Legend of the Fire Sword

Somewhere in ancient China, in an area called the Xiyang Forest, a group of bounty hunters were traversing the forest, led by their leader, a famous and renowned swordsman. They were all wearing heavy clothing and thick armor, holding several weapons each. They have gathered together for a reason, so that they can get the prize, one that is worth dying for.

They had been traveling for days, and the path so far has been rough and dirty, but it was nothing to these hardened warriors. One of the bounty hunters suddenly heard a sound in the trees and gasped. Upon seeing nothing, he thought nothing of it and shrugged it off, thinking that he was just seeing things. But then he saw a shadow amongst the trees, and then he grew nervous. "Sir, are you sure this place is safe?" he asked. "We are entering the Valley of Death, home of the legendary War God!"

"Why do you think we came all this way? To be able to fight the strongest swordsman that has ever lived, doesn't the thought of that excite you?" replied the leader.

"But sir, the War God is said to have killed all those who trespass in this valley. According to legend, no one has ever seen him and lived."

"Bah, what nonsense are you speaking?" replied the leader. "Do not tell me you are scared? We do not know if he even exists. And even if he does, he will be no match for us. Each one of us is the best in what we do, so we have nothing to fear. Now keep marching!"

The bounty hunter stayed silent, not uttering a word as the men marched on, and he stared at the wilderness. He was still not convinced that they are completely safe, but he did not want to get left behind, so he quickly followed the group.

Little did he know, his suspicions were correct. He did not know who or what was following them, but they were not safe. A silhouetted figure observed the group from the trees. He was wearing a straw hat and rogue clothing. After observing, he jumped away.

The hunter saw a glimpse of someone jumping in the trees. It was so quick it could have been anything, even a mosquito. He shrugged it off. Whoosh, whoosh. That sound again. Something was not right.

"Sir, I really think we are being followed." said one of the hunters.

"Bahhh!" said the leader. "Am I surrounded by a bunch of cowards? If you guys are scared, then you can turn around and go home. From this point on there is no turning back. Now keep marching!"

Doosh doosh doosh. The straw hat warrior snuck up from behind the group and attacked the last guy in line. "Agh!!" After only a second, he was already dead.

Everyone turned around and saw the warrior in the straw hat.

"Who dares trespass into the Valley of Death?" said he.

The bounty hunters grew nervous. "It is him…it really is him…the legendary God of War!" one of them shouted.

"Ha," said the leader, "Today is my lucky day. I get to meet the famous War God himself…once I kill you I will become the strongest fighter in the entire country! Now, charge!!"

All the bounty hunters charged at once. "Yaaaah!"

The War God, with his straw hat covering his face, remained calm and still. "All those who trespass must die." His left hand held onto his sheath and he cocked his thumb against the sword's handle, popping it out a little. His right hand grabbed the pummel and drew his sword out all the way. Scchhhing. What he held was the legendary Fire Sword, one of the strongest weapons in the entire world, said to be imbued with sorcery. A second later, the blade glowed red and it caught fire. Froom!

The bounty hunters saw the fiery blade but they were already running and full of adrenaline so they continued charging without stopping.

In an instant, the War God charged forward with lightning fast speed and slashed the warriors one by one. Slish! Slash! Each one of them was killed in one hit. They never stood a chance…and now the group of seven was down to one.

The leader was shocked beyond belief. "This c-cannot be…"

"It is your turn." said the War God.

"No!! You die!" The brute screamed and charged forward and raised his sword to the air. Whoosh!

The War God ducked, avoiding the swing, and stabbed the brute in the stomach. Slish! His blood dripped on the ground as he felt the throbbing pain in his stomach. The brute looked down and saw the metal embedded into his own flesh and it was at that moment when he realized he has no hope of surviving.

The warrior in the straw hat pulled his sword out of the brute's stomach, and he fell to the ground and he was surrounded by a pool of blood, his own blood.

The grass became red and tainted with their corpses and the War God walked away as silently as he came.

It was a busy day as usual in the province of Yi Ling, the capital city of the Kingdom of Shen. A certain man was sitting down and eating in his favorite restaurant, quietly minding his own business and sipping his tea. The restaurant is usually loud and filled with lots of people, but today there are less people so it is relatively peaceful.

Since this is the capital, the people here are always busy and doing business. A lot happens in this city, but none of that concerns this young man. He did not care about living the life of a high lord. He is considered to be a peasant, but life as a peasant is not so bad.

The silver haired man was staring out the window at the street. Everyday hundreds of people come in and out of Yi Ling. He wonders if one of those people can be his sister. He hasn't seen her in over ten years, and it as been a very painful journey searching for her. She just disappeared one day without warning, and Alex Cheng has been looking for her ever since.

Outside, a group of brutes were making a commotion. Hua and his gangster friends were joking and laughing loudly in an annoying way. People who walked by glanced at them, and went about their way, not wanting to get involved with these annoying people. Not only were they loud, but their physical appearance was not to die for either. They were wearing ragged clothing, torn, smelly, and their pants were rolled up. They also carried swords and other hidden weapons in their bags and clothes.

Coming into the restaurant, Hua went over to Alex's table. He sipped his tea, and noticed a shadow covered him.

"Can I help you, gentlemen?" Alex asked politely.

"Heh." The brute put one leg on the chair. "You are sitting on my table. I dislike people who sit on my table."

"Your table?" Alex replied.

"That is correct. Everybody in this neighborhood knows Hua. And this is my table."

"How is this your table? It does not have your name on it."

"Hey boss," said another brute. "He just talked back to you."

Hua grunted and laughed. He grabbed Alex by the collar. "Look boy, I've been sitting at this table every week. If you're smart you'll leave now. Unless, of course, if you want trouble." Then he let him go.

Alex fixed his shirt, and then got up. "I am sorry to have caused you trouble." he said reluctantly. But of course, on the inside he did not mean that. He wanted to beat the living daylights out of these brutes. But violence is not the answer, and he walked away.

"Hold it." said Hua.

Alex stopped without looking at him. "What is it?"

"Don't forget to bow down the next you see me."

Alex walked on as the gangsters laughed. Today is not the day to start a fight. He just wants to drink his tea peacefully and not cause any trouble. He had a sword on him, but so do the brutes.

Life is not easy in Yi Ling, the capital of Shen. Making a living is making a living while living. Mess with the wrong people, and you and your family are pretty much screwed for the rest of your life.

Even though Yi Ling is a heavily guarded area, the imperials have no power over the street gangsters, hooligans, loan sharks and other punks who live on the borderline of the law. They can pretty do anything they want and get away with it, whether it be theft, assault, rape, or even burning down someone's house.