Once he’d gotten her situated, Ash turned and looked at the three men.
“You did this,” he said in a flat tone.
“We fought her in one-on-one duels,” said one of the three. He seemed to be the only one with an intact spine now. The other two seemed to be reconsidering the situation.
Especially the one Ash had slapped.
“Then I shall fight you all. One by one. I’m going to return the favor of what you’ve done back to you,” proclaimed Ash. “Each and every thing you did to her, I shall return to you equally. When you pity yourself in the future and bemoan your fate, remember this moment and what you did.”
Scoffing, the one with confidence stepped onto the mat and then held his hands up.
“After I’m done breaking you, I shall break some more of your women,” said the young man, a cruel smirk curling his lips.
“Ability ready. You’ll have to tap into your Dao to utilize it, however. It was the only way I could make it work, Chosen One,” Locke said. “Attack their Dantian just as you did previously to the old fool. Hit them with your Dao, however, and force the flow of it to reverse. But only a fraction of it. Not all of it. This will do what you intend.”
Thank you, Locke.
Ash activated Spring Step and darted forward without another thought.
Feeling his bones and muscles creak as he crossed the short distance, Ash didn’t care.
He was tired of failing his people. Tired of underestimating his foes. Tired of being passive.
Using Spring Step on his arm even as he was still in the effect of the first usage, Ash drove a fist up into the man’s midsection.
With a whoosh of air, the young man crumpled in on himself and folded over Ash’s arm.
“That broke two ribs. You’ll need to break one more,” Locke commented dryly.
Show me where to strike to give him his punishment.
There was an odd popping sound in Ash’s ears, and then an overlay appeared atop the young man who was clutching the fist still pushed into his guts.
There were a series of green, yellow, and red circles across the man’s body.
Assuming the colored indicators were how hard to strike, Ash brought his left arm around in an ugly hook at the man’s jaw. Striking right atop the red circle, he used Spring Step once again.
Snapping grotesquely, the man’s jaw broke, the sound a hideous crack that was heard over everything else.
Before anyone could act, or the man could fall, Ash struck repeatedly with his right hand. His left hand held on to the man’s collar, keeping him upright.
Ash continued to land blows atop each and every circle until they vanished. The one that was atop the man’s eye took several forceful blows.
Finally, there were no circles left on the man.
Tilting his head to one side, Ash held the man up with his left hand.
Groaning, bleeding, with eyes that were rolling back into his head, the man was a wreck. He wasn’t even a contest to Ash.
This whole ordeal had the stink of someone provoking this. Bringing this situation to be.
Concentrating on his Dao, the flow of all things, Ash reached down with his right hand and gave the man a light pat on his stomach.
Right atop his Dantian.
“There, there,” Ash said, even as he struck the man’s Dantian directly. He felt it when a small fragment reversed itself. Qi would no longer be stored, but pushed out.
It was correctable, but it would require a significant investment.
“You’ve received your punishment,” Ash stated, nodding his head. “Now you will be displayed as a pumpkin at the entrance of Sheng Street. I’ll ensure you do not die, but I will keep you there for at least a day.”
Tossing the man to one side, Ash turned and looked at the other two men.
“Which one of you is next?” Ash asked with a flat smile.
***
Standing next to his three new pumpkins, Ash made full eye contact with anyone who dared approach or came to look at his display.
Each of the three had received basic medical attention so they wouldn’t die, just as Ash had promised.
But he’d also been very adamant that no one would take his pumpkins.
Several Inner Sect disciples had come to try and claim them, and Ash challenged each and every one of them. Promising them that they could join his display if they lost.
Along with allowing them to share their injuries.
None had accepted.
“Ashley… if… a master comes, do we turn him away?” Chunhua asked quietly from nearby. She was now considered by most of his alliance as the ‘guard captain’. She often led patrols and was responsible for a good majority of the Sheng Street security.
“No. We explain the situation, ask why they’ve come, and find out if they were responsible for sending these three out,” Ash said, watching a man who was staring at the pumpkins with wide eyes.
“No one should dare cross Master Sheng,” Na said with heat.
“Hm. I wonder about that,” muttered Ash. “I’m not convinced that I wasn’t actually the cause. I could have nipped this one in the bud early by kicking their teeth in when they first showed up.”
There was no response from anyone around him at that comment.
Which meant they likely agreed with his statement.
“Master Sheng need not apologize for anything. You were attempting to be above their vulgar natures,” Na said firmly, after a second of what he assumed was thought. “Your mercy is well known and will continue to be so.”
“I’m afraid not. That’ll be ending,” replied Ash, watching another person as they got an eyeful of the three men. “I must… move forward. I can’t keep relapsing like this. No more falling back and hoping others will respect my wishes.”
Chunhua, Na, and Yue were all with him. And once again, none of them immediately responded to his comment.
He didn’t doubt for a moment that Na had already alerted everyone else who mattered as to the situation. But for the time being, none of the others had shown up.
Considering his mood, he was somewhat grateful for that fact.
Someone came up at a jog from Sheng Street, the sound of their approach making Ash turn his head.
It was one of the many guards. They still wore the black and yellow armbands that they’d adopted as a badge of their station after the competition.
Realizing it wasn’t likely any concern of his, Ash looked back to the plaza. He wanted to know if anyone would come for his guests.
Desperately so.
If he could put a name, face, or group to the ones who sent these three, he’d be all the happier to continue repaying those who’d caused one of his people harm.
“Ashley,” Chunhua said, coming over to stand at his side. “Rou sends word that Biyu is up and moving around. She’s tired, but recovering. Rou also stated that there was little for her to do. Apparently whatever you gave her, restored her nearly outright.”
“Thousand-year-old golden ginseng,” Ash said, watching those who watched his display. “Yue gave them to me. Biyu suffered because of me and likely would have lost her cultivation. It seemed a fitting trade.”
There was a soft gasp that made Ash turn around once more.
The woman who’d been jogging their way was standing just behind Chunhua, staring at Ash with eyes that were as wide as they could be.
As if realizing she was staring, the woman shook her head once, then bowed down low at the waist to Ashley.
“Thank you,” murmured the woman. “Thank you, Master Ashley. Biyu… Biyu is a dear friend. She asked me to convey her thanks, but… we didn’t know you’d given her such a precious treasure.”
“Tell her she’s welcome,” Ash said with a small smile, then he turned toward the plaza once more. This time, however, he found someone coming his way that he didn’t expect.
It was Master Li-Yong. He had his hands behind his back and a dark, ugly smile on his face. He looke
d like he had something in mind that he both disliked and enjoyed in equal measure.
Slowly, the master came to a full stop next to Ash’s horrific examples.
“Interesting decor,” Master Li-Yong murmured, his eyes moving over the pumpkins, and then to Ash. “They don’t seem particularly willing.”
“They were more than willing to harm one of my members. To the point that it required a thousand-year-old golden ginseng to heal her, or she would never cultivate again. I’m sure you can appreciate why I’ve punished these three for attempting to end her journey,” Ash said, holding Li-Yong’s gaze. “I, of course, have taken the value of said medicine from them. In body, spirit, and whatever they had on their person. I would have gone to their homes and robbed them as well, but they would not reveal where they lived.”
Li-Yong’s eyebrows went up at that. The small amount of annoyance on his face shifted and suddenly became something more akin to rage and disgust.
“Yes. Yes, I can appreciate that,” Li-Yong said, his eyes cold and malevolent as they looked at the young men. “I regret my task then. Mistress Zha has asked that we return these three to the Inner Sect leader. I agreed to come ask on their behalf, but I made no promises. These three are suffering tribulations they asked for.”
Ash contemplated the situation before he answered.
The fact that the Inner Sect was behind this was no surprise. That it was the leader of the Inner Sect, was. It made Ash rather nervous about the whole situation.
With the Inner Sect headmaster acting so directly, it was almost a guarantee that there would be no avoiding this.
“Would you gain face if I were to relinquish them to you?” Ash asked Li-Yong, looking back at the three in question.
“Yes, of course. No one expects you to hand them over. If I—”
“Then they’re yours,” Ash said simply. Placing one hand in the other, he bowed his head to Master Li-Yong.
“Ah… many thanks,” Li-Yong said, returning the gesture to Ash. “Leave them here, someone will collect them. There’s no need to do anything further.”
Giving away his prizes was a gain in this situation. He had nothing more to get out of it otherwise.
“Good day, Master,” Ash said, bowing his head once more. Li-Yong returned the gesture.
Ash turned back toward Sheng Street and started to leave. He had answers.
They weren’t good, but he had them.
The woman who’d come with information about his wounded alliance member was gone. Only Yue, Chunhua, and Na remained.
Na and Yue fell in on each side of him even as Chunhua remained at the entry point to the street.
“May I serve, Master Sheng?” Na asked.
“Poor little concubine. A handmaiden without a use. I’m sure she would love an answer from you that she’ll never get,” Locke said with a chuckle. “I think Tai will bed the Dokkalfar before you take Na to your sheets.”
You’re telling me that’s really what she wants.
“Yes. That’s what I’m telling you. It’s what Mei has told you. She put herself into this role deliberately. She took your name, named herself Handmaiden, and forfeited her independence. Technically, Jia is in the same role. She put herself there. Named herself Jia Sheng the Bound. Remember?”
Ash did indeed remember. He just didn’t like the way it felt to him.
Except this wasn’t his world, not his culture, and not his beliefs.
“Handmaiden Na Sheng, could we have dinner or lunch at some time this week?” Ash asked, deciding to jump straight to the point.
“Of course. I look forward to cooking for you personally,” Na said quickly and with a firm nod of her head. “I’ll prepare a fine meal for you and—”
“No… no. I mean, can I take you out? To lunch. Or dinner. Just you and me,” Ash said, turning his head toward Na.
He wasn’t going to ask to get in her bed, but he was willing to at least entertain the idea of going out with her.
Na’s mouth opened, hung there for several seconds, and then she slowly nodded her head, looking at him. Her eyes dropped to the ground first and then she slowly looked ahead again.
The beautiful Handmaiden Na Sheng was at a loss for words.
“Ashley… can we speak?” Yue asked from his other side. “You… wanted to know what was wrong.”
Ah, yes.
Laying a hand to Yue’s back, Ash pulled her off to one side of the street.
Na kept walking, lost in her thoughts.
“It’s… it’s…” Yue’s voice trailed off as she came to a stop next to him. “The man who killed my parents is here.”
Thirty
“The… cultivator? That man?” Ash asked, suddenly wishing he had paid more attention previously.
“Yes. The one who… who made my brother and I homeless. Who orphaned us,” Yue said, lifting her chin up slightly. Her lips trembled as she spoke, her arms rigid and straight at her sides. “The man who, if not for you, would have forced me to do the unthinkable to care for my brother and I. Who killed my parents and… and ruined the life I had.”
“In the sect? The city?” questioned Ash. He wanted to make sure he understood exactly what she’d said.
“Yes. He’s here. I don’t know why, but I just know he’s here. He’s staying in a sect-owned inn right now,” Yue said, her jaw flexing as her teeth snapped shut on the last word. Then she shook her head minutely, her eyes slowly going wider. “I have to kill him. I have to. I have to… to take his life. I must.”
“Ah… I see. And what rank is he?” inquired Ash. If he could solve this for Yue, he would. She’d given him an endless amount of support and dedication. Returning it in this manner would be a massive repayment on his part to her.
“Mid-level Mortal Refiner,” Yue said in a tight voice.
“Beyond us then. And we can’t put him in the ring. Tai and the Dokkalfar are there and I can’t imagine that turning out very well. Not to mention with that much power stored inside it, they could prove to be a problem,” Locke offered up before Ash could ask.
Thinking, Ash chewed at his lower lip. He really only had one answer available to him.
Could Master Li-Yong kill him?
“Certainly. And with little difficulty, Chosen One,” Locke replied with a chuckle. “Though I can’t imagine w—”
“What’s the man’s name? Where’s he staying?” Ash blurted out, ignoring Locke.
“Jie. That’s all he goes by. He’s staying at the Horse’s Kick,” Yue murmured.
Not waiting a second longer, Ash turned on his heel and set off at a swift jog. He needed to catch Master Li-Yong before he got too far.
“Ashley!? Where are you…”
Yue’s voice faded out quickly as he got some distance from her.
Can you find him for me?
“Certainly, Chosen One. What are you planning on doing exactly?” Locke asked curiously.
Begging. I’m going to beg.
At the end of Sheng Street, Ash reached the plaza.
The pumpkins were already gone and the spectacle he’d created was over.
Quick. Quicker than I thought.
Can you give me an arr—
A bright blue arrow appeared in the middle of the air, giving Ash a definitive direction to go.
Heading straight for it, Ash went after it as an arrow would fly toward its target.
Moving swiftly along the plaza, Ash dipped into a street. Racing down along that street, he didn’t deviate until a turn down a smaller street. He felt like it was heading toward the library, but he wasn’t sure.
Almost as quickly as he’d entered the smaller street, he burst out into a very large plaza. One that was packed full of disciples, masters, and citizens, all at the same time.
“He’s here. Surprising that he’s in the market plaza, though. I wonder what he needs,” Locke mused.
Faster than he was expecting, Ash ran up to Master Li-Yong.
The man was currently inspecting a s
tall that was filled with pots and vases. He was holding one large green vase in his left hand while running a fingertip along the rim of it.
His eyes moved from the vase to Ash and then his eyebrows shot up toward the top of his head.
“Ash?” Master Li-Yong asked, his tone curious and slightly concerned.
“Master Li-Yong, I’ve come to ask a grave favor of you,” Ash said without any preamble. Instead, he got down to his knees, put his hands to the ground, and smashed his forehead down onto the stones.
He could feel shame and the weight of people’s gazes on him as he prostrated himself before Master Li-Yong.
How did Na do this with all those people watching? Knowing exactly what might come of her future and what they’d assume?
This is at least a student to a master.
At the very least they might assume I’ve done something stupid.
“Ash… what… okay. I understand. Please… rise. We will discuss whatever it is,” Master Li-Yong said with some concern.
Holding that position for several more seconds to make sure he committed to the act, Ash then slowly rose up once more.
“Now, what’s this about?” Master Li-Yong said, his eyes searching Ash’s face as if he could determine what was going on through that alone. The vase was still in his hand, though it seemed almost forgotten there.
“Master, I must ask a grave favor of you. One that I believe I can only go to you for. I have no one else I can rely on with this matter,” Ash said earnestly.
Li-Yong’s lips pressed together into a thin line. Then his eyes jumped from Ash to a point behind him.
“It’s Yue,” said Locke.
Making a harrumph like noise, Li-Yong pulled a pouch out of his robe and dropped it on the stall counter. Tucking the vase under his arm the older man motioned with one arm toward one side and then promptly led the way.
Moving off to one side of the plaza, Li-Yong looked around casually. Seeming satisfied, he waited for Ash and Yue to step up to him.
Lifting his left hand, he made a casual gesture. Ash felt a cocoon of solid Qi envelope them completely.
“Speak, Ashley Sheng. I will hear you,” Li-Yong said with a deep sincerity.
Okay. So… the display worked. Good.
Cultivating Chaos 2 Page 32
