Временные трудности / Temporary hardships: Глава 19

Chapter 19, in which the hero learns that the sweetest elixirs sometimes turn out to be very bitter

Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 19:54

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Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 19:54

The last trip was memorable for the rest of his life. It was not because of any interesting events but rather the opposite. Heading toward Bohai with a wagon full of slaughtered beasts and all sorts of goods taken from Gao, Xing had experienced what it was like to be burdened with things and to be held captive by circumstances, what it was like to be pulled to the ground by a heavy burden. True, back then, "heavy load" was really a thing, not a philosophical concept.

Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 19:56

Now Xing was running light, with a single basket, as he had done in the old days. And once again, he was experiencing the sheer pleasure of running. Even the large sum of money was no longer a hindrance. In Myantao, he had deposited most of the money he had and had earned during his apprenticeship in the bank. Surprisingly, the Imperial Central Bank didn't charge anything for keeping the money! And Xing could get back the required amount of money in every major city just by waiting a couple of weeks!

Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 19:58

He had more than two years to make plans and decide on his future goals. And now the new destination was the southern city of Mogao, the Empire's largest port, located on the heavily oceanic Dulunhai Peninsula. The peninsula was the only place on a huge chunk of rocky coastline where large ships could dock, so there were streams of goods from all over the Empire and even the world flocking to Mogao. Including, of course, scrolls, rare potion ingredients, and foodstuffs. It was because his mentor ordered the ingredients for his culinary masterpieces here that Xing knew so much about the city, and even though there were many other options, he chose it. Second on his mental list was the Capital City, where Xing was going to look for an Alchemist or a Talisman Master. The only problem was that Xing had nothing to offer for training. Money... masters of these professions were swimming in gold and didn't need money. However, he did not despair, planning to figure it out on the spot.

Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 20:00

Even though his body was obeying perfectly and his qi was buzzing and pushing forward, Xing's mind was heavy. Was he a true hero who had overcome all obstacles and temptations, or was he a complete fool who had refused Bohai's offer for a goal he couldn't even outline? He didn't know how to push these doubts out of his mind, so he used the only method he could think of.

Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 20:02

"Faster, you lazy turtle, faster!" He shouted to himself and picked up the pace.

Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 20:04

The shadows of people, horses, carts and trees, hills, lakes, and rivers flashed past. Xing rushed on, putting himself into this running as if as if he were being driven by the strokes of a bamboo stick. Xing was impatient. He missed the bastard master. Not the beating and cursing, no. To find him and get even, to return twelve times all those offenses and insults, to turn his miserable life into a Hell.

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 17:57

Xing realized there was no chance of that yet. He was proud of his accomplishments, but he realized there was no hope. Despite all his training, he was still an ant in front of that bastard's mountain. He could destroy the old Han Nao with a single swipe of his finger, and he wouldn't have to do much now. But Xing was impatient to prove that he was no longer a juvenile, that this carp had grown huge teeth and would bite off the head of any dragon!

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 18:00

"Hurry up, turtle!" he shouted again.

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 18:01

"Turtle!" A voice echoed in the distance.

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 18:01

"Hit the turtle!" A shriek echoed in his ears.

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 18:01

The road he was running on went around a high rocky hill, the trees stopped blocking the view, and that cluster of qi lights Xing had sensed earlier turned into a group of armed men attacking a huge monster.

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 18:02

And, as if continuing a long ghastly tradition, this monster was barely perceptible in qi vision.

Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 20:05

A huge, like a house, no, like a whole palace turtle, with ugly knobby limbs, a mouth full of sharp bony outgrowths, and a shell of unexpectedly beautiful turquoise-green color.

Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 20:06

Contrary to his first urge, Xing decided not to attack immediately, but to take a closer look first. Even though the turtle was hiding qi, he could sense, albeit very weakly, its life force. And this gigantic creature was healthy and full of energy.

Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 20:06

A large fishing village, or maybe a small town, which appeared to be a suburb of Mogao, had been badly damaged. The turtle had crawled ashore in a very bad spot, judging by the ruined pier, the masts of small schooners sticking out of the water, and a wide swath of houses reduced to piles of stone and shingles. A group of several dozen men had lured the beast into the open and were now attacking with spears and long harpoons at the only places they could reach - the paws and head.

Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 20:14

Alas, the creature's limbs and head did not look so strong for nothing. The blades and points simply slid across them, leaving not even a scratch. And the creature's movements were lightning-fast, contrary to what one might think of turtles.

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 18:03

But no matter how dire the situation was, no matter how unequal the forces, the situation somehow didn't look hopeless. Instead of sweeping her opponents with a couple of attacks and crushing them with her armored underbelly, she stomped on the ground.

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 18:03

"Hurry up, you assholes!" shouted a youthful-looking man dressed in a dirty silk robe covered with many colorful stains. "And the eyes! Don't hit the eyes! Whoever hurts its eye, I'll put his own eye on his ass!"

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 18:05

The turtle, hearing these words, roared and moved forward again. The turtle's neck retracted a little so, in a moment, it could shoot its head forward with the force of a catapult. One of the hapless spearmen covered his face with his hands and fell on his ass. But instead of biting his head off, the turtle's jaws seemed to hit an invisible obstacle. A glowing spot in the form of the hieroglyph "Obstruct" appeared in the air.

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 18:06

Several flags stuck into the ground in front of the monster lit up with qi, and a light smoke came from one.

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 18:06

"The talismans won't last long!" shouted the same slob who was apparently the commander of this motley defense force. "Kill the creature! But don't hit it in the eye!"

Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 20:16

On the commander's shoulder hung a large rectangular bag, apparently made of wood and upholstered in leather. He flipped open the lid, reached inside, and pulled out several small balls that emitted a strong energy.

Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 20:21

"Eat the pills!" the sloppy commander yelled again. "And kill her at last!"

Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 20:16

He quickly handed out one ball each to the warriors, who popped them into their mouths and were immediately enveloped in halos of qi.

Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 20:17

The commander pulled out a small porcelain vial from his bag and unexpectedly deftly threw it at the turtle.

Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 20:22

The bubble flew through the invisible barrier and smashed into the turtle's head. A dark liquid spilled at the point of impact. There was a loud hissing sound, and a thin crust of ice covered the turtle's head. The turtle froze for a while, shaking its head.

Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 20:22

"Thank you, Mr. Shaolung!" Shouted one of the spearmen. "Hurry up! Let's hit the turtle!"

Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 20:23

The emboldened warriors attacked the monster with renewed vigor. Their movements were much faster, and their blows much harder. But, despite this, they did no damage to the turtle.

Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 20:24

"Rough day?"- Xing asked "Mr. Shaolung," stealthily appearing behind him.

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 19:14

He jerked, jumped up, and turned around at the sudden voice behind him. When he saw Xing and gave him a scrutinizing glance, he shook his head, returning to watching the battle. His hands were rummaging through a square bag, which Xing could now see was separated by several partitions, and the compartments were glowing with qi various pills and vials.

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 19:56

Xing didn't take offense. He did not wear a chef's suit when he traveled, and he bought his traveling clothes for the sake of quality, not refinement. However, the person he was talking to was also clearly not from an Imperial banquet, even though the fabric of the robe had once been very expensive.

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 19:56

"Hurry up, you fools! The potion won't last long!" shouted the "gentleman" and added in a normal voice: "Damn! I don't know where this abomination came from. Tsai Shaolong."

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 20:23

"What?" Xing was surprised at the change of subject.

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 20:24

"My name is Tsai," he said slowly as if speaking to a child, "of the Shaolung clan."

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 20:25

"А! Xing Duo," Xing replied. "I have no clan."

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 20:25

"I see," Tsai sighed. "Are you asking me if I'm having a bad day? What do you think? The creature wrecked the wharf, sank the schooners that were not at sea and crushed the only decent restaurant in the area. Guess we'll have to move to Mogao or beyond after all. There's nothing else to do in this dump. Hit her, you lazy bastards! Why are you petting her?"

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 20:32

He pulled out more vials and threw them at the turtle. They landed accurately again, hitting the knee joints of the front legs. Where the liquid had spilled, poisonous green smoke billowed out. The turtle lifted its head, which was almost ice-free, and roared.

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 20:56

"Where did you buy these things?" Xing asked. "They look useful."

Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 20:25

"I might as well throw bags of gold," Tsai Shaolung sighed. "And it would be even cheaper. Kick its in the knees, assholes! Hurry up!"

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 20:57

The turtle recovered from the first bubble, shooting its head out again. Once again, the symbol flashed in the air, and one of the flags flared brightly and crumbled to ash.

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 21:08

One of the warriors leaned out, seemingly farther than he should have. A bone beak clicked. The hapless spearman was caught in its huge jaws. The turtle raised its head and swallowed the poor man. The spear, like the last bastion of defense, held on for a moment but immediately broke with a loud crack.

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 21:27

"The third talisman," Shaolung sighed. "Now, I guess we'll have to accept it and leave. Even if they somehow managed to kill the creature, the eyes, liver, and heart would barely cover the cost. Too bad, good ingredients. Hard to come by."

Camrad_RIP 21.01.24 в 21:28

"So you're an alchemist?" Xing was surprised. "Why aren't you in the Capital?"

Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 20:26

"In the Capital?" Tsai Shaolong laughed sadly, not taking his eyes off the turtle. "So every idiot who needed to remove a pimple on his ass would knock on my door, telling me about his glorious ancestors and the amount of gold he would shower me with? No, it's much better here. It was."

Camrad_RIP 22.01.24 в 17:17

"So they don't come here?" Xing asked.

Camrad_RIP 22.01.24 в 17:18

"They come. But it's a long way to get there, so they don't bother me for trifles. Of course, there are idiots among the locals, but at least I was able to threaten them, so now they behave properly. Then again, Mogao's a big port, and sometimes you get something interesting. Stab it in the knee, you armless imbeciles! It's a shame to leave this place. But I'll have to."

Camrad_RIP 22.01.24 в 17:24

"Why?" Xing was surprised. "If it's so good here, why not stay?"

Camrad_RIP 20.01.24 в 20:27

"Are you an idiot?" Tsai Shaolung stared at him. "Now this thing will destroy the last talismans, devour those armless, lazy monkey offspring, destroy Lunzi, and then go on a rampage. Maybe they'll stop it at Mogao, maybe not. They've got a good garrison and a navy. But they're used to chasing pirates, not something like this."

Camrad_RIP 22.01.24 в 17:25