Day before Slaughter

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A knock was heard upon a door.

“Yes yes, come in.” Said the man who was sitting on a coach. Having a wine glass on his right hand and a document on his left.

The woman who entered was Lou Jun. Her expression didn’t look happy, more like irritated.

She sat on the opposite coach before crossing her legs. She then asked, “Since when did you know that she was the traitor? Dad?”

“Well as someone who played with her body for a long time... Why wouldn’t I know?” He said before drinking his wine.

He looked at the report given to him which listed the causalities from raiding that small branch of Imperial Lunar Sect. Everyone died it seems.

His daughter, Lou Jun knitted her eye brows before asking, “She’s dead you know?”

“Shame, I was fond of her ass...” He said before giving out a sigh.

Lou Jun didn’t know what to say in response to his statement. She gritted her teeth before yelling out, “DAD! Why are you touching other women! Was Mom nothing to you!?”

The man tensed up before replying, “Well... How long has it been, since she left us? 6 years? No, 7 years? You can’t possibly ask a man who still didn’t reach his 40’s to become a monk!” He then placed the wine glass on the table in front of him.

His words baffled her, before she looked at him with disgust.

She then started tapping her knee before asking, “So, what to do about that suicidal squad we have sent?”

“Nothing, their dead and probably be used as fertilizers in the next coming years. The real issue lies with those knights coming for our heads.”

Lou Jun clicked her tongue as her eyes was filled brim with annoyance. She then asked, “How many?”

“Three knights, one leader knight, three squires and 10 mercenaries. If what my scout said was true.” The man closed his eyes while thinking of what a mess he got.

“...” The lady remained silent.

“If we’re counting every person we got in out arsenal, then it would be about ten more than their total. Though more than half of them doesn’t even know how to properly use a weapon.”

“Who does, now a days?” She replied.

“With all the resources we got, the best option would be to leave this city... but we’re no cowards. Though not also fools, as we still can finish them off with what we excel at.”

“Surprise attacks.” She answered confidently.

“Exactly. I have individuals stationed at the entrances of the city, warning us in advance if any entered. As for your task, my precious daughter, I ask that you prepare all traps and tell your colleagues to use that path instead.”

“I’ll do that, but what about that man who chased me? And not to forget about that princess?”

He looked at the painting hanged on the wall behind his daughter before replying, “It’s best not to mess with that man. With the info I gotten, it seems he’s a mage killing expert.”

“Mage killer? What’s that?”

“Well, I can’t blame you for not knowing about those sorcerers being stuck in this town for too long. Just like you, a cultivator, they excel in converting their stored mana to manipulate the elements surrounding them. Unlike you, they can't create but instead can only manipulate the surrounding.”

“I see. So, what makes this man dangerous? If I recalled, he easily tore through my ice barrier.”

“To be honest I don’t really know as to how he does it but for sure he has the ability to negate anything that comes out of an inscription.”

“...!” One of her eye brows raised as she got startled from that.

“Just avoid him anyhow, as for that princess you mentioned... She has no use for me right now as we’re currently in a much dire state.” He said with a serious tone.

“True... I guess.” Lou Jun complied.

“Now be a good girl and do what I told you before.”

She glared at him before walking out the room.

The man placed the papers he was holding on the table. He then joined his hands before resting his chin on them. Collecting all his thoughts, he then began thinking.

‘Having few amount of men, less weapons, and against one of the finest soldiers around. What a mess. Though I can turn this around if the plan to ambush them succeeds. What I'm concerned about is that they would expect something like that. So, splitting them up... must be the best solution.’

He pulled a pendant out of his pockets before thinking, ‘I wonder what’re you doing right now, Lou Qiang?’

~/```````````````````/~

“So, why do I have to come with you again?” Said Lihua as she follows Tengfei.

He sighed before replying, “Who knows where you’ll go again if I left you alone.”

Lihua raised one of her eyebrow. Her mouth then curved into a smile. Catching up to his speed and walked beside him, she then said, “See! You really do care about me he he. I bet you would bind me with rope and lock me in a room to make sure I’m safe. Then every once a while would come and make me beg to ask you to feed me.”

Tengfei's eyes widened to her delusion, You have one crazy imagination you know?”

She tilted her head before replying, “It’s not imagination, it’s what we call fact. I know what sort of twisted pervert you are...”

“Twisted pervert?” Tengfei's eyes knitted.

“I bet you wish to play around with my body every time I sleep beside you.” She said before looking at him while placing a finger on her lips.

“Hoho, so you think your body is worthy of ME?” He proudly puffed his chest.

“Don’t give me that look. Just this morning, you were cuddling on me like some lost poor puppy!” Lihua shouted.

Her words made Tengfei to avert his eyes. He remained silent.

“See! Look at your red face! Being flustered and all!” She had a smug look while having half closed eyes.

Tengfei gritted his teeth before saying, “Oh, so now you're like this but what happened yesterday when you said ‘I know you can't feel any love to me, but just for this once... even if it is pretentious.’ huh?”

She became flustered as she tries to cover her face away from him. Lihua then rebukes “T-That time, I didn’t know what I was saying s-s-so just forget about it!”

“Not to mention today with your kitty acting.” Tengfei imitated a cat like gesture with his hands as he said that.

Lihua showed a shock looked before turning flustered, “Also, that! Don’t mention it! I wished I had never thought of servicing you!” She then crossed her arms.

“Pfft, service.” He said as he stares at her flat chest.

Looking at his triumphant look, she swore before thinking of something up.

“Maybe I was like that, but I still heard you say that this scar right here is to your liking! P.E.R.V.E.R.T.” Lihua said as she points at the scar near her chin.

“So? It does make you less childish. Be thankful I said that!”

Lihua revealed a grin before replying, “You want me to be a woman eh? What for?”

“SHUT UP, SHUT UP! I’m tired of talking, let’s just walk in peace.”

She remained quiet for a moment. Though that's only for a moment before she asks, “Where we going?”

“I thought I said to zip it!”

“Where ARE we going?”

“The restaurant I work in, now shut it.”

They walked through the streets and finally reached the Jeweled Mantou Restaurant.

When they entered through the door, the ring of the bell could be heard.

They found that every table and chairs are stacked up one another. As if it’s still closed.

He found the owner massaging his forehead as he sat near a corner.

Tenfgei went up to hip and asked, “What happened?”

He looked up to find his recently hired worker asking him worriedly.

After exhaling, he then replied, “Yes, something horrid occurred. My cousin, the mayor, died recently and I think I know who was responsible.”

He closed his eyes before uttering, “It was her, that vile pretender. Lou Jun.”

Tengfei’s eyes widened but it lasted only shortly due him having already a doubt in her personality.

He then asked with a serious look “How do you know it was her?”

“From the way she asked about me and my family one by one each day... and the fact Lou Jun specifically asked as to when my cousin feels relaxed. Just so that she could kill him...”

“Do you have something for me to do?” Tengfei asked with a worried look.

The owner looked at him then slowly closed his eyes. He then said, “It’s far too dangerous to stick your nos-”

Before he could finish his sentence, Tengfei shook his hand then said, “I know I know, so I’ll be on my way now. This will be my last time here and don’t bother finding me!”

He then grabbed Lihua’s arm before heading out the restaurant.

Though he heard the surprised filled words of the owner, “O-okay take care...”

When they exited the restaurant, Lihua pushed away his hand before asking, “You’re not going to help him??”

“No way, you think I can go against an assassin? With no weapon training, lack of offensive techniques, and the not to mention that I can only perform healing!”

“Eh? And here I thought you were the type gullible to pretty women and would jump into a pit filled with danger to save them. I was wrong... You’re just a coward... A smart coward.”

“I don’t know if I should take that as a compliment or as an insult.” Tengfei said before showing a forced smile.

“Anyhow, since you’re done with your business. Your little competition is coming up so what’re you going to do? Don’t tell me that you intend to run away from that too?”

“Of course not, though if any danger comes to me... I’ll run away as fast as I can.” Tengfei said confidentally.

When Tengfei finished his words, he found Lihua having eyes half closed staring at him. As if she’s not amused.

“Fine, I’ll go look for something that’ll help me in the market...”

“I’ll help you then.” Lihua said energetically.

Tengfei carried on his movement but noticed that Lihua was not moving.

He turned to find her in a state of thinking. Her eyes were pointed towards his hand.

She then, as if remembering something, grabbed hold onto his hand before saying, "Y-You could heal my Mana source!!"

Her words caused Tengfei to be confused. He then asked "Heal? Your what?"

"Yes! I remember now... That rich lady Li... something... Told me that the light element could unseal it! I can then finally cultivate again." Lihua said energetically.

“...And only now you remember?”

Lihua averted her eyes before replying, “You know very well what happened to me... You can’t blame me for forgetting.”

Knowing that it was his mistake, he appologized, “Sorry.”

“I’ll forgive you if you heal my Mana source!”

“Well you have to wait until we return back to the inn then.”

Lihua made a ‘hmph’ noise before saying, “Fine”.

~/```````````````````/~

A day later

Farengoth and his party arrived.

They observed the town around them and was baffled to the livelihood of it.

As if this town wasn’t host to illegal brothels, dark shady auction palaces, and not to mention the Assassin’s guild.

One of them even whispered, “Is this... Really the place?”

Farengoth grumbled before replying, “Of course it is! Be alert now as who knows what might happen once we enter.”

“Yes sir!”

When they walked through the market, they were the center of attention.

Children asking their parents as to who were they. Some mayor supporters were showing disdain due to how late they arrived. The majority though were admiring them.

But something caught the group’s attention.

There seemed to be a woman getting kicked upon as she was trying to protect her child.

One of the knight unsheathed his blade but was stopped by the captain.

Farengoth told that knight, “This is too suspicious... Something like this happening in broad day light while no one helps her. It might be a trap, Seroi.”

Surprised by his leader’s statement, the knight shook his head before replying, “A trap? I highly doubt it! Let me take care of this... Or else I can’t face my wife and child if I let this man go unscathed!”

He approached with his blade pointing at the man. Seroi then asked, “Let go of that woman!”

The man turned before showing a dumb look. He then asked back to Seroi, “Who are you to her huh? This is me wife! Get out of my sig-”

Before he could finish his words, the knight stabbed that man’s thigh with his blade. Quick like the wind.

Without letting the man rest, Seroi then punched the man’s face. The jaw bone was utterly shattered like glass with the help of his gauntlet.

After watching the man suck on the cold floor, he then approached the woman.

The woman was shivering while holding her baby.

Seroi gone close and asked, “Is there any wound that I can help with?”

The woman didn’t understand the foreign language uttered by Seroi.

Farengoth seeing this, approached, then said, “Let me do it. I can speak Kian language... A Little.”

He then asked with a rough tone and lack of fluency way, “Are you okay?”

The woman shook her head before eyeing her baby as she trembles.

Seroi noticed this and asked “What’s wrong?” before trying to look through inside the blanket.

A dagger immediately appeared and stabbed through the gap between the shoulder pad and iron plate body on Seroi's body. The place where it is needed in order for the arm to move.

The dagger was empowered by the woman’s physical cultivation. Increasing its pierce capabilities, going through the ringlet iron mail, then leather clothing before puncturing into the flesh.

Farengoth saw this and immediately kicked the woman away.

A man called Ciepier used his mace to finish of the woman by squashing her face. He then yelled out, “Sir! That dagger was poisoned!”

Farengoth supported Seroi who was about to fall down. Knowing that he needs proper breathing, he removed Seroi’s helmet. Looking at his pale caused him to be troubled as he yells out to his squad behind him, “Bring out Tim! We need his antidotes!”

A man wearing leather armor approached and replied, “Sir! While you were preoccupied with that incident... Squire Tim has been abducted and Sir Merask is on the chase...”

“...Damn it! They know about us more than I expected.” He then looked at Seroi and said, “Hang in there, I don’t know what to say to Marien if you were to die now bud.”

Seroi tried to stand by himself before replying, “I won’t allow her to be a widow just yet... hah.” When he said that, he then coughed out blood.

Looking around, Farengoth noticed some suspicious people approaching them.

He drew his blade before saying out loud, “Get ready for battle! Surround me and guard Seroi!”

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