"W-why are you h-here?" The soft stuttering passing though those pale lips hinted at what the three irrepressible youths believed; this persimmon was ready to pick. Look at him quavering before them!
As their sense of self inflated behind their large bodied guide, that person himself just sneered. Stupid peasant, still couldn't speak properly, yet the Heavens were too kind to him, revealing their secrets on such an unworthy commoner rather than someone with excellent lineage like himself. The Heavens were truly blind.
"Naturally isn't it because Laozi has unfinished business with you?!" Caprian replied, haughtily, attempting to thrust out his chins in what he believed was an imposing manner. Leon failed to notice, seeming to seriously consider the other's words for a breath before shaking his head.
"N-no, I c-can't think of anything," he replied honestly, causing Tor, who'd slipped to one side ready to apologise to Leon at anytime for his part in bringing Caprian here at any moment, to chuckle behind his fist. Caprian glared at him, causing him to stifle his chortles behind a fist while calming himself, threats regarding his family still hanging over his head like an executioner's axe. In all honesty, Tor didn't believe that Caprian wouldn't take out his temper on his family the first moment he could in the future, but if he had at least time to warn them... after that, their fate was in their own hands. He was powerless to do more for his mother and brother now.
Leon knew nothing about the undercurrents between Tor and his former Master, only understanding that Caprian was here to trouble him. If it were in the past, Leon would believe that Caprian was here to steal his pills, but... would he still do that now that the witnesses had changed and were no longer his faithful paid followers. His eyes couldn't help wander to Tor, seeing that he had once been amongst those people. However, even if he could not interpret the messages in Tor's eyes, he couldn't fail to know what Xiao Xiao's protective growls beside him (Leon) meant.
"Lowly born commoner dare argue with me?!" Caprian's face began to redden in anger and embarrassment. He gritted his teeth as he tried to compose himself wanting to howl and rage about how Leon was responsible for him being expelled and lets not forget to heap the payment owed for the beating he received by that tall martial artist's hand!
It did occur while he'd last been in the vicinity of the hovel... it suddenly occurred to him that that hovel was no longer the only building in this area. Had that martial artist moved here, building this courtyard beside the small hut in order to do so? But then, he didn't see him around... whatever! He was just one martial artist! Caprian now had at his back three of formidable students from his current school, two on the verge of breaking through to tertiary, while the third had long since breeched said level of cultivation! There was nothing to be concerned about!
He cleared his throat then continued to announce his intentions. "We all know what you did!" He insisted but added with the air of someone who felt as if they were being magnanimous; "I'm feeling generous today. You only need to offer me a small token of recompense, this time and I will consider us even!"
Leon frowned, not saying anything, feeling that not only the token Caprian wanted would not be small, it would likely wipe him out of inventory...
"Hand over the amended recipe for the Beast Calming Pill!"
... huh? "W-wait what?" It was then that he suddenly recalled the matter that Caprian was expelled for. "Oh..."
That was it? Not that he planned on giving it away just because Caprian demanded, but that particular pill, it was only a basic pill, learned by alchemists on the beginning of their journey in order to help tame weak beasts for beast tamers on the beginning of theirs... but despite everything, despite saving lives and it being a better overall product than its original, it's market value wasn't very high. Weak beasts were weak beasts, they were numerous and plentiful, few cared in this world over the deaths of a percentage of them due to a pill, which was only needed by the weakest of tamers. That and there were not few aspiring beast tamers that deemed these weakest of potential partners unworthy of their attentions; they'd much rather try for strong, rare or 'quality' beasts.
Regardless, the amended recipe had already been given to the Institute and Leon had even heard that there was a group of beast-loving inner school seniors currently using it's formula to help inspire them to improve others in this line of pills; the beast soothing and beast x pills. Rumour had it that for the former, there had even been a few positive results...
"The b-b-beast calming p-pill recipe," Leon stumbled over the phonics that often caught him off guard as he tried to clarify, "that, the Institute already h-has it. I g-g-gave it to..."
"Then hand over something of equal value," one of Caprian's ill-intended shadows suggested. "Another new or amended alchemy recipe, perhaps?"
The youth seemed brimming of much greater a level of arrogance than Caprian and the air of wealth. The cut of the silks that lined his body were perfectly fitted to suit his height and shape and the simple embroidery was of an unfamiliar pattern, but the tiny stitches melded together to create seamless and flowing lines over the dark material. The belt around his waist was decorated with drops of translucent jade and hints of pure yellow gold. Two long knives crossed the arch of his back while two shorter blades lay upon his hip, all sheathed in dark, metal. His eyes were narrowed and although he was offering Leon a smile, it didn't appear the least bit amicable. Leon couldn't prevent the shiver that trailed down his spine.
He shook his head, attempting to reassure himself. Although this person looked dangerous and strong, he felt that he wasn't anymore dangerous nor stronger than his lover. But Leon also didn't wish to rely on Jin Li all of the time and although he knew he himself would never win against the three youths behind Caprian even if all three had their hands tied behind their backs, he hoped that he, at least, had the ability to reason with them.
It's a pity that in this world, shows of strength were what most used in anything resembling a negotiation in this world rather than words; whether they believed him when Leon told them that he had nothing that was of equal value (he really didn't, everything was worth much more than that one...) or not was irrelevant. They were determined to take whatever valuables the 'soft persimmon' in front of them had.
"What are you doing?"
Three of the four visiting students had unsheathed their weapons, the fourth being a failed alchemist who had yet to admit to his incompetence. When Tor had agreed to bring them here due to threats Caprian had made towards his family who were subordinate to his own, he hadn't ever imagined that the others would go so far as to draw weapons on Institute students! Hadn't they thought about the consequences if they were caught?
But then, Tor realised bitterly and far too belatedly, Leon lived far from the eyes and ears of the outer school's Teachers, feeding these bastards fearlessness! This was his mistake, he should not have listened to Caprian's threats. Hadn't he already washed his hands of his fanatically loyal father? And his older brother would likely be protected by Caprian's older brother, he already knew that their relationship was that good, very unlike the toxic one he'd formed with Caprian over the years. And as for his mother... his heart was torn, but he knew she would be disappointed with him if he just stood back and ignored this, using her well being as his excuse.
He withdrew his long knife. He wasn't a Martial Artist by any means, he'd been an alchemist before being accepted into the Beast Tamer's School, so his weapon skills were basic and mostly defensive. Still he could be a meat shield for his friend for a short while, right?
"Leon, run!" He said, placing himself in between Caprian's group and Leon. Xiao Xiao leapt to his side without being summoned, ready to fight with him. Tor was humbled by the Cooshee's loyalty. "Go now, we'll hold them off!"
But Leon hesitated. He'd hoped that words would settle things with these people, so he was taken aback when they suddenly withdrew sword and whip to use against him. Had he become too complacent, too protected in this world that he'd thought he'd acknowledged as being cold and violent as individuals strived to be the most powerful on the often lonely and sometimes bloody path of cultivation? He'd thought he could endure it having experienced the harshness of the Shattered E Isles outside the umbrella of the Institute and away from Jin Li's sheltering arms. But being faced with these cruel individuals holding weapons with the intent to harm and plunder, he once more fell into an internal panic and felt fear and powerlessness in his bones.
A flash of white and black crossed his vision and snapped him out of his daze and he found himself staring at Li Ming's massive behind. The Coeurl roared, its voice echoing around the trees and foliage, sounding mighty and fine. Leon stepped lightly to one side and placed a hand on Li Ming's leathery, scaled leg. That's right, he wasn't completely powerless, he still had Li Ming!
Caprian flinched and rushed to hide behind a thick tree, gasping for breath even though the distance was not great. The two Martial Artists who'd formerly been behind Caprian also faltered, but the Beast Tamer showed no fear, simply narrowing his eyes and flicking his whip at his side. His last Beast had not long died, the useless thing, and he had yet to hunt for a new pet. This Coeurl had not long reached adulthood and seemed not bad. It would do at least until he could obtain something more impressive. He flicked his whip once more before stepping forward, swung it above his head and let the vicious length fly towards the beast.
The white and black striped Coeurl was a sheltered Beast, it had not known true discomfort. When these people threatened its Human, it's first thought had been to act as Wu Ye would! It had never imagined that the long vine like thing wrapped in circles upon waists could actually hurt so much when it was stretched out and used like this! Red blood seeped from its front paw and it yelped miserably, but before it could lick the wound, the thing hit its shoulder and it screamed once more!
"Li M-Ming!" Leon felt its pain as if it was his own. The blue of the Cooshee seemed to streak over, its jaws snapping at the Beast Tamer. The whip was used to block those sharp teeth from making contact. At this point, the Martial Artists had regained their wits and hurried forward. One swung its sword at Xiao Xiao, while the other rushed forward to threaten Tor, not yet able to get to Leon.
Xiao Xiao yelped, unable to avoid completely the flurry of attacks from both the Beast Tamer and Martial Artist it faced. Tor cried out for it, but he was unable to help it, struggling to defend himself as it was. Leon had stuffed a couple of One Heart pills into Li Ming's mouth without thought and now could only look on at the chaos to occur during that moment of inattention.
Xiao Xiao was bleeding and struggling to defend itself, Tor had been pressed to the ground, his weapon fallen off to one side and Li Ming's large body was trembling beside him. He felt pained and wondered if he shouldn't just give into their demands, but seeing their cruelty and greed, would they really be satisfied with just a modified pill recipe?
The first Martial Artist took note of him at that moment, feeling triumphant in his bones. He exchanged glances with the Beast Tamer, who nodded in understanding, capturing the weakened Cooshee's attention while his friend dealt with the weak alchemist. They would take everything this little peasant had and teach him to respect them, sons of Nobles and descendants of Kings! Perhaps if his value was as Caprian suggested, they would let him live, force him to provide them with pills and recipes, drain him of his miserable worth and make him thank them for it! As for Caprian himself, that weakling could just go die, they no longer had a need for him!
Leon hesitated once more when he noticed that Martial Artist approach him, but a sudden notion entered his head and he quickly fumbled with his pouch. Fortunately he'd organised the space within the interspacial pouch well and he found what he sought as rapidly as he'd found the One Heart Pill just then. Pushing Li Ming while murmuring a quick instruction in its ear, he threw the two round objects in his fingers at the chest of the youth approaching him with wicked intent.
The youth was well trained, using his sword to beat away the thrown objects, but only one actually was diverted from its path. A stench like nothing describable suddenly emanated from the blade. It was so potent that it appeared almost visible, oozing from the shining surface like a green-grey smoke. Taken by surprise, the Martial Artist paused to hold his nose. Leon, who was already holding his breath, ignored the stream of liquid that still leaked from his eyes despite expecting the horrid aroma, took advantage of his hesitation and hurried towards Tor, calling out as he did.
"Xiao Xiao!" He tossed several One Heart Pills to the injured beast, hoping it had the chance to consume it.
His call caught the attention of more that the Cooshee, but the first Martial Artist was struggling not to vomit and couldn't chase Leon at that moment. The second Martial Artist, who'd been in the process of tormenting Tor as he lie struggling to defend himself, paused before switching targets. Only, he did not notice the small pill that had fallen close to his feet, until a blinding light burst from it, catching his attention and stealing away his vision. He swore as his fingers covered his eyes, the pain in them piercing and intense. His sword was naturally dropped.
Leon ran still out of his range, reaching for Tor whose arms had been pierce over and over by the tip of the Martial Artist's sword, not enough to maim, but enough that Tor was losing blood and in a lot of pain. Fortunately, Leon had a habit of carrying plenty of healing pills on his person, so despite freely giving out his Improved pills like this, he still had enough for Tor as well. Just unlike the beasts, his body could only handle one, but it would be enough to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process.
"C-c-can you g-get up?" Leon whispered hurriedly. Tor nodded, but he was shaking visibly as he got to his feet.
The putrid scent and blinding flash faded quickly; these were just 'prank' level trick pills after all and Leon knew that what would remain would be two angry Martial Artists, not to mention the Beast Tamer, who may have suffered somewhat in the range of the two pills. Xiao Xiao had been able to disengage itself from said Beast Tamer to eat a healing pill, but was not out of danger as yet.
Just as when Leon struggled to think on what to next, deep grumbling roars coupled with deep sarcasm caught everyone's attention.
"This Lord thought I smelled something as bad as that girl's tea... turned out to be just some low life scum. Should this Lord thank the Heavens for small mercies?"
An update! I am trying to stockpile chapters and get back into a routine. For now, I can say that the next chapter of SLTLAC will be out next Tuesday (GMT). Thank you for your patience.
Paragraph comment
Paragraph comment feature is now on the Web! Move mouse over any paragraph and click the icon to add your comment.
Also, you can always turn it off/on in Settings.
GOT IT