Ishin racked his brain for any recollection of the man before him. No one came to mind, puzzling him. He quickly examined the new arrival and found that the man was at the fourth layer of the Initial Realm—and, interestingly enough, was a blood cultivator. Now that Ishin was aware of it, he noticed the aroma of blood radiating off the stranger. No doubt it was the remnant of a technique.

  Looking at the corpse of the Iron Mantis member, Ishin couldn’t help but be impressed. He’s only a few years older than me and already at the fourth layer. Ishin couldn’t think of anyone in the Martial Hall of the Daihu Tribe who had achieved such a feat. Most stalled out upon reaching the third layer. And he killed that third layer cultivator like it was nothing.

  “Thanks for the assistance,” Ishin said after a moment of silence. He kept his spear ready. “Now who are you?”

  The mystery blood cultivator shook the blood off his spiked knuckles. “My name is Hou Lei, and I’d like to discuss an opportunity with you.” He turned back toward Yan and the remaining two Iron Mantis members. “Do you mind leaving us alone?”

  Grinding her teeth, Yan shouted, “You killed him!”

  “Yes,” Hou Lei said without remorse. “Now unless any of you wish to die as well, I suggest you leave.”

  Yan didn’t budge, fuming in place. Ishin saw that the two cultivators with her appeared uncertain, unsure of how to act.

  “He killed my brother. Why do you protect him?”

  “So many questions.” Hou Lei raised both arms, ready for a fight, and began to hop in place. “Either come fight me or leave.”

  “You didn’t—” Yan began, but Hou Lei cut her off sharply.

  “You have until I count to five.” Hou Lei stopped hopping, squaring off toward the group. “One.”

  “Let’s get out of here,” the light cultivator urged Yan, touching her shoulder.

  “Two.”

  “I can’t just let him get away,” Yan growled, shoving the arm off.

  “Three.”

  Now the earth cultivator spoke up. “We can come back later. With help.”

  “Four.”

  “Screw this,” the light cultivator said. He swung his club against the back of Yan’s head. The fire cultivator collapsed to the ground, unconscious. Without hesitation, the earth cultivator picked her up, slinging her motionless body over his shoulder.

  “We’re going,” the light cultivator quickly said to Hou Lei.

  Hou Lei lowered his arms. “A wise choice.” He made a shooing motion. “Off you go.”

  “Can we grab his body?” the earth cultivator asked before they could leave.

  “Sure,” Hou Lei said. “I understand that even bugs have family.”

  Ishin noticed a flash of anger cross the man’s face, but he wisely said nothing. The light cultivator retrieved their comrade’s body. Ishin could see the sorrow in the Mantis’s eyes as he hauled the corpse over his shoulder.

  They came to get vengeance for one killed comrade only to lose another.

  As the pair finally departed, bodies in tow, Ishin lowered his spear and resumed using it as a walking stick. His body felt so tired.

  Hou Lei pivoted to face him, noting the dropped guard. “Not afraid I’ll attack you?” He made a few phantom punches in the air.

  “You said you wouldn’t let me die until we talked,” Ishin replied, unconcerned. “Plus, I saw you just now. In my current state, I couldn’t stop you from killing me if you wanted to.”

  Hou Lei lowered his arms and began removing the steel-spiked knuckles from his hands. “Unless you use that lightning technique of yours, you mean?”

  Uh huh. “You saw that?”

  “I did,” Hou Lei replied, nodding. “An Initial Realm lightning cultivator is rare.”

  “More rare than a blood cultivator?”

  “Absolutely.”

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Ishin let out a sigh. “Is that what you wanted to talk about? My cultivation aspect?”

  “Not only that.” Hou Lei walked toward him but stopped eight feet away. “I also saw your second fight at the Dueling Pit.” He tilted his head toward the alley. “I thought you were done for. Outclassed by—well, her.” He looked back to Ishin. “But then you threw your spear into her and won the fight. It was quite the spectacle.”

  “So much so that I almost got killed for it… twice.”

  “The risks of walking a martial-focused Immortal Path,” Hou Lei laughed. “That is your pursuit, right?” He glanced at Ishin’s blood-coated spear. “Following the Dao of the Spear, I take it?”

  “I… am.” In truth, Ishin hadn’t even considered his Dao yet. All cultivators walked a unique Immortal Path, shaped by the Daos they pursued. For years, Ishin had desired nothing more than to pursue the Spear Dao, only to be denied due to his spiritual crippling. No, Ishin realized, denied because of my cursed bloodline. Now, there was nothing to stop him from following it. And follow it he would.

  “And from those scars on your face,” Hou Lei said while sliding his fingers across his own cheek in imitation, “I take it you’ve experienced a few battles outside of the Dueling Pit?”

  “Sun Tiger,” Ishin replied, answering the unspoken question. He was really starting to hate those scars.

  “Sun Tiger?” Hou Lei asked with genuine surprise. “I thought you were going to say azure sky wolves, but a Sun Tiger?” He looked over Ishin again. “Your clothes… you’re not from here, are you? Not this city or even one of the surrounding villages.”

  Ishin was beginning to tire of the questions. “I’m from the Nine Striped Hills. Specifically, the Daihu Tribe—if you’ve ever heard of them.” He tugged at the fabric of his robes. “These I brought from home, and let’s just say it was a long journey.”

  “Nine Striped Hills, huh.” Hou Lei nodded. “Can’t say I’ve ever been. Never heard of your tribe, either.” After a pause, he asked, “Did you come here alone?”

  “My guide left already. I’m here alone now, and frankly, just trying to get by.” Ishin leaned harder on his spear. “Do you have anything more specific you want to talk about, or can I get on my way?”

  Hou Lei rubbed the back of his head. “Right. Fair enough. How about I buy you a bite to eat? Or we can head to wherever you’re staying to sit down.”

  At least he understands I’m tired. Ishin’s eyes moved to the bloodstain on the street where the Iron Mantis had fallen. “Before that…why did you kill them? You’re both residents of the same city.”

  Hou Lei followed his gaze, then chuckled. “The scum of the Western Quarter are not like the rest of us. They’re more like bugs than anything else. You shouldn’t worry about squeeshing bugs from time to time.”

  Ishin stared at him incredulously. When Hou Lei didn’t say anything else, a dark realization sank in.

  He’s serious.

  That was… problematic. On the one hand, Ishin was grateful Hou Lei had likely saved his life. On the other, Hou Lei seemed a little off to him.

  Eventually, Ishin realized his options were limited and began to limp forward. “Follow me. The inn I’m staying at isn’t far.”

  The two made it to the Traveler’s Abode before long. Upon entering, the old innkeeper, in her usual spot, exclaimed, “What in the heavens happened to you? You look like you spent all day getting the shit kicked out of you.” Her eyes moved to his spear tip. “And I hope you’re not planning to bring that disgusting thing in here.”

  Ishin sighed and pushed off the weapon. “Yes, I’m sorry. Do you know where I can clean this?”

  “Who do I look like, your mother? Figure it out yourself. But don’t come back until it’s clean.” She took a sniff. “You reek of blood yourself. Go wash up before you enter the dining hall. I don’t want your stench scaring off the other customers.”

  Ishin glanced at the sparsely populated hall. Maybe eight people were seated at the tables. “Right. Is there a bathhouse nearby or—”

  “I told you—I’m not your mother. Find a bath yourself.”

  Before Ishin could speak again, Hou Lei stepped forward and pulled out a coin purse. “Honored matron, how much would it cost for one of your staff to clean the spear and draw a bath for my friend here? Surely such facilities exist somewhere in this establishment.”

  She squinted at Hou Lei. “Friend, huh.” Her eyes moved to the coin purse. “He reeks something awful and that spear’s disgusting. One silver for both.”

  That was cheaper than Ishin expected, but still beyond his means. Not beyond Hou Lei’s, apparently. The blood cultivator pulled out a silver tael and handed it over. “May we get some food before his bath? I have business to discuss with…” He glanced at Ishin.

  “Ro Ishin,” Ishin supplied.

  “Ro Ishin,” Hou Lei finished.

  “Six more coppers,” the innkeeper demanded. “He may have paid for food already, but it ain’t free just because you’re his friend.”

  Hou Lei chuckled. “Fair enough.” He fished out the coppers.

  “Bath in an hour, behind those doors,” the innkeeper said, pointing. “Sit at an empty table.”

  “My thanks, matron.” Hou Lei walked into the dining hall. Ishin handed over the spear, which the innkeeper took with a look of disgust, and followed.

  The food tonight was lukewarm rice, sliced chicken, and some red and yellow squash Ishin couldn’t identify. Lackluster as always, but he devoured it with a hunger he hadn’t felt in days.

  “Truly only the finest fare in the Western Quarter,” Hou Lei said sarcastically, twirling his spoon over the bowl in mock reverence.

  Ishin took a drink from his clay mug. “Not from the Western Quarter?”

  “No, I’m not,” Hou Lei chuckled. He pushed his food aside. “But I enjoy going to the Dueling Pit. You can’t find that kind of savagery in the rest of the city. At least, not so legally.”

  Ishin chewed another mouthful, savoring the bland taste. Funny how a fight makes even bad food taste incredible.

  “Alright,” he said at last. “We’re here, I’m full, and you’ve paid for the first bath I’ve had in a week. Tell me what it is you want to discuss.”

  Hou Lei’s eyes lit with excitement.

  “Have you heard about Yellow Dome City’s annual Exhibition Tournament?”