Interlude: The Disciple

~~~

“You killed my brother, you vile bi-”

In the blink of an eye, the bandit’s body is encased in a block of ice. It cracks then shatters into a thousand pieces along with the body. The countless shards are scattered to the four winds in a matter of seconds. Tomorrow, the ice will melt, and it will be as if he was never there.

Bai Wen dusts some shards from her robes.

“Rude,” she says to the empty spot where the bandit once stood. “There is no need for that language. Even in matters of life and death.”

Especially in matters of life and death, her Master would say. Some things are too important to be tainted by crass language, not that Bai Wen expects a bunch of savages to understand matters of respect and courtesy.

“Y-you defeated them,” the village elder at her side says. The old, frail man prostrates himself before her. “Thank you, oh great fairy! Thank you! You have saved our village!”

The village elder speaks with such awe and reverence that Bai Wen has to make sure her white veil is still in place and that her blue robes cover her entire body and disguise her figure. It would be unfortunate if her beauty accidentally charmed the people she is helping.

“Please stand, elder.” She helps the old man to his feet. “A man of your age has no need to bow. Let us go back to the town. See your daughter, hug your grandchildren, and live the rest of your days in peace. That is how you will thank me.”

The old man sobs into his hands. “Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Bai Wen awkwardly pats his back and mutters some platitudes as she keeps walking him back to the village, leaving behind the frozen remains of the bandit camp. It is really such a small thing to be thanked over. Batting a fly would have taken more effort out of her, yet it is different for these people. The men she just killed were a genuine threat to their way of life.

If not for her, they would have suffered. Then they would have died.

The people welcome her into the town like a hero. Some cannot believe their troubles have been solved so quickly. A mother of five collapses into her arms, sobbing her thanks. She no longer has to fear her sons foolishly risking their lives fighting the bandits.

It is a sight that has become all too common for Bai Wen.

She allows the feast to go on for several hours, understanding it is more for their sake than hers.

People need to celebrate heroes.

By dawn, she has already left the village, having made sure to leave some coins and medicine in the elder’s house. Those, along with the spoils from the bandit camp, should help make up for the damage caused by the bandit attacks, though sadly not the loss of lives. She also makes sure to leave a snowflake with a fragment of her soul behind. It will protect the village should the need arise.

Bai Wen sighs.

Her Master ordered her to find out all there is to know about the major powers in the Storm Dragon Empire, not to kill all the bandits she comes across. Yet, she finds herself doing the latter more and more often lately.

It is not that she has been neglecting her primary mission. Her reports are all meticulously written and sent to her Master in a timely manner.

However, how is she supposed to stand by while the wicked do as they please?

Her Master did not raise such a person!

Master Bai picked her from the streets. She gave her clothes to wear, a place to rest, and food to eat.

This narrative has been purloined without the author’s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

She gave her a name.

To avoid drawing attention because it is not part of her mission? To look away because it is convenient?

How could she ever look at her Master’s face if she did that!

Bai Wen will strike down evil when she sees it. Her name will stand no less! She will not look or walk away! That is precisely why…

“I would really appreciate it if you did not think your presence is actually hidden from me.”

For a moment, there is silence in the desolate, war-torn wastelands that are the border territories of the Storm Dragon Empire.

“Ah, how embarrassing. I thought I was doing a good job hiding.”

The air shimmers and reveals a handsome man with red hair and gold eyes wearing robes that leave much of his upper body exposed. He has a short red beard, and the smile on his face is carefree and cheerful.

He is standing in her way.

Bai Wen narrows her eyes.