Take Me Out

Jaeger Bloodclaw was staring at Thunderclaw, as a wave of unknown scents overpowered his nose. He tried sitting up, but a wave of pain from seasons of inactivity stopped him.

"Leader, please don't move yet, we have increased the level of Qi in the area and food and drink will be delivered soon", the shaman told him.

"Where are we? What happened?", Jaeger asked as he laid there.

"You feel victim to a plot, but we aren't sure who was the one who ordered it", Thunderclaw said, "The merchant that had appeared recently to compete with our regular merchant from the Golden Peony delivered the poison, and left before your incident happened. We thought Merchant Tan was responsible and tried to capture him unjustly."

"That still doesn't explain where we are", Jaeger responded.

"Do you know the island in the middle of the sea between the three continents?", the shaman asked.

"Yes, we are there? But isn't the strongest cultivator in seclusion there?", Jaeger asked.

"He is, put so is his disciple, a golden core cultivator named Wei Huoran. There are also two cities on the island and many things I've never seen before. Once you've recovered enough, I plan to stroll around to discover all the strange places and things they have made here", Thunderclaw explained.

"Good thing you were here, or I would have offended the Senior", Jaeger realized his situation.

"Pack leader Bloodclaw, congratulations on your recovery!", a mixture of voices appeared, as Greymane and the wolves that traveled with them entered the room carrying a large amount of trays. The scent of roasted meats and steaks filled the room, and immediately attracted Jaeger's attention. A human man was the last to enter the room, "congratulations on your recover, Blackclaw leader, I am Wei Huoran", Huoran bowed in greeting.

"Pardon my rudeness, but I'm unable to bow right now", the wolf leader replied, "but I am Jaeger Bloodclaw, and I thank you and your master for your assistance."

"It's my duty to help, so no need to feel burdened", Huoran waved his hand, "Shaman Thunderclaw and I have refined some pills, and I had food delivered to accelerate your healing. After you take these two remedies and eat a good meal, you should be able to at least stand in about eight hours by my calculations."

"Leader, let me assist you", Greymane stepped forth, "Shaman Thunderclaw needs to register his name to the island, he hasn't left your side since we arrived."

Thunderclaw got up, bowed, and said before leaving, "I will return soon, for now I take my leave."

"I will go with you", Huoran offered.

Thunderclaw nodded, and they both walked out.

Jaeger ate the two pills refined for him and was eating the meat fed to him, "This is delicious, I don't think I ever eaten something like this before. What is it?"

"Flood dragon", Huoran casually answered.

"What?!?", Jaeger almost spit out his food.

"Leader, on the way here, we were almost caught up in a battle between pirates and the merfolk. The island protected us and killed quite a few juvenile flood dragons in the process", Greymane relayed the story to their leader and then changed the topic, "Daoist Wei believes you should be able to travel the city tomorrow, and while you could return home, he suggest staying one more day before you do."

Jaeger laid there feeling strength returning to his limbs as he thought his options.

Thunderclaw and Huoran rode the same car as they traveled towards the registration center.

"Shaman Thunderclaw, did you know not everyone you see here is a resident of the island?", Huoran brought up a question.

The shaman looked mildly interested, "Is that right?"

"Only twenty thousand people here are citizens I recruited. The rest are visitors from the eastern region of the Nanying continent", Huoran explained.

The wolf's eyes was scanning the area for a few moments before he replied, "How come the numbers don't match your claim?"

"We do have another city, our current location is just for the entertainment of ourselves and our guests. The other city is the place of their homes, and the schools that train them", Huoran explained.

"Daoist Wei, I have to say that you seem to be missing the fields and workshops to produce everything", Thunderclaw mentioned.

"Very observant, but they aren't missing, just hidden from view", answered Huoran, " We have arrived."

Both men exited the car and walked towards the registration center at the entrance. A crowd had gathered as today was the last day for the sects visiting. Many eyes watched the. As man and wolf approached the building, another man walked and greeted them, "Daoist Wei, it's good to see you before we leave."

"Sect master Kong, let me introduce you", Huoran said, "This is Thunderclaw, a shaman of the Bloodclaw wolf beastkin tribe of the Shou continent. Shaman Thunderclaw, this is Sect master Kong Chun, of the White Tiger Sect from the eastern region of the Nanying continent."

Both men bowed with clasped hands.

"It's an honor to meet you, shaman", Kong spoke.

"The honor is mine, sect master", the wolf replied.

"I'm sure you will get the opportunity to meet each other in the future", Huoran interjected, "Unfortunately for now, I must register Shaman Thunderclaw."

The two men bowed, and Huoran and Thunderclaw walked inside the building.

Kong Chun was leading the group towards the exit, but he wasn't feeling good about it.

"Thank you for your stay at Market Square, please return your identification cards and swipe your QPhones. Even if you don't, the passes registered to them will expire and your reentry will be denied", the employee at the exit briefed the guests.

Everyone complied with the request, and walked out feeling stronger than before but at a loss. The sect masters directed their members to the pier and everyone boarded the flying ship of their sect. With one last look, Kong Chun raised his hand and his ship took off with the other following after, before disappearing over the horizon.

Jaeger was now sitting an a strange chair with wheels being pushed by Greymane. Huoran had to be correct that he could move his limbs again, but he strength was still severely lacking. He was being taken to a restaurant, and he had already experienced the shock over and over again of leaving the hospital, and seeing the city. After eating a full dinner and mediating, he felt confident enough to walk without assistance. He failed to understand the musical performances and cinema, but was extremely impressed with the QR pods, and the food prepared by the chefs. It only took another day before he was essentially recovered and due to the instability of his land and pack, he elected to leave.

"Leader Bloodclaw, though it's a shame, I understand that you have to leave, I wish you a swift and safe journey", Huoran bowed.

"Daoist Wei, thanks to you, I should be able prevent the downfall of my pack", Jaeger bowed before adding, "As long as you agree, I'll send some of my young hunters to experience the atmosphere here."

"Of course, please recommend us to your allies as well", Huoran said, "We are always on the lookout for new and different plants and herbs of all types and will offer discounts to the ones that supply the initial supply."

"I will keep that in mind", the wolf leader responded as he and the others headed towards their eagles on the north coast.

The pack left soon after heading back to their lands, but Huoran felt they would return sooner rather than later.

A week later, the artisans from the thirteen organizations arrived. At first they complained about everything, but when they entered Market Square and saw everything, they dropped all pretense. Most were even shameless enough to act like their previous attitudes never happened. When they took their placement exams for their studied profession, all the older, more experienced people were able to earn class 1 expert certificates. They complained that they were master artisans and this was disrespectful, so Huoran allowed them to take the class 1 master test. The results shook the hearts of all of them, and they signed up for their recommended courses without a complaint. That night, the artisans drank their sorrows away before escorts had to guide them home.

Under the sea surface, King Zeng had two humans, one man and one woman in front of him.

"Métis, Octavis, you know the mission by now, you must infiltrate that island and see the strength of that Senior. Gather whatever information you can get and return, remember, you are an independent Daoist couple who heard of this place from one of the sects of the Nanying continent", King Zeng instructed them.

"Yes, sire", they responded before swimming away.

Fu Zhen was miserable, she and her crew had been assigned the task from Admiral Chen to infiltrate the island by acting as asylum seekers. They were given a desolate flying ship, and dressed in rags when they arrived at the island.

"Help us, please help us", she cried as they exited the ship along with her small crew of women.

The group was brought to the entrance and met the agent sitting at the booth for entry, "Please provide your names, city of origin, and the city that where the oppression occurred."

Fu Zhen was dumbfounded, "Huh?"