Chpt. 31) Keeper

The last week passed quickly as we hunted down the monsters left along the road. And before you ask, no, I did not use my new Inferno core when fighting. We were in a pinewood forest. Fire loves to burn wood. So obviously, I wasn’t going to burn everything down. Ha, silly goose. I’m smarter than that.

Although I did really, really, really want to, but Haze told me not to and made it an order. So … no fire for me. Hmph, party pooper. I wanted to use my new core and let loose a little, but no, I have to worry about the ecosystem and stuff. It sucked, but I can set things on fire later. Luckily, the town is in sight, and we were all very excited to get there.

Zhi Gong village was high on the top of a mountain. Around the village was a massive wooden wall made of logs, and banners flew along the wall showing their affiliation to the Wong Empire. The homes in the village were also made of wood and were covered in snow. In the center of the village was a massive building with stone steps leading up to two large wooden doors. Snow covered the ground and slowly melted. I could feel the mud seep up between my toes as I walked, and I was ready to wash my feet.

We soon reached the main wooden gate of the village, and Haze pounded on it. A male voice called out from the other side of the gate, “Who goes there? Are you monsters coming to kill us all?”

“No. Open the gates!” Haze answered.

“Well, that’s exactly what a monster would say now, wouldn’t it.”

“Would a monster be able to talk?” Haze fired back.

“No, I suppose you’re right about that one.”

“Great, now let us in!”

“Not until you give me the password.”

“What?”

“No password, no entry. What’s the password?”

“This is ridiculous.”

“Nope, that’s incorrect. Try again.”

“Why do you need a password?”

“No, that’s not it either. It’s like you’re not even trying.”

“I don’t know the password! Let us in!”

“Now see, you got it wrong again. You should try harder.”

Haze gritted her teeth and growled, “If you don’t open this gate right now, I will tear you limb from limb.”

“Ah, now that is also the incorrect password.”

Fire burst from Haze’s body, and she yelled, “OPEN THE FUCKING GATE!!”

“Are you even—” the man was cut off as he yelped, and a silent argument ensued on the other side of the gate.

The gate slowly began to open, and a woman stepped out. She wore baggy pants held up by a thick cord of rope with a hammer under it, and her surprisingly big breasts were wrapped in bandages holding them in place with her platinum hair tied in a bun. Her body was thick with knotted cords of muscles and drenched in sweat that slightly froze. Oh, and let’s not forget the most important thing about her. She was four fucking meters tall with grey skin and light blue eyes.

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I stared up at the woman in awe. I felt my height now. What was she? Is she a giant? All the questions left my head as she bowed and said, “So, terribly sorry about Church. He’s a bit of a prick.”

“Fuck you!”

“SHUT THE HELL UP!!” the woman snapped back before returning her attention to us, “Please come in. I’m sure you’re exhausted from traveling here.”

“Thank you, Miss ….” Haze said, trailing off.

“Oh right,” the woman gave another bow, “I’m Shimal Huwei. A pleasure to meet you all.”

Haze nodded and said, “I’m Master Hazaizil, and these are my students. Cami, Xiao, and Zeana.”

“Hi, can we come in now?” I asked.

“Oh, right, right,” Shimal said, “Please come in.” We walked past her and into the town. Not many people were outside, and those who were sat weaving things with lace and other such products. Everyone looked as big as Shimal, even Church, who sat on the ground rubbing the back of his head.

“Where might we find Master Lii Huwei?” Haze asked.

“Oh, my grandfather?” Shimal asked, “He’s in the center of town. I’ll bring you to him.” Shimal led us up the hill to the center of town, where the massive main building stood, and knocked on the door.

“What do you want?!” a crabby old voice yelled from within the building.

“Grandfather! You have some guests!”

“Who?”

“They appear to be cultivators!”

“Why?”

Haze answered this time, “We’re here to pick up a package for Orrin Orre Wong Shi Tong!”

“What?”

“They’re here to pick up a package for Orrin Orre Wong Shi Tong!”

“Who is?”

Shimal rolled her eyes and said, “Fuck it,” and opened the door, barging in. We all followed after her. I examined the space we walked into and reveled at the decorations on the walls. All sorts of weapons adorned the walls and looked like fantastic craftsmanship.

An old man with a long white beard and hair sat at the end of the room. His eyes were completely white as he stared off into the distance. Cocking his head from side to side in an attempt to hear better. “Who’s there?” the old man asked. Clearly, he’s Master Lii Huwei and older than dirt.

“Grandfather, it’s me. And people have come to collect the package for Orrin Orre Wong Shi Tong,” Shimal answered pleadingly.

“Hmm, package? Hmmm, a package for Orrin Orre Wong Shi Tong? Hmm,” Lii said thoughtfully, “Is the chap an annoyingly cheerful fellow?”

“Yes,” I answered.

“Ah, that man,” Lii said, defeated, “Granddaughter, would you be so kind as to fetch the package for me? It’s in the top drawer over there.”

Shimal nodded, “Yes, grandfather,” then walked over to the indicated wall and pulled on a hidden latch. A section of the wall was pulled out, revealing wooden filing cabinets. She opened the topmost drawer and pulled out a box, bringing it to her grandfather.

Lii opened the box, feeling what was inside, before saying, “Yes, this is the one.”

Closing the box, Shimal brought it to Haze with a smile and said, “Well, here you go. I’d better get back to work.”

“Shimal,” Lii said.

Shimal froze with a wince before turning, “Yes, grandfather?”

“Show these people to a comfy room they can stay the night in. A storm is coming, and they shouldn’t leave just yet,” Lii commanded.

Shimal sighed, “Yes, grandfather.”

“Wait, we can’t stay. We have to go,” Haze protested.

“If my joints are anything to go by,” Lii grunted as he stood, “This storm is going to be a big one. So, you’d better stay until it passes. People as small as you have been known to go missing in these storms, and we wouldn’t want that.”

“How do we know you are right? You might be wrong?” Haze asked as Lii slowly shuffled to a side passage.

“Sadly, grandfather is never wrong. But don’t worry. We’ll be more than accommodating for you. Please come,” Shimal said, gesturing to the main door.

Haze sighed reluctantly, “Fine, let’s go.”

Shimal then led us to a small building on the edge of the village that looked human-sized rather than the much larger buildings for the rest of the enormous people. The shack was a simple small bedroom with two large beds within and a bathroom at the back. “Here you go. If you need anything, I’ll be three doors down at the house with a forge,” Shimal said.

“Thank you,” Haze said, dumping her bag on the floor. We all followed suit as Shimal left us to go back to work. I immediately went to the bathroom to wash the mud from my feet.

***