Call On Me

5

"Qing-Jie, I don't excuse his behavior but he's Lan Zhan's brother. He was just being protective," I said.

"That Lan strength is no joke A'Ying, it caused some serious internal damage just from that one shove. You can't handle such things anymore," Qing-Jie said.

"Well it's morning and I have to meet with them again. Put your mask on and demand compensation yourself," I told her.

"I will," she said and did just that.

I grinned and put my mask on and followed her out. Since forming this village, we have a place just for visiting sects and other prominent figures. The three sects that came were waiting there, "good morning," I greeted and looked at Zewu Jun, "you might want to be careful, my head healer is here and she is a feisty one."

"Leader San, I apologize for my behavior last night," Zewu Jun said.

"Deliberate or not, you harmed my patient!" Wen Qing spat, "as he has a weaker foundation, you caused some serious internal damage that is going to take a few weeks to heal compared to the average cultivator!"

"Is there something I can do to appease you?" He asked.

"Compensation," Wen Qing said, "I need to buy the right medicine just to treat him."

"Very well," Zewu Jun agreed.

I glanced at Lan Zhan and he was just frowning. I was just enjoying the show. I then walked over to him, "I apologize if I offended you yesterday, Hanguang Jun," I said.

"No need, not offended," Lan Zhan said.

"Very well," I said and turned to the others, "I will have to speak with my fighters but they are not that experienced. I don't want to send them out if they are not ready for such a task. We have aided in sending medical supplies which is all we can do. We are not a large sect and we do not have gold and silver lining our pockets to spare a lot more. Like other smaller sects, they stay out of the war to avoid being caught in what they can't handled. I am doing the same for the sack of my people. Do not expect much of us if we do not have people to spare."

"We understand," Chifeng Zun said, "we appreciate you at least having the time to speak with us. Your aid has already been helpful."

I nodded and looked at Qing-Jie, "what do you think?" I asked her.

"We have maybe enough to send one more bundle off with them but that leaves us and Tanzhou vulnerable for a few weeks. Maybe even a couple months," she said, "some medical herbs are hard to grow in this area."

"If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask," Lan Zhan said.

"Since when does Hanguang Jun speak so much?" Sect Leader Jiang asked, "What is it about this leader that appeals you? He is being selfish and not helping us fight."

"How is lending medicine selfish?" Wen Qing asked suddenly, "if not for our supplies sent to you, how many more people would you have lost? We did not have to help out at all but it was our leader who suggested we at least give you medical aid. How are we selfish for not having strong fighters like the other prominent sects? Or are you looking down on those lesser than you?"

Sect leader Jiang scowled, "those supplies help, but any man who can fight and willing to fight against Wen Ruohan should."

"Even if they are not cultivators?" I asked.

"Why not, even a normal citizen can wield a sword as long as it's not spiritual," Sect Leader Jiang said.

"Oh, and how would you know that?" I asked, "oh right, Wei Ying told me about you. He gave up his life for you and you are able to cultivate again. If not for him, you would be sulking away like a baby."

I could hear the familiar sound of sizzling. Zidian was sparking on his hand, "how do you know such things?" He asked.

"Wei Ying has been here for a while. He told me what happened to you and your sect. He took the blame for everything, but little did you know that everything that happened in Lotus Pier was well planned and coordinated. How else would they know about the weakness in the barriers and know exactly who to attack and when?" I told him, "do you think Lotus Pier was invincible that it wouldn't be attacked even if Wei Ying didn't anger Wen Chao first? He probably just sped up the timeframe. It gave them an excuse to attack. Wei Ying was not the reason your sect was attacked and I can guarantee you, someone must have betrayed you."

"Jiang Cheng, what is he talking about?" Shijie asked him, "did you blame A'Xian for the death of our sect? Of our parents? Why?!"

"Everything about him is trouble! Everywhere he goes trouble follows. He was kicked out of Cloud Recesses three months early because he was too naughty. Mother was right about him all along, he would have brought disaster to our sect eventually and look what happened when he angered Wen Chao!" Sect Leader Jiang shouted at her.

"Do you value your life, Sect Leader Jiang?" I asked. I had my hands clasped behind my back and needled at the ready. Wen Qing taught me how to use needles as a defense mechanism and I managed to turn them more into a useful weapon. I came up with a toxin that caused the person to become paralyzed in just seconds and the effects last for twenty-four hours.

"Are you challenging me?" He asked as zidian sizzled more in his hand.

"You are not much of a threat to me, Sect Leader Jiang. I may be weaker than most, but I am still quite strong," I said to him, "if you wish to fight, I guarantee you, you will lose."

"Then fight me, and if I win, you will help us," he said.

"And if I win, the Jiang Sect will not have any form of support or protection from San Bao," I said.

"Good," he said and charged towards me.

I could see in Lan Zhan's eyes that he was worried. Everyone was except for Wen Qing, A'Ning, who was with us, and myself. Once he was in range, I made my move. The needles shot out of my palm and pierced Sect Leader Jiang's neck. He immediately stopped and collapsed to the floor. Being paralyzed, he couldn't even speak but he was very much awake.

I knelt beside him and removed the needle, "you loose, Sect Leader Jiang, the others are free to stay but once you recover from the side effects of this needle you are to leave," I said and stood up. I looked at Jiang Yanli, "I will tell him that you miss him."

"Thank you, I also apologize on behalf of my brother and the sect," she said and bowed.

I stopped her, "no need, as long as he doesn't appear here, everything will be fine. You though, I can tell are innocent in this matter. If you really want to, I can see if Wei Ying is willing to meet you."

She smiled at me and nodded. The others were a bit nervous around me now as they didn't want to have a taste of my needles. Lan Zhan was not though, he seemed rather amused about what just happened. I don't blame him, it was quite funny.