Unravel (3) - Jiang Shi Clan and Turmoil

As Stigma continued his meeting with Emily, a great number of incidents had happened due to the earth quake disturbance.

For the majority, the cause of alarm was unnecessary as the earthquakes were natural events and had occurred a few days prior.

However, due to the recent rumors of disappearance after the storm along with the supposed discovery of dead bodies. Tension and anxiety have started to build upon the residence and was reaching the breaking point, believing that such signs are that of omens.

While the new residence took opportunity to cause trouble, ignoring the signs of danger around them.

With limited personal and guards in mind, everyone had started to feel a great unease.

And from outside the market, a man with gray hair was overlooking from a cliff with a face of indifference.

Other than the wooden casket leaning against a tree beside him and a tea pot boiling from a running fire, the gray haired man sat down on a tree trunk and gave a blank expression from the disorder before him as he poured tea when the screams continued.

Even as time passed with the riots and dangers receding, the man's expression did not change and merely watched as he drank his tea.

'Everything is proceeding smoothly.....'

It wasn't long when he heard something was approaching from behind him, but made no attempt to turn his head as the gray haired man sensed the individual was familiar.

"Was there a matter that pressured a return ahead of schedule? I believe our agreed meeting should be when the market is attempting the auction where 'the serpent' shall surface."

"Apologies, we were...side tracked along the way, but nothing to worry about."

The one he spoke too was the one who fought Stigma and wore the golden mask, the uncle.

Despite wearing his Golden mask, the uncle showed no signs of removing it for customary reasons and indicating his rank.

Although the gray haired man sounded rude, he knew from past interaction that the uncle was never the type to care of minor squabbles.

Their relation is equivalent to acquaintances from the same line of work, so the sign of familiarity was due to their past interactions and not based on Seniority.

"Is that so...did the 'detour' become that much of a hindrance to your level of strength, fellow Elder? Was there was someone that could rival a Jiang Shi Clan's main branch subordinate?"

The gray haired individual turned and showed signs of concern rather than mockery to his fellow Elder retreat.

Although the clan they belong too had a number of divisions, when it came to the matter of their missions, they all follow the doctrine they vowed - what thy make of one's life, shall be deemed in the after life[2].

In other words, the success of their mission will decide their fate once they all return, regardless of the remaining lives or how much they sacrificed.

"Ha ha ha!! No, not at all, just met an interesting junior with a promising future and was caught of guard. Which led to my nephew to be injured, after tying up loose ends we had to pull back for recovery. As we speak, my nephew is reattaching himself a new leg. Ha ha ha!"

"I see....."

Despite his position as the leader, there was a vast different of experience between them along with status, the gray haired man did not want to draw ire from the man before yet he still wanted to draw wisdom from the golden masked individual.

"....should we change our plans and move it on a later date to begin."

"Hmm, I believe we don't need to do anything as the plan shall continue on schedule, the men you brought in are capable and will act out without orders. Though the market is in turmoil, it will settle and continue without notice. I could tell only one person is trying to calm the masses, while the rest are pushing for profit, so everything will run smoothly if everyone keeps their head down until then and let the merchants handle the masses."

"How could you tell....what is your proof?"

"The evidence was the time it took for the guards to react. Only one person is managing the market it whole, hence we were able to enter without difficulty. If they continue as is, then remaining hidden among the chaos was the better option than replacing the guards and increasing the risk of our 'cover' and 'infiltration' being discovered."

"I see....On that note, have you seen my son, he was the one who wore the blue fox mask....he came to prove himself, but I am still worried about his safety."

The uncle gave a thinking gesture with his right hand and told him with a blank expression.

"...I haven't seen him until now....maybe he has already hidden in the market by now so don't worry... I must be going know, I have to prepare for my nephew's recovery...."

"....Of course....."

As the gray haired man saw the retreating figure, he turned his head at the market with a hint of worry and gave a silent prayer for his son's safety.

But the uncle had his own plans and walked away with no worry.

'It looks everything is going smoothly, but I still need the white haired boy's cooperation.....'

***

While a hidden scheme was being planned behind the scenes. A meeting was still taking place for the market's future.

Four adults were thinking of the possibility of danger, while a white haired boy was having his own train of thought.

'When they say, Jiang Shi...are they referring to the living dead that hops and acts like a vampire, like the ones from the legend?'

From how Stigma remembered, Jiang Shi are considered reanimated corpses that turned into vampire like creature with white skin, stiff bodies and had to travel by hopping to one place to another.

Unlike the Western Vampire, in where Jiang Shi are actual corpse and the former had numerous theories about its origins and life cycle, the Eastern Vampire are not known to consume blood but qi[1] from the living as sustenance.

From what Stigma remembered, the cause of a Jiang Shi's reanimation can be classified under two categories: a recently deceased person returning back to life, or a corpse that has been buried for a long time but did not decompose and was brought back to life by the trapped soul.

'....Wait a minute, aren't I considered a Jiang Shi.....'

Although the theory was alarming and made Stigma's mind suddenly fill with concern, his worry diminished over the number of times he thought through the notion.

No matter how he interpreted it, Stigma never fell in either of the two categories.

From how Bell and the Demon Imp explained; Even with the diminishing life force, the Original Stigma was still alive. But due the latter's weakening life force, Cheng Xuan overwhelmed and absorbed the Original Stigma's soul without difficulty.

With both souls life force and memories integrated into one; He was living as both Cheng Xuan and Stigma, through the latter's body in the present, as difficult as that may sound.

While the latter theory was probable, it only meant that such creatures had long existed before him through similar circumstances, yet there was no memory triggered from hearing the name which may imply none have been heard.

Stigma clearly recalled that none of the corpses he found were all rotting, possibly due to the passage of time, which ruled out that one was ever born.

Stigma's own body never showed signs of decay but was malnourished, let alone waking up with great exhaustion, he still found it questionable as to how he still had the strength to even stand up much less try to lift a pebble.

Yet when his wounds started healing, followed by his height and weight increasing made him realize that all those changes provided facts that Stigma's body was alive and no different than a ten year old boy going through development and puberty.

Even the sensation of fear, exhaustion and pain were present, along with emotion were still present on his body.

There were other theories on how Jiang Shi are born, but Stigma could not remember them all, yet the Demon Imp's existence could be proof that such beings existed even if they were never found.

....

'....my bad habit is showing up again.....I really need to fix my tendency to over think everything.....but why can't I get the feeling of unease to disappear..."

Though Stigma found the entire speculation incredible and wanted to find out, he pushed it aside as it does not concern him right now and had other pressing matters to attend too.

Such as whether the identity of the assailant were from Jiang Shi Clan, and what their current goal is in the market.

'Even though I used my skill: 'Essence Reader' and found out they were Cultivators with the puppeteer skill, I merely speculated that they had used corpses as their limbs, but everyone seem to have grim expressions from the assumption alone.... In any case, if they could use a human sized puppet, then using a lifeless tool like a corpse would be possible....wait a minute...that would mean.....'

With lingering clues floating in his mind, Stigma slowly made a contention that some of the incident were correlating to one another, an outrageous assumption was made that may not be far from the truth.

Stigma wanted to speak up but could not as the lack of verification would cause a rise to panic and mass hysteria.

Before he realized it, Stigma felt a hand was placed on his shoulder and turned to find Felix giving him a meaningful look when Stigma showed a troubled expression.

"Stigma....I may not know you for a very long time but heed this warning to heart as a sign of friendship, until you get stronger, do not offend that clan and make any attempt in antagonizing them. Okay."

"? Is the clan you mentioned...dangerous..."

"Can't say for sure...." Emily spoke up, but instead of looking embarrassed, she looked more like she was trying to find the right words to say to Stigma with a downcast expression.

"Young Master Stigma... you may not be informed as the knowledge is only circulated to important cities and top figures, but the Jiang Shi clan has been around for a very long time and has a deep history in parts of the South as well as being a large clan of Cultivators stationed in the Middle East surrounded by a vast dessert. The entire clan follow a religious lifestyle with the main branch being the representative and overall decision maker. As you may have guessed, not all clans are like Sir Felix's, so offending them will not end well." -Roger

"From what my grandfather knows, they take great interest in collecting Heavenly Beast corpse in various sizes, going so far as sending bounties with astronomical payment for an undamaged body in whole or by limbs and organs. My grandfather had been sent multiple notices from followers to make business deals if interested so I know about them. But....." - Emily

"As they hail from the south, we are not fully aware how strong they are or their social status, but it was speculated that they are a large clan due to their long lineage and may possess a different level of strength. Rumor has it, their interest for corpses correlates to their Cultivation, as tools for combat or a means to practice their religion in where embalming is used for burying the dead. I investigated rumors from the south, but it all led to an existence of a mythical army composed of Heavenly Beast with strange appearance controlled by the Jiang Shi Clan. If what you said was true then....." - Felix

*Clap!* *Clap!* *Clap!*

Everyone's train of thought stopped when they suddenly heard someone clapping, when Stigma turned his head, the rest followed and found that Lara was calling for their attention.

Judging from her twitching eyebrow and repeated attempts to take deep breaths before exhaling, it was clear that Lara was trying to hold back her anger, yet those present were unaware for her hidden anger.

"For everyone present here, I beg your pardon, but we are straying off topic. Although I also find importance for the suspects identify, we are forgetting the current situation in whole. The turmoil may have calmed down, but the market including the public is still at risk of safety." - Lara

".....I suppose your right, an the investigation will begin at a later date.....Sir Felix, in the name of the House of Four Lotus, I Emily Album Aurum wish for you cooperation. Aside from investigation, I ask that you support in the protection as it is beyond our means of strength, I will provide any form of assistance in anyway possible followed by proper compensation. However, as you may know from my position, there is a limit and I may not provide access to all facilities belonging to the other Tops. Even so, please accept my request as I bow my head."

While bowing her head, Lara and Roger followed suit to show how dire their situation.

Despite having some thought on his mind, with three people bowing their head for help, Felix did not mince his words and gave a reply following his condition.

"I will provide any possible help, but as long as you do not restrict our freedom while sharing any information you have and from the beginning, you will find that my group will cooperate when we finish preparing for tomorrow." - Felix

"Anything else?"

"Ahem!"

"I mean, is there anything else?"

With Lara glaring at her, Emily had to correct her sentence with a beet red expression, which Stigma found amusing. Earning him another reason for the blue haired girl to antagonize him when Roger pointed it out.

"I want you to provide the same treatments to my younger brother Stigma, either have him stay with my group or provide him a private tent next to ours, but you must listen and respect his wishes."

"....Fi-Of course, we shall acknowledge your request in return for your aid. On that note, our meeting should end here for today, we shall meet at the same time tomorrow but send a message ahead of time for confirmation...Stigma, you are the youngest present so you must sleep early and let us 'adults' handle it."

Even with Lara's reprimanding gaze, for speaking without etiquettes to Felix, Emily made no attempt in hiding her smile along with the mocking tone of her voice when she spoke to Stigma.

"Wait just a moment Lady Emily, we have not yet heard of Young Master Stigma's request...."

Once Lara pointed out the issue, all eyes were on Stigma.

Stigma was younger and had no official background, yet had intelligence and skills rivaling a genius, hence held no danger or alternative motives.

With that thought in mind, Lara, Roger including Felix wanted both children to avoid antagonizing each other as their interactions is believed beneficial for both sides.

Emily would have a friend around her age, while Stigma can have his character profiled without suspicion then Felix can vouch for him when he gets into trouble.

'...Though I don't have much interest in the market in either the events or services, I can't leave this place until my goals are finished...'

".....If you can provide me with information as well, then that is all I need for my cooperation."

Emily stared at Stigma for a moment and tried to understand what the white haired boy meant, while weighing the odds.

".....That depends on what do you want to know specifically, just to be clear, I have to risk sheltering you while preventing any means of those three assholes from finding you. Depending on what you want know, I may not provide the information as it may compromise our safety, understand."

Emily may not accept it, but she acknowledges the white haired boy is more important than he appears, yet Stigma had to prove his worth and earn his keep by her own eyes than hearing it from another person.

Emily was a firm believer that everything had to be earned by effort and perseverance, be it nobility or from the peasant, everyone had to push themselves no matter what goal they strive for despite being supported.

She was no exception, as Emily had her grandfather provide everything needed for her growth to follow his expectations and her future.

Anyone who believed they were blessed due to birthright, lineage and talent earn no respect from her, the remaining Top were clear examples of the type of people she hated the most.

Spoiled, ignorant and above all lazy.

'Stigma may have proven his intelligence, but that does no indicate he is the type who works for his meals.'

But even Emily was not above rewarding anyone if they worked for it, and she intended for Stigma to work for his request.

Yet it was at that moment, everyone who heard Stigma's request began their own inner turmoil.

"First...I want you to find out about someone named.....Jaculas Fel [3]."

?!?!!?

...

After the meeting came into adjourned, Felix separated to meet with his men but had a grave expression, but he did not leave without giving his regards to Stigma where he had something to speak to him about.

Emily stayed behind with Lara and Roger but later parted way to meet with their subordinates, leaving Stigma to be escorted to his designated tent.

But each one of them, including Stigma himself, realized the white haired boy was not from a simple background.

Even when Stigma entered his wide spaced tent and laid down on his new bed, he could not forget the conversation they had with his request nor their expressions.

'I wonder....who is this Jaculas Fel....who are you Stigma.....what had caused you to die in a hole like that.'

As Stigma closed his eyes, he slowly recalled his reason for wanting to find out his origins.

During his long naps, Stigma started wondering who Jaculas was and started to see faded memories of a man wearing a gauntlet staring at him from a distance.

The location was in a long corridor and the one he spoke to was another man with long green hair and ended with Stigma looking away.

As Stigma continued to naps, he started seeing random memories of the same man walking around a hallway with different sceneries, he still continued to completely ignored Stigma as he walked passed him.

What was strange was that in each images, Stigma was observing the man from different angle, being tall at one time and short in another. But it did not matter to him, although they may have never spoken to one another, it indicated that he was no stranger and was someone Stigma had met.

Giving him a lead.

With that in mind, Stigma remembered his earlier conversation and made up his mind with resolve to find out about his origins.

Everyone at the time had different looks in their eyes: Emily had a face mixed with worry and alarm, while Felix showed a face of dismay, but only Roger and Lara showed fear in their eyes when they heard the name.

Fortunate or not, Emily took it upon herself and asked the question that was on everyone's mind.

"...Why do want to know about that man?"

Eventually Felix spoke and told them about Stigma's loss of memories regarding his pass, but even he was confused as to why Jaculas Fel name was brought out when their earlier conversation pointed out he never knew anyone.

Stigma could only lie from his reply that he started remembering a few names when Felix asked him and passed out, but whether they were aware of who he was or not, Stigma had to find out.

When Emily told him with a straight face that the information was difficult and he had stay hidden to for the remainder of the market, Stigma agreed without hesitation.

After being told to be part on the future investigations, Stigma could only agree in silent and was escorted.

'....I suppose its human nature to be curious, despite my new life here, I still owe it to the original Stigma for the new beginning. No matter what happens, I have to repay the favor by finding out why you had such a fate.'

With all was said, Stigma could only lie down and think of his future plans.

Emily agreed with Stigma's theory that there was a third party, so looking through the records would be a waste of time as they may have used other names and would end in dead ends.

Stigma turned his head to find Kirin chewing on a piece of bone and slept to his side when it was tired, Dusk stood guard over him and Hilda took responsibility to watch over him.

But even when Stigma was about to relax, he stayed alert and found that someone was sneaking in his tent, again.

Out of reflex, and taking no chances, Stigma grabbed one of the knife on his leg and threw it at the entrance.

Like a similar scene was happening, someone grabbed the thrown knife and entered with a smile.

"Whoa there! Is our special greeting from now on suppose to be a knife to the face." - ???

"Only someone like you will earn a knife to the face." - ??????

"Now, now, you two." - ????

When Stigma adjusted his vision, he found out who entered his tent and relaxed. Han, Veil and the leader walked in then gave a greeting before removing their hoods and sat on the nearest furniture.

"Sorry! With the recent attack I became a little tense. By the way, where were you three, I almost got killed!" -Stigma

"Apologies, safety is a priority and you are technically not an official member so we could not attempt a rescue, we still needed to evaluate other things about you in secret. But don't worry Stigma, you scored with flying colors. Later on, we began our own investigation of the perpetrators while you had your conversation." - Han

"...Please, tell me what you found out." When the three assassins had a clue on who attacked him, Stigma listened to all the details and sat down on his bed.

"We had Han listen in to your entire conversation through lip reading while we investigated, don't worry we won't take to long as we have our mission at hand and won't be around all the time but we will look for you at the auction. Anyway, what you heard from Felix is true, you actually fought against someone from the Jiang Shi Clan. The mummified leg was the evidence that it belonged to them, so take Felix's advice and don't provoke the clan."

When Stigma remembered the mummified leg, he felt somewhat amazed of the preparation they took in preparing it. But at the same time, recalled his theory and did not go after the subject.

"....What is the Jiang Shi Clan? Are they really that dangerous....."

"............Nothing but a clan full of necrophiliacs[4]."

From how the leader answered with a monotone voice and the siblings disgusted expressions, it was clear to Stigma that they have met them before and could only reply from his first thoughts.

"....Yikes." No wonder the people around him gave different expression, if they found out a family was full of necrophiliacs existed, Stigma would have goosebumps all over his body everyday.

"I know right, we classified them as necrophiliacs due to their obsession for gaining any corpses with a gleeful expression, any corpse without damage gives them an ecstasy like expression as they use it for their...Cultivation." - Han

".....Are they famous in the underworld?"

"Very.... But don't be fooled as from what we can gathered before, they are rumored to be one of the oldest and largest clans to ever have been recorded. Including the Jiang Shi Clan, they are over ten clan's in total with a similar status, each following a religious practice and have no form of outside government supporting them. Independent and Ancient, because of those label, large kingdoms and Empires of that era stood powerful to this day from their support alone and many are trying to win their favor."

"...Wow...."

"Exactly....in the black market, where all items are illegal, the Jiang Shi clan are known to buy bodies of either rare Heavenly Beast or powerful Cultivators that had been hunted down."

'Rare Heavenly Beast....' Out of reflex, Stigma turned his head and brushed his hand over Kirin's fur. When its small head pushed against his hand for the comfort, Stigma stared to fear the little blue wolf's fate.

".....Any reason why they want the corpses so badly?"

The leader shrugged her shoulder and told Stigma her opinion from the information she knew.

"There some theories, but I still find them unbelievable."

"What are they?"

"....The reason why they want the bodies was to make them as 'corpse dolls'. Corpse dolls like the name states, are a type of tool made by using corpses as a base and are rarely used by Cultivators as their methods of preparation is a closely guarded secret relating to the embalming arts, hence there aren't many users." - the leader

"But the real danger behind it was that the corpses dolls will retain its level of strength and abilities when it was alive, even with a lower Tier Cultivators using them. The Jiang Shi clan had been monopolizing them from other Kingdoms and Empires as an offering, but it's a baseless rumor." - Han

"From what we can gather, the Jiang Shi Clan was the founder of the embalming arts and spread the knowledge as a religious practice to the desert regions during plagues. In return, they gathered a large mass of followers who gathered powerful corpses for them as a means of protection to foreign invaders for their individual territory. As time passed, the Jiang Shi Clan eventually formed a Cult like order with supporters from multiple kingdoms in the south, earning them an impregnable position in the political field. " - Veil

"But in the Cultivators circle, they are considered dangerous for their obsession of corpses, all the Cultivators started fearing them as they may be hunted down for their Cultivation. Even with the support of multiple sects, clans, Kingdoms and Empires combined into one, none could topple their position without proper basis but would not attack unless provoked. But some even believe that was total bull." - Han

"And as time passed, that clan has continued to grow to this day, gathering resources, amassing followers, spreading their religion and remained a living legend. They entered a war once, but their main families ability to use powerful Corpse dolls in masses, earned them the official title 'Corpse Puppet Clan'." - the leader

"And like all large organization, there is always inner turmoil even among the family members. So steer clear from their 'family matters', take it from us, our lives almost ended just from their family game." - Han

"We still don't know what their goal in the market is, but it had something to do with the corpses in the woods.....Stigma what do you think, do have any idea on what they are up to? You found the corpses and examined them, so we want your take on this." - Veil

"....I need Senior Felix to be present for this, I need his opinion." - Stigma

"We know, Felix informed us that he was with you," The leader stood up and walked towards the exit after doing some stretched," I'll look for him then."

"That won't be necessary...." When everyone turned their head towards the exit, they saw the person in question with a poker face.

"Sup Felix, where's your crew?" - The leader wasn't surprised and went back to take a seat.

"Collecting everything from our camp, it would take while as we bought products from the market."

"Good timing, we need your take on something..."

"Before that, I have brought someone with me to verify something..."

When Felix made way. a familiar figure stepped out and bowed to everyone present, before turning towards Stigma and smiled.

"Its been awhile Young Stigma, how are you feeling."

"I'm fine doctor, thank's to you." Stigma stood up and bowed towards the doctor out of respect, as he was the one who nursed him back to health.

"Is there a reason why you brought an herbalist with you?" - the leader

"There is.....I want him to perform a check up on Stigma, I want to know whether he is from the Naga Clan or not."

!??!!??!?!

[1] qi - life force

[2] what thy make of one's life, shall be deemed in the after life - it basically means, they will be judged from how they acted. Same concept on how Christians believe that you go to heaven for being pure and going to hell if one become's sinful. But the clan they are from will be the judge. In case no one understood.

[3] Fel - latin for cobra. Never knew there was a snake called the false cobra when I made the name Stigma Falsus Fel. Ironically by translating the entire name false cobra, it gave a different word. I tried giving serpent in Latin but gave a different word when together. False serpent. False Cobra. False snake. Does not sound good to hear.