Chapter 9

It was just a story told to children and many people didn't believe the weapons existed. Neither did Hua Ren. He grew up wanting one but quickly forgot about it after he joined the army.

He then thought of something. In a sudden revelation, he turned his gaze to the village chief. "Hold on, don't tell me..."

The village Chief sighed, confirming, "As you've surmised, General. I am a descendant of Qi Tianyuan, one of the chosen human warriors, and this village safeguards his Celestial weapon, the Whirlwind Saber."

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As the village Chief's revelation settled, a resounding BOOM echoed from the gate. A guard barged into the house, frightened. "Chief! Chief! The Berserker has killed our men and broken down our gate! The soldiers are killing our people!"

"I knew it would come to this." The village Chief said, standing up using his walking stick. "The Emperor has run out of patience."

"Chief, what should we do? We cannot fight the Berserker!" The guard panicked guard cried.

"Tell everyone to run." The village Chief commanded. "Take the women and children through the tunnels. Make sure to save as many people as you can."

The guard nodded and rushed out.

Hua Ren silently cursed. He should have known Hei Long would not sit still. He turned to the Chief. "Isn't it the weapon that the Emperor wants? Why not give it to him and keep your lives?"

The village Chief shook his head. "A Celestial weapon is no ordinary weapon, General. The future it will bring depends on the hand that weilds it."

"So what if it's the Emperor's hand?" Hua Ren asked. "Do you not trust the Emperor? Isn't it better to give it to him than lose your lives?"

"Listen to your own words, General." The village Chief said with a smile. "How can I trust the Emperor that will kill my entire village for a Celestial weapon?"

Hua Ren went silent, realising that the village Chief was right. The Emperor was truly going to annihilate the entire village. He wondered what the Emperor needed a Celestial weapon for in the first place. If it was for the war against the rebels then there was no need for they were already winning. What could it possibly be?

"Your devotion to the Emperor is commendable, General." The village Chief said, shaking his head. "If only the Emperor deserved such a subject like you."

Hua Ren was confused. "What do you mean?"

Another loud BOOM echoed in the village, shaking the ground. Hua Ren had to hold the village Chief to stop him from falling. They could hear the screams of the villagers outside.

"I wish I had more time to explain, General." The village Chief said. He dug into his robes and took out a golden ring then handed it to Hua Ren. "Here, I want you to have this."

Hua Ren gazed at the ring, not understanding anything. "Why are you giving me this? You should get to safety. I'm going to handle Hei Long. I won't let them massacre this village. I will talk to the Emperor. I'll explain everything."

"It's already too late! Take it and wear it!" The village Chief insisted, stuffing the ring into the General's hand. "Things have already come to this. There's no going back now."

Hua Ren did as the village Chief said and wore the ring. The ring was too loose for him but he watched in awe as the ring shrunk to his exact size. He then felt a tiny prick of pain as blood oozed down his finger and the ring glowed.

"What is this?" He asked the village Chief. "What is happening?"

The village Chief burst out laughing. "It has accepted you. The ring as accepted you as it's Master!"

As it's master? "I don't understand." Hua Ren said.

The village Chief nodded. "I know but there's no time to explain. My people are dying and I need to help them escape."

Hua Ren didn't understand anything that was going on but he believed the Emperor would listen to him. His Emperor was not a cruel man. He was sure that there had to be a some misunderstanding. Hei Long was surely not acting under the Emperor's orders for he didn't believe the Emperor would order the brutal deaths of his own people.

Suddenly, something crashed through the side of the house, completely destroying the wall and the things around it. They saw that it was a man, a villager who was stabbed to death and kicked through the wall.

Hua Ren took out his three pronged swords. "Stay here, Chief. I will handle the situation outside and come back for you." He said, then ran out through the destroyed wall.

The beautiful village he passed through some minutes ago had already turned into a battlefield. The villagers were fighting against the soldiers of the Celestial Kingdom and were being slaughtered one after the other. Some soldiers were setting the houses on fire. Hua Ren knew that at this rate, all the villagers would die.

"Hei Long!" He shouted, catching the attention of the Berserker, who had just finshed severing a man's head. "Stop this madness right now!"

General Hei Long turned to Hua Ren, a mad glint in his eyes. "So you've finally decided to grace us with your presence, traitor!" He spat.

Hearing Hei Long's words, both sides stopped fighting. Still on guard, they all turned to look at both Generals.

"How dare you call me a traitor?" Hua Ren sneered.

"Isn't that what you are?" Hei Long spat. He had been looking for a way to bring Hua Ren down and Hua Ren presented the way himself. If he didn't take the opportunity, he would be a fool. "A filthy traitor! You were colluding with the Chief of the village to go against the Emperor. Do not try to deny it General. I know everything."

Hua Ren could tell what Hei Long wanted to do so he tried to remain calm. "I told you to wait until I had finished talking to the Chief. Why did you attack?"

"I follow the Emperor's orders, General. As should you." Hei Long said. "But I can see that you have decided to side with the villagers which makes you a traitor! You have no regards for the Emperor's orders!"

"The Emperor did not order me to kill innocent people!" Hua Ren said. "The orders were clear. We were to investigate!"