An Danli knew that there was nothing sacred left in this world. In the past, he had suffered the Purge, the cruel rule of the Yanhua Dynasty, and many troubles. There were many bad people in this world. But he was not a "good person" to be sad about it. This was the world he lived in, so he had to adapt.
Two years ago, the world had changed.
People who ascended to the heavens did not return. It was as if they simply died. Even his brother-in-arms, who had ascended several years earlier, did not return.
Only two Immortals were able to return. But they were not the humble celestials who were far removed from the red dust¹. They were cold and merciless Gods who killed everything in their path.
They could not be killed. They could not be matched. They simply refused to die, as if Death itself did not take them.
Then, "celestials" and "immortals" were divided into two concepts. The first were legendary people who ascended to the heavens after all the merits they had earned. They were incredible people who had worked hard to become enlightened, chosen by the heavens. Any of you could become one if you had enough talent and perseverance.
But the second... They were people who lacked compassion and mercy, people whose hearts were cold and their eyes were cruel.
Two years ago, everything changed.
It was as if people had been abandoned and were left trapped in their mortal world. Like cattle, confined and fattened to please the Gods.
Then An Danli realized two things: first, he couldn't die. He had a gut feeling that as long as they didn't kill these Gods, no one would be able to reincarnate. Second, no one would help him anymore. His mother had told him to hold on to his faith in the Heavens, but now he didn't even trust the Emperor.
Their world had fallen into a difficult time, and he could no longer rely on anyone.
And if... just one... if he could kill just one of the Gods, he would rise above this world.
And he would not have to suffer.
He was not a weak-willed cur who could not defend himself. No, if something did not work out, he would use all his strength, but he would rise above this world.
An Danli was not a good person. But he simply refused to be a beast.
"This plague has spread to our lands as well."
Mr. Xun, the head of the Xun clan, a respected old man in the martial arts world, touched the cane and squeezed the top between his fingers:
"This matter requires urgent measures. Last month, the immortal "Baishide"² attacked the capital Xinping, before that, Sanzhou. The recent trend is depressing," he sighed. - The celestials have been defiled, the heavens have fallen. Buddha has long been dead - no one will help restore the world except ourselves.
Miss Qin, throwing her veil around her neck, looked at the others haughtily:
- This is an important matter that concerns all of us. If we make a mistake again...
- We hear it every day.
Their gazes turned to the man leaning against the column.
- Aren't you tired of it?
- An Danli! - the girl next to him hissed. - Show some respect.
With a flash of dark eyes, Miss Qin said harshly:
- Mister An, do you have anything to say?
An Danli cast a bored glance at the assembled group. This was not the first time this meeting had brought anything but wasted time. His exhausted soul was so bored that it was difficult to control himself:
- We have been fighting the enemy for two years now. Bushio³, the rulers beyond death. We've given them so many pompous names. For two years, "Baixide" has been destroying everything we knew, and what's the result? We can't do anything. Don't you think something needs to be changed?
Lord Xun waved his hand:
"Go on."
"The presumption of his immortality has not been proven. How about opening a division of scientists? Surely the great minds of the Dingse Dynasty will be able to find a weapon against him. All we know is that we've been fighting an enemy that can't be killed for two years. And we think that's normal."
"An Danli!"
"Lord Xun can be strangled. The only person who can kill Lady Qin is her husband. I'm weak in mental attacks, and Xun Ping..."
"Enough!" Lady Qin was on the verge of rage. "What's the point?"
"There's a death for everyone. He's not immortal. Don't you think we need other methods? It's not working. We're just not strong enough.
- What do you suggest?
- Let's concentrate our efforts on catching the second one, "Heishide"⁴. Why hasn't he shown up for so long, don't you think it's strange? Maybe they had a fight. These are basic human emotions. And I don't believe that other creatures don't have their palette of emotions. We just need leverage.
The room was in a tizzy. When the buzz ended, Mr. Xun scratched his long gray beard and said:
- Good. Then we'll split into two camps. The first will deal with-
- I'll gather the best. The best in their field. Together, we'll form a squad and throw everything we have at catching the second bushio.
- Do you have such people in mind?
An Danli grinned. He had been waiting for this question. Pushing off from the pillar, he strolled leisurely through the hall:
"Fan Miafao, Xiao Zuhe, Yeliang Mao, Kamark, Mo Liaofen, and of course… Xiao Xiaoqin."
A murmur spread through the hall. Mrs. Qin waved her sleeves and exclaimed:
- It is impossible. He is not ready yet.
- He is the Chosen One, - An Danli cut him off harshly. - The Heavens themselves favor him. Are you really refusing to use the trump card in this battle? This is tesuji⁵.
The people present looked at each other. Ever since the Immortals came to this world, the martial arts world began its preparation. No one could give up so easily. The monks from the "Heavenly Hundred" predicted the appearance of the Chosen One - and since then, a strict selection began.
And such a person was indeed found.
Xiao Xiaoqin, a man from a poor family, whose path was truly difficult. He won time after time, until the best masters noticed his appearance and took him under their training. Xiao Xiaoqin is as good as one can imagine. The young man possessed incomparable charm, charisma, but at the same time meekness and modesty. Because of his character, many favored him, and he returned the favor.
The Tianyan Resistance Order named him the Chosen One.
And An Danli was determined to take him along. No one could handle this task better than him.
"Okay," Mr. Xun stood up. "Then let's do it. From now on, I name you the Bonfire March. Be honest, be righteous, be fair. Destroy the enemy, save this world."
"Danli," Mo Liaofen poked him in the shoulder. "Are you an idiot? How do you think we'll find another one?"
An Danli lowered his gaze. He saw boots in front of him and the movement of clothes; he saw the crowd dispersing and heard the hubbub of voices. But he knew he could handle it. These people needed a shake-up. He raised his head, his sharp eyes flashing:
"I know what to do."
Because he has met them before.
They soon met them. Xiao Xiaoqin and the rest of the team were waiting for them at the gates of the Lotus City. The young man smiled and bowed deeply:
"Xiao Xiaoqin greets Master An."
"Now, now, enough formalities. Mo Liaofen, meet the new members of the Bonfire March."
The girl raised an eyebrow:
"Bonfire March?" Seriously?
The rest of the team bowed in greeting.
Xiao Zuhe had the temperament of a wild tiger, wild and unbridled, with a strong constitution and willfulness. Fan Miafao was one of the best fighters who used qi as her main channel. Kamark was a man of average build and age, with no martial arts skills, but extremely intelligent. And Yelian Mao is one of the best doctors in the Dingse Dynasty.
With the preparations complete, the young men set out on the most important mission of their lives – capturing the second Immortal.
But everything went wrong from the start.
The blade flew past a few centimeters and the clang cut through the air; the sword knocked the second one off course, and the man's dark eyes flashed. Xiao Zuhe crouched down next to the young man and barely managed to catch him under the arms as he fell.
The stranger extended his hand, calling the weapon back to his hand, but An Danli blocked the man behind him, making it clear that he had no intention of giving in. It seemed to work, but then the stranger waved his hand slightly, and An Danli was about to respond, but instead the man sheathed his sword in one motion and said:
"You don't know who you're saving."
Then he turned around and walked away. An Danli slightly narrowed his eyes as he watched the man leave, and a vague feeling of uneasiness and stubbornness slipped between his ribs, but a short cry made him turn around:
"Don't move!"
Xiao Xiaoqin supported the young man by the arms, but he easily slipped out of his hands and rested his hand on the ground; noisy breathing burst through his lips; the one who screamed was Xiao Zuhe, and only after a while did An Danli understand why: the stranger was covering his stomach with his hand, but a red ribbon of intestines was trying to slip out. Ah, damn.
The man barely raised his head; a cascade of black hair spread out over his back, revealing a fair face. Even in such a situation, when his internal organs were trying to slip out, his face exuded detachment and thoughtfulness, as if none of this concerned him - An Danli even admired his strength to endure pain.
An Danli sat down next to him; his hands touched the fallen organs and, catching his fingers in their warmth, he suddenly looked into the man's eyes.
Amazing.
He held the man's entrails and looked into his eyes, distant and detached, through which the storm and gray clouds passed.
For a moment, he froze, enchanted by this moment. On the battlefield, he had repeatedly healed his comrades, but at that very moment, something he could not explain took hold of him.
The man looked into his eyes.
Calmness and deep strength lurked in the depths of his gaze, and he smiled faintly with the corner of his lips.
The next moment, he lost consciousness.
"Ren Kajin," was the first thing the man said when he came to. Yeliang Mao raised her thin eyebrows and smiled lightly:
" Commendable. You remember your name - that's something.
The girl stepped aside, where medical supplies were scattered on the ground on a bag: a thread with a needle, a couple of ginseng petals and bandages.
- A couple of days and you'll feel better. Mother Mao won't do anything bad.
- A couple of days?!
Yelian Mao raised her head, hearing the scream, and sighed.
- Wait, - she addressed the already half-sitting man. - I'll be right back.
Walking towards the camp, she approached the man and poked him in the shoulder:
- Can't you be quieter? Even the Emperor heard your scream. Yes, a couple of days. Strictly bed rest.
- We don't have a couple of days! - Xiao Zuhe groaned. - We have to move on.
- What's wrong, are you too lazy to wait?
- Xiao Zuhe is right, - Fan Miafao approached them. - It's too long.
- Where are you going in such a hurry?
Smiling slyly, Xiao Xiaoqin approached the three people. Here, in the forest edge, the footsteps sank into the soft grass, becoming inaudible; the cultivators turned around, their faces brightening as they saw this young man. The only one who was not moved by this seductive face was the elder brother. He snorted and raised his hand:
"Leave him here and be done with it."
"Elder brother Xiao, so you care about your subordinates?"
"What are you whispering about?"
An Danli and Mo Liaofen came, carrying logs, and, putting them down on the ground, approached the young men.
"We are deciding the fate of the world," Xiao Xiaoqin joked. "I told you, we can't leave…"
"Ren Kajin," Yeliang Mao prompted.
"Get stuck⁶"? A telling name.
"Aiya," Yelian Mao poked Xiao Xiaoqin in the shoulder. "Maybe it's a 'map.'"
An Danli snorted.
"Now, now, be quiet, or he'll hear you."
Kamark soon came over. Hearing the argument, the man suggested.
"One of us can go back and take him to the doctor."
"Rejected," Xiao Zuhe said. "We've come this far."
"I was just suggesting." Kamark held out his hands in an apologetic gesture. "Okay, that's a bad idea. Let's patch him up and send him away."
Squatting down on a rock, one leg tucked under him and the other extended forward, An Danli said.
"Or let him come with us."
Mo Liaofen snorted.
"Not enough people? Take some more from the capital."
"No," An Danli rubbed his fingers thoughtfully. "I'm sure we'll need him."
Xiao Xiaoqin glanced at him meaningfully; his gaze darted to the right as he recalled the moment the man fell, and a strange thought flashed through his mind. Then he said,
"An Danli is right. Let's take him with us."
"Over my dead body," Ye Liang Mao threatened. "With those injuries, he needs at least a few days of rest."
Xiao Zuhe crossed his arms over his chest.
"Then let him help with the camp. Carry food and all that."
Fan Miafao smiled.
"Zuhe, you're so cruel."
"What? If you want the bins to be full, get up at the crow of a rooster."
Laughter rolled through the crowd.
"Okay then," Xiao Xiaoqin said. - It's getting dark soon, and there's not much firewood.
- I'll get it, - a voice came from nearby.
The six of them turned around at the sound; a bashful blush spread across their cheeks when they realized that Ren Kajin had been there all this time.
- What to wear! - Ye Liang Mao jumped up. - Lie down quickly!
- I'm fine, - Ren Kajin justified himself and easily moved away as soon as her fist approached his shoulder.
- Well done, - Kamark clapped his hands.
Xiao Zuhe sighed heavily.
This picturesque place among the mountain cliffs not far from the dense forest evoked some pleasant feeling, but at the same time, An Danli felt strange. He couldn't relax in this beautiful place and slightly blamed himself for not being able to rest. But at the same time, he decided to just let it go and tried not to think about anything else.
At about the same time, the sound of hooves was heard, and the cultivators raised their heads, chatting cheerfully among themselves. Noticing the fire, the strangers approached, and several of them jumped down and staggered toward them. A glint from the wine jug to the side, as he saw later, told An Danli that they were quite drunk.
"Is there a problem?"
"Aiya," the first man raised his hand with the wine jug. "What are you doing lounging around here?"
The second man collapsed on a log next to the cultivators, breathing out tiredly and stretching out his legs:
"You're comfortable here. Are you relaxing?" and cast a playful glance at Fan Miafao. The girl instinctively curled her lips, and his mood instantly changed:
"Do you think I don't see you making eyes at me?"
- Gentlemen, you better leave, - the steel that cut through Xiao Xiaoqin's voice made the people who approached tense up. The most reckless of them, the First, came right up to him:
- Or else what?
An Danli glanced at the man's back and saw several soldiers reaching for their swords. His warrior's instinct told him that there would be a fight. It was pointless to even say anything - drunk people are not their own masters. So he said the first thing that came to his mind:
- Or else it will be bad. Get lost, I said.
- Are you asking for a fight? - someone said behind the First.
But before he could answer, the soldiers had already drawn their weapons. The clanking of swords was heard, and Fan Miafao pushed away the man who was already reaching for her.
- Get away from her!
The second one hooked his fingers into Fan Miafao's dress and pulled her towards him; a white haze covered Xiao Xiaoqin's eyes, and he jerked forward as a blow came from the left to his jaw. He staggered back and struck back, knocking the man to the ground. The sound of a broken jug could be heard.
At the same moment as the first autumn rain, a fight broke out. Dozens of soldiers drew their swords and ran towards them, engaging in combat; the cultivators did not give in.
Many blades were aimed at An Danli, but while weaving between them, he pushed off one of the blades and pushed the man to the side with his blade. Then An Danli noticed that the soldiers were pushing them towards the rocky edges and turned around to change positions, but at the same moment, the man kicked him in the chest with all his might, and when he barely dodged, a sword flew past. Unable to stay on his feet, An Danli fell down the slope of the cave, dragging Xiao Xiaoqin with him.
After rolling down the cave with Xiao Xiaoqin, the men fell onto the dry and rocky ground, tearing their fingers. An Danli instantly grouped himself, managing to avoid numerous injuries, but it was still quite unpleasant. Looking behind him, he saw Xiao Xiaoqin lying down and without thinking twice, he put him on his back.
"What a day, huh?" An Danli chuckled.
There was no answer. Clinging to the stone grog, he crawled forward in the mud and rain, but as soon as he stopped, An Danli froze. Drops of rain fell on the ground, and the mixed smell of freshness and dirt hit his nose. His fingers squeezed the wet earth, and he stopped.
He could no longer hear his breath.
Among the sky and earth, dirt and purity, there was no longer the life of the Chosen One. The man's body slowly slid off his back, and he looked at the young man with an empty gaze. It slid so easily and heavily that there was no doubt. There was no pulse, no movement, nothing. And from his heart protruded a blade, the same one that An Danli had let pass by.
The rain continued to pour, while people were hiding on the other side. Kamark rose from behind the bushes and, seeing An Danli, beckoned to the others. The cultivators jumped out, but after taking a few steps, Kamark froze. His chest tightened with a bad feeling. Looking at An Danli, who was wet with blood and rain, his breath caught in his throat and he asked:
"What happened?"
An explosion thundered above the cave, and a burst of fireworks scattered like thunder across the sky. An Danli suddenly smiled. Amidst the noise, dirt and dust, pounding rain and clouds, his smile seemed so eerie and terrifying that Kamark's stomach twisted.
He already knew what he would say without even hearing the words.
But An Danli still opened his mouth:
"The Chosen One is dead. Only we are left."
The empty and malicious gaze was full of vengeance, emptiness and malice. Upon hearing the news, most of the people froze - only a few, in disbelief, rushed into the cave, pushing the man aside. Swaying like a reed in the wind, he kept his lips stretched out, but his gaze grew darker.
"He died, he really died!"
Kamark pushed aside his unpleasant feelings and walked up to An Danli, tightly grasping his shoulder:
"Don't blame yourself. There's nothing you could have done."
"Hmph," his wide-open eyes trembled slightly. "It seems we are destined to die."
"Don't say that," Kamark sighed.
"Let me go!"
An Danli looked up. Pushing through the group, one man was making his way towards the corpse. But as he rushed forward, the hairpin gave way and fell, ruffling his hair. Fan Miafao fell to her knees next to Xiao Xiaoqin. Tears rolled down her face, and her crying made her feel uncomfortably tight inside. Grasping his frosty skin, she muttered something to herself, swaying slightly. Her fingers slid across his face, tucking his hair, adjusting his clothes, as if she could still keep him alive with these casual gestures. But it was all useless. One of the cultivators approached, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder as the girl muttered,
"What… should we do now?"
A strange thought crossed his mind, stopping him. How… ironic. Even his girlfriend was grieving not so much for his death, but for her own.
The surviving soldiers fled.
The six men surrounded the body, their tenacious fingers clinging to his clothes, his skin, his hair, as if their touch alone could heal him.
It was a very strange feeling.
An Danli looked at the man he knew, the man who meant a lot, but instead he saw a willless toy, a useless corpse. He was already dead – there was no way to resurrect him.
He didn't know why he was so sure of this, it sounded like an obvious and simple truth, like something they would have to face anyway.
An Danli looked up at the sky.
He didn't know why, but every time something terrible happened, he looked at it. His deep eyes seemed to ask, "Really?", facing an unknown and phantasmagoric fate.
Was it predetermined?
Did the heavens know that they would be abandoned?
An Danli didn't know what to say.
These cold, twilight blue skies, covered with tubers of misty clouds, folded and smoothly opened the sky, floating like ice floes, like a blade, like death.
______________________________________
¹ Red dust – the world of mortals
² White
³ Immortal
⁴ Black
⁵ A great move in the game of Go.
⁶ 卡 – consonant with "Ka", to get stuck, but also has another meaning – "treasure map".