Chương 4: What's a Little Murder Between Old Friends?

Fire crackled behind them, punctuated by Yuchen's thunderous roars as he fought his way free of the collapsing building. Hao clutched his spear tightly as Sister Fu grinned at him. Cautious optimism reared up in his chest. Her arrows had 'missed' on several occasions, oftentimes drawing Hao to Yuchen or striking his enemy's aura. Perhaps their friendship still meant something.

"It's been too long, Sister. You look lovely today."

"When do I not? Did you enjoy my perfume earlier?" Sister Fu's eyes gleamed.

"I wore it just for you, Brother. I hope you feel special."

"Any man would. Your perfume was impossible to miss, really. Quite fragrant," Hao replied, tapping his nose. He took the opportunity to stabilize his breath. Sister Fu was a friendly viper, but a viper nonetheless.

"I've missed you, Sister. It's been lonely on the road."

"I've missed you as well, Brother," Sister Fu said, her eyes softening.

"Would you mind taking a swipe at me? It'll help sell my story later. Brother Li and Sister Wei are lurking somewhere or another." Hao lunged at Sister Fu with a lazy thrust of his spear. She swatted his strike away with her staff, though mere Calcinators such as Li and Wei would only catch a blur of motion. He advanced upon her, carefully restraining his sweltering cloak of heat and flame. His reserves were running dangerously low after surviving Yuchen.

Sister Fu flowed like water as she defended against Hao's relentless attacks, steadily giving ground so that they took their battle away from Plum Blossom Village and (more importantly) Yuchen. Hao advanced while Sister Fu gave way, pressing her back and back until their 'duel' vanished into the depths of the forest. A mile vanished behind them as they traded lazy blows, working just hard enough to sell a story to the observing Calcinators.

Then Sister Fu swiped her staff with a little more ferocity than a play fight warranted. Hao grunted as he caught the blow upon his spear's shaft, bracing so that he stood firm.

"You owe me an explanation, Brother," Sister Fu said evenly, dark eyes locked upon him.

"I've spent a month—a month! —with Yuchen for company. You didn't have to leave. Yuchen wronged you, but we would have taken our revenge! My poisons were readied. I just needed the right opportunity. I was going to slip him something nasty that night. Nothing lethal, but he would've been stooped over his chamber pot instead of basking in his victory." Sister Fu paused.

"What do you have to say for yourself, Brother?" Genuine anger bled through Sister Fu as she landed a swift flurry of blows upon him, striking so quickly that the weary Hao could barely deflect her strikes. Hao grimaced as guilt sat in his gut. He'd been reckless, even if he didn't regret his choice. Not when it had given him his freedom after five long years in the White Rivers. He'd been so filled with righteous fury that he hadn't even considered his friend.

Hao warded Sister Fu off with a burst of flame from his speartip. She spun her staff with a flash of qi imbued into the motion, casting the flame aside, only to grunt as Hao lunged forward and kicked her in the chest, hurling her deeper into the dark, tangled woods. Sister Fu gave way before his force like water, landing upon the leafy forest floor like a hissing cat.

"I'm sorry, Sister. Truly. I was just…I was so damn angry after Yuchen cornered me.' Use the Transient Burning Leaf or die. Settling the blood debt with your master will cost less than my monthly allowance'," Hao sneered, echoing his enemy's words. Sister Fu's lips flattened into a line.

"And if only it were just the Burning Leaf! I've burnt for the White Rivers. Killed for the White Rivers! The Elders still wouldn't give a damn if their precious Yuchen gutted me in front of the whole sect. Master Bolin would only be upset for the loss of face. He'd say it's my own damn fault for not killing Yuchen first!" Sister Fu flicked a spear of water at him, which Hao exploded into a rush of steam.

"You left to escape the White Rivers, but now you're more entangled than ever before, Brother. Did you think the elders wouldn't capitalize upon your betrayal? I'm not here for my own amusement." They were miles from Plum Blossom Village now. Yuchen's roars were distant. Every step away from the deadly Ruminator eased Hao's nerves. Adrenaline slowly faded, replaced by a bone-deep weariness, and the Wildfire simmered down to cinders. Hao felt full of ashes now.

But with the loss of the anger came a simple enjoyment with this play fight. How many times had Hao and Fu fought in the training yards, sparring to test new techniques at their masters' behest? She'd been his friend for five years. Even if he couldn't fully let up, he could savor the moment. When would they get another chance to talk like this? Yuchen wouldn't be in fighting shape after all that. Hao could breathe for the first time in a month.

"Of course you're not here for your own amusement," Hao chided.

"You're here for your Heavenly Spring Ring. The one that I most definitely stole."

"I felt a little left out after seeing everyone else robbed," Sister Fu teased. She swung her staff upon him with a vicious crack, which he effortlessly caught upon the Cheng Spear's shaft. She was a deadly combatant, but he'd always been the better fighter. Give Sister Fu time to scheme, however…

"You should've seen Yuchen's face when I told him what I'd lost! There was either a dagger in his robes or he was very happy to think I'd turned against you."

"I could do without that mental image, thank you very much," Hao retorted, grimacing.

"I'm sure adding a Distillator to his team didn't hurt. Those Calcinators…"

"Useless sycophants!" Sister Fu dismissed, leaping backwards.

"They're talented enough, but they have no business being out on a hunt like this. They're just trying to curry favor with the Cheng Clan and Yuchen likes having ego stroked. Amongst other things."" Another image I could do without. Thank you, Sister. I'll have to drown myself in spirit wine to scrub it out of my head. Or do you have any poisons that might do the trick? I'll take anything."

"I could give you a good whack on the head. That might do the trick." Sister Fu sounded entirely too cheerful about that option.

"I could use some catharsis, Brother. You haven't had to watch Junior Wei presenting herself to Yuchen like a bitch in heat." Sister Fu mimed retching, then flung a handful of needles at Hao. He swept them away with a rush of fiery qi. Knowing her, whatever toxins were laced into them would probably paralyze him while he shit his brains out. She defaulted to laxative effects whenever agonizing death wasn't on the table. Sister Fu relished the humiliation of her enemies just as much as their inevitable end.

"Sure, but did you have to tell Yuchen about every embarrassing romantic misadventure I've had? I nearly froze up when he brought up Sister Song. You would've felt awful if he took my head off." Sister Fu sniffed.

"Maybe. It's just part of your punishment. Don't worry, I didn't tell him about the time Sister Bai found out about your crush and—" Hao flickered forward to plant a foot in her chest and kicked her a hundred feet through the forest.

"Ass!"

"Just trying to make it convincing," Hao said with a grin, relishing this brief time with his oldest friend. If only she could come with him…

"I wouldn't want Yuchen getting suspicious." As if responding to Hao's words, a distant thunder of spiritual pressure rumbled back from Plum Blossom Village. Yuchen must've escaped the inn, although he'd be a damn fool to hunt after Hao now. If the Ruminator was smart, he'd hole up, heal his Calcinator allies, and pray for Sister Fu to slay or cripple Hao. Yuchen had burnt through a disgusting amount of qi during their battle.

Chasing after Hao would put him at the mercy of the Transient Burning Leaf, even if Yuchen didn't know that Sister Fu would turn on him in a heartbeat. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Hao was as deadly as a Distillator could possibly be. His foundation was perfect, trained to the limits to ease his journey through his future cultivation. Sister Fu was dangerous herself, slippery as an eel and as cruel as a cat.

They stood a chance of taking down a young Ruminator.

"So which elder sent you?" Hao inquired, pressing Sister Fu with thrust after thrust. Cinders crackled around them, igniting leaves with every one of Hao's movements.

"Your Master Ren isn't one to involve himself in petty politics."

"Best not to share names," Sister Fu said lightly, fending Hao off as Plum Blossom Village became a distant speck on the horizon.

"There are plenty who'd rather see Yuchen's star extinguished sooner rather than later. You know how it is, Brother Hao."

"The Cheng have already spread their tendrils throughout the White Rivers," Hao said with a nod, landing gracefully upon a boulder as Sister Fu threw him back with a qi shockwave.

"I suppose your benefactors would rather prune Yuchen's influence before it grows?" Reputation was a double-edged sword like that. The Cheng's enemies sought to gnaw at their heels through Yuchen even as their allies raised their shields in defense of the heir.

"Who knew the brute would have a head for politics?" Sister Fu taunted, leading Hao farther west.

"You never fail to surprise me, Brother."

"Master Bolin trained me well," Hao said, eyes dark. Sister Fu grimaced, then groaned as he flickered forward in a blur of fiery light to hammer into her, casting her to the ground. He leveled his spear down at her.

"I really do miss you, Sister. I wish I could've said goodbye."

"You are now," Sister Fu replied, catching her breath, uncaring of the heavenly jade spearpoint at her throat.

"You'll see the world for me, won't you? I'm content in my little corner, but I wouldn't mind hearing the Legend of Xiao Hao. Give the poets something to write about." Hao grinned.

"We'll see each other again, Sister. I can't stay for long, but why don't we finish our chat? We have a moment. Brother Li won't be walking anywhere, but Yuchen won't be down for long. Bastard made me burn through half my supplies just to put him down."

"Is he weak enough to finish?"

"Not if you want to walk away intact," Hao said, putting an end to Sister Fu's murderous inquiry. Yuchen was beyond them, stinging as that admission was. Hao had been able to survive the Ruminator, but that was all. Sister Fu was a formidable Distillator, but she wasn't at the peak like he was. They might be able to kill Yuchen with all they had, but they'd suffer dearly for it.

"He won't be looking for a fight, but he'll be ready for one. Best to be patient. Do you think he'll return to the White Rivers?" Sister Fu scoffed. One of her pale fingers prodded the Cheng Spear.

"Not as long as you have that. Yuchen will chase you to the ends of the earth—perhaps even beyond, knowing him. He's determined. He'll return to West Lake City with honor or not at all." Good. Stealing the Cheng Spear was ultimately a practical matter. If nothing else, Hao would need a fine weapon to survive in the wilderness. A masterwork like the Cheng Spear was far better than a mere Distillator could hope for. More importantly, stealing the Cheng Spear was a direct slight to Yuchen.

As long as Hao held the spear, Yuchen would be forced to chase after him, wasting resources, time, and opportunities. In the end, Hao would burn the bastard's life away as well. This just ensured that he would always have the opportunity.

"I hoped you'd say that," Hao murmured, ears attuned to every whisper from the east. He'd flee at the slightest hint of Yuchen's approach.

"I'm so close to ascension. A little more time and we can end him for good!" Sister Fu's eyes sharpened.

"Still going to the Sun Dragon Acolytes?" She shook her head.

"To think you'd willingly step foot into the Dark World…"

"I wouldn't mind snatching a bit of the Emperor's light for myself. The Acolytes are strong enough to shield me from the White Rivers. And if I pass the Sun Dragon Trials and claim the Sunstruck Dragon Form—""Yuchen's Storm Cloud Form won't quite hold up," Sister Fu said with wry amusement.

"Unless you get eaten by some abomination from the Dark World first."

"There are plenty of things in the Empire that might kill me first," Hao replied, then opting to share his route with his friend.

"I'll be crossing the Lonely Plains next. If we play it right, we might be able to take Yuchen off the table."

"What's your plan?"

"With the unrest at the Four Winds border, I should be able to find a caravan. They'll likely send raiders down to harass traders crossing the plains. Have you seen how many refugees there are on the roads? They'll attract bandits and Four Winds raiding parties, not to mention opportunistic beasts."

"Thus they'll need protectors."

"Exactly. I'll keep my eyes open. If I can find a caravan with enough cultivators in their employ, I should be able to stack the odds in our favor."

"Do whatever you must to sway them," Sister Fu said.

"We have to improve our chances however we can. Gather allies. I'll push for the Calcinators to be sent home. You're strong enough to match Yuchen for a time. With my arrows in his back and a few Distillators to distract him…"

"We just might kill him if he's alone," Hao agreed.

"Emperor willing, we'll put Yuchen down like the mad dog he is." The safest option would be to flee Yuchen and reach the Sun Dragon Acolytes. Once he took their trials and ascended to Rumination, he would be able to meet Yuchen on even grounds. At least when it came to cultivation levels. Hao hoped to kill Yuchen before they reached Sun Wall City. Every Sunbeam sect retained forces there, poised to assist the Acolytes in defending against the horrors of the Dark World. The White Rivers were no exception.

Allowing Yuchen to unite with new allies would be a dangerous proposition.

"I expect that Yuchen will lick his wounds and sulk for a day or so," Sister Fu said.

"I'll point out how useless the Calcinators are. They've already slowed us down, so I doubt Yuchen will take much convincing, even with Sister Wei doing her best to present as a courtesan rather than a cultivator." Hao snorted.

"I'll lead him farther west in the meantime." A day wasn't much when dealing with a superior cultivator.

"We have to kill him far from the White Rivers. Away from his protectors in the Cheng Clan. I still can't believe they let their heir wander away like this."

"The tides are turning in the White Rivers. Yuchen will simply be the first to drown," Sister Fu said, then grimaced.

"A day won't be enough of a lead." Their eyes met, then Sister Fu looked pointedly at his spear.

"Stab me."

"Really?"

"Right here," Sister Fu said clinically, tapping her thigh through her fine robes.

"This is where you struck Brother Li, yes? Survivable, but crippling. We'll have to burn through more of our medicine to get me moving."

"He'll be frustrated. If he comes after me alone…" Hao trailed off. While Sister Fu and the Calcinators were deadly additions to Yuchen's party, he alone accounted for the majority of their raw power. Determination settled in Hao's gut.

"You're making your sacrifice. I'll make mine. I've already used the Transient Burning Leaf once, eh?" His bravado couldn't quite mask Hao's trepidation at the prospect of actually wielding the Transient Burning Leaf again. Its price was steep, burning months of lifeblood for mere seconds of unrestrained power. There was still an awful absence where his lifeblood should have been, like an emptiness lurking deep within his heart. Hao felt those missing years in every breath.

Lifeblood—Hao's vital force—was different altogether than qi. The Transient Burning Leaf didn't weaken his cultivation, but it did cut him short, emptying him of something precious and irreplaceable. Advancement would stretch his lifeblood, but couldn't replace what was lost. But Hao would do whatever was necessary to secure his future. He just hoped that meant killing Yuchen through an ambush rather than throwing himself on the pyre. Sister Fu sucked in a deep breath and extended her leg out.

"Let's get this over with, then. Those useless Calcinators will come spying soon enough."

"Sorry, Sister. Just know that I'm imagining Yuchen while I do this." Sister Fu eyed Hao's spear with muted trepidation as it hung poised above the muscle of her thigh.

"That's not what a lady likes to hear—" Hao interrupted Sister Fu's joke by piercing the flesh of her thigh. Sister Fu's words descended into swears foul enough to make Hao's eyebrows raise, finishing with a rather mundane, "Fuck!" Hao met Sister Fu's dark, pain-filled eyes. Despite her pain, she spared him a half-smile.

"Thank you, Sister. Truly." He paused.

"Do you want me to cauterize it?"

"Leave it. More believable that way." Sister Fu squeezed her eyes shut as Hao cleanly slid the Cheng Spear's tip from her flesh.

"Fucking Hells, that hurts! You owe me!"

"I'll never forget it. Will Yuchen's head suffice as payment?"

"That and a few of Granny Bai's cakes," Sister Fu said with a wheeze, cycling qi frantically to numb the pain.

"Emperor's Balls, Immortals Above, Hells Below! I've never been stabbed before. This is awful!" No shit, Hao wanted to say, but was wise enough to restrain himself. After a moment's hesitation, he pulled Sister Fu into a brief embrace. She snarled like a pissed off tiger, but relented eventually.

"I'll see you soon, Sister. Heal well!" Sister Fu groaned out her own farewells—interspersed by a dazzling array of curses—before sending Hao off with a foul gesture. Despite himself, he laughed, though a peal of thunder in the distance sobered him up rather quickly. Yuchen was too close. By that, Hao meant that Yuchen was within five miles of him.

Hao fled to the west with a fire in his belly and the wind at his back, anticipating what was to come: the vast Sun Wall City, the Acolytes looming above, and the Sunstruck Dragon Form awaiting him. He just had to survive the journey first.