The forest path was silent, save and for the soft crunches of leaves underfoot. Golden rays of the setting sun filtered through the trees, casting long showows ahead of them-three figures walking in the silence, each carrying their own storm.
Master Zi Chen led the way, his staff gently tapping the earth, he was telling them about the stories of the great warriors and how they used the art restraining and still won the battle, Liang followed, was listening to the story, fully-focused and carefully. Jún trailed behind his jaw clinched and, hands deep in his cloak.
By the time they reached the edge of the castle grounds, dusk had painted the sky in strokes of indigo and ash with some bright silver shining stars.
They entered the castle, the guards opened the door for them and bowed respectfully as they all entered. Master Zi Chen stopped before the stone archway.
"Well I guess, this is enough for today. You are both dismissed. Tomorrow the training will be more interesting because I will take you to the forest again their is an ancient temple. That temple is situated in the middle of the forest there we will do meditation until then Rest. Meditate. Reflect."
"Ahh.... not again!" Jún whispered in frustration.
Liang bowed slightly. "Thank you, Master."
Jún didn't speak a word not even greeted Master Zi Chen. He simply walked past, his thigh brushing Liang's shoulder with deliberate force as he passed.
Liang turned and watched him dissappear into the inner halls.
"Jún seriously lacks some manners." Master Zi Chen said. Liang however didn't agreed to Master Zi Chen's thoughts about Jún instead he defended Jún.
"No Master, I don't think brother Jún lacks manners. I think he is just upset or not in good mood."
Master Zi Chen looking at the inner hallways with seriousness but also with concern.
"I hope so Liang.... I hope so....." Master Zi Chen said.
Master Zi Chen then goes back to his room while Liang was standing in the hallway alone.
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Later that night...
The castle was quiet, its corridors were bathed with the warm glow of lanterns. Liang sat in the meditation hall, legs crossed, eyes closed, his breath slow and even. The soft hum of wind outside the paper walls was his company.
But then-
"You think you are better than me?"
This broke Liang's meditation. Liang then slowly opened his eyes. Jún stood in the doorway, his face half lit by the flame behind him, casting shadows across his sharp features.
Liang put up a gentle smile on his face and invited him.
"Oh... brother Jún, it's you! Come in and sit by my side. Let's meditate together."
Jún clinched his fists and replied with stronger tone.
"I am not here to meditate with you. I asked you that you believe that you are better than me?"
Liang was relaxed and calm.
"No brother Jún. I don't think that," Liang said calmly. "Today it wasn't about who was better. It was about..."
"You tried to humiliate me." Jún stepped forward, his voice was low and bitter. "You showed me up. Infront of him. You tried to portray that I am weak."
Liang bowed to Buddha's idol and stood up. He turned towards Jún.
"You were badly injured. I helped. that's all brother Jún." Liang said politely.
Jún giggled arrogantly and replied.
"No! That's not all... you showed the weakness. You bowed to a beast like it was a god. You think that restraint?" Jún scoffed. "That's cowardice.... dis you hear me.... cowardice. Hiding behind honor."
Jún was insulting Liang but Liang didn't felt insulted by his words he was calm and composed just like before.
"Would you rather killed that bull? And watched him bleed to death just to feel powerful brother Jún?"
Jún's lip curled "Power is the only language this world respects."
"No brother Jún the only language this world respects is humility. People gets scared from power."
A silence fell between them. Heavy. Crackling like the air before the storm.
Finally Jún turned, his voice quieter but colder.
"Listen Liang I don't care about your philosophical knowledge, the only thing I care about is to become the next Emperor of the Iron Lotus Dynasty and on that day you won't be there to play hero and I won't be the one bleeding."
He left without saying another word.
Liang stayed silent for a long moment. Jún's words were quite hurting, the firelight reflecting in his eyes. Not fear. Not anger but a deep, quiet sadness.
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Elsewhere...
Master Zi Chen was stood on the balcony of his room, overlooking the moonlight valley. He was meditating and during meditation he has the powers to hear the voices from far. He heard the conversation between Liang and Jún his fingers traced the edge of another crystal vial.
He sighed.
"There is still time," He whispered to the wind.
"But only if the fire does not consume them both."
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Somewhere in the mountains beneath the darkness.....
In the depths of shadows and realm forgotten by the world, Xiezuò, the wicked creation, the head and the leader of the Emó Dynasty, sitting on his chair, opened his eyes.
He had slumbered for centuries caged in the moutain. Far from the civilization by Emperor Shou and Master Zi Chen.
"Arghhh... I can't take this anymore." He cried.
Suddenly his servant Nùlíng came to the picture.
"What happened leader.....? Why are you so annoyed?"
Xiezuò looked at him with narrowed eyes with anger.
"Why I am annoyed....? You are asking this?"
Nùlíng realized that Xiezuò was not in a good mood. He was looking straight into his eyes and Nùlíng looked down at his feet in fear.
"I am sorry Leader. I know you are annoyed but can I ask you the reason behind your annoyance?"
Xiezuò scoffed.
"Hahh..... you know everyone know why I am so annoyed Nùlíng. For years we have been trapped in this moutain. I remember those days.... THOSE GOOD OLD DAYS.... where we supposed to scare the civilized population in different towns and villages. We all took away their lands and ruled over them. We did every possible worst things to them that we could do...." Xiezuò cried and Nùlíng was hearing him carefully.
"But then those BASTARDS.... Emperor Shou and Master Zi Chen took away everything from us took those things which we made it for ourselves, made those punny people our slaves and then they both came in and snatched away everything... everything from us Nùlíng... everything from us....."
Xiezuò started crying uncontrollably while Nùlíng was consoling him.