The fires within the Main Hall of the Stone Bear’s Band abode crackled as everyone gathered within. Kai Chen, the new leader of the band sat on his throne, looking down on his men feeling the heat from the fire.
The Main Hall itself wasn’t truly a hall, but a cave abode. One that was probably used by a sect that once resided within the Purple Mist Valley.
The walls of the cave were as coarse as a rock with its crumpled exterior. Three dozen fire holes, with candles evenly spaced around provided light within. It was like being within a dome of fire, one littered with shadows.
Four large pillars surrounded the room in a square-like pattern, providing support to the oval roof above.
A red carpet led to the bottom of the stairs from the entrance of the main hall. All of this was Lim Fu’s desire, to feel important, it was always what got him killed, desiring fine cuisine.
A sharp pain shot down Kai Chen’s back and he adjusted himself in his chair, not getting used to it as yet. He rolled his neck, counting the men down below, ensuring everyone was here.
The pond of men stared up at him and he understood what it was like to lead. It was a lot of work, not to control them, but their desires and appetites.
After all, he was of the Mind Awakening Realm, who would dare challenge him.
Kai Chen rubbed the tip of his chair, resting his hand on Lim Fu’s sword. Green Fury. The blade was silver, with a green glint made from the clay used to temper it.
Green Fury was three feet long, and the green handle was made of jade with gold decorations hammered into it.
The sword was sharp, beautiful and most importantly graceful. Lim Fu lacked the skill with a sword, but so did Kai Chen. None of that mattered, the sword was now in his hands and so was the Stone Bear Band.
“I take it, everyone’s here?” Kai Chen asked.
“YEAH!” The stone bear band shouted back.
“Alright. I just got a message. One that has me a little, annoyed.”
“What’s message is that Master Chen?” One shouted.
“Has Jiang Yu agreed to the marriage?” Another said.
“I bet Old Man Jun is on his way here, we can take him!”
Kai Chen raised his hands, quelling his men's words. “Neither. Apparently, Old Man Dong is making his way here.”
“To be killed?” Someone shouted chuckling.
Kai Chen’s lips curled into a smile, but he shook his head. “Apparently, we did a good job storing the wheat.”
“We aren’t children, we know what to do.”
“Exactly,” Chen said. “I don’t like him. He’s too presumptuous with where he stands.”
“Let’s kill 'em!”
“Can’t. He’s the best physician within the Purple Mist Valley?”
“We have Old Jun’s daughter.”
“The bastard didn’t teach him all of her skills.”
Murmers within the hall brewed, as everyone discussed the revelation. Chief Hodong was one of the reasons why the Hollow Mountain Village was as efficient as it was.
The wheat that the Stone Bear Band would take mostly came from them as there was the closest. It also helped due to Hodong being a physician and would heal their members.
When Hodong approached him to take over the Stone Bear Band, he’d already had his own plans, but he was willing till he ascended to the Divination Realm, but as the opportunity was too good to pass up, he worked with senile old man.
Now that Lim Fu is dead, the Purple Mist Valley would surely be his, and so would Jiang Li!
The challenge Chen faced now, was Hodong. He could defy him openly. So Chen hoped to kill him and have his former apprentice be the Head Physician within the Valley.
It would also allow them to avoid Old Man Jun in any confrontation if he ever returned, which he did. Nothing’s going according to my plan, Chen thought.
Hodong was a pillar within the Purple Mist Valley. Wounds his men would receive whilst defending the Valley from occasional skirmishes from other bandit bands, needed to be treated.
Hodong was paramount, so killing him was a lackadaisical effort. Despite Xiabo Ling being his apprentice, she was as good as him. “I need to find a way to solve this problem before Old Man Jun comes.” He whispered to himself.
As silence echoed throughout the cave abode. Kai Chen stared down at his men, looking for an answer. I guess this is what it means to be a leader, He thought, fine…I’ll make the decision.
“We won’t be killing the Old Man Dong…for now. However, if Elder Jun comes for his daughter, release her. We need to keep Elder Jun happy.”
“What about Old Man Dong?”
“Leave that to me, I think I can work something out. Are we clear?”
“Yes Sir.”
“Good…dismissed.”
◆◆◆
Three hours passed and Hodong finally appeared, tang crown nestled on his head. The old man had an air of superiority that disgusted Kai Chen to no bound.
It annoyed Kai Chen to no end. Is this how city folk acted? He asked himself, haughty…and proud.
As hard as Hodong tried, he always had that air about him. Air, that no one in the central plains had.
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The old man walked along the red carpet, feet clicking the pebbles beneath the carpet. His steps were solid and held confidence and arrogance.
He even dared to keep his head high in the presence of Kai Chen, something the lad would soon fix.
“Why are you here old man?” Chen asks, tone soft.
“When are you delivering the girl to me?”
“Elder Jun has returned, hasn’t he? We have to deal with him before we deliver her.” Chen said.
“Can you even kill Elder Jun?” Hodong asked, looking up at Chen through the corner of his eyes.
“I can, I’m soon of the Divination Realm. There’s no need to worry.”
Hodong scoffed, shaking his head. “Elder Jun has returned with a Martial Artist and this one seems stronger than the old bastard himself.” Hodong said coldly.
“What are you talking about? What man?”
“I guess your village spies haven’t done their du—“
“Speak old man!” Kai Chen snapped, cutting off Hodong. “Or would like to look at your tongue whilst it wiggling at your feet as you try to speak!?”
Hodong bellowed and exasperated sigh and smiled bitterly, “Elder Jun has returned with someone. He’s a father, looking for refuge.”
“I cannot sense what Realm he is…but he looks strong.”
“Looks mean nothing,” Chen grunted, as he caressed Green Fury.
“So everything will go as you planned?”
“Yes!” Kai Chen growled.
Kai Chen balled his hands into a fist and swirled his Qi sending a wave of energy towards Hodong. The old man fell back and then hid his face. “Old Man, careful…I don’t like how you look down on me. Let. Me. Remind. You. The Purples Mist Valley, is mine.”
“It may, but can you defeat this man?”
“Yes…”
“Good, then let me make it easy for you. He has a weakness!” Hodong hissed.
“…and that is?”
“The man with Elder Jun has a child with him, that’s his weakness.”
“Are you inept?! I DO NOT TOUCH CHILDREN?”
“Understood,” Hodong said flashing a bitter smile. “Then will you proceed with the plan.
“Am I not?”
“I don’t see Xiabo Ling in my hands…”
“She’ll be in your hands, do you doubt me?”
“You promised her after the attack on the Purple Mist Village!”
“…and Old Man Jun has returned, with a Martial Arts Master…as you’ve mentioned, have not…Chief Hodong?”
Silence.
Hodong didn’t utter a word.
I guess Lim Fu was correct, speaking in a poise manner does invoke some form of power.
“Master Chen, are you not the leader of the Stone Bear Band NOW? My plans have helped you thus far, you SHOULD KEEP YOUR END OF OUR BARGAIN!”
“You have made it easier…but tell me truly, why should I keep you alive? You’re a lecherous bastard…who left his bed, where his wife sleeps to whine about some lass half your age.”
“Because if we don’t work together, you won’t be the leader of Stone Bear Band for long, nor will you ever have Jiang Li for yourself!”
“You’ve never seen a woman grown old next to you, have you? Her wrinkles appear and touch you. Once you’re my age, you will know!”
“I’M NOT YOU.”
“Yet you kidnapped the woman you wanted, you’re far worst than me!”
“Didn’t you ask me to kidnap the one you wanted? Whilst you have a wife and two sons?”
“KAI CHEN!”
Kai Chen drew Green Fury from its scabbard, flicking his wrist in one smooth motion.
The sword shot right at Hodong, Kai Chen watched as the old man stumbled back, but the moment his left leg touched the ground Green Fury zipped past him, grazing his left ear.
The old man dropped to his knees, the sword dinged behind him, forcing him to look back, only for Kai Chen to flash a smug-like smile.
“You forget one thing here Old Man. You. Have. No. Power. here. You’re nothing but a physician.”
“If you kill me, who will heal your men!”
“Exactly, if you’re not here…who will heal them?”
It didn’t take long for Hodong to understand the threat. He ground his teeth, then kowtowed to Kai Chen, who pursed his lips, finally quelling his anger and arrogance toward the old man.
“That’s. Better. Now lets have a real discussion. I know you came here with a plan. If you don’t. Leave.”
Hodong smiled reverently, dusting off his knees as he rose from the ground. He clapped his hands together and swallowed deeply as he looked up at Kai Chen.
“Yes, I do have a plan…but tell me truly, you won’t touch this man’s child?”
“I will not.”
“Fine…listen carefully. The possibility of this Martial Master making his way here. I suggest you split your forces up and attack the Iron Stone Village and Purple Mist Village.”
“Why?”
“He is one man, he can’t be two places in one.”
“…we still have to confront him.”
“You don’t have to worry about that…I will head to the Purple Mist Village to take his daughter.”
“Kai Chen sighed and closed his eyes, feeling irritation arouse within his mind. Is this old man that desperate?
“Why would you do that?” Kai Chen asked calmly.
“Because, that will guarantee his cooperativeness.”
“I disagree, if I were in his position. I would slaughter everyone in sight. What makes you think you can escape him and not tell him we planned this together!”
Hodong’s lips curled into a smile. He licked them, feeling as though he’d won. He could finally taste Xiabo Ling’s lips as he would finally be able to kiss them.
“STOP DALLYING OLD MAN, SPEAK!”
“The Martial Master’s daughter is an Axsumite.”
“An Axsumite? Here? In Huaxia!?”
“Yes!”
“…you don’t make sense, why would he?”
“If he returns that is. I have a plan for if he does. I’ll kidnap the girl and throw her robes into a nearby river, that way he’d think she’s been drowned by the village itself.”
“Are you sure that will work?
“It will…she’s an Axsumite, he will assume someone from the village killed her, for who she is. Look, we have spent too much time on this. He has probably arrived at the Purple Mist Village by now. We have a limited window for you to get down the mountain and attack the Iron Stone Village, Once you’ve done that, you can then attack the Purple Mist Village, that way he wouldn’t see it coming. Trust Me.”
Not for all the gold in the Jade Dragon Palace, Kai Chen thought, I’ll never trust you!
“I’ll consider it.”
“We don’t have much time, Master Chen!”
“We do because there’s still much to discuss.”
“Such as?”
“I’m re-negotiating our deal.”
Hodong went silent, puffing his cheeks in annoyance. Kai Chen smiled, not caring enough because regardless of what he thought, the old man would soon be dead.
“The proceeds from the wheat sales will now be Eight-Twenty!, not Sixty-Forty.”
“That's…ROBBERY!”
“Are you going to be the one to deal with both Xiabo Jun and this Martial Master? No. So, because of that, I will be taking another twenty percent.”
Hodong balled his fist and shook them as if he had the power to attack Kai Chen. The Leader of the Stone Bear Band saw his defiance and flashed a ray of killing intent through his eyes, aimed at the old man.
Hodong dropped to the ground, feeling as his knees grew weak from looking into the abyss of Kai Chen’s eyes, then finally muttered something with his sniveling voice! “What Master Chen gives, Hodong appreciates.”
“Good, now leave.” Chen said firmly, waving his hand.
Hodong got up and then gave a reverent bow. Kai Chen furrowed his brows, trying to see if the old bastard would try to say something beneath his breath, but the only thing he could see was a tooth shown as if smiling.
Let’s see you smile when I cut your throat, Kai Chen thought, watching as Hodong finally left, leaving a wist of fresh air within the main hall.
The trap door behind Kai Chen creaked open, and foot steps follow. A man with a straggly beard with a toothless grin appeared next to him. “Hu,” Kai Chen said firmly. “It finally smells better around here doesn’t it.” Kai Chen said, eyeing one of his men who stood to his left.
“It does.” Hu giggled.
Kai Chen harrumphed, feeling unsatisfied with how things played out. The twenty percent increase didn’t matter to him, only Jiang Li did, but he had to make that sniveling bastard pay for the inconvenience.
The original plan was to have Hodong appear as some Saviour for Xiabo Ling, by having her released into his care. That way, the girl would have some form of affection for the sniveling bastard, in his mind.
Women are smart, they could sense when something’s amidst…at least with Jiang Li, she knew how he felt about her.
Despite that, she will eventually take a liking to him, sooner rather than later. The trick would be how. Chen knew if he harmed Jiang Clan that Li’er wouldn’t give herself to him willingly, but how else could he have her?
…by taking her, she will be his in time…but that time, is not now…but soon.
“Brother Chen, will you be handling the affairs in the Purple Mist Village?”
Chen turned to him, lips drawn to a line. He was annoyed, but mostly so because Hu knew full well he wasn’t like Lim Fu who refused to get his hands dirty, despite being of the Divination Realm. “And let you die miserably?” He answered. “I’ll handle the affairs in the Stone Iron Village. You deal with that old man Jun”
“It will be done.”
“Good…”
Kai Chen pushed himself up from his chair. He turned to Hu and smiled bitterly, feeling as though he was a pawn in Hodong’s game.
A problem which wouldn’t have allow him to take control of the valley, something he’d always yearned to do.
Chen pursed his lips and shook his head. He snatched up Green Fury and began walking down, not waiting for Hu to follow. “Let’s go.”