CHAPTER 173: CITY WAR
Zen raced through the city. He had seen 3 skirmishes involving the City Enforcers, Hired guards of the noble class and the Commoner’s Rebellion. He kept darting around, seeking cover, not sure what to do.
The other commoner kids he liberated had families they could run to. They had direction. All he had was the academy and the academy was what wanted him imprisoned. It was also where Shibi was and he wanted to meet up with him.
He moved from his hiding place.
“There’s one!” a noble guard shouted, having gathered rocks into the shape of a smooth wide cylinder in his hands.
Zen froze as he saw the giant cylinder about to crush him into paste. An arc of white ki met the cylinder, splitting it in half and blasting the guard away.
Zen looked at the black garbed person who launched the attack. “Hue Yi!”
“Not so loud kid.” Hue Yi said, tapping his mask. “Don’t want too many people knowing who I am before this all ends. You escaped?”
Zen nodded. “Lu Daomeng helped me and the other commoner kids.”
“I knew he could do it!”
“We need to help him though.” Zen said. “He gave up everything to help us. He’s been caught. We need to help him.”
Hue Yi took a moment to think. “I can’t veer off the mission now but I know Lu Daomeng. He is a capable man and I trust he’ll be okay.”
“But…”
“Hey!” another member of the Black Cloth Gang appeared. Beside Hue Yi.zen could tell it was female. “The academy is evacuating. They’re starting to move the noble kids.”
“Do we have the sites?” Hue Yi said.
She nodded. “In the in Easterly Area.”
“Let’s head down town and report it.”
“Wait!” Zen said. “The aacdemy is being evacuated. This is our chance, Hue Yi! We can rescue Lu Daomeng and I can get Shibi!”
Hue Yi rubbed Zen’s head like he was his little brother. “You’re a good and loyal kid Zen but you’re out of your league.” He said. “Keep your head down, survive the stormand worry about everything after.” He looked at his comrade. “Let’s go!”
They ran off leaving Zen alone.
He ran towards the academy. Ever since the whole thing started, he had been told to keep his head down during the storm. But he knew he couldn’t. It was snatching the roof above his head and blowing down the walls around him. His father, Lu Daomeng, Hue Yi would have to forgive him but he could not keep his head down. He would not. He would walk into the storm and fight!
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First he needed to be brave and go back to the academy. He needed to find Shibi.
He was getting closer and saw lots of enforcers heading hsiway. He ducked behind an alleyway and spied on them, seeing that the enforcers were leading a large group of kids. He saw his cousins amongst them and slipped in.
“Jao Fuu! Jao Cong!” he shouted as he ran behind them.
They both looked back and were shocked to see him.
“Wang Zen, you’re okay!” Cong shouted in happiness.
“We heard bad things,” Fuu said. “We heard…”
“I’m okay.” He said, looking around. “Where are my roomates, Deng Ai and Ao Li? I’m looking for Shibi and I’m hoping they may know where...”
“They don’t!” Fuu said.
“She’s right!” Cong said. “When we heard what happened we went to your room. Apparently, Shibi vanished after you were taken away.”
“He must be somewhere…” Zen said. “In the academy.”
“You can’t go to the academy.” Cong said.
“Huh?”
“Some douche breached the academy wall.” Fuu said. “The commoners are stopping anyone from fixing it. The commoners will attack.”
“She’s right, Zen’er.” He said. “That place will be a war zone and one of the most dangerous places in city, especially for noble kids.”
“I can’t abandon him.” Zen said, stopping.
His cousins stopped too.
“Shibi is my companion.” He said. “He’s my closest friend.”
“What can we do to help?” Cong said.
“…Nothing.” Zen said. “You two go, be safe. I’ll join you when I can.”
Jao Fuu nodded. “That’s real noble of you, Wang Zen.”
“Don’t say that like it’s a surprise!” Zen said.
Fuu turned and ran with with the rest of the other kids. “Come on, Cong’er! Let’s go!”
“Good luck, Zen’er.” Cong said.
“Stay safe, Coz.”
He watched as they ran.
“Wang Zen?”
The voice sounded like notes on a flute. He had never been so happy to have his name uttered. He looked at Xue Shaonu.
“We’ve got to keep moving!” one of the boys around her said.
“I’ll catch up.” Shaonu said as she walked to Wang Zen.
Zen did the same, allowing them to meet quicker.
“Wang Zen, I didn’t see you when they fetched us.”
“I wasn’t part of this group.” Zen said. “I’m going back to the academy.”
“What? No?” she said. “You’re a noble. I’m sure they’ll allow you to go with us.”
“It’s not about that.” Zen said. “Shibi might still be back there.”
“Maybe I can help you. I do owe you afterall” She said producing a scroll. “It would be better if Silicy helps. She can be your eye in the sky…”
“No.” Zen said, grabbing her hand. He realised this was the first time they had touched since their battle with Geyi Kun. “Where Silicy is, she is probably safe.”
“Then I’ll come with you.”
Zen shook his head no. “It will be easier to sneak around when I’m alone.” He unconsciously squezzed her hand before he turned and ran back to the academy.
Zen kept running with a singular focus and goal. He was approaching the academy when something leapt on him. He looked at it insurprise.
“Zen!”
“Shibi!” Zen gave him the biggest smile.
“You left me?”
“Not on purpose.” Zen smiled apologetically. “But I’m here now.”
“Hmpf!” Shibi returned to Zen’s shoulder.
Zen continued forward. “Shibi, things are getting crazy!” Zen said. “Hue Yi is planning an attack on some noble sanctuary. Shifu Lu Daomeng has been arrested. The academy is going to get attacked. The other noble kids are lucky they have a place to go.”
Zen stopped in his tracks.
“Oh no.”
“What matter?”
“Shibi, the noble kids were evacuated.” Zen said. “I remember Hue Yi talked about the place they would be taken to. I think the commoners are going to attack that. My cousins and Xue Shaonu are in danger.”