One of the Hun archers yelled in heavily accented Imperial as he released a second shot, "Sheng! Didn't expect you to show your face here, you whipped dog."
The old soldier's hand snapped out like a claw and caught the arrow that had been barely visible with how fast it flew. His other still held the teacup without causing so much as a ripple. “Good afternoon Gon Wu Ping. I am afraid you are mistaken, for I have not been whipped since the last time your honoured mother was in town.”
Xiong chuckled at the jest, and hefted his heavy metal bound staff, launching it like a javelin at the face of one of the archers. It flew even swifter than the arrow as he ran underneath its flight towards the archer, arms outstretched behind him.
"Wait, did they say your name was Sheng?" Xiong distantly heard the orange robed monk ask in the split second before Xiong's staff caught the wide-eyed Gon Wu Ping in the face. Xiong caught the staff on the rebound to whirl it around his head and aim for a nearby horse archer's stomach. The woman wasn’t taken by surprise, steering her horse out the way.
She loosed at Xiong who glared at her, eyes blazing above the thin line of red along his cheek. He charged, getting too close for her to continue firing. Instead she wheeled her horse round to try and trample him.
Xiong was forced to dodge again and one of the other Huns yelled, drawing the blacksmith's attention long enough for a man on the other side of of the circle to fire an arrow. Unfortunately for him the blacksmith wasn’t distracted enough, whirling his staff in a circle to smack the arrow out of the air and drop back into his stance, his hand outstretched like a paw.
"Indeed." the old soldier said mildly as if Xiong wasn't fighting for his life. "My given name is Sheng, though I apologise for having had to be introduced by a Hun rather than doing it myself."
Much as Sheng was the name of his grandfather there were more important things to focus on right now. He flicked his locs over his shoulder to look at the other two, “Honoured Elders, please don't refrain from fighting on my account. It may seem fun, but I have no desire to keep it to myself.”
Ten Laughing Jackals smiled, "Just studying their fighting style. Thank you for getting them to show it off."
With a few quick movements he adopted the Seventy Forms of Jade stance, flicking through the different manoeuvres. Then he stepped out onto the still-cooling lava flow, walking across it like solid ground and spun, ducking as he did so to scoop up a handful of lava and fling it at the rider who had fired while Xiong was distracted.
The Hun sizzled and screamed as the lava struck them, falling lifeless from the saddle. The monk attempted the move again but this time his target was ready. She fired an arrow that split the ball of lava in midair. In response the monk rushed off the lava flow towards her, but the rider easily fended him off.
A horseman came up on Sheng from behind, clearly thinking the old man would be easy prey as he swung his greataxe. He rapidly learnt otherwise as Sheng ducked under the axe and struck the Hun with a rapid series of blows from the arrow he had caught, leaving him bleeding heavily. The Hun rode out of reach clutching his wounds and out of the fight.
That opponent dealt with, Sheng walked casually between the horses finishing his tea. He seemed oblivious to the huns falling from their horses on either side of him with their saddle straps mysteriously cut. The woman Xiong had been fighting found her bowstring mysteriously destrung, while one of the ones who had fallen found their bootlaces tied together and was kicked into the lava.
Sheng ignored the scream of agony and focussed on Gon Wu Ping, who had finally recovered from the staff to the face. The Hun’s horse sidestepped just as Sheng went to make a move, the rider vaulting off his horse and swinging underneath to kick at Sheng.
There was a flicker of motion near the star but Xiong didn’t have the chance to look at it properly, instead Xiong's powerful hand grabbed the ankle of the rider midair and he swept the Hun into a crushing hug. He probably broke a few ribs, judging by the cracks.
Sheng bowed to Xiong in thanks, “Your intervention is much appreciated.”
“It was nothing, honoured elder.” Xiong reassured him as he whirled the dazed Hun by his ankle around his head and hurled him at a rider who had just managed to get back on her horse.
“No! My Star!”
At the cry of alarm from the god, Sheng and Xiong turned to see that a figure with a featureless black mask had snuck up to the mini crater unnoticed while everyone was fighting. The masked figure grabbed the star and tried to run. As the thief turned he found Ten Laughing Jackals standing in his path, palm raised in challenge. The pair exchanged a quick series of blows, each of the monk's punches met with an exacting counterstroke from the masked man.
His enemy swung the star in an arc, the heavy blow catching the monk by surprise and knocking him to the ground. The masked man immediately dashed away in the opening.
Xiong growled a curse and attempted to run after them, his footsteps powerful but not as fast as the Huns. A moment later the other huns still on horseback thundered past, firing a few arrows to slow Xiong down before they picked up the masked man, who made a rude gesture back at the group and laughed as the group rode off.
—
Sheng watched as the blacksmith realised what Sheng had already seen. Good, he was sensible enough to know when it was pointless to pursue, even when his blood was running hot. Instead Xiong scowled and turned back, then started slinging the dead Huns into a pile. The one with the close shorn hair who had been kicked into the lava was too badly burned to escape, but was thrown next to them, still, for now, alive.
Sheng picked up one of the dropped bows and examined it as he slowly ambled over to where the monk had stopped, looking at something caught in his hand during the scuffle. The old soldier caught a glimpse of an amulet before the monk threw it away in revulsion. “I should have known. His Demon style was a dead giveaway.”
“Someone you know?” Sheng asked.
“No, but I know of the Style.” The monk’s voice dropped to a whisper, “The Formless Demon. A forbidden Style that opposes the Emperor and his agents wherever they go. Look at the amulet, then throw it into the lava so its heresy can be cleansed.”
Xiong found the amulet easily and picked it up to show Sheng. It shone a dull silver against Xiong’s brown hand, but no-one could mistake it for beautiful.
Sheng peered at it closely, then frowned, though he had seen enough stomach turning sights that this did not rank among them, “Oh dear. This is a depth of heresy most of the Empire would not imagine possible.”
Xiong looked at the lava, “I would not wish to taint my patron’s volcano with this, but it may be the only way something of this nature can be cleansed." he looked back to the soldier and the monk, "Honoured Elders, it looks like the symbol of the Empire but the symbols for Twelve Immortals have been inverted, why?"
Sheng did not touch the amulet, but indicated with his finger, “Because it breaks the natural order. Not only that, but see here? The oval representing the realms is shattered and broken, the Three Realms running into one another. The very image invites chaos.”
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Xiong growled in frustration and dropped the amulet to grab the badly burnt Hun with close shorn hair, “Do you think they could tell us anything about him?”
“Not unless one of you speaks Hun.” the monk replied, tucking his hands into his sleeves.
Sheng sighed, so much for hiding as many of his capabilities as possible. “Well, my accent is not very good, but…”
The monk raised a single eyebrow and Xiong frowned, “They accosted us in the True Tongue.”
“Yes... but I don’t think they know many words unrelated to fornication.” Sheng sized up the Hun, “Please, allow me to address these honoured gentlemen in their own tongue. It would only be polite.
The Hun sneered, “
“
Xiong sneered at the Hun, “Say that if they wish to keep their limbs intact, they will explain how they came into the valley. And why.”
Sheng turned back to the Hun, “
Xiong bared his teeth in a grin, and straightened to his full formidable height over the Hun, who simply laughed. “
“He doesn't seem to fear death. What a shame. Say something else.” Sheng thought for a moment, “And leer a bit.”
Xiong grinned and cricked his neck. “I can do that.”
Xiong slammed his hands on either side of the Hun as his face rippled and changed, nose elongating, fur growing, teeth sharpening. Xiong let out a roar that sent spittle flying onto the Hun's face and blew his hair back. A bear's head stared at the Hun from inches away but on a human body, lip curled in a snarl after the roar.
“Yes, that should do it.” Sheng commented mildly as the Hun tried to scrabble backwards away from Xiong. So, Xiong was a sorcerer, and one who knew the Fury of the Ogre. Interesting.
“
Sheng sighed, his face falling. “Of all the things he could have said, that was one I was hoping not to hear.
Sheng blurred and the Hun lay still. Xiong frowned, “What did he say, honoured elder?”
“That the man they received the orders from also bore one of those amulets and said he spoke for Dom Mak, the Black Magistrate.”
Xiong frowned for a moment, “I know that name…”
“He is a powerful sorcerer, and the former High Priest of the Golden Phoenix who orchestrated the assassination of Emperor Xiao Ming Di, May He Reincarnate Swiftly.” The monk stroked his chin, “This is bad news indeed.”
“Then we must speak to the God of the Valley about this.” Xiong said severely, “A theft of a star has happened on his mountain by dark forces, he must be told.”
“Is it possible he might know which way it went?” the monk asked, “An artefact that powerful should be able to be sensed for miles.”
Xiong shrugged, “I shall take you to him, then you may ask whatever questions you wish.” Closing his eyes, he dropped into a flowing stance, arms sweeping in smooth motions, feet leaving trails in the dust that formed a square, then the full eight trigrams. Pebbles began to float up, trailing after his hands to mark the points. Circles of dust begin to whirl around him as he carried out the fluid drop from one solid shape into another.
He lightly touched the earth in front of him with his fingertips and it suddenly sloped away from him like space itself was warping unnaturally, down into a dark tunnel dimly lit by the glow of firelight far away. Not only the Fury of the Ogre, but also the Might of the God? Being skilled in two Inhuman arts was rare, though he appeared to use them honourably.
Xiong took out coals and ashes from a pouch at his belt to sprinkle them down the slope into the tunnel, ending the ritual by bowing with a prayer. “May we travel safely, and find shelter in a kind hearth and strong home.”
The god didn’t react, standing next to the tunnel expectantly and waiting for someone to lead the way. The monk looked quite impressed, peering at the tunnel and then poking it with his staff. Sheng himself gave a simple nod of approval. It was not easy to do Sorcery neatly and quickly, but Xiong seemed extremely familiar with this particular path, so it was not surprising that he hadn't needed as long to cast.
The blacksmith turned back to the others, brushing off his hands, “The Beneath should take us to the Underforge. The tunnel isn't any quicker than walking, but at least it's uninterrupted.”
As they walked the group could feel the heat rising, the end of the tunnel marked by a red glow that brightened as they drew closer. Eventually they emerged onto a wide ledge surrounding a lava pool. The chamber was massive, open to the sky at the top with a beautiful view over the entirety of the valley should any visitors be able to climb it.
Sheng wiped his brow, politely not fully entering the room until invited, “In here I would not need a fire to boil my tea.”
The blacksmith pointedly ignored him, inclining his head to the others, “On behalf of the Slumbering Mountain, I bid ye welcome to his residence. Will you enter and advance, that I may make you known to him?”
The three guests approached and after a moment the lava bubbled and a bear's head poked through. A bear easily five times the normal size climbed out of the lava to stand on its surface and shook the droplets out of its fur before fixing Xiong with eyes the same colour as the lava it stood on.
Xiong went to kneel before it, head bowed and hands raised in obeisance, “Your humble servant and appointed guardian Shenmi Xiong begs an audience, my lord. A star has fallen upon your domain and been stolen by a servant of a great Demon Sorcerer known as Dom Mak. I bring the God of that star who humbly asks for assistance in returning to the heavens.”
“I am Trail of Silver Dust, and my star has been knocked from the Heavens by the Huns. If you would be so kind, could you aid me in returning there?”
Sheng froze at that name. Trail of Silver Dust was the Guardian of the West. He was meant to be the first warning of an attack from the Huns, what would happen with his star knocked from the sky?
The bear remained silent for a second, then rumbled, “You understand what it is you ask?”
The god looked down at his feet, “Yes, but... we cannot just leave a star here, on the earth.”
The bear was silent once more, “Then you shall owe me a great debt for leaving my Valley without its champion.”
Xiong blinked and looked up, “Master?”
The great bear’s head swung round to Xiong, “Once the Star is brought here I can return it to the Heavens, but firstly it must be brought to me. The only way I can do that is to ask you to do so.”
Xiong bowed, “I would be honoured if you gave me this quest to carry out in your name, Master, but are you sure that the valley will be safe without me to extend your reach?”
The bear huffed, steam pouring from red-hot nostrils, “I ruled this land for centuries before you were born, you doubt me?” He paused, then blew again, more forgiving this time, “But the omens of late have been troubling. You are reluctant to leave your home, but you will not get stronger by taking the easy path. Travel, learn, grow, then return to me stronger with the Star at your back and ready to face the troubles ahead.”
Xiong bowed deeply as the great bear turned and submerged into the lava once more, the audience ended as abruptly as it had begun. Xiong stood and turned to the other humans, face obviously being kept blank to cover up his reaction, “My Master thanks you for your time. We should leave him to his slumber.”
“Of course.” Sheng said politely, patting Xiong on the shoulder as he steered the group out of the cave, “Though you mustn’t be too disheartened, every bird must leave the nest in time. And you do not necessarily have to go alone.”
Xiong frowned, “Honoured elder? Are you implying that you would travel with me?”
“Well, I am not doing anything particularly important right now, and I can hardly stand by when such events happen before my eyes.” He said mildly, sipping his tea to cover any other reaction he might show, “Though of course that is if you do not mind travelling with an old man with a fondness for teashops.”
The blacksmith gave a half bow, “I would be honoured to travel with you, wise one, I am told that the road is always easier with company.”
“That is true, though we do not have to leave immediately. After all you will need time to pack your things, and I never did get to properly appreciate the atmosphere of the teahouse.” Sheng looked round to the monk, politely checking rather than assuming his actions, “Will you be joining us on this quest?”
The monk bowed, “I am afraid that the most of use I can be is to leave. I must inform the Monastery of these events and see if they know anything of where the Star might have been taken.”
Sheng bowed, “Then we shall have to bid you farewell, but not before finishing your cup of tea, I should hope?”
Ten Laughing Jackals bowed, “Of course not, honoured elder.”
My is three chapters ahead and this week's side content is looking at the Celestial Bureaucracy and the Twelve paths as a religion. Here's a sneak peek: