Chapter 243

  Legends and Myths (I)

  Old man Gu returned around midway through the day after the disaster; in the meantime, Gu Hai snuck out and came over to us, sort of bringing us up to speed on what was happening.

  By their accounts, there were, in total, around 2,000 casualties--including the attackers. Though most of the dead were ordinary citizens or low-level cultivators who got caught up in the crossfire, there were also at least 20 dead that came from prominent forces--if not Holy Lands, then first-rate and second-rate sects.

  As such, there were a lot of angry elders and representatives, and the local powers were putting out fires all night and morning long.

  Nothing has really been 'decided' just yet, but the Lady forced the dismissal of the meeting as it had gone on for too long, promising to resume it later today.

  Another tidbit emerged: there was a widespread pursuit for the particular masked children that seemed to vanish after the attack was over, leaving no traces of themselves.

  That's not to say that there weren't any traces--I'm pretty sure Gu Hai knew who they were, as did possibly a number of the sect's disciples, which meant that it wouldn't stay a secret for too long. I'm just hoping that they'll focus on the fact that the kids helped save lives and not on their talents.

  ... yeah, right. Ha ha ha. I actually made myself laugh a bit.

  We were just about to eat breakfast when a disciple came to inform me Old Gu was looking for me; knowing it was coming, I just got up and left, though I didn't head to the Greeting Hall as before but rather to the back end of the sect that was under the protection of a dozen or so arrays, covered entirely in hazy, white mist.

  The disciple simply pointed at a path and excused himself, and I had to walk the plank alone.

  ... alright, that's an extreme dramatization of what turned out to be a rather brisk trail. The white mist pulled back to reveal a beautiful garden of flowers and herbs, and the scent, oh my God, it was beautiful. Like walking into a purposefully curated flower shop.

  Shapes and colors emerged that I didn't think were possible to exist among flora, with one in particular twisting my perception of it; it was a bud atop a rather ordinary, finger-thick stem that opened up into a twisting cacophony of spirals and wreaths that all rounded the open center where a gilded statue of a tiny little bee (or something bee-like, at least) resided.

  I didn't meander for long, as the small wooden cottage immediately came into view, with the smoke blowing out the chimney giving off rather picturesque vibes.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Going in, the doors creaked slightly as a room that was straight-up out of the 'vintage-cottage catalogue' came into view--hunter trophies hanging on the walls, a fireplace full of glowing embers, cupboards lining the walls, sofas with animal skin covering, and a literal bear rug right beneath my feet...

  Honestly, I could have probably flipped this exact place for like a mil or two back on Earth, provided I installed some sort of plumbing.

  "I hope I haven't disturbed you, Master Lu." It's kind of funny, honestly, how our 'relationship' evolved; the first time we met, he treated me like a curious little Junior. Then when I helped him 'figure out new ways to do alchemy', he promoted me to a nominal equal. And now?

  By God, you can hear the deference in his voice, as though he were talking to someone he could not afford to offend.

  "Not at all," I said, closing the doors. He was seated to my left, by the window, where a set of chairs and a table were embedded into the wall. Well, 'chair' and 'table' are kind of generous, as they were just logs that looked like they grew out of the wall. Surprisingly, though, it was quite comfortable... or my ass has just gotten so used to this crap that anything goes. "You've been busy."

  "Hah, I'll say," he chuckled, pouring us both a cup of tea. "Nobody ever tells you that becoming the Sect Master will inevitably beset you with politics beyond reproach."

  "That bad?"

  "They are demanding everything short of our heads," he sighed. "And I'm fairly certain they want those, too. How many times have they come here and spat into our faces when our disciples lost or had their limbs broken, saying that being weak is not acceptable? And look at them now, damned hypocrites." He really was holding a lot in, and I wasn't going to stop him from venting.

  "I heard that you lost two kids, too." I said.

  "Hm," he nodded. "Such callous tragedy. And I wouldn't even be as angry if I knew they were doing it to honor their disciples. But there is no honor among those thieves. They are using their dead to ransack our coffers, and the bodies hadn't even gone cold yet."

  "What is the Lady's stance?" I asked.

  "... ambiguous, as always," he shrugged. "She barely spoke a word until dismissing the meeting, as though she were distracted by something. Ultimately, we will probably have to bleed to appease them. And even that won't be enough."

  I now felt doubly bad.

  "Though, I hear, certain strangers made a name for themselves." His tone changed, as did his expression, and became quite a bit more playful. "You don't happen to know anything about it, do you?"

  "Me? All I did was run around like a lunatic, trying to survive." I said as he chuckled.

  "You helped nine of my disciples," he said. "Two of whom were on the verge of dying. I knew for a while that you are no ordinary man, Master Lu." He rested his chin on his intertwined fingers, his eyes piercing me. "But while everyone was seeking to run away or save themselves, you went out of your way to help. As did those strangers that you have no association with." Oh God, not you too; I'm tired enough of the games with Long Tao that I don't think I can handle another one. "So, I will say this: run."

  "... h-huh?"

  "Before they learn of who you are, you need to run," he reiterated. "I've seen in their eyes when they talked about the kids... they will not let them go. Either they will be recruited, or they will be killed. I strictly forbade all the Disciples of my Sect from uttering a sound, but I do not control their souls, Master Lu. As much as I trust my kids, I know the knowledge will come out, and they will learn who those kids were. As the night falls and all of us are once more entangled in their greed, I will have Cao Xun secure a safe exit for you and escort you further north. I know it is hasty, and that I am nowhere close to repaying you for everything you've done... but any day of delay is unacceptable.

  "Before their greed extends to you, too, get as far away from them as you can, and never turn back."

  Huh.

  What a strange feeling of déjà vu, ain't it?