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Chapter 15: The March to Brown Clan
Li Gags stood at the head of the training grounds, his eyes scanning the ranks of the 500 men who had been entrusted to him. His thoughts were focused on the journey ahead, but his gaze betrayed his pride in what he had built. The soldiers before him stood in perfect formation, their faces steely and determined. Each man wore the dark leather armor of the Maelula Empire, the sigil of a golden serpent coiled around a sword etched across their chests. Their discipline was evident, and the strength of their resolve was palpable.
It had taken Li Gags months to shape these men into a cohesive fighting force, and he had spared no effort in training them. Now, they were ready for something far greater than simple skirmishes—something that would test their loyalty, their strength, and their belief in the cause.
"We leave tonight," Li Gags announced, his voice cutting through the early morning air.
A murmur of agreement passed through the soldiers, and they began to move swiftly to prepare. Weapons were sharpened, armor checked, and provisions gathered. Li Gags turned to Karo, his trusted lieutenant, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a hardened face that had seen countless battles.
"Karo," Li Gags said, his tone firm but respectful, "you are now the general of this army. Train them well, instill in them the belief that dying for the Maelula Empire is a gift to the gods. I am entrusting you with them while I am away. Keep them strong, and do not let their spirits falter."
Karo's expression softened slightly, and he nodded, bowing low. "It will be done, my lord. I will not fail you."
Li Gags clasped his hands behind his back and surveyed the warriors once more. His army was not the largest, but its heart was fierce. And he knew that one day, it would be a force that no kingdom could ignore. With the creation of the Maelula Empire, he was taking the first step toward that future.
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As the sun sank beneath the horizon, casting long shadows over the training grounds, Li Gags and his small retinue of 20 warriors prepared for their journey. Faith, her face masked with sorrow and determination, stood beside him. She was clad in simple clothing, but her presence was unmistakable—her graceful movements, her sharp eyes, and the quiet strength she exuded were evident to all who looked at her.
The journey ahead was perilous, not just because of the distance, but because it led to the Brown Clan's kingdom—a place where the scent of politics lingered in the air and where one wrong step could lead to disaster. The Brown Clan was a proud and powerful family, known for their ruthless dealings and their distrust of outsiders. But Faith's mother had been ill, and Li Gags had promised to help. It was a promise he intended to keep.
"I'll be fine," Faith whispered, her voice low but steady as they prepared to leave. "I need to do this. For my mother."
Li Gags nodded, his gaze softening as he looked at her. In all his years of service to various masters, he had never met anyone like Faith. She was more than a friend; she was a reminder of a simpler, more innocent time before the weight of power and ambition had overtaken him.
"We'll get there in time," he said, his voice a quiet reassurance. "And we'll make sure she's well cared for."
Their departure was quiet, their movements swift and silent as they slipped out of the camp and into the night. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow on the path ahead. The warriors moved in formation, their footsteps light on the earth, their senses alert for any signs of danger.
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The journey to the Brown Clan's kingdom took several days, each one stretching longer than the last. They avoided main roads, traveling through dense forests and across rocky terrain. The weather was harsh at times, and the nights were cold, but the men kept their spirits high. Li Gags was a master strategist, and his skills in navigation ensured that they would reach their destination without drawing unwanted attention.
Still, the journey was not without its challenges. On the third night, the group encountered a band of marauders, a group of desperate men seeking to rob travelers for food and supplies. The encounter was brief but violent. Li Gags's warriors were quick and ruthless, cutting down the marauders without hesitation. The whole encounter served as a reminder to them all—out here in the wilderness, survival was the only law that mattered.
By the time they reached the outskirts of the Brown Clan's territory, Li Gags could feel the tension in the air. The Brown Clan was known for its vast network of spies, its soldiers ever vigilant, watching for any threat, any hint of rebellion. Even approaching the kingdom's borders felt like walking into a den of vipers. But Li Gags had made a promise, and he would not break it.
They entered the kingdom under the cover of night, taking great care to avoid detection. They were in a small town on the outskirts of the Brown Clan's stronghold, and it was here that Faith's mother had been living. Li Gags instructed his men to disperse and keep watch, while he and Faith made their way to the local clinic where her mother had been staying.
When they arrived, the doctor—an elderly woman with kind eyes—greeted them with a solemn expression. Faith rushed to her, her voice shaking.
"How is she? How is my mother?" Faith asked, her voice trembling with hope.
The doctor sighed, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, child. She passed away two days ago."
Faith's face drained of color, and she collapsed to her knees. The weight of the news hit her like a physical blow. Li Gags stood beside her, his hand gently resting on her shoulder. His heart ached for her, but there was little he could do to ease her grief.
As Faith cried, Li Gags's frustration began to build. He had come all this way—faced dangers and hardships—only to be too late. His inner power, something he had long kept under control, began to stir, an ominous green glow lighting up his eyes.
One of his warriors, standing nearby, noticed the change and quickly moved to intervene. "My lord," the soldier whispered urgently, "please, calm yourself. The Brown Clan's guards are everywhere. If they see your power, we're as good as dead."
Li Gags clenched his fists, willing himself to calm down. His eyes dimmed, the green glow fading, but the anger still simmered beneath the surface. The doctor, having seen the exchange, stepped forward cautiously.
"I didn't realize Faith's mother was connected to someone as powerful as you, Li Gags," she said, her voice low and wary.
Li Gags nodded, his tone grave. "Faith is a friend. We came to help her mother. Please, find us a place to stay and keep our presence here a secret. I'll pay you well for your silence."
The doctor hesitated for a moment, but then, seeing the sincerity in Li Gags's eyes, she relented. "I will help you. I'll make arrangements for a place where you can stay hidden. But I ask that you pay me in gold, not silver."
Li Gags smiled faintly, reaching into his pouch. He handed her 200 gold coins, the weight of them symbolizing his commitment to keeping their presence secret.
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The next day, despite the sorrow hanging over them, Li Gags and his men organized a grand funeral for Faith's mother. The arrangements were lavish, designed to honor the woman who had passed. But the spectacle, though well-intentioned, drew the attention of the Brown Clan's guards. Rumors began to spread about the mysterious benefactors who had come to pay their respects. Even the Brown Clan's king, a man known for his paranoia and cunning, took notice.
That evening, as the mourners gathered to pay their respects, the doctor's conscience wavered. The lure of wealth was too great, and she made a fateful decision. She contacted General Jerry, the Brown Clan's commander, and revealed everything she knew about Li Gags's presence in the town.
At midnight, as the night was darkest, the tension finally broke. One of Li Gags's warriors entered the room where they had been resting, his voice urgent.
"My lord, we are surrounded."
Li Gags's mind snapped into focus. He rose swiftly, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. He glanced at Faith, who was already standing beside him, her eyes wide with fear.
"We're surrounded?" Faith asked.
Li Gags nodded grimly. "We have no time. When I give the signal, you and the others will escape. Head back to the White Clan. I'll hold them off."
He stepped outside, his sword still sheathed, a deliberate gesture of surrender. Standing before him was General Jerry, a man with a cruel smile plastered across his face. His soldiers stood behind him, their weapons drawn, their eyes cold.
"Li Gags of the White Clan," Jerry sneered. "Did you really think you could come here unnoticed? The Brown Clan sees all."
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Li Gags said nothing. His eyes were steady, his body poised like a coiled spring ready to unleash its force. General Jerry smirked, seeing Li Gags unarmed, seemingly at his mercy. But Jerry was mistaken if he thought Li Gags would surrender without a fight.
Before the general could continue his taunts, Li Gags moved. His speed was like a blur, so fast that the soldiers surrounding him barely had time to react. With a sudden, powerful punch, he struck the ground beneath his feet. The force of the blow sent shockwaves through the earth, a tremor that rattled the Brown Clan's soldiers and knocked several of them off their feet. Dust and debris filled the air as the impact reverberated outward, knocking half of Jerry's men unconscious.
Jerry staggered back, his face a mixture of shock and fury. "Shield!" he shouted, rallying the remaining soldiers into formation. They raised their shields, ready to face the man who had just shown them the true extent of his power.
Inside the building, Li Gags's warriors took the opportunity to act. Faith, her face still pale from the grief of her mother's passing, urged them to move quickly. "We must leave now," she said, her voice strained but resolute. "We cannot afford to stay."
The group moved swiftly, their footsteps muffled by the chaos outside. Li Gags's warriors, though skilled, were outnumbered, but they had been trained for moments like this. They fought their way through the Brown Clan's soldiers with precision, cutting down those who stood in their path, each movement a testament to their discipline.
Li Gags, meanwhile, was a whirlwind of destruction. His sword flashed through the air as he cleaved through the Brown Clan's forces with unparalleled speed and skill. Each swing was calculated, each strike delivered with deadly intent. The soldiers faltered in the face of his rage, unsure how to combat someone with such raw power.
When only General Jerry remained standing, Li Gags's focus sharpened. The once-cocky general now stood with a look of uncertainty, his soldiers either unconscious or retreating. Sweat glistened on Jerry's brow as he raised his sword, prepared to face the man who had just decimated his ranks.
"I came in peace," Li Gags growled, his voice low but filled with unrelenting determination. "Remember that, General."
Jerry, clearly taken aback by the ferocity of the encounter, said nothing in response. He raised his sword to meet Li Gags's in a final, desperate clash. But Li Gags was too quick. In one fluid motion, he disarmed Jerry and held his sword to the general's throat, the cold steel pressing against his skin.
Jerry swallowed, his eyes wide with fear. "What do you want, Li Gags?" he asked, his voice trembling.
Li Gags's expression softened, though his eyes remained cold. "I came to offer my condolences and to help a friend," he said, his voice hardening. "But you have forced my hand. I am not your enemy, Jerry. You would do well to remember that."
With that, Li Gags stepped back, lowering his sword and turning away. The battle was over. Jerry and his men were left in the dust, their pride shattered, their spirits broken.
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The journey back to the White Clan was not an easy one. Though they had escaped with their lives, the cost of their mission weighed heavily on their hearts. Faith, still mourning her mother's death, was quiet throughout the trip, her gaze distant as she thought of the life she had left behind. The men, too, were somber, aware that the confrontation with the Brown Clan was only the beginning of a much larger conflict.
Li Gags kept his thoughts to himself, but in his heart, a plan was already forming. The Brown Clan had crossed him, and he would not let this transgression go unanswered. The White Clan had long been a symbol of strength in the region, but it was nothing compared to what Li Gags intended to build with the Maelula Empire. One day, the Brown Clan would regret crossing him, but for now, he would bide his time.
The road ahead was uncertain. Though they had escaped the immediate danger, they were far from safe. Li Gags's name was now known in the Brown Clan's kingdom, and their pursuit of him was inevitable. But this did not deter him; rather, it fueled his resolve.
"We will return," he promised, his voice firm as he addressed his warriors. "Not as fugitives, but as conquerors. We will rise, and they will bow before us."
The men nodded in agreement, their loyalty unwavering. They had seen the power Li Gags wielded, and they knew that his ambition was boundless. In his eyes, they saw not just a leader, but a force that could reshape the entire continent.
As they crossed the border into White Clan territory, Li Gags allowed himself a moment of respite. The journey had been long and fraught with danger, but they had succeeded in their mission. Faith had been avenged, and though her mother was gone, her memory would live on in the actions of those who had loved her.
Li Gags turned to Faith, who was walking beside him. "I'm sorry for your loss," he said quietly.
Faith looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and gratitude. "Thank you, Li Gags. You didn't have to come for me, but you did. I'll never forget it."
"You're my friend," Li Gags said simply. "And I will always stand by my friends."
The group continued their journey home, the future uncertain but full of promise. The Maelula Empire had taken its first steps toward greatness, and though there were many battles still to be fought, Li Gags knew that with his warriors by his side, there was nothing they could not overcome.
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