《Poison Dragon: The Six Heavens Slaughtering Poison》


 The Young Dragon - Chapter 1.1

    Chapter 1: The Young Dragon


    Another day came to light, and with it, came the sun illuminating the four corners of the Great Empire of China.


    In one of the tallest mountains on its whole territory, the sun also illuminated a particular courtyard, inside an enormous fortress that surrounded the whole mountain. This was the home of the strongest of all Wulin clans, the House of The Flying Dragons of the Dragon Mountain. This particular courtyard was also home of one of its six elders, Elder Ling.


    The courtyard was extremely big and elegant, with room for almost a hundred people. In its center, stood an elevated arena, where five youngsters stood. Around the arena, there were many other people, their age ranging from their teens to young adults. They all wore the same red and golden robes, with different degrees of embroideries.


    Four of the five men on the arena slowly circled the last of them, in combat stances and with tense faces. The one standing in the center, in comparison, seemed extremely relaxed, with a slight smile on his lips and a confident look in his eyes. He was in combat stance but his seemed far less threatening than the one used by the others. Suddenly, everything was still.


    Then the wind blew, leaves floated from the ground and the stillness of the combat was violently broken. With a yell and an explosion of strength, the biggest of the squad of four attacked his opponent. His hands curled as claws and his knees doubled back as he flew toward his enemy. Before he could reach the sole fighter, one of his allies also attacked simultaneously, dashing low and sweeping his legs towards the man''s ankles.


    The fast and fierce pincer attack should grievously wound a normal man. The claw technique coupled with the man''s muscle was enough to tear boiled leather, while the fast sweeping kick looked powerful enough to break bones. But the one who faced it did so without even twitching. The slashing claws were diverted midair as the man snaked his hands between them and pulled down the attacker''s wrists. Using the momentum of the attack coupled with his own jump, the sole fighter switched places with his attacker and sent his burly enemy flying towards the incoming attack from his back.


    Both the attackers stumbled over each other and sprawled on the ground. Before the defender could catch a breath, however, the other two opponents also attacked. They moved together and their stance - a variation of the Golden Ape Style, judging by the raised elbows and fists and their bared chests - indicated they intended to use grappling and immobilization techniques to subdue their foe. An obvious move when having superior numbers.


    But the lone warrior would have none of it. Faced with the new threat, he immediately changed stances. Before any of the two new opponents could realize what he was doing or what was his new stance, he took the opportunity of surprise and advanced with inhuman speed. His move was strange, and not many of the present recognized it before its completion. Those that did, bulged their eyes out with surprise. He rushed at one of the grapplers, jumped, and curled his knees midair. As he reached the ground, his arms punched the ground back as his legs extended with a double kick. The Golden Ape Style was good for defending attacks but wasn''t nearly as good for dodging them. Before the grappler could even blink, his abs were kicked with the force of a raging bull. In fact, that was precisely the style the man had changed to: The Style of The Raging Bull.


    The man was sent flying and fell off the arena, groaning on the ground outside. The other Golden Ape fighter was stunned by astonishment.


    The move used was the hardest of the set of moves the style had. One had to focus years of sole training in the style to achieve that. And everyone there knew that the young man fighting against them wasn''t a Raging Bull Martial Artist. In fact, he was something far, far more terrifying.


    Before the Golden Ape fighter could rearrange his thoughts though, the raging bull came for him too. The fighter immediately protected his guts, fearing to suffer the same fate of his friend. But to his surprise, no double kick came. Instead, as his opponent reached the ground, instead of punching it and using it as a support for a full body attack, he used it as a pivot, to sweep his legs at the grappler''s ankles with the speed of the wind. Wind God Style, the kicking technique previously used against him in the battle.


    The ape-like man immediately lost his ground as he rotated in the air and fell sideways in the ground. He tried to grab the leg in a wrestling technique of the Golden Ape, but it had immediately retreated after sweeping him down. It was replaced for claw-like fingers that came for his throat: a Style of The Fierce Tiger technique. The fingers raised his head by the throat with the sharpness of iron pincers and even caused blood to flow in the places caught by the nails. The grappler immediately saw another claw coming for his face and yelled at the top of his lungs...


    "I give... Aaaarrrrggg!" His words were replaced by a moan of extreme pain as his eyes were hacked by the lone fighter''s fingers


    He closed his eyes and curled himself against the ground, cowering from any more damage.


    But the fighter was already up and gone, facing toward the other two enemies left. They had just managed to detangle themselves from each other and paled as they saw the ruthless actions of their opponent. The one that had used the Wind God Style was trembling as he whispered...


    "I surrender... " As he backed off with a terrified face and jumped from the stage without even looking at his ally.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    The last fighter was the burliest of them all, and had an heroic appearence. He had sharp eyebrows and close cropped hair. There were even a few scars on his face to fully compose his dangerous demeanor. To couple his appearence, he was the one that also used The Fierce Tiger Style, one the styles know for its extreme agressiveness and ruthlessness. Right now, he was staring at his opponent with furious defiance. Comparing his aura with that of the lone warrior was akin to putting together a fiery inferno with a deepless pound of stillness.


    The lone warrior had black long and silky hair reaching his waist, his young beardless face was beautiful as that of a lady, with straight nose and arcing eyebrows. His build was medium sized and only his eyes and smile denounced his true colors: eyes twikling with liquid arrogance and a smile that proclaimed his superiority to his peers. By now, even if no one there knew who he was, they would have know what he was: a peerless genius.


    "Junior Brother Zhang, you should know better... " The genius said with a laugh. "There was no other outcome from challenging me, no matter with how many helpers. A Dragon can''t be defeated by numbers. Your friends there on the ground know it now, and so should you. Be wise like that one, and be gone." He said pointing his finger to the fighter that had surrendered and stood outside the arena, kneeling with his head down in shame.


    His speech only made Tian Zhang more furious. He spat on the ground and sneered back. Junior brother? He was far older than the boy, barely an adult with his nineteen years of life. Tian Zhang lived and trained in the House of The Flying Dragons since his birth, almost three decades past. He was a core disciple for almost ten years and recognized as one of the strongest fighters of the clan.


    "Dragon? You are not that good Long. No matter what style you train in or what techniques you have, you will never be anything more than an annoying brat. Never forget that you are only alive because of the mercy of our elders and that the Long on your name is just a pretty label to comfort the abandoned bastard you are..!"


    The words spoken by Tian Zhang left the whole audience there gasping for air. Everyone knew that the number one genius of the House of The Flying Dragons was an abandoned child left at their gates as a baby, but no one ever voiced it. He was taken by the Clan Master himself, and given the surname of the House coupled with the name of its founder: General Tian Long, The Heavenly Dragon of China, a warrior of unmatched fierceness famous for centuries for his feats in the Wars of Unification of The Great Empire of China.


    The abandoned child talents were displayed already in his first years of life when he mastered the basics before his eight years of age and moved to learn the styles of the House before his tenth year: The Golden Ape, The Fierce Tiger, The Wind God, The Flowing River and many more. In his teens, he was already stronger than all of the outer disciples, and he managed to become a core disciple before reaching fifteen when most of those were at least thirty years old.


    At that point, the old Clan Master had chosen him to be one the sole two inheritors of the House''s martial arts. As he grew, less and less people in the House could match him. For a few years, he didn''t even train with his peers anymore. The only ones who faced him were the clan Deacons, inside closed doors. Now, at nineteen, no one but them knew of the highs his martial arts had reached, or how many styles he had mastered.


    But together with his geniality, another trait Tian Long had also become known for throughout his years in The House was his extreme arrogance and pride. With no foes able to match him, he was not one to be humble about it. He considered himself above others and had no intention of hiding it. It made him disliked by most, but so what? What could they say? Wasn''t he, indeed, a dragon among men?


    To hear another man say those words Tian Zhang had just said, exposing the only indignity in his life, everyone could predict what they would see now. Elder Liang, who watched in a raised dais by the side, was already troubled by the violence used by Tian Long before. When he heard those words, he knew he would have to stop the challenge, or Tian Zhang would suffer great loss. What he did not expect was the extent of the fury erupted from Tian Long or the immensity of his true achievements in The Martial Path.


    Before Elder Liang could even say a word, it was as if a heavy blanket was thrown all over the crowd. A supernatural pressure downed on everyone present, including Tian Zhang. He immediately regretted uttering the words he had just said, even though he believed them. But it was too late. There was no pill for regret.


    Many did not understand what was happening, and those who did, could not believe it. What could that pressure be, if not the agglomeration of Heavenly Qi? And if there was Qi present at the scene, who else could be using it but those fighting? But the problem laid precisely there. Those fighting where youngsters. Genius disciples, but young men nevertheless.


    One has to know that controlling Qi represents the peak of the Martial Path. The styles were created by powerful martial experts who could find ways to weave small amounts of environment Qi in their techniques. Those training in it could subconsciously use those techniques to tread the Martial Path and achieve inhuman feats. To be able to break through those techniques and control your own Qi was the mark of reaching the peak. The only thing above it was the Path Of Immortals, but those were only legends. Those to pursue it were all old fogies who isolated themselves inside mountain caves to never be seen again.


    A martial artist could train from his childhood to his hundredth year at most. At that age, even though their bodies could look young, fit and strong as that of a young man, their mind could not endure for much longer. Considering those hundred years of training, a dedicated and perseverant martial artist would spend on average forty of his years mastering the styles before starting considering to seek the control of Qi. Then he would have to ponder for decades on the nuances of the heavenly laws, the universe, and life. The Heavenly Dao. Only after one reached a certain understanding of the Dao, would one start to feel the presence of Qi, and eventually, be able to control it. That usually would happen to a talented martial artist in his sixties. One would already be considered a genius to do so in his fifties.


    But here it was an unprecedented event. Tian Long, the young dragon of the House of The Flying Dragons was agglomerating Qi before his twenties. And doing so innately, as his fury rose. His arrogant expression changed from disdain to utter scorn, like that of someone who sees a filthy cockroach daring to sully his image in public. His stance shifted and it was as if the heavens and the wind shifted with it. The blood flow of the public and the lifting and downing of the leafs of the trees synchronized with his own breathing. He could feel the connection with the world: he was part of it, like a force of nature. As such things go, anything that faced him would give way. It was only natural.


    And then it came. The Flying Dragon Style, first move. Spiraling Scales.

 The Young Dragon - Chapter 1.2

    In an explosion of movement and energy, it was as if Tian Long flew. He spiraled, graciously, and for a moment, everyone there was seeing a dragon. As for the wind? Didn''t it sound like the roar of a distant beast?


    But it was only for a moment. Because immediately after that, the flight ended with a powerful flying kick, straight into the chest of Tian Zhang. It was as if he was hit by a catapult, as he was sent flying straight into the courtyard wall, more than a dozen meters away.


    At that moment, Elder Liang knelt at his raised dais. Sweat was all over his face, and only he knew what had truly transpired. As soon as he felt the pressure, even though he was stunned speechless, he also acted as fitted of his title. Even though there was no chance he could stop Tian Long, he started to condense his own Qi. When the flying kick was almost reaching Tian Zhang, he used it to form a barrier around the man and reinforce his body. The fact Tian Zhang was still sent flying like a rag doll only spoke for the strength of the attack. Had Elder Liang not acted, maybe the spectators would be showering in bits of blood and guts.


    That was a truth that not even Tian Long was aware of. After all, even though he could indeed feel the Qi, he was by no means an expert. In fact, he had not even ever felt so powerful. Even though he had mastered the first move of the Style of The Flying Dragon, it was never this powerful. It made him a little surprised, but not that much. He was, after all, a young dragon, so was it not expected such feats from him? Maybe he would have felt more surprised if Elder Liang had not blocked most of his move strength without his knowledge.


    When the fog of Qi - and pure surprise - lifted from the spectator''s minds and hearts, there was a flurry of exclamations and movement from the stands. The people yelled in exasperation, astonishment, indignation, and admiration. All those emotions directed at the sole young man still standing atop the arena. A few of the more responsible disciples moved to check on Tian Zhang and among them was Elder Liang. He, among all the other spectators, knew better the true danger faced by the young man sent hurling. Even though his Qi had protected his exterior well enough, what about his insides? Was Elder Liang''s Qi enough to protect the man?


    Slumping on the cracked wall, Tian Zhang was found with life, but unconscious. The back of his head was bleeding a little and his back was bloody and flayed. Nevertheless, he was at least alive. As the nephew of another Elder, if Tian Zhang had died under his watch, he would lose all his face among the other Elders. He might even suffer retaliation.


    Once he realized how close of misfortune he had been by simply offering his training grounds for an exchange of pointers between disciples, his heart surged with rage. How dare Tian Long do that? So much talent, so much power, all spent on a youth so devoid of filial values. It was a disgrace. No one should have such power at such young age, and much less someone so domineering


    But nevertheless, he was a personal disciple of the Clan Master, and there was nothing Elder Liang could do to Tian Long without the express permission of his master. Still, he had to save some face for himself. So, after sending his disciples to carry Tian Zhang to the Healing Hall, he turned with a serious face and walked to the arena, where Tian Long still stood with a thoughtful expression.


    "Tian Long! What is the meaning of this? Don''t you have any brotherly feeling for your fellow disciples? Don''t you have any respect for your House of The Flying Dragons? How dare you harm your brothers in such manner! They are part of our clan just as you are!" Elder Liang reprimanded Tian Long with his true feelings. It was not enough for a clan to have genius disciples like Tian Long. The House of The Flying Dragon was the biggest and strongest clan in the whole China due to its power in its entirety. The disciples residing and training in the House the whole year ranged somewhere between ten and fifteen hundred, aside from the Elders, Deacons, and Protectors.


    Outside the house, formed from disciples who choose to leave the House, they also had control over an army of over three thousand warriors, the Dragon Army. They were elite soldiers and served as a link between the Wulin and the mundane society, following only direct orders from the House and the Emperor of China himself.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    The house also owned lands awarded to the founder, General Tian Long, for his exploits during the Unification Wars. It was with those rewards he created the House, which now expanded his fortune and influence several folds in both the Wulin world and the mundane society, reaching terrifying degrees.


    And more than anything, The House of The Flying Dragons had a reputation, and because of this, there could not ever be a disciple to walk so blatantly around the House wrecking such havoc, no matter how promising. The House of The Flying Dragons was a dynasty, more powerful than any single man, genius or not. Knowing that such brat had been awarded by the heavens with such talent and chosen by the Clan Master as one of the sole inheritors of the Style of The Flying Dragon made Elder Liang want to puke blood.


    Even with the reprimand, though, Tian Long did not look even slightly repentant.


    "I have nothing but respect and gratitude for The House of The Flying Dragons. This is my home, the only place I know and want to know. Seeing the House reach the highest heights in the Martial Path is my biggest dream. And I will be the one leading it!" He yelled with a fiery passion in his voice.


    "I do this precisely because of my love for this House! This is a house of dragons. Those that are not dragons, should become. And those who are not should know their places!" With those words, he turned around from Elder Liang, and looked, towards the other disciples.


    "You are all weak! But you are also disciples of the House. So honor it! Become Dragons! Try harder! If not, you should leave this place. When I become the Clan Master, there will not be such allowances. We don''t need failures." And then he walked down the arena and left the courtyard in heroic and slow steps, leaving a stunned and silent audience.


    How could a person have such little sense? Weak? They were all core disciples of the strongest martial clan in the Empire of China! The most talented young martial artists from the whole world! Try harder? All of them had risen from the ranks of outer disciples through diligence and hard work! There were no slackers there! Even though they were surely weaker than Tian Long, the difference was not enough for him to be so arrogant! Besides, not everyone would be so blessed by the heavens to be born with such talent as him! As for being Clan Master? Even though the Clan Master was ill and moribund, how could he so blatantly declare himself to be the next Clan Master? Wasn''t Tian Wang, Elder Yan''s son, also an inheritor of the Style of The Flying Dragon?


    The huge absurdity of the few sentences said by Tian Long was such that it took a long time for the core disciples to process it. Feelings of rage and indignation rose from the hearts of his audience, but Tian Long was long gone before they could voice it.


    Elder Liang was just as shocked as everyone else by the words said by Tian Long. Thinking about it, though, he understood from where such insanity came from. The boy had been raised inside the House, among Deacons, Protectors, Elders and the Clan Master himself. A place where the strength of the fist was all that mattered and where your standing among your peers was defined by your achievements on the Martial Path. He never left the House and never had anyone to teach him better. He probably knew nothing about the various functions a person could apply himself for in the real world. The many talents one could have and the many values someone could show.


    ''He is barely human... Just a shell, sculpted solely to pursue the Martial Path...'' Thought Elder Liang. A broken young man, blinded by his environment and his own power. It would not have been so bad if he was a regular disciple, but Tian Long... he was an inheritor of the House. He could possibly become their leader in the future. There was no doubt, that with the talent and power he had displayed on that day, Tian Long would be the top expert on the whole China in a few years time. But this fact only made the doubt in the heart of Elder Liang grow stronger.


    Was this kind of leader someone the world needed? Or even more importantly, was this the kind of leader The House of The Flying Dragons wanted?


    Unknowingly to Tian Long, on that day, the biggest storm that he would experience in his whole life started to brew. It would be a storm so violent that no ordinary man would be able to stand. The kind of storm that topples kingdoms and changes the tides of time.


    But of course, Tian Long had never been an ordinary person, and this storm was also the kind that fell arrogant young dragons and gave rise to the few true dragons that this world has ever seem. And thus it would become the beginning of a legend.