The Evil Manifested _16

Wong said: "Guys, quiet down!"

Ming flew into a rage."Brother, you're really becoming a good, fat pig!

Wong was stunned. Ming inquired, "Are you praising me or cursing me?"

Everyone laughed.

Ming declared, "Okay, okay, guys, calm down!"

Shen laughed to say, "How could I settle down?! "

Five minutes later, everyone settled and the journey resumed.

It was late afternoon, and we were all spent. "We have to rest," Jugo said, and everyone agreed.

Ming said, "Then we must put a guard on the people.

Kaman volunteered: "I'll stand guard."

The team started to construct camp and finished three hours later. Jugo and Wong went hunting and the rest settled down for a rest.

Ming was planning to murder King. Then, in the midst of his meditation, he one day said to Shuan, "I wonder if you are familiar with the Legend of the Moon?"

Ming was mystified, and asked for the story.

Shuan said: "Very well, listen! It is said: Once upon a time, two thousand years ago, there was a poor family, who was very happy. One day, they gave birth to a ravishingly beautiful daughter, Lupa. At 15, she'd become fluent in the language of music. When her gift was discovered, her father began inviting people over to listen to her play.

She gives a large number of concerts until one day the King comes with his following. The father was glad to see him, and Lupa at once played, and those who listened were delighted.

But then something miraculous happened and the moon started to dance. Everyone was stunned!"

And that became normal as the days passed. Lupa's clan became extremely wealthy, but she became fatigued from constant pressure. One day, she announced to her parents, she wanted to quit playing music. They would not consider it, and they threatened her with death.

Lupa would drop to her knees in despair after a performance and the crowd would disperse. Glaring at the moon she screamed: 'This is all your fault! You destroyed my life!' *

She knelt as she cried and the most beautiful being appeared: with the most marvelous hair, cascading silver fractured into dusty strands like

moonlight, eyes a pair of sapphires, a shape of a seraph fair. Lupa stared in shock. *'Who are you?' *

*'I am the Moon incarnate in the World,*' was his answer. *'Great music from you … I will help you.' *

As they spoke, her parents entered the room, seeing the stranger her father bellowed: *Who is this? How did you enter?! '*

The Moon Incarnation looked him in the eye: *'I am the incarnation of the Moon. I have come for Lupa.' *

Her father demurred and called in guards.

The guards charged instantly. Then—get this, Ming—flicked the beast's wingtip and the Embodiment killed them.

Lupa called to him: 'I am ready. *

He gathered her in his arms and they rose up to the moon.

Thus was the story of the one known as *Moon Embodiment* concluded.

Ming thought to herself: ***'No… this is real. All things have embodiments. In my previous existence, I became an Embodiment of Evil. But I never thought… for the Moon Embodiment to even take a maiden. Perhaps they wed.'*"

Ming's thoughts splintered as Jugo and Wong approached.

Wong was suppressing a laugh, so Ming asked: "Why do you look like you're about to die?"

Jugo—with feigned sorrow—said: "It's nothing."

"I told you if anything attacked Jugo once it saw him it'd ask him to marry it!" Wong finally burst out laughing. Hahahaha!"

Ming chuckled at Jugo "Well done, *sister* Jugo! When's the wedding? I claim the privilege of being first to bless you!"

Jugo snapped furiously: "**SILENCE! ** You mock me like this? You not only have the audacity to invade our home, but you have the nerve to think you've restored my manhood? "

Ming shot back, "You only ever gained my pity. He took Jugo's hand in his, "But I *will* save your honor."

Jugo accepted the grip. He then played drum and danced in front of Ming. Ming complied with the ritual — and he a man once more!

Jugo was busy roasting meat, but Wong's gaze shot upward and he did not move. An enormous **sign** appeared in the sky. He shouted: "What is that?! "

Only Jugo and Kaman recognized the **symbol** when the gang looked up. Their fury ignited. Jugo roared out: "**TSON OF A COHORE! ** King, you bastard! You would defile this symbol?! "

Ming demanded: "Explain!"

Jugo snarled: "That coat of arm was belong our ancestor – Great King Louis! It sanctifies this land! This is sacrilege!"

Ming hissed: "This is an outrage to our dignity... Filthy offspring of devil!"

"With Yusfar's name, I swear:I'll burn the people of Demon Mountain Official to the eternal hellfire!

Shen retorted: "That's not enough! Death would be mercy. We will torment them till their very hearts are reeking with despair!

Shuan cut in: "Guys, we need some kind of plan to get inside the city. What's the strategy?"

Ming replied, "Phase One: Gather intelligence as Yusfar has ordered. Phase 2: Murder a boy of a particular age and tell people there might be a serial killer to freak out the townsfolk. Suitable?"

Jugo nodded: "Decent plan … but if *we* get caught out before we even get going—" he indicated with his hands his own body and Ming, "—this becomes a nonstarter if King's prophet picks us up."

Ming ordered: "You shall all hide your abilities!

The group accepted, but when Wong said, "How do I hide mine?"

Jugo trained him. Seven hours afterward, they came in sight of the fort. They were stopped by guards: "What is your business!"

To this Jugo replied, "We wish to open a place of business in the city."

"Why choose Demon Mountain Official?" pressed a guard.

Jugo floundered a bit, but Ming smoothly picked up: "Sir, we only selected it for Lord King's safety—no safer location is to be found.

The guards relented: "Welcome to Demon Mountain Official!

When they arrived, they discovered that the shop was empty inside. "Annual rent?" Jugo asked the merchant.

"Twenty jewels," came the reply.

Jugo paid without bargaining.

He plopped down on a stool: "Finally, rest!"

Ming chuckled:"Bro, this is just the beginning…Later on when they bring us to Demon Mountain Official *holy shit* will come down on *hell upon* us."

To be continued