Chapter One!
Sword Meets Flower!
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! Tales of Fengor Gian the Jade Gentleman and Naitan Yann are often heard throughout the world of Rivers and Lakes. Given the chance, no one would forgo seeing Fengor’s chiseled features or Naitan’s magnificent swordplay. There hasn’t been a woman who didn’t swoon at Fengor’s smile, nor anyone capable of withstanding a strike from Naitan. Naitan’s talent was more than just brute strength; he could split a hair in two, perhaps even blindfolded. And no one could keep count of how many girls’ hearts Fengor had shattered with his smile.!! But now, this strapping young man had donned tattered clothing and sped down an abandoned road steering a rickety, old cart. Had someone seen him, no amount of convincing would have him believe this was that same thriftless socialite.!
! The heat of the day still lingered under the setting July sun. Both man and horse were short of breath in the muggy air, but the whip in Fengor’s hand still drove forward.
The cart careened down the road, dry grass sweeping aside like girls fainting at his approach.!
! A rooster’s crow tore the silence.!
! Why was there a rooster on this old road? Where did it come from?!
! Fengor looked uneasy, his sharp eyes squinted underneath his frayed hat
surveying the area, but he only saw a large rooster perched upon a stump on the side of the road. It stood there as if nailed in place; its majestic crown, colorful tail, and gold plumage sparkling underneath the falling sun. Its eyes twinkled with a peculiar, demonic stare.!
! His face turned pale and he jerked the cart to a halt.!
! The horses neighed and the cart slowly came to a stop. “What’s wrong?” asked a sweet voice from inside the carriage.!
! Fengor hesitated for a moment and forced a laugh. “Nothing, I just went the wrong way.” He turned the horses’ and raced back the way they came. He heard the rooster crow again, laughing at him.!
! He whipped the horses faster, the grass covering the road was already flattened allowing a quicker pace, but they hadn’t gone a mile before something else stood in their path.!
! This road was long neglected and hid no signs of people, yet an enormous black hog was lying across the path. It was anyone’s guess where it had come from.!
! He didn’t see it when they had just made their first pass, yet here it was.!
! Fengor looked sick as he stopped the cart a second time.!
! The only thing in sight was this large hog rolling around in the dust, and even so its body was completely clean. Its thick hair looked like a rug of glistening gold thread.!
! “Made another wrong turn?” asked the voice inside the sealed carriage.!
! Fengor’s face dripped with sweat. “I...”!
! The soft voice let out a tender sigh, “Why are you trying to hide it? I already know.”!
! “You know?”!
! “After I heard the rooster crow, I assumed the Twelve Zodiac had found us. You didn’t want to worry me, so you didn’t say anything, right?”!
! “But our path was a secret, how did they find us?” he sighed. “But, just relax, I’ll handle whatever happens.”!
! “Wrong again,” said the woman in the carriage. “I made a promise to live and die with you. No matter what hardships come along, we’ll face them together.”!
! “But you’re—”!
! “It’s okay, I’m feeling fine now.”!
! Fengor clenched his teeth. “Okay. Can you walk? Both ways are blocked with bad omens. It looks like we’ll have to abandon the cart and cut across the field.”!
! “Why do we need to abandon the cart? They’ve already spotted us, it’ll be nearly impossible to escape. We might as well just wait here. The Twelve Zodiac have a bad reputation, but we might have no reason to fear them.”!
! “I, I’m more afraid you’ll—”!
! “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”!
! A sweet smile grew on Fengor’s face. “I’m so lucky to have found you,” he said gently. Even the radiant setting sun seemed to lose its color next to his smile.!
! “I’m the lucky one,” returned the woman. “There must be countless jealous and resentful women in the world of Rivers and Lakes. They just—”!
! She hadn’t finished before the horses suddenly reared up and let out a startled cry. The horses seemed to have sensed something. A refreshing evening breeze blew past, the hog flopped over, the rooster crowed in the distance, and the tall grass danced in the wind under the darkening sky. An unlucky chill surrounded the area. The
wilderness under the summer sun was suddenly gripped by an unspeakably bleak and desolate aura.!
! “It seems like they’re here,” Fengor said flatly.!
! A piercing cackle came from behind the cart. “That’s right, we’re already here.”!
!
! The laugh sounded just like the rooster’s crow—sharp, shrill, and brief. He had never heard such an unappealing sound in his life.!! “Who’s there?” he snapped as he whipped around.!
! The rooster-like chuckle continued as five people emerged from behind the cart.!
! The first person was a scrawny man no more than five feet tall. He was clad head to toe in scarlet. It was difficult to look at his face.!
! The second man was impressively tall, massive and solid, with yellow clothes and a yellow skullcap. He wore a steel, emotionless face.!
! The three men behind him were dressed in absurd, mismatched and multicolored patches, like a gaudy beggar’s costume.!
! The physiques varied, but their faces were equally fierce. Their demeanor
showed dauntless bravery and they moved in perfect unison—not a second too quick or too slow from each other.!
! One more person was trudging ever closer from the distance. These five men combined were probably no heavier than this fellow. He was so corpulent he could hardly move; he wheezed with each step he took. “It’s so hot,” he muttered, “I’m about
! The man in red chuckled. “Master Gian’s eyes are indeed sharp, but we are merely a rooster and a pig. Gallus and Sus are just names those in the world of Rivers and Lakes bestowed on us; we’re not worthy of them.”!
! Fengor’s eyes flickered, “I presume you are—”!
! “Red is the rooster’s comb, yellow is the body, and the colorful ones are the tail feathers,” interrupted the man in red. “As for the one back there, he’s exactly what you think he looks like.”!
! “And what do you want with me?”!
! “We heard that Master Gian had a new pet and we just couldn’t pass up a chance to see exactly how beautiful a woman must be to make such an impression on the Jade Gentleman. We also have something to discuss with you.”!
! Fengor’s stomach turned. “I’m afraid I left in quite a hurry, I didn’t bring anything with me. Surely there is nothing here to captivate such fine sirs as yourselves.”!
! “Master Gian sold all of his possessions overnight. We don’t know why and honestly we don’t care, but that bag of jewels you received for your estate...” Gallus’s comb cackled again, “Master Gian should know that the Twelve Zodiac never leaves empty handed. Why don’t you hand over that bag of jewels.”!
! Fengor burst into laughter. “My, my, you have really done your homework. I know the Twelve Zodiac never makes an uncalculated move, but...”!
! “But what?” said the comb, “You won’t?”!
! “If you’d like me to oblige, you simply—”!
! Before he finished speaking, streaks of silver shot toward his chest.!
!
! Gallus’s comb moved swiftly. In an instant he brought out an oddly shaped weapon, hooked like an iron beak, which shot towards Fengor like lightning. His odd movements looked like a rooster pecking at the ground. His attacks were aimed at the pressure points down the right side of Fengor’s chest.!! He leapt into the air, somersaulted, and evaded each attack with precision. But there were three pairs of claw-shaped sickles waiting for him on the ground.!
! As soon as the comb moved, the tail followed suit. Gallus’s colorful tails were no slower than his red comb. These claw sickles were a rare sight in the world of Rivers and Lakes. One beak and three sets of claws. Their movements were perfectly timed as if one person had grown several hands, and their coordination was as exact as if that were true.!
! Fengor was not in the least incompetent, but four unconventional weapons paired with peculiar movements was too much to handle. He was already overwhelmed and yet one more savage remained. Gallus’s yellow body remained to the side. His aggressive stare glued to Fengor, waiting for an opening.!
! “Go get him,” chuckled Sus, exhausted. “Don’t go easy on this guy. I’ll go take a peek at the little beauty in the carriage.”!
! “Stop!” shouted Fengor.!
! He wanted to rush over, but he was surrounded. Those four left him no openings.
Sus had already hobbled to the carriage and reached out to open the door.!
! A beautiful, white hand came out and between those delicate and slim fingers was a flower.!
! A black plum flower.!
! Plum blossoms during midsummer were strange enough, let alone black ones.!
! The white hand against the black flower had a mysterious, indescribable beauty.
“Can you see what this is?” The sweet voice from inside the carriage spoke each word slowly.!
! Sus’s face twisted, his hand became paralyzed on the door; even the rooster beak and claws seemed to freeze in midair. These six thieves who shook the world of Rivers and Lakes seemed to be caught by some magic, each of their hands, feet, and faces seemed to go rigid.!
! “Prismatic Valley’s Floral Palace,” Sus said hoarsely.!
! “Not bad,” said the woman in the carriage.!
! “I...”!
! Sus’s teeth chattered; he wasn’t able to say anything.!
! The woman in the carriage said softly, “Do you wish to die?”!
! “I… don’t....”!
! “And yet you aren’t leaving.”!
! Before she finished speaking, the red, yellow, harlequin, and black all vanished.
Sus’s steps were no longer encumbered and he stopped wheezing; if they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, they’d never have believed someone that massive could be so light on his feet.!
! Fengor rushed to the carriage window. “Are you okay?”!
! “I only waved my hand,” laughed the woman.!
! “I didn’t think you’d take a black plum blossom from the palace,” he sighed in relief, “or that the nefarious Twelve Zodiac would be so afraid of them.”!
! “So now you know just how scary those people are. We should leave; if someone else should come it’s alright, but if—”!
! The loud rush of clothes whipping through the air rang as the six returned even quicker than they had left.!
! “We almost fell for that,” laughed Sus. “If she was really from Floral Palace, we wouldn’t have left alive. When have you heard of anyone from Floral Palace letting people live?”!
! The woman in the carriage said, “I spared you, and yet—”!
! “Come out, you fake!” he bellowed.!
! Sus punched the door shattering it to pieces.!
! The woman in the carriage had disheveled hair and looked sickly, but that didn’t subtract from her beauty. Her eyes were not extremely charming, her nose was not the straightest, her lips were not remarkably petite, but one glance once was more than enough to make anyone stare, especially after seeing the deep sentiment,
understanding, and intelligence in her eyes.!
! She had a large bulge on her stomach. She was pregnant.!
! Sus stared blankly and then burst into laughter. “It’s just a fat lady who pretended to be from Floral Pa—”!
! She flew out of the carriage. Sus didn’t have time to react before she slapped
! She still had a smile on her face. Her delicate hands waved through the air and Sus’s fists were thrown back toward him and landed with a thud against his shoulder.
He was unable to evade. The powerful fist that had just smashed the carriage door knocked him over as he screamed in pain.!
! Gallus’s comb and tail were about to advance upon the carriage, but promptly froze in place. They stared blankly at the woman, not moving an inch.!
! Sus’s voice shook, “Grafting Flowers to Jade...”!
! “If you know that much, you should know I’m not a fake,” said the woman!
! “I… I’m sorry,” he said. Sus raised his hand and slapped his own face until it was blacker and fatter than before.!
! “I’d like to do something good for my child’s sake,” she sighed. “Hurry. Leave now.”!
! They retreated faster this time; even their shadows disappeared in an instant. But under the vast twilight sky, another figure was speeding towards them.!
! Fengor watched until he couldn’t see them anymore then sighed in relief. “Luckily you’re still able to stop them, otherwise—”!
! He realized she looked ill. Her body was shaking as she dripped in cold sweat.
She looked in unbearable pain.!
! He was shocked. “What’s wrong?”!
! “I...I’m having a contraction...I’m afraid I’ll...”!
! “This is not good.” Fengor feet danced in a fluster.!
! “Hurry,” she screamed, “Move the cart to the side of the road. Quick!”!
! In a panic, he pushed the cart into the long grass alongside the road. The horses neighed in frustration. Fengor frantically wiped sweat from his brow before thrusting his head into the carriage.!
! The broken door was covered by a jacket.!
! After a few minutes, the vibrant cries of a baby resounded from the carriage.!
! “Two!” shouted Fengor. “Twins!”!
! Covered in sweat and overjoyed, he poked his head outside. He froze.!
! Gallus and Sus, who had just run away like frightened mice, were once again standing in front of the cart. Six pairs of frigid eyes stared at him.!
! Fengor wanted to act calm but his face had already changed colors. “You...you’re back?” he choked.!
! “Are you surprised?” snickered Gallus’s comb.!
! “Did you come back to die?” he shouted.!
! “Die?” laughed Sus.!
! “I can tell you aren’t ignorant,” Fengor said sternly, “Don’t you know of the strength of Prismatic Valley’s Floral Palace?” Normally very refined and mild, now his eyes had turned red.!
! Sus laughed again. “Master Gian, do we still need to continue this charade? We both know the people who want your lives are the two heads of Floral Palace, not us.”!
! A trickle of sweat ran down Fengor’s prominent nose to the corner of his mouth.
He licked his dry and cracked lips. “You really are crazy. The masters of Floral Palace want my life?” He laughed. “Do you know who’s in the carriage right now?”!
! “She’s just a woman from Floral Palace, a mere chit of a girl,” said the comb coldly, “A traitor who ran away from the palace.”!
! Fengor shivered. He wanted to force a laugh, but he couldn’t anymore.!
! “Surprised, Master Gian? Afraid to ask how we know?” mocked Sus. “That’s a secret you couldn’t guess in a lifetime.”!
! This was a mystery indeed. Fengor had abandoned his family and was now running from the grasp of the two heads of Floral Palace. But no one knew this aside from him and his wife. Somehow they knew. How? He was at a loss and had no time to think. The woman in the carriage was moaning, the babies were crying, and standing outside were six men who wouldn’t lose a wink of sleep after killing a man.!
! Fengor rushed forward abruptly; a light flashed before his eyes. Gallus’s body held a pair of scimitars and blocked his path.!
! He didn’t try to avoid the attack; he grit his teeth and charged forward. He
arrested the yellow man’s wrist and with a twist, slipped one of the scimitars into his own hand.!
! His leg flew toward the man’s stomach while the sword swept out to deflect the comb’s iron beak. He pushed through the claw sickles and plunged the scimitar at Sus.!
! These moves were precise, fast, and vicious; the scimitar, beak, and claws all grazed his clothes as he pressed through.!
! Sus evaded the attack but it threw him off balance. “Be careful!” he yelled as he threw a couple more punches, “This guy’s going all out!”!
! These men had lived through countless struggles; they knew that when someone fought with no regard for his life, it was difficult to stop him. They watched Fengor’s blade, but they never matched his force. They were just toying with him!!
! Fengor slashed left, kicked right, yet despite risking his life, his vicious attacks fell on nothing but air. Sus wouldn’t stop laughing. Gallus’s body only had one sword, but he was still very skilled; evading his frequent advances was taxing. The three pairs of claw sickles blended together seamlessly; guarding was useless against their offense and he couldn’t break their impenetrable woven defense. The three tails alone were more than he could handle.!
! Then there was Gallus’s comb. Faster than a ghost, his red clothes fluttered as he ricocheted around the field. His iron beak danced through the air. The only time it paused was when it sat atop one of Fengor’s major organs.!
! He was disheveled and hardly had the strength to scream. Now this sybarite looked more like a wild animal—all for the sake of his beloved.!
! Though he expended his utmost, it was to no avail. The lion was already trapped, the tiger already caught; fighting back was a useless struggle.!
! Clouds had slowly covered the gloomy evening sky.!
! While this battle was intense and stimulating, it was almost too tragic to watch.
His sweat and blood was only repaid with mockery.!
! “Stop! Please! You’re no match for them,” she screamed from the carriage.!
! Sus rushed over, pushed aside the curtain. “Oh, this one’s pretty lucky,” he snickered, “She had twins.”!
! “Get away, you bastard!” shouted Fengor.!
! “Don’t worry, beautiful,” Sus laughed, “I won’t lay a hand on you now, but once you recover...”!
! “Bastard!” Fengor howled, “If you dare touch her...”!
! Sus stretched out his hand and brushed her face. “I’m touching her,” he taunted,
“What can you do?”!
! Fengor screamed and raised his scimitar. The iron beak, claw sickles, and scimitar descended on him instantly. More blood seeped onto his shoulders, chest, and back.!
! “Be careful!” the woman stammered.!
! “Your Jade Gentleman is about to become a jade lump,” laughed Sus.!
! Fengor was soaked in blood. “You bastards, even if I’m torn to a thousand pieces, I’ll never let you live.”!
! The air was filled with angry screams, smug laughter, pathetic squeals, and newborn cries. It was enough to melt even the coldest of hearts.
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Chapter Two!Baptized by Blades!
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! Blood! !! Fengor’s body was covered in blood!!
! Fengor’s body was covered in blood!!