Chapter 37: Incognito (3)

"It's been a week since the new Sword Maiden started training, but she doesn't show any spiritual improvement.", Xiu Zhen sat on a wooden chair inside her room.

"Yes, Lao Shi. Perhaps, we should change the training method.", Yi Fei's standing beside her.

"Change the method? Do tell me your reason."

"Yes, Lao Shi. Our Young Maiden is completely different from us, Lao Shi. She has no intention to walk closer to the gods, nor to atone her sins. She is neither righteous nor sinful, yet she is pure like water. She has walked on the right path since the first time. Nothing triggered her will to gain more spiritual power, Lao Shi, yet we need her to be strong both in physical and in mind. We have to search her the trigger."

"The trigger?"

"Yes, Lao Shi. That young child, with only one encounter, I could see her heart is as wide and as deep as the ocean. Instead of forcing her to increase physical power, we better trigger her emphaty and symphaty for her to gain an ambition to help us. Please, reconsider my suggestion, Lao Shi."

"That is reasonable. Then, tomorrow will be her day off. I would like to show her the Sheng Shui Lake, and together visit the affected villages near the middle area.", Xiu Zhen raised from her chair.

"Yes, Lao Shi."

"Beside, I must keep my eyes close on her. General Yin Ling said our Young Maiden injured His Majesty when the two had their training session."

"I beg your pardon? How could this incident never reach my ears before?"

"I have a vow to sealed my lips away, but I broke it since I will need your assistance, Yi Fei. General Yin Ling said His Majesty could not even heal his own wound, Young Maiden forbid him, as well as she forbid us to heal her whip scar. It is odd, isn't it? She had stepped over the three asuras, even the strongest one."

"It is impossible. His Highness is strong both in physical and magical. He possesses the strongest demonic power, even with no weapon nor magic in his hand he could strike down his enemies in one blink. Could it be...?"

"Yes. The two suspected her as one of the spy the heaven sent, but I did not sense any celestial power inside her. It left me an unresovled puzzle, and I could not find the answer by myself. I would need your supervision towards her too. Your eyes shall be an aid for my task."

"Understood, Lao shi.", Yi Fei bows at her master politely.

The sky is orange, dotted with the river of thin layered clouds. The sun doesn't set completely, leaving its golden light behind the high mountain. 'Crackle Crackle!', the bonfire those bandits set for grilling the wild boar's meats softly blown away by the wind. The odd smell of their meal covering the whole hideout. This hideout is far bigger than the other one. There are some tents for them resting their day, and a huge hut for keeping the loots.

"MASTER!!", The leader of the investigating group yells at a man who wore flashy garments.

"Tell me, what happened!?", This man is the one who they called as 'Master Xia'. His taste of fashion is obviously tacky. He wore golden rings on each of his fingers, three layered of golden necklaces with gems on them, golden tiger belt, and wore a bear fur coat. Somehow, judging from his appearance, he doesn't seem to be harmful or good at swinging sword. He had slender body, not really tall, and his face appeared to be mature enough, around Queen Bai Wu's age. He has a scar on his face, runs across the bridge of his nose.

"O-OUR BASECAMP HAS BEEN COMPLETELY DESTROYED!! WE'VE LOST SO MANY GREAT FIGHTERS!!"

"WHAT THE FUCK!?"

"W-WHAT SHOULD WE DO NOW!?"

"Cih! I gotta escape!!"

"B-But what about us, sir!?", one of the bandit move closer to Master Xia.

"Hmm? Oh, you have to stay in this place. Just wait for the assassins to come here and kill them. Make sure he didn't chase me, you hear me? I'll put the goods somewhere else, and when I find a new place, I'll inform you."

"Yes, sir!"

"M-Master, our friends... What should we do to them??", A young commoner pulled a cart full of mutilated dead bodies on his back.

"Yikes! Just put them inside the wood, let them be a fodder to the wild beasts or whatever, I don't care!"

"...", They are all speechless. It seems they have been used to endure their master's arrogancy.

In the other hand, one of the bandit's shadow on the ground looking darker than the others. If we look closer into his shadow, it was actually not ordinary one. There is a void inside it.

"An arrogant man with fineries, bear fur coat, and a scar on his face.... Your Majesty, I think I know that shit."

"Really? Who is he?"

The two are imitating his shadow, and hiding inside the pitch black void that Xin Suan created. It's one of his elemental ability that only him who possessed it. Once the bandit step on the imitation shadows, the void will follow wherever he went. More like a trap, but it's harmless. The two watching those bandits from below, but no one could see them nor hear their sounds.

"If I'm not mistaken, that shit is Xia Xiaoli. He comes from the Xia family, the eldest son of Xia Xiaojian, one of the highest rank of noble preta. His family runs fineries and clothing businesses that have been passed down for three generations. In one document that I read, that person is now the head of his family businesses. He is fucking rich already, why would he stole food aid for the poor people?"

"Hmm. Someone just can't hold his greediness back. It's a common story for the rich stealing from the poor."

"Ha. Greediness. I'm bored with that reason.", Yin Ling shooked his head, "Anyway, I never met him before, so I'm still not sure. I only heard a rumor about his flashy appearance."

"Well, I only know Xia Xiaojian. We've ever met him once, he was surprisingly sponsored the Royal Fete just to impress the asuras."

"Oh!! That old man with long white beard, right??"

"That's right. Me and him ever chatted for a while, he told me he had two sons and two daughters. He said his daughters are bright, pretty, and whatsoever. Then, not long after that, he sent me a proposal letter, offering his youngest daughter."

"Hey, I didn't know you had some kind of proposal story like that. What happened next?"

"I rejected it outright."

"Huh? You didn't even give her a chance to meet you in person?"

"Why should I?", Xin Suan crossed his arms.

"Wow. You are cold-hearted. You know very well it's a common tradition to meet the offered bride before the agreement."

"I don't care. I'm not interested neither about the tale of her superiorities, nor her so called beauty. Beside, I do really know he only aimed my throne. He saw a chance to climb to the highest rank of preta in this realm through political marriage just because I am as the king is still unmarried. He is foolish to ever think that way."

"Tsk tsk tsk.... Not only his son, his father is also a jerk. The fruit doesn't fall far from its tree.", Yin Ling shooked his head once again, "But I admit his courage for proposing the asura's king though."

"Ha, that was a useless courage. Then, if Xia Xiaoli is a noble, how could he received that scar on his face?"

"The rumor said he ever laid his hand on a poor woman when he travelled to western territory. He tried to drag her in bed but the girl fortunately brought a knife and cut his face. Because of anger, he chose to keep the scar instead of cure it. Quite a disgrace, right? Judging by his irritating look, I think that rumor was true."

"What a freak. That will only mark him as a pervert in front of the public.", Xin Suan flinched his eyebrows.

"Yeah. I'm sure he has no brain inside his head."

"Hmm... Xia Xiaoli, huh?", Xin Suan muttered, "I thought I've ever read his name written on the financial report that Hei She brought for me from the palace months ago. What was it....?"

"Ah!", Xin Suan snaps his fingers, "I remember it now, the report said he didn't pay the mandatory tax for the noblemen. It's been five years since his last payment."

"Huh? Does that mean his family's businesses are at the edge of their legacy? I mean, it's only once in a year to pay the tax, how could he can't afford it while he runs two huge businesses? And why didn't you send a reprimand letter to him?", Yin Ling turned his eyes to Xin Suan beside him.

"Alright, stop bombarding me with questions. I just don't like to interfere with someone else's businesses, so I gave his family a time to re-establish themselves."

"My goodness! You are too soft on them! That's why some nobles are dare enough to turn their back from their obligations to pay taxes! How could you be sure that Xia family is bankrupt? What if they simply don't want to pay anymore?"

"Relax, Yin Ling. Beside, I have ruled this whole realm over 2500 years, I'm richer than you thought. Even if some nobles aren't willing to pay the tax, I still can afford to help the poor with my personal wealth."

"It's not about riches, I'm talking about your soft side! Even myself is also wealthy, but have I ever ignored my obligations as a noble? It's their damn duties, so let them be, don't ever try to cover their mistakes! You know really well those taxes are for helping the poor, and you know really well how money could be spent as easy as breathing! Do you really think your riches is eternal? Of course not! There will be a time you'll running out of money and can't help the poor anymore! Let those damn nobles work together with us to eradicate the poverty!"

"Alright, alright, no need to shout directly to my ear like that, I heard you very well.", Xin Suan covered his left earhole with his finger.

"Ha! After this, I will meddle myself in every financial reports! Don't ever try to stop me from forcing those shits to pay the mandatory tax! Just because you aren't money hungry, doesn't mean you could let those greedy rats to do whatever they want, you know!"

"Yeah, yeah. As you wish.", This time, Xin Suan shooked his head. He can't believe he is being scolded by someone with lower rank than him.

"But now...", Xin Suan lifts his head up, "Since he is the son of a noble family, what kind of punishment shall I give to him? Killing him now will be a new problem for us. His family would definitely not accept such a sudden decision, especially since they didn't seem to know that he stole goods from the government and murdered the royal soldiers."

"Shit. You are right. Eventhough his crime is unforgivable, we still have to discuss this matter with the preta councillors. Those shifty councillors are definitely going to stand on his side than yours if they knew he is the heir of a highest rank noble."

"Hmm... Not to worry about.", Xin Suan grins evily, "If I couldn't lay my hand on him, then let something else replaces my role."

"Something else?"

"Later I'll tell you what's on my mind. Now, are you ready?", Xin Suan unsheathe his sword.

"Fuckin' yes. I'm tired already."

"Then, let the battle begin."

Xia Xiaoli packed some of the loots his minions got inside a huge gunny sack. He took away every sugar bags inside the cart of the food aid, eventhough he already promised to share those 'white gold' equally to his minions. His loyalty is very shallow and selfish just like common arrogant aristocrat. He left the basecamp alone, leaving all of his minions behind, with another pretty lies that he'd come back after he get a save place to put his loots. While the bandits started to dig some holes for burrying their fallen friends, the shadow under the shoes of a bandit moved without no one noticed.

"AAAHHHHHH!!"

"What's wrong!?", His friends running to the one that is screaming out loud.

"MY FEET!!! I CAN'T FEEL MY LEGS!!!", Both of his legs has been plugged off from where they should be.

"WHAT THE FUCK JUST HAPPENED!?"

'Blub blub blub!', The black liquid that was once a shadow on the ground starts to raise and forming into two human bodies. Everyone there is startled, they can't believe their eyes. None of them ever saw this kind of trap. When black liquid dripped off, Xin Suan and Yin Ling appeared.

"W-WHO ARE YOU!?", One of the bandit raised his sword.

"THESE ARE THE ASSASSINS! WE NEED A SUPPORT", Someone yelled at his friends behind him.

"My my my, why so in rush? We haven't even start anything yet.", Yin Ling crossed his arms.

"There are only 25 here. Are they sure there are 300 of them?", Xin Suan scans his surrounding.

"THERE ARE REALLY 300 OF US! YOU COCKY BRATS, WE WILL SEND YOU TO DEEPEST PLACE IN HELL!"

"HAHAHAHA!!", Yin Ling laughed so hard, "Look who's talking! You are the one who will be sent to hell!", Yin Ling raised his sword, along with Xin Suan.

"HEEEEAAATTT!!", One of the bandit jumps above them, raising his mace.

With one kick, Xin Suan send him flying back to the air. Xin Suan lands one of his foot on a tree trunk near him, and jumps to the mid air. When he is close to that commoner, he swing his sword and 'Thud!', His head falling from above.

'GASP!', The remaining 24 begin to panicking. They realised their enemies are way too strong for them.

"What's wrong? Feeling nervous? But there's no turning back.", Yin Ling provoked them to start the battle.

"Y-YOU INSOLENT BRATS! KILL THEM!"

"Your Majesty, let me handle these! You shouldn't stain your hands with their dirty bloods anymore!", Yin Ling jumps forward.

Yin Ling faced 20 pretas at once. His skill at murdering his enemies with less effort is no joke. Everytime he passed by his enemy, one by one they fell down. He slashed them all with no obstacle on his sword as if he is slashing the air. 4 remaining left, and they are trembling in fear. They started to plead for their lives.

"W-W-Who are you, sir!?", Young man lost his strength on his feet. He is too scared to face his enemies in front of his eyes.

"We? Oh... We are...", Yin Ling sat on the trunk near Xin Suan, "We are the White Shadows."

'What the hell this kid blabbering about?', Xin Suan glanced at him with full of confusion.

"W-W-White Shadows!? A-A-Are you guys assassins!?"

"Sort of. We called ourselves the White Shadows, while we are working in stealth, we fight for the righteousness.", Yin Ling thrust his sword on the ground.

"W-WHO HIRED YOU!?", One of them yelled.

"No one. We work with no master. We simply wants to defeat filthy rats like you. Right, Suan Suan?"

'Suan Suan? Is he losing his mind because of the toxin?', Xin Suan doesn't have any choice but to play in Yin Ling's game, "Yeah, we are... I guess."

"P-Please, sirs, spare us our lives!! We have nothing to do with Master Xia's idea, we are just peasants who simply obeyed his words!", the first young man who spoke kneeled on the ground, while his eyes bursting in tears.

"Peasants, huh? Do you know how much harm your dirty deeds have caused?"

"B-But, sir, we are all just small people! We had no choice but to steal for our poor families! Please, have a kind heart for us!"

One of those 'peasant' silently summon small black balls of bomb that contain strong magic power inside them. He covered them with his large palm, and hide it behind his back, but Xin Suan and Yin Ling are no fool, they noticed it by one stare. Once the two finished their chitchat with the young man who seemed to be purposely distracting them, that man threw the bombs away. It's exploded very strong, but the two are saved because of Yin Ling's barrier. After the dust has calmed, those remaining pretas are already dead. So it was suicidal bombs. The bombs were deliberately blown up to give a signal to the rest of them who knew where they were.

"Yin Ling, after this we will be in a real fight. I asked you once again, is your body really fine?"

"Cih! Don't worry about me, Your Majesty, that poison has completely gone from my body! You have to be worried about yourself too!"

"Fine. Then, lend me your strength, my friend."

"With pleasure."

'SWOOSHHH!!!', Rain of arrows showered them. Those arrows contains poison as well, just like what Yin Ling has faced before.

"Your Majesty!", Yin Ling summons another barrier. The poison from the arrows melting down the barrier, it gradually fades away since Yin Ling's power is almost reaching the limit.

"I will step in. You may take a cooldown time."

"B-But, Your Majesty! The poison is dangerous, even I can't handle that!"

Xin Suan stares at those heavy rain arrows above them sharply. The sun has been long gone, the sky is already dark. It becomes harder to see the arrows clearly, so it's quite impossible for them to avoid nor to slashed those arrows away from them. One mistake and they will get themselves poisoned just like what Yin Ling has to faced. There's no other way than to stop the rain from falling.

"Yin Ling, it seems they still don't understand whose territory they lived in, especially when the sun has died."

"Y-Your Majesty?"

"The darkness is my dearest friend, and I controlled its deadly power.", Xin Suan eyes glows red brightly.

"....", Yin Ling couldn't reply anything but stunned by Xin Suan red aura that covering his body, fiery in full of vigor.

The wind blows stronger than before. The arrows that were showering above them starts to fall in random direction. Xin Suan whispered something on his lips. Yin Ling's barrier has been disappeared, due to Xin Suan's dominating power. 'Ctash!', Xin Suan's hair tie broke, his unraveled long dark hair being blown away by the wind. Xin Suan's feet parting away from the ground, flying in the mid air, along with the halt of the arrow shower.

"Witness the glory of nothingness, where your sight unable to see anymore, yet your body suffer hundreds of arrows that belong to your own.", Xin Suan raised his right hand to the front.

'Swish!', The arrows that were meant to struck the two asuras above their heads are now flying away in a high speed.

"H-Huh?", One of the archer that was standing at a branch of a tree is now falling down to the ground. His chest is stabbed by the poisonous arrow that he shot by his own hands and bow. Yes, the arrows back to their own masters, stabbing them mercilessly, unstoppably. Yet their masters couldn't see anything but blindness.

".... Around 50, huh? No wonder the arrows were so much. Yin Ling, how many carts that our troops brought?"

"About 22, Your Majesty."

"Yet we only found 3. How many men that we sent as the couriers?"

"..... About 50, Your Majesty. But I don't know how many men they sent for the auxillary troops."

"We lost so many royal soldiers just because food aids. I can't believe they have the courage to show their fangs to me. Tell me, my friend, have I gotten too soft on them too?"

"I-I don't know, I can't answer such question, Your Majesty, forgive me.", Somehow Xin Suan's question gives chill to Yin Ling's neck.

"No other choice but to kill them all, the rest are still hiding. I only sense the archers and warlocks."

"Warlocks? How many?"

"Not much, about 10. They helped the arrows to fall directly on us. But now they all have been died by their own weapon."

"How about the rest? What should we do now?"

"I left only one archer to make another signal.", Xin Suan dropped himself to the ground. His red aura has been vanished, but his crimson eyes are still glowing brightly.

"This... This is not a group of bandits anymore, this is a group of rebellions! Why would Xia Xiaoli hired so many men just to rob from us!?"

"Hahaha. Rebellions, huh? Xia Xiaoli, I will make sure that person will die."