Chapter 3: Rainfall of Furious Kicks

"Zhu Dong, your eyes!" He Yuan exclaimed, pointing towards Zhu Dong's formerly pitch-black eyes.

"What, what about them He Yuan?" Zhu Dong questioned, panicking slightly.

"They've gone purple… wait… no, they're fading…" He Yuan took one paused after another. His had gone a bright and terrifying purple, with strange sets of crimson rings within, yet within a moment they had receded, once again becoming pitch black.

"Listen, Zhu Dong, I need to go tell my father about my breakthrough. He said that once I do, he'll introduce me to an old friend of his." He Yuan stood up, brushing himself off, all the dirt falling to the floor.

"Oh, his friend. That wouldn't be that old fellow from Bright Moon Academy?" Zhu Dong chuckled to himself, feeling slightly glad for his friend, if not a bit envious.

"Yes, senior Hou Luyan. He's an instructor at Bright Moon Academy, how did you know he was from Bright Moon?" He Yuan looked at him, puzzled and confused.

"Come on, He Yuan, you don't take me for a fool, do you? Blue Grass city is full of gossip and some strange man coming along wearing the robes of the Ancestral Moon… Who else could it be apart from Bright Moon Academy?" Zhu Dong tutted to his friend, and he worried for him.

If he could figure it out those crass idiots that 'fostered' him would eventually figure it out, and the Chang Clan wasn't particularly acceptive of any threats.

The Chang Patriarch, Chang Chu, had an order. This order was to eliminate anyone who tried to exceed the Body Refining Realm, anyone who entered Qi Refining would be instantly exterminated!

Of course, the Chang hypocrites were exempt from this. Chang Chu had integrated his two sons into the framework of sects in the Zong Prefecture, the Howling Moon Sect and the Grey Wind Sect respectively.

Not only that, he had been continuously handing out bribes. Finally, he'd managed to secure entrance for his grandchildren into two great academies' in the Zong Prefecture: The Seven Wolf Academy and the Red Sonnet Academy.

Both of them were very distinct and had long and glorious histories. They were Sects that had long ago lost power and transitioned into academy's, trying to retain what little heritage they had left.

Neither were as powerful or influential as the Bright Moon Academy though, as Bright Moon had intrinsic and deep ties with many mighty people, even though it was relatively new!

Bright Moon Academy's current Dean's name was Yue Jinmu, whereas the Ancient Moon Sect's grand elder was born under the name Yue Jintao.

They were uncle and nephew, in fact, Yue Jinmu had been raised in the Ancient Moon Sect before establishing Bright Moon Academy a hundred years ago, trying to usurp the influence of the increasingly powerful Seven Wolf Academy.

Yue Jinmu was even supported by Prefect Zong, who gave his full support to the new academy, as he had once been a junior brother of Yue Jintao!

The Ancient Moon Sect were hugely influential in the Zong Prefecture, although that wasn't always a good thing. Their disciples were always rowdy, causing trouble. They'd even drawn the ire of the Imperial Family on one occasion…

He Yuan's father to be in contact with a man from Bright Moon Academy… it was both incredibly opportune and dangerous. He's setting a plan up he may not be alive to complete.

More importantly, how on earth would He Tianwu, a 9th level Body Refiner come into contact with Bright Moon Academy?!

All these thoughts flashed through Zhu Dong's mind in half a second, he didn't know what to make of the situation.

"Remember He Yuan, don't do anything dumb when if you get into Bright Moon Academy. If you see anyone from any of the bigger clans, don't lick their boots like a dog, but don't infuriate them either. Try and charm them!" Zhu Dong lectured He Yuan, his friend, on the other hand, waved him off like he was speaking nonsense.

"Zhu Dong get in here, now!" a loud shout came from Alchemist Wong.

Zhu Dong quickly rushed off, taking a bow to He Yuan and putting on his work robes once again.

Entering through the back-door Zhu Dong saw the situation, in front of him, Alchemist Wong was haggling with a white-robed elder. The white-robed man was apparently trying to buy some expensive medicines, yet Alchemist Wong kept driving up the price.

The room was bright, even though the afternoon sun was starting to set in the winter skies above. Old lanterns hung throughout the room.

The white-robed man had a smile on his face, his beard was grey and long, halfway down to his waist. His hair was tied back in a ponytail, and he wore a satchel at his side. A distinguished and refined look was on his face. One of decency and splendour.

"Alchemist Wong, you can't mean to sell me a piece of Worm Wood that has been left out in the sunlight for more than a day for over three gold tales, could you?" The old man spoke, stroking his beard.

"Hm! White one, you come in here asking to buy goods, yet you try to extort me! Are you truly an old sage, or are you a devil wearing the skin of a man?!" Alchemist Wong spat on the floor next to him, he stood there, arms crossed, standing up straight.

"You wanted me, Alchemist Wong?" Zhu Dong quickly took a deep bow.

"Good, you're here. Old man, do you think this boy and I lookalike?"

"Errr…" The Old Man was stunned off-guard by Alchemist Wong's question.

Even Zhu Dong raised an eyebrow, and his face went wonky in surprise.

"Because this is what a fool looks like! DO I LOOK LIKE A FOOL TO YOU?!" Alchemist Wong screamed, looking directly at Zhu Dong, "Get out of here fool, it's time you went back to your prison!" he gripped Zhu Dong by his ear, dragging him to the front door in anger, swinging the door open and throwing Zhu Dong into the street.

Thud!

Bang!

Zhu Dong landed in the mud outside, splashing everywhere. The door slammed behind him.

His ear was ripped a little behind, blood leaking onto his robes.

"Fucking, Alchemist Wong and his blind, stupid temper." Zhu Dong held his ear, spitting furiously as he sat outside in the mud.

"What the fuck was a Yellow Ranked Alchemist doing in Wong's shop anyway?" Zhu Dong asked himself, thinking back to the yellow sigil sticking out of his bag.

Next to him, he heard him in the half-abandoned street, he heard a growl come into his ear, "Zhu Dong, you dear get me muddy!"

This terrifying voice sent shudders up Zhu Dong's spine, how could he not recognise it? It belonged to Chang Fang, who was of course on his daily journey to the Blue Grass Whore House…

According to the most recent rumours he'd fallen in love with a whore…

"Oh, Chang Fang, you're here. How nice of you to show up…"

Bang!

Before he could finish his sentence, the spotty and ugly looking Chang Fang had already sent a roundhouse kick, smashing some of Zhu Dong's teeth out.

"Cough! Cough!" Facedown in the mud, with a mouthful of blood Zhu Dong, looked up. He stared into Chang Fang's eyes.

"Trash!"

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Chang Fang's legs constantly rained down upon Zhu Dong's skull, his vision began to darken, and the feeling throughout his body began to fade.