Beast Tamer

Chapter 6

The sun has started to set, a glowing crisp circle in the bloody sky, partially shielded behind some sloping mountains which edges seem to fade in the afterglow of the glorious sunset, illuminating the lands with the warm colors of dusk. Amongst the various hues of the horizon, a horde of flying figures came through the crimson, peach and gold dyed clouds. Their robes fluttered against the blowing wind as they steadily made their descent from the skies which was akin to that of dignified deities coming to shake the world out of its stupor.

In the face of their majestic appearance, the guards standing in front of the floating Jade city's gates unconsciously straightened their backs and adopted a respectful attitude to welcome them.

"Greetings esteemed seniors, welcome to the floating jade city." Said one the guards courteously.

Elder Li Qiang and elder Chenweng Lui nodded briefly and carried on their way through the city gates, unperturbed by the envy of other travelers who had to wait hours in line to go in.

Li Jun was at the back of the group, trying to minimize his presence and keep up with the rest as to not hinder them. He figured that this city will be their stop for the night, where they could feed and sleep, then carry on their way to the sect first thing in the morning. He was very curious to see how a city in an ancient cultivation based world would look like, but tried his best to contain his excitement to avoid suspicions.

Just as he was about to walk through the gates, the guard blocked his way with his sturdy physique, arms folded and a hellishly mean glare on his face.

"Step back" he ordered.

Li Jun stopped in his tracks and confusingly looked up at the guard not advancing but not retreating either, an action that succeeded in pissing the man off even further making him reach his overly muscular arm to push the youth back.

Li Jun's alarm bells rang predicting imminent danger, without a thought, he dodged the arm that almost reached his shoulder, grabbed the guard's wrist and twisted it at a very unnatural angle causing the eerie sound of bones cracking to echo in the surroundings.

The victim's expression froze over, mind blanked still not registering what had happened. The sound of gasps finally brought him out of his chock enough for the immeasurable pain to kick in, forcing a piercing scream to tear through his throat like a great shard of glass. The kind of scream that makes one's blood run cold.

Everyone looked on unbelievingly at the youth's action. The elders and disciples ahead looked back to find Li Jun standing still, looking down at the guard who has fallen to his knees, face closed in a grimace, pale and sweaty. he was cradling his broken arm, his pants and whimpers speak volumes on behalf of his aggrieved self.

The other guards finally reacted, they unsheathed their swords and surrounded Li Jun, stance ready for battle. Li Jun knows that if he were to fight them now and cause trouble, he might not be permitted to enter the city. They might even blacklist him or even worse capture him.

Faced with the rigid, cold and accusing stares, Li Jun felt nervous and guilty. It was really his survival instinct that took over him. He had no way of knowing that the guard didn't actually mean to harm him. He brought the sleeping Bai Hu closer to himself seeking comfort. The little feline groggily rubbed its cheek on the youth's chest, shifted to a more comfortable position and started lightly snoring once more.

Li Jun really wanted to cry. Not even his contracted beast is willing to give him face today!

Zhang Wei hurried next to him, pointing his icy cold sword towards the guards. His coal black eyes drilling into their figures holding nothing but an endless depth of ink; one that promises of pain and suffering making them unconsciously step back. He then looked at the guard on the ground, his onyx eyes lit up in purple flare for a second then turned back to normal the next.

No one knew what happened, but the injured guard stated shivering like a fallen leaf. Elder Li Qiang stared at Zhang Wei meaningfully, then moved in between him and the poor guard, squatted down to his level and asked:

"why did you stop him from entering?"

"He wasn't wearing your sect's robes, I assumed he wanted to tag alongside your other disciples to escape paying the entry fee" answered the guard gritting his teeth in anger. How was he to assume that he was with them?

Elder Li Qiang sighed, threw the words: "pay up and follow" over his shoulder then left leading the other disciples away.

Li Jun looked at the guard apologetically, then turned to the one closest to him and asked: "how much?"

Feeling indignant on behalf of his fellow comrade, the guard that was just addressed wanted to rip off Li Jun and was going to ask for double the usual fee, but feeling Zhang Wei's glare on his figure as if he saw right through his intentions, all unnecessary thoughts were thrown out the window.

"five gold" he responded.

Li Jun nodded, brought 5 gold out of the space ring and handed them to the guard, feeling relieved to have some money on him. He kept thanking the dead scholar in his heart.

Once the payment was over, Zhang Wei on the side took Li Jun's hand in his and started dragging him away, but the latter halted in his steps, turned around and cautiously walked to the injured scholar. He hunched over and left a small jade box on the ground in front of him then took off running like a kid avoiding a scolding.

Zhang Wei smiled warmly at the adorable actions of his. He's really unsure if he can meet anyone as precious in this world. He soon followed, catching up to the fool who unknowingly headed to the wrong direction.

The guard stared dumbly at the box in front of him. It was quite small but the white jade looked delicate enough to beak if he were to so much as breathe. Translucently pure white in color with an exquisite crown intricately carved on the lid; a design he knew all too well. He carefully extended his uninjured hand that kept shaking and slowly opened the box. what he found within almost made him squeal in giddiness. It was a high grade rejuvenating pill!

The strong medicinal aroma seeped to everyone's noses and they all stared shocked at the lucky man whose vigor seemed to be restored from excitement. The generous youth actually apologized with a high-grade pill! 'Hey brother, come hit us too won't you?' cried the rest of the guards in their hearts looking in the direction of Li Jun's disappearing figure.

The pill, of course, belonged to the dead scholar, and Li Jun himself knew how expensive it is, but he still gave it away out of guilt for harming the man, wishing for it to heal his injury. The guard though will be a fool to use it on himself. He was but a mere guard, after all, even a low grade rejuvenating pill or a healing elixir will do just fine for his injury, so why would he willingly waste the treasure when even if left alone, his arm could heal in the span of a couple of days. He hurriedly changed shifts with another guard and went to sell it straight away thanking the heavens in his heart not just for the pill, but for keeping his meager life after offending a royalty. If word were to spread of his actions, he'll be shunned for life.

The labeled royalty that is Li Jun was leisurely strolling around, awed at the hustle and bustle of the floating jade city. It was a very weird sensation to be in such a crowded place after so long of solitude. The noise, the chatter, the calls of street vendors, the laughter of running kids, the clapping at the end of a queer performance, the breaking of a teacup and the start of a fight, the cry of a baby, the brawls, the jeers, and catcalls. The sounds of life were all around him. It was so overwhelming, he was happy and scared. Li Jun just stood rooted in place and didn't know where to go or what to do. It wasn't just a feeling of momentary loss, no. he wanted to leave the dimension for so long but it's only now that he realized he has no home anymore. It made him really want to cry.

Zhang Wei caught up to him in no time only to find him looking around like an abandoned puppy. His heart ached at the sight of him and without a second thought, he went to his side and took his hand.

"I'm here," he said warmly.

The warmth of the hand tightly clasping his own seeped to his heart, easing its worries, and Li Jun relaxed at the feeling of security he felt.

En, for now, this man can be his home.