"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.
Almost as the words spilled out from his lips upon a sigh, Leon could not help but respond; "M-maimai's t-tea isn't so b-bad."
Jin Li leapt off of the back of his midnight Coeurl and tossed to one side the horned back deer carcass that he carried over his shoulder with a sneer. He smelled of blood and death for this hunt had not been an easy one, thus he'd been looking forward to the opportunity to bathe after he and Wu Ye had brought down the prize buck. As they'd made their way home, a dabbled hare and a blue bearded peasant that happened to cross their path and swiftly lost their lives with the thought that with this much meat, neither would have to hunt for a while. Both Coeurl and Cultivator had been pleased with the idea that they could lounge around in the sweet company of their loved ones and not need care about food for a time.
And then the sound of a roar echoing from the distance had shaken both from their leisurely paced return, forcing them to race ahead. Wu Ye had even deigned to allow the Martial Artist to ride upon his back that they might reach home a little faster than otherwise. Just minutes from home, they had come across a frantic and fearful Li Ming, the younger Coeurl still stained with its own blood, though the wounds had scabbed over already.
"Where is Leon?" Jin Li had demanded between gritted teeth as the Couerls shared brief greetings. Li Ming had taken them back along the path it had discovered their scents upon, heading straight to the courtyard house. Jin Li's heart had ached as it pumped his hot blood through his veins touched by anger, worry and distress. Only upon seeing the situation, seeing Leon unhurt could he breathe a small sigh of relief (he gave no such consideration for the wounded Tor nor Xiao Xiao). However, these scum bastards dared attack his man? He'd see them pay.
Wu Ye roared in agreement, before sniffing the air, its face twisting in disgust. Unlike Leon, though, it agreed with Jin Li's assessment. That female's brew offended the nose of any beast in the vicinity of the hot, dark liquid.
Jin Li didn't ask why the four unwelcome visitors were near his property nor did he question why they were attacking Leon. He simply drew his sword and engaged the Martial Artist nearest to his small alchemist. That guy had not long cleared his vision of the flashing white light and could only kneel to grab his fallen sword before lifting it to defend himself.
"Oi!" The other Martial Artist leapt forward to help his comrade, but he soon found that even his strength was lacking. "Lu She!"
The Beast Tamer cracked his whip in response, kicking out at the Cooshee first, which leapt backwards with a yelp. It growled, meaning to continue the fight, but there was something wrong with its front paw and it hesitated. Such would have allowed an opening for the man, had a large, angry black Coeurl not blocked his path. Wu Ye's rumbling growl echoed in its chest as it looked down on the Beast Tamer with obvious disdain. The youth gritted his teeth, aware that this beast was not the soft persimmon that the striped one had been and readied himself for a fight.
Wu Ye yawned and batted him with one paw before the youth could lash his whip in its direction. The Beast Tamer ducked quickly before straightening his body and taking a step back. He planned to circle his whip, taking advantage of the added distance, but what was that advantage compared to an agile Coeurl with a long, thick, muscular tail. The youth was swept away, knocking his head against a tree and nearly falling unconscious.
In the meantime, Jin Li had already disarmed one of the Martial Artists, that one was now coughing up blood from a kick to his stomach, while the other was hard pressed to defend himself as Jin Li's swords rippled through the air again and again in successive strikes. The ruby handled weapon's blade suddenly broke, sliced in two as Jin Li's Xunsu Bagong clashed with it for the last time.
Leon looked at the ornate blade thinking that there was some familiarity, but as he couldn't place it, he stopped thinking about it. Jin Li didn't care either way, standing over the fallen Martial Artists, his blades pointing at the necks of both. He clicked his tongue; "So weak."
Those two students glared at him, but having lost, they couldn't refute his claims and could only bite their tongues.
By this time, Wu Ye had picked up the unconscious Beast Tamer and had brought him over to unceremoniously spit him out next to his comrades. Having seen this, Li Ming sought to also be useful, however Caprian was not unconscious and also not easy to pick up. While struggling and cursing, the large youth was dragged over the dirt, loose stones and surfaced tree roots as he was brought over by the striped Coeurl. Li Ming let go of him and glanced over at its older brother with clear blue eyes; praise me!
Wu Ye smacked his ear with a light paw. Are you a pet? Why so proud? These weak things beat you and you still smile like this! I will take you to hunt horned back deer next time. You will either get stronger or die.
Li Ming whimpered, but it's pitiful look couldn't move the other.
"What d-do we d-do with them?" Leon asked Jin Li. "T-tie them up?"
"Unnecessary," Jin Li replied, shortly. He leaned forward and tapped various acupuncture points on the four individuals. They flopped to the ground, unable to use their limbs.
But while the two martial artists retained some vestiges of clarity, understanding that even if they bullied the weak, those stronger than themselves can still step on them like ants, Caprian had no such capability. "Do you have any idea just who I am?!"
"No," Jin Li sneered before tossing all four into Li Ming and Wu Ye's stable without ceremony. The two Coeurl were not happy that their nest was being used like this, but were still forced to keep guard while Jin Li rushed away to find a Teacher to take the scum off of his hands.
When Teacher Sagi came over, the trembling in Tor's hands had eased and the long, drawn wounds on his arms had scabbed over, such was the efficacy of the Improved One Heart Pill that Leon had fed him. Leon had also served him a tea to calm both of their nerves. Xiao Xiao lay with his head in Tor's lap, feeling sorry for itself. Although it had not been as pathetic as Li Ming in the battle, it still felt that it had let its Master down. Tor stroked its long, soft ears in comfort. In fact Tor was also blaming himself for not being strong. Both vowed to up their training and improve.
Author's note; sorry for the abrupt ending. I've been trying to figure out how to settle this chapter, hence breaking the resolution to get it posted sooner. I will finish it more roundly in the next chapter.
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