Author note; No side story today as I need to run to the bank asap! Here's the post though.

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Sun Jiao watched as Xu Rong turned to face the boar. In front of a beast that could kill her the nervous and unsure attitude completely changed. Having grown up as a gladiator she naturally would have experienced countless life or death situations.

She was not just a warrior however, but also a slave. As a slave she had to have a strong confident spirit to survive the battles, but a meek and indifferent one in front of her superiors or else she would be punished.

This meant the fierceness she showed now had never been revealed in front of Sun Jiao. Even while killing the bandits she hadn't considered them a threat and kept it hidden.

The Earthfire Boar also noticed the change and a bead of sweat fell from it's head. While the man was stronger, but didn't have the same amount of conviction and killing intent that the woman now showed. It would be much easier to trick the man with it's special attack, but the woman gave off an impression of having experienced many battles which meant she would adapt much quicker to any surprises.

It was too late to turn back now; not that the stubborn boar would have fled if given the chance.

The boar began to charge Xu Rong as it decided to test the waters before unleashing it's cannonball of an attack.

No one, even the boar, was surprised when Xu Rong managed to avoid the attack. While the boar had increased in strength significantly; it's speed hadn't improved in the slightest. She was even able to claw the side of the boar as it past, but wasn't able to penetrate its thick, stone like skin.

Surprisingly the boar continued a ways before stopping which put some distance in between the two combatants. As the boar turned, it's lips curled upward with confident grin, and began it's second attack. Xu Rong had waited to dodge at the last second so while the increased distance would make the attack more predictable and easier to time it would also give the boar a running start in order to unleash it's trump card.

The boar was closing in on Xu Rong and as predicted she was waiting to dodge until the last minute. As the distance closed a gleam appeared in boars eye and it unleashed it's fury. Acting like a rudder the boar's tiny tail lifted and a fiery explosion blasted out behind it. Lifting its legs, as though it was a rocket, the boar's speed suddenly increase at an unbelievable rate. The fiery blast left a deep trail in the dirt behind the boar.

Caught unaware Xu Rong had no time to dodge to the left or to the right. Sun Jiao panicked and began to step forward, but Xiaobo noticed the calm look on Xu Rong's face and spoke up to stop him.

Sun Jiao noticed her confidence and decided to place his trust in the demon and Xu Rong.

Reacting with experience Xu Rong chose to charge the incoming boar.

Narrowly diving between its tusks she placed her hands on the boar's head and vaulted up and over it. She wasn't untouched however as the tusk's barbs left wounds on her side and arms. The boar too was injured as Xu Rong's hands clawed at it's eyes. It had been able to close one in time, but the other was scratched out of commission.

With it's eye injured and it's attack having failed the boar's rage reached an all time peak. It wouldn't give up however.

Xu Rong's body arced in the air and would be unable to dodge. The boar refused to miss this opportunity and dug in it's heels.

Literally.

The Earthfire Boar that had lifted its legs when it first blasted now dug it's right legs into the ground causing it to turn sharply to the right in an arc.

Unable to contain his surprise Sun Jiao spoke aloud.

"I-i-it's multi-leg drifting! Impossible!"

At it's current trajectory it would smash right into Xu Rong just before she landed and she would have no way to dodge. It's speed had increased and even if Sun Jiao started running now even with his Sun and Cloud steps he wouldn't make it in time. Xu Rong could only rely on herself.

The force of turning so sharply had caused enormous strain on the boars legs as well as forced the blood to leave it's brain. It's single eye began to lose vision, but it was locked on the body of Xu Rong that now appeared in front of it. Straightening out and flying towards the falling body the boar's mouth salivated with anticipation of exploding through and the smell of human blood that would follow.

It neared and neared and just as it approached the body it arced it's head causing its tusks to rip through flesh the body to explode into pieces.

Blood and flesh rained down around it and it rejoiced in its slaughter.

~~Meanwhile in the city~~

Exhausted and hungry the Third prince and princess returned to their home; one with a happy smile on her face and the other with a frown.

As always Sun Jun had been unable to do more than chase his sister and since his sister loved being chased she would always stay just close enough that he might be able to catch her. After a while the two ended up forgetting themselves and turned the chase into a childish game that caused havoc for the rest of the city. At the end, too tired to continue chasing, Sun Jun remembered why it started and returned to his foul mood.

Sun Qi however was more than happy to continue playing though so he could do nothing but scowl.

The two were of comparable strength, but he had practiced puppet cultivation while she had focused on a more physical cultivation. He was unable to use his puppets in the city without disobeying his mother and without using his puppets he wouldn't even cause her to break a sweat.

Sun Jun was willing to displease his mother by sneaking out, but only because she hadn't ordered him to not sneak out. He had seen what happens to those that disobey her. While he didn't believe she would actually harm him he also didn't want to test that belief.

The walked into the palace and immediately headed towards the kitchen. Before they had gotten far however Meng Fai appeared before them looking displeased. The two siblings felt instant regret for their morning adventure. Not because Meng Fai looked displeased, he always looked displeased, but because he appeared before them. He only did that when they were in trouble.

"You've displeased your mother. She had plans for you this morning and you've delayed them significantly. Change your clothing; we leave immediately."

Sun Jun was curious about the plans, but knew better to ask.

Sun Qi hadn't sweated so her outfit was only dusty. She simply patted the dust off and waited patiently for her brother.

Her brother stepped inside a side room, stored his dirty and torn clothes in his ring, withdrew fresh ones, and then stepped out.

The three then boarded a carriage that had been prepared in advance and set out in a hurry. Now that they were on the way Sun Jun, picking up an attitude, decided he would demand to know where they were going.

"If it pleases you, Senior Meng, where are we headed?"

Cursing his own cowardice Sun Jun could only barely muster the courage to ask politely. Next time he swore to demand an answer.

Meng Fai's eyes narrowed at the question. He would much rather the prince demand an answer. The boy was too soft.

Seeing Meng Fai's eyes narrow Sun Jun decided had already caused enough trouble for today though so definitely next time.

"Sun Jiao has left the city without his sister. It is an excellent opportunity for you to teach him a lesson. We're heading to a mercenary guild to hire some men. You'll lead them into the mountains and attack Sun Jiao. It would be best if you killed him."

Sun Jun began to panic a little inside. Though he didn't like his brother, he also didn't hate him and infact admired him a bit for his ruthlessness which is something Sun Jun knew he lacked.

His mother had always desired for him to rule, but the Third prince had always wished to focus on puppets and didn't have the sharpness necessary for ruling. He found the puppets and dolls of his clan fascinating and loved researching and controlling them.

Controlling things was in his blood as his mother loved controlling as well. Only she enjoyed controlling people and not puppets. In fact, most of his mother's clan was the same. The men enjoyed playing with puppets and the women enjoyed games of manipulation and playing with people.

Through this method the clan had thrived. The men would develop weapons and the women would manipulate them into using them.

Thus their clan was considered one of the top three major clans outside the royal family.

He did his best for his mother however and would enjoy the role he was given though he wasn't confident in following through.

"Ahhh. If possible I will."

Meng Fai didn't react. He knew the boy wouldn't follow through with it, but that didn't matter.

The carriage stopped in front of a run down building just outside the slum gate. The building was large and decrepit, but still stood strong after several years of use.

Sun Qi stayed in the carriage and Sun Jun entered with Meng Fai.

Meng Fai eyed the dust filled, dingy room and found the ruthless looking mercenaries he was after, but didn't speak up as the job would be left to Sun Jun.

Sun Jun entered with a practice air of arrogance.

"I need some men. You must be at least the peak First Layer. Those of the Second Layer will naturally be rewarded."

Several men quickly stood up and walked forward.

As Sun Jun picked his men, Meng Fai approached the two mercenaries sitting in the corner.

One was an incredibly large fat man with a large plate of food in front of him and the other was a tall skinny man that was still a head shorter than the fat man.

"Are you looking for work? You didn't stand."

The thin man spoke up as the fat man was too busy eating to notice Meng Fai.

"Could be. Don't work for no kid though."

"Show some respect that's the Third Prince."

"Hmph. Don't work for no Third Prince either last I checked. Too soft from what I hear and that's not very interesting. We only take interesting jobs."

Meng Fai's opinion of the two was rising. Confident and bloodthirsty. Just the men he needed.

"I think you'll want this job. It will be royally interesting."

Raising his eyebrow the thin man looked at the third prince and licked his lips.

"Royally huh?"

Meng Fai's eye's narrowed.

"Not the boy, his brother. The second prince."

With a laugh the thin man smiled.

"Even better. Name's Po. Fatman's name is fatman. Have a seat; let's discuss some royal compensation."

Meng Fai sat. He found the right men.