Side Chapter: Xuan Shen and Deng Shi (3). One-Sided War (Part 1).

A luxurious convoy filled with purple carriages and strong white warhorses rode under the Summer sun. The flag of the Ruo mountain and the amethyst moon billowing brightly.

At the center of the convoy was a luxurious cavern flanked by three powerful cultivators.

Deng Shi had the windows parted as she looked out of that carriage. It seemed as if she was looking at the figure of Xuan Shen on his white horse, but her gaze was too distant. Or maybe she was staring in a sneaky manner.

On her right escorting the carriage was Seung Il, a Waxing Elder just like Xuan Shen. And in front of the carriage was the current Elder of War, Haku Ao.

Deng Shi's eyes followed a dove that flew to her window and landed in her palm. Gently she removed the letter from its leg and read it, while it flew away. Then with a smile, she burnt the letter.

"A love letter?"

Seung Il had switched sides his black horse falling in pace with Xuan Shen's.

His straight black hair had a wild aspect to it. His face kept in an arrogant look. His outer robe hung over his shoulder and the inner robe was open showing his well-toned chest. His silver earring glinting under the sunlight.

"Something just as good."

Deng Shi answered and then blew the ashes at Seung Il. The latter avoided but with a quick move from Xuan Shen, he was choking on ashes.

Seeing the other who was still pretending to be a prim and proper guard Seung Il laughed good-naturedly.

"As a fairy, I should have a flower in both hands. Seung Il what are you doing on my left."

"What's the point in having two flowers if you're only giving all your attention to one? Your eyes were glued over here so long. I couldn't help but feel neglected."

Seung answered with fake sadness. The early morning sunlight floating through his loose hair added to his roguish charm.

"Why look elsewhere when I am more than enough?"

Xuan Shen delivered the line as if it was a natural fact. Deng Shi made a sound of amusement and Seung Il laughed.

The air stirred as Haku Ao rose the Flawless Diving War Fan. Sending a message to everyone in the convoy. "We are near."

"Beautiful, how about you let me run rampant and you tell your pops you failed."

"You failed to mention how I benefit."

"Ah, you can hang back with Mr. Perfect here and relax instead of actually working."

Xuan Shen merely shook his head at Seung Il. While Deng Shi laughed and those nearby counted themselves lucky to hear it.

"He's only perfect in his own eyes."

As the last of her words fell the grey walls surrounding a white tower, that had long been visible began to rise on the horizon. And even as they neared the wall if one looked back on the edge of the horizon they could see the peak of Qing Ruo.

Next to the city wall was a small Cultivators' Forest that was full of "wild" beast and plant life.

The convoy was welcomed into the city with a small celebration and as the servants were led to the noble quarter and given a mansion to set up in.

With the 4th Elder at their head Xuan Shen, Seung Il, and Deng Shi made their way to the Ivory Tower with gifts. For a private celebratory meal with the King of Abu Ko.

***

In the dining hall decorated in ivory, wood, beast fur, trophies, statues of hunters and carved artwork.

The 4th Elder sat at one end of an eight-man table with Xuan Shen and Seung Il on his right and left respectively. Deng Shi, however, sat on the right of the empty host seat. A black veil covering her face. Guarding the wall was a variety of armored guards, all 3rd stage experts.

After having wait 8 minutes. A man strode in from the door behind Deng Shi. Short curly brown hair sitting under an ivory crown with 18 different jewels. His eyes curved into a line as he laughed. The laugh lines on his face more than visible even when he did not.

On his left was a taciturn bespectacled young man and on his right was an old bald man with the look of a scholarly monk.

Taking his seat, the two who were following him stood behind him. Both were 5th stage experts and they moved in the best position to attack Deng Shi or guard their king. But shortly after they neared her their eyes were fixed to her for a long time.

Dan Fa let his gaze roam over Deng Shi unabashedly then he whistled and laughed.

"Qing, Ruo, Deng, Shi. Even as covered up as you are I find it hard to control myself. And it looks like my men feel the same."

Looking around the room it was easy to tell that more than a few of those in the surroundings, including Dan Fa's two attendants, had their full attention on Deng Shi.

"Truly, an unnatural beauty one that the rumors barely touch. This King will forgive your father's absence. Since it has given me the chance to behold you."

"Many thanks to King Abu Ko Dan Fa, for his grace and allowing us time to view your trophies. The skull and tusks of that Mammoth speak to its strength and the might of the warriors of Abu Ko."

"This King did not know the Fairy of Ruo was well traveled."

Dan Fa's voice took on a more serious note. As he re-evaluated Deng Shi. Mammoth's were beast that had come from the Dead Lands that were far to the south of Qing.

So, of course, he did not kill it rather he had bought the bones from a foreign trader and claimed it as his kill. Her pointing it out did little more than wake his curiosity but he played up his weariness instead,

"Not at all King Abu Ko, however, this one has heard many things."

"Oh, then allow this King to supplement that knowledge. During your stay, you can join our hunts."

"Many thanks to King Abu Ko."

Deng Shi inclined her head to Dan Fa and he moved his attention off her. He glanced over Xuan Shen and Seung Il. In his eyes, there were beneath his notice and the delegates from Qing Ruo were willing to indulge his arrogance, for now.

"Haku Ao, it has been some time. This King inquires to the state of your arm?"

"Greetings to King Abu Ko. It feels a bit unbalanced. If there were still four Guardians of Ko. Maybe they could help me balance it out."

Dan Fa laughed at that and then gave a delighted smile.

"If you seek balance then this King is happy to let you know that the selection for the next two Guardians of Ko will be held during your week here. Feel free to watch."

When Qing Ruo and Abu Ko were testing each other Haku Ao found himself facing off against the four Guardians of Ko. He managed to kill one and fatally wound the other and, in the process, receive severe damage to his left arm. Even with the best of Qing Ruo attending to it his left arm, his dominant arm remained paralyzed. Thanks to this injury his time as the Elder of War was quickly coming to an end.

"I'll be in your care if the time comes."

Like Deng Shi, Haku Ao gave a bow and Dan Fa gave a satisfied nod. Then with a wave of his hand, Dan Fa summoned in a host of servants. Bringing food and wine and as they served he signaled to the bespectacled man to speak.

"Honored guest of Qing Ruo, over the seven days of your stay. We have planned several events to keep you entertained. Not just to show our hospitality but to make you more comfortable for the upcoming diplomatic negotiations.

After this greeting dinner party, we will permit you to rest for the remainder of the day and tomorrow. Then the day after will be a feast with the nobility of Abu Ko…"

***

Xuan Shen was annoyed. He didn't like this room that was filled with dead beast parts. Nor did he care for how Dan Fa was continuously testing them. Or how he placed Deng Shi at his side.

It was obvious Dan Fa was plumbing for Qing Ruo's bottom line and with how Haku Ao was letting Dan Fa play the tyrant. It seemed Dan Fa would only behave more arrogantly over the coming days.

One was boldly stating they did not fear war and the other was pretending they did not want war.

Xuan Shen swirled the blue wine in his glass. On a scale of 1 to 10, it was barely worthy of a 2 in his eyes.

Glancing over at Seung Il, he saw the other digging into his meal voraciously. Biting and tearing into the meat before him while paying no heed to the politics being thrown around.

'Such a simple guy.'

Suddenly, both he and Seung Il switched their gaze. Dan Fa, Haku Ao and Deng Shi had been joking and talking. Dan Fa who was seemingly drunk had turned his hand toward Deng Shi.

Though it may look like a slip, the room was full of high-level cultivators. Dan Fa intended to grope Deng Shi, in full view of everyone in the room.

Could Qing Ruo bite down this disgrace or were they foolish enough to go to war over one person. If they swallowed this disgrace then, Dan Fa would request Deng Shi among much more things in the upcoming negotiations. If they didn't and attack they were in the heart of Abu Ko and Dan Fa was confident of killing everyone here. At most, maybe one or two of them could escape wounded.

Before anyone else Xuan Shen moved. No consequences were on his mind. He would sever Dan Fa's hand. But before it came to that.

"If King Abu Ro, had wished to drink from this one's glass. Then he merely needed to ask, and I would offer."

Dan Fa's hand that was aiming for Deng Shi had curved to grab her glass instead. Despite being confused Dan Fa took it in stride. Draining the wine from the glass as he turned his attention to Xuan Shen. His eyes firmly on him as he spoke.

"Think nothing of it, this King had merely thought it was his."

Raising from his seat Dan Fa waved his hand and the old man in scholar robes spoke.

"King Abu Ko is retiring feel free to continue your meal and return at your leisure."

With that, the old man and the bespectacled youth followed Dan Fa out.

"Shen, you shouldn't have gone easy."

Despite still being in the Ivory Tower Seung Il said what he felt. The anger in his voice clear.

"No, little Shen you did well. There is only so much one can tolerate. But being able to hold back when enraged is commendable. Even this old man can barely do this."

Haku Ao spoke his fist clenched and his old serene face was now wrapped with ferocity.

However, Xuan Shen hadn't done anything. Someone else had and they pulled it off surrounded by people, supposedly one stage higher, with only one person knowing.

"Indeed, many thanks to Xuan Shen for defending this one's honor."

Deng Shi had walked over and though Xuan Shen wasn't sure. He thought there was definitely a mischievous smile on her lips.