14-Deadly

Wu Yong followed the doctor through the house. They ignored the fallen guards at the archway, meeting the servant boy under the gates. It looks like he moved the ill child closer to the entrance so he could watch the child and the courtyard. Wu Yong gripped his arms out of worry. "How is the child? Did you apply wet towels?"

The servant was trembling as he spoke. He choked on his words, "Believe me. He was barely breathing when I arrived and he was so hot the water did not cool him. I did not know how to handle the situation and when I turned back he breathed his last. Doctor, you do not have to check him anymore."

"What?" Wu Yong and Xue Qing Chu exclaimed unanimously. Wu Yong looked more frantic than the doctor. He shook his head in disbelief, muttering to himself. He shoved aside his shock to squat beside the child. The boy did not react when shook violently. It was as if his body was limp, lifeless. Wu Yong gulped.

"I think we should send him on his way with a prayer," Xue Xian Tou pulled out prayer beads and started reciting incantations for the souls of the dead. Wu Yong and the servant could only watch the calm doctor. "May the lost soul find his way to the netherworld. Let go of all grudges of this past life and never become an evil spirit. Rest well, young boy."

Wu Yong clenched his fists, hating the idea of not knowing the name of the boy. The prayer would work better if the name of the dead was uttered so with this lacking prayer, the best would be the soul wanders for the rest of eternity. If the boy truly was a beggar, his life after death would be similar to his earthly life. Wandering souls feel human conditions, fight for items and wallow in sorrow. Wu Yong shook his head, "I am sorry."

"I have not seen you visit the house before. How did you know where to find me?" Xue Qing Chu squinted under the dim light. The doctor was sure he never met the handsome man yet his face looked familiar. "You look like Wu Yong if we ever saw him clean. Your eyes are the same size and shape. If his dirty hair was washed I think it would be this length. Who are you?"

"My name is actually Wu Yong. It was a coincidence to come to this place and learn there was a man with the same name. I wonder, why would anyone call their child Wu Yong? Was the lunatic truly useless?" Wu Yong saw the servant boy react sharply to his name reveal. The boy must have believed his name was Su Yong. Ah well, a fool could only blame himself for being fooled.

"He said his name was Su Yong!" The servant yelled as he brought a hand up to point fingers.

"He said his name is Wu Yong?" Aggressive footsteps thundered behind them. Wu Yong peered behind the two man interrogating him to see Xue Liang. The young master of the house looked annoyed in his underclothes. "This rogue has the same name as the lunatic? Get him out of here."

"Wait! Your father took me in, are you able to kick me just because I remind you of that lunatic?" It felt strange to call himself a lunatic in another body but he did not let that bother him. His goal as of now is to stay with the Xue Sect for as long as possible and learn their secrets. "I am not trying to fight you. By the way, there is a dead body right outside your door. I think you should check it out."

"Xue Liang, your father found this rogue and I thought he discussed this with you. This rogue may not look like anything but he could be powerful, a great addition to the righteous sects." Xue Qing Chu inched closer to the livid master. The doctor never liked the arrogant prince of Xue house but he had to bow in his direction. "Can you forget the dead lunatic? The past is the past."

"Fine! A dead body is not my responsibility. Someone will clean it or the animals would come." Xue Liang says in disgust. He could feel a strong, deadly aura coming from the man in black so he backed down. Like a dog, he would yield and strike when he sees fit. He knows he is exhausted after a day of training while the rogue must be energetic since he does nothing all day, he would surely lose if he fought. The son of the phoenix couple retreated to his quarters.

"I must return to my patients, I beg my leave. You should rest well tonight. I heard you will be tested tomorrow." The doctor waved his arm to leave. He knew the new Wu Yong had nothing more to say so he took the chance to flee. Although he is a cultivator, Xue Qing Chu felt suffocated standing near Wu Yong. The dead lunatic suffocated him in different ways that were more bearable. The doctor shuddered as he walked away from the main courtyard. "I do not like this Wu Yong."

"Wu Yong, you should need his words and rest." The servant boy had mustered the courage to speak to the imposing man. The boy had trained with the Xue Sect for years but he was deathly afraid of Wu Yong. He could not believe the master assigned him, a measly boy, to serve and guard the man in black. If what the others said turned out to be true, the man he serves truly does not need his protection or help.

Wu Yong did not utter a word but glanced in the direction of the dead child. The disappointed man shook his head and pushed deadly urges to the back of his head. He wanted to rip the three guards apart but they were still passed out from the blows he delivered to their necks. They should regain consciousness soon but Wu Yong wished he could make their souls depart while they are still asleep. No, he still had some morals. Instead of killing them in their sleep and out in the open, he should ambush them in a deserted area and fight them fairly.

"That child did not deserve to go in such a way! Oh, if I could harm people from the Xue Sect, I would." Wu Yong massaged his temples with his fingers. He felt blood rush through his face while he looked away from the child in shame. Xue Qing Chu and the servant had urged him to rest but he knew he would not rest until he does something for the poor child.

"It was his fate, let it go." The servant led Wu Yong away from the main entrance. The boy believed in fate which was not uncommon. The Xue family, however, believed the gods created fate and the favored ones would find themselves in favourable conditions. The servant thought fate referred to destiny that would never change. "The lives of the poor seems cruel but it is life nonetheless. People come and people go."

"You," Wu Yong felt the servant freeze at the single word. He knew his tone was icy yet he could not help himself. The servant stopped guiding him and he grinned. "Do you really think that? There are a few flaws in this situation, the first being those sluggish guards. If they cared about the kid outside, it would have helped. Then, there was the issue with the location of the infirmary and the number of doctors available in the house."

"I ran as fast as I could but since the infirmary is deep inside the house, it took me a while to arrive and return with the only doctor in the house." Wu Yong paused to catch his breath. He felt passionate about the death of the nameless child. Perhaps he felt frustrated from witnessing more horrendous behavior. "There may be apprentices but I know none of them can deal with a fever that bad. Now, you tell me again that his death could not be prevented."

The servant opened his mouth to speak but the fuming man held his hand up. Wu Yong nodded mockingly. "It probably does not matter to you anyway. His death was just another normal incident. I am tired and I think it would do us good if I dismiss you right here. I do not need your service so go back to where you were. If anyone questions you, say your guest was angered by you and treated you horribly."

"I cannot leave you until you leave the manor!" The servant followed Wu Yong through the house and into the guest house. The boy did want to ditch the unreasonable man but the rules of the house must be obeyed. "You may be a visitor but remember that you are a leeching rogue. If I complain to Master Xue, you will be rubbing your behind after being thrown to the streets!"

Wu Yong came to a complete stop. He felt his eye twitch but he pushed down his rising emotions. He breathed deeply before speaking calmly. "I doubt you will. Go ahead and say the rogue is a lunatic, we shall see who Xue Xian Tou keeps. Will he side with a servant he has to pay or would he go with a rogue that could be a powerful cultivator? I think that discovering a high level cultivator and bringing him to the righteous path would boost reputation of Xue household."

"So you admit that you are a cultivator? You are a leech, a liar and a self righteous jerk! Fine," The servant stomped angrily to the tall man. He stuck a finger up in the air and shook it vigorously. "I will not cause trouble because I now know you are like a Demon. I will not waste my precious time following a rogue like you. Good night, make sure the evil spirits do not devour you tonight."

Wu Yong watched the boy, slightly amused. He raised an eyebrow as if to ask the servant if he finished slandering him. He enjoyed seeing the red faced servant trembling out of fury. "I suggest you worry about yourself. If a spirit visits you, do not come running to me but go to your master. I know you would do that anyway but I will tell you that there are some ghouls even he cannot defeat easily."

"Ha! I can hear the bluff in your voice. I am not a gullible child and I know how capable Master is. There is no entity he cannot drive away with his phoenix powers." The servant bumped shoulders with the rogue. Well, it was more like shoulder to bicep but the boy hoped Wu Yong felt the negative emotions. "We will see who gets the last laugh and who has the right to mock."

"Obviously, it is me." Wu Yong muttered as the servant retreated. With the frustrated boy gone, he returned to the guest room that was his. The bed was inviting him to sleep so he stripped off his robes and jumped right in. As his eyelids dropped he chuckled to himself. "That servant boy would be shocked to know he insulted the Demon King. He would know sooner or later."

He finally entered a deep sleep that was not disturbed by shouts or being prodded. The bed was comfortable and the silk blankets were warm, a luxury to the former Wu Yong. He slept so well he felt drunk when he woke in the morning. The servant boy had returned, standing outside the door with a large scowl on his face. Wu Yong raised his eyebrow.

"Master Xue invites you to breakfast. There was talk of him discovering your identity and I assume he would be glad to serve you. I am just a mere servant, I can only relay his sincere words to you." The boy scanned the shadowy man from his head to his toes. He shook his head politely. "No, black is a deadly color. Change into the colors of Xue Sect."

"Dark blue and purple? I am afraid the bandits stole my brighter clothes and I do not think a student will offer me their uniform." Wu Yong had to make himself sound like he was a total stranger of the house to the servant. Of course, he knew the closets always had a set of Xue Sect uniforms ready. Guests who wore unlucky colors could be mistaken for disciples.

"Here are the clothes you should wear. You hair, shoes and underclothes are acceptable. I will go tell my master you are preparing to meet him. If you need help finding their dining room, ask anyone." The servant pulled out neatly folded clothes and set them on the table. He started fir the door, eager to escape the room. "Make sure you wear them!"