesh, glaring into the young cultivator’s eyes as he twisted his blade, only realizing Alex was neither surprised nor crying out in pain.
And that Alex’s fist, covered in Dark Qi the consistency of icy cold steel, was now gripping Cansha’s own arm.
Cansha’s eyes widened, realizing his mistake just a heartbeat too late.
Adderstrike!
Before being sent flying with a startled cry, Alex’s Qi-enhanced blow aiming not for face or torso, but for the arm holding that deadly Venom Qi blade, shattering his opponent’s forearm as the man was forced to give up his weapon, Sha Shou witnessing the entire scene as it unfolded with the intent expression of a spectator gazing at a play.
Beast Core accessed! Power Healing initiated!
“Brother, are you alright?” Sha Shou asked, though he didn’t take his eyes off Alex for an instant when Alex slowly withdrew the blade with a cold smile, watching both flesh and enchanted shirt knit back up before his eyes.
Sha Shou bowed his head ever so slightly at Alex. “Well done, disciple. But if you tell me that didn’t hurt, I’ll call you a liar. And how did you ever manage to cope with poison sufficient to send any but the strongest Golds to their knees?”
Alex smirked. “That is the question, isn’t it? And yes. I’l
l give you that much. It hurt like hell.” He held up the enchanted jian in a Dark Qi-covered fist, admiring the luminescent green glow of the blade. “But the damage per second is a hair under fifty, well within my ability to handle.”
Sha Shou chuckled softly. “Only half of your answer made sense.”
“I know.”
“How were you able to get a read on my brother so quickly?”
Alex smirked. “His next move was obvious, especially since he only knows a fraction of what I’m capable of. So, as savvy as he is, he wasn’t able to account for it.”
“You mean your fists and forearms covered with strange Qi I can get no sense of, able to grasp enchanted steel like another man might his chopsticks?”
Alex nodded. “Exactly.”
The kitsune chuckled. “You are just full of surprises, Alex.”
Alex sighed. “Do you have any idea about what’s really going on, Sha Shou?”
“Do you, Alex?”
Alex shrugged. “My guess is you and your siblings are freelancers given a contract by one Jianghu branch or another. One captured aristocrat in return for a fortune in what, gold? Spirit pearls?”
“The latter.”
“Don’t tell him, idiot!” hissed Cansha Zhe, on his feet once more, glaring at Alex.
Sha Shou shrugged. “He already knows.”
Alex nodded. “And so you take it and set out to capture a noble lady or princess. Whoever Fangsu really is. Clearly someone important.” Alex glared. “Important enough for this Red Prince to also find out about her and send an entire company in hot pursuit, which means she’s obviously crucial to someone’s machinations, and I’d bet a good bit of gold that she has enemies in her own camp who wish to do her in.”
Sha Shou beamed. “I’m glad to see my favorite student is no fool.”
Alex shook his head. “But you clearly are.”
The kitsune’s gaze hardened.
“Think it through, Sha Shou. After taking this contract with at least two separate parties eager for her head, one able to field many scores of cultivators like it’s nothing, do you really think you’re going to be allowed to live, once the deed is done and your former employer wants to clean up any loose ends that might cause fanatic nobles to come after him or her at a later date? Or maybe he’ll just lead the Red Prince right to your doorstep via proxy agents, and let him take care of you, saving your former employer a headache. Either way, you’re playing in a pond filled with sharks, and skilled as you three are, I doubt you’ll be allowed to see this through to the end, no matter how much you’re being promised.”
Tusha Zhe himself cursed from the forest floor, not even glancing at Alex who was now behind him once more. “Brothers... what if he’s right?”
“Sha Shou?”
“Yes, Alex?”
Alex swallowed, forcing himself to speak. So much was at stake here. If he misjudged things even the slightest... but no. He had no doubt those ears with their kitsune heritage would sense bullshit a mile away.
“Alex?”
“Bad things are heading to Baidushi, and I get the sinking feeling Fangsu might be a part of that. If you were to capture her, I think things will take a really bad turn in the capital. Worse, I’d bet good money that, one way or another, word will get out that kitsune were involved. The puppet masters using you will use your own actions to stir up animosity against you. All in the hopes of inspiring a genocidal purge, after our enemies play their final trump card this round.”
“What the hell is this fool talking about?” Cansha Zhe snapped.
But Sha Shou’s features had taken on a definite pallor. “You’re not lying. Or at least, you believe what you say.”
Alex smirked. “Figured that out, have you?”
“Are you really going to kill our brother?”
“Are you going to swear a cultivator’s oath never to directly or indirectly come after me or people I consider allies, friends, or family, that you know of?”
Sha Shou slowly dipped his head. “You have my oath, Alex.”
His younger brother gave a sob of relief. Alex gazed down at the young man, his features having taken on a ghastly pallor, trembling from shock. “That means you, too,” Alex said gently.
Tusha Zhe rapidly nodded. “I’ll never seek to cross or strike down you, your friends or family, directly or indirectly, to the best of my ability.”
Cansha Zhe ground his teeth, glaring at Alex.
Alex’s eyebrow inched upward. “Your hatred for me is strange, considering that you were the one who struck me from behind.”
“You stole my sword!”
Alex grinned. “What, this priceless artifact?”
“Yes!”
“Combined with your incredible speed, I’ll bet it gives you a killer advantage, doesn’t it?”
“Of course!”
“Then why would I ever give it back to you?”
The man paled, mouth opening and closing like a confused fish.
Sha Shou laughed. “Oh, I do believe our former disciple got the best of us, this time!” In a flash, his hand came out with a purse from which he pulled a handful of pearls and rubies, flashing in the sun. “Seven pristine rubies and five priceless spirit pearls, in return for my brother’s sword.” He glared at his brother. “And, of course, Lady Fangsu and her coterie are no longer any concern of ours. In fact, we have no intention of going anywhere near Baidushi at this point. You have my word on that.”
“But brother...”
“Give your damned word, get your sword, and we’re out of here. A hundred other grand cities in this kingdom alone, brother, with no masters we owe debts to.” He had the gall to wink Alex’s way. “I get the feeling interesting things are going to be happening in Baidushi, and former... associates will have their hands too busy to worry about debts best forgotten by all.”
Cansha Zhe froze.
“And in case someone does remember, best you have your pretty toy with you at all times,” Sha Shou whispered so softly he might have thought even Alex couldn’t hear it.
“Alright!” Cansha snapped. “I accept your damned oath. You leave me and mine alone, and I’ll leave you and yours alone, and no trying to weasel out of it with word games. Fair?”
Alex smiled. “It depends. Who are you and yours?”
“Me and my brothers, idiot!”
Alex tossed the man his sword back. “Sounds fair to me,” he said, stepping back as the youngest of the three ran back to his siblings, the naked relief in their eyes almost painful to witness.
“I’d seriously think about another line of work,” Alex said. “One that doesn’t leave you in constant risk of losing your kin.”
Cansha Zhe snorted, hand dropping to his belt and drinking down a flask of something radiating strong Water and Wood Qi. “As if we had ever had a choice.”
Sha Shou nodded sadly, gently feeding his crippled brother the contents of another flask, the youngest closing his eyes in sudden relief, and Alex could sense the powerful magics flowing through Tusha Zhe’s injured body. “As it stands, we’d best make our way as discreetly as we can.”
And Alex froze, suddenly understanding. Of course it made no sense. He had wrestled and sparred with the man so many times, he would know. But still...
His gaze locked with Sha Shou’s own. “Because if your controllers spot you, a single command and you would all perish.”
All three kitsune froze, gazing at Alex as one.
Alex licked suddenly dry lips, fearing he understood all too well. “Is your mother bound as well?”
Cansha Zhe was glaring at Alex. “He knew all along,” he hissed. “He was playing with us the whole time! The whole entire time!” Cansha snarled. “Well, bastard? Was that your plan? Further bind us with unbreakable oaths? Torture us for even thinking of disobeying?”
Alex, however, was struggling against the fierce rage boiling in his chest. But before he dared react, he had to know. He had to be sure.
“Is the
Baidushi Jianghu sect enslaving kitsune?”
“Alex, who are you really?”
Alex locked gazes with Sha Shou. “For all your veiled threats, you didn’t kill anyone in the caravan. I thought you three might butcher them all.”
Sha Shou smirked. “You really are an idiot, Alex. How many times did I try to warn you off before you forced our hand?”
Alex had the grace to flush, remembering the man’s odd gaze and cryptic words when he stumbled upon them, desperate to warn the caravan. Words that should have immediately clued him to the trap being sprung.
“You only tried to kill me because if I had interfered, your masters would have had your heads.”
Cansha Zhe was giving Alex the oddest look. “So clever, yet you were utterly blind to my brother’s warnings. So captivated by my brother’s shiny pearls that showed me approaching from behind, and you let me run you clean through when you should have jumped and ran as fast as you could. And that I did. You were dead as dead can be. Before performing a feat the gods above would envy, figuring out how to walk right past death’s door. How can you be both so insightful and so stupid all at once?”
Sha Shou chuckled sadly. “So like the master he fought beside, if Mother’s stories are to be believed.”
Alex flushed.
Cansha Zhe snorted. “Mother was just desperate for something to believe in. Same as you. Anyone with common sense knows this world is far too cruel and twisted to be the masterwork of any gods.”
Sha Shou shrugged. “I suppose we’ll just have to disagree on that point, brother.” He solemnly bowed Alex’s way. “For your forbearance, thank you, Alex. You have clearly bested us, and our orders make it clear we are to avoid charging into stupidly suicidal situations. So, we need to plan another avenue of attack. And if that planning takes us well into the next century, and our masters are too incompetent to find us and issue new orders...” His eyes twinkled. “I think this just might work out. And if you truly are WiFu’s pawn, give that ancient sire of ours our thanks as well.”
Silver Fox & The Western Hero: Warrior Redeemed: A LitRPG/Wuxian Novel - Book 5 Page 32
