In the grand courtyard of the Wu clan's inner mountains, red lanterns flickered as they sway left and right beneath the evening wind. Servants moved silently along the paved stone paths running along side the courtyard entrance in and out. They walk carefully keeping the gaze lowered, as they hastily go about doing there chores. The night air feel heavy inside the courtyard, adding more solemnity and tension to the compounds atmosphere, as the tensed air cling to the ceiling of the building bearing it pressures on every individual in the courtyard.
At the center of the hall sat zhangmo, the ninth young master of the Wu clan. His robe made of dark green silk glimmered faintly under the swaying glow of the lamplight, his expression far from serene. Zhangmo's finger tapped the armrest of his chair rhythmically in s slow, deliberate and solemn manner, his head bowed as he stared deeply at a non existence entity on the floor.
"so...." muttering silently to him self, zhangmo suddenly found raised up his head as he gave into the far northern mountains, dangerous glint occasionally flashing through his eyes.
"That bastard actually left Windgrave." zhangmo asked with his eyes still gazing into the distance.
The servant kneeling before him dared not to raise his head as he nod in consent.
"yes, young masteer. The boy departed four days ago, taking the north trail left behind by the blax squad. He carried, little and travels alone."
Zhangmo's lips twisted into into a ferocious grin, making the atmosphere more tenser than before….
"Alone…" He snigger leaning back into his chair, the soft creak of wood echoing in the silence.
The hall smelled faintly of sandalwood and medicine, luxuries that came easily to one born under the Wu name. But comfort had done little to soothe the fire raging inside of his chest.
Ever since they were children, dai Yaun had been a thorn in his pride. A rootless stray adopted by the clan's old guardian and alchemist master, Grandpa Mo, treated with pity yet defiance.
the bastard was powerless, and a talent-less fella, yet he always goes by looking at the sky with that same calm and annoying gaze, enjoying more and many resources which, they the true children dared not dream of, all because of Grandpa mo's pampering.
When Grandpa Mo disappeared years ago, Zhangmo thought that the boy would finally vanish into obscurity. But somehow, even after expulsion, the mere mention of his name in the servants' whispers brought an irritation Zhangmo could not shake.
"He dared to leave the city as though he were someone destined for more."
He poured himself a cup of wine, the crimson liquid reflecting the flicker of lamplight hanging from the sealing flashing out more crimson and eerie light as it sway gently in the cup.
"Tell me, Chen," he said to the man kneeling by his side.
"Do you think filth can ever rise above its station?"
The man called Chen, his personal guard and confidant hesitated.
"The world has its oddities, Young Master. Even weeds sometimes grow through stone."
Zhou Ang's smile faded. "Then we'll burn the weeds before they sprout."
He set the cup down and stood up, his robe sweeping across the floor like a whisper. "Prepare ten of the shadow guards. I want them to bring me something, his corpse, or at least his head."
"And remember the most do it quietly and in a way that, the elders not hear of this."
Chen bowed. "As you command."
That night, beneath the cold glow of the moon, ten figures departed stealthily from the Wu compound crossing the silent village as swift as a mantis in the night.
As they move across the village stepping into the outer areas, their black cape flutter silently in the wind, beneath their dancing cape, were dark leather armor made from unknown beast hide, the armor further reinforced with crimson spiritual silk, veiled their face, keeping them unseen and mysterious. Each bore the Wu clan shadow sigil on their robe, signifying their oath to serve in secrecy, a bunch of people commonly found within major clan. These set of people are the ones who are in charge of doing the dirty and ugly working of the various clans in power.
Their names were never spoken aloud, but among servants they were known as the Wu Fangs. As the figure of these robed men disappeared into the stretch of blackwood plain.
Their leader, a man with a thin scar across his chin, crouched before zhangmo in the courtyard. "Young Master, will the elders not question our movement?"
"They will not," zhangmo replied, his tone lazy, almost disinterested. "Tell them you're tracking a beast that's been raiding the trade routes, that is if any one ever notice"
"Do what must be done. And if anyone asks—he never left the forest."
The man bowed and melted into the night with his companions, their shadows vanishing beyond the walls.
Zhangmo watched them go, the wind tugging at his robe. His expression hardened. "Run as far as you like, dai yaun. The world is vast, but not large enough to hide the shame you've caused me."
Far beyond the reaches of Blackscale village, the forest slumber under the starlight penetrating the spiny canopies of the tall coniferous trees, light occasionally shimmering through openings in the leaves illuminating the surrounding once in a while. Across the forest a thousand heartbeats hidden beneath the the leaves and earth slumber with the forest, the sound of nocturnal creatures filled the dark hours, the croaking of toads, screech of crickets and the hooting of the night owls make the night more ambient.
Dai Yaun walked quietly along the narrow forest trail, in search of where to pass the night away from the praying eyes of the night beast. The forest was quiet, yet not peaceful, something in the wind shifted so faint most people would have missed it.
But dai Yaun who have lived his recent life on the edges of hardship and constant struggle hard acquired the instinct of a novice which had sharpened him where others have not. He looked up into the trees, nothing but darkness and branches.
He sighed softly and continued on, unaware of the shadows that had begun their silent pursuit from miles behind.
By dawn the the assassins have reached the bother of the blackwood forest plain overlooking the trail.
"he's moving slower than expected," one of the hooded figure said after looking at the trails left behind on through the broken grasses and faint footprint.
"what do you expect from someone with no cultivation" another said
"We'll intercept him before he crosses the outer region of the Blackscale forest. No spirit sense, no guards easy work."
Another assassin, lean and restless, grinned. "A pity to waste time on a crippled outcast. Why does the young master even bother?"
The leader glanced north, expression unreadable. "Because nobles are born with too much pride and too little patience."
Back in Windgrave City, zhangmo stood in the training courtyard, practicing sword forms under the pale sun. Each swing was precise, elegant, but carried a something suppressed and violent silently mirroring his inner thoughts.
When his blade cut through the final motion, he stopped, panting lightly.
Lou Chen approached. "The Black Talons have departed. They'll reach the outer forest by nightfall."
"Good," Zhangmo said, sheathing his sword. "When they return, have them dispose of whatever remains and burn it."
"Yes, Young Master."
Zhangmo turned toward the inner gardens, his steps slow. The scent of the morning dew on scented plum flowers and birds chippering flowed on the breeze.
"Do you know what the elders said to me yesterday?" he asked suddenly.
Chen frowned. "No, Young Master."
"They said I lack the steadiness of a true heir. That my heart is clouded." He laughed bitterly. "Clouded! As though patience makes one worthy. No… only results do."
He stopped before the pond, staring at his reflection in the rippling water. "I'll show them what happens to those who insult me."
As evening deepened, the forest dimmed into shades of gray and green lights. By now dai Yaun have covered almost all of the journey covering blackwood plains and close in on the border of the Blackscale jungle, a place forbidden and treving with ferocious beast. .
Somewhere behind him at the peripheral region of the forest, unseen eyes trail behind him in constant pursuit. The assassins had crossed into the blackwood forest and are closing in on him.
Dai Yaun walked briskly as the sight of the huge and gigantic jungle standing in grandeur across him, dai Yaun took a pause as he come to a stop mouth agape while looking at the eerily blackened scene in his front.
The forest as as he could see stretched out far into the right and left hand side, the depth looking nothing presentable as no presence of light could be seen falling through the canopies of the forest.
"damn!!" dai Yaun caused as goose bump raised all over his skin.
"is this somewhere one need to be" shaking his head dai Yaun contemplate taking a detour, but the endless stretch of forest tells him other wise.
"if the peripheral region, is so dark how the hell would the inner region look like" shaking his heed in annoyance dai Yaun stalled his mind and moved forward.
But before he could stepped into the forest, something changed and dai Yaun turned slightly, sensing the faintest tremor in the air. His brow furrowed.
And then "crack."
A twig snapped.
His eyes flicked toward the sound, but before thought could form, a cold gust swept through the trees, scattering dead leaves. The forest went utterly still.
Dai yaun froze in place, something unseen had stirred the air, filled with ancient, vast and murderous intent. A distant roar echoed from the depth of the gloomy forest, a long and thunderous sound.
"what ferocious beast is this?," dai Yaun one whispered.
"hoped it is not close to the outer area" fear creeping into his mind dai Yaun muttered in silence as he trod more carefully without any form of carefree attitude from before.