Sorcerer Who Delivers Death

The Stranger

Jia’s eyes widened, this was heaven. It was like he was living rather from a different dimension of the world. The place itself was so mesmerizing, full of life and full of luxurious items and stature, never be seen in his own birthplace. This place was the epitome of beauty, arts and wealth.

The people bowed down to Zihan, as they got out of the carriage, everyone paid their respect on the master itself. Jia feeling overwhelmed, he started to move behind Zihan’s back. Zihan nodding and waving at them as, he didn’t notice the man. The beauties were waving back to their master, it seems like Zihan was fond of flower-like beauties.

“Gege, you should see your face in the mirror”. Zihan chuckled as he looked behind him, where Jia was hiding.

This is overwhelming, I did not experience something like this in my life. Having to face massive people to only be looked at” Jia murmured, he looked at Zihan who was making fun of him again. Jia really wanted to go back to the tavern, this was too much for him.

Zihan was about to banter something when the disciples hurried themselves to greet their beloved master.

“Shifu! Shifu! Shifu!” The disciples hugged Zihan, was it really allowed. The man was highly- admired really. They were like little chicks flopping their tiny wings when they saw the mother hen.

Shifu!” the youngest one, clasping his hands over Zihan’s shoulders, eyes gleaming with excitement as he hugged the man, pressing his cheeks on Zihan’s chest. The others circling him as Zihan peeled his way out softly. “How’s your training, I told you to practice the sword array formation.” The disciple’s complaint, they had been sore practicing it. Jia listening to the other side, feeling outcast as he didn’t even understand the formation of what, a sword?

Is there something like that? He heard of it, but he never thought he would live to experience something like this, the disciples looked at him. Zihan moves to Jia’s side as he lock arms with the man.

This is also your Senior An, he will teach you...” Zihan looked at Jia, grinning secretly. Jia knowingly, Zihan was up to no good.

way of life…” Zihan seemingly, proud as his gazes back to his disciples who were looking back at them confused.

Shifu, is he a martial master as well” Yu Xuan, raised his hands. It was the one who hugged Zihan like a little bird. Zihan slyly smiles as he nodded.

The disciples beamed at Jia like they eye shine more than stars could ever do. Jia wanted to smack Zihan, but he did it he will be really executed.

I am… just a…mere mortal” Jia looked at them, expecting to be disappointed, but the disciples just welcome it as if Jia was humbling himself.

His face reddens, as his ears started to feel hot burning. Jia averts his gaze to Zihan, as the fool just laughed it out.

“I want everyone to call Senior... he was my Gege and I don’t tolerate disrespect of him.” Zihan meant every word of it, the disciples nodded as they looked at Jia, admiring the poor man, and then Zihan grabbed Jia’s forearm as he started to walk to the manor the disciples followed in a close distance.

Jia ever wondered what kind of master Zihan would be, he thought the man would be responsible and mature. Well, he just kept it to himself. Everyone thought wrong sometimes. The walk to the manor was tiring, the stairs, was killing Jia’s leg. He was after all, just a human who was lost in this cultivation world.

Zihan introduced him to his room; the room itself was grandiose for a nobody like him. This all for him. A canopy bed, a complete set of clothes and shoes. The stuff equates to Zihan himself, Jia had it. Almost gaping, the poor man looked around. It was too pretty for his liking, even Jia can’t imagine he was being spoiled like this. He turned to look at Zihan, who was grinning all this time, the disciples were sent to the training ground.

“All of this for me?” he asked, he even wanted to repeat it. Just to make sure Zihan is not high with anything.

Zihan nodded as he approached Jia, looking at him like he was some sort of ornament. Jia move back, as he cleared his throat, he averted his gaze back to the room. “Gege, welcome very much.” Zihan suddenly spoke as he leans his body on the wall.

Jia almost chuckling as he looked at Zihan back again. “Thank you so much, Shifu.” Jia bowed to him, giving him respect like how Zihan’s disciples would maneuver it. They both laughed as Zihan sat on the bed.

I especially prepare the room for you.” He added, as he looked outside. Jia sat with him also looking at the surrounding. Jia heart felt warmth, even though meeting Zihan means chaotic and lewdness. He can’t help but appreciate the man’s effort to just make him happy. Jia felt like he was especial, attempting to avert his gaze to Zihan.

I’m okay with---” suddenly there was a knock on the door, Zihan acknowledged the one who knocked by ordering the man to open the door. The door open as Jia suddenly stand up, readying to meet the person by giving a respectful greeting but Zihan dismissed it.

The attendant, seemingly having an important role in the manor, wearing a silky robe colored with white and gold hue, his hair tied back neatly as he looked at both. He bowed down, clasping both hands to give respect to Zihan and Jia.

“Your father, would like to have a word with you.” He stated, his eyes locking with Zihan as his serious demeanor means not to mess with him. Zihan stood up as he glanced at Jia who was looking at the man and then back to Zihan.

Wait for me here, I’ve ordered the servants to give you food.” He smiled as he walked to the door, with the attendant. As Zihan passed by the man, the attendant bowed to Jia again and slowly closed the door.

Jia was left behind; he sat down silence once again eating up. He looked at the open window again. His mind going back to Chen-Xu and A’yang. He really missed home that much. He sighed, laying down on the bed as he looked at the ceiling. Even it was beautifully ornamented with Yang’s symbol of power.

Jia closed his eyes, wanting to rest. As the cricket started to make its presence known. Everything falls into peaceful darkness.

Jia that night had the worst nightmare in his life, he dreamt of someone being beaten. Someone being peeled alive, women forced to be a breeding pig in the public square. Some dimensions of his dreams as people were running like something was chasing them down. Fire gobbled the forest and the village. He was watching an unknown history. He seems like the only person standing there, while everything was chaos. He was sweating a lot. He felt scared and helpless.

Suddenly, some familiar stranger strangled him. The more they were so close, the more Jia bears resemblance to it. He locked gaze with nothing but the old man whom he met in that forest, his eyes widen as he felt like he was about to be devoured by something. He wanted to scream but it was met with silence.

"YOU ARE NEXT." the old man whispered, as Jia finally broke down into tears and woke up sweating, like he was bath in his own sweat. He looked around, it was too dark, as he stumble to get the lamp, lighting the match hurriedly. The room illuminated with faint light as Jia looked at the place, he saw some food tray on the side table and a note.

Jia walked his way stumbling to a mirror, horrified as he saw hand mark around his neck. He gritted his teeth, from the lingering pain as marks fading int nothingness. The strangulation was not a dream.

Suddenly, a crow fly towards the old growth tree, resting it's claws in one of the branches. It shot a look on the man's way. Jia sensing something gingerly walk to the open window. There's a silhouette hiding behind the old growth tree. In a blink of an eye, it was gone. As if it wasn't there. The man felt like something is really wrong. Someone is keeping an eye on him. Trembling hands reached out to close the window, as Jia take the silken blanket to hide from whatever horror it was.

He was reminded of that unfortunate meeting, reminding of what's next to come, that the old man will haunt him again and might hurt him this time. He was just a mere human, he didn't even practice cultivation and he never engage in using swords or whatever spell. What makes it so special about him. His mind spiraling thousands of questions, lingers inside his thought like a snake suffocating his neck, gripping tightly he can't even breath. This torment, there's something about it.

And, for the man he thinks, its not a good premonition for him. In finality, his mind tangled into a web of worst possibilities that he can't help himself but tremble.

Until he slipped into a deep slumber again.