The Fire Plum sect lived in a wide valley on the other side of the mountains which protected the Black Feathered Goose sect.
While the two had been at peace, there was still some friction.
Mostly because the Black Feather Goose clan had been formed from a gang of bandits about a thousand years ago. The bandits had preyed on merchants passing through the mountains, and the Fire Plum sect had been responsible for protecting those merchants.
Thus, through the endless back and forth between the two groups, an enmity had formed that neither sect could completely erase from their dao.
This was a shame.
I hoped my visit to the Fire Plum sect would be a step towards peace. After all, it is only with peace that we can cultivate our strength. It would be beneficial to both if there was no tension to distract our efforts.
Respect and cooperation would be more desirable.
As I flew over the mountains, I considered how best to deliver my message of peace. The Fire Plum sect was also one which practiced demonic cultivation techniques, so I doubted they would be willing to participate in a soft exchange of views over tea and rice cakes.
No.
I would need to show them my dedication to maintaining my Peaceful Wey.
I felt my inner sea flatten as my mission's goals resonated with my life's goal. When these two purposes were in perfect balance with each other, great things could be accomplished.
My heart felt light as I dropped down in front of the gates of the Fire Plum sect.
Two guards came rushing forward, eager to meet me.
"A disciple from the Black Feathered Goose sect has arrived," one cried to alert the rest of the guards beyond the gates. "State your purpose!"
I gave them a bow.
"This brother greets his brothers from the Fire Plum sect," I said. "I have come bearing important news."
One guard eyed me suspiciously. "What news?"
"Alas, the young child called Merald Fing has been killed."
"Killed?" The guard took a half step back in shock. "Who would dare to touch Arms Master Fing's only son?"
"I did."
"Outrageous!" The second guard pointed his spear at me. "Are you so foolish you would deliver your head to the Arms Master personally? Do you think he would go soft on you for it?"
"I've never heard of such a thing," the other guard said, also aiming his spear at me. "I think we should take him to the Arms Master."
"Please follow us, dog," the first guard said.
"Ah." I scratched my armpit. "I am sorry, brothers, but there is a misunderstanding. I cannot follow you."
"Why not?"
I smiled at them, hoping they could see my desire for peace. If they could, it would help their souls in their future.
"Because I cannot follow a dead man. It would upset my wife, as she is expecting me to be home soon."
"Insolent!" The two guards thrust forward, their spears aimed at my belly.
"Ants!" I snatched the blades with my bare hands, bending the metal points like they were made of softest tin. "I, Ten Cent Wey, will bring peace to this valley!"
Tearing the spears from their grasps, I ignored their frightened squeals and slapped their heads.
One with each hand.
They exploded into puffs of red mist, leaving only an echo of their frightened faces behind.
"Does no one cultivate their body anymore?" I sighed, heading toward where the gates were being hastily closed as a small team of guards worked to push them shut before I could arrive.
Archers on the walls fumbled with their bows before blackening the sky with arrows.
"Insignificant!" I shouted, stamping my foot. As my heel impacted the earth, a cresting wave of energy punched outward to reduce the incoming arrows to dust.
A few splinters managed to survive and rained down around me with a crisp clatter.
I scowled at them. Even dust should not have survived. Was I getting old?
No. The ground was just too soft, so my chi hadn't exploded out with enough force. Yes, that's what happened.
Grunting at my newfound wisdom, I slapped the front gates just as they closed. The gates smashed open with a loud crash, flattening a dozen guards on each side. A few, lucky to survive with only broken bones, wailed for help.
But the hurts of mere ants weren't any of my business.
I kept walking.
I felt a slight pressure as a figure descended from the sky in a fiery blaze. He crashed to the ground, his mean eyes boiling with rage as he aimed a sword at me. "You dare to attack the Fire Plum sect? I will make sure there's nothing of you left to send to your family!"
"Are you Arms Master Fing?"
"I am Guard Captain Galik Sole!"
"Is Arms Master Fing close by? I need to discuss the death of his son."
"What has happened to Merald? Speak!"
"I killed him. He was very weak," I said, pointing at the broken bodies smearing the walls behind me. "Just like these ants were."
Galik's rage burned hotter in his eyes, and he attacked without warning. His sword streaked towards my face with a scream of metal through air. Streams of fire in its wake as he channelled his chi through the blade.
I caught it between two fingers and held it there, feeling it quiver.
"Insolent dog!" He tugged at the blade but couldn't pull it loose. Tugged again. Then used all his strength to yank on the handle. But it still didn't move. "Let go of my sword and I'll end you!"
"Tsk." I twisted my wrist, snapping the blade in two. "You are not worthy to be my opponent."
He glanced down at the broken weapon before tossing it aside and taking a more mystical stance.
Chi whirled around his body, erupting into flames.
I felt them whip at my face like the wings of a phoenix.
They were a bit warm, I admit.
"None can stand before the Fire Plum sect's Flaming Art!" The howling cultivator tensed, preparing to charge. "Feel the fire, hotter than any sun!"
"Yapping dog," I sighed as he leapt towards me, his fists swollen with molten chi. I lifted my arm and thrust two fingers towards his face. "Break!"
He tried to avoid my strike.
But my fingertips touched his forehead.
Then drilled through his skull.
Split his brain.
And burst out the other side with a violent spray of gore.
His corpse sprawled at my feet, blood gushing quickly from the fist-sized hole in his head.
"Weak," I muttered. "Next time, cultivate with your utmost dedication instead of working hard on your mouth!"
"That's an excellent suggestion," a voice hissed from my right as a dagger flicked for my ribs. "Die, dog!"
It smashed into my side, the point folding in on itself as it made contact with my skin.
I looked down.
A weasel-faced man was crouched near my hip, staring in horror at the warped dagger which hadn't even scratched my skin.
"Monster!" Terror dribbled into his gaze as he lifted his eyes to stare at me. "What are you?"
"A cultivator, junior brother," I said, snatching him by the collar before he could run off again. He looked the slippery type.
"Wait!" He struggled to get free. "You can't kill me!"
"Why? Your cultivation doesn't seem very high. Are you even in the Second Stage yet?"
"My father is Belgar Fing!"
"Oh?" I leaned close to get a good look at the boy.
He didn't look very old.
Maybe thirty.
His eyes were watery as they tried to hold back tears, and I was sure if I held onto him much longer, he'd soon piss himself.
"Let me go!" He squealed. "My father will kill you! He's the Sect Master!"
"Really?" I frowned. "How is it his son is so weak?"
"Weak?" He jabbed me in the chest with the bent dagger. "I'll show you weak! My blade is coated with Black Dragon Venom!"
I let him try to stick me a few times.
It wasn't fair otherwise.
"Hmm," I said. "Black Dragon Venom? I haven't been poisoned with that in a while."
"Just you wait!" He kept stabbing, each stab more desperate than the one before. Every time, he hoped to sink the point into me, but managed only to bend the blade even more. "I just need to hit you with all my strength!"
He did.
I almost felt it, too.
"Have you finished?"
He stopped, lifting his head and giving me a pleading look which revealed his understanding of the futility of a flea attacking a dragon. "Please don't kill me…"
"Don't hate me," I said kindly, raising my hand. I hoped the lesson he'd just learned would carry through to his next life. "But you were dead when you tried your sneak attack on me."
I slapped him.
My palm passed cleanly through his torso, turning meat and bone to mere droplets which sprayed across the yard. Aghast, he stared at me until his brain registered that he'd died. Then his eyes fluttered and his jaw went slack.
Unmoved by his death, I dropped what was left of him and kept moving.
"You dare?" A voice roared.
I sighed as I faced the brash newcomer.
Peace was a difficult and troubled road full of crawling ants, but I was determined to travel its rough surface nonetheless.
***
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