Chapter 10

[Llyne's house]

Master Khun was sitting on the couch in the living room. The house was completely silent. All anyone could hear was Master Khun, calmly tapping his fingers away, waiting for news of Llyne. He waited and waited, but there was no news about Llyne. As days went by, his patience was wearing thin. Master Jay and Master Asha were standing at his side, slouching, fearing for Master Khun's anger. The Doctor was enjoying his tea he brewed himself. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

A few henchmen came into the house and kneeled in front of Master Khun.

"We apologize, Master Khun. Every time we spotted her, the girl kept slipping away."

"...", Master Khun kept tapping his finger but made no sound.

The leader of the henchmen gulped and said, "Mas-".

Whoosh.

The leader of the henchmen's head was rolling on the ground. Master Khun's long sword was filled with the blood of the man he slayed. What's more terrifying was that no one heard Master Khun drew his sword. Not even Master Asha, Master Jay, and The Doctor.

The rest of the henchmen quivered in fear. None dare to make a sound.

Master Khun stopped tapping his finger. He sighed and said, "I should break this bad habit of tapping my fingers. It can be quite disturbing sometimes, don't you think so, Master Jay?"

"I don't think it's disturbing at all, Master Khun." Master Jay replied immediately.

The doctor disagreed and said, "I think it's rather annoying. I can't enjoy his cup of tea peacefully."

"Ah. I'm sorry, The Doctor. Please do forgive me." Master Khun apologized in a gentle voice and bowed.

"It's fine, but how do we deal with them?" The Doctor pointed at the kneeled henchmen.

Master Khun shifted his attention to where The Doctor pointed. The Doctor poured another cup of tea for Master Khun.

"Oh? If it isn't the squad I've sent out a few days ago. I don't see Miss Llyne with you." Master Khun took a sip of his tea.

One of the henchmen replied nervously, "We couldn't catch her. She was too fast for us. But we know where she is. It's just..." The henchmen peeked at Master Khun.

"Well, continue on." Master Khun rested his head on his hand.

"She might run if we approached her. We hoped Masters would assist us."

"You little -" Master Jay barked.

Master Khun raised his hand, and Master Jay closed his mouth and fell back.

Master Khun went silent again. "...row..."

Master Asha and Master Jay looked at Master Khun, then The Doctor.

The Doctor sighed and whispered to Master Khun. "Louder. They can't hear your whispering."

"Ah... What I meant was we shall visit her tomorrow. Meanwhile, I want one of you to tell me the floorplan of the place she is staying."

The henchmen nodded and dispersed.

"Why can't we barge into the house? It's not like there can be hidden doors?" Master Jay asked frantically.

"We can't rush things. Didn't you learn your lesson from the last mission? Grand Master was quite furious when you rushed things and nearly failed the mission." Master Khun gave Master Jay a warning.

"Oh my! It's such a pity that I wasn't there. If only I had not gone for the other mission, I wouldn't have missed a thing." Master Asha snickered, and Master Jay hissed at her.

"Don't forget who is the one making the report to the Grand Master. Behave yourself or else...."

Master Asha and Master Jay shut up and looked away from each other.

The Doctor sipped his tea and said, "Children. We're dealing with children. When will these two ever grow up, I wonder? Don't you think so, Master Khun?"

"I wonder if it was your drug that stopped their mental growth?" Master Khun asked The Doctor.

The Doctor thought for a while and said, "Yes. It might be the side effect. Well, we'll never know since they wouldn't let me operate on them."

Master Khun agreed. "Ah, yes. What a pity."

Master Khun stood up. "I'll go make plans for tomorrow. Are you coming for tomorrow, The Doctor?"

The Doctor stood up as well and tapped his belly. "No. I'm not the physical type, as you can see. Instead, if something important came up, you'll be the first to know, Master Khun." The Doctor bowed towards Master Khun and left.

The next night.

Master Khun, Master Asha, and Master Jay were waiting in the living room.

"Everything is prepared, Master Khun." The henchmen said.

"Lead the way." Master Khun stood up with his long sword and left Llyne's house. Master Asha and Master Jay followed Master Khun from behind. The Doctor stayed in Lyne's house and waved to them from behind.

[The abandoned house]

The inside of the house was completely dark. No sound could be heard from the house. One of the henchmen reported that there was no electricity because the wires were all cut.

Master Khun took a quick look at the house and said, "Some traps were newly made. Here, I thought she's like her parent, who would face their enemies upfront instead of using these kind of trickeries. Looks like I was wrong."

I was waiting for their arrival inside the house and heard what Master Khun said. "How did that pretty face katana swordsman know? Is he a psychic? We made these traps all day, and one look, he could see through it. He's a cheat!" I exclaimed silently.

"Shall we entertain her a bit?" Master Khun smiled. The Masters stayed outside while the henchmen marched into the front door. Once they entered the front door, the log was released and swung towards them. Some were thrown out of the house and were heavily injured. The rest continued to search the rest of the house. I taunted them and guided them to the traps. "I'm here! Wanna catch me? Then move those big ugly butts of yours, old men!" When the enemies come close, Lyndall would manually activate some of the traps. Besides the swinging log trap, we also made spike balls, pit falls, bamboo whips, rake to the face, chemical bucket, caltrops with rusted nails, and more. Lyndall and I memorized all the traps we made and took advantage of the darkness and quickly wiped out those brute men. I looked from another room while the enemies were brutally killed by those traps. "Ouish! Those are some deadly traps." I pitied them. The house was filled with screams, blood, and dead bodies.

After some time, the house went back silent.

"Is that all?" Master Khun waited.

"I can't believe that small squirrel took them out. No matter how strong she is, they were all outer disciples of Master Khan." Master Asha got worried.

"This is what happens when you don't train your disciples. But of course, if Miss Llyne couldn't pick her own weight, I'll be greatly disappointed. After all, she is their children." Master Khun smiled.

"Her sister was a disappointment, though. She died too quickly. A little poke, and she withered. I expected more from the eldest of the family." Master Asha sighed.

Master Jay was silent throughout the conversation.

Master Asha looked at Master Jay. "Jay, darling, I didn't hear a peep from you. Don't tell me you are scared of the small squirrel."

Master Jay said in a serious tone. "There's something else inside there. The brat isn't alone. I could feel it."

"I don't see any. What about you, Master Khun." Master Asha crossed her arm.

Master Khun shook his head. "Is that so? What is it?"

"I don't know. It feels strange. We should be careful." Master Jay went back silent.

"Careful? I thought that's the last word he would say." Master Asha smirked.

Master Khun walked into the abandoned house. The traps activated, but he skillfully took out all of the traps by swinging his katana around. My jaw dropped. "Am I dreaming? Pinch me." Lyndall pinched my arm. "Ouch! Okay, now I know I'm not dreaming... but is that even possible? The world is so unfair. It gave him so many cheats. Hmph!" I refuted.

I grabbed Lyndall and said, "I got no choice but to execute the last plan... Run and Hide!" I stood up, and a hand reached out and grabbed my collar. "Ack! My neck! I'm getting choked!"

"Hello." That voice sounded gentle and oddly familiar.

"Pretty face katana swordsman, Master Khun?" I turned towards him and said sweetly.

"You remembered? I'm honoured and hurt since you broke your engagement with me and ran away." Master Khun patted my head.

"Who in the right mind would be engage-" I stopped myself and gulped my possible last saliva. I looked up and saw Master Khun cleaning his katana. I stared at his precious katana and saw my reflection on it. I felt chills went down my spine. Master Asha, who was standing behind Master Khun, snickered whereas Master Jay was strangely quiet and wasn't looking this way. I turned around to find Lyndall, but he was nowhere to be found.

'He must have ran away, which means he's safe, right?' I thought. Every time I backed away from him, Master Khun inched forward.

When my back touched the wall, Master Khun raised his katana. I shouted and stopped him. "Wait! Can't I have my last word?"

"Nope." Master Khun replied immediately and slashed downwards.

I closed my eyes, hoping this was all a dream.

Shing.