Chapter 167

Chapter 167

Standing on the shoreline with his comrades, Gao Qiu watched the approaching watercraft with growing displeasure. Occupied by two passengers covered in ragged robes, the shoddy raft should by all rights have sunk to the bottom of the lake. Even if it were sturdier than it looked, how did these strangers find their way to the Butcher Bay hideout? Sheer luck? Easier to pass a fist-sized kidney stone. Even more bizarre was the boss orders to let the bastards through unharmed, meaning they were people of importance, people Gao Qiu didnt know.

Secrets and mysteries, two things he hated the most. Too many of those lately, with the boss growing cold and distant, his dreams of conquering the lands having dried up and died ever since Liu Shi broke away. Ah if only they could return to the glory days, when the Red Devil rode freely with the Spectre and Bastard Liu, taking whatever caught their fancy whether it be gold, wine, or women. Those times of glory were a distant memory now, while Butcher Bays hold over the villages slipped more each year. Leaving the Army alone was a smart move, patriotic even, but why go so easy on mere peasants? Sure, it allowed them to milk the cow for years to come, but why become a bandit if not for freedom? As it stood, he might as well go become a mercenary or tax collector if he was gonna cower from the threat of resistance.

Rules and guidelines, shit wasnt any different from being in the army. Why suffer through all those years as the Red-Devil of Sanshu only to end up starving to death? Hed begged the boss to send him to meet with Bastard Liu, work out a treaty to throw back the Marshals whore, but hed been refused time and time again. Their food stores dwindled by the day, their meagre stocks already lasting longer than hed expected. This was no way to live, cowering from barbarians and spoiled brats while eating nothing but dried fucking fish and hardtack. Even the pickled vegetables were gone now, a miserable existence for all.

Guided by the currents, the raft crashed into the beach as the two passengers leaped effortlessly onto the sand. One of them, a young man, peered about the beach at Gao Qiu and his comrades, a delighted smile on his face. Oh wonderful, wonderful, there are so many of you.nove(l)bi(n.)com

Something was off about the lad, his eyes too open, his smile too wild, with more than a hint of insanity hanging about him. The other passenger held his hands open and removed his cowl, revealing a familiar face. We mean no harm, we seek audience with The Spectre, Yo Ling.

The lad chimed in with a giggle. Hes expecting us.

Laughing Dragon. Hand tightening around his axe, Gao Qiu sneered at the dandy bandit, one of many upstarts on his list to kill for the sake of propriety. Not only was his gang taking food from Butcher Bays plate and raiding in their territory, but they were making Butcher Bay look bad to boot. Gao Qiu never understood why the boss let it slide for years, it wasnt right, wasnt right at all. Id say its good to see ye, but Id be lying. Whats the matter, the Magistrates whore send yer virtuous bandits packing? Now yer looking fer help from scum like us, eh? Well fuck off, there aint nothing here fer you and yer fucktoy. Get gone.

The lad seemed calm despite the many bandits approaching, Laughing Dragon backing away slowly with hands still upraised. Scowling as he received a Sending from the Boss, Gao Qiu waved his comrades back. Bah. Let em through, the boss wants a word. Muttering beneath his breath at the indignity, he waited until Laughing Dragon was within arms length. Unleashing his Aura, he readied himself to match wills with the younger man, a bit of fun and spectacle. Boss said to let em through, didnt say nothing about not scaring them.

A deformed hand reached out and closed around his throat, taking Gao Qiu by surprise. Dragged from his feet, he clung gamely as the lad wrenched him effortlessly into the air, choking the breath from him. Clad in Laughing Dragons Aura, an unbreakable barrier stronger than expected, the lad met his gaze with an unnerving grin. Dont test me grandfather, youll do wonderfully once you realize the Truth. Id hate to break you before then, but there are many more here. I can afford to be choosy.

Put him down Gen, this ones the Red Devil, Gao Qiu. In his light-headed haze, Gao Qiu realized Laughing Dragon was nervous, scared of the lad. The Spectre wont be pleased if ye kill him, so let him go. Like ye said, all friends here.

Dropping him like a sack of rice, the lad sauntered off without a second glance, heading unerringly towards the boss. Gasping for breath, Gao Qiu coughed and sputtered as his comrades left him, scurrying away to avoid his displeasure. First Falling Rain, now Laughing Dragon and this nameless brat, new waves overtaking the old. No wonder the boss wanted to meet with them, Gao Qiu was a relic of the past. Sighing in melancholy, he sat and stared out at the foaming currents and shoddy watercraft.

It seemed his time had passed, a feeble old man with nothing to his name. No surprise Yo Ling pushed him away and ignored all his suggestions. Perhaps there was a time when his insight had value, but no longer. There was no place for the Red Devil in this era, no place for Gao Qiu. It was time for the Laughing Dragons and Falling Rains of the world to make their marks. Pushing himself to his feet, he holstered his axe and wandered down to the water, stepping onto the raft without hesitation. Using the pole to push himself out into the current, he guided the craft safely away, reminiscing of glories passed and comrades lost. As the island faded into the distance, he bid farewell to a life lived with few regrets. After so many years, it had to be worth something. Where to go? Anywhere but here. East maybe, or south even, should the raft hold.

Better if hed died in his prime than to be so humiliated, made irrelevant by the new generation, but hed be damned if the Red Devil of Sanshu went down as some upstart brats stepping stone.

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Jostled by kneading paws and a rumbling purr, I wake to see Auries large, green eyes staring wistfully as I lay in bed. His ears flat against his head, his mouth opens in a plaintive mewl, his whiskers quivering as he nudge me to rise so his day can truly begin. Hugging him roughly, I laugh as he nuzzles against me, whispering a greeting to my big fluffy baby. Good morning Aurie. You sick of lying around? Sorry Ive been so lazy, I need to catch up on missed sleep.

Sensing something is off, Lin looks at me in question and I smile and shake my head. Taking things in stride, she continues chatting with me as we reach the training area, a large field north of the tree. Most of my retinue is here aside from those I left with Ravil and Bulat, diligently practicing as they do every morning. Taking a seat in the grass next to Sarankho, I pat her fluffy kitty butt and wait as Lin rushes off to grab my breakfast, smiling and chatting briefly with my soldiers as they greet me. Ugh, making small talk is the worst. Id rather practice regenerating fingers or something, much less painful.

Returning with my breakfast on a tray, Lin quickly disperses the growing crowd, allowing me to eat in peace. Balancing the tray on my knees, I enjoy my breakfast while watching the training, doing my best to ignore the pleading looks from my menagerie of pets. Rustrams sparring match draws most of my attention, my second-in-command getting beaten bloody by the stern and dour Li Song. Poor bastard, I wonder if he does this every day?

Hes gotten better in the past month. Smirking as she steps around the cats, Mila crosses her arms and stands proudly, waiting for my praise. At least he stopped swinging his rapier about like a hammer. He still has a way to go, but hell get there eventually.

High praise coming from Mila, shes never said anything nice about my skills. Just like her mother. God if I ever said that out loud, Im pretty sure shed kill me. You know, Ive also learned a thing or two while I was gone. We should spar when Im fully recovered.

Sticking out her tongue, Mila grins and snatches a fried dough fritter from my tray, munching away with confidence. Dont be jealous. Ill spar with you anytime youd like, Ive missed smacking you around, its great stress relief. It's only fair since you're the source of most my stress. Skipping away to return to teaching, she appears to be nothing more than a carefree young woman, no hint of the unrivalled warrior to be seen.

She doesnt stand a chance against me anymore, and if it werent for Yuzhen ordering me to keep my Aura hidden, Id challenge Mila now. I can already see it, her eyes shut as shes frozen with fear, helpless before me as I raise my hand, only to bop her lightly on the nose and declare victory. Itll be magnificent.

I dont care if its using an unfair advantage, I need a win in my column. Call me misogynistic, but I refuse to always be the weaker one in our relationship, a man should protect his woman. Even if its only for a few years until she condenses her own aura and beats me black and blue again.

Finished with my breakfast, I sit and watch with Lin nuzzled against my shoulder, enjoying the peace while drowsiness and discontent settles in. The calm before the storm, I couldnt come up with any ideas for saving people from their imminent doom, the Purge growing closer with each passing day. Gerel explicitly warned me against speaking of or acting against the Purge, and for once, Im inclined to agree. Theyre willing to slaughter tens of thousands of innocents, whats a few hundred more in the scheme of things?

Despite all the progress Ive made and the strength Ive gained, I still dont have the power to change a thing. Im leery of announcing I can sense the Defiled, since Im fairly certain its a Defiled skill. Who knows what the Empire's learned over millennia of combat with the Defiled, and Im not willing to martyr myself for people I dont know. Im no hero, thats never been a dream of mine. I only hope to live well surrounded by people I love, a simple dream for a simple man. This isnt my fault, Laughing Dragons been around for years, who knows how long hes been Defiled. The Purge was bound to happen sooner or later.

So why do I feel so damn guilty?

It all comes back to one simple question, something Ill never truly understand short of Divine Intervention.

Why was I given a second chance?

...

Trying to uncover your cosmic purpose really takes the fun outta life.

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