Book 6: Chapter 11: Merciful

Book 6: Chapter 11: Merciful

Sen lifted an eyebrow at Li Yi Nuo. He thought hed been pretty clear. He wondered if maybe she wasnt that bright. Shed seemed smart enough when they were talking. Then again, she did have a lot of time to think about what she wanted to say to him before they met. He sighed.

I said, how convenient would it be if someone he started.

I heard what you said. What do you mean?

Really? I thought I was being pretty straightforward.

She narrowed her eyes at him. Youll just stop, after all that?

I never wanted to fight in the first place. So, its not much of a sacrifice for me to stop. I get what I wanted from the start. Besides, this doesnt seem to be going all that well for you. Are you in any condition to keep fighting?

He could see her weighing his words and no doubt taking stock of her condition. She grimaced, pressed a hand to her ribs, and shook her head.

Very well, said Li Yi Nuo. I think I would prefer it if we didn't duel.

Excellent, said Sen.

He looked down at the spear in his hands. He really wanted to keep it, but he suspected that it was probably the best weapon she owned. He knew that hed go looking for someone if they took his best spear. Sen pushed aside his greed, if a little grudgingly, and walked over to Li Yi Nuo. She watched him with guarded wary eyes.

Here, he said and held the spear out to her.

She gave the spear a longing look. Its valuable.

Sen glared at her. Dont give me reasons to change my mind.

Taking yes for an answer, Li Yi Nuo grabbed the spear and then leaned heavily on it. I Thank you.

Yeah, well, said Sen, you should take one of those elixirs I gave you.

She shook her head. Those arent mine. Theyre for the sect.

Sen closed his eyes and took several deep breaths before he answered. Listen, there is such a thing as being too honorable for your own good.

When it became clear that she wasnt going to do it, Sen summoned another elixir and thrust it at her. She started shaking her head.

Sen growled through clenched teeth. Drink. It.

Eyes a little wide, she took the elixir and drank it. Why?

Because I dont want people looking to repair their wounded honor after this. Ive got enough problems already. Now, give that elixir a couple of hours and you should be able to travel.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

Sen felt that hed done all that could reasonably be expected of him under the circumstances and probably a bit more. As he made to leave this troublesome woman and her sect issues behind, she called out to him in a pained voice.

Wait!

Sen didnt turn around, just spoke over his shoulder. I think Ive been very reasonable with you, all things considered.

Listen. On balance, loyalty is a good thing. Admirable even. Id probably be dead if I hadnt gotten more loyalty than I deserved from people I wasnt treating very well at the time. So, Im in no position to judge you for being loyal to your sect. But if youre giving loyalty, you should do it with your eyes open.

Sen glanced and the sky and gritted his teeth a little. It would be sunset before too long. Even if he left right that second, hed never get to somewhere with an inn before darkness fell. A subdued voice interrupted his brooding over the time.

Did they really attack you?

Would you believe me if I said yes?

Yes.

They were about to attack me. Cycling qi. Drawing weapons. I was just faster than they were.

Then why didnt you just kill them and be done with it? You obviously could have, she said with a decided air of bitterness.

Sen wavered about how to answer that question. There was more than one truth involved.

I was, at the time, I was overwhelmed by grief. There was this village and a plague and, Sens voice failed him as those memories threatened to drag him under again. Almost no one survived. I tended to the dying. And because there was no one else, I performed their funerals. Id seen too much senseless death. Men and women. The elders. The children. So, when those three fools tried to start something, I thought that I would punish them but spare their lives. I thought I was being merciful.

Oh, said Li Yi Nuo, her voice subdued. Is that why you spared me? Mercy?

Sen snorted. Hardly. I spared you for entirely selfish reasons.

Hows that?

Your sect may not like what I did, but theyll probably get over it. Those three are, what, outer sect disciples?

They are.

So, not very valuable to the sect as a whole. In other words, nobody will make avenging them a priority unless I do something idiotic like show up at the gates of your sect. Frankly, Im surprised they went as far as sending you. You have a master. With your advancement, youre probably an inner sect or a core member. Ending your life would cause a problem. Someone would make finding and killing me a priority. Leaving you alive is better for me in the long run.

Thats a cynical way to see things, said Li Yi Nuo.

Sen shrugged and gave the sky another look. How are your ribs?

Theyre healing. Why?

Because its going to be dark soon. Come on, said Sen, heading into the forest.

Where are you going?

To set up camp. Unless you want to do it all yourself, said Sen with a pointed look at where she was still holding her side.

Li Yi Nuo looked like she wanted to protest but ultimately gave in with a weak, Fine.

Even with the rapidly diminishing light beneath the forest canopy, Sens spiritual sense led them to a relatively clear area. He thought about just setting up a tent, but laziness won out in the end. He erected a galehouse, only to find the sect woman staring at him.

What? Its better than sleeping on the ground, said Sen.