Chapter 131 - Not Again

The sun set down in the horizon, painting the treetops with rich red mixed with an orange light. The city was peaceful aside from the chirping birds. However, it was not a melody of joy but of agitation. The animals' attention turned toward the city gate. Xinyi and Nianshi took flight in that direction because of the fluctuating power they felt over there. 

While running, Xinyi heard the birds' pleas. 

"Xinyi, there's a voice speaking in our minds, trying to control us. Help!" 

"Sorceress, help." And more came with one common call, help. Nianshi understood their feelings and waited for Xinyi. 

Xinyi couldn't think else but, "Run away. Flee as far as your legs can bring you. Don't let it control you."

----- o -----

Tyriece and Mafan stood at the gate. Mafan moved forward, challenging Tyriece to make the same move again. The warrior inside Tyriece did not back down. With his power or not, he faced the man and snickered. "You have power but you're no match with my physical strength.

Tyrience's declaration startled Mafan a bit. This was his regret for being born lacking physically. His mind wandered, looking for anyone near to manipulate. But most men were in the square blocking the rampaging General Lofey. He might fear Tyriece's fighting skills, but General Lofey's presence frightened him most. He gambled and would dare face the warrior than being caught by Lofey.

If he sends some people at the gate, he might stop Tyriece. His mind searched for the soldiers and made them stood in front of Lofey while Tyriece's squadron ran toward the gate. Then the ground trembled, stampeding feet sounded. 

Mafan laughed, tilting his head skyward. "You lose," believing these were the soldiers. 

Tyriece prepared his heart to face the innocent or the soldiers, whoever comes, to defend himself or if needed, kill them, but that would be a last resort. However, Mafan's laughter abated when the source of the noise came closer. It was the animals. 

Earlier, when the animals began running away after Xinyi's warning, they went to the gates, but when they reached the area, it was closed. And they learned from their own communication such as howling, cooing of owls, tweeting of birds, and others that the main gate was the only opened one. 

It so happened Mafan had it closed when he started manipulating the people, to confine everyone inside to attack the general and the other Chiangdas. It was an oversight on his part. He also didn't realize he had gained access to the animal's minds. 

Mafan eyes widened when the animals made a rampant run. Horses with saddles, cows, bulls, deer, and other domestic animals, including those at the forest within Cuxin estate ran toward them but Shijan was not one of them.   

Mafan stood in the middle of the road and panicked. He hurriedly ran outside. Tyriece did the same. At that moment, Mafan lost control of the people. The animals were able to escape from the mind control and they ran into the forest outside the city walls.

----- o ----- 

General Lofey and Sir Gib noticed the people stood still. Ming was also bewildered to see Lifen's hand stopped in midair while her fist was upon his face. He moved away from the incoming punch and stared at her. "Ma?" And shook her. "Ma! Wake up," he shouted at her. 

At the same time with Gib and old Lofey, "General, what are we going to do with this crowd? Why are they no longer attacking us?" Gib asked while looking at the soldiers who froze with whatever action they were doing as they attacked them.  

"I think Mafan is getting away and losing his control as he ran further. If he is still in the city, he would still let them continue attacking us." General assumed. 

They also felt the tremor from the earth and ran to the main street. There they saw the animals heading to one place, the city's main gate. "Let's follow the animals. He might be there." 

Ming saw the general sprinted toward the dust-covered road. He also found the creatures and jumped on a roof to investigate why the animals ran. However, he couldn't see the cause nor what awaited at the place they were heading to send them running. He then went to the main gate, thinking of Xinyi calling the animals.

Xinyi and Nianshi went to where the fluctuating power source were and suspected it was the one trying to control the animals. They felt it near the gate and made a run to it. 

"Nianshi, we need to hurry. It is getting away." 

Suddenly, Nianshi became a giant condor. He made Xinyi sat on him and flew up.

While all of them were heading outside. In that instant, the people woke up from Mafan's mind control. Yet, aware that they were controlled. They muttered disgust, voicing their anger toward Mafan. 

The after effect of the control varied to the physical strength of every person. Lei An and the city people felt tired. The pregnant women, children, and elders fainted.

People who practiced martial arts like Lifen, Zhai, Anghus, and the soldiers did not feel tired. They instead bolted to where the main gate, curious with what had occurred over there. 

----- o -----

Mafan ran to the open field, catching his breath after running and evading the stampeding animals. He stopped, turned around and saw Ming and the others coming. 

"Mafan, you can't get away from us. No more hiding? You better surrender." General Lofey shouted as he joined Tyriece who hid behind the walls.   

"I will not surrender. I am so close to reaching my goal." Mafan shouted back and began to panic, anxious to be sent to prison and lose all his chances. When he caught a glimpse of the incoming soldiers, hope sprung back within. 

General Lofey and Tyriece saw the soldiers and smiled. Delighted to see them free from Mafan's clutches, not knowing it was all temporary. Ming felt the same when he saw his mother and Zhai among them but smiling at him. 

He ran to them and embraced Lifen and his brother. When all of a sudden, the soldiers went still and eyes went white. Mafan once more controlled them. Ming and the rest saw the instant change and moved back.

"Oh, no," Gib gasped, as he stepped back from the soldiers. The soldiers charged at Chiangdas with lifted swords or any weapon they had at hand. 

General Lofey and Tyriece sighed together that they have to fight the soldiers again. General Lofey massaged his head, feeling a headache. Tyriece was sorry and angry with himself for panicking earlier and forgot to grab Mafan first.

"Not again…." Ming said in exasperation.

Zhai lifted his sword to slash Ming's head, but Ming blocked it and used his wind power to push his brother backwards. He didn't notice that Lifen slashed him from behind and hit his side. Ming instantly turned and used his wind to fly his mother near the gate. However, pain throbbed the wounded flesh. His hand reached his side and felt wetness, seeing blood covering his fingers.