Chapter 19: Punishment

Bandit’s Home, Jade Empire

Kai gazed at him. Five years passed but Boss’s features remained the same as his memories except for his attire. He lost the thick fur cloak and his overcoat was replaced by light, yet extravagant, clothing.

What is he doing here?

“What are you doing here Boss?”, Mian inquired, thinking along the same lines.

“I wanted to talk to my right hand man but I saw you were busy”, Boss replied with a smile.

“Why did you stop me then?”

“I know you’ve had some of your pride hurt from this boy but don’t let it cloud you from thinking properly”, he lectured.

“Pride? Do you see the state of my men and our best student? If we let this go the rest of the slaves will start to get ideas and possibly rebel”, Mian countered as he pointed to the injured.

The four men were still sprawled on the dirt but Austin ceased apologizing. Instead, he transitioned to a balled up fetal position on the floor, rocking back and forth. When Mian released him to attack Kai, he immediately bent down and returned to cowering. Boss glanced over the men and Austin but his facial expression remained neutral.

“This boy will be punished, there’s no question about that. However, you can not kill him. His potential is incredibly rare, as well as his fortitude. You’ve broken both his arms but have you heard him scream in pain?”

Mian widened his eyes and turned to glance at Kai. The anger that clouded his sight faded and he witnessed the calm and impassive nature of Kai.

“If we can nurture him and command him as our own, he will become a very powerful trump card.”

“But how can you be sure we can tame this wild boy?”, Mian doubted.

“Have you gotten old, Mian? Did you not hear him beg for the lives of his slave companions? I’m sure we settle upon something if we hold their lives hostage”, he smirked.

“Ah!...”, he recalled, his eyes widening. “I was short-sighted. Boss is wise as always.”

“Enough flattery, let’s get moving. Watcher’s, you two take the injured men and Austin to the infirmary. Mian, you take the boy and meet me back at my house. I will gather the other chiefs and together we’ll discuss what to do with the boy.”

“Yes Boss”, the three men obeyed.

Boss turned and strode back to the bandit’s area. Mian sighed as he walked towards the half-buried Kai and the Watcher’s hurriedly lugged Austin and the men, starting with the closest ones. When Mian neared Kai, he waved a hand, coated with brown light, in an upward motion and Kai’s body gradually surfaced. With several more hand movements, the dirt encasing him receded but left behind a thick dirt binding around his body.

“You got lucky today but there won’t be a next time. Now get on your feet and follow me”, he barked.

Kai slowly rose to his feet and carefully scanned his surroundings.

What can I do to escape…

Familiar with the look, Mian swiftly approached him and with a flash of brown light, his hand was on Kai’s throat. He neglected to apply pressure on his throat but Kai understood his intention.

“No funny business. You walk first and I’ll follow.”

Acknowledging his lack of options, Kai began to walk into the bandit’s area. Walking past the Watcher’s house, he recognized the bandit houses; their appearances remained the same as the time he laid eyes on them from Teresa’s arms. In the center of the cluster of wooden buildings was the same unique stone house.

“This is your first time entering our area, and you’re about to head straight into the Boss’s house. Consider it a great honor. Walk to the stone building ahead of you.”

Kai was unresponsive as he walked towards the Boss’s house, drawing the attention of each bandit along the way. Their eyes shone with disgust as they hissed at his very existence. Arriving at the entrance, he observed the distinct differences of the house. The smooth stones that incorporated the house was contrasted by a glossy wooden door that reflected the rays of the sun.

Truly extravagant compared to the rest of the houses.

Mian walked past Kai and opened the door.

“Get in brat”, he turned to command.

Kai casually entered and witnessed an assortment of lavishness he failed to see ever since he began his new life. The walls were decorated with mismatched paintings that he could only assume were stolen, the chairs were each covered in beast’s fur, and the table’s materials were similar to the glossy wooden door. A straight staircase leaned to the left of the house, leading to a second floor.

In the center of the building was a conspicuous round table. The table was embellished with artistic carvings and surrounded by four chairs. One chair differed and stood out from the other three. It’s spine was twice as tall and it was adorned with an exquisite red and black striped fur while the rest were casually draped with bushy brown fur.

Mian walked over to a brown furred seat and sat down.

“Stand there and wait for Boss.”

Not long after his command, Boss entered with a man and a familiar woman. They walked to the empty seats and sat down; Boss naturally sitting in the exquisite chair.

Veronica is a chief? From the way he treated her in the past I would’ve assumed otherwise.

“This boy is the reason you called us, Boss?”, Veronica respectfully asked.

“Yes. This boy is surprisingly strong. Strong enough to keep Mian tied up and even land a blow on him.”

Veronica and the man inhaled a breath of surprise.

“Are you sure Mian isn’t just getting old?”, the man smirked. “I’ve always said he’s not what he used to be.”

-Bang-

“Shut your mouth Grunt”, Mian retorted across the table as he angrily banged his fist onto the armrest.

“I’d like to see you try”, Grunt countered, maintaining his smirk. Brown light immediately gathered around his body.

Mian also released his own brown light.

“Tsk. Typical men, always so hot-headed”, Veronica knowingly remarked as she examined her nails with great interest.

“You’re one to talk”, Grunt scoffed.

-Slam-

“Enough”, Boss ordered as he slammed his open hand on the table. “How many times do I have to tell you two, if you want to fight, fight outside.”

“Yes Boss”, the two men replied. They receded their brown lights and reluctantly leaned on their chairs.

“Back to the boy, what is your plan for him Boss?”, Veronica asked.

“Simple. We will use his strength and use it for our own purposes.”

“Will the boy be so easy to tame?”, Grunt doubtfully questioned.

“Very. He cares for the rest of the slaves so we can use them as leverage.”

“Oh”, Veronica evilly smiled. “How perfect. What say you, boy?”

“... I will follow your commands but, I want your word that you will not harm my companions”, Kai slowly replied.

“You think you’re in a position to make demands?”, Boss smirked in amusement.

“If you do not agree, then just kill me”, Kai responded with a firm, steady, eyes.

Boss stared at Kai before laughing.

“Alright. You have my word that we will not harm your slave friends. However, you also have my word that if I see, or even hear, you go against me, they will be the first ones to pay”, he threatened with a dangerous gleam in his eyes.

Kai nodded in agreement.

“Since we have that settled”, Veronica began with a smile, “how about we start with his name. What is your name boy?”

“Kai”, he answered, seeing no reason to lie.

“Kai. What a peculiar name”, she softly commented.

“Well then, Kai, you used Qi against me so I’m assuming you’re a Novice”, Mian speculated “Initial Novice, judging from your young age.”

“Correct”, Kai blatantly answered.

“Actually how old are you?”, Grunt nonchalantly asked.

“Five.”

Boss and the chiefs took a gasp of astonishment.

“Have you ever heard of a five year old Novice?”, Grunt lightly asked, nudging Veronica to his left.

“I have not”, Veronica answered absentmindedly as she violently shrugged his elbow off, “and since when could you be touchy with me.”

“Come on darling. Don’t tell me you’ve never considered me”, he playfully replied with a cheeky smirk.

Veronica answered with a fierce glare.

“Five year old Novice…”, Boss echoed, ignoring the altercation between Veronica and Grunt. He leaned in, placing his elbows on the table and his chin on folded hands. “You have more value than I first thought.”

“However, I’m curious. How can you be so strong even if you’re an Initial Novice. I don’t believe a child from that measly village could grow to be so strong. And those senior slaves are far too weak to teach you.”

“I am not from the village”, Kai tactfully replied, attempting to avoid the question on the origin of his strength.

“Not from the village…?, Boss questioned.

“OH!”, Veronica exclaimed in realization. She pointed her finger at Kai. “You’re that baby boy we picked up from the ocean.”

Boss, Mian, and Grunt’s eyes lit up in the same realization.

“Ho ho… the gods must’ve sent us a little present that day”, Boss laughed shortly. “I am glad I decided to accept those children and babies as our slaves, otherwise I would’ve abandoned the baby in the ocean.”

“To think it’s only been five years since I held him in my arms”, Veronica fondly recalled.

If I remember correctly, she said she hated children…

“But you hate children…”, Grunt stated, aligning with Kai’s thoughts, with a perplexed expression.

“Did I ask for your opinion?”, she snapped back.

“Moving forward”, Mian interrupted, “I would like to talk about the boy’s punishment.”

“Eh? Just because he hit you, you want him to be punished?”, Grunt remarked. “Tsk tsk, don’t be so petty, you don’t even look hurt.”

“It’s not because of me”, he retorted with a glare. “He incapacitated four men and turned Austin into some frightened little rabbit. How can we let him off for such rebellious actions?”

“Austin…”, Grunt murmured to himself. “Ah! He’s that kid you took a liking into a long time ago. I’ve forgotten to ask, why is that?”

“That’s besides the point. The point is he injured our people and deserves to be punished.”

“Wait a second”, Veronica interjected. “Doesn’t that mean the kid defeated five Novice’s and still managed to land a blow on you?”

Mian silently clenched his fists.

“Stop changing the topic plea-”

“Hah! I like this boy more now. How about we just give him a smack on the ass and send him on his way.”

-Slam-

Mian slammed his hands on the edges of his armrests and abruptly stood on his feet, releasing thick brown light in the process.

“Grunt!”

“Bring it on!”, he laughed as he reflected Mian’s actions.

Are these two mentally ill?...

Boss rubbed his thumb and index finger along his eyebrows in frustration. With his eyes closed, he roared, “Mian! Grunt! Sit. Down.”

They each slowly, and reluctantly, sat down; Grunt maintaining his humorous taunting smile as Miann glared at him.

“I propose to whip the boy thirty times”, Mian growled between his teeth, his burning eyes still locked on Grunt.

“That’s too severe. Who’s going to supply the pills necessary to heal the boy afterwards?”, Veronica logically rejected.

Mian sighed, taking his eyes off Grunt and placing them on Kai. He knew the value of pills and had no desire of using his own limited supply.

“How about we just lock him away for a week without giving him any food or water”, Grunt casually mentioned, shrugging his shoulders. His playful challenging demeanor diminished as he grew satisfied at his extent of annoying Mian.

“That sounds reasonable”, Boss agreed. “I second that decision.”

“I like it”, Veronica agreed next.

Mian heaved a heavy sigh, acknowledging his inability to deal a more abundant punishment.

“Okay, let’s do it.”

“Then it’s settled. Grunt, you lead the boy to a cell and chain him”, Boss decided.

“Yes, Boss”, he complied as he walked towards Kai. “Follow me boy.”

He casually strode out of the house and, while facing the path to the slave’s area, he took a right turn and continued walking. Kai trailed behind Grunt for several steps before stopping.

“Excuse me”, Kai began. “Is it possible to get something for my broken arms?”

“Broken arms?”

Kai calmly gazed into Grunt’s eyes and nodded. Grunt lowered his gaze at the binding on Kai and released brown light around his body. Waving his hands, the binding became undone and he examined Kai’s broken forearms.

“That god damned brute, making things more troublesome”, Grunt sighed, planting his palm on his face. His eyes quickly snapped back on Kai in sudden realization. “Wait, why were you so quiet. Does it not hurt?”

“It’s alright.”

“...You really are a little monster”, he muttered after a pause. Returning from his surprise, he juggled the possible solutions for Kai’s arms. “...I’ll just get you splinters from the infirmary, I’m not going to waste pills on you.”

Completing his decision, he deviated from his initial direction and Kai followed. They neared, then entered, a long-stretched wooden building with two heavy flaps for doors.

“Hey Doc, I need two splinters for the forearms”, Grunt called out as soon as he stepped past the flaps of the building.

“I’m busy”, a voice retorted in an annoyed tone.

Kai entered after Grunt and took in the crowded infirmary. There were numerous beds lined up along the sides of the houses, creating an open pathway in the center of the building. In that pathway, the man who replied briskly paced in between the beds that contained three unconscious men and a sleeping Austin. The man wore a long white robe and glasses and his light blue hair slicked back, reaching the end of his neck.

“I’ve had to deal with this nervous mess of a kid while mending to the injuries of those useless men. The Watchers are about to bring in another man as well, so if you have any problems you can wait”, Doc nastily replied.

“The request isn’t for me”, Grunt replied as he casually pointed at Kai with his thumb, “it’s for this boy.”

Doc stopped his movements and glanced at Kai, his glasses drooping on the tip of nose. Glancing at the state of his body, his eyes widened as he asked, “I’m assuming this is the boy the Watcher’s mentioned talked about, the one that harmed these people?”

“Yep”, Grunt confirmed.

“Well”, Doc started with a smile. “Any enemy of these bandits is a friend of mine. I wouldn’t even be wasting good medical pastes on these entitled pricks if it weren’t for my debt to the Boss.”

“Why the nasty language Doc, it’s not like we mistreat you.”

“Just don’t like any of you”, Doc smirked. “Anyways let’s get you those splinters.”

Doc stared at Kai’s now swollen and bruised arms. Judging the length of his arms, he then strode to the far end of the building, opened a cabinet, and collected two flat wooden boards. Walking back to Kai, he reached into the deep pockets of his robe, pulled out two long pieces of cloth and carefully formed two comfortable splinters on Kai’s arms.

“Thank you, Doc”, Kai appreciated when Doc completed his treatment.

“My name is Tanner”, he leaned in and whispered. He straightened his back and smiled. “Take care boy, I hope to see you again”

Kai performed a slight bow before Grunt firmly grabbed his shoulder and led him out of the building. “Time to go to the cell.”