by Mike Han
Chapter Nine
The next morning after breakfast, Will set off for Canyon Town while the two of us hunkered down and discussed on what we should do. After much discussion, we decided that we would expand our search outside the ruins. Since we had covered so much over the ruins in the past days and found no other secret areas, less the well, Yu’Er concluded that the ladies would have been taken outside the walls. We had then commenced a circular search pattern slowly expanding outwards to search for signs of any passing. It was mid noon and as we were passing by a grove of trees, I noticed something strange with one of the smaller trees. As I approached this rather small sapling about a meter in height, I spotted a scuffle mark at the bottom. Bending down to observe the scuffling, the small trunk gave a screech and broke in the middle, toppling down.
“Look! There was no damage on the exterior and the inside of the trunk was shattered cleanly. Someone with good internal strength must have caused the damage. I think the ladies were trying to give us a clue as to the direction which they were taken.” Yu’Er concluded. She glanced around and gave a start, “Oh my, we were so fixated on Canyon Town, we ignored the idea that those assailants might be heading for Fortune Village instead.”
Seeing my puzzled look, she explained, “Fortune Village is about five days north from the ruins, unlike Canyon Town which is three days. And since Canyon Town is where all the attacks were taking place, we had taken for granted that all activities would head there. Let make haste. This clue seems to be quite recent, and since we can’t find any traces of mounts, we should be able to catch up with them.” We had quickly gathered our mounts, and moved north.
It was past sundown and we were contemplating making camp and continuing the next day when we spotted a campfire one mile ahead of us. With unspoken consensus, we dismounted and began to creep towards the campfire. Just beyond the firelight, we stopped to assess the situation. Crouching beside me, Yu’Er whispered into my ear, “Look. Your ladies friends are there. Look like my masked friends are here as well.” The three female disciples were together near the campfire with ten male in black attire. Though they were unbound, they were no longer holding onto their weapons, three males was around them obvious as their guards, while the rest were lounging around the campfire.
“Shang, are you sure these are the only people around the ruins looking for that Balance Sect brat?” We could hear one of the assailants saying in the silence of the night. A reply came from one of them, “Yeah. I questioned them thoroughly after we caught up with them near the entrance. They were never near that well. That brat should still be trapped there.” Yu’Er’s hand was gripping my shoulder tightly as she listened to their insults. “Alright, after we hand over these ladies, I think we should be back in time to hear her pleading to us to set her free.” The band of them started to laugh at that.
“Jun, that big mouth asshole is mine!”
“Yu’Er, what’s the plan?” I asked.
“What plan! We just go in, set those ladies free and beat those guys into submission. Now with you to help me instead of that worm Cai, we should be able to deal with them easily.” She concluded confidently.
Before I could mutter another word, she had sprinted into the camp. I could only draw my sword and follow in her wake. As she jumped across the campfire, she kicked out with her leg to scatter the embers among the assailants, and strike out at the one nearest to the Lotus School disciples. I quickly took on the other beside Min. Our attack was so fast and furious that they were caught by surprise and confusion ensued, while we beat back both assailants guarding the ladies. Catching on that rescue was on-going for them, even though they were unarmed, they were not helpless and Mei, together with Min turned around and strike at the assailant behind them with their fists and kicks. Before the assailant could react, Min palm strike connected on his chest and his face contoured in pain, and Mei followed with a kick that cause the assailant to drop the bundle he was holding and flew backwards into the night. Ren flew forward caught the bundle, opened it and threw their swords to Mei and Min respectively, while she drew her own sword.
With enraged shouts, the assailants finally noticed our presence and quickly regrouped around us. Our quick attack, with the help from the Lotus School disciples, had crippled three of their numbers. When they noticed Yu’Er among them, angered shouts ensued among them, “Shang, you idiot! You said that there were no one else searching for that brat! Then why is she here now?” “But, that’s what those lasses told me!” “Shang, I swear you are really an idiot. And when we get out of this, you are going to be in trouble.”
“Now there are only seven of them left, and we have five on our end, after saving these ladies. Let’s try to apprehend some of them for questioning.” Yu’Er spoke in a low voice to me. I nodded. Before we could discuss our next course of action, a flutter of movement announced new arrivals to the camp and a young man holding a fan walked into the light of the camp, followed by his retinue of men. Yu’Er gave a start and continued in a low voice, “What is that worm from Imperial School doing here?”
“Young master Shi…” one of the black attired men started before being cut off as the young man gave a flick of his wrist, fold his fan and hold it with his other hand, the warning gesture not going unnoticed to everyone.
“Evening, everyone. Why all the drawn weapons?” the young man spoke impetuously. “We are all friends here. Come, let’s all sheath our weapons and talked in a civilized manner. I am sure that this is all a misunderstanding.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that Young Master Shi Ting of the Imperial School was acquainted with these kidnappers?” Yu’Er said without missing a beat.
“Ms Yu’er, it’s a pleasure to meet you again. You are such a long way from Balance Sect, no? Kidnappers? I assured you Miss Yu’Er that I know no such people. But since you say that they are kidnappers, I should do my duties as an imperial citizen and bring them to the magistrate for investigation. My school does have some dealing with the imperial magistrate." The Young Master Shi had replied without batting an eyebrow at Yu’Er implication that he was associated with them. “I think these ladies from Lotus School should join us as witnesses.”
Yu’Er snorted a laugh, “Join you? I am afraid if they do that, which would probably be the last time we see them. Why don’t you just scat out of here and stay away? We don’t need any help from the likes of you.”
“I think not. I afraid that I would have to insist now that you all join us as guests to our school.” Shi Ting spoke arrogantly.
With these new arrivals from Imperial School, we now faced more than fifteen opponents, much too many numbers for us to handle. Not to mention that we did not know the abilities of these new comers. “Yu’Er, these are more than we can handle right now.” I prompted her quietly.
“Yeah, you are right. We wouldn’t be able to handle that many. I am afraid that you would need to lead these ladies out while I distracted them.” Yu’Er replied me in a low voice.
“No! You are as much as a target as these ladies. Not to mention what they can threaten Grandmaster if they have you on hand. Also you are more skilled than I am, and can protect these ladies better.” I argued quietly. “I hate to say this but my movement skill is much better than yours with my Ghost Steps and I could escape easier. Let me distract them, then you lead them back to the ruins. Will would be back with reinforcement by then. I will follow after.”
It was visible that Yu’Er was internally struggling with my suggestion. But after a moment, gave in and said, “I better see you back there at the ruins. Don’t take any unnecessary risks. I need you to convince Elder Hao to teach me his skills too.” With that, she made a sudden turn, gathered the girls and they sped off into the darkness towards the mounts back for the ruins to the south.
At her actions, I turned and with ghost steps skill augmenting my steps, fled inhumanly fast towards the black attired men. The ghost steps skill was a movement skill not only meant to increase the explosiveness, sp
eed and strength of movement, but was originally developed by Elder Hao such that with each movement made, the posturing, stride, direction, flow, speed all confuse the opponents. Where an opponent would guess where my step would take, a sudden change in direction, a misdirection with my posture, or a sudden tempo change in rhythm and I would be a totally different location, unexpected in the opponent’s anticipation. Such was the ability of the Ghost Steps skill that opponents fear it for its namesake; that the practitioner appeared like a ghost where least expected.
My sudden strides drew me close to the black attired men still gathered near the campfire, surprised at my speed, all they could do was hold their weapon in front of them in defense. But to their surprise, instead of throwing a strike at any of them, I drew up short, and swept my leg beneath the burning woods, scattering them in all directions. While distracted by my actions, I sped up towards Shi Ting standing in front of his retinue, intending to engage him to distract the rest from following Yu’Er. A short distance from the front of him, I made a sudden change in my forward rhythm, as I spun off to my left and with a light leap off my foot, I was now positioned to his side, exposed for a swift attack. I lunged forward as Shi Ting was caught off-guard with my movement, his left hand still holding the fan in a guarded posture facing where he originally thought I would be. Just as my sword was about to nick his arm, when an elderly man about fortyish, leaped forwarded from his side to intercept my sword with a sudden down swept of his sword-knife, forcing my blade down. At the same time he kicked out with his left foot towards me. Unable to pull back my sword to counter, instead I pushed out with my left palm, strengthened by my inner, at his foot. The two colliding forces causing both of us to step back a few paces.
“Butler Wu, go punish this worm for his insolence.” Shi Ting pale faced at the close shave instructed the elderly man. My attacks successfully forcing everyone’s attention to me as the galloping sounds of the mounts fading into the distance.
“Yes, young master.” The elderly man acknowledged without taking his eyes off me, however instead of attacking, he spoke up, “Young swordman, your skills are impressive. But I can tell that you are still quite a novice. Can I ask if the skill you just use is the legendary Chasing Shadow sword skill?” This elderly man’s ability to identify my skill at a glance spoke highly of his skills. He is definitely more skilled than Will, and probably even Yu’Er, though it could be that she was more inexperienced, rather than potential.
Deciding that talking would keep their attention on me, and allowing Yu’Er and the rest more time to get help, I answered cautiously, “You are correct, Mr Wu. Forgive me for my ignorance, but I just started exploring the martial world with Deacon Yu’Er and does not recognize the skills you are using.”
Wu gave a maliciously laugh, “Typical of a young disciple of Balance Sect. Always so courteous and polite. Years ago, I had the off chance in encountering your Elder Hao. Thinking that I am already quite accomplished in my skills, I had challenged him to a fight. Who knows that his Chasing Sword skill is so formidable. In less than ten rounds, I lost to him thoroughly. Now his disciple used the same skill and I couldn’t win him. If I lose again now, wouldn’t I be a laughing stock to everyone in Middle Kingdom. I am sorry young swordman, but I think I would like to keep both your arms as souvenir for my win tonight.” He gave me a wicked grin and raised his sword-knife.
Definitely not what I had expected from a butler.
Chapter Ten
Not hearing the sound of the gallops anymore, I decided that Yu’er and the rest had gained enough distance and it was time for me to make my retreat. However contrary to what Yu’Er had instructed me, I had decided that I would need to stay away from the ruins, in case Will needed more time to come back with reinforcement. Wu and the rest were eyeing me warily, anticipating that I would either attack or retreat from them. To their surprise, I sheath my sword and raised both hands up as if to surrender. Exactly as what I had expected, the black attired men were the first to lower their weapons, relief that the night incidence was ending at last. In a blink of an eye, I was in their midst, my Silky Palms, boosted with my inner, striking everyone in reach at their ribs or chests causing them to collapse in pain. I had been silently gathering my inner strength as we faced off each other a moment ago.
Butler Wu was the first to react to my attack and tried to come at me with his sword-knife. But he was hampered by the crowd of black attired men around me, who further hindered him more as they fell to their knees in pain with my strikes, grabbing at his legs for support. Giving a shout of frustration, he jumped over them, his sword-knife held above his head as he tried to strike at me with an overhead attack.
After striking my next opponent, while keeping an eye out for Wu, I crouched low, grabbed my latest victim’s double knife and flung them at Wu as he made his attack. Then I followed with a vicious kick at my opponent, throwing him into Wu’s path. Wu had no choice but to alter his attack to block the thrown weapons, and was not in a position to avoid the body that came flying towards him. Unable to change his trajectory, he fell and was tangled by the body. By the time he managed to push the body away from him as he got to his feet, I was long gone from the camp.
Running away due north, I decided to go in opposite direction of Yu’Er, hoping to buy them more time. As I ran, I gave silent thanks to Will and the other instructors for their arduous training that allowed me a chance to escape. My thanks came too quick, it seemed, as very soon I heard the faint sound of pursue from my rear. Taking a quick glance to the back, it appeared at least my plan to distract worked as everyone was now chasing after me with a torch in hand, instead of trying to capture Yu’Er and the ladies. My impromptu plan had given me a good lead from them as they spread out trying to find me in the darkness.
After an hour of running, with the pursue getting steadily closer, I came upon a decrepit temple in the middle of nowhere. Knowing that they were getting closer and I could not reach any safe haven before they caught me, I decided that I would have no choice but to make my last stand here in this run-down temple. At least I could find an advantageous position so that they could not come at me all at once. Stepping into the temple walls, there was only one main structure within. Inside the structure was an old altar table covered in thick inches of dust and an old stone figurine of the Guardian Warrior God sitting on it. Everything was run-down, and I noticed that there was an old vagrant lying on the mat in front of the altar.
Old vagrant? Oh man, did someone die here? I quickly made my way over and to my relief, saw that it was just an old vagrant taking a nap here. But what was an old vagrant doing here in the middle of nowhere. Well, I’ll figure out the mystery another day, what’s important now is to get him to go first.
“Old man, are you alright? Please get up. You need to leave this place and hide now.” I pleaded urgently with the old vagrant.
“What?!” The bleary-eyed old vagrant woke up. “Who are you, young man? Why are you disturbing my sleep? I had at last found a good hiding place and you found me. Alright, what do you want so that I could go back to sleep?”
“Me? No, no. Please, you have to get up now and go hide somewhere. There are people chasing after me and it might not go well for you if they found you here with me.” I answered as I tried to pull him up to his feet and get him going. But to my surprise, no matter how much strength I used, I could not budge him.
“Chasing you? Oh, do you want me to help you make them go away?” the old man yawned and asked me.
“No. It’s fine. I want you to get to safety. You don’t have to bother with me.” I answered him as I gazed back warily at the door, expecting them to make an entry pretty soon. Not hearing any replies from the old vagrant, I turned back to him and was surprised to see him gazing intently at me, and he suddenly smiled at me.
“That’s a nice surprise. This is the first time that someone is so nice to me. It’s either they want something from me or they just ignored me, even those people from the righ
teous orders.” He mused.
The door of the temple wall, which I barred upon entering, suddenly burst wide opened from the hinges as Wu gave it a hard kick, the power of his kick being strengthen by his inner. “Found you at last, you little rat. You think you can escape from us so easily.” Wu crowed as he entered the temple. Shi Ting and the rest followed behind and spread out cautiously to prevent my escape. “Ah I see that you have found a friend to die with. So who is this friend of yours? Another disciple from Balance Sect?” Wu gave a cold laughter as he strode towards me.
Drawing my sword from the sheath, I positioned myself in front of the vagrant to protect him. “This old vagrant was here when I entered the temple. I do not know him. He is a bystander and no party to our feud. He is innocent. I ask that you would let him go in peace.”
Testing his thumb on the edge of his sword-knife, Wu smirked at me, “Still trying to be a good hero, I see. Well, I am afraid that is not possible, young sword master. You can only blame yourself for getting him involved. If you had stayed at the camp and let us cut off both your arms, both of you would still be alive. Now? Young master Shi, do you want to let them go?”
Shi Ting gave a snort, “After so much troubles he given us? Do as you wished. Let get this done fast so I can go back to the capital. I need a bath and good food. I trusted that you can manage him by yourself? Alright, let’s go, Tong and Yong. The rest of you help butler Wu tidy up the loose ends after this.” With that, Shi Ting with two followers departed from the temple.
After making sure that Shi Ting had left the area, Wu turned back to me grinning. “Why don’t I make a deal with you, young sword master? You teach me your Ghost Steps as well as the Chasing Sword skill, I would just take one arm of you and we call it a deal. To be generous, I leave your sword arm intact.”
