Chapter 15 : Wolf taken village
Authors note: Sorry friends. I did my best to correct the grammar but, it was too difficult. It was as if my brain was filling the holes in the sentences automatically when I was re-reading the chapters. Be free to comment on any mistakes in grammar in the paragraph comments.
—At the border of Barrack Kingdom—
Initially, I planned to take on this soul bone after I become a soul king or achieved a background that could dispatch such strength. Now, I did not need to wait that long considering that I had a strong team of Freeloaders who wanted to use me.
The mess in Star Luo Empire still had me feeling dizzy at times. When I mean mess, I meant both the ones that happened in the past and the mess that was unfolding in the present.
I didn't need to worry about that right now. With the help from Shian Ti and his tracker team, I quickly found the Wolf-Taken tribe. However, they lived in a remote village on the edge of the Barrack Kingdom. The Wolf-Taken were an intriguing variety. So much that it was a pity that they were never explored in the original canon.
They were a mix of Stormwind-demon wolf and humans. Hence, they were fierce creatures that had the strength of beats and social dynamics of humanity. Of course, they did hunt humans like their spirit beat relatives and they took a step even further, often mating with human women.
There was one important thing to note: they didn't give soul rings. Hence, most of the soul masters didn't bother with them until the wolf taken provoked someone they shouldn't. As for the fate of their victims, nobody cared.
"NO, NO and NO. We are not going after such a thankless job. What's the use of even killing them?"
A soul bone that won't reject tiger martial souls, not that I will say that to him. Instead, I said, "It is the task from my contact in the Heavenly Dou empire. They want us to prove our character. Hence, it is either doing this thankless job, or go back and bring back the heads of someone important in the Star Luo empire to prove ourselves."
That silenced Shian Ti.
Hmph! If you wanted to use me, you better be prepared to pay the rent. As for the so-called contact, there was no need to worry. With our flamboyant way of going around the villages for resupply, news will reach the current Nine-heart flowering apple user about our group.
SIGH
"Gu Yuan, go out and scout the village. I want to know about every single beast in that village. I want know everything, from when it fucks and who, when it shits and what, when it sleeps and why."
Gu Yuan had a unique ability—his martial soul was a night owl. Meaning he had the rare ability to fly.
Hence, he was perfect for this task.
I really wanted to keep this team with me as my subordinates. However, I realized my current status didn't inspire that kind of loyalty just yet.
"Ju Lian, right?"
Under Ju Lian's nod, he continued, "You and your parents are the only ones in this group who have decent combated capabilities other than my team. So, we need you to prepare for the battle…."
Keeping one ear out for the battle plan, I started out my own preparations.
I took out the mirror clone from the space storage belt and started prepping it..
I took out both the sets of my hammers and took a deep breath. So, after a few minutes of concentration from me, my mirror clone extended its hands and shouted, "Flame cover!"
I felt myself move forward in doing so, losing the control over mirror clone. Making a unique situation in which a mirror self of myself is frozen like a statue with flames extending all over it like a human shaped furnace.
Nodding to myself, I threw both sets of hammers into the fire.
Seeing the lack of change, I felt that the more heat was needed to melt them instantly. So, I did my best to concentrate on controlling the mirror clone and increase the intensity of fire.
[ Forging: Increase the temperature in the under surface of heavy silver hammers by 10%.]
I did as per the suggestion.
Now, my heavy silver hammers turned into a liquid metal that floated in the flames under the control of my soul power.
With a deep breath, I activated my first spirit skill, Ice control. As mists of ice lit on my magic silver hammers, I felt that it was time.
CLAN G CLANG
SIZZLE SIZLLE
BOOM
CLANGH CLANG
Under the rapid thrust of my hammers on the liquid metal, I injected my soul power through the ice.
Meanwhile, I had my mirror clone increase the flames to ensure the metal stayed in liquid form.
I felt the blood in my body going haywire because of my forging of heavy silver, showing me the reason most blacksmiths avoid making a blood refined tool. If I fail now, my body will suffer backlash, and my cultivation might even fall.
However, there was a reason I had the confidence in Spirit forging and giving a spirit to my metals.
Make yourself useful.
I felt both my soul rings lit up and the roars of both the tigers resounded in my mind.
ROARR ROARRR
Under their support I felt the control over attributes rise rapidly. Most importantly, It felt easy to imbue the spirit into the metal with each swing. Such a rush.
No wonder, Blacksmithing rose up along with spirit souls. Even my conscious spirit rings were a major boon in spirit refining.
CRACKLE SIZZLE.
AI, show me the balance between both attributes.
[ Fire: 43%, Ice : 67%]
So, I adjusted the soul power over myself and the mirror clone, to adjust to balance to be a perfect 50-50.
-
-
-
-
-
-
Perhaps because of the consciousness in both soul rings, the process completed in a couple of hours, giving birth to a metal that radiated light in a 6-meter radius.
The moment it was done, I felt my body heat like an oven and the slight injuries in my body heal up. However, that was not the benefit of advancing blood sacrificed metals. Instead, it was the strength of my body that increased with the advancement of the metal.
It was a pity I couldn't do this before getting my 2nd soul ring, otherwise I would have gotten a 1000-year-old soul ring as a 2nd soul ring. I guess that Spirit forging just takes too much soul power, even if I have a mirror clone. Help from conscious ring or not.
The mirror clone had dissolved from the strain of maintaining the forging flames. But looking at the spirit refined hammers and floating liquid, I felt the cost was worth it.
Now, I needed to follow through with rest of my project.
AI, show me the project: silver alloy
[Ting
Bring up the alloy map for metal fusion.]
Time to get started. No rest for a cultivator who had offended people. Especially when the same people were powerful and cruel.
-Ryu cliff, border of Wolf taken village, Barrack kingdom-
AWOOOO
Looking at the distant village that was the most unique existence I saw in either life, I only felt disgust. Yes, I felt disgusted.
While the uniqueness of this village lies in the fact it was pitch dark with the only source of light being the moon. However, the most disgusting thing found in the village were that women were being raped, human children were having their skulls bashed against the walls.
From the cliff, I couldn't see a single human man in the village below. However, Shian Ti chuckled as he watched the vomiting teacher and blacksmith apprentices. "I must say, these wolves know how to enjoy life."
I grit my teeth, looking at the rape of the mother after her child was murdered. "Hey Asshole! Is that what you said when the same happened to your family?"
However, Shian Ti, contrary to my expectations, wasn't bothered by my angry insults. "This sight is nothing compared to the scenes me and my team saw, kid. Sights that scare me awake even today. I saw horrors being conducted by humans that will make this village look like a paradise."
The haunting expression on his face made me keep my curiosity at bay. Because anything that can make a man look like that had no place in mind.
"Ahem."
We turned to see that Gu Yuan had returned after scouting the village and wolf taken tribe for the last few days.
However, He gave a salute to Shian Ti, making me wonder just how long will they stick to their military background.
Now, they are traitors because of the royalty they served all their lives.
"Boss, they are all together 421 StormWind demon wolfs, of which 34 crossed the hundred years of age. *GULP* There are over 13 wolf taken and I believe their strength to have crossed 1000 years. The leader, a cyan wolf taken, is the strongest with the cultivation of 30,000 years."
Shian Ti nodded at those words. "I see."
He turned back and took a deep breath and said, "Alright! We are packing our bags and finding something else to do."
I immediately got in his path, "Woah! Don't forget, we don't have time. If the situation in Star Luo stabilizes and we don't have a solid backing by then, we are dead. Now, the assassins in the underworld are already sharpening their knifes for taking our heads."
Shian Ti scoffed at my remark and said, "I rather stay alive now and fear for my life tomorrow."
"Who said we won't be alive tomorrow if we kill these trash?"
Till now, I have been aiming to kill them for my benefit. Now, my heart was screaming at me to annihilate them.
"Well, we might be alive, but not all of us will be alive. There is a difference kid. Just the hundreds of wolves in there can exhaust me to death before I can come face to face with the cyan wolf taken."
I gave a feral smile in response, "What if I can kill them all and even weaken the surviving wolf taken?"
Shian Ti grew interested in that scenario.
"Oh! I am listening, kid."
I took out the insurance I brought with the money that Dai Weisi thrown at me. "It was initially meant for you guys if the situation went sideways. Now, it will ironically be the ones that will help you today."
Everyone grew curious when they saw the big bag I pulled. So, after covering my hands with soul power, I opened the bag to reveal a purple smile flower, also known as death's kiss.
"What the heck?"
You could tell how dangerous these flowers are by looking at Shian Ti, a soul king, who jumped back in fear at the sight of them.
"So, let's hunt the wolves, shall we?"
-Shian Ti pov-
I say this with all my heart, "That kid is insane and has a death wish."
Mo Tian, the kid's teacher, sighed out of pure exhaustion and said, "I don't know what to do with him. It was always like this. Since the first day I met, he always seems to run towards something. I thought it might be because he wants to earn money or strength. But, even after he became a member of the Prine Dai Weisi's circle, he didn't stop."
I rubbed on his back, feeling pity for him. It made me wonder if the kid knew how much his teacher and his fellow blacksmith apprentices were doing for him.
Since the day I joined the group, I saw them being all happy and act as a joker with each other, but at night, in the privacy of their solitude, they showed their inner feelings.
Fear, anger, helplessness.
So, on and on it went. A familiar sight that greeted me every day in the mirror. Unlike them, I had gotten used to such things after my service to the crazy royals of the Star Luo Empire.
I knew this with all my heart; the emperor loved his sons and wives. I mean all of them, but he won't blink an eye as they try to kill each other. Instead, he diverted his anger to the spirit hall or Heavenly Dou empire.
Thus, in such a setting, I got used to being helpless due to unneeded freedom from my previous ignorance. Ignorance which was a boon for the common folk. Otherwise, with the things I knew, nobody could sleep at night peacefully.
So, it was no wonder that Su Muan got together with Mo Tian. Right now, their relation was of passion, but I wondered when looking at Su Muan who was consoling Mo Tian. Was it turning into love?
"All right. I am done with my preparation. Are you guys ready?"
Finally, I saw the insane kid who seemed to drag everybody all the way from the Star Luo empire. Looking at his preparations, especially the costly maps and poisons, I realized one thing: "You knew we were going to come here. No, you knew this for years."
Zhang Kun gave a smirk and said, "You mean running here with our life, no. But, if you mean I wanted to kill them for years. Yes. So, have no worries, I have been studying, spending countless nights without sleep planning for this night."
Once more, this kid proved to be a mystery.
Even my team's escape from the Star Luo empire was as a reward for our service to the empire.
Obviously, we were given a way out by the empress who discarded us. It was both a reward for our service and a way to occupy the concubine Mu's attention and anger. Unfotuantel, the empress's plan failed. Now, we would be the targets when the catfight between empress and concubine Mu between stopped.
Anyway, all that aside, the fact we escaped was something I could understand.
So, it was a mystery to me how that kid escaped? Even now, what kind of insane madmen takes on the self-imposed task of killing these Wolf taken? If they were spirit beasts, I could understand, but the wolf taken gave no treasures on their death.
[Author : ( ͡ ͜ʖ ͡)( ͡ ͜ʖ ͡)]
With a sigh, I jumped onto the roof of the house, continuing my stride on the roofs. It was easy as breathing to follow the kid who was hammering at the wolves coming at him like a blacksmith hammers his metal.
BOOM
AWOO
BOOM
"Ripple" Wave: 2 gear dual hammers,'
The new hammers were incredible. It was easy to see considering that the hammers seemed to possess a conscious of their own as they slithered through the air like snakes striking at the wolves from their blind spots.
As the kid was punching the wolf's head into the ground, I noticed how he kept a track of all his opponents. Impressive.
But, even more impressive thing was his capability to act on the enemies movements. His punches and kicks kept showing the muscles that appeared on his growing body.
"Come on, come on. You bastards, I will kill you."
As expected, the commotion reached the wolf taken who saw their parental race being killed by a child weaker than them.
GRRRRRRRRRR
It didn't even take a second for the wolf-takens to surround the kid, wielding various weapons like humans do.
It was easy to notice how abnormal these creatures were.
They stood on two feet and clothed themselves like humans. But, like wolves, their body was covered with fur and they have canine teeth.
Of course, the cruelty of humans was the most easy to find human feature in these beasts.
WHOOOSH
As expected of the 30,000-year Wolf taken, the cyan coloured leader of this pack stole the hammers in a burst of speed that was frankly amazing.
"GRRR."
His red eyes glow in the night as the rest of the wolf taken, and the wolves surrounded him and Zhang Kun. It was easy to notice that they are preparing for a game.
A game in which the winner was decided based on how much pain they could cause to their prey.
"GRERRRR,"
"AWOOOOOOOOOOOO,"
"AWOO GROWLLL,"
Like a beast that were starving for blood, they shouted in hunger.
The first one to move was a black wolf taken. It came forward to lunge at Zhang Kun, who was devoid of his hammers.
"Stop underestimating me, you bastards. 2nd soul ring: fire cover."
It was easy to see that Zhang Kun practiced martial arts tailored to him. It showed when he could hold the 10000-year-old black wolf taken at bay despite the huge difference in strength.
He dodged the claw for his throat by bending back with minimal movement and used his hands to burn into the opening given by the Wolf taken.
AAAAAAAWWWWWWWOOOOOO
It was funny looking at the big 10000-year-old wolf taken jumping away from a small child while clutching its wrist, which was burned black in the shape of a claw mark. A claw mark made by human.
"The kid is incredible."
I turned to my right to see Su Muan. Her black hair was shining in the moonlight, coupled with her red blouse that fit to her generous bosom and back. I felt a surge of jealousy at Mo Tian.
She had been my subordinate for 10 years and a friend for 7 years. So, she was one of my few loved ones.
Looking at her feeling tensed for a kid who she only knew recently was weird for me. I mean, she was the famous 'fox of the hunt'. A level 47 soul ancestor.
I didn't know why but I felt the need to be cruel to him. "Hmm, the difference in power is not something that can be bridged by skill."
My words came true as the hurt wolf-taken grew fiercer, lunging for the kid. Zhang Kun did well, ducking over the jumping wolf-taken and shaping ice icicles and spikes at the wolf taken. It was well timed and chained casted, which made him imprison the wolf's limbs in ice.
But, I could only shook my head in pity.
CRACKLE CRACKLE
"Power is something that can erase everything."
The Wolf taken roared as it flexed its muscles, breaking free from the ice with ease. It caught the surprised Zhang Kun by his legs and started slamming his body into the ground, into the houses and even on to its muscular body.
It was a cruel scene to watch the 11-year-old kid being slammed into the body of the wolf taken and being stretched as if he was a towel. I rub my body the same way after the bath, to dry the water. But to use a kid like that?
Su Muan said, "This has gone for too long. Is such a plan necessary? Mo Tian is almost ready to jump in any second."
I turned back to see Mo Tian being held back by Gu Yuan from messing up with the plan. Woah! The idiot had stopped being depressed and was now wanting to mess with his student's plan.
Is she looking at Mo Tian even now?
No, even better question, why was I thinking about this in such a situation? My sudden jealousy for Mo Tian and an intense desire to punch him were not normal.
Shaking my head of this thought, I answered Su Muan, "It seems the time has arrived."
Looking at the purplish black hue that was spreading across the body of the inhabitants of the entire village, I moved.
It didn't take long for me to reach the black wolf taken and tear its head off.
SPLAT SPLAT SPLAT
Looking at the blood that is raining down on all the wolves, I used the brief surprise to kill the other 10,000 Wolf taken.
"It must be funny to overpower the kid. Now, enjoy the same treatment."
With a punch to its stomach, I had it kneeling, and just as I was about to kill it, a claw tore into my chest.
I jumped back, feeling the pain radiate from chest. Seeing the owner of the claw, I realized I had work my ass tonight.
The cyan wolf taken was not even bothered with the fact that his tribe was poisoned. No, it was not even bothered that it's tribe was being killed by my team and Mo Tian's group.
Forget about that. This bastard was not even bothered by the fact it was poisoned.
"He is strong. Be careful."
I smiled at Zhang Kun, who was being healed by that girl Ye Lingling. Thankfully, the healer girl was under the protection of Ju Lian and his family. Otherwise, I would never allowed any plan that left the sole healer soul master unprotected.
"No need to worry, kid. You did your job of distracting them. Now, it's my job."
He scoffed at me, "You only have 10 minutes before that guy fights off the poison and comes at us with full force."
The kid used himself as a distraction to gather the pack's attention, giving us 10 precious minutes to reach the centre of the village. The kid was lucky that the poisoned water worked fast; a minute or two later, he might have lost an arm, leg, or worse.
"Don't worry, kid, 10 minutes is enough." I focused on my martial soul, "Assault dog, level 53 soul king."
My two yellow, two purple, and one black soul ring rose into the air as I activated my martial soul.
Remembering the moon wolf I got this soul ring from, I used my first soul ring.
"First soul ring: Howl of moon."
An illusionary moon rose from the martial soul, which increased my speed by 10%. Now, it was time to hunt.
Even as the dust and winds from the fighting around the village clouded the vision, my hunt didn't stop.
I ran at the leader of the wolves through the dust cloud while using my 2nd soul skill, "Hound's scent."
My senses shifted to lock on to the target. It was easy to find that prey. Unfortunately, such senses were inborn for the wolf taken.
GRRRRR
The poisoned cyan wolf taken kicked towards me, which sent a meter wide wind blade. I jumped sideways to dodge the attack, but the Cyan wolf appeared in front of me chest with a claw extending towards my chest. "Hello there, human."
What the fuck!
BOOOM
"Hey, Hey. Aren't you being too arrogant just because I am poisoned?"
I felt dizzy for a second because of being slammed through a couple of houses. The first thing I noticed was a dozen wind bladed heading toward me. Fuck.
"3 soul ring: Lightning cage."
Mo Tain's hammer spun in the air to release a series of lighting arcs that caged me. But they also protected me from the wind blades.
It was good that Mo Tian solved his wolf taken and came to assist me.
The beast was right. I was arrogant, thinking that I could kill him easily after he was poisoned. However, it seems that I was the one that needed help.
"Healing."
It felt good as they claw wound on my chest healed. I inwardly decided that girl, Ye Lingling deserved a gift after today.
"Such pretty girl. Why don't you come here?"
Before the Cyan Wolf taken can even reach Ye Lingling, Gu Yuan sent his feathers of steel to obstruct him. I remember the Dai family trainer knocking into me this common sense, always allocate a defence for a healer.
Time to do my work, "Hound's roar."
As my black soul ring lit up, a burst of soul power went out as a sonic attack towards the Wolf Taken.
However, the Wolf ran towards Ye Lingling while sliding on the ground to avoid Hound's roar.
Because I saw this golden opportunity, I immediately commanded everyone, "Now, attack with full force."
"HEH, Slow—"
Booom
I smirked seeing the Hound's roar curved and struck the Cyan Wolf taken, disorienting him enough for the rest of the attacks to land.
Mo Tian: "Thundering wave."
Gu Yuan: "Severing Wings,"
Su Muan : "Fox fire."
Ju Lian : "Shadow Strike,"
Mr and Miss Ju : "Earthen roar"
BOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM
I came forward while shouting into the explosion, "As long as I lock on, my attacks will reach you. Because I am the hound."
And the roar disorients my prey into a confused state. Almost equivalent to a sitting duck to my team.
Using the valuable break, I observed the rest of the battlefield. The poisoned wolves were being killed by the blacksmith apprentices.
I felt a hiss came to mouth at the insidious nature of poison. Even the 7000-year-old wolf was more than enough to trample these apprentices normally. Now the entire wolf pack were beign slaughtered from the posion.
Mo Tian laughed as he took a seat beside me. "I thought you were dead when that claw sent you flying."
I snorted in response. "It is not my fault that your brat somehow failed to inform me that the wolf taken can talk. Do you know what kind of spirit beasts possess the ability to talk?"
Despite my question, I am not in the mood for his answer. "Forget it."
"I am sorry about that; I genuinely forget about this. It just has been too much time for me to remember. At least, I gave you all of his abilities right."
Now, the kid was standing beside me with hammers thrumming with his concentrated soul power, reminding me that this wasn't over.
"Hey kid. So, you were the one responsible for this mess. I will enjoy fucking you and eat you all while you scream in pain and pleasure. Hehe hehe!"
Instead of causing fear, his laugh made me want to kill him all the more. Fear and anger had no place in my life, only the intent to live and the intent to hunt.
"Hey, Kid. Do you forget anything else? Because we might get fucked based on this bitch's confidence."
Zhang Kun hummed. Yes, he fucking hummed and said, "I forgot nothing else. Rather, I choose to not say his troublesome ability. Because I thought it would scare you away."
I felt the veins in my temple pulse with my anger. "You choose to not say."
"Yes. He has an ability called Madness or Fanatic. As long as he activates it, he will go crazy, disregarding pain, fatigue, or anything else that hinders him from killing. "
Wonderful, fucking wonderful. Meaning we have to face a more brutish monster that won't be bothered by the poison we gave in the drinking water.
"It gets even worse."
"Huh!"
"His attack, defense, and speed will be increased by 100%."
Fucking hell, that was almost at level of the legendary red soul rings. We were dead.
The wolf taken stood up, and I felt it becoming taller and taller as each word came from its mouth.
"HahahahHAHaHahaahaHAH, you kid seems to know far too much about me. Now, no need to worry, we will pry the reason behind that knowledge out of you. But your death will NOT BE FAST. AFTER ALL, WE NEED TO COMPLETE THE E_GRRRRRRRR,"
It was scary seeing the wolf taken becoming like a complete beast as it tore into the rubble around it like a mad dog jumping here and there.
"Don't worry."
The moment Zhang Kun's words were heard, its blood-red eyes locked on to him.
"I can take this from here."
Now, I am fucking furious. I shouted at the kid while readying a plan to evacuate, "Enough Kid! Stop this in-"
I was stunned speechless, looking at the sight in front of me. The Wolf Taken fell on to the ground, foaming from its mouth and blood dripping from its eyes.
"Ye Lingling, do you mind healing me?"
"Healing."
I watched as the poison marks that spread to the kid's neck recede.
Zhang Kun calmly lifted his hammers to show an abundant amount of black paste falling from it. "You know, a paste from Loveli ash and present stone increases the potency of the Death's kiss poison. The only risk I had to take on this night was how to give this to you. However, to my surprise, you yourself took the hammers from me and kept playing with them, so that you can torture me."
Zhang Kun lifted the buzzing hammers glowing from his soul power and brought them down.
"Gear 5: Rippling wave,"
BOOOOM
Ignoring the paste that was once the head of Wolf taken, I asked the kid, "You used another poison?"
"Yes, why are you so surprised about it?"
I couldn't help myself from shouting, "I am not an assassin, kid. Instead, I am a hunter. So, you can see why I am afraid of a kid using poisons."
"Don't worry, I needed poison knowledge, especially when curing poisons. So, I invested far too much in them. Now, there is no need to worry about them. Because I used them all tonight."
"How in the hell did you even buy poisons in the empire?"
He shrugged and said, "I used Dai Weisi's name. However, I only done this after I started doubting him. You see, the actual purchase of the deadly poisons was an insurance plan for my escape."
"Zhang Kun."
"Hmm,"
"I think you might be one reason that the struggle for the throne went into a full-blown assassination festival."
I left the kid to play with his corpses and checked into the group. No matter how weird and how terrifying the kid's actions were, it was reassuring to me. Because, it means a safe passage for me.
Looking at Su Muan and Mo Tian kissing each other for surviving the battle, I felt weird. Especially when that bitch Mo Tian kept pawing at Su Muan's back. I really wanted to cut off his hand. It was at this moment that I found out something about myself.
FUCK.
I WAS IN LOVE WITH SU MUAN.