The geniuses of this realm are nothing more than retarded children gallivanting around an insignificant speck of dust in a sea of infinite possibilities. The only thing stopping me from exterminating every last one of those genetic mistakes is my own discretion. Lucky for them I’m not like them. Jade-like whores, young masters, immortals, they’re all the same, murdering and raping and torturing are more common than kindness in this shithole of a reality.

Me? I’m different. Sure, I may murder the occasional innocent bystander or rape a beautiful woman if the mood is right. I don’t do these things out of intellectual impotence. Or lust. And I certainly never do these things out of greed. I do them out of necessity. The necessity of being true to my values, because, that’s all I have.

Silver Tree Duchy could be described as the perfect microcosm of life in the Greater Delta Continent. A benevolent ruling family and a bustling economy made the quality of life much higher than the surrounding duchies. Merchants could confidently sell their goods here without fear of being robbed because of the existence of a powerful martial sect. Talented youths from the surrounding areas often make pilgrimages to The Black Water Sect located at the top of Mount Eerie. Though, just as with anywhere this was only the case for the wealthy.

In the slums life was rough. Filth and abject poverty made people weak. Mentally and physically. Trust and friendship were as alien as the concept of wealth to the dregs of society. It’s here that I was raised. My mother was a whore, who sold herself for cheaper than some merchants peddle silk. That never stopped her from thinking she was better than her peers. Stupid bitch. When I think about the fact that my father was probably a client of hers, it makes me feel sick to my stomach, which makes me furious.

I looked up from the scroll I was reading. I had wandered into my own mind and momentarily ignored the man who had entered our brothel.

“Su Gen isn’t here?”

 “He had to travel up North to Red Lake. Something about his son passing. Well, that’s what he told me at least. Left the brothel in my care until he returns.”

 “That’s rather unfortunate. Give him my regards when he returns.” Lord Cao Yang said while giving me a guarded look. As though he was studying me.

Cao Yang was the acting ruler of Silver Tree City. He was too ripe for the position as far as I’m concerned. If his father hadn’t been critically injured twelve years ago, then Cao Yang never would have had his chance to wear the mantle of ruler. Part of me thinks it may have been an inside job but speculating is pointless. In the end, it doesn’t make a god damn difference in my life.

“Yes my lord,” I gave a deep polite bow, “Meng Mei is down at the river bathing herself. Should I send her to your palace once she returns?”

Cao Yang seemed sadistically pleased with the thought.

 “No, No. That won’t be needed. I came here today to see Su Gen about a job I had for him. Since he has left the brothel’s affairs to you I trust you will handle it in his place. Correct?” Cao Yang’s voice was smooth and pleasing to my ears, which made me trust him even less than I already did.

"What are your orders?”

Cao Yang didn’t answer immediately. He strolled towards the north facing window that looked up at the richer parts of the city. In his eyes, a certain pride was reflected. At least that’s what I think that look meant.

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“The matter of succession for a ruler of my stature is of utmost importance to our duchy wouldn’t you agree? Meng Mei is an alluring girl but she is quickly reaching maturity. As you know, my tastes lie elsewhere. I’ll need you to dispose of Meng Mei and find a suitable replacement. I trust it will be done immediately.”

“As you wish my lord.” I gave Cao Yang another bow, deeper this time, he handed me a small bronze dagger before quickly leaving the brothel. It was rare to see Cao Yang outside of the castle. It was even rarer that he would talk to so politely to someone of my low birth. He must take me for an idiot because this is all too suspicious.

So, Meng Mei was pregnant after all. Her poor child. Best to end things quickly then. Should I drown her? Perhaps beheading may be the most compassionate route after all. I detest using my ability on people that don’t deserve it. Meng Mei at the very least deserves the peace of mind that death should bring. Cao Yang on the other hand? I cannot wait to sever his body and soul in tandem, dooming him to suffer for all of eternity. It was a thought so pleasant that it made me grin from ear to ear.

I grabbed my sword, a fine blade of silver concealed in the handle of an ornate umbrella, it was much too high quality of a weapon for a whoreson in the slums to own. And yet it was mine, after all, a dead man can’t stop you from taking his things. Unsheathing it slightly I pressed my thumb into the blade to be sure it was sharp. A translucent drop of silver-colored blood slowly ran down my thumb before running upwards and sealing the cut. Next, I picked up two woad leaves and ground them into a fine powder using the bronze dagger Cao Yang had given me.

“Looks like rain,” I sighed.

I exited the brothel before opening my umbrella. Overhead grey clouds coalesced into a maelstrom that extended as far as I cared to look. These were violent clouds sure to bring thunder, lightning, and death. When the torrential downpours of summer start, flooding is rampant in the poorer parts of the duchy. Shit and piss, animal carcasses, and trash all get picked up by the fast-moving waters and cake the buildings making them smell even worse than they already did.

As I made my way down the stone path that led to a creek behind the brothel I felt a pair of eyes watching me from afar. I couldn’t be sure where the look was coming from, but I could tell whoever it was had to be following me. Is it Cao Yang? No, he would never waste his own time trailing me. But he certainly would send an assassin to kill me once I’ve outlived my usefulness. Doesn’t matter much though. I would never be killed by someone who has to sulk around in the shadows like an ugly woman because fate is on the side of Ki Ra.

It didn’t take long for me to reach the creek. Meng Mei was still relaxing in the water when I arrived. She had to be two years younger than me which would make her 15 years old. Her body was already that of a mature woman, its supple curves and soft jad like skin were pleasing, to say the least. There was a reason that Cao Yang favored her over even his own concubines. If she had been born into a good family perhaps she could have been a princess or even a great cultivator. Life is never that fair. Instead, she was used goods ready to be disposed of.

“Meng Mei, It’s me Ki Ra.”

“Ah! Ki Ra. What brings you outside? I know you don’t like the sunlight.” Meng Mei asked.

“Cao Yang sent me to get you,” I closed my umbrella and set it on the ground before walking closer to her, “You’re pregnant with his child are you not?”

Meng Mei blushed. Her snow white face was redder than a fresh apple. It was all the confirmation I needed. With one fluid motion, I thrust my right hand over her mouth and my left hand, which gripped the bronze dagger tightly, into her abdomen. It passed through her with no resistance at all and punctured through the other side. There was no screaming but the creek began to be dyed with her blood. It wasn’t a serious wound. I missed all of her vital organs after all. The reason she appeared to be dead were the woad leaves I shoved in her mouth before stabbing her. I wasn’t about to take a life simply because I was ordered to. Besides, what better way was there to lure out the rat that followed me here? It was time for a show.

I dropped to my knees clenched my stomach and dry heaved.

“OH GOD. What have I done? You were like a sister to me and now-now- I’ve killed you. I’m going to be sick.”

I dry heaved again. This time I threw in some sobbing to really sell this whole act.

 It didn’t take long for the figure to willingly expose himself after judging me to not be a threat. His first mistake was following me. His last mistake would be confronting me.