Zhu Mo Shi slumped down against the stone wall, exhausted. He hadn’t anticipated how easily the smoke would’ve drained his Qi. Or maybe that’s my body reacting to fire, He mused sourly.
As he sat there, soothing his chest which bellowed like a drum. He couldn’t help but wonder what oil Minister Song used to start the fire or maybe he just overestimated himself.
In all his years of training, fighting in fire wasn’t something he’d engaged in…or practiced. Regardless, he knew he needed to replenish his Qi if he had any hope of facing the two remaining dingshes guarding the emperor.
He closed his eyes, and sat in the lotus position. Then, he inhaled deeply drawing in his breath, and began breathing steadily as he turned his attention to his inner arts.
As generated Qi within his Soul Dantian, he began feeding his Qi into his Core and Mind Dantian. As the energy crackled within him, he calmed his racing heart and began to feel the turbulent energy around him. The Palace is in chaos, Good.
He visualised his Qi moving through his meridians, slowly spreading like ripples in a pond. He could feel the energy seeping into his Core and Mind Dantians, replenishing his drained reserves and reigniting the fire within him.
The process was painstakingly slow, but he knew that he couldn’t afford to rush it. He needed to be at his best if he wanted to stand a chance against the dingshes.
As twenty minutes passed, Zhu Mo Shi could feel his Qi replenished, at least up to sixty percent. He wasn’t sure if it was enough. But it would have to do. He couldn’t linger any longer or his mission could turn disaster…such inconveniences had to be incorporated, but they could also make them falter.
He steeled himself, pushed himself off the ground opening his eyes and noticing how clear his vision had become. “Maybe I should fill the entirety of my dantians,” He whispered to himself.
He huffed his frustration, knowing he couldn’t sit idly by, but mostly because he knew that the emperor had to be killed and now.
A moist pungent scent blossomed into his nose, making his tongue water from the disgust. He ignored it, keeping his thoughts focused on the task at hand. He turned a corner, a faint glimmer of light appeared in the short distance.
It was the first sign of life he’d encountered since entering the tunnels. Finally, these decrepit tunnels are coming to an end, He thought sourly. That filled him with a mixture of dread and anticipation, but he pushed forward, his resolve unwavering.
As he approached the source of the light. The light from the emperor’s chambers, fed into the tunnels. Zhu Mo Shi pushed the door open and light enshrouded his vision.
The walls were lined with torches, casting flickering shadows across the chamber. As his eyes traced the room, nostalgia hit him. He turned left, noticing a painting the emperor received after his coronation. To the right, was a vase his father gave him for his eighteenth birthday. To the right of that very vase was a decorative sword with emeralds, gems stitched into the sheath, and handle after his first year of being Emperor.
Despite the lavish decorations adorning the chamber, Zhu Mo Shi had no time to appreciate the arts. His mission was clear, and his heart was resolute. He was here for one reason, and one reason alone…the emperor.
He stepped over the plush rug that covered the stone floor, and glanced to his right. His eyes landing on a wide, polished mahogany door on the other side of the room.
The Emperor’s Library.
He quickened his pace, crossing the room with a few steps, his boots barely making a sound against the rug. He reached the door and paused, pressing his ear against the cool wood. He could hear the faint rustling sound papers.
He took a deep breath, then pushed the door open, stepping into the library. The Emperor’s Library as large, but not as big as he’d remembered. Ah…there’s more furniture than I remembered. He mused.
The towering bookshelves reached the vaulted ceiling. The scent of old books and parchment filled the air, a comforting aroma that reminded him of simpler times.
But this was not a time for sentimentality.
The emperor sat behind a massive, intricately carved desk, surrounded by stacks of scrolls and tomes. His back was turned towards the door, completely unaware that Zhu Mo Shi had stepped into his sanctuary. “Captain, have you gained control of the fire?” The emperor asked.
“I’ve gained control of something, Prince Tian Taizhong.” Zhu Mo Shi said firmly, voice echoing through the library. The emperor pushed himself from out of his chair, turning, Eyes widened in surprise as he looked Zhu Mo Shi.
“Zhu...Mo Shi?” The emperor asked, stupefied. “Old friend…you’re not dead!”
Zhu Mo Shi smirked, shaking his head in disbelief. He really has changed, before our trip to Axsum, he wouldn’t have dare to bluff, even to me, yet he shows no signs of fright or hesitation. He doesn’t regret what he did!
“Its not as though you didn’t try hard enough,” Zhu Mo Shi answered.”
“Try hard…enough? I don’t understand old friend,”
“Of course you don’t understand, but tell me, do you like my work? It was all meant to grab your attention.”
Confused aroused the emperor’s face, it was as if he was trying to grasp what Zhu Mo Shi meant. “I don’t understand,” The Emperor said, shrugging.
“As coy as you’ve become. I know your true face…traitor.”
The emperor’s his eyes switched to the door then back to Zhu Mo Shi. He stepped away from the door, mocking the emperor to make his attempt at leaving.
A smirk fell upon Zhu Mo Shi’s face, then it turned to stone, filled with rage, determination and resolve. “No need to fear, old friend. I am here to correct the mistake I made long time ago,” He replied, his voice filled with conviction. “But I’m here, to also serve justice!”
The emperor’s eyes widened as Zhu Mo Shi drew his sword, blade glinting ominously in the dim light. “STOP!” The emperor growled, “have you forgotten our past together?”
“The past…is the past.”
“Zhu Mo Shi!” The emperor said calmly. “The past carves out our future, isn’t that something you once told me, when I was depressed after the attempt on my life?”
“The scars you gave me, is what cultivated me, to my present self, do you not agree?”
“Zhu Mo Shi! I know you don’t agree with opening our borders, but if we’re to move forward, the old ways must be cast aside.”
“Like how you casted into the flames of your Library?”
The emperor stood there, looking at Zhu Mo Shi. There wasn’t anger, nor were the care exhuming from him. It made him feel as though, despite what they’d been through, the emperor only saw him as the tool he was created to do.
Protect Him.
“I wept four days after the fire, you know that.” The emperor said, walking away from his desk. He turned his back, showing the dingshe he trusted him. He raised his hand, taking a book from off the shelf behind him. “I still consider you my friend, despite what I did…if you do this, then I will have to see my friend die…again.”
“Prince Taizhong…I’m already dead, you killed me, sixteen years ago!”
Zhu Mo Shi dashed forward, unsheathing his sword in a smooth motion. He tapped the ground and soared through the air like a hawk swooping towards its prey. He raised his sword up and pointed it at the emperor.
The emperor turned around, book still in hand. As their eyes met, surprised washed over the emperor and delight flashed across Zhu Mo Shi’s face. “DIE…TRAITOR!”
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
The sword pierced through the air, aimed directly at the emperor’s heart. A loud wooden clunk echoed throughout the chamber and a staff appeared out of nowhere, intercepting Zhu Mo Shi’s sword, knocking it aside as if it were paper.
Zhu Mo Shi stumbled back, his eyes darting toward the source of the interruption. A man stood on the emperor’s desk, separating them. He had a bald head, that gleamed whilst the flames of the torches caressed it. The man wore Shaolin monk robes, saffron yellow which hung loosely about his lean frame, billowing gently in the soft breeze. The fabric was sturdy and worn, bearing the simple elegance of the time-honoured Shaolin tradition. The coarse texture spoke of a life of austerity and discipline.
The robes were cinched at his narrow waist by a simple, faded cloth belt. The colour of his belt was bleached by time, marking him as a master of his craft.
An ornate string of wooden prayer beads hung around his neck, each bead polished smooth from years of silent mantras and meditative caresses. It was a reminder to let everyone know his spiritual path, a path that was as much a part of him as the very robes he wore.
The five Jieba dots burnt onto his forehead arranged in a neat line, signifying his vows to Shaolin, but mostly his strength. Each dot represented his spiritual enlightenment which also coincided with his fighting prowess. Five, Zhu Mo Shi muttered, Accentuation Realm, which means he’s a respected figure within the Monastery.
A chill ran down Zhu Mo Shi’s spine. Shaolin monks, were known for their legendary martial arts prowess. Their neutrality, for their vow to stay out of worldly affairs and focus on their spiritual journey. What is he doing here? I thought the three Great Sects were in seclusion after battling the Three Grand Unorthodox Sects.
“Zhu Mo Shi is it,” The Monk asked.
“It is…”
“I do not know your relation to the emperor, but the killing aura that flows from you could kill mouse. The angers of the heart can only spread do those…also weak of heart, relieve yourself of your anger and enlightenment would only be a step away. Amitabha.” He said, raising right as he finished sighting the sutra.
A maniacal laugh bellowed from Zhu Mo Shi wildly. He covered his face with his left hand as he tried to calm himself. The emperor furrowed his brow, in annoyance, but that only fuelled Zhu Mo Shi’s anger.
Unease flickered into the monk’s eyes, which spoke volumes to Zhu Mo Shi. He can sense my realm…good. All his talk of enlightenment, yet he’s still weaker than me!
As the tension in the room grew, Zhu Mo Shi knew that the next moments would determine everything. It would be he, against this monk. “Monk, I have but one question before we start…”
“…and that is?”
“Since when has the Shaolin Monastery engaged themselves in governmental affairs? Hmm?”
Zhu Liu Shi
Drained.
That’s how Zhu Liu Shi felt.
He’d taken down thirty imperial guards, three of them being dingshes and a Wudang Sect Elder. If this wasn’t sign of his prowess of a martial artist.
Then, nothing else could show him that.
Despite that, Shi Chen and Shi Tong stood before him, the duo wielded their sword and spear, but to Zhu Liu Shi, their pseudo-formation was maddening.
If only my Shattering Boulder Slash had struck! My Qi reserves wouldn’t be so low! He thought bitterly. The attack would’ve incapacitated the duo, but they countered it without much effort, making him realise that the attack wasn’t as strong as he thought it was.
Shi Chen and Shi Tong moved in a choreographed harmony, a beautiful sight, even to Zhu Liu Shi eyes. Their Qi resonating in perfect harmony, giving them an almost impenetrable defence and amplified attack.
It was like a battle formation, and a deadly one at that.
The duo surrounded Zhu Liu Shi, forcing him to retreat repeatedly. Within seconds, he felt overwhelmed. Every time Chen attacked, Zhu countered, but he had to use considerable power to push Chen back while simultaneously defending against Tong’s assault. This two-pronged offensive left Zhu feeling smothered and struggling to maintain his defence.
The longer the fight stretched, the more brutal it grew. Chen and Tong’s moved like a storm, their attacks becoming relentlessly coordinated.
He kept them at bay, barely. If he weren’t using his Qi-Enhanced eyes, to read their Qi. He would’ve faltered long ago, something he didn’t want to admit, especially with his Core Dantian lacking in Qi.
As steel and wood clashed, grunts of exertion bellowed throughout the tunnel. Each slash sent a jarring shock up his arms. The strain intensifying the pain in his constricted meridians.
His breaths grew more ragged with every passing second, sweat beaded around his brow, trickling down the side of his face, stinging the cut on the left side of his face.
He growled in frustration, feeling his movements began to slow, his reactions started to lag, and his counters were becoming more desperate.
“What’s the matter Big Brother Liu? Feeling tired?”
“I’m tired of your lip, Chen!”
“Then, just die already!”
Zhu Liu smiled bitterly, feeling cornered, outnumbered, and outmatched. But he was a fighter, born and bred. His body might be faltering, but his spirit remained unbroken. If there is one thing he would do, it was fight till his last breath!
The battle raged on; the outcome seemingly inevitable. Yet Zhu Liu Shi refused to go down without a fight. He would not fail in his mission. Against the odds, against his exhaustion, against the limitations of his own body. He fought, because that was all he could do. He fought, because that was who he was.
A warrior. A protector. A dingshe, but most importantly, a father.
He parried a blow from Shi Chen, only to be forced back by a powerful punch from Shi Tong. His Qi reserves were depleting fast, and he could feel his strength wavering.
Shi Tong attacked again, but he parried the attack this time, but his legs began to buckle. He gritted his teeth, pushing through the pain, refusing to let it show. But the signs were there. His body was reaching its limit. He was faltering, but worse of all…he ran out of Qi.
No no no no! Zhu Liu Shi huffed, trying to generate Qi within his Soul Dantian. He completely drained his dantians of its Qi. That didn’t stop him. Not even for a minute. His vision blurred, the duo’s eyes perked up, noticing his Qi dissipating from his attacks.
Zhu Liu Shi eyes lit afire with life and unwavering resolve. He charged at the duo, knowing full well it was a futile attempt, to use his base strength against their Qi-Enhanced stamina and strength.
He swung his sword with all his remaining strength, a single thought echoed in his mind. If he was going to die, he would die fighting.
“Shi Tong…Shi Chen, it seems you’ve found a dead rat!” Shi Hai chuckled appearing within the tunnel.
“Sister Hai, welcome, you’ve joined us at the right time.” Shi Chen cheered, waving his sword in front of him, blocking a wayward thrust from Zhu Liu Shi.
“Shi Hai!” Zhu Liu Shi growled; I should’ve killed you…I should’ve known you lied to me!
A snivelling grin flashed across her face when she saw how he looked at her. She licked at her lips and blew a kiss at him…a kiss of betrayal!
Her eyes then changed from warm to cold.
“LET’S END THIS SHI TONG!”
“YES…LETS, SISTER HAI…JOIN US AS WE PUT AT END TO THIS TRAITOR.”
“…Gladly.”
As Zhu Liu Shi watched Shi Hai smiling beyond Shi Chen and Shi Tong, his fury roiled within him, feeling as though he caused this defeat to himself. Weak of the flesh, weak of the mind.
“What a time for Master’s words to haunt me before death,” he said softly.
“What’s that Big Brother Liu?!” Shi Tong hissed, floating across the ground as he sped toward him.
“A prayer,” Shi Chen said grinning.
The sword and spear the duo wielded, crossed each other and despite not having his Qi-Enhanced eyes at the time. He knew their attack was aimed at his heart.
Thin threads swirled around the tunnel, as if a giant spider had cast a net. The threads slowly expanded, then contracted around Shi Tong and Shi Chen’s neck. In a flash, the dingshe’s head were severed from their body.
Zhu Liu Shi jumped to his right, barely avoiding their attack. The bodies hit the wall with crash, shaking the surrounding area, spraying blood across the wall like a mist.
Zhu Liu Shi turned to Shi Hai, who smiled in response. “Why?” He asked, panting heavily.
“Save your thanks, Zhu Liu Shi. You owe me sixteen years to answer for,” Shi Hai replied coolly. There was no joy in her eyes at the sight of her fallen comrades. Just a resigned acceptance.
“Is it true then?”
“Have you known me to lie to you?”
“If you’re lying to me, if this is another one of your tricks…”
Shi Hai turned, her smile radiating confidence. “You’ll do what…Kill me? You don’t even have the power to split the moon, save your theatrics for someone that doesn’t know you!”
Zhu Liu Shi scoffed at her audacity. He began pushing himself off the ground and began limping forward, still drained of his Qi. “Where the hell are you going!” Shi Hai snapped,
“I still have to kill the princes,”
“Their dead.”
“What?”
“Their dead, Shi Liu, I killed them on my way here,
“Are you lying to me!?”
Shi Hai jaw stiffened and walked up to him, hanfu swaying as she approached. No wind was within the tunnels, but the way she swung her hips, made it seem as though a gust of wind had filtered its way beneath the Dragon Palace.
She stared into Zhu Liu Shi’s eyes, and looked him and wrapped her hands around him and bit his left ear lobe, and allowed her tongue to slid down to his neck, then kissed it gently.
“I’m dirty,” he said firmly,
“That never stopped you before…” She whispered into his ear. He pushed her away, his eyes reflecting his anger. “Is everything a game to you?”
Shi Hai’s lips drew into a line, she gnashed her teeth and hit the acupoints in his neck and waste, incapacitating him. “You never thought my feelings were sincere, did you?” She said softly.
Shi Hai kissed Zhu Liu Shi and walked back, tears flowing down her eyes. It made Zhu Liu Shi feel guilty, because what she said was true, but how could she expect him to believe her, she flirted with everyone. “Don’t worry, I’ll be where I said I’ll be, the bodies of the princes are within the tunnel, you can very if I lied to you. When you are finish, you can find me and I’ll prove to you I’ve never lied to you.”
Zhu Liu Shi tried to speak, but the acupoint to his throat was sealed. He tried moving, but with no Qi in his body to unseal the acupoint, he was wasting his time. “The emperor has a Shaolin Master guarding him. As strong as you believe your Master is, I suggest you replenish your Qi before you make your way to the emperor’s chambers.”
As she turned and began to walk away, she gave Zhu Liu Shi a last bit of advice, “Just remember, the game isn’t over until the last piece falls.”
Zhu Liu Shi watched her leave, his muscle aching as he stood their incapacitated. His eyes trailed to Shi Chen and Shi Tong bodies; a bitter satisfaction washed over him. They might have defeated him, but they hadn’t broken him.
The acupoints unsealed after two minutes, sending a roiling sensation throughout his body. He dropped to the ground, feeling the cold wall penetrate his robes. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes and began to meditate.
He waited to Qi sparked into existence within his Soul Dantian, once enough blossomed within, he then began to swirl it, sending it to his Core and Mind Dantians. “two minutes, that’s all I need…two minutes of meditation, and all of this will finally be over.”