Chapter 71: Ashes

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    Awareness returns to Liu Jin gradually. He does not know where he is or how much time has passed. His mind is sluggish, so much that he can barely remember his own name. Someone is carrying him, yet it takes a while for Liu Jin to grasp this simple fact. It is as if his mind is far away from his body. For a brief moment, Liu Jin even manages to fool himself into thinking his father is carrying him home.

    Then he remembers what happened to his father. Memories of fire and blood hit him all at once.

    Careful. If you make sudden movements, you might fall.

    That voice.

    That is not his fathers voice.

    This is not his fathers back.

    Red eyes snap into focus, the haze blown away from his mind. Liu Jin kicks away the arms holding his legs and leaps back. He expects some sort of resistance from his captor, yet there is none. Even so, Liu Jin assumes a fighting stance the moment his feet touch the ground, eyes darting in all directions.

    He is in the middle of a grassy plain, and there are no people in sight. None other than the man who had been carrying him.

    You!

    Liu Jin knows him. He knows his eyes and his face. And the armor! How could Liu Jin ever fail to recognize that black armor after that dreadful night? The image is already burned into his retina, never to fade away.

    More importantly, Liu Jin knows this mans name.

    Liu Jin knows him to be Lei Kong, the dying soldier from the Storm Dragon Empire he encountered in Poison Fang Canyon.CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

    The man whose life he saved the day his master passed away.

    A most curious sense of peace takes hold of Liu Jin, almost as if he has taken a step outside himself. Liu Jin watches, like a stranger, as his mind pieces everything together with mechanical efficiency.

    Liu Jin had suspected. Of course, he had. He hadnt failed to recognize the armor the invaders were wearing. However, his mind had been far too busy with far more immediate concerns to focus on the implications.

    No.

    That is a lie.

    Liu Jin hadnt been too busy. He just hadnt wanted to think about the implications.

    He hadnt wanted to acknowledge the truth.

    It was you, Liu Jin says, his voice as lifeless, his eyes devoid of any warmth. You led those men to Eastern Port City, didnt you?

    Lei Kong lowers his eyes, then his head. Shame radiates from his every pore, yet Liu Jin is unmoved.

    I asked you a question.

    Lei Kongs knees hit the ground. His hands and forehead follow as the man kowtows before Liu Jin.

    It is as you say. There are no words to express the depths of my shame. Nothing I say can explain away my ingratitude. Even if I were to live a thousand years, I could not repay this debt. Even if my descendants were to dedicate themselves to removing this stain for up to five generations, it wouldnt be enough.

    Spare me the theatrics.

    Despite the situation, Liu Jin doesnt raise his voice. He should be raging, yet Liu Jin can only feel detached. Numb.

    It is not that he is not angry. Liu Jin can feel the rage swirling within him.

    Yet it all feels so far away.

    Purple-Veined Empyrean Crystals. You saw the deposit inside Poison Fang Canyon, didnt you?

    Lei Kong says nothing. He does not dare raise his head.

    Once again, I have asked a question of you. Once again, you remain silent. Is there no end to your rudeness?

    Normally, it would be unthinkable for Liu Jin to address someone like Lei Kong this way. While Liu Jin is stronger than his level of cultivation would suggest, he is still far below someone in the True Realm. If he wanted to, Lei Kong could easily kill Liu Jin.

    Yet Lei Kong does not dare challenge the boy before him.

    It is as you say, Lei Kong says, his voice the very definition of remorse. The day we met, I was able to reach the center of the canyon. There, I found a large deposit of Purple-Veined Empyrean Crystal, the likes of which I had never seen before.

    Master... Eastern Port City was attacked four days ago. You have been unconscious ever since I hit you. Even if you were to return now, the battle would be long over already. Besides... General Murong is in the Fifth Level of the Emperor Realm. There is no way he could have lost. If you were to return right now, the only thing you would find would be General Murongs army destroying everything in the canyon to acquire the Empyrean Crystals.

    Liu Jin growls and shoves Lei Kong away, as if the act of pushing him out of his sight would somehow make his words less valid.

    Fifth Level of the Emperor Realm.

    Against Patriarch Xiao Zheng, who is only in the Second Level of the Emperor Realm, and Yun Peng, who is in the Ninth Level of the Renegade Realm, the only possible outcome would be

    Master, I am s-

    That is the second time you call me master, Liu Jin says through gritted teeth. Why are you calling me that?

    It is as I said before. Due to my actions, I have incurred a debt that cannot possibly be repaid, Master, Lei Kong says, solemnly. Even if I were to give all I have, I would not be able to repay it, so I must, nevertheless, give you all I have, including my very life. Everything this Lei Kong is now belongs to you, Master. Use me as you would any tool.

    A tool? Liu Jin lets out a sharp laugh. You betray me and bring death to my home, and all you have to offer is yourself? I know the state of your body. Your arm is missing. Your meridians are crushed on your right side. You are in the True Realm and will remain there for the rest of your life. You take so many things from me, and all you have to offer is a broken tool? Do you realize how ridiculous your words are? How shameless you are for speaking them?

    It is as Master says. Things like face, this Lei Kong no longer has them. I am lower than a dog, for even dogs know better than to bite those who feed them. Still, I give myself to you regardless to use as you see fit.

    And what possible use could I have for you?

    I am not unskilled in combat, although it is true I will never grow stronger than my current level, Lei Kong says. I can sing and play music, though my condition has placed many instruments beyond me. I know many things about the Storm Dragon Empire and about General Murong. No doubt, Master will want to know more about him.

    And why, Liu Jin asks, would I wish to know more about him?

    For the first time, Lei Kong looks confused.

    Well, surely. Surely, Master is planning to kill General Murong for his many transgressions against your person? Though I believe this path is fruitless, I cannot stop Master and will help with your revenge.

    Revenge? Liu Jin echoes. Disbelief gives way to hysterical laughter. Revenge?

    Master?

    Why are you all so stupid? Liu Jin whispers. Tell me, are there a thousand Murong Bangs?

    What?

    Are there a thousand Murong Bangs? Liu Jin repeats, enunciating each word. Do you think killing one will satisfy me? Do you think even killing a thousand Murong Bangs will make me feel better?

    To kill and kill and find out there are not enough people.

    So this is how it feels.

    Will that make me happy? Will that make this pain go away? Liu Jin yells, clutching his heart. Tears spill from his eyes. Will that give me my father back?

    Silence is the only answer he receives, and silence reigns for minutes after his outburst.

    Master, Lei Kong begins, somewhat hesitantly. Are you saying that perhaps you do not wish to kill Murong Bang.

    ...I did not say that.

    Then... what is Master saying?

    Liu Jin takes a deep breath.

    I dont know. Liu Jin chuckles and shakes his head. Apparently, I dont know anything at all.

    With that, Liu Jin walks away. Lei Kong is left blinking before he takes off after Liu Jin.

    His home is gone. His father is gone. His friends are gone. At the age of thirteen, Liu Jin has lost what he most valued to cruelty beyond his imagination. All that is left is the taste of ashes in his mouth.

    He walks under the bright sun of the Crimson Cloud Empire, miles away from any city or town.

    He does not know where he is going.

    He doesnt care.

    His boyhood has ended abruptly. His path to adulthood has begun.

    For Liu Jin, it will be a long road.

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