The Warrior's Path

SEVERAL HEADS TURNED, the Fearless Gang sect wore large fur cloaks made of wolf and bear skin, their robes were more like leather armor, the straps visible as they swayed. One of the men stepped forward and sniffed the air.

"What's it to you, Omega?" The Fearless Gang sect were mountain lion shifters, known for their brute strength. Zi Yin did not take them lightly.

"What business do you have with a servant of Sun Ocean Palace? Speak quickly, before I lose my patience."

The alphas around chuckled and sneered at him, and the from earlier spoke. "This servant saw fit to steel my satchel if you must know and when I asked for it to be returned, she spat in our faces. Is this the hospitality of the Heavenly Orchard sect? Puah!"

Zi Yin bristled and he turned to stare at the women. "Is what he said true?"

"Gongzi—I beg you—I—it was nothing more than a few pennies—" she sputtered helplessly.

"We'll call the guards and have this woman punished for her insolence," Zi Yin replied, then stared up at the alpha. "Next time, don't act rashly. Notify the guards if something like this were to happen again."

The man chuckled throatily. "The Sun Ocean Palace sect is really something. First, you allow servants to steal and now you allow Omega cunts to tell Alphas what to do? This place is simply backwards. All your guards are wet noodles, I wouldn't trust them to guard my streaming shit let alone a person."

This man was at the Nascent Soul stage, much higher than Zi Yin's Core formation stage, if they got into a fight he could be severely injured. Zi Yin could feel his blood boiling, his hands curled into a fist but he wasn't going to waste any more words, at least the matter was resolved and this woman could leave in peace. "I will compensate you for your troubles. Until then, don't cause trouble."

Zi Yin was about to walk away when he was suddenly yanked back by the hair, the man snarled under his breath his alpha scent rancid. The attack was too swift, Zi Yin didn't see it coming until he was caught in the jaws of the wolf. "Don't turn your back on me, Omega. Had you been in the Fearless Gang sect you would have been fucked to death just for daring to look me in the eyes!"

"Unhand him!" Fu Tai withdrew his sword, but his hands were shaking. They were all at the Nascent Soul stage while Fu Tai was only at the Foundation Establishment stage. Zi Yin had rushed in without fully assessing the situation and if things turned bad, they could both be killed.

"Oh?" the man said. "Is it a fight you want? Let's have at it."

Zi Yin threw an elbow into the man's stomach and sidestepped, his feet light and quick, as if walking on air. The man threw a fist forward, it was filled with his qi with enough force that it shoved Zi Yin back several steps. The Fearless Gang alphas roared, they charged at Fu Tai and used brute force to talk him down, while the servant woman fled, hopefully calling for help, but Zi Yin couldn't think about that now. The alpha barrelled towards him with the force of a mountain, sending a barrage of punches so fierce Zi Yin could barely think straight. He leaped up and kicked the man in the stomach with a loud thud, but the man barely flinched.

The man retaliated with a swift kick that Zi Yin barely managed to block. Pain punched the air from his lungs, the force of the impact was so great that it sent Zi Yin flying several feet back, he landed on the ground with a painful thud. Zi Yin gritted his teeth, his ribs were throbbing but he refused to give up. He stood up, wincing in pain, and faced his opponent again. The man charged at him with a roundhouse kick, but Zi Yin managed to duck and counter with a lightning-fast jab that hit the man's nose. Blood gushed out, but the man didn't seem to care.

Zi Yin knew that he had to use his speed and agility to his advantage, so he moved around the man in a circular motion, looking for an opening. The man swung his fists, trying to hit Zi Yin, but the young martial artist was too quick for him. Zi Yin kicked the man in the back of the knees, causing him to fall to the ground, but the man was not defeated yet. He got up quickly, and Zi Yin could see the anger in his eyes. This man was like a killer machine! It was nothing like how his Shifu taught him to fight, with honor and grace. It was a dirty back alleyway brawl. Zi Yin hated this man down to his bones as they exchanged blows and traded punches. Each lightning-fast speed.

Zi Yin cried out as he landed a crippling punch to his kidney, the pain coursed through Zi Yin's body like a raging wildfire, burning everything in its path and leaving him feeling scorched and raw.

Zi Yin faced his opponent, his muscles taut with anticipation. The air crackled with energy as they both took their stances. The enemy launched a fierce leg sweep, but Zi Yin leaped effortlessly over it. With a swift pivot, he retaliated with a palm thrust, aiming for the enemy's chest.

The two fighters were evenly matched, each blow and counterblow landing with deadly accuracy. Zi Yin's feet flew as he executed a lightning-fast series of kicks, the sound of his movements echoing throughout the alleyway. He could feel the sweat pouring down his face, his breaths coming in short gasps as he dodged and weaved. Zi Yin was quick as a striking snake, leaping over the sweeping leg with graceful ease. He countered with a palm thrust, like a sharp dagger aimed at the enemy's heart. The sound of the clash reverberated like a fierce thunderstorm.

His opponent was skilled, Zi Yin knew that much. But he refused to let that deter him. With a fierce shout, he launched into a furious attack, his fists and feet moving in a blur.

Fu Tai's face was bloody as they pounced on him one by one until a horn sounded and all the alphas fled. "Zi-gongzi!" Fu Tai cried coming over to him and helping him stand. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"My ribs," Zi Yin grounded out, and he clutched his side. Fu Tai looked worse for wear, his nose broken and his lip bloodied, but otherwise seemed okay. Fu Tai helped him stand and soon the guards were surrounding them, most of them knew his father and were worried he was seriously hurt. Zi Yin waved them off, knowing that with some rest his healing abilities would come into play. He just needed to find a place to meditate and a few days to recuperate.

"I'll take you back to the palace," Fu Tai said holding him upright as they went back to the palace. They were walking up the steps when they happened to run into Shifu, who was going into town for some things.

"What is the meaning of this?" Shifu demanded, his gaze cold as they landed on Fu Tai.

Zi Yin cupped both hands. "Shifu," he wheezed. "It's my fault, we ran into some trouble in the city with the Fearless Gang sect. Fu Tai did everything he could to help."

Zi Xinyue's eyes were frosty and he listened without making a sound. An awkward silence descend upon them and Fu Tai dropped to his knees, knocking for forehead against the ground. "This lowly servant didn't do his job hard enough. Please punish me."

Shifu snorted. "Both of you hurry back to the palace, General Zi Wang will be notified at once. As for you Fu Tai…" his lip curled. "Your punishment will be swift and unyielding." He hmphed, flicking his sleeves, and walked past them, his hands clasped behind his back and his robes swaying in the wind.

Zi Yin nearly collapsed with relief, Shifu could have punished them right then and there, but luckily he saw fit to put it off to another day. Fu Tai was oddly silent as they climbed the last remaining steps, and Zi Yin knew he made a mistake by dragging him into the fight. "I'm sorry. I've made a mess of things…"

"It's all right," Fu Tai replied. "I should have protected you more. I am at fault."

"I wish you wouldn't—"

"If there's nothing more you require of me, I'd like to head to my room later."

Zi Yin felt a pang in his chest and he knew it was Fu Tai's way of distancing himself from him. They weren't kids anymore, Zi Yin shouldn't have become so attached to his servant, an alpha at that. Zi Yin said nothing more and allowed Fu Tai to take him back to his room.