The Past, Eastern Kingdom, 755, the month of the Dragon. 3 hours until sunrise. 3 km away from the Okisa City
The Dragon Lord Agnir descend from the Spirit Realm has brought storm to finally invade the mainland. And with it, the Ant city warrior descend like moth towards flame
This event will be known as the 'Dargon Lord rips the cloud; the Jade Empire be fleeting at the sight' and is the main culprit in the Tang Dynasty collapse
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A figure is running away, feet splashing the puddle and muds away as he grazes the reed as it flutters beneath the storm and his movement.
"She's here!" a voice shout, thundering about the reed filled landscape as dozen more voice filled the area
The figures remain restless; she runs with all her might. Toiling and tumbling around as she goes, she moved her legs like it was the last day she would ever using it. With careless abandon
WOOOSH
Then a Throwing knife lodge into her leg. She collapses as she rolls around in the mud. The sound of footstep splashing around, closing and edging towards her, ever closer, then they appear
One a long-haired fellow with red robes and a visible bandage in his entire face, carrying two curved swords
The other, is a burly man with a similar sword but twice as big as he shouldered its immense weight
The last, is a skinny man with tied hair, he wears a mask, and a symbol of lightning is etched through his black robe
The Three Sword of Ant City.
"Little chick finally giving up" the burly man said as he smirks in between his exhaustion.
"Now that I look at it, this one has quite the face" the burly man then bends down and grab the figure cheeks, forcing her to face him
The figure has a white face, blue eyes and Azure hair. Her skin is milky smooth despite the mud and water in it. Her developing figures and peerless elegance will surely made most men aggressive, this man is no difference
"Hehe, I can't wait to make you my concubine with those face" the burly man said as he licks his lips in a degenerated display of affection
The female is visibly disgusted; she tried to spit at him. But the burly man foreseen her action and slap her face, throwing her to the side
"You little bitch! I'll make sure I break you nice and slow" he said as he prepares to undress her, the female was too weak to do anything as she helplessly watches the Burly man approach, she could only cry silently.
But before he could lay his hand on her, the bandaged man stops him
"Knock it off with that kid, remember our priority" he said,
CLANG
but the burly man suddenly swings his sword at him. Though he blocks it, the force is enough to push him
"Fuck did you know whoreson? As far as im concern, this is my priority" he said with a cruel smile
"…How did I end up with you"
the bandaged man then swings his other sword downward, knocking the massive sword to thrust itself to the ground.
TRANG
He then climbed the massive sword and was prepared to slash the burly man face before a massive sword, even bigger than the burly man sword. Slam itself to the ground. Blocking his attack
BANG
"Enough you two!" the figure is seen floating in the sky. Wearing white robe and an insignia resembling a Dragon.
The skinny man then bowed deeply
"Greeting, Divine Assassin!" he said
This action seems to please the figure as he descends and picks up the blade. They then look around the two bickering men with avarice before settling in on the female.
"Capture that woman, bring her to the Ant city" they said as they fly back up, ready to leave
"Why don't you do it yourself?" the bandaged man asks with arrogance
"There is a Divine Spirit in the distant" they said, pointing towards a lightning storm in a shape of a bird. They then make a hand signal and disappear into the storm
"Shit, who do you think you are ordering me around" The Burly man said, even though he kept his silence when the figure approach.
He then went to the female and was about to continue where he left off.
"Are you fucking serious?" the bandaged man said
"Aghhh annoying fuck! Since when you are so benevolent?" The Burly man points his finger towards the red robed man, accusing him for being too kind.
"…We get her back first, then you do whatever the fuck you perverted shit wanted to do to her" he said with spite, drawing annoyance from the burly man
"You…"
But then a thunder struck, three times it struck towards the northeast. The three men instantly went on guard
"The Dragon Lord…" the skinny man said, he recognizes the thunder strike as the Dragon Lord warning them about something or someone.
And through the dense reed, they see a child. White hair and white face in a cape. Wielding a red sword and is carrying a head of a man. The child gaze at the sky, his looks is serene and gentle yet unnerving at the same time. His purple eyes lock towards the storm as if mocking it.
"Y-Yarui" the skinny man said as he points to the head carried by the child, his face is those of utter shock
"Huh, that guy from the Black Cloud?" the Bandaged man said in surprised
"Theres no mistake, that is Yarui. But he is crazy good with the Katana. How can he—" his disbelief was cut short by the boy sudden attack as he swings his sword aimed at his throat.
CLANG
He parries them then he dashed back
"Shit" the burly man said as he swings his sword downward, attacking the boy. Though the boy effortlessly redirected the blade with his sword, causing it to sink into the ground
The boy utilizes this to step into the back side of the blade, before jumping and swinging his sword at the Burly man throat. He wasn't so lucky as his throat was maimed, drawing blood everywhere
SHASH
The burly man struggles to breath as his lungs was filled with blood, he collapsed and soon after dies.
"Fuck…" the bandaged man, realizing that one of the Three Swords was just slain so easily, cannot help but to be scared. He then eyed his oil jar that he used to light his sword on fire. But he can't use it in this storm
He draws a deep breath; 'I can't underestimate this child' he thought. So, he planned to devise a plan with the skinny man.
"Oi Ninja, we ought to—"
"YOU FUCK! HOW DARE YOU!" The skinny man screams as he rushed into the boy
The bandaged man tried to stop him, but it was too late. He then watches as the boy make one simple move. An arching-upward strike and the skinny man collapsed to the ground
The bandaged man stares in disbelief, that Ninja maybe skinny, but his skill with the blade is no joke. And he didn't even have the chance to swing it.
'Stay calm, stay calm'
he knew that this child is no ordinary child. Just one look into his ice-like purple eyes is a guarantee hit into his psyche. His purple eyes flares as it leaves a trail of lights, dancing in the wind.
The Bandaged man then prepared a stance as he moved one of his swords up, while the others stay down. The boy did the same, but he points the red sword towards him instead
They both waited, between the swaying reed and rushing wind. The tension is building up. This duel is determined by just one strike, one slash and the other, dies
Then, a strike of thunder roars. Both moved in with blurring speed as the blades goes towards the other. Yet the Heaven is fair
SLASH
And the child is superior.
The bandaged man collapses to the ground, dropping his sword. The boy stood there, motionless. No emotion was running, not even a bit of joy is visible.
Each droplet of water hit his face before it turns into a bead of water that each fall into the ground, the boy face then turned down before swings back to the side. There he saw a figure, the female from earlier held a dagger and point it towards him
The boy silent figure didn't move a muscle, but as if an instinct was activated inside of him. He slowly walks towards the female, swords in hand ready to attack. The female hands trembles, the seemingly weightless water was enough to move the dagger
The female face tensed up, it was hanging between hope and dread as the boy inches closer. His purple eyes burn with silent intensity as he looking towards her with promise.
'Please, please stop! Please!'
The female unspoken prayer rings louder inside her heart than even the surrounding thunder. And then her flu catches up, she sneezes and cough as she dropped the dagger, and her delicate figure fell even closer to the ground.
Hopeless, she had accepted death as she closes her eyes and hope that at least, her death is swift
'....do not harm those who are weak, they didn't do anything wrong'
the sudden words flashed through the boy's mind as he saw the female coughing and trembling, for a second his eyes flairs up and he stagger.s
For a moment, he stood there. Conflicted on whether he should attack, or retreat.
'Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill, Kill... Spare her'
the raging thought bore no resemblance to a logical thinking of a human being.
The boy eyes then turns around, away from the female who watches with a glint of hope that she might be saved. But still, the storm is still raging, if he did not kill her the storm will. So, she had to make a gamble
"W-Wait!" she shouts.
The boy responded by looking over his shoulder, cold, purple eyes pierce back at her. Yet his gaze is somewhat softer and less intimidating then before.
For a moment, the female hesitates, but decided to go through with it
"P-please help me! I-Im from a Big family! Y-You will do well if you help me" her words stammer a bit "So please, help me"
The boy didn't respond, but he takes off his cape. Revealing his well-developed muscle and a hole in his chest
He then put the cape over her head, covering her from raining. Then with a weak, gentle voice he said
"Go…there… granny with a green apron. She will save… I pro… mise"
The staggered sentence enchanted her a bit. She also realized that his purple eyes has turned into a delicate blue, so soft, so gentle and so fragile.
'How could such a gentleness come from this ruthless boy?'
She thought. Nonetheless, she decided to follow his words and head towards the direction the boy is pointing towards
She runs with all her might while the boy watches, but then the female turns and faced him. Bowed and said, "Thank you!" before continuing.
The boy was left there alone, with a strewn corpse. He watched at the red robed man motionless corpse, before he looks towards the eye of the storm
"She's like a fairy"
He mutters before walking towards the eye of the storm where a Bird like figures fights
Moments later, when the child had disappeared.
The bandaged man then stands up, breathing uncontrollably as he silently exhales a breath of relief that this walking calamity has left.
"Damn you granny, who knew your trash will save me you darn coot" he said as he grabs the last treasure her grandmother has, it was just an ordinary talisman, but he values it greatly. It's a shame that it broke.
He had never seen a swordsmanship so cruel, so basic yet so powerful and swift. It was not a famous technique, but a mere basic swing. There's not even a hint of an Aura, which means the boy hasn't use any technique.
And it manages to bring the Three Swords of the Ant city down. For once, he realizes that until now. He was a mere frog in a well
He was awe stricken. He no longer wished to return to the ant city, he wanted to travel the world and understand truly, the path of the sword and developed his own sword intent.
The red robed man then maimed his left hand that has the symbol of the Ant city, officially severing his relations with them. He applied an ointment to stop the bleeding before wrapping it with a bandage before he walks away in the opposite direction
He had no hope of ever encountering that little monster, but if he did. He will be prepared
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The Demonic Sect, year 761, the month of the dog. 2 hours after dawn
The boy washed himself in the bathroom, he seems to try and cleaned off every single part of his body
'Refreshing'
The young boy thought as the cold water hit his skin, every filth washed down like mud in flood.
The last night dream is cryptid, yet he understands a pattern, it seems to connect to a lost memory of his. No matter how unthinkable it was, it's really the only possible explanation to it.
He then finished taking bath and donning the prepared robes, it was black and red. Atypical of the Demonic Sect uniform code, but the boy really finds it uncomfortable if he didn't use the piece of white cloth to tie his hair with.
He gazes at the white cloth for a while before deciding to use it and tie his hair. Then a knock on the door rings through the room.
"The Demon King is looking for you" the voice said
Without a word, the boy opened the door and saw a man wearing a blank mask and a Pheonix pattern robe
"…Follow me" he said
The boy complies, he leads them through a series of hall and doorway before entering a large room with a single throne in the middle and two throne accompanying it
The left was an arrogant looking boy, and the left is a lady with black veil. In the middle is the Demon King himself
Surrounding the throne a series of 8 chair, each a figure of magnificent strength, one of them is Zaujan. On the other side, sit ladies and what seems to be their child. But one takes the boy attention. Black hair and red eyes, sitting alongside a lady wearing a white veil.
The guards then bowed before the Demon King
"I have completed the assignment sir!"
"…You may return"
The guards then vanished into the thin air, leaving the boy as the centre of attention
Some gazes are simply curiosity, other of interest. And some few are lust and contempt. The boy just stood there, unmoving and uncaring about the turmoil inside the room
"So, I remember that you do not have a name?" the Demon King asks
"Yes sir" the boy said with a face as sterile as calm water
This response seems to upset almost all the people inside with the exception if the white veiled lady who looks at him with a worried look
"Then I shall give you a name…" The Demon King then increased his voice
"From now on! You were to be called as Wu Naming!" The Demon King declared.
Instantly the entire room was on the uproar, especially the black veiled lady who cannot believe what she just heard
Calling this boy with the surname 'Wu' basically accepting that he is now the direct child of the Demon King himself, then the Lord of Sword speaks up
"Your lordship! I must ask what the meaning of this is?" he asks
His opinion seems to represent almost the entire person on this room except for Zaujan who seems to have realized why the Demon King accept the boy as a child of the Demon King
"I mean what I say, I hereby accept this child to be kin of mine" his declaration sparks another wave of uproar
"But still, to accept this… Unknown child as your lordship kin is far too hasty don't you think dear?" The black veiled lady said only to be met with a cold gaze by the Demon King
"So, you question my judgement?" The Demon King said, to defy the words of the Demon King meant to defy the entire Demonic Sect
The black veiled lady face turns grim at the sudden realization of her hasty words
"It seems to me that Lady Myuung means is that she cannot accept him as her family without a proper demonstration" The Lord of Blood Zaujan then interject
"By no means, do we question your lordship decision. But we must know of the reason. A fish doesn't just jump out of the water without just cause" he said, seems to be supporting the black veiled lady Myuung.
The Demon King face frowned at the suggestion, but he listened to it nonetheless
"So, what do you think?" he asks
"If I may to sound my opinion" the Lord of War said with a solemn voice "A simple test of power is sufficed. After all, the might makes law"
His suggestion seems to be garnered significant supports out of the Lord, especially the Lord of Sword who wanted to see what this boy could do. But Lady Myuung seems to disagree, yet she hides those opinions of her
'The Demon King is a reasonable and wise person, to make him act like this must means you worth more than I thought'
the Lord of Sword mutters
"Hmm, I see. So be it then" The Demon King then raised his right arm and orders 3 of his Royal Guards to appears
"Listen! This boy, Wu Naming shall fight three of the Claw to death! And prove his worth to the Demonic Sect!" he shouts with powerful voice enough to shudders the room
"FOR THE DEMONIC SECT!" All the present audience shouts in unison.
The boy stood there, motionless, carrying his swords that is still in its sheath. The three of this man is enough to make a seasoned fighter overwhelmed. But it doesn't bother the boy, what does bother him is the worried gaze of the white veiled lady gives
"Begins!" the Demon King shouts
Immediately one of the guard's Aura flares in black as he springs into actions, swinging his arm and activates a claw technique. Yet the boy saw through it and effortlessly sidestepping the attack
The guards overextend and had to see as a red blade pierce through him in a lightning-fast trust to the heart.
SWISH
One down
The Lord was all in shock except Zaujan, the Claw are all comprised of Divine realm master. To kill one so easily means the boy is far superior to them. Yet he hasn't even once revealed his Cultivation level, making the Lord of War wary and the Lord of Sword to be more excited.
The other guards became wary and decided to attack together.
One on the left activates a blinding spell through a talisman, forcing the boy to shut his eyes while the other guard's attack with a sabre to the back. But the boy, as if already seeing the attack positioned his sword in its path and redirected the sabre upwards
CLANG
The guard's arms are wide open. So, the boy swiftly swinged his sword into an arch and severs the guard's arm in one clean cut. He fell to the ground, clutching his arm before the boy, swiftly puts him out of his misery.
SHASH
Two down
The Lord couldn't believe what was happening, this boy manages to bring down two Divine realm master. But no one is more shocked than the boy and girls of the wives of the Demon King. But some of the lord has seen through the boy tricks
'He utilized his own inhibition to cut them down, resulting in a burning scar that will never heal. Corrosion!'
The Lord of Sword has seen through it; he can see the boy visibly tired form as he prepared to fight the last bodyguard.
'A technique that profounds cannot be realized without a repeated use, such prodigy. It's a waste he had to die here now'
the Lord of Sword mutters with grim and disappointed face as the last guard advancing towards him with his fist technique
The guard then executed the first move of the 'Demonic fist' into the boy chest, the boy managed to see through it and parried all the attack, but the shockwave from the fist managed to damage him
BANG BANG BANG
Then, the guard does the second move, moving like a wind as his fist twist and turn to crush the boy's body
BRUK
Yet the boy preserved, he managed to fend off 3 of his attacks but the 4th one and the 5th one landed in its mark. Throwing the boy as he spits blood, the guard prepares to finish him off
'Its over now'
The Lord of Sword mutter in a grim face while the white veiled lady couldn't bring herself to watch his demise.
But an unprecedented turn of event happens, the boy rushed forward, letting his shoulder get hit by the guard, dislocating it. Though the guard realizes the danger and attempt to retreat, he can't since his fist is still connected to the boy shoulders, he cannot retreat
WOOSH
The boy then bites the guard abdomen like a mad dog as he infused what little energy he has, to pierce the guard defence, disembowelling him.
The intestines spill forth as the guard were paralyzed by pain, unable to push the boy off as he continues to maim and bites through his belly
The crowd all descend into utter shocked that the boy was willing to do all that. This savagery by no means rare in the Demonic Sect, but to see a literal child doing it is what shocking.
The Lord of Sword could not believe his eyes, not at the cruelty but at the fact that he infused his energy into his own body
'Such thing would only cause him to get hit by his own Inhibition!'
He mutters in disbelief, even Zaujan who thinks that he can't get more surprised was speechless at the display of skill
Some lady barf and some of the child even started to hug their mom or to hide
Then, the boy rises, completely spent. Yet his eyes are still unmoving and empty. But his left eyes seem to glint in faint purple light as he wipes the blood of his face and faced the Demon King who is satisfied that his judgement were correct after all
"The winner is Wu Nanming! Thus, I hope that all who present can accept him as one of us and my kin!" he said
The declaration was met with acceptance, some of the Lord even begin to have their interest on him as this boy is more Demonic than the Demon King first child which was the nature they all values
Though some, still cannot accept the hasty decision. But in front of such display of Martial Might, they dare not to voice their defiance.
"Rejoice boy" The Demon King then gaze at the boy with a smile
The boy gaze at him back with empty face covered in blood and sweat
"I have fulfilled my promise to you, now I hope that you are to be one of us" The Demon King then continued sounding his decision
"Next week, I will have you join the academy and as of now, I need to have someone who can take care of you" The Demon King suggestion was met with grim look from all the Wives, except the white veiled lady whose face remains neutral
"Right, I have to trust you to take care of this boy, Hwang"
The white veiled lady smiles as if she already knows that this will be the outcome
"I accept your order, your lordship Demon King" she said with a smile
The Demon King also smiles in return and concluded the gathering
Everyone left with either an interested look, a disgusted and terrorized face or a simple satisfied face, knowing that one more heir to the throne was decided
The meeting was concluded, the boy, Wu Nanming has been transferred into the dwelling of Lady Hwang. The fourth wife of the Demon King.
It has been exactly 4 days since he had arrived here, Wu Nanming has done nothing but recovering and hasn't explore the manor more. He also thought that none of the servant here would accept him, yet much to his surprise. They did accept him and would even go so much as to bowed towards him.
The manor is simply put, luxurious. Dark wood that has been cured using lightning were used all over the house as its foundation and even the smallest furniture was all made with these expensive woods, colored with pigment as to make it less dull.
The floor is made with Jade; the slight white hue it exudes might suggest that it was the rare Marbled Jade from the Ageran mountains in the North.
Yet Nanming care not for such luxury, all he wanted is a roof and a warm bed.
And his room, to put it in a simple term, overwhelmingly luxurious.
It was large, sunlit, decorated room complete with low-table, Snow Ox carpet, and a very large bed with covers made from the finest of Pale Worm Silk and the filling is Duck feather. Just by laying down on it, weeks of fatigue would just instantly vanished.
Nanming continues his exploration, seeing many unheard-of treasures at a casual display.
During the travels, many of the servant bowed at his presence, but since he doesn't really know how to respond. He just nods slightly which seems to delight some of the servant.
He also noticed that all the servant and personal guards were all female and wears veil. What is the reason for this? Nanming ponders.
He arrived at the garden, there he saw a beautiful blue flower, Wisp whisper is the name and there are plenty of them. Nanming observe the flower for a long time, kneeling in one spot, unmoving like a statue.
"Beautiful is it not?" A soft and gentle voice was heard, it was Lady Hwang
Now that Nanming see her face clearly without the veil, he sees her as a breathtaking beauty. Now he knows why all the servant and guard's is female and wears veil, is to prevent them from being bewitched by such beauty.
Nanming bowed at her entrance, his face didn't change one bit.
"Not even the Demon King could resist my beauty, yet you can. How come?" she asks with curiosity
"I am your child, it is unbecoming of me to think like that towards my own mother" Nanming said with detached voice, not completely trusting her
"No need to be so formal then, you are my child after all" she said, twisting his words
'This lady is smart'
Nanming mutters
"All right then" Nanming said, he then continued to gaze at the Wisp Whisper
'Right, he is still 10 years old. Its normal for them to be like this'
she mutters; she then moves in closer. Cupping the flower with her hand
This causes Nanming to suddenly move in and move her hands away from the flower
"Don't… they are poisonous" he said with still, void-like expression, yet his action is a clear sign that he doesn't want her to be in danger.
Lady Hwang was surprised at first, but then she smiles at his action.
"Don't worry, this is a special kind of flower that has been ridden off its poison" she said as she inches closer to the flower and inhale its fragrance. She then turns her head towards Nanming and smiles.
"See? Its totally safe" she said
Nanming eyes flash for a second, a distant past which he had no more recollection off. The memory which was his but not fully him. The one he must forget, her face shows up as a mere blur. Yet it meant everything for him, his mother who he comes to forget, her face appears once more in her new mother.
Nanming face turned solemn for a bit, his eyes fluttering shuts as if he tried to keep himself from crying.
Lady Hwang knew of these subtle changes in his face, yet she does nothing to stop it nor to confront it. She simply let it flow naturally, uninterrupted as it should be.
"If you want" she said as she stands up once more "you can go to the pavilion after the sun set, I'll introduce you to your brother" she said as she walks away, leaving Nanming to sort his feeling out himself