n

n

nSeeing his movement, although she seems to think it would be useless against her, she raises her right arm as if to counter it, while throwing her left fist at his abdomen.

nYueliangs' arm came slashing down swiftly feeling as if there was nothing to slow his movements, while he then twisting his body, dodges the punch partially feeling it brush past him. His chi coated hand cuts half way into lady Qings arm.

nQing lets out a sharp cry of pain.

"Aaagh.

" However brief it may have been, she prepared her next attack while this time one could feel the killing intent emanating from off of her body.

nYueliang gets kicked in the ribs causing him to slide a few meters to his left as he tries to block with his right arm after pulling his hand from her arm.

n

"Okay, stop.

" Qing says using her left hand to hold her right, saying.

"I admit, you are much stronger than I thought. Either way, now I have a new battle scar and broken bone, thank you.

"

n

"You are thanking me for giving you a scar? I thought women normally hate that.

" Yueliang said while thinking. 'Is this woman an anomaly, or do these people see their scars as a badge of honor?'

n*Clap, Clap, Clap

nClapping resounds throughout the area as the battle ends, but quickly dies down as one person still clapping walks into the ring of people surrounding the two combatants.

nStopping his clapping the mystery man says.

"That was a good fight, quite surprising actually. It is not everyday that one sees an outsider that can fight on equal terms with our physical training experts without even using magic. Tell me stranger, what is your name, and what brings you here.

"

nSeeing this strange man that everyone seems to be completely serious around Yueliang says.

"While it is customary where I come from to introduce yourself first, I am guessing you are the king of these people, am I right?

"

n

"Hmm, quite observant of you, but fortunately for you, you happen to be wrong. Being rude to one who is above you will certainly get you killed one of these times. Either way, I am the kings steward Guntram.

" Guntram spake aloud.

n

"Well, I am Yueliang pleased to meet you. To answer your earlier question however, I have come to speak with you king, as this matter involves him. Of course, you need not worry, this deal will certainly benefit your people as well as mine.

" Yueliang replied.

n

"That is still up for debate, take your tiger, and we shall go. The rest of you get back to what you are doing, except for the group that brought them here, you are coming as well.

"

nHearing this number 1 came forward and asks.

"Pardon my interruption, however I thought we were not going to see the king until tomorrow morning.

"

n

"Well consider it an honor you are going at all. Upon hearing we had a guest, the king was intrigued and rather than wait, he wanted to meet them. So hurry along we happened to have some free time otherwise he would have had to wait until tomorrow morning.

" Guntram answered feeling a little annoyed that they have not already left yet.

nThe group, the tiger, and Yueliang all start to leave, following the kings steward. While they were walking Yueliang says.

"Number 1, to pay you back here you are. Do not try saying I am one who does not pay my debts, there is also a little extra for your troubles.

" Yueliang tosses a small bag of coins.

nWithout even looking, Number 1 caught the bag as Yueliang threw it behind him and straight towards his face by 'chance'. Just by feeling the weight he could tell the rough estimate, but looked and to his surprise he saw 25 Large Gold Coins. He smiled and just continued onward not saying a thing.

n

"Shen Hu, do you mind if I ride you the rest of the way? I am still in a bit of pain from that fight just a few moments ago.

" Yueliang used soul communication to ask.

n

"Go ahead.

" Shen Hu roars lightly.

nThe group still walking continues for about 30 minutes going up and down different roads until a large Villa came into sight made of some type of metal that looked similar to marble. At the same time having a beautiful design around it of teal colored what appeared to be glass.

nAs they walk towards it they see beautiful gardens, statues, and even water fountains. Seeing all of this beauty Yueliang breaks the silence asking.

"Why is there such beauty here, yet the rest of the town looks like it was either carved out of a mountain, or dwarves live there? I mean I get the royalty factor and all, but why not make their domain beautiful as well?

"

nGuntram answers without even looking back.

"While it is not so much because of nobility, it is actually because too many fights happen among the commoners. Thus having gotten exhausted trying to find the money to repair every thing 24

/ 7 we just decided to let things become the way they are now. It saves us money, and is easier to repair, however that does not mean we do not have areas that maintain their beauty, we just keep them away from the fighting areas.

"

n

"If you are so worried about that, why not designate fighting areas, or make arenas? Then not only will you not have to do constant repairs, you could also charge a small fee. Then if the fights are as common as you say, you would earn a fortune fast. At the same time, you could make it illegal to fight outside of those places unless certain conditions are met such as if there is an attack on the city or a war. You get the point.

" Yueliang explains.

n

"That is a great idea, however do you really think we have not thought of it?

" Guntram asks.

n

"I guess that is true, oh well, there are ways to ensure it, but I guess it does not mater.

" Yueliang shrugs as he finishes speaking and arrives on the steps to enter the villa.

nGuntram turns around as he stops and says right before the doorway.

"Alright everyone, make sure you are quite and do not speak unless spoken to. Do not touch anything, as there are some dangerous items and what not in here. Thus make sure to follow where I walk to the best of your abilities lest you lose your head or something.

"

nEveryone just nods, as if this was normal, except for Yueliang who just nods while thinking. 'Seriously, you entrap your house. I guess considering how suspicious they are of out siders it makes sense.'

nSeeing that everyone understood, Guntram turns back around and opens the tall metal doors creating a wooshing sound. They all begin walking in following single file as exactly as possible in the footsteps of the one leading them, turning left, up, right, left, down, down some more, right, ....

nWhile there were many paths along this hall, the entire place was like a maze. Each and every path looks almost exactly the same except for decorations all around. Either way, if one looks at it, instead of feeling frustrated, tired, or something else, one feels happy and calm, as if on a peaceful river slowly floating down stream with beauty on all sides. It was teal glass on the upper half of the walls like a sky almost, then dark shiny maple plank flooring and half way up the walls.

nThere are dark maple chairs, and end tables with decorations up and down the halls. Servants, maids, cooks, and more roam the halls. The light source was as if it came from the glass. The stairs were a beautiful white marble with grey natural patterns.

nAfter a while of roaming the halls, and being stopped because of people coming up to the steward to sign documents and deal with matters, the group finally made it to Throne room. The floors and half up the walls a grey stone square patterned tiles, with red and gold designs on the upper half while the ceiling is made of the grey stone square tiles as well. There were long tables and chairs made of stone with celtic designs on the edges on either side with pillars near the walls.

nThey could see a few round decorated fire pits as well as if for long meetings and such, if it got cold. A throne at the end of the hall with a grey metal desk with light blue designs before it as if to protect the king whilst he works. Flaming torches decorated the walls and lit the room. A few windows on either side of the room but none near the king. However there were deep purple drapes behind him and his throne.

nThe group finally arrived towards the end of the throne room, and everyone knelt before the king except for Yueliang and Shen Hu who follows his master. Seeing this the guards in the room ready their spears, and the king sitting on his throne without even looking at the group and just focusing on his paper work says in a nonchalant voice.

"At ease, and arise. Guntram, you know what to do.

"

n------

n1. Guntram - means war raven (will explain more later)

n2. teal - a light bluish color

nShould you not know any other words, please look them up. Anyways, thank you for all of your support. Please continue to support, vote, comment, and share this novel. You all are making my dream of becoming an author come true, thank you so much, and I love you all.

n