Chapter 67: Retribution

“Chu Jiahai?” Zen said. “When… When did you get back?”

“Yesterday,” Jiahai said.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Zen looked at the rest of the gang as he waited for an answer that did not come.

“I’m here to teach you a lesson.”

“A lesson?” Zen returned his confused gaze at Jiahai.

“You don’t betray us!”

Jiahai and the other boys suddenly rushed forward. Zen was stuck in amazement that they would attack him. He expected this from Bao but not his other friends. Shibi hissed and Zen snapped out of his shock and blocked Jiahai’s fist before leaping back. Immediately two more were flanking at him. Zen dodged one’s elbow just to be kicked by the other. He stumbled back as another came, his elbow shining dangerously with light grey qi. Shibi leaped into the boy’s face, distracting him for long enough for Zen to punch him in the gut, sending him stumbling back while Shibi leapt back onto Zen’s shoulder.

“Guys… don’t do this.” Zen begged.

They all did not seem dissuaded.

“Jiahai, please talk to them! I’m your friend.”

“Friends don’t do what you did,” Jiahai said.

Zen looked at the group of boys. He knew there was no way he could defeat all of them, so he did the only thing he could think of… he ran.

They chased after him, down the mountain. Zen was considering going off the worn down path when he was forced to stop. Before him was a growling black dog. Its teeth were bared and it looked ready to attack.

“A Ragged Jackal,” Zen said fearfully as he stepped back.

“Attack!” he heard Jiahai’s voice command from behind him.

The Jackal ran for Zen and when it was upon him, it placed its paws on his chest and… licked his face. Shibi hissed at the friendly hound and it barked back challengingly.

“Wait,” Zen said as he wiped the spit from his face, “Are… Are you Rizon?”

The Ragged Jackal barked happily.

“Dude,” one of the boys said to Jiahai, “your beast is weak.”

Zen rubbed the now grown Rizon on the head. “You’ve done a good job raising her,” he said to Jiahai, “probably why she won’t attack me.”

“Rizon, away.” Jiahai said.

Rizon whimpered sadly, while looking at its master.

“Now!”

Rizon quickly bounded away from the fight and Zen’s hands. Zen was left to once again look at the group.

“Guys, please don’t do this.” He said.

Jiahai’s qi roiled, forming light grey spikes at the ends of his knuckled fists. “No amount of talking will save you, Wang Zen!” He attacked!

Zen leaned to the side, dodging the spikes and accidently forcing Shibi off his shoulder. He grabbed Jiahai’s forearm and the two struggled for a moment before they both lost their footing and were sent tumbling down into the bushy and rocky mountain.

Shibi and the other boys were powerless, as all they could do was watch the two boys leave a dust trail as they rolled as one down the mountain.