Night came, and so did the sound of hooting Owls and chirping birds. Jing Feng had fallen asleep, just like he planned. He had a hunch that the ship would arrive, but as he peered into the bleak darkness of the night.

The moon’s light sprayed across the river providing a tranquil luminescence he’d never experienced before, not even in the Dragon Palace.

In all his years, never would he have thought that watching a remote river like this, could warm his soul…despite the coldness of the wind.

As he kept his eyes open, listening to the mokugo knock in the distance. Then, he waited to hear the chants of a sutra. But none came. Yet, the knocking of the mokugo started. Why are they no chants Jing Feng thought, pulling the little goatee he’d grown the past three days.

He Feng leapt from on top of the tree and skipped his way down to the river, using his Qinggong as smooth as he possibly could.

He landed on the riverside, feeling as his hands seeped into the sand. He rolled his neck and began following the sound of the mokugo beats.

The hollow sounds of the wood being beat, made him whisper, reciting the words his master told him whilst meditating. “I am a Dingshi of the Black Cauldron, as I wander the world in fighting evil within the Great Empire of Huaxia, no one is my equal, as my name is Shi San.”

He’d said those words thousands of times, possibly even a million. All he knew was when he broke through to a Qi Perception Realm…that new glory awaited him. Maybe I could even become the new Pit Master.

Jing Feng continued to walk across the sand, dragging his feet feeling as the sutra around him slowly began to smother him.

He leapt to the other side, then jogged down the stream following the current where the mokugo beat began to grow and also did the dark aura smothering him whole.

The river bay curled to the right and Jing Feng followed, the sand began to tread on the sloppy side, making his feet sink further into the sand, which annoyed him.

He pursed his lips in annoyance with the mokugo beat pulsed even harder and when he looked to his right his eyes felt as though they were bleeding.

Bodies. Dozens of them lay within the bay, bunched up together mangled twisted and maimed. The foul stench of the rotting corpses chewed his throat, making it craggier than usual.

The eyes of the dead woman peered into his stomach, trying her best to make him uneasy. His stomach was already churning from disgust, so why would he even feel unease?

Jing Feng yanked his sword from its sheath, and then scraped it across the hands of the mangled bodies. He felt the tension in his blade as he did so. Callused hands, not who I am looking for…or did they die in the water.

Another loud clunk resonated into his ear drawing Feng’s attention. He snapped left and finally saw what was making the mokugo knocking sound.

Broken charred pieces of wood, which made up the deck of a ship had clumped together hitting a boulder, imitating the mokugo knock, which only infuriated Jing Feng. “Why couldn’t I smell any BLOOD?” Jing Feng hissed, flustered.

He was of the Accentuation Realm, his senses were ENHANCED! But yet, he smelt…nothing.

A large gust of wind waved across the river bed, rustling trees and sand alike. A loud crash of water sprayed mist on the other side of the river. It was heaven that had dropped the answer, right into his lap…or nose more precisely.

“The wind’s blowing south, instead of north…that’s why I couldn’t smell anything!” Jing Feng cursed.

The level of frustration that mounted within his mind, made him feel as though the years he’d spent cultivating had been for naught.

Why didn’t he just come down to the river to check? Why did he stay up in trees, not checking anything? He knew that nothing was here, that he could see…but this…this only infuriated him more.

A stone cracked behind him, making him snap back in response, the sword wielded in defence. “I know you’re there!” He hissed.

A man appeared out of thin air, sand and shattered stone blooming around him. He didn’t move, nor did he say anything, which drew Jing Feng’s frustration even further.

It was one thing to fail at protecting someone, once it wasn’t related to the empire. He’d watched people die on his watch, but once the empire was still alive. Nothing mattered.

However, the emperor gave him a mission. A mission that would keep Huaxia’s glory at its pinnacle. Yet, he failed. Failed to escort these Axsumites and also failed to report their deaths to the emperor sooner.

“Did you do this?” Jing Feng asked, feeling the sand beneath scrape against his sole. The man didn’t answer, but the wind did for him.

A spray of sunlight flashed across his shadowed face, finally showing it for the first time. The man’s face was covered, only leaving his eyes open.

He wore black and white robes, that were partly shredded, but mostly wet, leaving a subtle gleam whenever the sun sheened across them. He held a quarterstaff in his hand and oozed power.

The power that Jing Feng knew he could defeat!

Feng slowly began to circle the man, who simply stood in place. He didn’t move, nor did he feel overpowered by Feng’s aura, despite him coursing his Qi throughout his meridians viciously.

It was the man who couldn’t even be bothered to acknowledge Feng’s might, which only infuriated him even further. That, however, was foolish…because it only allowed Feng to open the six meridians from his Core Dantian, flooding his meridians even more…ready to unleash his frustration and one swoop.

Feng took one stepped, appearing behind using an instantaneous step. He drove his sword into the man’s back, only to feel the air.

He dropped to the ground, feeling as a jolt of pain shot up his right leg. He knelt looking up seeing the cloaked figure burying a quarterstaff into his right knee. WHAT IS THIS? Feng hissed to himself.

He used the momentum, to spin, loosing a spiral kick to his back, forcing the yellow-eyed bastard to skip back.

The man deflected, parried and dodged each thrust and slash Feng dashed out. Until Feng overextended one of his lunges.

The yellow-eyed man’s lips curled into a smile behind his veil, then he waited for him to take his left arm.

A loud cling resonated into the air with Feng, blocking the attack at the last moment. Flowing Deceit. He called it, The guise of it was to appear disadvantaged, only to find yourself dead with either his blade…or halberd.

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Feng’s blade nicked the right side of the man’s neck as he swerved out of the way, burying his quarterstaff into Feng’s back, not once, but five times in the form form of a combo, stealing Feng’s moral in an instant.

Shame aroused itself into Feng from being struck so many times. Agitated and annoyed, he loosed a kick and then drilled into a spin. Forcing the man back, but as wild and passionate as each blow was filled with. The cloaked man sidestepped, skipped and feinted left, only to bury his quarter into Feng’s chest with a clunk.

Feng slapped it away with a snarl, but only to groan outpain from a back slap from the cloaked man. With gritted teeth, he stared back defiantly, only to hear the menacing laugh emanating from the yellow-eyed man’s lips.

The cloaked man’s eyes weren’t yellow, but silver, gentle, which carried a sterness to them, a sterness he was all too familiar with.

As a bout of familiarity resonated within Feng’s mind, and then it hit him…just like the quarterstaff did, right in the chest. Zhu Mo Shi??

“Master…I..” Shi San asked, hoping to be right. The cloaked man removed his veil in one fluid motion, showing a battered old face with hundreds of unkempt grey strands flowing down his head.

His eyes brows were grey, more than enough for Shi San to recognise his Master. The old man’s sternness hadn’t changed in the years he hadn’t seen him. The only difference was, he had more wrinkles in his face than before.

His nose still had the flaccid mole on his left nostril and his beard was as scraggly as it had been on the first day he met him. “Master!”

Shi San scrambled up into a bow, slamming his hand against the sand with a loud thud. He didn’t catch his master’s discerning eye, but he felt it.

“Shi San, I’m happy to see that you’ve been well.” Zhu Mo Shi said, approaching Feng, crunching sand beneath his feet.

“Master…what happened?! I thought you were dead! Brother Si told us!”

“Ahh…I see, what Si’er said doesn’t matter. What matters is the lack of improvement I’ve just witnessed. You’ve only ascended to Divination Realm after all these years!” He hissed, eyes laced in anger.

It’d been years since Feng last felt fright such as this. Even when he was in the Emperor’s presence he was never this scared. But his Master held such an authoritative aura. It made him feel like an ant looking up Mount Tai.

“I’ve ascended to the Accentuation Realm Master. I can use the instantaneous step without fault.” He said, forcing himself not to plead.

“Hoo….Accentuation Realm? But why does it feel as though you’re abilities are nothing but that of a Divination Realm?

Shi san didn’t answer, he knew when to silence himself and when to speak, especially when dealing with Zhu Mo Shi.

“How close are you to breaking through to the Qi Perception Realm?”

“I don’t know Master, I only ascended three months ago.”

“…ahh, that explains it.”

Shi San looked up in confusion, unable to comprehend his master’s words. “I don’t understand master.”

“You’re newly ascended Shi San. No matter what you believe. You are far from mastering the Instantaneous Step. You wont ever able to Master it in three months. Also, you’re new meridians have not fully opened, sometimes, that takes years, so regardless of what you think…you’re still only a Divination Realm practitioner.”

Those words stung…stung Shi San to his core. His abilities, were only that of a Divination Realm pracicioner? That made no sense to Shi San…he rejected, regardless of who Zhu Mo Shi was.

He’d ascended, with prudent training. He trained day and night, and was able to gain his strength with great pain, but only to be considered a Divination Realm practitioner?

No…I reject this!

“Shi San,” Zhu Mo Shi grunted, taking Shi San out of his thoughts. “Do you know why I consider you’re only of the Divination Realm?”

Shi San look into his master, cold silver eyes and swallowed deeply. He knew that look, it was the look that reminded him of his place. He wouldn’t be taught with a rod, but his words…words that stung more than a rod ever could. “No Master, I don’t know why you only consider me a Divination Realm practitioner.”

A knowing smile curled around Zhu Mo Shi’s lips. “You haven’t realised that in our fight…I sealed your acupoints in the hidden strokes of my quarterstaff!”

What?!

Shi San tried to move, but his body wouldn’t let him. Only his eyes moved, as they followed his master’s movement who trailed left and right, allowing the moon to flicker between them.

Zhu Mo Shi eventually walked up to Shi San, clasping his hand on his shoulder. “Do you understand now?”

Shi San answered but through his eyes, but also knowing Zhu Mo Shi. He wasn’t finished. He took moments such as this, and made them teaching moments…or, he just reminded everyone that they were far from the standard of what was required of a Dingshi.

“Such potential…wasted. Shi San…words can’t express how disappointed in how you’ve grown in my abscense. To think, Shi Liu held you in such high regard.”

The disgust, from Zhu Mo Shi’s tone, made his skin erupt within. The shame, frustration, and guilt forced a tear from his eyes. He’d failed to save his Master during a fire. The fire not only took his master but also his sworn brothers Nine and Sixteen as well.

“Master!” He pleaded, after Zhu Mo Shi unsealed his acupoint.

“Silence!” The Zhu Mo Shi snapped, waving his hand away.

Shi San ground his teeth, trying his best to not show his agitation.

“Whilst you were busy being the Emperor’s lamb.” He said calmly, turning around and began unfastening the band that kept his Hanfu fixed.

He slid his shoulder off, then removed his right shoulder showing his chest in its entirety, undressing himself completely.

Zhu Mo Shi’s body was covered in burn marks, that made the chiseled body seem weaker than what Shi San could ever imagine.

How did he survive such injuries? Feng asked himself.

The skin of his master was warped beyond recognition with black, purple and red splotches stitched into his skin like a patch, making Feng unpleasant.

Shi San tried his best to keep his stomach in check but the longer he looked, the more it bubbled up, making him want to vomit. Despite how he felt, he still kept his face calm…or so he thought.

“Master…how…”

“You’re Emperor gave me these Scars, Shi San?” He said firmly.

My emperor? He’s THE Emperor! Shi San huffed to himself.

“I’ve served him my entire life…only to cast away by fire. He would’ve thought that this day would’ve come.” Zhu Mo Shi said.

No…that’s not true. The Emperor doesn’t engage in politicking. He’s upfront and frank, in everything he does. Feng thought.

He’d never been commissioned to fulfill assassinations against Nobles who went up against the emperor but was sent a warning, because the Emperor knew all. Something’s not right here Feng deducted, something is not right here at all.

The acupoints around Shi San body began to loosen, as if the heavens willed it. A bead of sweat flowed down his forehead and fell to the sand. He licked his lips and looked at his former master. “I’ve misheard you haven’t I Master? You mean Our Emperor?” Shi San asked, breathing heavily.

“You don’t believe he tried to kill me?!” The Zhu Mo Shi snapped back, eyes laced in anger.

“If he did try to kill you, he probably had good reason, but that is not the point Master. The point is, I’ve been tasked to given a task by the Emperor. He asked me to escort these Axsumites in the name of the Emperor, yet you killed them. That is an unforgivable offense. The heavens may not be here to strike you down, but my blade will be enough to do it!”

The Zhu Mo Shi turned to him, hands clasped behind his back and his lips curled into a knowing smile.

The killing aura that began to flow from Zhu Mo Shi made Shi San hesitate. His eyes were now enshrouded in Qi. He’s of the Qi Perception Realm!

“You’ve ascended to the Qi Perception.” Shi San scoffed,

“I have…” The Zhu Mo Shi said coldly. “Before you die, I’ll let you in on a little secret. I didn’t kill the dirt skins. But I did initiate it!”

“Why? Master, what did you do?!?”

“I did nothing wrong Shi San! I only did what was right. The laws of Emperor Tian Hao, have been rejected by your Emperor! He seeks to bring them the downfall of HUAXIA! Not on my watch! NOT. ON. MY. WATCH!”

“YOU LIE! THE EMPEROR WOULD NEVER DO ANYTHING TO DISRESPECT EMPEROR TIAN HAO’S LEGACY!” Shi San hissed, blade swirling with Qi.

“You know nothing Shi San, but let me ask you one question. Are you with me? Because if you aren’t with me. The only future you have is death.”

“I am not afraid of Death. But you will be when I finish with you!” Shi San said coldly.

The Zhu Mo Shi harrumphed, shaking his head showing his disappointment once more. “I won’t even dirty my quarterstaff with the likes of you. I’ll leave that to Shi Jiu and Shi Liu…”

Shi Shi Jiu and Shi Liu exploded from beneath the sand, blades beaming with light and Qi.

They brought their blades down, striking Shi San in one fluid motion. Shi Shi Jiu’ blade went through Shi San’s midsection whilst Shi Liu’s own sliced through his neck.

Shi San dropped to his knees holding his midsection, trying to stop his innards from spilling out onto the sand. The blood and gore flowed between his fingertips like a muddled river, encroaching on a beach.

The Black Cauldron genius blinked his eyes, feeling his head tilt to the side. He tried to raise his hand to touch his neck, but instead sand rolled into his eyes as he felt his head roll.

Shi San tried to blink once more, but with the sand in his eyes it was futile. A figure appeared in front of him, square looking shoulders and a slim waist to match.

It was a familiar figure to Shi San, despite the sand in his eyes. …Shi Liu is that you? He thought, cheerfully, finally being able to see his sword-brother one more time. “Shi Liu You’re alive,” He said softly, “Shi Liu…you’re…al.. I…ve.”

…But Shi San was not.