Chi had arisen even earlier than the Sol for her daily morning exercise. When Vincere awoke, the Sol had risen, shining with radiant. He was no longer grumbling that Chi was glad that he had forgotten his embarrassment. "Good morning, Chi. Let's have breakfast, hope it's not the beans or muesli again." They packed their belongings and headed to Kinma City to find any low-cost meal near the city. Before they entered the city, each one had a drop of transformation water and had their appearance transformed to those like Nuwa and Vertucour.
"Guess we will be eating here," said Chi, pointing to a food stall after they spent some time searching in the marketplace.
Out from nowhere, a shadow flashed before Chi, and her bag was snatched from her shoulder.
"Hey!" Chi turned her head – it was Zhu Ming, and he sprinted really fast. "It's him again." Chi sighed and began to sprint after him, followed by Vincere. "Theft!" They both ran and shouted, but no one seemed to care. Perhaps thievery always happened here.
Chi and Vincere raced behind Ming. Skywolf can bolt really fast, but they managed to follow behind… the duo chased Zhu Ming northward until they reached a vast field near a village farm.
Ming stopped.
Chi and Vincere began to slow their speed and stopped. Her breathing was slow and deep. She was controlling her breath as her abdomen expanding and contracting in an alternative. Vincere panted heavily, and he could not support himself well. Zhu Ming could able to control his breathing. After some time, he turned to face Chi and Vincere.
"Demoness and theft!" said Zhu Ming.
"How do you know we are here?" said Chi with a great shock and disbelieve.
"I'm a hunter and a skywolf, you remember?" said Zhu Ming, "I can track your scent and footpath."
"You're too observant for a hunter, aren't you?" said Vincere.
"Yes. I had brought new weapons with the reward when I turned you to the town guard, Chi." Zhu Ming jerked out his crossbow and attached the crossbow with long strips of ammunition. This is Zhuge-X, the latest automatic-reloading crossbow. It fires and reloads very fast and…"
"And what?" said Vincere.
"And say hello to my little friend!" And Zhu Ming launched a hail of bolts. But Chi and Vincere had already sprinted for cover.
Hail of bolts was chasing after them as Chi and Vincere were running. Swoosh and thudding as the bolts swept fast on-air and hit the ground. Though Vincere ran in the same direction, but Zhu Ming targeted only her. Perhaps she was Zhu Ming's only target for avenging the death of his skywolves' brethren. Chi realized the bolts were a little faster than the arrow and the best way to be alive is to keep running. After running for some time, she realised that running is not the best option that she decided to face Zhu Ming instead. While running, she concentrated energy on her right palm and hurled the mass of energy toward Zhu Ming… it hit Zhu Ming right on his chest. He flew backwards and landed many feet away. His crossbow broke his fall and landed with a crack.
"Good job, Chi!" said Vincere. He was so glad that Chi managed to handle Zhu Ming and stopped next to Chi.
Zhu Ming pulled himself up and triggered the crossbow but nothing come out. He triggered again with several clicks, back nothing comes out. "Rubbish!" And he threw away the broken machine and drew out two magnum guns. "These are MV-100. It fires faster than that junk crossbow… and prepare to die!" He aimed at Chi and Vincere and pulled the trigger… several bullets buzzing toward them.
The bullets were much swifter than the bolts… and Chi and Vincere had to run again. Luckily, there was a water tower for both Chi and Vincere to take cover. They both ran for it and hid from Zhu Ming. But Zhu Ming kept firing them, but the bullets hit the wooden tower support.
Thud, thud, thud…
The support cracked and broke… the water tank toppled – a large quantity of water poured down. It was unfortunate for Zhu Ming that the tank was about to fall on him. In split second thought, Chi swung the air before her so hard to push Zhu Ming away from the falling tank.
Zhu Ming was shoved several feet away from the falling tank. He lost his balance and tripped. Stunned for a moment, he managed to gain conscious that he pulled up and began to run with a bark, "I'll be back!"
"Give back my bag!" Chi said so loud that she startled Zhu Ming. She sprinted to follow Zhu Ming. When he turned to see Chi was running after him, he ran even faster. 'Stop' was the word Chi said while pursuing Zhu Ming.
Vincere followed Chi and they pursuit Zhu Ming. Zhu Ming occasional turned to look behind, and every time he turned, he got more alarmed. Chi and Vincere followed Zu Ming southward, back to the city, passing through the citizens. He seemed wanted to make Chi and Vincere lost him in the crowd but Chi and Vincere eventually gaining closer on him. Until they reached a crowded city centre and the commotion was loud with cheering and yelling.
Zhu Ming had led them to a tourney, and he leapt onto the stage where the two competitors were fighting. The competitors, which were boarman and wolfman, all looked dumbfounded at the three newcomers. "Help, they want to kill me!" said Zhu Ming as he pointed to Chi and Vincere. He wanted the fighters to handle Chi and Vincere so that he might have a chance to escape. Now Chi and Vincere had to face the fighters. The fighters were sweaty that their muscular bodies were glimmering under the Sol.
Chi and Vincere were breathless to say anything to their defence. "He… stole… my… belongings…" But no one seemed to hear what she had spoken.
"She's a demoness! And the thief!" The citizen below shouted.
A yell of panic followed. Chi felt weird, and when she examined her face with her hands, she realised her face now was her original face. When she turned to look at Vincere, his face had reverted to his own. Zhu Ming grinned, and he threw her bag on the stage. It was clear to them that this was Zhu Ming's plan to trap them. Of course, Zhu Ming knew everything about them, including Chi's transformation liquid. Quite unfortunate to Chi and Vincere that they had fallen into his trap.
"Capture the demoness and the theft! The reward for the demoness is ten thousand xillars!" said Zhu Ming as he hurried behind the powerful fighters.
Both the fighters approached Chi and Vincere. The boarman dashed to Vincere with his full arms. Vincere evaded the boarman just in time while the wolfman was trying to grab Chi. She was fast compared to the wolfman that she could escape. The wolfman then delivered her a fist which she countered by her swing of kick at his hind leg and stumbled him down. Vincere was now struggling in the boarman's tight embrace. She turned around and noticed the audiences had come up to the stage and surrounded her.
"Me is not a demoness!" Chi spoke with such desperation, but no one believed her. "Oh, my Goddess." Now, Chi faced real danger. With Cyaians this many to capture her; how could she escape? She had thought of clearing her escape path with her power, but she could not bear to injure them.
"CLANGGG!!!"
A long glittering sword landed and stick on the wooden stage next to Chi. Everyone was startled by a sudden entrance of the sword. The sword was familiar that she could have sworn she had seen it before. From the exquisite design of gold and silver sword, she knew the owner of the sword must be someone powerful and influential. Had the sword owner come to capture her?
The newcomer was in his stylish white robe, gliding on the air right onto the stage. He was like an angel who had descended from the heaven and landed next to Chi. His white robe flapped along with the streaming wind. "Stop it, all of you!"
She remembered.
The man was Lord Benevence, the benevolent and righteous lord of the alliance. Had he come to save or to capture her? Since Lord Benevence was the hero and the protector of every Cyaian, it was evident that he came to arrest her.
He pulled his sword and sheathed it. "Those who wish to harm this lady must go through me!"
Chi couldn't believe what she had heard. Why would a hero and a protector protect a demoness?
"Lord Benevence, please stay away from her. She's an evil demoness." The voice came from the crowd.
"If she's a demoness, all of you would have died by now!"
"But there's a high reward for capturing her… and her friend!" The crowd said with a politer tone (only to Lord Benevence).
Lord Benevence turned to Vincere and glanced at him for some time. His gaze startled Vincere. Then, he returned his direction to the crowd.
"We must have true judgement, my fellow brothers. Though the news said that the lady is a demoness and everyone said she is too. But we must think, does she really a demoness? To me, she seems gentle and doesn't look like one. And, we mustn't look only rewards and benefits. About the gentlemen theft over there. What choice did he have rather than becoming a theft? If a nation has only one theft, it is his own disgrace. But, if a nation has lots of thieves, then it is a disgrace of the nation!" Lord Benevence then looked down and sighed.
The crowd murmured within themselves. Everyone seemed to understand the Lord Benevence's point, and soon the group began to disperse.
"Are you alright, lady?" said Lord Benevence with his fatherly look Chi could not have missed.
"Yes… and thank you for saving me." Chi turned to see Zhu Ming, but he had disappeared. The only thing she spotted on the stage was her green bag, and she hurried to retrieve her bag.
"Thank you, Lord Benevence," said Vincere.
"Who's the skywolf?" said Lord Benevence as he turned to the direction where Zhu Ming had once stood.
"Zhu Ming," said Chi. "A hunter. His whole village had been destroyed. The whole villagers were slaughtered too. And he blames me for that."
"Well, it's Lord Amo," said Lord Benevence. "From what I heard, he attacked surrounding villages to search for Vincere."
At the mention of his own name, Vincere jerked involuntarily, causing Lord Benevence to have a curious look at him.
"Let's have dinner with me. I'm sure we all are hungry. Besides, we have things to discuss." Lord Benevence beckoned Chi and Vincere to follow as his men followed by. "There's always a perfect place for a perfect meal."
"Sure," said Vincere without any hint of hesitation.
The group, led by Lord Benevence found their perfect eating place. The eatery was adjacent to the South Kinma lake with an open space rather than windows, with walls and the roof made from bamboos. It had a view of the bluish south lake. They settled themselves at the sight of the lake and ordered their meals.
"May I know the names of you both?" said Lord Benevence.
"I'm Vin… Vindicta Patriarca."
"Me is Chi Myst'wing."
"From what I see, both of you don't deserve to have your faces on the wanted poster. I'm sure that the officials had mistaken. I'll inform them to clear your name."
"Thank you, Lord Benevence." Both of them were so glad that they were no more fugitives.
Their meals had arrived. "Enjoy your meals. The meals on me." As usual, Chi always thanked and blessed the food. Vincere who had been influenced by Chi that he also prayed. Faint clinks of chopsticks on china bowls and cups were now the new background sounds in the lake view restaurant.
"Lord Benevence," said Vincere and Chi gave him a look from the corner of her eyes. "I am deeply honoured to meet such an understanding leader. If everyone has good character, then the world would be at peace."
"It's nothing," said Lord Benevence. "We all as a member of the society shall contribute for the greater good. Even though one isn't a leader, he can still have a role to do so."
"My lord," said Vincere. "It is wise to choose Lord Imperiare as the new leader of the alliance."
"Hmm," Lord Benevence looked as if he is going to sigh. "I quickly regretted it."
"Why?" Both Chi and Vincere had questioned looks.
"It turns out that Vincere isn't worthy at all," said Lord Benevence, shaking his head. "He just loves to enjoy himself in the presence of noble and famed men."
"He's disgraceful," said Vincere.
"When I told him that I will leave the alliance, he pleaded that I to stay to help him to protect the world. If I stay, I'm actually helping him to preserve his comfort throne."
"Looks like every lord of the alliance just wants to be the leader," said Vincere. "But with different agendas. Some just want fame and enjoyment like that Vincere. If we hope to have peace with the alliance around, it is impossible."
"You're right," said Lord Benevence. "The alliance is cracking beyond repair. Too much internal struggle, personal interests and politics. Everyone fights for their own rather for the greater good. Ignorant of the internal danger while indulging oneself is like a frog inside boiling water. Lord Phopo is the most visionary lord, but he isn't fighting for the greater good. He wishes to own the Eastern Land through the influence of the alliance. The alliance itself has a betrayer too. This is the reason why a fortified city like Imperiare City fall. It will take lots of time to find the betrayer…"
"I believe it was Lord Phopo," said Vincere. "Though he was a rank after you, he could become a leader with the majority of his supporters. But his plan failed when Lord Imperiare appeared."
"I suspected him too," said Lord Benevence. "He has the most advantage when Lord Imperiare is gone. He's the one with the highest chance to be a leader. Even with Vincere as the new leader, he is of no use. He is like a puppet under Lord Phopo."
At that moment, Chi sensed a deep rage and sadness inside Vincere that she placed her comforting hand on his shoulder.
"I understand your feeling, Vindicta," said Lord Benevence. "Every worthy man will have the same emotion as you." He then switched his look to the lake outside. "Do you know the story behind this lake and this city?"
Vincere shook his head.
"This city was founded by a tycoon Kinma," said Chi.
And Vincere gave Chi a how-do-you-know-this look.
"Sister Nuwa told me. Lord Kinma found gold at the lake, and this attracted many Cyaians to settle here. The area around sprouted from settlements, then to the village and town very fast until it became the city today. Many Cyaians had come, and many people spell more problems: thievery, corruption. Problems were not just in the city, attack from the neighbouring tribes and bandits too. Lord Kinma struggled to protect and cleanse the city. And he succeeded, the city gained the peace and prosper even though Lord Kinma had long deceased."
"He succeeded because he had hope and he believed in miracles," said Lord Benevence.
"But my lord," said Vincere. "Just believing in hope and miracle will not repair the alliance and bring peace to the Eastern Land."
"Yes, you're right," said Lord Benevence. "The reason I left the alliance, is to find a new team with the best and worthy warriors like you two, who really put the peace of the Eastern Land before own interest. And for that, I have organised a fighting tournament to choose great and mighty warriors to my ranks. The tourney is on next month. Once you make to the quarter-final, you will have at least a lieutenant rank. I hope both of you can join in. I'll exempt you two from the participating fees."
Vincere nodded with looks of enthusiastic while Chi nodded a slight as though her neck had stiffened.
"Well, I dream of bringing peace and order to the Eastern Land," said Lord Benevence. "Vindicta, Chi. What is your dream?"
Vincere, of course, will never mention avenging his late papa. It was not he didn't believe Lord Benevence, but he must be extra careful not to reveal his identity. "My family had been killed by Lord Amo. I shall not let other Cyaians to suffer as same fate as mine."
"You have a noble intention, Vindicta," said Lord Benevence with an affirmative nod. "What about you, Chi?"
"Me don't want any soul to suffer anymore," said Chi. "Me want to put a stop on Lord Amo's and redragons' attack." And she sensed Lord Benevence's approving smile.
"Chi, you are a kindred soul."
"Actually, Chi was a redragon," said Vincere.
"You are a redragon?" said Lord Benevence. "How can this be?"
The immediate response from Chi was that she had a glance of terrified customers in the restaurant. When their fear subsided, Chi returned her glance to Lord Benevence. And Chi began to speak from the moment she was a redragon, how she was separated from her mama and how she met Sister Nuwa and changed her bodily form. Now, she wished to find her mama and have a carefree and peaceful life.
"Don't worry, Chi. I'll help to find your mama. Then, you can have a peaceful and carefree life with your mama." Lord Benevence beamed with such glow that gives Chi a new hope and faith in finding her mama. "Alright then, the food's eaten and the evening is late. Let's make a move."
As Lord Benevence stood, his man had returned with some coins in his hand. Looked like Lord Benevence had paid for the meals and Chi and Vincere gave thanks to Lord Benevence.
"Just remember the tourney is on next month," said Lord Benevence as he stood up. "I'll register your name and exempt you two from the fees. You just come to confirm your participation at the front of the city hall by nine in the morning, alright?"
"Sure, we will." Chi and Vincere gave Lord Benevence one last thank of the day and bade him farewell.
"Bye for now." Lord Benevence led his followers out of the restaurant. After they disappeared from view, only that Chi and Vincere make a move out of the restaurant.
"Vincere, you said you will help me find to my mama. But instead, you lead me to join the tournament." Chi said with a sulking face.
"Chi, the only way to help to search your mama, is by joining a guild or a large group. Lord Benevence has even promised to find your mama. With a group that huge like that we can have more Cyaians to find your mama. Only by the two of us, we won't have much chance. Besides that, we can defeat Lord Amo and restore peace."
"What if Lord Benevence just promised so that we would join his tourney, fight for his cause and nothing else?"
"Lord Benevence is called 'the Benevolent Hero'," said Vincere. "His characters and virtues can reach up to his title. And Lord Benevence would help once he had promised."
Chi couldn't be sure if she could still believe Vincere. But the only choice she has is to leave Vincere and find mama by herself. That would be hard and directionless. But by joining Lord Benevence, there is more chance to find her mama. Lord Benevence even had promised to help her. What if the Benevolent Hero just lied to her as to how the prince of Lord Imperiare had lied? And will anyone help her find her mama since her mama a terrifying redragon whom everyone fears?
The duo had reached a tall tree outside Kinma City and decided to rest for a night there.
"Our current xillars won't last both of us for a month. We need to find a way to live for a month." Vincere looked at Chi, waiting for her answer.
"You said that you will find my mama. But you lied. Even that Lord Benevence promise… me don't know if he lied just to cheat us in."
"Sorry, Chi," said Vincere. "This tourney is for the greater good. I believe Lord Benevence will help to find your mama." Now that Chi's face was no longer sulking, Vincere was glad, and he said, "So, Chi do you have any idea how to survive for a month?"
"Just go back to jail and live there for a month," said Chi as she hurled herself onto the net she had prepared and turned her face away from Vincere, closing her eyes.
Vincere was left to face the night cold all by himself. All the time, she could hear Vincere sneezed non-stop. That night, Chi couldn't sleep well. She wondered if she joined the ranks of Lord Benevence, would she still had time to find her mama. She knew Vincere couldn't sleep well too that she heard the frequent grass hissings whenever Vincere turned and sneezed.
Soon everything went blur and dark for Chi.
She awoke from her sleeping net and saw her papa. They were just outside Kinma City.
"Oh, Chi-dear, thank goodness you joined the tourney. Only by this, you can find your mama... Helping someone else means helping yourself. It's true, Chi-dear. And I'm sure you know it too..."
"There is really the tournament, papa. It is true, papa."
Her papa was silent, giving her a warm smile instead.
"Me miss you papa." Chi lunged to her papa and hugged him. "Me miss mama too." At that moment, Chi's felt warm tears swelled on her eyes.
"Chi-dear, papa loves you. Papa will always be at your side. You will find mama in the future. Have faith."
"Yes, papa. Me will."
Chi awoke from her dream. The moment she opened her eyes, the Sol glared right onto her teary eyes. It had already morning, but Vincere was still sleeping. Chi raised up and did her usual routine until Vincere at last awoke. "Sorry, Vincere. You're right about joining the tourney. Me had to think about it."
Vincere gave Chi a relieved smile. "I have already forgotten what happened yesterday. I'm hungry now. Do you have any idea of what to eat?"
"Tasty and nutritious beans," said Chi with a wide beam and she almost laughed when she saw Vincere dropped his jaw.
After their breakfast, Chi had a jolt of epiphany. "Ah, me got an idea of how to survive for a month." Chi was amused to spot Vincere's puzzled look. She went to an open space near the extensive grassland and took out her xiao flute and blew into the flute's opening. Soft calming tune fluting out to the air.
Not long, two equines were seen galloping from a distant. The equines were familiar. As they had come closer to them, only that Vincere knew the equines were ones they had released a few days ago.
"With these equines, we can travel to the North Kinma to have produces from the farms. And not far from there, there is a forest which we can forage for anything edible. It would not be any problem at all since Sister Nuwa had taught me to identify edible plants." It was Chi's plan on how to survive the whole month. "The extra, we can sell them."
"How brilliant your plan is, Chi," said Vincere. "I do know where there are lots of people and no official. It's between the north and the south lake. There are many stalls and lots of people. We can sell there." Vincere was more than relief when he noticed Chi was no longer sulking. "I'm so glad that I have to meet you. If only I can meet you earlier."
They then hopped to the equines and headed northward. Reaching there, they brought some produce from the farmland and had it as their food. They even foraged from the nearby forest, rested there until it was almost dawn and transported the produce to South Kinma. Sneaking the produce into the city, like what Chi did in Igniswing and this gave a nostalgic feeling to her. "Here, this part between the two lakes, we can sell here."
They displayed all their forages on a piece of cloth and waited. Morning dawned. More and more Cyaians appeared, and they sold the forages, gaining more xillars than they used to buy it. By afternoon, their produce had all sold off, and they had meals at the marketplace, and the city alternatively. As what Lord Benevence had promised, they no longer see their wanted poster. They had this routine for a month, and they gain a considerable profit. If they continued like this, they might become prosperous like Lord Kinma. Thank the Universe that there was no official to give them trouble. The only concern that did come was the constant harassment from Zhu Ming and his illegal weapons, with muttering of demoness-in-the-market. This, of course, scared everyone in the market and Chi could handle him with no problem, making everyone cheer. Every time before he escaped, he would bark, I will be back (to get more hit from Chi). Moreover, they had plenty of time to practice. Thus, Vincere was happy that he had improved a lot in the strength deflecting skill and Chi was happier than Vincere that she had found a partner to practice.