Legend of The Young Master

Chapter 223: Meeting The King

Zhen nodded at Wuyi's orders and then spoke. "Just for the sake of conversation," he said, "we could take over the fortress." His smile was transparently empty of guile, like a boy who has just thrown a rock at a hornet's nest and remains unrepentant.

Wuyi nodded. "We could. Hold it for ransom. Sell it to the highest bidder." He sounded wistful. "We could be the baddest. The Warriors of Ill-Repute.

Rich. Feared." He shrugged. "This would not achieve the goal I am looking for. Here, we have the opportunity to get the approval of the brotherhood and the king's recommendation."

Zhen nodded. "'About time, Young Master."

"Stow those thoughts, Zhen," Wuyi said. He turned his horse's head, backed his horse a few steps, and looked at the archer commanding the gate. "Open it," he called. "And the Bridge Gate." He turned back to Zhen. "Don't forget to bring healers," he said.

Haoran joined them, mounted on an old horse that had seen better days.

"Sorry about the horse," Wuyi said. "I'm Young Master Black who has taken the defense of the fort."

"That's your name?" asked Haoran. "I'm Haoran."

"You know the Royal Guard?" Wuyi asked.

Haoran shook his head. "I am guarding the princess."

Wuyi nodded and said, "Let's go find the king."

"Yes," Haoran answered. "Do you know him? The king?"

"What a very interesting question," Wuyi answered. "No. Not exactly."

Jia followed them, and their horses' hooves rang as they crossed the bridge. In the middle, Wuyi reached and produced a key – intricate, beautiful, and apparently solid gold. He leaned out – groaning at the pressure on the muscles of his back and neck – ever since he had entered the fortress, he was always tired and exhausted.

He fitted the key into the great gate, turned it,the array activated and the gate vanished.

"Nice trick," muttered Haoran.

✶ ✶ ✶

The king on the opposite side was collecting his guardsmen and the warriors of his vanguard – the vanguard had lost fifty Qi Warriors and as many normal warriors. The men were exhausted already, and the morning was young. Two of his leading noblemen were dead – both Wang Guozhi, Priest of Liangcheng, and his royal guard leader had gone down in the first fighting.

Li Xian also had taken a mortal wound defending the king and was dying.

His attendants were coming up with the horses and the special stone throwers of war were grinding along – healers were searching among the wounded for those who could be saved, and his huntsmen, who had swept east to guard the flank of the onslaught of the vanguard, were trickling in.

They, too, had lost men fighting monsters in the woods by the river – nor had they been victorious, by all accounts. The wild creatures had burst through them and run off east. They had lost sixty men. Good men. Trained men.

It was hardly the great victory he sought. He had been ambushed and his column had survived. That was all.

"Some messengers are arriving, My Lord. From across the river," called a warrior.

The king looked north and saw them – three men crossing the bridge at a fast canter.

"Sound the rally," the king said.

More and more of his Royal Huntsmen were emerging from the west, moving warily.

The Lord of the Borders, Tao Wen, rode up and saluted. "My warrior group is half an hour behind me with the main battle," he reported. The man slumped. "By heavens, my lord, that was the hardest fighting I ever need to see."

"The warriors say there are Swamplings across the river," the king noted.

"Swamplings?" Tao Wen shook his head. "Not just swamplings.I struck a blow at a flying serpent this morning, my lord. This is the Demonic Wild, my lord, fighting for its life."

"I thought the Demonic Wild was beaten," said the king.

Tao Wen shook his head.

"What has happened to the Wall Castles? Where is Yuanjing's heir who was offended by foreigners? Whats the report" King spoke.

The king's master huntsman, Huntsman Feusi, bowed respectfully. "Some forts have survived, my lords. But many were destroyed. This is from the east. I see demonics – Swamplings – across the river, and some huntsmen who claim to have faced massive Dusha in the low ground west of the road. Kwimok's come from the southeast, my lords."

The king sighed and looked back at the approaching messengers. They weren't messengers – all three were in Qi armor, on war horses, and the third—

"That's Haoran, or I have no doubt that's Haoran." The king turned his horse and rode towards the approaching trio.

Haoran waved. The king had eyes only for him, and they rode together and embraced.

"By all the heavens, Haoran – I never expected to greet you on a stricken field!" The king laughed. "How is your fortune? I thought you already left my daughter's protection duty to move around the empire."

Haoran looked away. "Sigh," he said, and a shadow touched his face. "I'll tell you when we've time, my lord. These warriors, now, they seek to have word with you. This is Young Master Black of the group that holds the fort for the lotus pavilion. And his apprentice and attendant, Jia."

The king looked at the warrior – a man of middling height with black hair and some black circles under his eyes – absurdly young to be any kind of leader, but wearing superb armor.

"Young Man?" he said.

The young man was staring at him. Then, as if remembering his manners, the young man bowed in the saddle. "My lord," he said.

"You hold the fortress?" the king asked eagerly.

"The fortress and the Bridge Castle," Wuyi replied.

The king thought there was something familiar about the young man's face, but he couldn't quite place it. Something—

"My lord, if you would bring your forces across, I believe we can relieve the fortress and evacuate the villagers – and leave the enemy facing a newly victualled and garrisoned fortress they cannot hope to take without the loss of another man." Wuyi was speaking quickly, and his eyes were on the far wood line. "The enemy – your father's advisor, or so they say – has made a number of errors.

Not the least of which has been his consistent underestimation of our side's intelligence. I believe he intends one more all-out attack, to attempt to restore his fortunes through the heroic exertions of his allies." Wuyi smiled crookedly. "I built a trench line twenty days ago for just this moment, my lord.

If you would place your archers in that trench, and gather your warriors behind the Bridge Castle, I believe we can hand this arrogant demonic lord a heavy defeat."

"Might I have your name, Young Man?" the king asked. The plan was solid – the young man had a head on his shoulders, and his pure noble speech made him one of the noble household members.

The young man drew himself up straight on his horse. "Men call me the Young Black or Young Master Black, my lord," he said.

The king nodded and then turned to Tao Wen. "Will you take the head of the Royal Guard place? Command the Royal Guard help the young leader? And where is Li Zhuang? He must have the command of the vanguard now, eh?"

Tao Wen turned to Wuyi. "How many warriors do you have, Young Master Black?"

"Around sixty – and the Warriors of the Lotus Order. And several hundred very able warriors, trained from merchants and farmers. And I have the pleasure of having the aid of the king's own advisor – Xilai." Wuyi bowed in his saddle again.

"Xilai is here?" the king asked. Suddenly, his day looked considerably brighter.

Wuyi looked away. "He has been a pillar of our defense," he said. "With my lord's leave, I must prepare to receive you."

The king smiled – such an odd young man. "We're right behind you. Go!"

Wuyi bowed, as did his attendant, and together they rode back across the bridge.

The king turned to Tao Wen. "He seems odd but able. Wouldn't you say?"

Tao Wen shrugged. "He's held this place for twenty days against demonics and their legions of Hell. Do you really care if he's odd?"

"He reminded me of someone," the king said. He glanced at Haoran, who had stayed with the command group. "You have something to say about our young warrior?"

Haoran shrugged. "No, my lord. About the Princess. She was struck – in the back – by an arrow. She is resting and doing well, in part thanks to the young fellow there. He used healing power."

"The Princess? The Princess is hurt!?" asked the king.

"She's now resting quietly – in the Bridge Castle. The young warrior sent for healers."

The king rose in his stirrups. "Attend me, guards. Let's go!"

Tao Wen was left with the Royal Staff, sitting on their horses in the dust stirred by the king's rapid departure. He shook his head. "A great warrior," he said, watching his king. He sighed. "Very well – warriors, attend me. The Royal Guards will cross the river first, followed by the Huntsmen and the Household.

In the second line of battle."