The Masters of the Flying Daggers

ZI YIN STEPPED out onto the terrace of his estate and looked out into the darkness. His spirits were lifted after speaking to Zi Ling. In the distance, he saw a figure moving with purpose and determination. As the figure drew closer, Zi Yin recognized it as Fu Tai cultivating. Things had been awkward between them since the fight with the Fearless Gang sect. Zi Yin felt guilty for dragging them both into it. He should have just listened to Fu Tai when he told him to walk away.

Fu Tai was training hard, practicing his martial arts under the cover of the night. His movements were swift and fluid, each one executed with precision and grace. Zi Yin watched in awe as Fu Tai moved through a series of quick kicks, landing each one with a resounding thud. Fu Tai had matured into a striking alpha, exuding a commanding presence and a sense of power. Zi Yin's face began to warm as he watched his servant move, the fluidity like a dancer on a lake. The muscles in Fu Tai's back were well-defined, making the alpha look more daunting than ever before. Arousal shot through him and Zi Yin licked his dry lips. His nipples tightened, Zi Yin's core throbbed lightly and he felt his pants damped.

Why did this always happen around Fu Tai? Zi Yin wasn't sure why he was so attracted to the alpha but he knew that it had to stop. They weren't suited for one another and if anyone found out it would ruin his family completely. The rules were much different for an omega from a gentry sect like the Heavenly Orchard Sect. Zi Yin was responsible for the entire clan, if he made one wrong move, they would all suffer. Not to mention it was his duty to see to the needs of the future Emperor, Zi Yin couldn't afford any mistakes, not for his father's or sister's sake. Zi Yin must be above reproach at all times.

Fu Tai finished his routine and paused when he noticed Zi Yin standing there watching him. His alpha scent was crisp and clean like pine, as he wiped the sweat off his brow, he cupped his hands and bowed respectfully.

"Master, I didn't expect to see you here. I was just practicing my skills."

Zi Yin hated when Fu Tai called him master, it made his stomach sink. It was a stark reminder of the power imbalance between them and how Fu Tai would always be less than him. Zi Yin smiled and walked over to him, his white robes flowing in the wind. "I'm impressed, Fu Tai. Your dedication to your training is admirable."

"Thank you, I could only dream to catch up to you and Zi Ling."

Zi Yin sat down on a boulder nearby. "That's not true, you're just as good. If only Shifu would give you the benefit of the doubt every once and a while."

Fu Tai's expression changed slightly, but he forced it back into neutrality. "Shifu has his own reasons for treating me the way that he does."

"Which are?" Zi Yin raised a brow.

"Nothing more than the fact that I have come from the Fu clan…but my ties with the Snake Poison Sect complicate things."

Ties with the Snake Poison Sect? Zi Yin's brow knitted. He had no idea that the Fu clan had ties with them. Then again, Fu Tai's true form was that of a snake, so maybe they were related through ancestors?

"Mhmm…I didn't know that."

It made Zi Yin realize how little he knew about Fu Tai.

"Shifu's mate was killed by a member of the Snake Poison Sect. The rumor is that it was Lei Xun before he fled and hid in seclusion, but I cannot be certain. Zi Ling was too young to remember and Shifu never talks about it."

Zi Yin had heard the rumors before about Shifu's wife, but he imagined that if it really was the Snake Poison Sect, then the Heavenly Orchard Sect would not take things lightly. Then again what reason would the Snake Poison Sect have to kill Shifu's wife? How were they connected? It didn't seem like these rumors had any real standing in the grand scheme of things. He looked at Fu Tai and sighed through his nose. "I see…still…it doesn't make sense as to why Shifu would personally hold you accountable. I've also heard the rumors but I don't think they have any merits."

Fu Tai nodded in agreement. "I also heard once that Shifu thought I had risen above my station, servants aren't usually promoted to guards, but given your designation, Zi Wang had been desperate. At least with an alpha guard those that were unsuspecting would automatically think you are an alpha…just by having my scent nearby."

Zi Yin never thought of it like that. "Really? But…why?"

"From what I was told, it was just a precaution to keep you safe. Since you were born, they knew you would present as an omega, so my father told me it was best I grew up alongside you. My life would never be my own…" Fu Tai's jaw tightened.

His father wanted him to smell like Fu Tai..?

Zi Yin was having a hard time understanding why. His omega scent was potent, but standing next to Fu Tai would dim it significantly, especially to alphas looking for mates. Maybe that was the reason? Fu Tai sensed his confusion and his mouth tugged into a knowing smile. "It's so that other alphas might think that you are mine."

Zi Yin's face heated, and his throat went dry. The thought of Fu Tai claiming him, made a shiver run down his spine. "Nonsense."

"Regardless, it's my duty to keep you safe and I've failed on that account."

Zi Yin quickly grabbed Fu Tai's hand hoping to soothe his friend. "I don't care about that stuff. You know I don't. Don't listen to them, you acted the way I instructed you to.." Zi Yin was anxious to coax Fu Tai and make him smile again. "Besides if it were up to me, we'd hang out and cultivate day and night! Becoming the number one fighter in all the sects."

Fu Tai's lips pulled into a wiry grin. "Good thing it's not up to you. I think given a regular fight I'd crush you."

Zi Yin nodded eagerly, wanting to see him free and happy. "When I'm General things will change, I won't be under my father's thumb anymore and we can have more time to do what we like, until then Shifu will be watching us like a hawk."

Fu Tai snorted and looked away, then slowly withdrew his hand. Zi Yin tried not to let the disappointment show on his face. "So…why are you training so hard? You've already passed level 3 of the Foundation Establishment stage, are you looking to go higher before the competition starts?"

"Yes, Master."

"Why?" Zi Yin swung his feet, he knew the answer why, he just wanted to remain near the alpha and bask in his scent. Zi Yin wasn't sure where these feelings came from or why he loved looking at Fu Tai, all he knew was that his heart beat faster whenever Fu Tai looked at him or whenever he smiled at him, it was as if he couldn't get enough. A part of him was deeply embarrassed by it, but other than Gong Yijun, there was nobody else he could talk to, nobody else that knew him.

Fu Tai hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Master, I have always been a servant. But I… dream of something more. There is a martial arts competition coming up, and I want to participate to bring honor to our name."

Zi Yin was moved by Fu Tai's words. "I am proud of you, Fu Tai. Your hard work and determination inspire me. With your training, I have no doubt you will do well in the competition."

A strange shadow passed Fu Tai's features and he nodded listlessly. Zi Yin knew his words were a bit generic, and to his own ears sounded very silly. Fu Tai would compete, but it would be very unlikely that he would place in the competition, regardless of how skilled he was. Fu Tai was still a slave.

"Have you heard the latest gossip?" Fu Tai asked.

"No, what is it?" Zi Yin replied.

"There are whispers of a devil within our sect."

Zi Yin's eyes widened. "A devil? The same one Gong Yijun was talking about?"

"Some say that there is a powerful force at work, manipulating our leaders and causing chaos within our ranks," Fu Tai explained. "If this is true, we may have to go to war."

Zi Yin nodded thoughtfully. "If there is a devil among us, we must act quickly to stop it. But we must be careful not to jump to conclusions. We must investigate and gather the evidence before we make any moves."

Fu Tai looked off into the distance, the hand around his sword tightening. "Agreed. But we cannot ignore this. If there is a devil in our midst, we must do everything in our power to stop it."