“The Twin Crooks”, this was the name for the creature with two heads, one shared body, freakishly slender arms and fingers, wearing a dirty, ragged white gown. A creature from urban legends and horror tales, and one whose name was mentioned less and less in the records as time went by. Like other creatures from urban legends, there were many stories about its origin. But most of them pointed to the same thing - that it used to be a conjoined twin coming from a poor family, and eventually it perished in the mother’s care. There was not enough evidence to suggest where it was due to prolonged neglect or outright murder, but either would not change its fate - it became a malicious spirit full of fury, malice and bloodlust, always indiscriminately attacking anyone in its sight.
In the air behind this terrifying creature, floated a short headless human-like creature in ragged clothes. This creature’s neck and chest were split open by one single grievous wound, revealing its broken rib cage, its damaged and twisted internal organs and even its spine. This creature was holding a gong in its right hand, and a drumstick on its left hand. A “Driver”, or “Spirit’s Guide”, a creature whose origin was still unknown even till this day.
“Gong!” The headless creature banged the gong, whispers and curses came right after. The Twin Crooks’ eyes opened wide, their already red eyes became more bloodshot. Its ragged gown flapped as it shot through the space, lunging at Master Liaoran with its claws extending forward, ready to tear any flesh or bones apart.
Master Liaoran did not hesitate at all before unleashing a single powerful palm strike. A golden palm mark made of pure Qi shot from his hand, swiftly expanding in size as it manifested. By the time it was about to collide with The Twin Crooks, it already grew to the size of a door. The sharp nails, slender fingers and the tree branch like arms were crushed, burned and turned into smithereens. Subsequently so was its white gown and its entire body. A small wood carving was blown backwards by the energy strike, yet left intact deliberately by the master.
The creature with a gong tried to turn around and fly, but a stream of golden Qi shot it right in its back and incinerated it from inside. Another small piece of wood carving fell from the ashes and smoke, with a burn mark on one end.
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Master Liaoran rushed over and picked up the two carvings. They were crude, simple yet much more effective than what he would have expected from this kind of craft. It must either be this environment, or that the maker was unusually powerful.
“It’s been a while, but you’ve grown much more powerful than anyone could ever imagine.” Two voices said to Master Liaoran in unison from behind: “Do you like how we’re using your old craft? Did we make you proud?”
Master Liaoran turned back, it was a pale young man, in a dark red suit with his hands behind him like a butler.
“Who are you? ” Master Liaoran narrowed his eyes: “Emissaries from the council?”
“He used to be, yes.” The pale young man stared at Master Liaoran: “But he, like many others, just did not have the right qualities. Unlike the others, though, he was blessed with a body and birth time perfect for our use.”
“So you are members of the council - two seats, aren’t you?” Master Liaoran asked: “What are you doing here?”
“We could ask you the same thing.” The young man responded, twisting his neck left and right: “After all these years of solitude and keeping your end of the deal, why are you here?”
“You have violated the deal and his wishes. Therefore there would be no legitimate bindings of any kind on this monk.” Master Liaoran responded: “Reveal and stop with what you are doing here, seek penance, and there could just be a chance for you, and the city itself.”
“Who are you trying to trick here?” The young man smirked: “We both - we all know that is not going to happen. You, of all people, should know how powerful and meaningful what we are doing here is. We are already in this form, because we have our plans outside of everything here. You, or the other seats, don’t have a chance here. ”
“Then you should know that this monk, being here already. Will not stop.” Master Liaoran sighed and shook his head: “You and the rest of the council be prepared.”
“Alright then. Looks like there’s no other way.” The young man snickered: “Are you the one who sabotaged our sites these few weeks?”
“This monk is already your enemy, what difference does it make?” Master Liaoran chuckled: “Supposedly, it would be in this monk’s best interest to help and cultivate those who would be so brave as to stand up to you and those who are serving you.”
Before the young man could respond, Master Liaoran’s right hand glowed in gold before he thrust his arm forward at him with his hand in a hand seal. A golden manji shot from his palm and landed right on the young man’s forehead.
The young man gasped before his figure dissipated in the air. It was only a projection. Master Liaoran sighed before rushing at the direction Marcus, Gloria and the rest of the group went.