Chapter 182

Chapter 182

Hours after separating from Huu, my scouts come across tracks leading towards our destination. Finding the trail was simple enough, considering whoever it was flattened everything in their path, but I dont understand how they can tell the group numbers around a hundred strong. Asking only earns me an uncomfortable shrug and a gesture towards the mess of footprints, like its spelled out in plain common but Im too stupid to read it. Mila takes the information in stride, but Rustrams poorly concealed confusion makes me feel better, proving Im not alone in my ignorance.

Sucks for the rest of my retinue though, they're being led by incompetents.

Milas pointed elbow brings me back to reality and I find myself blinking too much while glancing at my waiting retinue. Whats happening? Oh right, Im the leader, I need to lead. Well, what I need is a nap, but I might as well wish for a space-capable battleship. How far ahead of us are they?

After a short discussion, my retinue slips into the forest and move parallel to the trail, keeping out of sight as we pursue our prey. Although the majority of the work is shouldered by the quins, the former Shen Huo soldiers move almost as well as I do, silent and swift. However, the few mountain-born warriors under my command are on a different level, their camouflage cloaks turning them into corporeal ghosts who melt into the forest. After so many years with the People, Im more convinced than ever I was adopted by mountain ninjas, which is awesome until I realize I am, at best, a ninja foot-soldier. You know, the ones who show up in droves and die so the Main Character gets to show off how cool and powerful he is. Not exactly confidence inspiring, but at least Im the leader of the foot-soldiers. Its... something, I guess.

Mafus steady gait eats up the kilometres and within the hour, my scouts inform me weve almost caught up to our quarry. Calling for a halt to outline my instructions, Mila and Rustram move off while Lin falls back with her guards. I should send the guard leader in by herself, she could probably slaughter thousands of them before getting tired.

Glancing around at the seventeen familiar faces of my squad, I see their nerves betraying them as they shift about. Deciding a pep talk is in order, I keep my voice low. Now, technically, everyone here is a failure. That got their attention. You were too clumsy to become scouts and too lousy a shot to become archers. You werent skilled enough to be my vanguard or strong enough to be my hammer. Okay, enough salt, a little sugar now. Your talent lies in taking abuse, just like me. We dont win because we have superior skill or tactics, we win because we survive where others die. I expect to toast each one of you with a drink when all this is over, so dont disappoint.

Not exactly awe-inspiring, but itll do. Besides, Im out of time, the others should be in place. With a deep breath, I signal Mafu who runs down the trail left behind by the Defiled war-band, abandoning stealth while his feet slap loudly against the dirt and stones. Were not 100% certain its a Defiled war-band, but given the circumstances, I can be forgiven for making assumptions.

Studying them as they come into sight, they're most certainly bandits but whether theyre Defiled remains to be seen. Either way, they need to be dealt with. The rearmost members sound the alarm as my squad approaches, and moving with surprising discipline, they settle into a group with spears and pole-arms pointed outwards, seeking to blunt the charge of my Anvil and encircle my heavily outnumbered group.

Too bad, thats not how I roll. Calling for a halt around two-hundred meters away, I unlimber my bow and fire, the hiss of arrows filling the formerly tranquil forest as my squad spreads out into a skirmish line, keeping our distance while we pluck away at our bow strings. They arent the greatest shots, but at least a handful of enemy combatants go down from our barrage.

Reacting aggressively, the enemy screams and charges before I can fire a third arrow, brandishing their weapons as they sprint forward faster than expected. Still, it's all in line with the plan, just moving ahead of schedule. No problem. Shouldering my bow, I draw Peace and Tranquility before handing control over to Baledagh, who immediately howls back a wordless expression of challenge. Mafu lunges at the closest enemy who falls beneath the fangs and claws of my normally affectionate mount. Peace slices through the neck of a Defiled warrior and Tranquility deflects another's spear, and the battle erupts into chaos.

Laying about left and right as Mafu moves to avoid being surrounded, Baledagh unleashes hell upon the enemy while I watch the battle unfold with clinical detachment, focused on my part. My determination and courage radiates outwards like ripples in the water, carried away by my Chi and striking fear into the hearts of my enemies. Baledagh takes full advantage of the enemys hesitation, guiding Mafu through the crowd unhindered while cutting down multiple enemies with every swing, still screaming bloody murder as he vents his frustrations for the first time since losing Ai-Qing.

Sweet Mother above, having Aura is like cheating. These mooks aint got nothing on me.

As if summoned by my delight, the enemy boss makes his appearance, slamming into Mafu shoulder first and sending the fat quin tumbling to the dirt. Leaping from the harness, Baledagh flips through the air to avoid the follow-through, a massive two-handed sword scything through the area our torso occupied only a split second earlier. Landing neatly on his feet, Baledagh charges in to trade blows while I clash Auras with the enemy boss, a grizzled, ruggedly handsome older gentleman wearing a dashing red bandana.

The push-pull of our Auras matches the back and forth of our weapons, Baledagh matching speed against power while I cling on by my fingertips. My Aura compresses against Red-Bandanas pressure, my mind reeling from the impact, but its nothing compared to what Lins guard dished out. The ring of metal echoes in my ears as Baledagh ups his tempo, stronger and faster than I could ever manage. Like two drivers in the same car, our performance vastly differs depending on whos in control, Peace and Tranquility moving in coordianted one-two strikes.

Ducking beneath an errant swing, Baledagh seizes the opportunity to counter even as I spot the trap. Spinging forward as Red-Bandanas hidden dagger flies towards our face, but Baledagh barely flinches, intent on the kill. Channelling my Chi into a torrential whirlpool, it Deflects the dagger aside, spinning as it gouges a deep furrow across my cheek instead of piercing through my face. Peace bites deep into Red-Bandanas chest, his smile slipping from his handsome face as the life fades from his crystal blue eyes.

Evil shouldnt be allowed to look pretty, its not fair.

Heaving with exertion, Baledagh rips Peace out of Red-Bandanas corpse and looks around, the battle all but over. After my squad baited them into a charge and strung out their battle-lines, the bandits were struck from the rear by Mila and Rustrams squads, who rode through and cut them down with impunity. A pout splashed across her gore-speckled cheeks, Mila rides up and pokes Red-Bandana with her spear. Congratulations, you killed 'Hideous Helvend', a Butcher Bay Bandit worth eight gold. Tch, you always take the fun parts, when will it be my turn to fight a duel?

The brat struggled uselessly and roared, Keep your hands off them you filthy bastard!

This was almost too easy. You sweet on both of em? Damn boy, yer eyes are too big for yer stomach. Throwing the brat aside, HuoLong lazily reached for the girls, savouring the fear in their eyes. You wouldnt know what to do with fine women like th--

The world erupted into pain and shot past him, his breath emptying from his lungs as he crashed into to the ground. Staring up at the endless sky, he heard weapons clanging and people shouting, but no matter how hard he tried, his body refused to obey, hands clutching his chest as he wheezed in agony, fighting to draw breath. Whatd happened to his Aura? He had to rekindle his Aura and protect his people. Drawing on the power within, he willed his emotions into existence and felt them explode, an intangible wave of gut-wrenching terror and paralyzing panic rippling outwards from his body.

Only to crash into an unmoving wall, solid as a mountain, snuffing his Aura out like a sputtering candle.

The sounds of battle quieted and HuoLong lay prone and helpless, dread and apprehension welling within, his head spinning and lungs burning with effort. A shadow fell over him and he looked up into the yellow, hate-filled eyes of the Young Wolf, grinning darkly as he slowly lifted his massive boot. The boot stomped down towards HuoLongs face and an involuntary scream slipped from his lips. The world exploded into pain once again, teeth rattling inside his mouth and tasting of metal as a high-pitched ringing set in his ears.

Even in his disoriented state, HuoLong fought to remain conscious, unwilling to surrender to the darkness. A massive man appeared in his vision, dwarfing the burly Young Wolf. Enough, nephew mine. Where the fuck did this bulky bastard come from? He hadnt been in the crowd...

Uncle Kalil, when did you get so strong? The Young Wolf leaned into the large warrior, looking like a child in his embrace. Why didnt you act sooner?

How are you expecting me to save you while this coward holds blade to your throat? Your Mall beat me senseless if you came home with a mark on you, so you best get to healing now. Sighing as he shook his head, Kalil prodded HuoLong with his foot. If this is what amounts to a Dragon around these parts, then Im sorely disappointed.

Hes mine, Uncle. The Young Wolfs glower set HuoLongs body to shivering. He killed Jaga.

No, boy. Kalil patted the Young Wolfs head. Its a harsh truth, but you must hear it: your actions cost Jaga his life. You let your lust for battle overwhelm you and rushed ahead without aid. You knew Laughing Dragon might be here and took no precautions. Not to mention, what sort of half-assed plan is move in and kill them all? You can do better than that, you need to do better. I wont always be here to guard you. Temper your blood lust and learn to unleash it at the proper time, or it wont just be your quin who pays the price. Would Rain have attacked so heedlessly? Perhaps he would, but Rain condensed his Aura and can handle a worthless bandit like this.

Worthless? HuoLong croaked. Do you know who I am?

I do, Ive seen your type hundreds of times before. Youre a coward. Another prod from Kalil sent waves of pain through his body, his ribs broken cleanly. You condensed your Aura no, you cheated your way into obtaining a facsimile of Aura through the Fathers sacrilegious powers, and since then youve harboured delusions of grandeur. Youre a bully and like all bullies, you pick on the weak and are terrified of a fair fight. A narcissist too, considering your crafted heroic persona. You make me sick, so shut your mouth before I shut it for you.

Unable to help himself, HuoLong quivered before Kalils oppressive Aura, unable to resist it for more than a heartbeat. I still want to kill him, the Young Wolf said. We have enough prisoners for the Marshall.

I said no. Regardless of his true nature, this bastard is the public figurehead of the Defiled incursion and the Major will have questions for him. Besides, Kalil added, you forget who rides at the Majors side. A fate worse than you can imagine awaits him once we hand him over to the Shrike.

An impotent wail burst from his throat at the mention of the Sanguine Priestess and HuoLong finally lost his nerve. Malang! You bastard, save me! He repeated the cry until another boot to the head granted him the merciful oblivion of slumber.

Please, no, it cant end like this...

Chapter Meme