《Oni Buster: The Prodigious Cultivator Returns to a Demon Apocalypse》


 Chapter 1: The Cultivator Returns

    A gust carried the scent of fresh blood through the air. Despite the pungent scent, Yaihan marched forward. The sun was setting, casting an orange glow across the jagged land. The cultivator paid no mind to the strong aroma; instead, his eyes focused on the jagged cliff that separated the beach from the mainland. He stepped over the jagged stones that dotted the sands of the beach and looked up at the steep wall of stone before him.


    Another gust rushed by, this time carrying with it the scent of seawater. The wind rustled the short black hair that he kept in a tidy ponytail, moving his bangs out of place so they obscure his eyes. With a single flick of his head, he set the loose strands back in place. Yaihan then spread his legs. He took in a deep breath. Then closed his eyes.


    He widened his stance. Then bent his knees. Yaihan propelled himself in the air with a single jump, creating a small crater in the sand as his body soared to the height of the cliff side. He landed on solid ground, gracefully placing one foot on the dusty surface. The metallic stench of blood still lingered, only intensifying at the new altitude.


    Yaihan walked forward, dusting off the sand that got on his already-tattered robes. Another gust blew past him, setting his loose hair astray again. With a tile of his neck the long strands that covered his face drifted to the side, giving him a clear view of what was ahead.


    Three silhouettes drew closer. One was significantly smaller than the other two; it took the shape of a limping man. Two more shadows followed behind, towering over the lone individual that staggered across the rocky terrain. Their form was almost human-like, but far more warped. The two taller shadows swayed with an enthusiastic demeanor, showing their enlarged arms and pointed fingers with each step.


    Yaihan moved faster, soon coming close enough to the hobbling man to see him fully. He wore light armor; chain mail covered his upper body, and a dull bronze helmet protected his head. He turned around to his pursuers, looking more terrified before stumbling over himself and falling to the ground. Yaihan ran to the fallen man¡¯s aid, rolling him onto his back and cradling him in his arms.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother helping me...¡± the soldier said in a shaky voice. Now in his hands, Yaihan examined the soldier¡¯s injuries. The chain mail was stained red at the hip, his blood leaking onto the cultivator¡¯s hands. Yaihan looked into the soldier¡¯s reddened eyes. Despite his pain, the wounded man fought to stay upright and point behind Yaihan. ¡°They¡¯re going to get both of us!¡±


    A pair of shadows cast over the two men. Their warped proportions caught Yaihan¡¯s attention while making the injured man tremble in fear as he tried to get back on his feet. The cultivator turned his head around.


    Two demons towered over the pair of men. Their skin was a crimson red, making the dark purple veins that coursed over their muscular builds even more apparent. Both were nearly naked save for the armored belts that covered their hips and the tattered cloth that draped over their waist. Each one carried a long weapon, hidden by their massive bodies as they dragged them across the ground.


    Both stared down at the men, cackling at Yaihan and the wounded soldier at his side. As they laughed, they revealed a set of jagged and sharp teeth along with a narrow and pointed tongue.


    Their eyes were pitch black, just as dark as the wild hair they had fastened into a messy ponytail behind their heads. One pointed at Yaihan, showing off the long, knife-like nails at the end of his fingers. ¡°Look at this fool!¡± he mumbled in a guttural voice. ¡°Instead of fleeing, he stays to comfort a dying man!¡±


    The other demon smiled as he put one boney hand over his gut. ¡°You¡¯d think he wouldn¡¯t know anything about the Oni-Zhen!¡± He let out an evil laugh as he dropped his weapon to the ground. Yaihan eyed the fallen sword that looked to be made of scrap. Attached to a lazily shaped hunk of wood was a long piece of contorted metal roughly the size of a person.


    ¡°You¡¯d be right,¡± Yaihan said in a calm voice. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of the¡­ Oni-Zhen.¡± He lowered the wounded shoulder on his back and turned around to face the pair of demons behind him. ¡°Perhaps you could enlighten me.¡±


    ¡°This fool thinks he¡¯s funny!¡± the first demon barked. ¡°I can appreciate humor in the face of certain death!¡± He stepped forward, bending his neck so his chin pressed against his neck so he could peer down at Yaihan. Several feet separated their height. The top of Yaihan¡¯s head came up to just beneath the Oni-Zhen¡¯s chest. Despite the difference in size, the cultivator maintained a steady stance.


    ¡°It¡¯s not often you¡¯ll see a regular human standing in front of an Oni marauder!¡± the second demon said. ¡°They usually lack the courage to face us head on!¡±


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    ¡°Or perhaps this one is just stupid,¡± the first demon said. His smiling expression turned into one of annoyance. ¡°I¡¯ve already grown bored with your jokes. Why do you not run like the others? Are you looking to become one of us?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Yaihan said sternly, maintaining eye contact with the demon. ¡°I¡¯m here to help a man in need,¡± he replied while pointing at the wounded soldier. He sat up as best as he could, as his eyes darted between Yaihan and the demons.


    ¡°He must be setting up some kind of trap!¡± the second demon cried. ¡°There must be Xiwaoan forces hidden somewhere, ready to ambush us!¡±


    Yaihan looked around. ¡°Where could an army possibly hide? There¡¯s nothing here but dirt and a steep cliff. You think a Xiwaoan soldier could scale the cliff in time to assist me? Let alone with weapons and armor.¡±


    ¡°Just kill him,¡± the second demon commanded. He bent over and picked his weapon off the ground with one hand. ¡°I¡¯ve grown tired of this man¡¯s feigned stupidity. Whatever he has planned, make sure he doesn¡¯t get a chance to see it through.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± the demon towering over Yaihan said with a grunt. He held his stone club in one hand and bounced it against his other palm. ¡°Pillaging has worked up my appetite and I could go for a snack!¡± The Oni stuck out his long, forked tongue and licked his lips.


    ¡°Try not to smash them too hard this time. I don¡¯t like my meat to be too tender,¡± the second demon chuckled.


    The first demon held the handle of his weapon with both hands. He hoisted the blunt rock high above his head and peered down at the cultivator. Yaihan took a martial stance; he spread his legs apart and bent his knees slightly. His hands formed a pair of fists while his eyes focused on the granite weapon as its jagged edges glistened in the sun.


    ¡°Thank you for making it easy for us!¡± the demon said to Yaihan with a smile. He held his weapon straight above his head. ¡°A human with the tiniest bit of sense would have fled by now!¡±


    Yaihan remained silent.


    The Oni followed through with his swing. He brought the club down in a single motion, sending the edge crashing towards Yaihan. Just before the weapon stuck, Yaihan punched upward, intercepting the stone bludgeon with his fist. Countless bits of granites scattered across the ground while others flew into the Oni¡¯s face at a fierce velocity. The first demon staggered back, dropping what little remained of his club on the ground as his hands covered his eyes.


    ¡°Gah! I-I can¡¯t see!¡± As his fingers covered his face, drips of black blood trailed down his face. Embedded throughout the exposed parts of his body were bits of gray granite.


    ¡°H-How...?¡± the other demon said in shock as he watched his partner collapse to knees and groan in agony. He pulled his hands away from his eyes and to prop himself over the ground. He then turned to Yaihan; his smug demeanor having shifted to one of terror. ¡°You can¡¯t be human!¡±


    ¡°But I am,¡± the cultivator replied calmly. ¡°Just as much as this man behind me.¡±


    The still-standing demon clenched his fists and angled his weapon to place it between himself and Yaihan. ¡°You must be some secret weapon that the Xiwaoan army has... summoned! Or made a pact with! You¡¯re a different breed of demon!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not employed by the Xiwaoan army. I work for no one.¡± Yaihan stepped forward, walking past the sobbing Oni to face the other demon. The other took a few steps back, shaking his sword with his trembling hand.


    ¡°Stay back!¡± he said. ¡°I-I¡¯ve killed hundreds of humans! You think I¡¯m scared of some... spell that you cast? It was just a trick¡­ a gimmick!¡± The Oni feigned a chuckle and regained his composure. He stood upright and stopped retreating. He brought his sword back, prepping for a horizontal slash at Yaihan¡¯s head. ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s all that was. A trick! Some desperate spell you cast. We were promised that no mere human could best us. And I¡¯ll prove it! Right now!¡±


    The Oni started to swing, but before the sword could come close to Yaihan, the cultivator struck the demon in the knee with a hook from his right hand. There was a thunderous crack upon impact, followed by the demon toppling to the side. He released his weapon as both hands pressed against what remained of his knee.


    ¡°Gah!¡± the demon moaned, sniffling with tears coming from his eyes. ¡°W-What did you do?¡± He looked down and slowly moved his hands that were soaked in his own black blood. Shattered white bone jutted out of his red flesh, cutting through muscle and skin. ¡°What spell grants you that strength?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know magic,¡± Yaihan answered as he stood over the sobbing¡¯s demon''s head. The Oni looked away from his injury and then at the stoic cultivator standing over him.


    ¡°T-Then how? Even Oni-Zhen aren¡¯t capable of such power!¡±


    ¡°A decade of training,¡± Yaihan replied as he cracked his knuckle.


    ¡°Lies! If you¡¯re going to kill me, at least answer my question truthfully!¡±


    ¡°I did. I¡¯ve been nothing but honest with you. And now that I¡¯ve fulfilled your request, I think it¡¯s time to put an end to our conversation.¡±


    The Oni closed his eyes and turned his head away. His lips quivered, ready to say something, until Yaihan silenced him with a single jab to the forehead. The sound of soft flesh exploding echoed throughout the barren area. The other demon winced when he heard the sound while the injured soldier turned his head away from the gruesome scene. Yaihan shook off the bits of gore with a flick of his wrist. He turned around to face the wounded man until he noticed the first demon hobbling back up to his legs.


    The cultivator reached for the slain demon¡¯s sword. He held it by the hilt, and with a spin, threw it with enough force for it to soar towards the demon. The jagged blade pierced through his ribs, making the Oni wail in distress before collapsing on his side. With both demons now neutralized, Yaihan returned to the injured soldier. He lifted him by the back and looked into his eyes.


    ¡°W-Who are you?¡± the soldier asked with the remaining breath he had.


    ¡°Yaihan. Yaihan Wu-Shun.¡±

 Chapter 2: Questions and Answers

    "T-Thank you, Yaihan," the soldier rattled. "I''ve never seen a single man take on... an Oni. Let alone two." As the injured man tried to set himself upright, he moved his hand to cover his wound while letting out a faint grunt. The cultivator angled the man upwards with his arm and looked into his eyes.


    "Don''t struggle too much. You''ll only hurt yourself further," Yaihan said. ¡°You deserve some rest.¡±


    The dying man struggled to put on a smile. "You''ve done something that no other Xiwaoan has. I''ve lost many friends in battle trying to take on battalions of Onis that were even just a third our size. We haven¡¯t won a single battle since their invasion started. I never thought I''d see a normal man kill an Oni on his own... let alone unarmed."


    "Can you tell me anything about the Oni-Zhen? It''s been a while since I last stepped on Xiwao''s mainland. This is the first time I''ve ever encountered these demons."


    "Consider yourself lucky,¡± the soldier said with a frown. ¡°T-They were once... like us..." The man¡¯s words were interrupted by a violent cough. He put a hand over his mouth to muffle the sound, only to coat his fingers in blood.


    "If it hurts to speak, then rest. I am sure I can find someone else who could fill me in on what has happened in the past ten years." Yaihan reached for the waterskin fastened to the belt wrapped around his waist. He gave the container a quick swirl to get an idea of how much was still inside.


    "Sounds like you don''t have much left," the soldier said, eyeing the container.


    "I don''t. But I''ll be fine." Yaihan held the back of the man''s neck and tilted it back before placing the spout to the soldier''s lips. "You''ll make better use of it than me."


    The wounded man closed eyes and slowly drank the remaining amount of water inside. Once he downed the drink, he let out a sigh of relief. "They say you should never waste water on a dying man," the soldier muttered. Despite how quiet his voice was, there was less pain present.


    "You fought well. The least I can do offer you comfort in death."


    The soldier smiled one last time. He blinked a few times, unable to prevent a tear from escaping. "Thank you. The least I can do... is tell you where to go from here. My village has been conquered. Everyone has either been slain or captured. I managed to escape¡­ at least for a bit. Wanted to keep fighting with what little remains of our army. There are rumors of one last Xiwaoan stronghold. Just over that way."


    With a shaky hand, he pointed to Yaihan''s right. The land ahead was an expansive field of stone and dirt. But the direction that the soldier pointed too had a single, ominous gray cloud looming over it despite the rest of the sky being blue.


    "I''ll head over there now."


    "One more thing." The soldier coughed again and then took another series of deep breaths. "Some say there are other powerful warriors... over in Shanyong. I don''t know how true the hearsay is. But it''s been said that they have a magical healer. Many have fled there... only to get cut down on their journey. Seems that I''m only going to be the latest on that never-ending list. Please... don''t end up like me. Xiwao needs you."


    Yaihan nodded. "I''ll do my best to make sure I make it to Shanyong."


    "Good. Because if that falls... then the entire world will." The soldier closed his eyes and stopped trying to stay upright. "Thank you. Again."


    His entire body went limp. Yaihan lowered the deceased soldier to the ground and lay him so his arms rested over his stomach. He then stood up and looked at the two demons that lay on the dirt. The one without a head remained motionless, but the other demon with the sword in between his ribs still squirmed. The cultivator went to his side and with a well-placed kick to the demon, flipped him upright.


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    "You''re still alive?" Yaihan said to the Oni, his voice carrying both confusion and scorn. The demon reached for the sword embedded in his side, only for the cultivator to grab his index finger and stop him.


    "What more do you want from me?" the demon said with a trembling voice. "You''ve already killed my comrade. And you stuck this sword in my side! I can¡¯t stand up with all this pain. You''ve won already!"


    "I have many questions. And I demand answers." Yaihan pinched the demon''s finger tight. His fingers pressed into the scaley skin like it was rotten fruit, making the Oni squeal.


    "Gah!"


    "Your friend could use a new head. Perhaps I could help you in lending him yours," Yaihan said as he let go of the finger.


    "No, no! I think he''s fine the way he is."


    "So, you''ll cooperate?" Yaihan let go of the demon''s hand and walked next to his head. From his laying position, the demon nodded.


    "What do you want to know?"


    "Where do the Oni-Zhen come from?"


    "Y-you really don''t know?" the demon asked with confusion. "I thought you were just playing dumb as part of a trick."


    "This is my first time back on Xiwao''s mainland in a decade." Yaihan''s eyes narrowed. "Now, answer my question."


    "We made a pact," the demon began. "We perform a ritual... sell our souls and we get these new, powerful forms. And in exchange, we carry out our leader¡¯s bidding. We were promised that mere humans would not be able best us! Xinglo told us that this land would be ours to rule forever!"


    Yaihan perked up after hearing the familiar name. "Xinglo?" he asked. "I''ve heard that name before. He was nothing more than the leader of a band of rebellious marauders that was on the verge of annihilation when I last lived on the mainland. How did he come to take charge of an army of demons?"


    "I don''t know the full details. I''m just a recent convert. Once my division was wiped out, I was given the choice to either convert to Oni. Or die."


    Yaihan shook his head. "And you chose both."


    The demon''s eyes widened. Fear was evident despite them being pitch black. "But you promised to spare me if I answered your questions! I''ll keep giving you answers... just let me live!" the Oni pleaded.


    "And as a former Xiwaoan soldier, you promised to protect the country and to protect those that cannot defend themselves. Yet here you are, chasing a wounded man." Yaihan stepped to the side and pointed at the dead warrior on the ground. "You broke your oath. I see no reason to uphold mine."


    The demon placed one hand on the ground to try and upright himself, but Yaihan stopped his rise by pushing his shoulder. The Oni fell back to the earth with a thud, sending dirt and sand scattering around as he grunted. "Wait! You can''t kill me! You don''t know what lies on the other side for us Oni-Zhen when we''re slain!"


    "Enlighten me." Yaihan pinned his enemy to the ground by stepping on his shoulder.


    "Eternal damnation!" the Oni mumbled. "My soul will burn as I toil in perpetual servitude for the beast that Xinglo made his deal with.


    "And why would you make a pact that would claim your soul?"


    "B-Because... we were told we''d live forever if we survive the war! No human can fight an Oni head on. Within a year, the Oni-Zhen had conquered most of the country with minimal causalities... For me, it was either certain death or certain victory."


    The cultivator pressed his foot down hard enough to make the bones in the demon''s shoulder crack. "Sounds like cowardice, to me."


    "I-I''ll admit it!" the Oni replied while wincing. "My choice was made in a moment of fear and weakness. All of my allies were slaughtered in front of me. Either I follow their fate or survive to fight another day. Surely... you can see why one would become an Oni. You can''t fault me for being human!"


    "I can''t." Yaihan took his foot off the demon''s shoulder. "But you are no longer human."


    A tear slipped from the demon¡¯s eye. ¡°Please! Even if what I¡¯ve done was wrong¡­ do you think that warrants what¡¯s waiting for me on the other side? I could atone for what I¡¯ve done wrong¡­ switch sides even! Just think of how much help an Oni could be to the Xiwaoan cause.¡±


    ¡°I have no sympathy for the wicked, no matter their story,¡± the cultivator said sternly.


    Yaihan raised a fist. The demon took in one last deep breath out of fear before the cultivator ended him with a single jab to the forehead. The strike ended the Oni''s life in a gory yet whimsical explosion. Bone, blood and flesh scattered across the ground, livening up the dull landscape with a collage of bright red. Yaihan shook his hand again, flinging the bits of the demon stuck to his fingers onto the dirt. Another wind passed through, sending the scent of blood through his nostrils again.


    Without looking back, Yaihan marched forward to the gray storm cloud that lingered in the distance.

 Chapter 3: The Sorrowed Druid

    It was a long journey across the barren plain. The sun travelled across the sky, ready to set by the time Yaihan got close enough to the gray clouds to notice a change in weather. The sudden rush of cool air was soothing to his skin despite the heavy winds rustling his clothes and hair.


    A fortification came into view. After some squinting, Yaihan saw a long fence surrounding a few small structures. A small storm brewed above the area, covering it in a gentle shower. After another gale passed through, Yaihan picked up his pace and headed towards the stronghold.


    Upon arrival, Yaihan walked past the long fence, trying to peer through the narrow gaps in between the towering posts. With the spaces being too narrow, Yaihan instead walked around towards the front entrance on the other side. It didn¡¯t take long for another Xiwaoan to come into sight. A pair of guards stood in front of the stronghold¡¯s main entrance. They wore little more than mangy rags and armed themselves with long bronze spears.


    ¡°Hello,¡± Yaihan said as he waved to the closest guard. The man protecting the entrance turned around and stared at the cultivator with a look of pure exhaustion. His bones were visible through his skin. Bags were underneath his drooping eyes. Every strand of hair was in disarray, while scars and bruises covered his skin.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen you around here before,¡± the second guard said. He was older than the other and didn¡¯t look any better. ¡°You must be running from the Oni.¡±


    ¡°I was told that there was a stronghold that needed my help. Is this Shanyong?¡± Yaihan asked the older man.


    The guard shook his head. ¡°Not quite. Shanyong is further that way. We¡¯re just a small camp in between that province and the territory that the Oni-Zhen control. We¡¯re what stands between them and the final major city still under Xiwao¡¯s control.¡±


    Yaihan poked his head past the guards and peered into the enclosure. Dilapidated huts dotted the area while weary looking men and women roamed without cause underneath a calm shower. ¡°Doesn¡¯t look like much,¡± the cultivator noted.


    ¡°You¡¯re telling us,¡± the first guard said. ¡°Our finest fighters are out searching for food, leaving only the sick and wounded behind.¡±


    ¡°And that druid girl,¡± the older man added.


    ¡°Right. She got left behind too.¡±


    ¡°A druid?¡± Yaihan said with a raised eyebrow.


    ¡°Yeah. She¡¯s got healing powers.¡± The first guard turned around and stuck his hand into the calming shower. ¡°She¡¯s the one responsible for this rain. It¡¯s got therapeutic properties for all those that are doused by it.¡±


    ¡°Is that so? May I step inside and experience it for myself?¡±


    ¡°All humans are welcome here, friend,¡± the second guard said with a smile. As Yaihan passed through the entrance, both other men examined him from the top down. ¡°But I¡¯ll have you know, a man in a healthy condition such as yourself will be asked to fight.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s my duty,¡± Yaihan said as he looked over his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m more than willing to fight the Oni-Zhen.¡±


    ¡°Such confidence!¡± the older man boasted. ¡°I remember when all Xiwaoan soldiers shared the same feeling!¡±


    ¡°Feel free to access what remains of our supplies,¡± the first guard added. ¡°We have plenty of water. But food is in short supply. You can have some, but keep in mind that others need to eat too. Try not to gorge.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s surefire way to get yourself drafted to the front lines,¡± the second man watching the entrance said.


    ¡°Thank you. I will have a look around for myself.¡±


    Yaihan tilted his head up and stared at the gray rain cloud. He took in a deep breath through his nostrils as he basked in the rain. The water drops glistened like liquid silver as they covered his body. All throughout his skin, he felt a tingling and cooling sensation. The little weariness he did have vanished as soon as the magical shower doused him.


    After embracing the revitalizing sensation, Yaihan focused on the interior of the camp. The people inside were too focused on themselves to notice Yaihan. Every individual had their own problems. Some slept. Others grieved. Some were clearly insane, evident by their incoherent rambling towards no one in particular.


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    ¡°Excuse me, ma¡¯am,¡± Yaihan asked of an old woman that sat underneath a tattered tent that spanned only a few feet. She sat on the dirt in front of a young boy that drew circles in the ground with a stick. Some of the rain slipped through the holes of the tent¡¯s ceiling, creating splotches of mud on the ground. ¡°I was told that there is a druid in this village.¡±


    ¡°Ah,¡± the old woman creaked. ¡°You¡¯re looking for Lysa.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s the one responsible for this rain, correct?¡±


    She nodded. ¡°That¡¯s true. But if you¡¯re looking to get an injury healed, you¡¯ll be waiting for a long time. You might be better off trying to tend to your wounds yourself.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m perfectly fine. I just wanted to meet her.¡±


    ¡°Go to the big tent on the far side of the camp. Opposite of here.¡± The old woman pointed behind Yaihan.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Yaihan said with a bow.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have you know; her service isn¡¯t free. If you think you¡¯ll just be able to bask in her Mending Storm without contributing to the Xiwaoan cause, you¡¯ve got another thing coming.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m fully invested in this war.¡±


    The old woman stood from her sitting position and took hold of Yaihan¡¯s wrist. She lifted it up as high as her hunched posture would allow and looked at his muscles. ¡°How does someone get into your physique during times like these, eh? Not like we got much food to spare for someone to maintain a build like yours. And most of the healthy men have either been slain, wounded or converted to Oni.¡±


    ¡°A decade of training and meditation,¡± Yaihan replied calmly, allowing the woman to pinch his biceps.


    ¡°Oh. You¡¯re one of those¡­ cultivators.¡± There was a twinge of disgust in the woman¡¯s voice.


    ¡°You¡¯d be correct.¡±


    ¡°I thought it was nothing but nonsense. I¡¯ve known many men that go out seeking strength, only to come back weeks later scrawnier than when they left.¡± She let go of Yaihan¡¯s wrist and returned to sitting.


    ¡°It¡¯s not for everyone. Many seek to cultivate, but they don¡¯t understand how to do it and why it works.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah. I¡¯ve heard it all before. Men that leave their families behind seeking untold power. It¡¯s a tale as old as time. But I guess what¡¯s really important is that you¡¯re here now when we need help the most.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for the information,¡± Yaihan said with a bow. ¡°I¡¯m going to speak to the druid. But if you¡¯re interested in learning more about cultivation, I¡¯m willing to talk later.¡±


    The old woman shooed Yaihan away with the flick of her wrist. ¡°Nah. When you¡¯re as old as me, you¡¯ll meet plenty of people that have chased the cultivator¡¯s fantasy. Besides, I don¡¯t want my grandson here getting any ideas. Last thing I need is him running off with the hope of getting stronger by sitting in a forest all day.¡±


    ¡°As you wish.¡±


    Yaihan left the old woman to watch her grandchild in the tent to head towards the opposite side of the camp. He passed by countless other collapsing shelters on his way to the extensive structure by the fence¡¯s edge. A long line of wounded and sick men and women spilled out through the tent¡¯s opening. As Yaihan approached, the unhealthy people outside all shot him mean glares.


    ¡°Hey! Wait your turn!¡± One man shouted as he pressed one hand against what little remained of his other arm.


    ¡°You¡¯re not even hurt!¡± another cried, only to cough up some blood after yelling at Yaihan.


    ¡°I promise you, I am not here to seek the druid¡¯s healing,¡± the cultivator told the crowd as he stood in front of the tent. ¡°I¡¯m just here to meet the woman.¡±


    ¡°Lysa¡¯s busy!¡± one man shouted. ¡°She doesn¡¯t have the time for you.¡±


    ¡°If Lysa says she can¡¯t talk to me, then I¡¯ll leave.¡± To the line¡¯s dismay, Yaihan ducked his head underneath the opening and entered the tent. The room was spacious, larger than the old woman¡¯s tent by several folds. Despite its size, there was little floor space with the ground being covered by blankets. Either an injured or sick person occupied each one. They stopped their chatting and moaning to shoot awkward glances at Yaihan.


    An elegant young woman sat in the back of the tent crisscross. Her attire was extravagant; a brilliant blue dress with an elaborate golden ended just below her waist, showing off much of her bronze-like skin. She wore a glistening fish mask with gems embedded along the fins that flared out from the side. A headband adorned with feathers wrapped around her head while a tidy black braid stretched to her back. The woman held a long, carved staff with both hands. At the end was a ring with weavings around its perimeter. A blob of water floated in the middle, swirling slowly in small loops.


    The druid kept her eyes shut as she kept her staff upright, focused on channeling her energy into the rod. Yaihan tiptoed through the sea of wounded and injured and stood in front of the woman.


    ¡°Lysa?¡± Yaihan asked politely.


    The woman opened her eyes and looked up, showing off her rich hazel irises. She maintained a solitary frown as she made eye contact with the cultivator.


    ¡°Yes?¡± she asked in a soft voice.


    ¡°My name is Yaihan. I have only just now arrived at this camp. Would it be all right if I asked you a few questions?¡±


    The druid turned her head away, shying from eye contact. ¡°I... I am quite busy today. But I could answer a few questions while I channel Mending Storm.¡±


    Yaihan bowed. ¡°Thank you. Any discussion is appreciated. Would it be all right if I sat down for our talk?¡±


    ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    The cultivator lowered himself to his knees and rested his hands on his lap. He looked at the woman for a moment, focusing on the elaborate outfit. ¡°Perhaps we could start with who exactly you are,¡± Yaihan began.

 Chapter 4: A Healer鈥檚 Work is Never Done

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    ¡°Why are you bothering Lysa?¡± a weak voice called out from inside the tent. Both Yaihan and the druid turned to the face the man that interrupted their conversation. An elderly man barely lifted his head off the ground as he stared at the cultivator with his only eye. ¡°She¡¯s got more important things to tend to than to answer some... wanderer¡¯s questions.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Lei,¡± Lysa said in a quiet voice. ¡°I don¡¯t mind talking to him. I can still channel Mending Storm even in conversation.¡±


    ¡°But he doesn¡¯t deserve your attention!¡± the old man said as loud as his withered vocal cords could allow. ¡°Any man with that physique that isn¡¯t out fighting isn¡¯t someone worth talking to!¡±


    ¡°Sir,¡± Yaihan said as he turned his body enough to look at the sick man. ¡°I plan on fighting. I just haven¡¯t had much of a chance ever since I returned.¡±


    ¡°Returned from where?¡± the old man snapped. ¡°You look healthy to me. Couldn¡¯t have been anywhere here in Xiwao for you to be so fit!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve returned from my time cultivating,¡± Yaihan said calmly.


    ¡°Ah, that explains it.¡± Lei shook his head before resting it back on the blanket. ¡°Another one of those... power seekers. If you¡¯re like the last one roamed here, you¡¯ll be dead the moment you step onto the battlefield.¡± The old man flicked his wrist before covering his lone eye with his arm. ¡°Go ahead and ask your questions then. Not like you¡¯ll be alive much longer. Might as well get them in while you still can.¡±


    Yaihan faced Lysa again. The druid looked down; her face red with embarrassment.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Lysa whispered.


    ¡°For what?¡±


    ¡°It... hasn¡¯t been easy. Ever since the Oni-Zhen came to be, it has been nothing but tragedy after tragedy for us. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve seen someone smile ever since the war started. Everyone has become bitter. Almost hopeless.¡±


    ¡°No need to apologize,¡± Yaihan said. ¡°I understand the man¡¯s discontent.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve done nothing wrong,¡± Lysa replied, making eye contact with the cultivator.


    ¡°Hopefully, I¡¯ll be able to prove my worth soon.¡±


    ¡°Putting yourself in the face of certain death is a large ask. I don¡¯t blame anyone for not wanting to fight in this impossible war.¡±


    The cultivator¡¯s eyes focused on the blob of water towards the top of her staff. It splashed around like water falling into a bowl. ¡°Perhaps you could tell me more about yourself. I¡¯ve met a few other druids before, but never one of your caliber.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m from Mesimica,¡± she answered quietly. ¡°It is a long story for how I ended up in Xiwao. I... don¡¯t know if I have the time to go into full detail. My time casting Mending Storm will come to an end soon.¡± Her eyes then panned across the interior of the tent as she looked at the sick and wounded that lay inside. ¡°When that¡¯s done, I need to focus on more personal healing to treat some of the more serious injuries.¡±


    ¡°Your work seems to be never-ending,¡± Yaihan said solemnly.


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what it is. I switch between Mending Storm and individual treatments to help as many people as I can. The soothing properties of Mending Storm can help more people at once, but it will only deal with relatively minor ailments and injuries. After an hour of that, I have a long queue of serious wounds to deal with.¡±


    ¡°Is that where you staff comes in to use?¡±


    Lysa nodded. ¡°Yes. That¡¯s when I cast Curative Bubble. I channel water into a single spot and it will heal larger wounds effectively. Unfortunately, the number of people that need focused healing is ever growing. I came up with this system to make sure I¡¯m able to hep as many people as possible.¡±


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    ¡°I see. Hopefully, you¡¯ll be able to schedule in some rest.¡±


    ¡°Mending Storm doesn¡¯t take much out of me. The problem comes when I¡¯m no longer able to hold this form.¡± Lysa looked down and pressed her hand against her chest. ¡°Then I¡¯m forced to get a bit of rest.¡±


    ¡°This ¡®form?¡¯ What do you mean by that?¡± Yaihan asked with confusion.


    ¡°My Purifier form,¡± Lysa answered. ¡°This Ensemble that you see... wasn¡¯t chosen by me. And I only have access to my healing powers when I¡¯m transformed. When I¡¯m not a Purifier... I¡¯m little more than useless.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say that,¡± Yaihan replied as he put a hand on the druid¡¯s shoulder. Lysa tilted her head away and sighed, unable to make eye contact with the cultivator.


    ¡°You¡¯ve only seen me as a Purifier. When I¡¯m just a normal person... I¡¯m truly useless.¡±


    ¡°Hey!¡± the same sick old man called out. Yaihan turned his over his shoulder and looked at him. He struggled to get his head up as he looked past Yaihan and directly at Lysa. ¡°We don¡¯t need you saying that. This camp would have been destroyed weeks ago without you!¡±


    The others in the tent joined in. They sang praise of the druid, so much so that the entire room filled with incoherent chatter. Lysa couldn¡¯t resist her lips from forming a small smile. She turned her head to the side as her bronze cheeks glowed a faint crimson.


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave you be, Lysa,¡± Yaihan said as he stood to his feet. He gave the druid a bow. ¡°I know you have a lot of work ahead of you. But I just wanted to meet such an exceptional individual. Before I left for my meditation, my old master always told me to pay respects to healers. Even though they receive much praise from those they heal, their work often goes unsung throughout history.¡±


    ¡°Thank you... sir. I apologize I forgot your same. So many people come and go, it¡¯s a bit difficult for me to keep track. What should I call you?¡±


    ¡°Yaihan.¡±


    Lysa grinned. ¡°Thank you, Yaihan. If The Creator allows it, we¡¯ll have many more conversations.¡±


    ¡°That would be pleasant.¡± Yaihan waved at the druid before heading towards the other side of the tent. Before he could open the flap at the entrance, a young man came barging through. He was still in his teens and held a short sword in one hand while the other pressed against his heart as he regained his breath.


    ¡°The Oni! I spotted them on the horizon!¡± he shouted. ¡°They¡¯re chasing Fei-Lu and the others!¡±


    The entire room stirred. The injured people that could stand up did so as they all murmured and panicked amongst themselves. Among the commotion, Lysa got up from her seat and headed towards the front of the tent. Seeing the druid try to leave, Yaihan stood between her and the entrance.


    ¡°Are you heading to a hideout?¡± Yaihan asked.


    ¡°No. I¡¯m going to help the others in battle.¡±


    Her words took the cultivator back. ¡°What? You¡¯re able to fight as well?¡±


    Lysa nodded. ¡°Yes. When we had more men, I used to stay back all the time to focus on keeping the injured safe. But since our numbers are so low, it¡¯s my duty to go out and help my allies.¡±


    Yaihan put both hands on Lysa¡¯s shoulders and looked into her eyes. ¡°You stay here. You¡¯re far too important to go out into the front lines.¡±


    The druid pushed away one of Yaihan¡¯s hands. ¡°I understand your concern and it¡¯s appreciated. But I¡¯m more formidable in battle than you are. My presence in battle is needed! I can cast spells to weaken the enemy, not to mention helping the recently wounded.¡±


    ¡°Please, Lysa.¡± He kept his other hand on the druid¡¯s shoulders while pointing at the throng of weary and terrified individuals. ¡°They need you here. If you are truly a formidable combatant, then you should be able to protect them if the Oni should break through the camp¡¯s defenses.¡±


    ¡°I have orders from Fei-Lu,¡± Lysa said with hesitation.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go in your place.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯re not trained in our tactics.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need to be.¡±


    ¡°You have a lot of confidence,¡± Lysa said while giving the cultivator a glare from the side of her eye. ¡°Is there something you¡¯re not telling me?¡±


    ¡°If I told you, you wouldn¡¯t believe me,¡± Yaihan replied calmly. ¡°Wait until you hear the testimonies of the other soldiers when they return.¡±


    Lysa took one more look at the injured behind her and then at Yaihan. She sighed and pressed her staff against her body. ¡°Please. For everyone¡¯s sake, I hope whatever plan you have comes through. There¡¯s nothing I hate more than leaving the defenseless to fend for themselves.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t disappoint.¡±


    Lysa turned around and headed back to her original spot on the tent. ¡°Be calm, everyone!¡± Lysa commanded. ¡°I¡¯ll stay behind to protect you. Until we¡¯re attacked, let me focus on addressing the most serious injuries and illnesses! Get back into a line like before. I¡¯ll tend to each of you, one by one.¡±


    The crowd continued to mumble, fear still present in their voices as they trembled as much as their feeble bodies would allow. As they formed a line, the sound of rain stopped and the temperature quickly shot up from cool to sultry. Yaihan slowly moved his way through the crowd and put a hand on the back of the scout that informed every one of the news.


    ¡°Young man,¡± Yaihan said. The boy turned around and eyed the cultivator from the top down before focusing on his bare hands. ¡°Take me to where the Oni-Zhen are approaching.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want a weapon? The armory is in the opposite direction.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not needed,¡± the cultivator replied. ¡°Just take me to our enemies.¡±


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 Chapter 5: A Taste of Battle

    ¡°Sir?¡± the young scout shouted as he turned his back towards the cultivator following behind him. People fled in the opposite direction they travelled towards, seeking shelter in the healer¡¯s tent.


    ¡°Yes?¡± Yaihan replied, his attention focused on the opposite side of the camp.


    ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t need a weapon? I don¡¯t know how you plan on fighting the Oni without one.¡±


    ¡°Save them for those that need it," Yaihan replied. ¡°The sooner I arrive on the battlefield, the better.¡±


    ¡°Maybe you should have spent more time with Lysa.¡± As he led Yaihan through the fleeing crowd, he tapped his temple. ¡°Seems like you could use a few minutes of Curative Bubble cast on your brain.¡±


    Shouts of pain overcame the sound of clashing metal. Despite the gate being shut, the clamor of battle raged on beyond the thick wooden pillars that encompassed the camp. ¡°Thank you for leading me here,¡± Yaihan said to the scout as he passed him.


    ¡°Wait up!¡± The scout grabbed Yaihan by the arm, making him stop in his tracks and turn around. ¡°Even though you¡¯re crazy, I can¡¯t just let you go out there and get yourself killed! At least take a sword or spear with you!¡±


    The cultivator gently lifted his wrist and freed himself from his grasp. ¡°I told you I have no need for that. You stay behind these walls. When the other soldiers and I all return, you¡¯ll understand.¡±


    The scout raised one hand, eager to grab onto Yaihan¡¯s robes to get him to stop advancing, but his hesitation allowed the cultivator to advance undeterred. The two guards were visible on the other side through the cracks between the posts¡¯ gaps. Yaihan knocked on the wood with the back of his hand and grabbed the men¡¯s attention.


    ¡°Can you let me through here?¡± he asked calmly. The pair of trembling men turned from the raging battle ahead to face the cultivator.


    ¡°The purpose of this camp is to stay inside and be protected!¡± the older men said.


    ¡°Please. Just open the gate so I can join the others. They need my help,¡± Yaihan pleaded.


    ¡°If the new guy wants to march to his death, so be it,¡± the other soldier said as he unfastened the knot that kept the gate closed. ¡°That means more resources for the folks with common sense!¡± Together, the two guards struggled to pry the massive wooden door open. Yaihan extended his hands and the pair of doors opened wide with ease.


    ¡°Never got the doors to the gate open that fast!¡± the first guard said as he stared on the door, struggling to get moving from its ajar position.


    Once out of the camp, Yaihan gazed into the distance. Humans fled as fast as they could from their demonic pursuers. The army was scattered, with some forces closer to the camp than others. Oni-Zhen marauders flanked their positions from both angles, splitting the troops into disarray.


    The skirmish closest to the camp caught Yaihan¡¯s attention. Dozens of men encircled four Onis. The humans armed with spears kept their distance from the demons, only for their weapons to bounce off their crimson flesh. With a single backhanded swing, one of the Oni sent three Xiwaoans flying, sending their limp and lifeless bodies splatting against the dry ground.


    With a quick bend of his knees, Yaihan got into a jumping position. He paused for a moment to focus on where he wanted to land before propelling himself with a leap. The cultivator soared over the barren expanse, flying like an arrow through the sky. Yaihan¡¯s eyes focused on the Oni that slain the Xiwaoans; he situated his leg for a diving kick and aimed at the demon¡¯s hand.


    A red mist covered the area as Yaihan¡¯s foot obliterated the Oni¡¯s head and dragged the rest of the demon¡¯s body to the ground in a bloody, muddy explosion. All fighting in the area stopped as Xiwaoan and Oni-Zhen alike waited for the dust from the impact to settle.


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    Yaihan emerged unscathed. At his feet was the still twitching and decapitated corpse of the Oni. The human survivors started to retreat, more terrified of Yaihan than of their demon enemies. The Oni looked more perplexed as they watched Yaihan face the soldiers in front of him.


    ¡°Head back to the camp!¡± Yaihan shouted as he pointed towards the open gate a short run away. ¡°I¡¯ll deal with the Oni-Zhen!¡±


    Instead of obeying Yaihan¡¯s command, the soldiers instead stared at each other and maintained their battle positions.


    ¡°Is this your new commander?¡± one demon moaned. ¡°A man in rags?¡± The Oni looked at Yaihan while lifting his jagged sword with both hands. He attacked the cultivator with a sideways swing. Yaihan leaped over the strike, soaring several feet above the Oni¡¯s head. All three demons looked up in shock as Yaihan descended with grace over his attacker. He landed with one foot on top of the demon¡¯s head, spreading his arms apart to keep balance.


    ¡°Get off me!¡± the demon screamed as his hands flailed around to flick Yaihan off his head. With simple flicks of his wrists, Yaihan parried each attempt to bring him down, stopping the demon¡¯s fingers in their tracks. ¡°What are you?¡± the Oni cried.


    Yaihan didn¡¯t answer his foe¡¯s question. Instead, he raised one fist and punched down, collapsing the demon¡¯s head in on itself. The body¡¯s legs squirmed as it toppled to the ground in a motionless and bloody heap. Once back on the ground, Yaihan looked at the surviving soldiers with fervor in his eyes.


    ¡°I said go! I¡¯ll take care of your pursuers!¡± the cultivator shouted while looking at the still-dumbfounded soldiers. Most of the men fled for the safety of the camp, but as Yaihan looked at the remaining two Onis, their attention drifted from him to focus on defending themselves from another warrior.


    A woman dressed in purple robes and leggings battled with a mace-wielding Oni. An intricate mask in the shape of a dragon obscured the upper part of her face. Despite the mask, her anger was clear through her dark brown eyes and how her gritting teeth were visible through her mouth. She swung a sickle attached to a rope with all her might at her foe, latching the hook into his hand¡¯s skin. She pulled on her weapon, dragging the demon to the ground.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of them,¡± Yaihan said to the woman. She turned her head, still holding onto the rope to keep the demon grounded.


    ¡°I don¡¯t flee from a winning battle,¡± the kunoichi replied. She then vanished in a cloud of smoke before reappearing in another purple puff above the demon¡¯s head. Once on top of her enemy, she gave her rope a fierce heave, tearing the sickle from the demon¡¯s flesh. Black blood trailed through the air as the hook returned to the woman¡¯s hand. She caught it with ease and began stabbing away at the demon¡¯s scalp.


    With wails of pain, the demon squirmed as he lay on his stomach. The kunoichi continued her barrage of stabs and slashes, tearing away at the demon¡¯s flesh. Before she could land the final blow, the demon rolled over to his side, sending the kunoichi to the ground.


    ¡°Let me handle the demons,¡± Yaihan said to the woman as she landed gracefully despite the abrupt launch. ¡°There¡¯s no point in risking your life.¡±


    ¡°I told you already,¡± the woman said as she rested her arm against her hip and took in a deep breath. Her rope sickle dangled at her side while she pointed at Yaihan¡¯s chest. ¡°I don¡¯t flee from winning battles! I¡¯m staying right here.¡± Another sentence lingered on her lips until she saw the second demon dash towards them. Yaihan remained still, only turning his head enough past his shoulder to watch the demon approach.


    ¡°Get out of the way!¡± the woman shouted as she pulled on Yaihan¡¯s arm. Despite all her might, the cultivator remained still, staring at the rapidly approaching Oni as he raised his stone club above his head.


    ¡°Now you¡¯ll both die!¡± the demon screamed with wicked joy all over his face. The kunoichi took a step back and put her arms in front of her face to protect herself from the incoming strike.


    Yaihan remained confident. He intercepted the club with an uppercut, blasting the stone to bits and leaving the Oni unarmed. The demon stared at his empty hand and then at Yaihan with pure fear filling his eyes.


    The cultivator turned to face the kunoichi. Through the narrow slits in her eyes, her expression looked not too different from the now-unarmed Oni. ¡°If you decide to stay, that¡¯s your choice,¡± Yaihan said quietly. ¡°But I¡¯d advise against you risking your life for a bit of pride.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not pride,¡± the kunoichi replied with her flushed red from embarrassment. ¡°It¡¯s duty!¡±


    Yaihan reached down and picked up a stone shard the size of his head and threw it with a single heave. The rock flew as if it was launched from a catapult and stopped when it hit the demon¡¯s chest. The Oni toppled backwards with the stone embedded through his flesh. His fingers grasped onto the rock, slipping off the smooth surface as he tried in vain to remove the object.


    ¡°I admire your dedication,¡± Yaihan said while the two demons writhed in pain on the ground. He extended one hand for a shake. ¡°May I ask your name?¡±


    The kunoichi flicked back loose strands of her hair with her glove hand before giving Yaihan a firm shake. ¡°Kanakoya. But everyone else just calls me Koya.¡±

 Chapter 6: Midnight Riders

    Yaihan looked at the woman¡¯s attire. Despite the heated battle and the apparent thinness of her robes, her clothing remained unscathed. ¡°Are you familiar with the druid, Lysa?¡±


    Koya squinted at the cultivator. ¡°Everyone is.¡±


    ¡°I know. But I meant are you close friends with her?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± the kunoichi replied.


    ¡°Your outfit. It¡¯s both peculiar yet elegant. Just like hers.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re Purifiers. That¡¯s why,¡± Koya said. ¡°If you don¡¯t know what that is, I can fill you in later. But right now we¡¯ve got more important things to do than give you a lesson on magical transformations.¡± She turned away from the camp. A multitude of other skirmishes occurred all across the vast expanse. ¡°We need to make sure none of the Oni-Zhen survive. If even a single one gets away, there¡¯s a good chance they¡¯ll tell others of our camp¡¯s location.¡±


    ¡°Then that means we¡¯ll have to stop the furthest brigade first. Then I can intercept the others that try to retreat.¡±


    ¡°During our scavenging run, we had to cross a bridge over a chasm to the north,¡± Koya said as she pointed in the distance. ¡°That¡¯s where they started following us. If I had to guess, they¡¯re going to go back that way too.¡±


    ¡°So the plan is to stop them from crossing that bridge?¡±


    ¡°Easier said then done,¡± Koya replied with her arms crossed. ¡°Think you could leap to the other side of the battle? You landed with enough force to crush that Oni. That means you must have some fierce legs. If you and I both go, we could cut off their escape route and take out the remaining Onis on our way back to the camp!¡± the kunoichi said eagerly.


    The cultivator squinted towards the horizon. ¡°It¡¯s possible. But it¡¯s difficult for me to gauge where to land the further out I have to jump. Besides, I doubt you¡¯d survive the landing.¡±


    ¡°Damn.¡± Koya kicked the still twitching demon in the leg. ¡°Then we¡¯ll have to traverse the old fashion way.¡± She put her fingers to her lips and made a high-pitched whistle.


    ¡°Summoning something?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. My horse.¡± A black steed came galloping towards the pair in the distance. ¡°I don¡¯t like Midnight being too close to battle. These Oni bastards will eat him alive if given the chance.¡±


    As they waited for Midnight to arrive, the two demons laying on the ground continued to moan as their heads pressed against their wounds.


    ¡°Do me a favor, mister,¡± Koya said while keeping an eye on her stallion. ¡°Can you finish off these two demons for me? As much as I¡¯d love to do it myself, you seem to get the job done a lot faster.¡±


    ¡°You have no need for prisoners?¡± Yaihan asked as he walked towards the Oni with the boulder embedded in his chest.


    Koya shook her head. ¡°Nope. Fei-Lu has ordered us to kill every last one of them on the spot.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± Yaihan lifted one foot above the demon¡¯s head. The Oni stared at the bottom of Yaihan¡¯s shoe with terror. His lips trembled, ready to plead for mercy until the cultivator followed through with his stomp and crushed the demon¡¯s skull in a single movement. ¡°Are these demons not ones to reveal vital information?¡±


    ¡°Your average Oni Marauder isn¡¯t given any intel. They¡¯re just told to band together and cause as much death and destruction as possible. Not to mention that they make for terrible prisoners. They do nothing but scream and make as much of a fuss as possible when captured. Think of a toddler throwing a tantrum except they¡¯re three times your size and could crush your head like a grape.¡± Koya turned her head from her oncoming horse to watch Yaihan pry the stone out of one demon¡¯s chest and hurl it at the other surviving Oni. The rock landed on the demon¡¯s neck, severing his head from his body. ¡°Well, maybe they couldn¡¯t crush your head like a grape. But the average Xiwaoan doesn¡¯t stand a chance.¡±


    Yaihan dusted his hands and stood next to Koya. Midnight stopped his gallop in front of the kunoichi, standing on his rear his legs and gave a loud neigh. Koya balanced on the tips of her toes and brushed the shining black mane of the horse. ¡°Thanks, Midnight,¡± she whispered into the stallion¡¯s ear.


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    ¡°That¡¯s a fine steed,¡± Yaihan said as he examined the horse¡¯s body. Unlike the men inside the camp, Midnight looked to have a healthy weight. ¡°Seems to eat better than some of the people inside the camp.¡±


    ¡°This is my and Lysa¡¯s horse.¡± Koya leapt onto the saddle and pulled the reins back. ¡°He loves me, but he loves Lysa even more. Probably something in that water she gives him. But we don¡¯t have to keep Midnight in the stable like the other mounts.¡± She gave the horse a friendly pat on the neck and he neighed again. ¡°We let him roam freely. Somehow he finds his own food and stay healthy. And he always seems to come back when we need him.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m impressed.¡±


    ¡°Come on.¡± Koya patted on the horse¡¯s rear. ¡°I know there¡¯s not much room, but if we¡¯re going to get on the other side of the battle, we have to leave now!¡±


    Yaihan nodded. After stepping on the bottom rung of the saddle, he mounted the horse and placed both hands on Koya¡¯s shoulders. With the cultivator seated, the kunoichi flicked the reins and Midnight darted off.


    ¡°So. What can you tell me about yourself, huh?¡± the kunoichi asked calmly yet loud enough to overcome the sound of battle and Midnight¡¯s hooves clomping over dirt. ¡°Someone with your strength could have been a tremendous help to our cause a few months ago.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know there was a war going on,¡± Yaihan shouted.


    ¡°What? You didn¡¯t know about the war?¡± Koya took her eyes off navigating Midnight to give Yaihan a baffled glare. ¡°Have you been living on an island or something?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Yaihan said with a straight face. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I was doing.¡±


    Koya shook her head as she faced forward again. With some tight maneuvering, she weaved the horse away from oncoming Oni¡¯s that turned their attention from Xiwaoan infantry to them. The steed¡¯s nimbleness proved too much for the lingering demons to catch up with.


    ¡°If we somehow survive this... and if by some miracle this plan actually works... we¡¯re going to need to have a talk with Fei-Lu.¡± Koya said.


    ¡°I¡¯m more than willing to discuss with your leader,¡± Yaihan replied. ¡°But for now, I have questions to ask of you.¡±


    ¡°Ask away.¡±


    ¡°What can you tell me about these demons? Any strengths or weakness I should know about?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re pretty good at killing them already,¡± Koya shouted back as she guided Midnight to take a sharp right and avoid a thrown spear from an Oni. ¡°But there¡¯s one thing you¡¯ve got to know. The only way to slay them for sure is to destroy either their heart or their brain.¡±


    The cultivator nodded. ¡°Easy enough.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. For you maybe. But getting a blade through their thick skin and dense bone is nearly impossible for a lone Xiwaoan to do in combat. Usually takes four or five regular men to just be on par with a single Marauder.¡±


    ¡°What about you and Lysa? You two are... Purifiers? Correct? Are you able to deal with the Oni alone?¡±


    With her eyes focused on the path ahead, Koya shook her head. ¡°Lysa definitely can¡¯t. She can stop one from doing too much damage. Maybe even incapacitate them. But there¡¯s no way she could actually kill one. I can handle one by myself. Maybe even two. But as you saw, it takes me a bit more effort than a single punch.¡±


    ¡°I see. So you are your army¡¯s most powerful warrior.¡± Yaihan could see Koya smirk from the side of her face.


    ¡°I wish I could say that. But if I¡¯m being honest, that honor would go to Fei-Lu.¡±


    ¡°Your leader is also a formidable warrior?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I have great respect for men that can fight in the same battles that they devise tactics for.¡±


    Koya looked back at the cultivator. ¡°What about a woman that could do that?¡±


    ¡°Fei-Lu is a woman?¡± Yaihan said with a twinge of surprise. ¡°I recognize the Lu name. It belonged to one of the Xiwaoan¡¯s most prominent family of tacticians! Never before has a woman commanded a Xiwaoan army.¡±


    ¡°Times have changed. But the Lu name still belongs to Xiwao¡¯s most brilliant tactician. Fei-Lu is the last to bear her family¡¯s name. And she lives up to it.¡±


    ¡°I assume she¡¯s a Purifier like you and Lysa.¡±


    ¡°Now you¡¯re getting it! As much as I¡¯d like to explain the whole Purifier thing to you, looks like that bridge is right up ahead.¡± Koya took one hand off the reins and pointed at a long wooden arch that connected one barren plain to the other. Up ahead were three Onis, all lumbering towards the arched structure. ¡°If they get across, then every Oni is going to know our camp¡¯s location within a month!¡±


    ¡°Can Midnight go any faster?¡± Yaihan asked. ¡°I have an idea to stop them from advancing any further as well preventing any other Oni from escaping.¡±


    ¡°You got it.¡± Koya snapped the reins. Midnight neighed again and picked up speed. The Onis stood at the foot of the bridge and turned around after they heard the horse¡¯s bray. They all stared at the oncoming pair, laughing hysterically as the horse came to an abrupt halt several yards away.


    ¡°Sorry, this is the furthest Midnight will go. He¡¯s not fond of getting too close to the Oni-Zhen.¡±


    Yaihan jumped off the side of the horse and faced the demons in front of the bridge. ¡°This is fine.¡± He cracked his knuckles and sauntered towards the demons. They continued to laugh as Koya followed behind the cultivator.


    ¡°These dumb bastards,¡± Koya whispered into Yaihan¡¯s ear, unable to hide her gin. ¡°If they weren¡¯t so evil, I¡¯d almost feel bad for them.¡±


    The closest demon walked away from the other two, this brandishing a long, shining piece of flat metal in place of hand. He slammed it against the ground, crushing a boulder to dust before advancing closer to Yaihan while maintaining a wicked grin.

 Chapter 7: The Hammer and the Sickle

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    ¡°They can attach weapons to their limbs?¡± Yaihan asked the kunoichi. Both walked towards the trio of Oni in front of the bridge. The one with the hammer on the end of his arm kept a wicked grin as he stroked the glimmering metal with his normal hand.


    ¡°Yeah. They¡¯re immortal unless their brains or hearts is destroyed. Every other limb can be replaced with nearly anything, not to mention additional ones can get attached. They have their own shamans and healers that perform all manner of magical experiments on them. We¡¯ve come across some sinister monstrosities during our battles. But that kind of magic is resource-heavy, not to mention that very few of the Oni shamans are familiar with the necessary techniques. It¡¯s usually reserved for the more accomplished Onis.¡±


    ¡°His weapon doesn¡¯t matter to me,¡± Yaihan said to the kunoichi as they stood within the demon¡¯s hearing range. The Oni chuckled while his allies at the foot of the bridge cheered him on.


    ¡°Flatten ¡®em, Galamitch!¡± one called out, cupping his hands in front of his mouth to amplify his shouts.


    ¡°Try not to get too much of their guts on your hammer this time! I¡¯m not in the mood to help you scrape organs off your weapon tonight!¡± the other blurted out.


    Galamitch cackled as he turned his head from the two humans towards his demon compatriots. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll make quick work of these two. I know everyone¡¯s eager to get to our celebration feast now that we know where the final Xiwaoan stronghold is!¡±


    ¡°A celebration?¡± Yaihan asked the demon, resting his arms across his chest. ¡°You¡¯ve contacted your superiors already and told them of the camp¡¯s location?¡±


    ¡°Look at this one!¡± Galamitch chortled. He pointed one long claw-like fingernail at the cultivator¡¯s chest. ¡°This man finds humor in certain death!¡±


    ¡°I just wanted to point out how it¡¯s premature to have a feast planned when you haven¡¯t even crossed that bridge.¡± Yaihan tilted his head to the side and pointed at the structure. ¡°Any number of things could happen between now and you and your fellow Onis reaching the other side.¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah? Like what?¡± The demon¡¯s face soured. ¡°Unless you have another army waiting for us on the other side, the location of that camp is as good as revealed.¡±


    ¡°The battle still rages. The two of us can still fight,¡± Yaihan replied as he angled his head towards the kunoichi. Koya stood behind Yaihan and to his side, using him as cover as she held her sickle. The demon shifted his eyes from the cultivator to her.


    ¡°Hey, I recognize you,¡± the demon grunted. ¡°You¡¯re the one that killed my brother!¡±


    Koya couldn¡¯t resist her lips from forming a smirk. ¡°I¡¯ve killed a lot of you Onis. You might have to go into a bit of detail to help jog my memory.¡±


    Galamitch scowled. His left hand clenched a fist while his hammer slammed into the ground next to Yaihan. Stone and dirt scattered in a small cloud while the ground shook. Koya repositioned her legs to maintain her stance while Yaihan kept his stoic and placid pose, his eyes remaining focused on his demonic foe. ¡°All of you Xiwaoans are so insolent! You deserve the fate you¡¯ve brought upon yourselves!¡±


    ¡°Are you not Xiwaoan yourself?¡± Yaihan asked. ¡°Your name sounds foreign. Certainly not of our language.¡±


    ¡°I was once a Xiwaoan,¡± Galamitch said with disgust in his voice. ¡°But I have long since abandoned that part of me. Once we make a pact with the Great Wicked, we forfeit our human nature and our earthly names for new titles. The lowly blacksmith that the Xiwaoans banished is no more! Now I, Galamitch, has taken his place!¡± The demon pointed at himself with his thumb. His evil grin returned upon saying the name bestowed upon him.


    Yaihan took a fighting stance. He angled his body so that one side pointed towards the demon while positioning his hands to prepare for any potential attacks. ¡°So you sold your soul for power? Is that the case?¡±


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    ¡°Galamitch!¡± one demon in the back shouted. ¡°Why do you give these two humans so much attention? Just crush them already!¡±


    ¡°Let me humor them!¡± Galamitch replied. ¡°I¡¯ve worked hard to become the second-in-command of this scouting mission! And not once has anyone asked about my history. At least let me revel in my anger! It¡¯ll make killing them all the more satisfying!¡± Disappointed, the other two demons returned to their posts at the edge of the bridge and watched Galamitch continue his conversation. ¡°Now. Where were we?¡±


    ¡°You exchanged your humanity for your new form.¡±


    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s right! It was a simple decision, really. I¡¯m not sure why any human would do so when immortality is so easy to obtain.¡±


    ¡°Immortality? Like your brother?¡± Koya said with her smirk still visible.


    The Oni clenched his fist again. He raised his hammer and stared at the kunoichi. ¡°My brother was a formidable warrior!¡±


    ¡°Was,¡± Koya said just loud enough for Galamitch to hear, maintaining a smile on her face.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to enjoy silencing you! But before I smash both of you into paste, I¡¯m going to remind this ninja girl of who she killed. That way, she can recall his face one last time and bear the burden of regret as I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Bright red skin? Long jagged teeth?¡± Koya put two fingers in front of her mouth to mimic a pair of fangs. ¡°And I¡¯m guessing unruly black hair?¡± Koya as she rested her hands on her hips. ¡°Am I getting close?¡±


    ¡°Why you...¡±


    ¡°Sorry, all you Oni look the same to me.¡± The kunoichi shrugged her shoulders. ¡°Unless he had an extra limb sewed to his waist or a special weapon for a hand, I¡¯m not going to remember your brother.¡±


    ¡°Apologize!¡± Galamitch pointed at Koya with one finger while keeping his hammer high above his head. ¡°Then I promise I¡¯ll kill you right here. It¡¯ll be quick! A single swing. But if you continue to pester me, I¡¯ll bring you back to our camp with every bone in your body shattered. Humans taste so much better when they¡¯re eaten alive!¡±


    Looking bored, Koya turned her head towards the cultivator. ¡°Yaihan. Are you going to keep talking to this guy?¡±


    ¡°Just a bit more, Koya.¡± Yaihan stared at the raised hammer before looking at the pitch black eyes of the demon. ¡°I just want to know what could make a man turn on his fellow Xiwaoans. To give up everything that makes one human, only to turn into a bloodthirsty beast. Surely there must be more to it than just becoming stronger.¡±


    ¡°Spoken like a true Xiwaoan!¡± Galamitch barked. ¡°I¡¯m sure you two basked in the pleasantries of the upper echelons of Xiwaoan society!¡±


    Both Yaihan and Koya looked at each other in confusion before looking at the demon again. Together, they shook their hands and gave the demon a simultaneous and astounding ¡°no¡± as a response.


    ¡°Even if you did not live as nobles, surely you lived better than my brother and I! For decades, we toiled as blacksmiths for the Xiwaoan army! The countless hours spent in that the boiling cellar, clanking away at scalding bronze. That very profession took my father¡¯s life. It took my brother¡¯s sight. I lost my hand!¡± Galamitch flashed lowered the hunk of metal attached to his right arm and showed it to the pair of humans. ¡°After all we had given to the Xiwaoan cause, what were we given in return?¡±


    Yaihan and Koya both remained silent as they watched the demon¡¯s face carry of look of sorrow for a moment as he stared at his reflection in the metal weapon. His sorrowed face lingered for a moment as he brought the hammer closer to his head. ¡°Nothing,¡± Galamitch said quietly. ¡°Banished to the streets because we couldn¡¯t afford to live in our home. After the countless years of sacrifice, Xiwao abandoned us.¡±


    The area became quiet. The demons in the back stared at their leader with awkward eyes, both eager to say something but choosing to keep quiet. Koya¡¯s smile vanished, replaced with a faint frown. Yaihan stepped forward and broke the silence.


    ¡°Your past doesn¡¯t excuse what you¡¯ve done. I guarantee the evil done by the Oni-Zhen outweighs whatever wrongs the Xiwaoan leadership has committed.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter now.¡± Galamitch¡¯s anger returned. ¡°Old Xiwao is all but dead. Once we reveal your camp¡¯s location, the Oni-Zhen will send the bulk of its forces over to crush them in a single day! We¡¯ll capture your leaders and use them as symbols of what happens when you choose not to convert to Oni!¡± He then looked at Koya with enraged eyes. ¡°Perhaps that¡¯s what I should do with you! Sever your limbs and have a shaman keep you alive just enough to suffer! I think that¡¯s an ample punishment for slaying my brother!¡±


    The kunoichi nudged Yaihan in the waist with her elbow. ¡°Still interested in talking with him?¡± Koya whispered.


    The cultivator spread his stance, pointing one foot at the Oni while slowly forming his hands into fists and narrowing his eyes. ¡°No. We¡¯ve reached the end of our conversation.¡±


    ¡°Excellent!¡± The demon¡¯s smile returned once more. ¡°I could tell that my allies were getting tired of our chat! Now it¡¯s time to give them what they want!¡± Galamitch took a step forward and towered over Yaihan. He lifted his hammer above his head, casting a shadow over the cultivator as his hammer obscured the sun. ¡°It¡¯s a shame our fight won¡¯t last as long as our talk!¡±


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 Chapter 8: No Escape

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    ¡°You got this one?¡± Koya whispered. Both watched as the demon clenched his only fist.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll take him,¡± Yaihan said.


    The kunoichi stepped to the side, leaving Yaihan to face the demon. Galamitch grinned and narrowed his eyes at the cultivator, his licking his lips as he readied his attack. In a flash, the demon¡¯s fist opened up and in the blink of an eye, his bony fingers wrapped around Yaihan¡¯s body. Koya gasped and took a step back as the demon tightened his grip.


    ¡°And you thought you were going to get away!¡± the demon boasted. ¡°I¡¯m sure you had some plan in store! Perhaps lure us to another troop as you fled on your steed. But you didn¡¯t expect that us Oni are nimble as well!¡±


    ¡°Yaihan!¡± Koya said as she stretched out one hand as if she were reaching to grab onto the cultivator. He remained still, keeping his stoic expression as he stared into the demon¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you try running, either!¡± Galamitch barked. ¡°You¡¯ll only end up with a far worse fate once we conquer that last stronghold of yours! Running away with your horse will only delay the inevitable and make your death that much more painful.¡±


    Koya clutched her rope tight and held and stayed in a combative stance. ¡°If you need some help, Yaihan, just let me know!¡± she shouted with a shaky voice.


    Still in Galamitch¡¯s clutches, Yaihan remained silent. ¡°It¡¯s too late for him now! Yaihan is as good as dead!¡±


    The demon brought down his hammer with all his might. The other Oni grinned with delight, leaning forward as they watched the bludgeon plummet through the air. Koya couldn¡¯t resist turning her head away from the oncoming impact. She closed one eye while keeping the other squinted just enough to focus on Galamitch¡¯s hand.


    A loud clank resonated throughout the dry expanse. Galamitch¡¯s bore a look of pain as he limply removed his hammer hand off Yaihan¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Agh!¡± he grunted as his entire body tilted to the side, resting on the elbow. He struggled to set himself upright. Once standing straight he raised his arm and looked at it with disgust. His forearm bent upwards at a sharp angle while a shard of his bone poked out of his skin. His hammer arm shook as he looked at the point where the metal crashed onto Yaihan; a dent roughly the size of the cultivator¡¯s head distorted his reflection. All three demons stared at Yaihan in silence.


    Yaihan returned to his martial stance, undisturbed by the attack save for his feet being embedded a few inches in the dirt. ¡°Was that your plan?¡± the cultivator said cooly.


    Galamitch fell to one knee and pressed one hand against his broken arm. He turned the cultivator with eyes full of rage. ¡°What did you do? Some magic spell?¡±


    Yaihan shook his head. ¡°No. I¡¯m not a spellcaster.¡±


    ¡°Then... what are you?¡± Galamitch struggled to his feet. He panted heavily as he placed his hand over his broken arm. With a fierce pull accompanied with a sickening crunch, he realigned the distorted bone. ¡°Have the Xiwaoans become so desperate that they resorted to making a pact with their own breed of demons?¡±


    The cultivator stepped forward while keeping eye contact with Galamitch. ¡°No. I¡¯m just a simple cultivator.¡±


    With a twitching eye, the demon let out a nervous laugh. He took a few steps back but stayed focused on Yaihan. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious. All those foolish and stupid men... leaving their homes seeking to achieve the same strength and power of whimsical tales. You¡¯re telling me that they were right?¡±


    Yaihan cocked his head and cracked his knuckles. ¡°Why don¡¯t you try hitting me again? Perhaps you didn¡¯t swing hard enough last time.¡±


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    The demon¡¯s laughter became hysterical. His fellow Oni took a few steps back, making sure they were situated on the bridge as they watched Galamitch prep another swing.


    ¡°You¡¯re right! T-There was something off with my technique! I must¡¯ve hit the ground instead! A sharp stone!¡±


    ¡°No, you hit him all right!¡± one of the Oni marauders called out. ¡°We saw it with our own eyes!¡±


    ¡°Shut it!¡± Galamitch snarled. He looked back at the cultivator. ¡°One more try!¡±


    ¡°Put all your might into it,¡± Yaihan said with an impassive face. ¡°If it didn¡¯t work at first, it should work the second time around.¡±


    The demon twisted his body away from Yaihan and stretched his hammer as far as he could. His soulless eyes brimming with vitriol stayed glued to the unfazed face of the cultivator. ¡°Now die!¡± Galamitch screamed as he swung his weapon with all his force. The demon¡¯s arm turned into a crimson blur as it sped toward Yaihan¡¯s side.


    The cultivator turned his body faster than Galamitch could move his arm. Yaihan moved his arms in a flash and intercepted the attack. With both hands, Yaihan held onto the metal chunk, stopping it in its tracks. The demon¡¯s arm continued to move despite the abrupt halt of his hand. His red flesh tore, showing off long and contorted muscles as the upper portion of his arm continued on its trajectory. White bone splintered to bits, sending marrow across the ground.


    Galamitch fell to his knees, propped up by his other hand. Tears streamed down his face while Yaihan held his other hand. Thin strings of muscles connected his forearm from the rest of his body. Upon seeing the gruesome scene, the other two demons turned around and started running across their bridge.


    ¡°Koya!¡± Yaihan shouted as he tore the hammer off Galamitch¡¯s off his body, snapping the thin fibers that kept the limb attached. The demon screamed agony again, this time falling face first into the dirt. ¡°Take care of this one while I deal with the deserters.¡±


    ¡°On it!¡± Koya disappeared in a puff of purple mist and reappeared on top of Galamitch¡¯s back. As she kept the demon pinned, she watched Yaihan hold the chunk of metal with both hands. He spun around once with the hammer extended in front of his body. The rotation gave him enough moment to hurl the metallic mass with enough force for it to go flying at the bridge.


    An explosion of wood erupted when the rock crashed into the structure in front of the fleeing Oni. A long seam formed from outside the hole, making the bridge start crumble with the Oni still on it. The hole grew as the demons¡¯ weight cracked the wood further in their attempt to flee back to the safety of solid ground. One of the Oni plummeted into the deep and jagged stone chasm below, his screaming squelched as soon his body impaled on the pointed rocks below.


    The other demon held onto a piece of the bridge with hand. His legs dangled as he looked at the dark pit below and stared at the motionless and punctured corpse of his ally. By the time he turned his head, Yaihan stood over him, bearing the same look that he had when he ripped Galamitch¡¯s arm off. He raised one fist while his eyes focused on the fingers that kept him from falling.


    ¡°W-Wait!¡± the demon muttered as his arm squirmed in vain to lift him from his precarious position. ¡°I-If you take me back... capture me... I can tell you everything!¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no room on our horse for the likes of you.¡±


    Yaihan followed through with his punch. A single jab obliterated the fingers that held the demon up, turning them into a chunky paste. The Oni fell facing up, his other hand desperately grasping at air as he plunged into the canyon. The cultivator turned around and waited for the sound of a crunch before returning to Koya and Galamitch.


    ¡°Tell your brother I sent you,¡± the kunoichi whispered into the demon¡¯s ear. She pulled his head up by his hair while the sickle of her weapon pressed against his throat.


    ¡°You may kill me, but you¡¯ll never¡ª¡± Before Galamitch finished his sentence, Koya pulled her sickle back. She severed his head from his body with a single tug. As Yaihan made it to her side, she tossed the decapitated head on the ground. Galamitch¡¯s face had the same pained look he had before Koya killed him. His eyes remained open, staring at his own lifeless body.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen an Oni cry before,¡± Koya said as she hopped off the lifeless body.


    ¡°First time for everything,¡± Yaihan replied.


    ¡°You know, you had me worried there for a second. I thought you¡¯d break free from Galamitch¡¯s hold. Maybe make his hand explode in a glorious bloody mess.¡±


    ¡°I could have,¡± Yaihan replied as he walked towards Midnight. ¡°But I like to think that my plan allowed me enough time to stop his allies from fleeing.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, right,¡± Koya said with a wink. ¡°You can kill Oni like they¡¯re ants. There¡¯s no way they could have gotten away. Something tells me that you just wanted to mess with him.¡± She mounted Midnight first.


    ¡°I must admit, there is enjoyment to be had in seeing the prideful fall,¡± Yaihan said as he got on the back of the horse.


    The kunoichi snickered. ¡°I knew it. But as much as I like making fun of slain Oni, we need to hurry back to the battle,¡± Koya said as she pulled Midnight¡¯s reins. The horse darted towards the fighting in the distance. ¡°Your help is greatly needed.¡±


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 Chapter 9: The Blade Master

    ¡°Where are we going now?¡± Yaihan asked as Midnight carried him and Koya across the battlefield. Bodies of both humans and Onis lay scattered across the ground, but the surviving Xiwaoans vastly outnumbered the remaining demons.


    ¡°You don¡¯t mind having to do a little bit of cleanup duty, do you?¡± Koya said as she turned her head back just enough to look at Yaihan. He focused on a skirmish situated halfway between the camp and the bridge that was just destroyed.


    ¡°I can handle it.¡± The cultivator extended one hand and pointed towards a pair of Oni to the horse¡¯s left. They swung their swords at a compact figure at the ground. ¡°There. To your left. What¡¯s going on?¡±


    The kunoichi turned her head. ¡°Fei-Lu!¡± she exclaimed as she pulled hard on Midnight¡¯s reins, making the horse take a sharp turn.


    ¡°Your leader? She¡¯s fighting by herself?¡±


    ¡°She can handle two Onis at once. Fei-Lu is a Blade Master, after all. But she usually has a set of bodyguards with her at all times. They must have been killed in battle, leaving her to fend for herself.¡±


    Yaihan squinted his eyes and got a better view of the fight up ahead. Two Onis with axes swung at a petite woman. Their exaggerated movements and erratic swinging showed their frustration. The finer details of the woman weren¡¯t clear from the distance, but her movement was graceful. She jumped over swings and dodged slashes while using a pair of swords to slash away at the Onis¡¯ flesh with each missed attack. Scattered around were the bodies of Xiwaoan soldiers, chopped to bits in indiscernible bloody messes.


    ¡°Get Midnight as close to the battle as possible,¡± Yaihan said, ready to dismount the horse. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure she survives this fight.¡±


    ¡°All right. But there¡¯s something you should know about Fei-Lu.¡± Koya pulled back on the reins and Midnight slowed down.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°She can be a bit prideful. I have a feeling that she won¡¯t come off as too appreciative of you coming in and taking her kills.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll manage.¡±


    Once Midnight came to a complete stop, Yaihan hopped off the horse and focused on one demon. He got into another crouch, aiming his body to land on his chest. But as Fei-Lu fought with the pair of Onis, she continued to leap around, constantly changing her position and forcing the demons to move quickly to respond.


    ¡°Are you going to land on one of them like how you did last time?¡± Koya asked.


    ¡°They¡¯re moving too much. I might kill Fei-Lu by accident.¡±


    ¡°Looks like we¡¯re running then.¡±


    Both Yaihan and Koya sprinted to the battle. The kunoichi led the race, coming within talking range of the army¡¯s leader first. ¡°Fei-Lu!¡± Koya shouted as she spun the sickle on her rope. ¡°I¡¯ve brought back up!¡± The kunoichi threw weapon and hooked the rear side of a demon¡¯s shoulder. She pulled her rope and the Oni toppled backwards, dropping his weapon as he fell.


    Fei-Lu soared through the air, jumping high enough that her body turned into a silhouette as she crossed the sun. She landed with grace on top of the fallen demon, her feet gently resting on his chest. The woman woman stood confidently, holding a long and curved blade in each hand as she stared at the demon with scorn.


    The tactician¡¯s black hair formed a tidy knot behind her head, creating short loops just below the ears while her bangs rustled in the wind. She wore a long, gray flowing dress with luminous gold trim that split into separate slits, revealing her thighs. A transparent veil wrapped around her arms and connected to the top of her dress. On her neck was a matching gray and gold scarf that flowed with a breeze. Long and elegant boots reached halfway to her hips. And resting on her head was an ornate, golden tiara.


    ¡°What were you doing up north?¡± Fei-Lu asked Koya. Despite her petite frame, the woman¡¯s voice was commanding. ¡°I told you to escort the frontline infantry back to camp!¡± The tactician crossed both of her swords on both sides of the demon¡¯s neck before closing them like a pair of scissors. The Oni beneath her stopped squirming as a stream of black blood left his headless body.


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    ¡°The demons were eliminated,¡± Koya said as she pulled out the hook from the demon¡¯s shoulder. The remaining Oni looked at the two Purifiers with fear. His hands shook as he held his axe defensively, unsure which woman would be the first to attack. ¡°So I had to improvise on what to do next.¡±


    ¡°Without my orders, Koya?¡± Fei-Lu raised an eyebrow as she gave the kunoichi a scolding glare.


    ¡°You know I can handle myself, Fei-Lu,¡± Koya replied with a huff. She focused on the demon first, throwing her sickle low so it hooked into the Oni¡¯s ankle. ¡°You were on the other side of the battle! You expected me to meet you all the way over there just to ask what to do next?¡± The kunoichi then vanished in a puff of smoke before reappearing to the demon¡¯s left. He swung his axe to the side once she entered his sight, only for her to vanish once more before his axe¡¯s blade could hit her.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have the luxury to make brash decisions,¡± Fei-Lu said coldly. ¡°This camp is the last hope for Xiwao. Any mistake and not only will this nation fall, but quite likely the rest of the world.¡±


    The kunoichi reappeared on the demon¡¯s other side. He fumbled his axe into this other hand, clumsily swinging it around in a vain attempt to hit the fleeing Koya. ¡°I know, I know. You say this every day!¡± Koya replied with a roll of her eyes. She held her weapon with both hands and darted towards the tactician. The rope wrapped around the demon¡¯s legs and a fierce pull from the kunoichi sent him stumbling forwards before falling face-down in front of Fei-Lu.


    With her eyes still angrily looking at Koya, Fei-Lu plunged one of her swords into the center of the demon¡¯s head. Despite the Oni no longer being a threat, the tactician stabbed her other sword into the top of the enemy¡¯s head, turning his skull into a sheath so she could cross her arms. ¡°I have to say it every day because you never seem to listen!¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah?¡± Koya snapped back as she pointed at Yaihan. ¡°If I had listened to your plan, then we wouldn¡¯t have stopped three marauders from escaping and revealing our camp¡¯s location to the Oni-Zhen leaders!¡±


    Fei-Lu turned her head towards the cultivator. She squinted and tilted her eyes, staring at him with a mix of confusion and aversion. ¡°You.¡± Fei-Lu curled one finger and pointed to herself. ¡°Come here. I need to have a talk with you.¡±


    Yaihan obeyed the tactician¡¯s order. He caught up with the group and greeted Fei-Lu with a bow. ¡°What is it you wanted to discuss?¡±


    Still with an irked look, Fei-Lu rested her hands on her hips and looked at Yaihan from the bottom up. ¡°I have never seen you at camp before. Where do you come from?¡±


    ¡°Jing-Gwo,¡± he said calmly.


    Fei-Lu shook her head before turning her annoyance towards Koya. ¡°This is your reinforcement? Either this man is daft or delusional. You heard what he said, correct?¡±


    The kunoichi readied a response until Yaihan stepped in. ¡°Might I ask, what was wrong with my answer?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you the benefit of assuming that you¡¯ve been injured in battle. Or perhaps some trauma has clouded your memory. But Jing-Gwo stopped being a municipality years ago. About seven or so. Merged into the Greater Xiwao Empire.¡±


    ¡°Sorry I didn¡¯t know. I was never much into politics.¡±


    Fei-Lu chortled with disgust. ¡°Now of all times you choose to be prideful over a petty territorial dispute that ended years ago.¡± She put one hand on Yaihan¡¯s shoulder and pointed at the pile of bodies that lay behind him. ¡°As you can see, there are more pressing matters to worry about! Almost all of Xiwao has been conquered by demons! And here you are... bitter over something that no one has thought about for over half a decade!¡±


    ¡°Calm down, Fei-Lu,¡± Koya said. ¡°I know he¡¯s not much at first glance, but Yaihan is what we need to turn this war around.¡±


    ¡°Have you been drinking from the latrine water? Unless he holds some secret information that can take us to the heart of the Oni-Zhen¡¯s dominion, this man is just another soldier!¡± She lifted a spear from the ground and placed it in Yaihan¡¯s hand. ¡°If you truly want to make yourself useful, take this weapon and fight to your last breath. Countless other Xiwaoans have given their lives. It¡¯s time for you to do the same.¡±


    ¡°I appreciate the offer, but I won¡¯t be needing this.¡± Yaihan carefully handed the weapon back to Fei-Lu. The tactician pouted, stomped her foot and turned to face her the corpse holding her swords.


    ¡°The punishment for disobedience is starvation,¡± Fei-Lu said as he placed her hands on the hilts of her blades. With a fierce tug, she removed both weapons out of the demon¡¯s skull. ¡°That goes for both of you. No rations for two days. We have barely enough as it is. There¡¯s not enough to go around for those that choose to put the lives of their fellow Xiwaoans at risk for the sake of pride!¡±


    With Fei-Lu¡¯s back still turned, Koya snuck in a roll of her eyes. She leaned towards cultivator and whispered in his ear. ¡°Show her what you¡¯re capable of, Yaihan. I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll change her tone once she sees what you can do to an Oni skull with a single punch.¡±


    Yaihan nodded. He stood next to Fei-Lu who still stood over the slain Oni. She maintained her angered demeanor as he took a fighting stance. Yaihan pulled one fist back, ready to strike the corpse.


    ¡°You might want to take a few steps back, Fei-Lu!¡± Koya called out. ¡°I know how much you hate getting Oni blood all over that Ensemble of yours!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± the tactician turned her head around. ¡°What are you talking ab¡ª¡±


    A single jab made the demon¡¯s head explode. Black blood scattered across the dry ground. Crimson chunks of flesh and bits of bone landed on the front of Fei-Lu¡¯s dress. She paused to look at the gore that dripped from her Ensemble before slowly lifting her head up to look at the scene before her. The Oni¡¯s upper body caved in while a black crater in the dirt was in place of his head.


    ¡°I warned you!¡± Koya said with a wink as she brushed off a hairy chunk of the demon¡¯s scalp from Fei-Lu¡¯s shoulder with a flick of her hand. ¡°Do you believe me now?¡±

 Chapter 10: Wicked and Winged

    Fei-Lu flicked her dress, sending a bit of flesh splatting on the ground. She blinked twice, looked at the corpse in front of her and then at Yaihan. ¡°What... did you do?¡± she muttered.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t magic if that¡¯s what you were thinking,¡± the cultivator replied, shaking his hands dry of black blood.


    ¡°Then what was it?¡±


    ¡°A standard jab.¡±


    The tactician stomped in front of the cultivator and crossed her arms. ¡°Is this all a joke to you?¡±


    Yaihan raised an eyebrow. ¡°I was being honest. It¡¯s one of the first techniques anyone learns in the most basic of martial arts training.¡±


    ¡°You might not want to get too assertive, Fei-Lu.¡± Koya appeared in a purple cloud, placing herself between the tactician and the cultivator. She pointed at the obliterated remains of the Oni to her side. ¡°You¡¯ve seen what he¡¯s capable of.¡±


    ¡°So you brought an assassin into my presence?¡± Fei-Lu snapped. ¡°That¡¯s what you consider to be reinforcements?¡±


    ¡°I was just making a joke, Fei.¡± Koya rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Fei-Lu!¡± The tactician pointed a finger at Koya¡¯s face. ¡°That¡¯s my full name! You know to always refer to me that way! You¡¯re only calling me that now to get me riled up in front of a new recruit!¡±


    ¡°If I might intrude,¡± Yaihan said as he stood to the side of both Purifiers. They turned to him, with Fei-Lu still angry. Koya¡¯s expression contrasted with a look of understanding. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to stir discord among your ranks. I was only following Koya¡¯s instruction. She knows more about this war than I do.¡±


    ¡°And Koya follows my orders!¡± Fei-Lu pointed towards herself with her thumb. ¡°And if you are to join the Xiwaoan forces, the same goes for you. Whatever I say supersedes hers. Is that understood?¡±


    The cultivator bowed. ¡°Yes, Fei-Lu.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± Fei-Lu crossed her arms and tapped a foot. ¡°Now. I want a proper answer. We¡¯re in a battle and people are dying, so a quick response is crucial. How did you annihilate that Oni¡¯s head with a single strike? Even I can¡¯t do that, and I¡¯m our army¡¯s most capable warrior.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d say we¡¯re at least on par,¡± Koya muttered under her breath. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t have all those kills if it weren¡¯t for me bringing them¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shush!¡± Fei-Lu pressed a finger against the other kunoichi¡¯s lips while keeping her eyes focused on Yaihan. ¡°Explain it to me in one sentence.¡±


    ¡°I am a cultivator,¡± Yaihan said bluntly.


    The tactician smacked her forehead with the palm of her head. ¡°Oh no. Not another one of those.¡±


    ¡°But he¡¯s the real deal!¡± Koya said as she rested an arm on Yaihan¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You saw it for yourself! And I¡¯ve seen him do even wilder things with my very own eyes! Dismemberment. Decapitation. Pulverizing. He¡¯s the only one I¡¯ve ever seen able to do to Onis what they¡¯ve been doing to humans for the past year!¡±


    ¡°Not once have I seen a so called ¡®cultivator¡¯ prove to be anything other than a weight on our army.¡± Fei-Lu started counting on her fingers. ¡°They¡¯re arrogant. Cocky. Self-centered. Incompetent. Stubborn.¡± She raised an eyebrow as she looked at Yaihan. ¡°Need I say more?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not like the others!¡± Koya protested. ¡°Trust me, he can turn the war in our favor.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll believe it when I see it.¡± Fei-Lu turned her back towards the other two before clapping her hands twice. ¡°Zephyr!¡± the tactician shouted. After a few seconds, another horse ran through the ravages of the battlefield, leaping over slain Oni. The white stallion was clad in lustrous silver armor that glistened with each step he took. Zephyr stopped in front of Fei-Lu, standing on his hind legs and letting out a neigh.


    ¡°This is your ride?¡± Yaihan asked as he looked at his reflection on the horse¡¯s helmet.


    ¡°Yes. As the commander, I need a way to travel swiftly across the field.¡± Fei-Lu leapt and landed on Zephyr¡¯s saddle with ease. She then holstered her blades onto the horse¡¯s side sheaths ¡°If you are truly as powerful and Koya claims you are, prove it.¡± The tactician took hold of her horse¡¯s reins while putting one hand over her eyes to block the sun as she scanned the war zone. Despite the Oni-Zhen¡¯s shrinking numbers, they continued to clash with Xiwaoan forces in a single, large clash in the middle of the battlefield. ¡°There. Let¡¯s see if that ¡®jab¡¯ of yours is as effective on enemies that are still living.¡±


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Without another word, Fei-Lu lashed Zephyr with the reins, making him sprint across the barren land. As Yaihan watched Fei-Lu charge into battle on the back of her steed, Koya nudged him in the arm with her elbow. ¡°She¡¯ll grow on you,¡± the kunoichi said quietly.


    ¡°I understand her temperament. A lot is at risk. She can¡¯t afford to make mistakes. Or to put her faith in someone she¡¯s only just met.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. But she has high expectations of everyone. It comes from her upbringing. As a general¡¯s only child, Fei-Lu was put through a lot. She¡¯s had that Tactician¡¯s Academy attitude ever since I¡¯ve known her.¡±


    ¡°Seems like she was getting frustrated with you,¡± Yaihan replied as she walked towards Midnight. ¡°I hope I didn¡¯t put a strain on your relationship.¡±


    Koya giggled. ¡°Oh? That little back and forth we had?¡± she said with a flick of her wrist. ¡°That was nothing but a little friendly disagreement. If we were losing the battle, things could have gotten a lot worse.¡± The kunoichi hopped on her horse¡¯s back. Yaihan sat himself on the rear of the saddle, his eyes still focusing on Fei-Lu as she headed towards the fight.


    ¡°I¡¯m ready to end this battle if you are,¡± Yaihan said as he braced himself for Midnight to move.


    ¡°I¡¯m always ready to kill some Oni bastards!¡± the kunoichi said with a wink. ¡°Ride on, Midnight!¡± She pulled on the reins and kicked her heel against the stallion¡¯s side. Midnight whinnied before galloping towards the fray.


    The scent of blood filled the air again as they sped towards the final skirmish. Human and Oni alike screamed as they clashed metal against metal. Fei-Lu dismounted her horse first, propelling herself high into the air before descending in front of a club-wielding Oni. He raised his weapon high, ready to smash the tactician until she back flipped out of his club¡¯s range. Fei-Lu crossed her blades, forming an ¡®X¡¯ shape with them in front of her body. She then followed through with a downwards slash of both weapons.


    A gust of wind shot out from her slash, making a thunderous boom as the magical projectile flew towards the demon. The Oni placed his weapon in front of his chest to block the attack, but the stone bludgeon did little to mitigate the blast. The rush of air collided with his body, cutting a large ¡®X¡¯ shape into his skin that stretched from his shoulders down to his waist. He dropped his club to clutch onto the gaping slashes that covered the front of his body.


    With her enemy wounded, Fei-Lu leapt in the air again, this time spreading her arms apart with her swords extended out. The tactician spun sideways, turning her body into a blur as a fierce wind encompassed her body. Fei-Lu¡¯s swords cut through the demon¡¯s skull with ease as she passed overhead. She landed behind her foe and took a glance behind to watch the Oni fell backwards with his head split vertically down the middle.


    ¡°That was impressive,¡± Yaihan said to Koya as they approached the battle.


    ¡°It took her two spells to take out that Oni. Impressive, yes. But I want to see her reaction when she sees you kill a demon with your bare hands!¡±


    The cultivator looked away from Fei-Lu and scanned field. Various Oni dueled with numerous Xiwaoans, only to be overrun. The human soldiers stabbed and slashed with their superior numbers, bringing their demonic foes to the ground and finishing them once they were incapacitated.


    Only one Oni stood confident enough to continue taking on Xiwaoans. Standing a few feet taller than the other Onis, he wore a plated belt that protected his waist with a demonic skull serving at its buckle. He stood at the furthest side of the battle, swinging his jagged sword with enough velocity to sever multiple Xiwaoans in a single slice. After dealing the fatal blow, he laughed with a wicked smile. ¡°Is there no Xiwaoan that can rival me?¡± he cried loud enough for everyone in the area to hear.


    Koya made Midnight come to a halt and then looked at Yaihan. ¡°I think he¡¯s talking to you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll see if I can make our conversation a brief one.¡± The cultivator dismounted the stallion. He readied his legs for a leap while his eyes focused on where he wanted to land. After a moment of concentration, Yaihan high above the fighting and towards the towering demon on the other side.


    The Oni looked up and saw Yaihan careen towards him. With a leap, he avoided getting crushed underneath the cultivator. ¡°What?¡± the demon said with shock as he staggered back from the shockwaves made from Yaihan¡¯s impact. ¡°Have you come to challenge me?¡±


    Yaihan brushed off the dirt from his pants. He looked at the surrounding area, wincing when he the bodies of the bisected soldiers that littered the ground. ¡°You asked for a rival.¡±


    With a worried face, the demon took a battle stance. He held his sword in one hand while angling his body so that only one side of his body faced the cultivator. ¡°I see. That was an impressive trick you just performed. The closest I¡¯ve seen a human fly was with your leader. But your leaps are nothing compared to what I¡¯m able to do!¡± The demon spread his legs and flexed his bulging arm muscles. Two black wings shot out from behind his back. Once fully spread, the scaly appendages stretched to almost twice his arm span. He pulled them back and then flexed them forward, sending a gust of wind at the cultivator.


    ¡°Before you die, I want you to know that it was Valiax who slayed you!¡± The demon cackled again as he flapped his wings rapidly. A rush of wind blew towards Yaihan, sending the mutilated corpses tumbling like loose blades of grass. As dust and blood swirled around him, Yaihan remained still. He lifted one hand to cover his eyes from the flurry of dirt as he waited for the Oni to finish the attack.


    ¡°S-Still standing?¡± the demon said, perplexed. Yaihan took a few steps forward and cracked his knuckles. ¡°And... you don¡¯t even have a weapon! Y-You must either be the most foolish warrior in all of Xiwao... or the legends of mythic cultivators must be true!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you one thing,¡± Yaihan replied as he continued towards the Oni. Valiax backed away with his hands trembling as he clutched his weapon, only to stumble backwards over the body of a dead demon. Now on his back, the demon stared at the cultivator as he inched closer. ¡°You¡¯re the first to get that part correct.¡±

 Chapter 11: A Moment of Weakness

    The cultivator leapt and landed on Valiax¡¯s gut. The Oni hunched forward and wheezed on impact. Despite the abrupt pain, Valiax kept hold of his sword as Yaihan walked along his chest. ¡°I¡¯ve been told that destroying an Oni¡¯s heart is just as effective as annihilating their brain. But I haven¡¯t seen that for myself yet.¡± The cultivator raised one foot over the demon¡¯s chest ready, to stomp.


    ¡°So... you are a cultivator!¡± the winged demon muttered.


    ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± Yaihan hoisted his knee a bit higher as his eyes scanned the Oni¡¯s body to look for the proper location to crush with his heel.


    ¡°Then that must mean one thing!¡± Valiax moaned. Yaihan shifted his eyes to the demon¡¯s head, waiting for him to follow through with his statement. Instead of a proper response, Valiax gathered a fist full of dust and hurled it at Yaihan¡¯s face.


    The cultivator lifted one hand to cover his eyes but only deflected a small bit of the dust from obscuring his vision. During the moment of confusion, Valiax propped himself up with a flap of his wings and sent Yaihan back to the ground feet first.


    ¡°It means you¡¯re a fool!¡± the winged demon cackled as he hovered several feet above the cultivator. Yaihan wiped the sand out of his eyes with the palm of his hands while still facing the demon. Valiax¡¯s flapping created a torrent of dust as he hovered above Yaihan, slowly ascending with every movement of his wings. ¡°So desperate for any kind of praise that you¡¯re willing to spare your enemies the moment they notice your power!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll admit you caught me off guard,¡± Yaihan replied with his fists clenched. He brought his legs to a crouch, ready to pounce again. ¡°I still depend on my innate senses, so that trick you pulled managed to save you. For now.¡± Yaihan propelled himself with a leap, hurling himself at Valiax¡¯s chest. With ease, the demon dodged Yaihan with a swift sway to the side. The cultivator missed grasping onto the demon and fell to the earth with a resounding impact.


    ¡°One of the most important things that a general has to understand is when to retreat. Something your leader Fei-Lu knows all too well!¡± Still flying high the air, Valiax scoured the ground and gazed at the dismembered crimson bodies that littered the battlefield. ¡°And now seems to be as good of a time as any!¡±


    The demon flew higher and towards the bridge to the north. Fei-Lu caught up with Yaihan and shot another blast of wind with the slash of her swords. The magic spell hit Valiax in the foot, slowing his escape. Despite the damage, the winged demon leveled his flight path after a few seconds.


    ¡°Hand me one of your swords,¡± Yaihan said to Fei-Lu with an open hand.


    ¡°You¡¯re making an order of me?¡± the tactician said with disgust. ¡°After you let him get away?¡±


    ¡°Trust me. If you don¡¯t want the location of the camp revealed, let me have one of your swords.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather try my luck casting Slashing Tempest again!¡± Fei-Lu faced the fleeing demon and crossed her swords once again. As she raised both blades above her head, Koya¡¯s rope wrapped around one of them. The kunoichi gave her weapon a tug and yanked the blade out of the tactician¡¯s hands.


    ¡°You¡¯ll get it back once you transform again!¡± Koya said as the sword flew in her direction. She snatched the hilt out of the air and looked at the cultivator. ¡°Here, Yaihan.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Yaihan said as he grabbed the sword after Koya tossed it. He brought it back with his right arm while his left angled up his thumb and pointer finger serving as a guide for his aim. Yaihan closed one eye and squinted at the floating black shadow in the distance. With an overhead fling, Yaihan sent the sword soaring at Valiax. A few seconds passed as all three watched the weapon vanish from sight. Valiax continued to fly in a straight line until one of his wings fell off.


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    The demon¡¯s wing fell straight down while the rest of his body spiraled out of control. He flailed his limbs as he careened uncontrollably away from the direction of the bridge and towards the direction of the mountain range to the east before disappearing from view.


    ¡°Nice shot, Yaihan,¡± Koya said as she gave the cultivator a pat on the back.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a cause for celebration,¡± Yaihan replied quietly.


    ¡°You¡¯re right it isn¡¯t!¡± Fei-Lu said bitterly. Both Yaihan and Koya turned around to face a furious tactician. She threw her remaining sword straight into the ground so that it stood straight up as it pierced the dirt. She crossed her arms before a brilliant white light engulfed her, showing only her silhouette. Once the beam dissipated, Fei-Lu remained in the same pose with the same frustrated look but in a completely different outfit. Instead of her elegant dress, she wore a gray romper with loose sleeves and a long pair of boots. ¡°I am more than certain that Valiax will survive that fall! He¡¯s going to reveal our camp¡¯s location now that Yaihan let him escape!¡±


    Another white light shrouded Koya. Once it vanished, her mask was gone and instead of a set of robes, she wore a cropped black top and a pair of long baggy pants. She put both hands on her hips and gave Fei-Lu an equally annoyed glare. ¡°Let him escape,¡± the kunoichi said in a mocking tone. ¡°You act like Yaihan was working with the Oni-Zhen!¡±


    ¡°Clearly he has the power to annihilate any demon as he so pleases!¡± Fei-Lu said as she pointed towards the cultivator but her kept her eyes on Koya. ¡°Then why did he hesitate to finish off their leader? He managed to get on him and was about to crush his chest!¡±


    ¡°I apologize, Fei-Lu,¡± Yaihan said with a bow of his head. ¡°Did you hear my conversation with the demon?¡±


    ¡°I did. You let your pride get the best of you, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Not quite,¡± Yaihan said somberly. ¡°I... just wanted to hear what he had to say.¡±


    ¡°Well, now you understand why I¡¯ve ordered for all Oni to be executed on the spot. Never have they proven to have anything of value to say! It¡¯s all either inane ramblings on their hatred of Xiwao or how much they appreciate their new, evil forms! From what I gather, it seemed like you were itching to hear a bit of praise!¡±


    Koya looked at the cultivator and shrugged her shoulders. ¡°You do let Oni talk a lot, Yaihan,¡± the kunoichi said with a whisper. ¡°We¡¯ll have to work on that.¡±


    ¡°I would have crushed him once he finished his next sentence,¡± an embarrassed Yaihan replied.


    ¡°But you didn¡¯t!¡± the tactician snapped. ¡°And now he¡¯s deep into the Hujang Canyon, ready to march towards the heart of Oni-Zhen territory. Not to mention that he¡¯ll probably reveal our location to countless Onis! If you thought we were in a terrible situation now, it¡¯s going to get a lot worse!¡±


    ¡°Take a breath, Fei-Lu,¡± Koya said as she pressed a put a hand on the tactician¡¯s shoulders. She jerked her arm back, making Koya retreat her hand.


    ¡°Both of you. Come back to the camp immediately. I need time to come up with an appropriate punishment for such... insubordination!¡± The tactician clapped her hands and called Zephyr¡¯s name. The horse came galloping to her. She mounted the steed immediately and ventured towards the encampment.


    ¡°I¡¯ll fight to my last breath,¡± Yaihan said to Koya once Fei-Lu left hearing distance. ¡°I will stand guard at the very gates of Hell if I have to.¡±


    ¡°Stop being so dramatic,¡± Koya said with a sigh. ¡°You know how many times we¡¯ve lost a ¡®final¡¯ battle?¡± She whistled and Midnight came trotting closer. ¡°We¡¯ve suffered causalities today, which is always tragic. But I can¡¯t recall the last time we actually had to make the Oni-Zhen retreat.¡±


    ¡°Are you not worried about the Oni-Zhen finding the location of your camp?¡± Yaihan asked as he got on Midnight¡¯s back.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been on the run ever since the war started.¡± Koya held onto the reins as she stared out into the distance. Beyond the miles of desert was a dreary purple horizon as the sun set. ¡°It will have to come to an end eventually. Maybe it¡¯s time that we stop retreating. Not like we have anywhere else to go.¡±


    There was a brief silence as both watched a cloud block the sliver of sun that lingered in the distance. ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s time to change plans. We start bringing the fight to the Onis.¡±


    The kunoichi stroked Midnight¡¯s black mane and sighed. ¡°Maybe. It¡¯d be nice to have the Oni-Zhen be on the defensive for once. Who knows? Maybe with your strength and Fei-Lu¡¯s intellect, we could get a proper counter-attack going.¡±


    ¡°Fei-Lu seemed upset. Almost like she¡¯s ready to accept defeat.¡±


    Koya pulled the reins back and made Midnight head towards camp with a steady trot. ¡°I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll come around. She just needs a bit of time to think of something. Fei-Lu always does.¡±

 Chapter 12: Once in Multiple Generations

    Yaihan and Koya entered the camp together. The survivors of the battle all turned towards the pair and applauded when Yaihan dismounted Midnight. Xiwaoan soldiers surrounded the cultivator, showering him with praise and pats on his back and shoulder. They all vied for his attention, trying to ask him questions and offering him compliments.


    ¡°Is it true that you¡¯re able to crush an Oni skull with your bare hands?¡± one soldier inquired.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to show us how to use your magic!¡± another one said.


    Koya broke up the crowd, separating the soldiers from the cultivator. ¡°We can talk about the battle later at tonight¡¯s meeting. Give Yaihan some room to breathe!¡±


    The kunoichi grabbed Yaihan by the wrist and pulled him away from the swarm of people. ¡°I don¡¯t mind talking with them,¡± the cultivator said as he followed Koya through the camp. Everyone inside turned their eyes towards them, whispering with each other about the recent rumors that came from the recent battle.


    ¡°I know. But Fei-Lu wanted to speak with us as soon as we made it back. She¡¯s already in a bad mood. I don¡¯t want to get her any madder.¡±


    Koya led Yaihan to a tent next to the healing center on the outskirts of the stronghold. The foundation of the structure was solider than the rest of the housing of the encampment; a rigid wooden frame served as the base while multiple layers of leather served as the exterior. Two guards stood by the entrance and gave Koya a polite bow as she approached.


    ¡°Is Fei-Lu in there?¡± Koya asked one man in front of the tent. He tilted his head to the side and nodded.


    ¡°Yes. She¡¯s been looking for you.¡±


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t seem too happy,¡± the other guard whispered. ¡°Even though most of our troops returned safe and sound. What happened on the battlefield might I ask?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a long story,¡± Koya said as she put one hand on the flap to the tent. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll hear about it later tonight at our meeting.¡±


    As Koya put one foot into the tent, the two guards stood in front of Yaihan with their spears crossed. ¡°No one goes in without the proper authority,¡± the first guard said to the cultivator.


    ¡°He¡¯s with me,¡± the kunoichi said.


    ¡°Sorry, Kanakoya. But only Fei-Lu is allowed to grant access to her tent.¡±


    The kunoichi rolled her eyes. ¡°Fine. Give me one second, Yaihan.¡± She vanished into the tent, leaving the guards to remain in front of the cultivator. After a minute of silence, Fei-Lu emerged from the tent, poking her head out of the flap and looking at Yaihan.


    ¡°Let him through,¡± she replied calmly. ¡°And I grant him unrestricted access.¡±


    The two guards looked at each other and then at Yaihan with bewilderment. Both pulled their spears away and stepped to the side. ¡°Not many people get unrestricted access to Fei-Lu¡¯s war room,¡± the first soldier said. ¡°You must be something special.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Yaihan replied before taking a bow. He then walked into the tent and stood directly in front of the flap that settle behind him. His eyes scanned the spacious room; a large table sat in the center. An intricate paper map lay on top of the wooden surface. An assortment of trinkets scattered across various locations of the map. Fei-Lu stood on the opposite side of the table, her hands keeping her propped up and she scrutinized a specific section.


    Koya sat down on one side, leaning forward as she stared at the same spot as Fei-Lu. Lysa stood by herself in the corner, out of her Purifier¡¯s Ensemble like the others. The druid wore an ornate robe adorned with feathers and a pair of tights that ended just below her waist while a pair of hide boots reached up beneath her knees. The outfit was expertly sewn together from a myriad of materials, giving Lysa an almost regal look that stood out from the rest of the people at the camp.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°Have a seat, Yaihan,¡± Fei-Lu said with confidence as she pointed to the lone crate propped against the tent¡¯s wall. Yaihan obliged and plopped himself on top of the seat. The flickering of the of the two torches perched against the tent¡¯s walls obscured everything intermittently. Despite the limited light, Fei-Lu remained focused on the same spot as she stroked her chin with her finger.


    ¡°You seem... better,¡± Koya said.


    ¡°I¡¯ve had some time to think clearly,¡± Fei-Lu replied softly. She took her arms off the table to look at Yaihan. ¡°First things first. I¡¯ve... decided to forego your punishment. As well as Koya¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Yaihan replied.


    The kunoichi gave a wink to the cultivator. ¡°Not like she could enforce it, right?¡±


    Fei-Lu put a finger to her lips and shushed Koya. ¡°Let me finish.¡± She walked around the front of the table and stood over Yaihan. She rested her hands on her hips and stared at him with narrowed eyes. ¡°You have sparked a vigor in our army.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± the cultivator asked with genuine curiosity.


    ¡°Yes. I have never seen our soldiers so confident about the war. Not once. When I first returned to camp, the survivors of the front lines surrounded me. They asked me countless questions about you.¡± She pointed one finger at his chest. ¡°Where did that warrior come from? Can I learn magic like that?¡± The tactician paused and took in a deep breath. ¡°Can we actually win this war?¡±


    ¡°What did you tell them?¡±


    ¡°I told them I¡¯ll explain as much as I can at tonight¡¯s assembly. And I intend to follow through with my promise.¡± Fei-Lu returned to her spot at the front of the map. ¡°I always do. That¡¯s why I wanted to bring you in here. I have many questions, but unfortunately we don¡¯t have much time. I will make this interview brief.¡± She turned her head over her shoulder and looked at Yaihan again. ¡°Can you get straight to the point? None of the vague, non-answers that cultivators are known for having.¡±


    Yaihan nodded. ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°See, Fei-Lu?¡± Koya said as she leaned back in her seat. She kicked up her feet and rested them on the edge of the table. ¡°Didn¡¯t kill you to be a bit more open-minded, did it?¡±


    Fei-Lu took hold of Koya¡¯s ankles and dropped them back onto the ground. ¡°Just because you¡¯re not in trouble now doesn¡¯t mean you can act like you have no manners, Koya.¡±


    ¡°My bad.¡±


    ¡°Tell me Yaihan,¡± Fei-Lu said as she made eye contact with the cultivator. ¡°Where do you come from? And I don¡¯t mean the village where you once lived. I want to know where you were when this war started almost a year ago.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve spent the past ten years on Mount Kaminada,¡± Yaihan replied.


    Fei-Lu tilted her head, bearing a look of bafflement. ¡°Mount Kaminada?¡± she repeated. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of such a place.¡±


    ¡°I think I have,¡± Koya said. ¡°It¡¯s closer to the Isles of Siminaka, right?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d be correct.¡±


    ¡°Not much there,¡± the kunoichi said. ¡°Didn¡¯t know people actually lived on it, either. It¡¯s only known for being made of an illustrious black stone. Makes for a good landmark for sailors, but that¡¯s about it.¡±


    ¡°And that¡¯s why I was sent there to meditate,¡± Yaihan replied. He rested his hands on his knees as he maintained eye contact with Fei-Lu. ¡°That black stone is solid onyx. My master believed it to have special properties that helps with focus.¡±


    ¡°Does it?¡± Koya asked.


    ¡°That I¡¯m not sure of.¡± Yaihan shrugged his shoulders. ¡°My old master believed in many things. He was quite talented as a teacher. However, he wasn¡¯t always right. At the very least, he told his students that he wasn¡¯t perfect so we could make decisions for ourselves. But I can say for certain that my time in isolation on that mountain is why I have the strength I do now. The crashing waves. The undisturbed nature. The loneliness. It has everything essential for a pure cultivation experience.¡±


    ¡°Then how come no one else has tried it?¡± Fei-Lu asked. ¡°If achieving your level of strength was as simple as living on a mountain for a few years, then we¡¯d be seeing a lot more people like you running around Xiwao.¡±


    Yaihan sat back in his seat. ¡°It¡¯s my fault for making it come across as simple as learning a trade or craft. For the sake of brevity, I only gave you the essential information. I can go more in-depth if you desire, but if your plan is to train your army to become cultivators like myself, then you¡¯ll be fighting this war for thousands of years.¡±


    ¡°But it only took you ten!¡± Fei-Lu said.


    ¡°Yes. But I¡¯m an exception. A cultivator with my abilities happens only once a thousand years, if that. We¡¯d spend more time waiting for a proper cultivator to be born than actual meditating.¡±


    Disappointed, Fei-Lu crossed her arms and focused on her map. ¡°Fine. Having someone else with even a fraction of your strength could help us greatly, but even just you alone can win battles. And that¡¯s the main reason I wanted you here now.¡± She waved her hand, prompting Yaihan to get up and stand beside her in front of the map.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do what you need me to,¡± Yaihan said as his eyes panned across the tattered map.


    Fei-Lu nodded her head. ¡°Good. Because I¡¯ve devised a strategy to stop Valiax. It¡¯s a risky one, but it works, we just might be able to save our stronghold.¡±