Chapter 111: Lucky me

Chapter 111: Lucky me

Who are you? Jie took a step back, his eyes darting over Chances shoulder nervously.

A friend of Quinns, Chance replied.

Jies features froze as Chance mentioned Quinns name. His hands clenched at his sides and he swallowed.

Does Drayan know youre here?

Nope. Is that a problem?

Jie quickly took a step back into the room, making room for Chance to enter. Once he stepped inside, Jie reached past him and closed the door. Judging by its interior, they were in an unused guest room.

A soft bed sat near a sparkling window, and a wooden dresser sat beside a desk on the opposite side of the room to the bed. Jie watched Chance with a distraught expression on his face.

Shes dead, isnt she?

No, actually.

Jies eyes widened. Truly? I am honored that she and Nimea saw fit to send someone to notify me of their return. I had no idea they had returned. I am not worthy of this honor. But why are you here?

Sorry, Chance said. I wasnt totally clear. Nimea didnt make it. Only Quinn did. She sent us here to speak with you.

Jie took a moment to process Chances words. Then, to Chances surprise, Jies features darkened. I am relieved to hear Quinn has survived, but that means she has left the Ancient Realm and is here, yes? Then you and she must leave. You are not safe.

Thats why Im here to speak with you, Chance said, holding his hands up in a placating gesture. Are you being mistreated or kept here against your will?

Jie hurried over to the window, pulling the curtains shut. He turned back to Chance and pressed his lips together before giving a sharp nod. Yes. The Brackern Sect is a wretched place. Please, take Quinn and get her out of here. If Nimea is dead, then she has an opportunity to escape. The rest of us are not so lucky.

You cant leave? Chance asked, though he suspected he already knew the reason why.

The elders of the Brackern Sect pass down their cultivation technique of the Essence of Binding. We do not even have time to speak. Please. Trust me. Take Quinn and leave. I dont

Someone knocked on the door. Jie stiffened, his eyes going wide. He urgently gestured for Chance to take cover, holding a finger to his lips.

The chef needs access to the cellar, you imbecile, called a man. His voice sounded roughly middle aged, with a slight aristocratic lilt to it. Did you lock it again? Nobody can get in.

Chance rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. Jie glanced from Chance to the door, then urgently gestured for Chance to move. Please accept my forgiveness, Master Earn. I will head to the cellar post haste, as soon as I have finished cleaning

Now, the voice snapped. Open the door, Jie."

Chance dismissed his Essence, drawing it back within himself. He looked down at Earns corpse, barely able to contain the disgust in his soul. When it had come to Nimea, his Karma had warned him that she wasnt his to kill, and that it wasnt his role to be the judge, jury, and executioner.

Either it hadnt warned him off this time, or his emotions had been so strong that hed completely dismissed the warning. Chance wasnt sure which, and he found that he didnt care. There was no universe that would have been made better by leaving the creature before him alive.

Chance heard Jie shift behind him and turned as he stepped out of the room. Jie stared down at Earn in disbelief, then slowly raised his gaze to Chance.

I probably shouldnt have done that, Chance admitted. I can see the actions of men, and he was unworthy of the air he breathed. Im not sure if it was my place to kill him, but I did it anyway.

Jie spat on Earns corpse.

I take it Jie isnt all that torn up about this, then.

You are stronger than I had thought, Jie said, grabbing Chance by the arm. But we must move quickly. Master Drayan will have almost certainly heard that, and he is a powerful cultivator. You must depart immediately.

Jie dragged Chance down the hall and up to a small door. He worked it open, then pulled Chance inside a much smaller, thinner hallway. It was much darker than the rest of the house, with only a few scattered, dirty windows for light.

This is a pathway for the servants, Jie said, closing the door behind them. It will take you into the kitchen, and you should be able to escape through the back of the house.

Wait. Where are all the others? Chance asked. The people that the Brackern sect is controlling.

Forget about us, Jie snapped, dragging Chance deeper into the dimly lit hall. If Quinn can escape, then I would consider this a good outcome. Earn was far from the strongest fighter the Brackern sect has, and they will be on guard now. You will not be able to do that again.

They hurried down a winding stairwell and continued through another path, arriving at a door. Jie pressed his ear to it, then quickly pulled it open and ushered Chance out into a hot, smoke filled kitchen.

Nobody even gave them a second glance as they strode through it and toward a door in the back of the room.

I dont think Quinn will leave without you, Chance said. And Im not leaving anyone here. This is wrong.

Wrong or right do not matter. Quinn will survive, Jie said, grabbing the door and pulling it open. He pushed Chance out into an alleyway one on the other side of the building that Quinn had brought him to, if Chance recalled its layout correctly and gestured urgently. Leave. If you have an army, then bring them. One cultivator will not be able to stop an entire sect. Please give Quinn my best wishes and ensure that she never returns here.

Chance opened his mouth to refuse and urge Jie to change his mind, but his foot caught on a protruding brick. He stumbled, taking several quick steps to right himself, and a sword plummeted from the sky, slamming into the ground where hed been standing.

Golden mist erupted around Chance and he shoved Jie behind him as a man dropped from the second floor of the house, slamming to the alleyway with enough force to crack the stone beneath him.

His bright yellow and white robes hugged his heavily muscled body, and his head was shaved perfectly smooth. The man grabbed the sword, sliding it free from the ground as he bared his teeth in a furious, hungry smile.

I had thought this foolish behavior had already been beaten out of you, Jie.

Master Drayan, Jie said, his words stiff with terror.

Ah, Chance said, flexing his fingers. His urumi leapt into his hand, humming faintly with energy as he watched Drayan. So youre Drayan. I was just about to go looking for you. Lucky me.