"That's my story"
Li Hongji said with a bitter expression, recollecting those past events wasn't easy for him and it took all he had to not burst into tears. Ren gave him a dubious look
"Well, your story doesn't add up, if your uncle wanted to take over the family, why did he need you alive. As the sole witness, it would make more sense to just kill you off."
Ren said coldly, Li Hongji had put Olivia in danger, so he was still suspicious of him. Just as he finished his sentence, Ren felt something hit him on the head firmly. When he looked up, he saw a furious Olivia, staring daggers at him.
"Ren, that's enough."
Olivia said angrily, hitting him on the head repeatedly but she was soon stopped by none other than Li Hongji.
"It's alright, I put your lives in danger… When I saw how strong Roxy was, I'm sure some part of me wanted to take advantage of your kindness. I'm sorry, I won't bother you any longer. Ren, Olivia. This past month has been truly fun."
With that, Li Hongji got up and immediately left the room. After seeing this, Olivia got up from her seat and tried to chase after him but Ren grabbed her sleeve, stopping her.
"Ren, let me go."
"let him leave, getting involved with him will just lead to more trouble."
"I said let me go."
Olivia repeated herself, making her stance clear. The serious expression on her face made Ren relent.
"Tsk, do what you want."
Ren said letting go of her sleeve, Olivia immediately ran out of the room, leaving him all by his lonesome.
"That idiot."
Ren muttered under his breath, after calming himself down he began to meditate, but before he could achieve any real progress Olivia burst into the room with a worried expression and a pale face.
"They took him."
She said frantically, pulling on Ren's sleeve, his expression remained calm as he pulled his sleeve free of her grasp.
"Slow down, what happened."
Ren asked, Olivia was speaking to erratically to understand clearly. She took a deep breath and tried again once she calmed down.
"When I was chasing after him, I saw a group of men grab him… It happened so fast. Ren we can't let anything happen to him, we have to go. Now."
She said tugging his sleeve but Ren didn't budge, he was starting to feel a stress induced headache coming from everything that had happened recently and desperately wanted to sleep it off but first he had to set Olivia straight.
"Go where, do you even know where they're taking him, do you know how strong the people who will be guarding him are. There's a good chance we'll die before even seeing his face."
Olivia's face dropped, yes, she didn't know what they were up against, but her friend was in danger that was all that mattered.
"We can cross that bridge when we get there, doing nothing… It's just to cruel."
She said, giving Ren a pleading look, but he remained stubborn, there was no point in them throwing their lives away for nothing.
"I don't want to die and I don't want you to die, so doing nothing is the best option for me."
Ren said firmly, Olivia frowned, she knew what Ren was like, it was going to be hard to convince him, but she still had a trick up her sleeve.
"Either you help me save him or I'll do it myself."
She said firmly, it was a bit of a dirty tactic but she didn't think Li Hongji had much time left, this was the fastest way to get Ren to act.
The resolve in Olivia's eyes caused Ren to falter, he remained silent for a long time, Olivia was someone he couldn't let die, he fully believed Olivia when she said that she would go without him, Afterall that kindness was the part of the reason he respected her.
"Fine, I'll help you save him but we do this my way."
Ren gave up, causing Olivia's face to brighten, but before she could respond Ren interrupted her.
"I'm serious you know, if you don't do what I tell you to, then I'm out."
Ren stated firmly, as far as he knew Olivia couldn't fight, if they recklessly charged in, she would only be a liability. Olivia nodded her head causing Ren to sigh in frustration at her stubbornness, just as he was about to think of something, there was a knock on the door.
"Who is it."
Ren answered the door with caution just in case the people who kidnapped Li Hongji decided to stick around.
"It's me, you prick."
A familiar voice insulted Ren from the other side of the door. After realising who that voice belonged to was Ren opened the door revealing the small yet sturdy Yang Chen.
"Who are you calling a prick."
Ren said unhappily, but let him in. throughout this past month he had sparred with Yang Chen in his free time causing the two to develop some sort of relationship.
"Only a prick would leave me waiting in the rain for an hour."
Yang Chen fired back, making Ren to remember that he had told Yang Chen that he would meet up with him today.
"Sorry a lot happ- Who the hell is that"
Ren exclaimed mid-sentence and reached for his sword when he noticed a woman entering the room behind Yang Chen.
"Easy there bro, don't you remember the princess."
Yang Chen said hastily, making Ren let go of his sword. He took a better look at the girl and realised that this stunning beauty in front of him was in fact the princess of the kingdom.
Without her veil, the whole room seemed to brighten up in her presence, her long black hair was tied up into a ponytail which put her perfect face on display. She had clear hazel-coloured eyes, that held a certain elegance one expected of royalty.
"Why is the princess here"
Olivia who had been silent this whole time finally asked the crucial question. The princess walked into the room and the elegant aura surrounding her changed.
"Don't mind me, I ran into Yang Chen and decided to follow him here"
She said while taking off her shoes and jumping on to the bed belly first. Ren and Olivia's jaws dropped and Yang Chen face palmed as he mouthed an apology to them.
"Uhm… princess."
Olivia said hesitantly, while walking over to the bed the princess had hijacked.
"Do you know how stressful being a princess is, let me enlighten you. All day a bunch of old farts tell you what to do and when to do it. Princess smile more, princess stop slouching, princess this, princess that. Give me a fucking break."
She started slamming her fists into the mattress while wailing loudly. Causing the others to look at each other helplessly.
"I have a name you know, its Tang Yue, but no one wants Tang Yue, all they want is the perfect princess that is adored by the public, well they can forget about it. As of today, I quit being a princess, I'm gonna enjoy the look on those old farts faces as they panic."
She laughed maniacally while the others stood around her with blank faces. Ren stared daggers at Yang Chen who was responsible for sending this mess of a princess his way. Yang Chen mouthed another apology with a helpless look on his face.
"Princ- I mean Miss Tang Yue, I would appreciate it if you didn't have a mental breakdown on my bed. If you want to talk, I would be happy to hear you out, but right now is a bad time."
Olivia said while patting her back and sending a meaningful glance Ren's way which didn't escape the eyes of Yang Chen.
"Right, you seemed on edge when we first came in."
Yang Chen inquired, causing Tang Yue to perk up her ears.
"Li Hongji was kidnapped."
Olivia said while starting to tear up, now it was Tang Yue's turn to comfort Olivia, she pulled her close and patted her back.
"Sorry I can't believe I got so caught up in my own problems that I-"
"no, I should be the one apologising, you're comforting me even though we're practically strangers."
Olivia said wiping away her tears. Tang Yue and Yang Chen both stared at Ren curiously, causing him to sigh.
***
After Ren had finished explaining what had happened the room turned quiet. Ren hated getting other people involved in his problems, but unfortunately Olivia had already let the cat out of the bag.
"We'll help out, wont we Yang Chen, seems interesting."
Tang Yue said while smiling, Yang Chen gave an affirmative nod while thumping his chest.
"No need, I've got it handled."
Ren immediately shut them down. But the princess was having none of it.
"If I said I'm coming, then I'm coming. I'm more than strong enough to handle myself."
She said with a domineering voice that made Ren sigh, first Olivia and then Zi Xi, why were the girls around him so stubborn. Before he could reply, Yang Chen slapped him on the back and flashed him a mischievous smile.
"Fun things are meant to be shared, why not help out your bro."
He spoke in a way that gave Ren the chills. After weighing the pros and cons Ren decided to agree, if they were offering to help why not let them.
"Fine, but let's get one thing straight, I'm in charge."
He said firmly, this was the one thing he wouldn't let up on. His words caused Tang Yue to chuckle.
"Quite cocky for a little kid. Well, I guess that's not a bad thing."
She said while grinning. It was at this point Olivia walked over and grabbed Yang Chen and Tang Yue's hands.
"Thank you for this, it means a lot to me."
Olivia said sincerely, making the two of them embarrassed but happy, Tang Yue put her hand on her heart.
"You can count on me, I have a duty to protect the citizens, this Li Hongji is no different."
She said warmly. After seeing that this was as good a time as any, Ren decided to start explaining what he had in mind.
"First thing I need is information, I can't make a plan if I don't know anything. I think it might be best if we ask the owner since she should be well acquainted with the area. You can wait here, it will be easier if we don't overwhelm her"
Ren said causing the others to voice their approval, with that he left the room and headed downstairs. The bar was usually quiet during the day, so he quickly caught sight of Zi Xi and walked up to her.
"Hey there Hun, what can I get ya."
She said from behind the counter, over the past month she had gotten used to the weird boy in front of her, in fact she found him quite cute.
"Tell me what you know about the lions."
The question caused her eyes to narrow, obviously she knew who he was referring to but it wasn't a topic you would talk about lightly.
"All I know is nothing good will come out of getting involved with them, now excuse me I have work to do"
She turned around to leave but Ren grabbed her sleeve and stopped her when she turned back around, she was greeted with Ren's finishing move, puppy dog eyes.
"It's important… please"
Ren said in a timid voice, that would have warmed anyone's soul. Zi Xi sighed she was quite used to men putting the moves on her, but never like this.
"I don't know much."
She said in a defeated voice, causing Ren's expression to return back to normal.
"that's fine all I need is a location."
He said, if knew where they were located, he could do some basic recon and get some idea of what they were up against.
"The only place I can think of is on fifth street about a fifteen-minute walk from 'ere, it's a huge mansion with white walls, ya can't miss it."
"Thanks."
Ren turned around and walked away but after taking a few steps he turned back around.
"Why are you following me."
He asked Zi Xi who was walking behind him.
"A kid has no business in dem parts, I'll babysit ya."
Ren sighed. Why did people keep butting in to his business, was everyone this god damn nosey?
***
The Lion family mansion was the fruit of their wrongdoings, it was symbol of their power, so naturally no expense was spared. The mansion was encased by tall stone walls preventing onlookers from even laying eyes on the building. The only way in seemed to be a gate made out of iron bars but even that looked sturdy enough to make Ren forget about busting his way through.
"Is this the place"
Ren asked miserably, under Zi Xi's constant nagging he had given up and let her join him, only god knew why the women in his life were so stubborn.
"Yep, this is the place."
She said pointing at a large mansion that stuck out like a sore thumb compared to the somewhat smaller building surrounding it. They where in the heart of the red light district, according to Zi Xi, very rich criminals took residence here, so if someone noticed them walking about, it could end up being problematic.
"better not stay here longer than necessary, I need a vantage point."
Ren thought to himself while scanning his surroundings. His eyes eventually settled on a tall pine tree that was growing nearby, if he climbed it, he would be able to see past the walls.
"Keep a look out while I climb this"
Ren said while pointing at the tree.
"Sure thing Hun, don't fall now."
Zi Xi responded while sighing. Ironically, she couldn't help but feel like she was barking up the wrong tree, or rather Ren was. By the time she finished this thought Ren had already started climbing the tree, compared to the cliff Roxy made him scale, this much was nothing.
After climbing for a short while Ren reached the highest branch that was able to support his weight, fortunately he was high enough to look into the mansion.
Due to the distance, it was quite difficult to make anything out, but he could just about see the blurry figures of the guards at most he could count ten but he had no idea how many where inside. He continued to look around, other than the impressive mansion, there were some wooden stables and the servant quarters. Eventually Ren laid eyes on what looked like a scare crow in the middle of the courtyard.
"Wait a sec that's not a scarecrow that's him"
Ren thought to himself. Indeed, it wasn't a scarecrow, the Lion family had tied a bloodied Li Hongi to a wooden stake embedded into a courtyard, while the harsh sun ravaged his body. It looked like they were planning to keep him there as some form of torture.
Ren couldn't help but feel agitated, and his eyes started to glow red.
"I thought I didn't care about him so why do I feel like this."
All the memories he shared with Li Hongji over the past month flooded into his mind, leaving Ren with a bad taste in his mouth.
"Tsk."
***
Half an hour later at the inn.
everyone was gathered in Olivia's room waiting for Ren to tell them his plan.
"The simplest method I can think of is a diversion, we split up into two teams, one team distracts, while the other rescues Mr Li."
Ren spoke with a straight face but that uncomfortable feeling he got when looking at Li Hongji previously still hadn't faded.
"That's fine by me but how do we split up the teams"
Yang Chen asked. Both teams could be considered at high risk so he wondered how Ren was going to decide the teams.
"I'll get to that, first I need to tell you the details of my plan. We'll need some equipment, luckily enough this inn has a bar, Miss Zi Xi I hope you don't mind if we borrow some booze."
Ren said, sending a glance towards Zi Xi who didn't look to happy about it.
"How much we talking."
She said somewhat bitterly, Ren did some calculations in his head and held up a finger.
"I guess I'm willin' to part with a bottle if I must."
Zi Xi looked somewhat relieved but Ren shook his head.
"Not a one bottle, I meant one barrel."
THUD.
After Olivia and Tang Yue had finished resuscitating Zi Xi. Ren continued explaining his plan.
"Other than the booze, I need a long rope, entering through the gate is too obvious for the rescue team, so while the distraction team is doing their thing, the rescue team will scale the wa-."
As Ren was explaining his plan an eager princess put up her hand and stared at him with bright eyes.
"What is it miss Tang Yue."
"I was just wondering what we're gonna use the booze for."
She asked once she had heard Ren's question, which made him give her a teethy grin.
"The distraction"
***
An hour later, night was beginning to fall over the Lion family mansion. Three figures dressed in large hooded cloaks approached the iron gate. One of the figures was as small as a young child but interestingly carried a huge broad sword that was the same size as his body. The two people next to him were working together to carry a large oak barrel. When the trio where right next to the wall near the iron gate they stopped and looked up.
"Are you two ready."
The kid asked the two figures next to him.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
"waitin' on ya, hun."
Two female voices answered the kid, after hearing their answers he took a deep breath and placed both palms on to the ground
"I hope this works… Terra Forma"
The kid whispered and the ground around the other two trembled, rising into the air taking the two ladies and the oak barrel upwards.
"Good luck Yang Chen"
One of the women shouted at the kid below, Yang Chen simply waved. Taking another deep breath, he focused on the iron gate next to the newly formed earth pillar.
His heart beat rapidly accelerated and his muscles began to swell up ripping his clothing to shreds, now standing around two meters tall, he swaggered up to the iron gate and drew his oversized broad sword, which now looked normal in his massive hands.
CRASH.
The iron gate was blasted into pieces by his heavy strike. He passed through the now gateless entrance as if he was taking a leisurely stroll.
"WHO WANTS TO FIGHT HUH."
Yang Chen shouted maniacally as he swung his sword around generating powerful gusts of wind that knocked some unsuspecting guards to the ground.
"What the hell is going on."
"Who the fuck is this clown."
"Sound the alarm."
"Do you know who you're messing with you crazy bastard."
Screams and curses filled the garden as the high-pitched screeching of an alarm rang out across the mansion.
Witnessing the chaos, the two women dragged the barrel across the wall until they were standing directly over a row of wooden stables with thatched roofs
"I'll cover my eyes, do what ya hav' to Olivia."
One of the women said bitterly while placing her hands over her eyes, Olivia patted her back gently and drew a dagger from her cloak and promptly stabbed the side of the barrel causing the red liquid inside to spill out and trickle down the side of the wall onto the roof of the first stable.
"I think I'm gonna faint."
The woman said weakly as the sound of the liquid gushing out seemed to stab into her very being.
"Don't worry, it will be over soon."
Olivia comforted her while the contents of the barrel quickly drained, saturating into the roof.
"that should do it."
Olivia then took out a match and lit it, after taking a moment to compose herself, she dropped the match onto the roof below
WHOOSH
The roof instantly burst into flames sending clouds of thick black smoke upwards, the fire quickly spread to the other stables, developing into a raging inferno that hissed and crackled loudly.
"You can open your eyes now… I don't know if it will make you feel better, but I only used half the barrel."
Olivia said, while admiring her handiwork, this caused Zi Xi to stop weeping and embrace Olivia cheerfully.
"I always knew I could count on you"
Zi Xi chirped, rubbing away her tears and hug her tighter.
"Now it's up to you lil' bro"
Olivia whispered gently, looking across the mansion.