Chapter 315 - One Hundred and Fifteen - He comes to my rescue

Almost as the words spilled out from his lips upon a sigh, Leon could not help but respond; "M-maimai's t-tea isn't so b-bad."

Jin Li leapt off of the back of his midnight Coeurl and tossed to one side the horned back deer carcass that he carried over his shoulder with a sneer.  He smelled of blood and death for this hunt had not been an easy one, thus he'd been looking forward to the opportunity to bathe after he and Wu Ye had brought down the prize buck.  As they'd made their way home, a dabbled hare and a blue bearded peasant that happened to cross their path and swiftly lost their lives with the thought that with this much meat, neither would have to hunt for a while.  Both Coeurl and Cultivator had been pleased with the idea that they could lounge around in the sweet company of their loved ones and not need care about food for a time.

And then the sound of a roar echoing from the distance had shaken both from their leisurely paced return, forcing them to race ahead.  Wu Ye had even deigned to allow the Martial Artist to ride upon his back that they might reach home a little faster than otherwise.  Just minutes from home, they had come across a frantic and fearful Li Ming, the younger Coeurl still stained with its own blood, though the wounds had scabbed over already.

"Where is Leon?" Jin Li had demanded between gritted teeth as the Couerls shared brief greetings.  Li Ming had taken them back along the path it had discovered their scents upon, heading straight to the courtyard house.  Jin Li's heart had ached as it pumped his hot blood through his veins touched by anger, worry and distress.  Only upon seeing the situation, seeing Leon unhurt could he breathe a small sigh of relief (he gave no such consideration for the wounded Tor nor Xiao Xiao).  However, these sc.u.m bastards dared attack his man?  He'd see them pay.

Wu Ye roared in agreement, before sniffing the air, its face twisting in disgust.  Unlike Leon, though, it agreed with Jin Li's assessment.  That female's brew offended the nose of any beast in the vicinity of the hot, dark liquid.

Jin Li didn't ask why the four unwelcome visitors were near his property nor did he question why they were attacking Leon.  He simply drew his sword and engaged the Martial Artist nearest to his small alchemist.  That guy had not long cleared his vision of the flashing white light and could only kneel to grab his fallen sword before lifting it to defend himself. 

"Oi!" The other Martial Artist leapt forward to help his comrade, but he soon found that even his strength was lacking.  "Lu She!"

The Beast Tamer cracked his whip in response, kicking out at the Cooshee first, which leapt backwards with a yelp.  It growled, meaning to continue the fight, but there was something wrong with its front paw and it hesitated.  Such would have allowed an opening for the man, had a large, angry black Coeurl not blocked his path.  Wu Ye's rumbling growl echoed in its c.h.e.s.t as it looked down on the Beast Tamer with obvious disdain.  The youth gritted his teeth, aware that this beast was not the soft persimmon that the striped one had been and readied himself for a fight.

Wu Ye yawned and batted him with one paw before the youth could lash his whip in its direction.  The Beast Tamer ducked quickly before straightening his body and taking a step back.  He planned to circle his whip, taking advantage of the added distance, but what was that advantage compared to an agile Coeurl with a long, thick, muscular tail.  The youth was swept away, knocking his head against a tree and nearly falling unconscious.

In the meantime, Jin Li had already disarmed one of the Martial Artists, that one was now coughing up blood from a kick to his stomach, while the other was hard pressed to defend himself as Jin Li's swords rippled through the air again and again in successive strikes.  The ruby handled weapon's blade suddenly broke, sliced in two as Jin Li's Xunsu Bagong clashed with it for the last time. 

Leon looked at the ornate blade thinking that there was some familiarity, but as he couldn't place it, he stopped thinking about it.  Jin Li didn't care either way, standing over the fallen Martial Artists, his blades pointing at the necks of both.  He clicked his tongue; "So weak."

Those two students glared at him, but having lost, they couldn't refute his claims and could only bite their tongues. 

By this time, Wu Ye had picked up the unconscious Beast Tamer and had brought him over to unceremoniously spit him out next to his comrades.  Having seen this, Li Ming sought to also be useful, however Caprian was not unconscious and also not easy to pick up.  While struggling and cursing, the large youth was dragged over the dirt, loose stones and surfaced tree roots as he was brought over by the striped Coeurl.  Li Ming let go of him and glanced over at its older brother with clear blue eyes; praise me!

Wu Ye smacked his ear with a light paw.  Are you a pet?  Why so proud?  These weak things beat you and you still smile like this!  I will take you to hunt horned back deer next time.  You will either get stronger or die.

Li Ming whimpered, but it's pitiful look couldn't move the other.

"What d-do we d-do with them?" Leon asked Jin Li.  "T-tie them up?"

"Unnecessary," Jin Li replied, shortly.  He leaned forward and tapped various acupuncture points on the four individuals.  They flopped to the ground, unable to use their limbs. 

But while the two martial artists retained some vestiges of clarity, understanding that even if they bullied the weak, those stronger than themselves can still step on them like ants, Caprian had no such capability.  "Do you have any idea just who I am?!"

"No," Jin Li sneered before tossing all four into Li Ming and Wu Ye's stable without ceremony.  The two Coeurl were not happy that their nest was being used like this, but were still forced to keep guard while Jin Li rushed away to find a Teacher to take the sc.u.m off of his hands.

When Teacher Sagi came over, the trembling in Tor's hands had eased and the long, drawn wounds on his arms had scabbed over, such was the efficacy of the Improved One Heart Pill that Leon had fed him.  Leon had also served him a tea to calm both of their nerves.  Xiao Xiao lay with his head in Tor's l.a.p, feeling sorry for itself.  Although it had not been as pathetic as Li Ming in the battle, it still felt that it had let its Master down.  Tor stroked its long, soft ears in comfort.  In fact Tor was also blaming himself for not being strong.  Both vowed to up their training and improve.