Chapter 〈 1 〉: Vermillion Sun
Vermillion Sun province, a town located on the edge of one of the largest dynasties on the continent. Some say that the town is cursed ‘cause of its location’. So effortlessly hidden from the plaguing of the kingdoms, by the elder conifers, both tall and broad. Their magnificence can be seen gleaming throughout the outside of this small town. The outsiders thought due to the town’s extremely isolated nature they were somewhat weird and unruly. Little did they know this town was the only provider of one of the most sought after material in the state.
The provincial town known for its trade of the strong but flexible wood known as the Highwood. Many visitors often came to the town hoping to start their life anew. Anyone could start a small business trading Highwood. Many nobles from even the edge of the state came for the luxurious high-class material.
The town was conveniently nestled in a region somewhat deep in the ancient Siwáng forest; located on a small corner of the continent. But it was close enough to the edge so as to not attract the attention of magical beasts too much. Usually one or two stray beats would come too close for comfort but the Hidden Wolf regiment was there to protect the people.
The small provincial state was isolated cut off from the rest of the state.
The people indeed were very parochial, and somewhat naïve of the outside world. But they were very friendly and cordial to boot.
Yu and Mei were walking through the winding streets, greeting every small street vendor. Wafting the exquisite smells of street food, and exchanging warm pleasantries with the locals. The ruling family unlike many, was not oppressive with their force, but garnered the respect of the people through years of fair and just ruling.
Before long Xing Yu and Lin Mei were in the middle of the provincial town gazing at the towering castle in front of them. The building was high and mighty as if trying to reach for the heavens. The pagodas were each roofed with exquisite red tiles, which contrasted with the golden trimmings in the shapes of ancient beasts from Roc’s to Dragons. This gave the castle an incredibly majestic appearance. Located in the middle of the entire town the lofty castle was a constant reminder to its citizen as to whom the ruling family was, and generated awe and respect from any of the visitors.
The guards respectfully bowed as their princess strode to her home and quickly made way for her arrival. Xing Yu said his good bye to the princess and soon arrived at the barracks where numerous soldiers were practicing their martial prowess. Ruthlessly attacking the straw dummies as if their life depended on it. They would occasionally stop to give a salute to Yu who would nod in return. Many of the older soldiers initially were unwilling to acknowledge Xing Yu but were soon silenced when they saw his prowess; besting their top most soldiers in single combat, at a tender age of 16.
Walking through the corridors, the Yu was given respect from almost all the servants he encountered.
Everyone knew that Xing Yu was most likely to become a high standing officer. He was frequently extended an olive branch1 from various nobles of the town, looking to become acquaintances, but were always turned away politely. He never succumbed to greed and was living a simple life in this town.
Becoming a member of the Hidden Wolf regiment at the age of 16 and exhibiting the grace and fortitude such as Yu’s was something that was unprecedented.
Many wondered how the boy the princess rescued 3 years ago. A boy who was nearly beaten to death, with cuts and bruises all over his body, would become such a great warrior.
Entering the small Wooden thatched home Yu sat down on a chair, waiting for his captain to arrive. Soon a large burly man, with every corner of his body covered in thick layer of muscle emerged. His face was stern and chiseled. He glared at Xing Yu who was absently staring at the roof, counting the small grooves.
“I told you, not to stay close too close to the princess. But you continue to disobey me…”captain Fan Gui2 bellowed.
His face looked angry but deep in his eyes was genuine concern. He projected a fatherly nature while addressing the 16 year old. It was as if he were scolding a boy who wouldn't let go his toy.
“I told you its not like that…Mei’er and I are nothing more than friends.” Yu replied absent-mindedly.
“I am serious, Yu”
“The king is having doubts of you…Even if you were not in the wrong…. There is a fundamental difference between us and the nobles boy and it doesn't matter even if you become the strongest man alive….” The captain solemnly urged.
“I understand Gui da ge3 I will keep that in mind,” Yu replied casually.
Fan Gui sighed exasperatedly holding his head in his hand and shaking sideways. He was genuinely worried for Yu’s safety.
Ever since the boy had come to him. A small child no more than 13, demanding a spar 3 years ago, Gui was moved.
The boy was relentless. Gui could tell in the small boy’s heart there was a fire, a fire that burned and ate away at his every moment of the small boy’s life. It was something Gui saw when fighting with him, the boy had anger, and rage within him that if let unchecked could burn the entire world.
Although after 3 years the boy seemed somewhat jovial. Gui knew deep inside that fire burned continuously. It was the force of a child who had been wronged, hurt…betrayed.
The king was a wise man, and anyone with two eyes could tell that the princess was too fond of the soldier. Gui was sincerely worried for the safety of the boy. Though not blood-related he had come to see Yu as family. His face was somewhat sour at the thought that this small boy was not listening to his words and continued to go against his wishes.
Sensing his sour mood Yu grinned a little and skipped onto his legs.
“So? What’s happening captain. Why did the great fighter ‘Hidden Wolf’ call for little old me?” Yu asked, giving a somewhat theatrical bow.
The captain made small scoff and grinned at Yu’s theatrics. But faint traces of a red hue could be seen on his cheeks as he smiled at the praise. Fan Gui like many of this small town was completely transparent unable to even hide such a small glimmer of happiness. Completely falling for Yu’s transparent compliment.
“Settle down Yu’er this is serious.” He said smiling.
“I understand now will you explain to me what’s happening. Guard da ge was telling me you were looking for me...”
“It seems like cultivators are coming to Vermillion Sun.” Captain Gui replied. His voice containing hints of vexation at the thought.
Yu tensed a little bit when the word cultivators came to his ear. He quickly, unnoticeably resumed composure. But his eyes couldn't help but exude extreme rage at the thought.
Cultivators…
“Why?” Yu replied simply.
“Everyone will soon know, but it seems the Madame, the mother of princess Mei is the daughter of the Patriarch of the Golden Sky Crane Sect…”
“WHAT!!” Yu exclaimed. Almost jumping off his feet.
It was well known in the city that the Madame had left the king Lin Mei’s birth. She was an enigma to the citizens but the no one ever slandered her. The reputation of the woman stayed clear as jade. Most were too respectful of the king to malign the Madame. She was only known for leaving the king after giving birth and that the king was so devoted to his wife that he refused any other women.
Golden Crow sect is one of the mot powerful martial palaces4 in all of the Jade Cloud State. Even the commoners knew of its fame. Standing alongside the strongest powers in the state, even an outer court disciple from such a place would be able to make the Vermillion Sun’s imperial family kowtow in respect.
Being the patriarch’s daughter in such a sect, made her one of the most powerful people in the state. The level of a provincial towns king to sect daughter was as if an ant married a phoenix.
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Yu was completely flabbergasted at the news, slowly recovering over the thought. He couldn't even compute the possibility of how such characters could meet. One undoubtedly would never practice cultivation, and the other was the daughter of someone who existed at the pinnacle of cultivation.
Most likely the Madame herself would be one of the strongest elder cultivator in the sect. For such a character to come to such an insignificant town is close to a miracle.
Yu now understood as to why Gui had told him to stay away from Mei’er. Her status if she were to be accepted by her mother would no longer be the same. She would rise to state that Yu could never hope to achieve.
If Mei’er were to have her meridians capable of cultivation, she would undoubtedly become a cultivator.
When the thought that Mei’er would become a cultivator crossed his mind couldn't help but grow disarray. He knew the horrors that lie in the martial world. One would never be the same once they step into that path.
His heart ached at the thought that Mei’er may lose her pure free-spirited nature, and his eyes became bleak at the thought.
……….
In the small thatched house in the corner of the castle barracks, Xing Yu was swinging his longsword bareback, in the dead of the night.
Sweat was glistening on his chest and slowly turning into steam as it rolled down his back. The darkness failed to reveal the countless scars that surrounded his body. There were scorch marks, hook mutilations, and even lacerations over the boy’s body.
His mouth slowly whispering 1511, 1512, 1513…
He lifted his double-edged long sword, the silver edge reflecting the iridescent moons shine. Making for a spectacular scene of kaleidoscopic silver streaks to any beholder.
Yu held his elbows wide apart, with his arms extending upwards. Every swing of the sword was executed to perfection. The night was dark and quiet except for the faint swords the sword making as it sliced through the wind.
Sfx Whoosh…
Great fatigue overwhelmed the normal analytical mind. But performing a technique perfectly in the face of exhaustion revealed a type of power in Xing Yu that could only be considered spiritual. It didn't affect the physical, and is not easily understood. Whatever it was it was what made great swordsmen in this land.
As they say, a jade stone is useless before it is processed; a man is good for nothing until he is tempered.
Xing Yu put on a white cotton shirt as a figure came walking towards him. When looked closely one would see a beautiful face of Lin Mei illuminated by bright lantern she was holding.
“Mei’er what are you doing here…” Yu asked, surprised.
“Ge..I…I…” she started.
Yu obviously knew what was on her mind. She had undoubtedly been told of her mother’s imminent return.
The coming of her mother would most likely cause her to leave the province she had grown up in. The only place she knew… her home.
“Its okay Mei’er when you go with your mother, she will definitely take care of you.” Yu spoke.
“Ge…Do you want to come with me…” she asked. Slowly reaching for the nearby chair.
There was slight pause as Yu carefully observed Mei. She was dressed in her sleeping attire; a thin silk silver cloth was the only thing covering her body. Her face was flushed as Yu noticed her attire.
The clothing was sticking to her body, accentuating all her curves. Yu couldn't help but stare as her beauty was further emphasized with the shadows dancing across her body due to the flickering lantern.
He reluctantly looked away, slowly putting his longsword back into its sheath.
“There are things I need to do Mei’er. I cannot leave with you…” Yu replied. There was no hint of emotion in his voice.
“Ge, I will convince father to let you go with me.”
“I am sure he would let you leave ‘Hidden Wolf’” she muttered
Yu smiled he knew leaving to an unfamiliar place she was utterly scared. Enough to come alone, in the dead of the night, to see him.
“Mei’er trust me you don't want me with you. There are things I need to do… thing I have to do…” He muffled, his voice slowly quieting.
Lin Mei’s eyes sparked with interest at the thought. This was definitely related to Yu’s past. Her ears perked up as she slowly asked.
“Ge, what do you need to do?”
“I have to kill somebody…” Yu answered. His answer was so abrupt and startling that Lin Mei was completely caught off guard.
*Kill somebody*…she thought
She had always imagined her brother Yu as being the protector of people. She would never have imagined that her brother had such a cold hidden agenda.
“Ge…why…why would you want to do that…” She meekly asked a cold sweat forming on her back as she observed the aura around Yu to abruptly change. His usual quaint aura was replaced with one that emanated rage, despair, betrayal all rolled into one.
There was cold glint in his eye. It was completely devoid of any emotion except for a maniacal rage hidden deep in his psyche. This boy was completely broken…
“What are you saying Mei’er…” Yu replied. Suddenly closing the distance between them. His body moved like shadow, as his face within a hairs-breadth of hers.
The beautiful girls face wasn't flushed like usual instead she appeared terrified, frightened beyond words. She slowly leaned back; she had never seen Yu like this. It petrified her.
“That man wants to kill me…Lin Mei he wants to kill me just because we are of same blood….” Yu exclaimed….
“Kill you….But your of same blood….Ge you are scaring me…” Lin Mei meekly replied.
“He already killed me once, I died once. That’s why I am going to return the favor and Kill Him next time…” He whispered.
If one were to look at his face devoid of the cold dark nights black blanket. They would see nothing except rage…maybe even insanity…
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Thanks for reading the 2nd chapter of Argent Chaos. Sorry for the late chapter, I had just finished exams. After mid November there will be more chapters. Thankyou Code Geass' Akito for inspiring the ending....
[1] Extending a olive branch: extending an invitation to become friend/ acquaintances
[2] Fan Gui: Fan- “Mortal”, Gui- “Honorable”
[3] Da Ge: Big brother
[4] Martial Palace: One of the terms I will use to describe a martial arts sect in this novel.