Weakest Link

Body and mind both sore from Luqing's rigorous training. Her cultivation raised by a good margin, she still remained in the Dao challenger realm.

With a deep sigh, Liuming gazed at the greenery outside as the carriage made its way out of the sect's property.

She cannot keep pace with the others.

It is a fact that tormented Liuming. Luqing assured her that in time, her cultivation will match theirs, but it wad not a luxury she can afford since she wanted to help Xiao in whatever battles may lay before her.

Perhaps some time alone in the guise of checking up on her father will aid in her reflection of what she should do moving forward.

The carriage came to an abrupt halt.

"What's going on?" Liuming asked the driver, her hired security jumping off their ride to investigate the blockade.

"It appears a group of men barred the road. Stay inside the carriage, Miss Liuming. Your bodyguard is on it now."

With bated breath, Liuming watched from a distance together with her driver as his bodyguard reasoned with the men wearing all black.

With a family as prestigious as Liuming, her bodyguard need only to explain who they are trying to cross and they will flee.

Or so Liuming thought as his body guard was sent flying with one punch. These black figures were no ordinary bandit if they can fell one of their priciest bodyguard with one blow.

"Head back to the sect, immediately!"

Doing as his employer told, the driver turned carriage around.

One of the black figures rushed swayed his hands, blasting with an earthquake that overturned the carriage.

Such mastery over the earth, these bandits are formidable!

The door punched open, Liuming crawled, bloodied and bruised.

Her footing uneven, Liuming glared at the men in black, "Do you know who I am!? You have sealed your death sentence with this ambush!"

One of the black figures laughed, mocking Liuming for her threat.

"I know who you are. You are the weakest link in Xiao's group." The man stepped forth, removing his mask to reveal the leader of the Sect Alliance.

"You...! How can the head of a renowned alliance resort to ambush!?"

"We are dealing with a force that eradicated an entire sect in one night. This Fang Xuan needs to face justice as soon as possible. We will do so by using every means necessary."

A fight Liuming had no chance of winning. This she knew well, but she something in Liuming wished to retaliate, her ego perhaps? More bruised than the injury she sustained.

From her storage ring, Liuming drew her sword. Recklessly charging at the cultivator several leagues above her.

The old man evaded Liuming's thrust with a simple tilt of his head, ducking from the slash.

Liuming left palm ejected a swathe of flames only for Taolao to kick her hand and sway her attack to the air.

A swift counter blow, Taolao kicked Liuming in the ribs.

"Aaaaah!" Liuming shrieked in pain as she hit the nearby tree.

A bloodcurdling scream that would have sent her lovers into a murderous frenzy had they been around to witness.

Taolao raised Liuming by her neck. An agonizing chokehold meant to deprive Liuming of air just enough for her to realize the gravity of the situation.

"With every passing day that Xiao fails to inform us Fang Xuan's whereabouts, we will sever a finger and send it to Xiao. Of course, you will be exempt from this agony so long as you give us the location of Fang Xuan. What say you, Liuming?"

The hand around Liuming's neck tightened, a hint about the only answer Taolao shall accept.

What need have she to hide Fang Xuan's location? A woman of her stature must not undergo this humiliation. Liuming's lips opened, ready to give the boy's location. Fang Xuan was Xiao's trouble, not hers. She was certain Xiao would understand, it was her life for Fang Xuan's.

"I know...where...he is..." Struggling, Liuming managed to say the words.

Taolao chuckled, undoing his chokehold. He knew a young mistress like Liuming would buckled under pressure. He was right to target her.

"Good, good! Now tell me the location of this Demon Child so we can be on our way."

A voilent cough to relish her neck's freedom, Liuming wasted no time in giving him the answer.

"Fang Xuan is..." Liuming grinned. "Tending the graves where you all be buried soon enough."

All of her lovers were the bravest she ever knew, sure they will not hold Liuming accountable if she gave up Fang Xuan's location but she would rather be brave beside them than cower on her own. If she cannot be as strong as them in cultivation, she will be at least in fighting spirit.

"Is that so? Then let's have him prepare one extra." Taolao's fist slammed into Liuming's gut. The impact, strong enough that she vomited blood from the strike.

Yanking Liuming by her hair, the readhead winced from the pain.

"How unwise. You choose to prolong your suffering when you could have avoided it entirely. I will ask again, tell us where Fang Xuan and we shall spare you."

Bloood spit into Taolao's eyes, Liuming laughed. In defiance there was more reprieve than the guild she could have had with giving up Fang Xuan's location. It was this courage to stand before foes far more powerful than you that let Liuming know what drives her lovers to fight the way they do.

"Go to hell, you old bastard!"

Liuming's fist traveled towards Taolao's fist. Frail and battered, Liuming's speed leave much to be desired, allowing Taolao to catch her strike.

"You never learn, stubborn brat."

A gruesome twist, Taolao broke Liuming's wrist, eliciting another agonizing scream from Liuming.

"AaAAAaaAAaHhhh!"

The broken ribs and wrist were enough for Liuming's knees to cave onto the floor, but not her spirit. Even laughing at the face of danger with bloodied teeth.

"Perhaps it is time to send Xiao and you a message."

Grabbing Liuming's own blade, Taolao twisted further Liuming's broken wrist until he forced her palm open. "You remember my threat earlier, don't you? Let us start with your thumb."

The cold steel of her sword touched the joint of her thumb, wiping off Liuming's smile. She made her decision, she will not be a coward and back down. Her heart hammering in her chest as she braced for the pain, Liuming closed her eyes and grit her teeth. She will find a way to escape soon, enduring losing a thumb is temporary.

Moments later, Taolao's robe was stained crimson.