Xing stood by the door, tasting the wheat wind that swirled around him as the crimson moon crept out from the corner of his eyes.

A fit of anger was boiling within his stomach, one he’d hope thought Elder Jun would’ve spurned from him so quickly, after giving him hope when he felt so lost not truly knowing where he could settle down.

His eyes drifted down to Li’er as she waved her figurine around. The relief he needed was also stirring within, but it felt so far away. “You could’ve discussed it with me first Elder Jun.” He said calmly, trying to hold his anger in.

“I could’ve, but I knew what your answer would be.”

“Presumptuous aren’t you?”

“Hardly, but I know the heart of a man that wants the best for his daughter.”

“I w--” Xing said, but stopped himself. He knew Elder Jun’s words were sincere, but he couldn’t stop the feel of frustration he felt from boiling over. He’s right, He thought, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Xing finally sighed the annoyance from out of his head, calming himself as he handed Li’er over to Elder Jun who took it with a curt nod. “Li’er’s in my care Master Xing.” The old man said softly.

A smooth sensation shot up Xing’s hand as he felt the wood grains of the door. He applied pressure and the door shrieked open with a groan.

The strong metallic taste of blood flowed into Xing’s mouth, making him quench it with his saliva. The room was dark, gloomy and filled with people lying on the ground with bandages around their waist, maimed hands and feet.

To Xing’s right, a man eyed him with his only eye, whilst a woman nursed the sword slash on his chest. Two men were propped up against the wall on the left with maimed feet.

The despondent look within their eyes filled Xing with remorse. He knew when a man was in shock, something he’d seen far too many times in his short life.

The blood seeping from the wounds pooled onto the floor, whilst three women tried wiping them up made it seem as though they were trying to patch a waterfall, which only filled Xing with pity.

Xing stepped into the room, feet thudding across the floor like a beating drum. He approached the only uninjured man in the room.

He hobbled over another bloodied young man, dabbing what smelled of anesthesia another chest wound. “Chief Hodong?” Xing asked.

All eyes fell on Xing, he felt their suspiciousness and kept his lips from smiling.

That was automatic for him, smiling.

It was a habit he picked up to disarm anyone, but in a situation like this, smiling would’ve made things worst.

As the door groaned shut behind him. The elderly man turned to him. The man’s mustache was longer than Elder Jun’s own, but held far more black than white compared to the latter.

The man pushed himself up, and a girl ran towards him, towel in hand. He took it from her, wiping the blood from his hands clean, and tossed the bloodied rag into the corner where a pile of bloodied rags were.

The man’s face was shrewdly diamond, which made him look cunning, especially in the eyes. His lips were thinner than his mustache.

The black and yellow robes he wore, were bloodied in varying splotches, but that didn’t stop him from smiling shrewdly at Xing. “I take it your Master Xing.”

“I, Zhao Xing greets Village Chief Hodong.” Xing said, palming his fist in salute, showing respect to the older man.

He looked pass Xing, at the man behind him. He walked pass Xing without a word and knelt to the man whose left hand had been maimed. “Sorry you had to see this Master Xing, but I don’t have time for pleasantries. As you can see my people have been attacked. Old Jun told me you can help with this problem.”

“I’m not sure if I can, as I don’t know what your problem is sir Chief Hodong.”

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“…being coy? Is that part of the disease you have?”

“Coy? Disease?” Xing asked calmly. “I’m afraid, I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”

“You’re walking around with an Axsumite child, do you really think you’re right in the head?” Chief Hodong said, turning to Xing.

Xing’s laughed dryly and nodded, quelling the fury that was stirring within his stomach. He pursed his lips, then licked the dryness from then grit his teeth as hard as he could, feeling as though he was about to snap his molars in two. “My Master once told me that the choices we make, define our lives. I’ve yet to do anything that I wasn’t proud of.” Xing said.

“Sounds like wise word, do you mind me asking who your Master was?” Hodong scoffed.

“You’ve never heard of him.”

“I don’t care if I’ve never heard of him or not. I asked you a question I expect you to answer.” Cheif Hodong spat.

“You’re right,” Xing said.

Xing turned around and strutted his way back to the door, not caring for one second. He had a problem with Li’er, which meant he had a problem with Xing. Elder Jun said they needed my help. My help comes with Li'er, Xing thought.

It was obvious the village had a bandit problem, but that was no concern of his. He was new here, that didn’t mean he had to save him. But I should, Xing thought, remembering why he became a martial artist.

To save people.

I should help, Li’er needs this.

As Xing was about to turn around, A gust of wind pummeled through the door as Elder Jun walked in with Li’er in his hands with a vein the size of a jade bead pulsing across his forehead, ready to pop. “Are you really going to be this way Hodong?”

“I’m not trading one demon for a demoness!”

“Demoness?” Elder Jun scoffed, “I’ll show you what a real demon is!”

Elder Jun swirled the Qi within his Soul and Core Dantian, flooding the entire room with his killing aura. The injured men quivered in fright as they watched as darkness enshrouded Elder Jun’s eyes.

Xing turned to him, impressed by his display of power. He wasn’t as powerful as his master was before his death, but for someone to be on the Divination Realm was still something to be amazed by.

He wasn't lying when he said he was an assassin. He might be of the Divination Realm, but the killing aura he displays is far from more volatile than my own, despite me being of the Qi Perception Realm.

The village chief snarled his teeth and shook his head. A bead of sweat dripped down his forehead and he barred his death at Elder Jun. “If only you had done this to Kai Chen! We wouldn’t be in the predicament we’re in now!”

The eyes of the injured men drifted to village chief, who balled the cloth in hand, showing his anger. “Fine,” Xing said coldly.

“Let him handle this Kai Chen,”

Chief Hodong harrumped then turn to Xing, “Do as you please outisder, you can stay…but not with that demoness!"

“Call my daughter a demoness again and I will take your life!” Xing growled.

The chief villager harrumphed, turning up his nose, not saying a word more. He knelt right next to the man with the maimed leg and began nursing him again.

Xing scoffed, then took Li’er from Xiabo Jun. He turned around, looking at the Chieftain then barred his own teeth. “Whoever this Kai Chen is, he’s your problem. Not mine.”

He stormed his way out of the room and kicked off the bannister floating to another roof top, scanning the village for the barn the cart had been parked.

He nestled himself into the cart keeping Li’er occupied and waited for Elder Jun, who appeared fifteen minutes later with a gent smile on his face.

“Li’er’s welcome to stay. I’ve discussed it further with Chief Hodong.”

“He called her a demoness Elder Jun. Li’er will not stay here a second longer!

“I figured you’d say that” Old Jun sighed. “Fine…I’ll take you to the next village?

“For Li’er to be treated the same way? I think not. My patience won’t allow it.”

“I understand, but I’m sure the next village will be more accommodating.”

“…will you speak of Li’er without my approval again?”

“My apologies regarding that Master Xing, I understand your fury but Chief Hodong is no fool. He’s the head of the Hollow Mountain Village because he’s the best physician within the valley. The first thing he’d assume after seeing Li’er being wrapped up the way you do in that robe of her, is that she’s diseased. I had tell him why she’s wrapped up that way.”

Xing balled his hands into fist and clenched his jaw. He tried to find a rebuttal for Elder Jun’s words, but as the windmill in his mind churned, nothing came to him. He’s right Xing thought, Elder Zixin’s people thought it was weird…everyone will think so. I need this to work, but it’ll be on my terms, not on anyone else’s.

“I’ll be the one let them know about Li’er going forward, are we clear on that Elder Jun?”

“Crystal clear.” He answered.

“Good, the next village will be the last place we try. If they don’t want to welcome me and Li’er, I’ll take my chances in the mountains if I have to.”

“Understood.”

Elder Jun hopped onto the cart, and Li’er tried to jump from Xing’s hand upon seeing the old man. Xing pulled the last milk pouch from his bag and began to feed her.

As the horse neighed back and forth. Xing puffed his cheeks into frustration and then eyed the old man. “Let’s stay for the night, I need more milk for the journey.”

“You don’t have to worry about using your stones or taels.” Elder Jun said with a laugh.

“I don’t?” Xing asked curiously.

“No, We don’t use copper, silver or gold for everything. Keep your stones and taels. I’ll handle the supplies for the trip, and don’t worry about the journey, it’s only a few hours away.”

“A few hours? That’s great.” Xing said, feeling relieved.

“Indeed. Come, lets get you and the Li’er a room, so we can whip away the misery you got painted across your face!”