Villain Path

Chapter 69. Family ties

Shen with a travel bag slung over his shoulder, left the hospital of the Peak of Milky Clouds, where he went in the morning for a bandage. The sun had only risen an hour ago, which by the standards of the Lord of the Peak of Black Lotus was an unseasonable early hour, although it was still quite late in the autumn. He yawned and shivered. So, healer Zag gave him a first-aid kit, he had packed his things yesterday, mostly taking only money with him. (He decided to go in a red outfit, and buy a change of clothes in the capital.) It remained only to get to the Peak of Lurking Wind where Al and general Shuer were supposed to be waiting for him.

Not only were the two of them waiting by the harnessed carriage, but also Annis. How she found out about the upcoming trip was left unclear to Shen but since she had come, he wasn't going to turn her away.

He was much more interested in the fact that he could not see Muan anywhere, although Shen exactly told him yesterday at what time they'll be leaving. Actually, he was about seventy percent sure that Muan would want to go with them. Okay, he was wrong, but the fact that he won't even come to say goodbye before the long journey? Somehow it even hurts a little.

Al and Annis waiting at a distance from the general Ir, ran up to Shen and greeted him. Annis immediately, like nightingale began to sing about how she adores the capital, and Al was tensely silent with his eyes downcast.

Shen approached his brother.

"Great general, let me introduce you to my personal disciples: Se Annis and Al Luar."

"Greetings to the great general!" they Immediately bowed.

Shuer nodded back at them grandly.

"Well, there's a long road ahead," he said. "But I'm sure the disciples of Lord Shen won't be a burden to us."

They bowed once more to the general and saddled their horses (specially allocated by Shian, Shen appreciated this generosity).

"Well, let's go," Shuer opened the carriage door and motioned for the Lord of Cursed to Peak come in. "The sooner we leave - the more we can pass before dark."

Shen nodded in agreement. After taking another look at the surrounding area, still not seeing any belated mourners, he sighed and slid inside the carriage.

"Move on!" Shuer ordered and hopped on the running board, jumping in after Shen.

The road from the Peak of Lurking Wind seemed long and tedious, Shen had forgotten that he had once ridden it in a carriage the driver of which was Muan. Then he was distracted by a detailed study of the interior decoration and teasing over Lord Muan and the way down the mountain didn't stick in his memory at all. Now the carriage was moving slowly forward, the road winding now and then, the window was showing him the slope of the mountain and tops of the trees.

"How long it'll take to the capital?" Shen asked, turning away from the view that had become depressing.

"If we're lucky, we'll make it in five days," Shuer replied, sitting in front of him.

Shen yawned moodily. Five days in a carriage is so terribly boring. In the old days, it would have taken him no more than a day and a half to cross this path on a sword. The old days...

At the foot of the mountain, after breaking the barrier, the carriage Ir Shuer and his accompanying guards and Shen's disciples met with the rest of the crew. It turns out that about a dozen of the great general's personal guards were waiting below.

Shen leaned out of the window and looked around once more.

He must have been an idiot to think he could see Muan here. Muan. This made him quite angry. If Muan didn't even think it necessary to say goodbye to him, so why does it bother him? But he was genuinely sure that Muan who had been tracking him lately and this time will not leave him without attention. But apparently, it was too self-confident to believe so.