Foreboding Storm - Chapter 143

“You’ve found the girl? Where is she?” Hurried footsteps sounded from inside the shack as Leader Ji rushed to invite Leader Ku.

“Ku Yan, quick! Come in. Tell me everything you know about the girl. This is a question of the Seven Realms’ survival.

Leader Ji’s face instantly turned dark upon hearing the young man’s words. However, in the next instant, he wiped the ruthless gleam from his eyes and smilingly welcomed the young man inside.

Hmph! Ku Yan, I’ll let you act as you want for a while longer. The moment I get the prophecy girl in my hands, your story comes to an end!

“Sit, sit! Madam Lin, bring some refreshments. We have Ku Yan over!”

The middle-aged man smilingly sat next to Ku Yan.

“So, where is the prophecy girl and why haven’t you brought her along with you? Is she okay?”

“Leader Ji, don’t worry. The girl is okay and is with Leader Bai. Leader Bai had found her and is taking her back to the village.” Ku Yan wasn’t in the dark about Leader Ji’s intentions.

But since the man only seemed to be looking out for the best of the Ji Settlement, he didn’t pay his manipulations too much heed.

“She is with Leader Bai? Why did you allow Leader Bai to take her? Don’t you know how important she is?”

“Leader Ji, Leader Bai had found the girl. So it’s only reasonable that she’d take her along. If I acted shamelessly and tried to wrestle the girl away, do you think the prophecy girl will be pleased with us?”

“This…”

“That’s why I didn’t force her to come with me. But don’t worry. I’m going to the Bai settlement to train her. I stopped by to request you to look after my mother in my absence for me.” This was the real reason Ku Yan had returned.

With the ascent of the Dark Moon, unrest was certain to abound in the Northwest. With his mom handicapped, if there wasn’t anyone to take care of her and look after her, then she won’t be able to make it through the upcoming storm.

“It’s good if you’re going to train her. At least then, our Ji Tribe will have a hand in contributing to the rise of the Prophecy girl. Don’t worry about your mom. I’ll have Madam Lin take good care of her.”

“Thank You, Leader Ji.” Ku Yan cupped his hands to offer the man his sincere thanks.

“Haha…what’s there to thank me? We’re both doing what we’re doing for the good of the Ji Tribe…haha.”

“If you two are done discussing your important matters, here are your refreshments.” At this moment, Madam Lin came in carrying pots of milk tea and apple pastries, the only ones the Ji Tribe was most famous for because of their close proximity with the Apple Tree.

“Haha…Madam Lin, you have perfect timing. We’re done discussing. Set down the pastries. We need to celebrate this moment with something sweet.” Taking the table-set from her hands, Leader Ji set down the tray of pastries between him and Ku Yan, passing the man a tray and milk tea before digging in his own.

“Sigh…we are living such peaceful and comfortable lives right now. After the nightmare begins, who knows if we’ll ever have this chance again.” As immigrates from the North, the Ji Tribe was more clear on the difficulties of shifting and leaving behind familiar grounds in search of habitable and survival ones.

They knew how difficult it was to confront the opposition of native residents and acclimate to a foreign environment for survival.

Once the most dreaded hour arrives, finding such peace and comfort again would be most difficult.

Sighing helplessly, Leader Ji bowed his head with a complicated expression.

If it were up to them, they would’ve preferred to never confront the upcoming nightmare. But it wasn’t up to them and they had no way of evading that which was about to come.

A while later, Ku Yan left the Ji Tribe without returning home to see his mother. Since he came to know about Su Ra’s truth, he’d lost the courage to see his mom’s face and her situation and condition made his guilt fester even more.

Navigating through the same valleys and hills, he leaped through the ruins and rubble back to the settlement the prophecy girl and Bai Lan stayed.

As indifferent as he appeared, Ku Yan was actually looking forward to training the girl. Because in a way, he would be contributing to securing the future of not only the Ji Tribe but the entire seven realms.

Maybe then, his previous sins would be forgiven in view of his great accomplishments…

Princess Qamari and Bai Lan were in the midst of preparing for departure when Ku Yan returned.

“Ku Yan, you’re finally back. I was planning on taking our friend Qamari away from here without you if you delayed any longer. The Dark Moon will reappear in a few more hours. The sooner we set off, the earlier we’ll reach the Bai settlement. And the earlier we reach the settlement, the sooner we can seek shelter from the Dark Moon.”

“I’m sorry for the delay. I had to take care of some personal affair.”

“Haha…We’re just glad you made it back in time. Now, let’s go!”

Bai Lan grabbed Princess Qamari’s wrist earning a cold glare from the girl. Unable to bear the cold aura, she immediately released the hand and sheepishly smiled.

“Okay, okay. I won’t hold your hand. But can we move faster? I don’t want us to get stuck in the middle of the road with a Dark Moon above our heads.”

At this, everyone’s expression turned solemn and without a word, they clutched their bundle and turned, leaping into the distant mountains before another round of useless chatter could begin.

Princess Qamari followed tight on Bai Lan’s heels, surprised at the fact the girl had such great footwork without the use of magic.

“Bai Lan, where did you learn such mysterious footwork?”

“You mean the Light-Body Footwork? This is a secret technique of the Bai Tribe. But if you like it, I’ll teach you the steps in the future.”

“If it’s the secret technique of your Bai Tribe, why would you teach it to me?” Teach her for free? There was no such thing as free meal in this world!

“Because you’re like a little sister to me. Teaching a sister the secret technique of the Bai Tribe isn’t forbidden.”

“Heh…doesn’t that mean one only needs to become your sister to learn all of your Bai Tribes secret techniques? By the way, you’re not much older than me. So why are you addressing yourself as my older sister?”

“Because I’ve more experience than you!”

“Even if I’m younger than you, you still can’t become my older sister. It isn’t so easy to be my sister!”

“No problem! In time, I’ll definitely become your soul sister.”

The small group of people joked and chattered nonstop as they made their way back to the Bai Tribe.

Within the time of half a day, they arrived before the giant cluster of rocks surrounding the Bai Settlement.

“Qamari, welcome to the Bai Tribe.”

Princess Qamari looked at the cluster of rocks and couldn’t help but marvel at nature’s beauty. The giant rocks, each about half as tall as the ancient trees in the Forbidden Zone, acted as a form of shelter and defense as they surrounded the settlement living in its center.

Bai Lan led the group to the only entrance into the tribe where a lone guard slept with his feet resting on a rock. Seeing the sleeping guard, Bai Lan’s face turned dark and she mercilessly kicked the man.

Bang!

“Ah! Who! Who dared to kick!” The guard interrupted from his sweet nap and kicked so viciously, rose to his feet with anger brimming in his now alert eyes.

But upon seeing Bai Lan’s figure, he immediately deflated and began trembling uncontrollably.

“Lea…Lea…Leader!” Unable to withstand the powerful aura, his legs grew weak and he fell on his knees.

“Heh…I left for a day and night, and you useless fools dared to actually sleep on duty? You useless idiot! Starting today, you’re fired from guard duty!” Throwing another vicious kick at the guard, Bai Lan stomped on his foot and moved past him.

Princess Qamari threw the wailing guard a pitiful glance and followed after Bai Lan. She felt sorry for the man for losing his job, but she found Bai Lan’s way of handling the matter very acceptable.

After all, the entrance of a home, village, or city was the most important part of a region. It was the place that gave outsiders access to the individuals and valuables held within the territory. If the guarding of the entrance was lax, there wasn’t any need to wonder what could happen to the occupants and their valuables if a group of bandits attacked.

As a guard with the responsibility of securing the safety of every individual inside the settlement, the guard had failed to carry out his duty. His punishment was just and rightly deserved.

“Qamari, come with me. Until you’re strong enough to leave on your own, you’ll stay with me.”

“Hmm…” Princess Qamari’s eyes wandered around the settlement in fascination.

One can also use leaf clusters as skirts? As chest bands as well? I wonder if those are real tattoos…hope not because they look too…horrendous

Her eyes were practically laughing in amusement as she looked at the various blood lines and marks adorning the tribal people’s faces. As scary and ferocious the blood tattoos made them appear, they also made the tribal folk appear comical and…strange.

“Qamari, what are you laughing at? Is there something funny?” Bai Lan leaned her head next to Princess Qamari and fixed her gaze in the direction the other was looking.

Upon seeing the group of men and women adorned in their official robes and appearing relaxed and at ease, Bai Lan’s playful expression disappeared and a dark aura swirled around her.

“Qamari, do you want to see how to skin a live money?”

“I’m not sure about that. I actually love animals. But if you skin a live person, I’d be more than willing to join you.”

Bai Lan paused mid-step and threw the girl a strange look.

She would love to see me skin a person alive? Isn’t she the prophecy girl? Why is she so ruthless! But she also said she likes monkeys…

Bai Lan was thrown in turmoil. The girl she brought to save humanity didn’t seem to hold much empathy towards humans but…animals?

With such distinct taste, could she be trusted to save them?

Throwing the girl another strange glance, Bai Lan turned and proceeded towards the group of men.

The group of ten had returned from the wise elder’s gaze frightened out of their minds. Their minds replayed the image of the howling and wailing shadows and shapes in the cave. Restless and spooked, they weren’t able to sleep well and gathered together to discuss the situation of their Leader.

But before they could even begin their discussion, a dark, awfully familiar voice interrupted their conversation.

“Heh…I see my absence has been enjoyed quiet well, no?”

“That…doesn’t that sound like the leader’s voice?” The female tentatively asked.

“Yep, it sounded the same to me.” Hesitantly lifting their heads, they encountered the cold sneer of their Leader Bai.

“Leader!” Excited to see her return safe and sound, the men rushed towards Bai Lan to inquire about her health. But before they could even approach six inches of her, kicks and punches rained down on them, making them cry and beg for mercy as they huddled together.

“You useless lot of flesh! I told you to find someone, you couldn’t find her! I left you in charge of the tribe and you’re enjoying yourselves here? Useless! Truly useless!”

Princess Qamari enjoyed the scene with bright eyes. As she watched Bai Lan pummel a group of grown-up individuals, she couldn’t help admire the girl.

That was until her gaze fell on the clothes the group of ten were wearing…

Shocked speechless, Princess Qamari stepped closer for a better look and, clearly seeing the mark on the corner of their robes, her breath stagnated.

“This…you people are…” They were the group of black-clothed men that had chased her when she was headed towards the Bansi Village….