Chapter 174: What She Means to Me

Zen rushed through the city streets. He had heard Hue Yi speak about going downtown and that is where he knew he would have to go.

Hue Yi and the Commoner’s Rebellion were going to target noble kids, Jao Cong, Jao Fuu and Xue Shaonu were in danger. He could not believe in the space of a day, he would have to save both kids who were commoners and nobles.

The sun was setting in the distance, painting the horizon into crimson as the city entered night. The streets were mostly empty. People who would not participate in the conflict were in their homes, hoping to stay out of the violence. Zen did not know if that was possible.

Zen stoppedas he sensed a killing intent. He leapt back just as the ground he had been on earlier was blackened by flame thrown to his direction. He looked at the older man who came after him, his fist wreathed in fire!

Zen was already calling on his blade from his storage stone as jumped to the side to dodge the attack. He swung for the man’s outstretched arm…

His blade was intercepted by another, both their surfaces shining black. He was pushed back by the man’s ferocious attack. However, when the initial bout ended, Zen recovered from his shock and was able to parry the man’s uncoordinated attack, now forcing him back.

“Step aside!” the other one said. “I’ll burn the little punk into a crisp!”

“Stop!”

Zen and the other swordsan leapt away form each other. Zen watched as a teenager ran to them. Zen recognised him, though he was unsure from where.

“He’s on our side!”

“How do ou know?” the fire elementalist said to the boy. “He’s not marked.” The man tapped at the black bandanda around his arm.

“I know.” The teenager said. “Uncle, he is the boy I told you about. The one that saved us.”

Zen now recognised the teenage boy He was the one that became the defacto leader fo the commoner kids.

“Oh!” the teenager’s uncle said. “Are you crazy walking around like that? Its getting dangerous to be out in the city like that!”

“I know but I have a message to deliver to Hu… to the Black Cloth Gang.” Zen said.

“What business do you have with them?” the swordsman said.

“Its only for them and it is very urgent.” Zen said. “I was heading for downtown. I heard some of them are there.”

“They are there.” The teenager’s uncle said. “Or at least are heading for that place. I saw some of them. They got detoured on some skirmish that we were involved in and I overheard where they were going next.”

“Can you give me the exact directions?”

The old man told him everything he needed to know.

“By the way,” he added after telling Zen what he wanted to know. “You should wear this.” He offered him a black bandanda. “This is so we don’t attack you.”

“Thanks.” Zen took the bandanda and watched them leave before going on his way. He put the bandanda away. He did not want to identify himself with ether side, in case noble supporters spotted his lone figure running through the abandoned streets.

Zen’s heart raced when he saw them. Two figures in black running through downtown square. He was lucky that he spotted them as night had fallen and few had actually braved the threat of the night to put on the night lights of the town.

He dashed forward, intercepting the two members of the Black Cloth Gang.

“Wang Zen?” Hue Yi said in confusion. “What are you doing here?”

“Hue Yi!” Zen said. “I’m here to tell you can’t attack the sanctuary for the noble kids.”

“Why?” Hue Yi said in worry. “Have they moved them or increased the security detail?”

“No! Some of the kids from the academy are there.”

Hue Yi and his companion looked at each other briefly before returning their hidden gaze at Zen.

“So?” Hue Yi said.

“We can’t attack academy kids.”

“We can if they are on the enemy’s side.”Hue Yi said. “And ou is not to kill them, Kid. We’re just going to take them prisoner.”

“Is anyone going to be hurt?”

“I hope not but this is a war, so probably, yes.”

“And when use them against the nobles.”

“Yes.”

“But isn’t that why I saved the Commoner Kids?” Zen said. “So they could not be held hostage and used in this war? Aren’t the Commoners being hypocrites by using the same tactic the nobles were going to?”

“Sorry, Wang Zen.” Hue Yi said. “This is a war. We take every advantage we can get without compromising our end goal. Its not deal. I can’t even say if its right or not. But it is what will happen.”

“But what about my cousins, they never hurt anyone.” Zen said. “And Xue Shanonu? She… She means to me what Xu Hua means to you!”

“Really?” Hue Yi said.

“Yes!” Zen said, pleadingly.

“Well, that changes things.”

Zen smiled. “Really? Thank you, Hue Yi! I knew you would…”

Hue Yi’s partner began to move. She was fast, getting past Zen easily. Zen turned to run after her but Hue Yi slid in his way. Zen leapt left, Hue Yi matched his movement to block him but it was a feint as Zen jumped to the opposite side and got around the older boy.

Zen had to come to a sliding stop when Hue Yi launched an arc of ki from his short blade that impacted right in front of him, throwing up a smoke of debris. The deris quickly faded, to reveal Hue Yi coming for him. However, Zen had already summoned his blade and met Hue Yi’s head on, as they got caught I a bind.

“You’re good.” Hue Yi said efore slashing at him.

Zen abandoned the bund and leapt back, looking at the boy with sad and confused eyes. “Ithought you said you understood. That you would call this off.”

“No,” Hue Yi said. “What I understood was that you would not let us complete our mission and you would try to stop us. That’s what I would have done if anyone put my Xu Hua in danger.”

“I don’t want to fight you.” Zen said.

“Then don’t.” Hue Yi said. “Have faith that your Love is strong and smart enough to survive.”

“You know I can’t just sit by and have faith.” He said.

“Sorry about this kid.” Hue Yi took a fighting stance.

Wang Zen took a deep breath, then attacked!