As three days passed, Zhu Mo Shi made his way to Auburn Stone Valley. A valley etched between Longyan and Wuxi. It was low-populated area found in the west of Huaxia.

Zhu Mo Shi had chosen to work with a bandit band in this particular area. The Red Fox Band was chosen due to rumours of Tou Fui’s ruthlessness.

As he walked through the valley, crows croaked in the sky whilst stones crunched beneath his feet.

He flooded Qi into his right foot, then soared into the air. He skipped across multiple trees until he made his way to the top of the tree lines.

As he stared in the distance, he was greeted by a mist that blocked out the morning sun, to his annoyance. “Tch…I’ve lose my bearings.”

Mo Shi then slid back down from the tree and began looking for markers, that’d lead him to Red Fox Band.

Thirty minutes passed and he finally found a broken branch, with tar at the ends of the leaves.

He nodded ruefully and made a left, He stomped himself up a butte and sailed to an opposing tree, then rounded it like a snake.

He leapt out of the tree, only to land on a mesa. He looked left and right, and pursed his lips in annoyance at the mist. Then took one step forward and slid down a hidden ravine, tapping the sides as he fell to the ground.

A dreary mist brewed in front of him, wafting back and forth, leaving the surrounding area muddled and harder to see through.

Zhu Mo Shi charged through the mist, floating twenty meters using his Qinggong, once he’d built a rhythm, twirling in the air, tapping his feet off of a dozen trees not allowing himself to fall back down to the ground.

Then, he sped across the tree-line like a dove, feeling the Qi from within his Dantians slowly dissipate through his meridians.

Found it. Zhu Mo Shi thought, spotting a black cloth wrapped around a tree trunk. He dropped to the ground with a thud, dead leaves exploding in a wave of energy.

Insects, rats and crickets alike scampered away from him, scared, as they should be. Zhu Mo Shi took one step forward and a dozen men appeared from nowhere. “IF YOU DON’T NAME YOURSELF BEFORE TAKING ANOTHER STEP, I WILL ASK YOU TO FORGIVE ME FOR BEING RUDE…AS YOU ARE TRESPASSING!” A man roared, twenty meters infront of Zhu Mo Shi.

“Hello Tang Fung,” Zhu Mo Shi said gruffly. “Summon Tou Fui”

The Tang Fung dashed forward and the mist dispersed, as he wave his spear. The tip of the spear sparkled as it Zhu Mo Shi looked down at him, unimpressed. “ Master Mo Shi,” Tang Fung said with fright. “SUMMON LORD LORD TOU…MASTER MO SHIT HAS RETURNED!”

A loud cheer echoed through the dense forest and young men draped in black and green camouflaged robes, with black bands around their left arms appeared from within the mist.

“Ah ha! You’ve all improved!” Zhu mo Shi bellowed, lying cheerfully. “I coulnd’t sense your Qi!”

“Its all thanks to your training,”

“Not quite, Dan Lou, I sensed you a mile away.”

Zhu Mo Shi turned to his left, and shook his head. Dan Lou bowed reverendly, but didn’t say a word. “Apologises Master Mo Shi, I have yet to understand the words you’ve left me.

“That’s fine Lou’er. However, It’s good to see all of you! And how far you’ve come in such a short time!” Zhu Mo Shi said with a gent smile. For now…

The Red Fox Band led Zhu Mo Shi through the valley and into the wooden staircase.

As he climbed the staircase, orange and silver stones lit themselves around the. It was though he was walking through a volcano, without the blazing heat.

The young men told Zhu Mo Shi of their struggles in training. He gave them tips and saw how their faces were lit with happiness, but deep down, he was as cold as ice.

None of you could fight a donkey with two legs. It’s a pity I wasted my time here, but at least you all did what you were supposed to.

The reached the Manor of the Red Fox Band. Two youngsters pulled a rope and the gate to the Red Fox Band Manor opened with a mammoth groan, as it scraped against the ground.

The Manor was a three-story house, with running water spilling from the mountain top which settled in a small pond, which was located on the south side of the valley.

To his left, as he entered the building was the kitchen. The scent of spiced meat danced in the air, as smoke puffed from the chimney. Workers tossed bags of rice to each other from the outside as they had just obtained a new haul.

To the right, men and women alike treated the wounded, with the grass at the front of the building stained crimson.

The entrance to the main hall had four guards standing on each step and the moment they saw Zhu Mo Shi and their lips curled into a smile as they straightened their backs, trying to imitate soldiers as best as they could. “Call Lord Tou Fui! Master Zhu Mo Shi is here!”

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The chant of Zhu Mo Shi’s arrival went on for a while, annoying Zhu Mo Shi, but he hid it well. This was the very why he cultivated before coming. He knew how these pieces of trash would react to his presence, but he couldn't let them know why he was truly here.

The door to the Main Hall groaned open and four Pillars appeared in the middle of the room, keeping the roof from falling in on them.

An Azure Dragon statute was placed on the right of the room, with golden-silver eyes. Opposing the Azure Dragon statute was a White Tiger Statute with bronze stripes. A Black Tortoise with green gems embedded into its shell sat at the Northern Point of the Room and a Vermilion Phoenix statue sat in the Southern Point of the Main Hall.

Each time Zhu Mo Shi saw them, he couldn’t help but smile wryly, watching Tou Fui make himself out to be a king with such luxurious items. Items he stole no doubt, but that wasn’t Zhu Mo Shi’s problem.

The Red Fox Band living was his problem, something he hoped to fix…now.

Calligraphy-styled words that spelt ‘Red Fox’ sat right beneath the roof, in an embroidered cut-out, which was embezzled in yellow, white, but mostly red.

The design of impeccable and enhanced the room. It made the red throne on which Tou Fui sat in seem bigger than it truly was. Made for a king Zhu Mo Shi, thought, laughing in his head.

On the left of the throne was a silver basin with a red goblet. Zhu Mo Shi smiled as he stood at the entrance, feeling exasperated. “Bring Everyone!” He bellowed. “I have good news, NEWS we’ve all been waiting for!”

As the young men ran into Main Hall, lighting the torches found on the pillars. The Main Hall was filled with light instantly, as though the sun itself was breing within the Red Fox Band Main Hall.

Zhu Mo Shi didn’t notice them on his last visit, but it was good that some form of luminescence was allowed in what would be a soon-to-be crypt.

A draining groan echoed from the left, drawing his attention. Tou Fui stomped his way through the door wearing a red and black Hanfu, fingers filled with gold rings, as he walked with his sabre, Red Clever slung to his waist.

He stomped his way up his throne, placing Red Clever on the table, then poured water from his goblet into the basin. His daughter scampered behind him, giving Zhu Mo Shi a curt nod, rushing to keep up and standing right next to him.

Tou Fui’s face, unlike everyone else’s, was painted in anger with a hint of frustration.

“Thank you for gracing us with your presence Elder Zhu,” Fui said cooly. “…Is everything well with you?”

“I don’t know Lord Fui, you tell me. Have you heard anything from An Ping?”

“I have not. He’s three days late. I was readying a scouting party but you came and stalled such plans.”

“Stalled?” Zhu Mo Shi said smiling bitterly. “I apologise for interrupting your plans, shall I take my leave then?”

The once cheerful atmosphere of the Red Fox Band Main Hall was now filled with silence. The young warriors who’d been cheery and smiled from ear to ear were now looking at their Chief with concern. As they should, Zhu noted, realising their bleak expressions.

An Ping was meant to capture the Axsumites. Not kill them! Instead, he got himself and the rest of Red Fox Band killed, leaving nothing but this letter for Prince Zhenjin to use. It wasn’t much for the Prince to use…but it should be enough, Zhu Mo Shi hoped.

“…My doors are always open to your exit Elder Zhu, it’s for you to take it…or not.” Tou Fui said sourly.

“It seems I’ve offended Lord Fui. Can you tell me how I’ve committed such offense? or would my presence be required else where?

“I know a threat when I see one Zhu Mo Shi. Your threats, mean nothing here. You may have taught some of my men cultivation techniques, but I’ve looked into those techniques you’ve taught. You’re nothing but a charlatan!”

“Charlatan?” Zhu Mo Shi scoffed. “…and what makes you say that?”

“I took one of those manuals you gave us to Bai Lung Po.”

“Hoo…and what did the Great Master Bai Lung Po have to say about my Internal Arts Techniques?”

“He said that these were no Internal Arts Cultivation Techniques, but poems written during the Eight Kingdoms Period!”

Ah…so he’s not a fool after all Zhu Mo Shi thought. “It never crossed my mind that you are familiar with the Solace Harmony Sect.”

“I am not, but I have my ways.”

Zhu Mo Shi nodded, admitting to himself this wasn’t something he’d foreseen. He’d forced open the Dantians of the Red Fox Band men, hoping it would give them an edge against the Axsumites. It did, somewhat, but the Axsumites ensured none of them were left alive.

Yes, forcefully expanding their Dantians was part of Zhu Mo Shi’s plan. It was what Prince Zhenjin suggested. The prince wanted to make sure that nothing would ever lead back to him.

Zhu Mo Shi had his reservations as he believed he could’ve dealt with the Axsumite demons himself, but the Prince wouldn’t risk it.

In the end, twenty Red Fox Band members died and so did the Axsumites, which meant that Prince Zhenjin’s plan was all but destroyed and it was all because of these INGRATES!

“It seems I’ve miscalculated.” Zhu Mo Shi said softly.

“You have.” Tou Fui snapped. “Our agreement is now null and void. Take your leave, or feel the fury Red Clever!”

“I, may leave?” Zhu Mo Shi asked, opening his eyes shocked by Tou Fui’s arrogance.

Zhu Mo Shi pushed himself up from his chair. “SIT BACK DOWN…CUR, YOU ARE IN THE PRESENCE OF CHIEF TOU FUI, LEADER OF THE RED FOX MIST HOW DARE YOU STAND IN HIS PRESENCE WITHOUT HIS SAY!” Tou Fui’s daughter snapped.

Zhu Mo Shi chuckled a loud maniacal laugh, then eyed the father and daughter venomously. The flames of the torches sitting on the pillars quenched in that very moment.

Zhu Mo Shi opened the eighteen meridians that connected his Dantians.

The Main Hall was flooded with a massive surge of killing aura that emanated from Zhu Mo Shi.

Tou Fui slapped Red Clever free and snatched it out the air, charging towards Zhu Mo Shi, Red Clever pointing at the Qi Perception practitioner. “YOU DARE!” He screamed.

Zhu Mo Shi’s lips curled into a dreaded smile. His eyes didn’t match his lips, as darkness fell upon them as he eyed the young men who once adored him.

Their eyes were filled with pain, and horror but mostly death, because they knew after witnessing the monster that was Zhu Mo Shi, that no one here would be left alive.

Zhu Mo Shi turned to Tou Fui who soared through the air. His Qi surged from his Core Dantian. His Mind Dantian throbbed tensely, as he watched the flow of Qi Tou Fui exhumed as his blade was pointed at his heart, but his Qi was aiming for his legs.

Zhu Mo Shi took one step forward, then yanked Tou Fui’s head free from his body, pulling his spinal cord along with it.

He then appeared to the right of Tou Fui’s daughter, leaving Red Clever spinning mid air.

He snatched up Red Clever’s sheathe from next to the basin, then buried the sheathe into her chest.

As the light left her eyes, she knocked over the basin, spilling water and blood down the short flight of stairs.

Zhu Mo Shi then turned to face the remainder of the room, looking at all of them with disgust as the flames of the torches finally fizzled out from his killing aura.

Large pools of mist swarmed around him filling up the entire room. The Main Hall’s Door slammed shut as if nature itself didn’t want to absorb a smidgen of such animosity.

Zhu Mo Shi walked down the steps of Tou Fui’s ‘Throne’, providing the room with luminescence from the Killing Aura which swarmed around him.

He picked up the Red Clever to murmurs and cries alike. Then changed the colour of the blade from silver to black with his Qi.

He eyed every last one of the Red Fox Band, and finally spoke the last words they would ever hear amongst the cries of their death. “Who’s next?”