chap 1: Chi De Fu Shu
When she closed her eyes, her body dying at a leisurely pace, she could hear every pump of her heart, as it slowed down, closing her eyes, to descend into a peaceful darkness. She thought it was the end. There was so much evil she'd done, so many other ways she could have been. instead, she had chosen this way. A terrible way, but she was happy to accept this end, after all, with her choices, she had long since deserved it.
***
When she opened her eyes, reborn into a new life, she had thought the sight might be terrible, burning embers or something, but who knew she'd been born again, sitting face to face with new parents.
She wasn't a baby this time, unlike her first life, as she glanced down at her child-like hands, she wondered how she came to be in this body, were some souls just later than others?
however, looking back up at her new parents, she knew immediately she wanted nothing to do with them. Overly kind and somewhat strict. The perfect parents, parents like her previous life, and parents that were far too good for a child like her. It was better to end their grief here. She opened the door of the carriage and leapt out, rolling on the street to break her fall. She got to her feet quickly and dashed away.
It wasn't hard to find some muddy puddles, even less hard to get rid of her pretty noble-like dress, throwing it into a pile of street trash, and then wrapping a simple cloth she found in that trash around her waist, and tying another around her neck to cover chest and back. She was still a very young child, only around 5 or 6 years of age, 6 years younger than her previous life, no one could tell she were female, especially when smothered with mud, and after cutting her hair with a piece of something indiscernible, but sharp, so it was a choppy mess, she looked like any other street urchin. She quickly made her way back to the street, even passing by her parents looking for her helplessly, calling in guards and other servants to aid them.
They didn't recognize her, of course. However, she was happy she left, it seemed that on top of her parents being nice and disciplined, they were also rich, that would be a very hard life to play out. She would have to act kind and respectable at all moments, if only to not disappoint her incredible parents. She had lived like that for so long, if heaven had given her another chance to live again, then she didn't deserve to have parents again, not after what she'd done, and she didn't deserve a peaceful life either. It was time to pay retribution, in any way possible.
—--
Meanwhile, in a place far away, where computers paged every side, a figure worked diligently, long curly green hair frazzled down his back, lazily yawning into his palm. suddenly, a computer lit up in bright light.
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*important notification, major canon event evaded successfully, story reformation progression 20%
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"Oh? What is this, that random kid I picked is actually this capable? I was just throwing her at it, since she was so fascinating, but who knew she could pull this off? Interesting, I'll have to make sure to take time to look at her later, well, whatever, that story doesn't start for several more years on her time, so, I'll look into it later, right now I've way too much on my hands…ah, I really shouldn't have shifted so many this week! Although I just threw her there to look good on my documents, even no. 5, the best female psyop couldn't accomplish it, claiming it as impossible, due to the character's complex inter-emotional state of mind, whatever that means, what can a random first timer really do? And one who's not even an adult yet at that.
—--
Her name was Annice, or, at least, it used to be. However, in this new world, everyone spoke mandarin, or something alike to it. Luckily, she was good at picking up languages and it wasn't long until she could communicate effably well. It helped that she knew a bit from her best friend in her previous life, she quickly named herself Tongku, although it wasn't even a proper name, and forwent the surname. Soon everyone in the streets knew her, and she'd already created a gang of her own. Afterall, she had a quick hand, and even quicker feet, and her mind was filled with crafty plans. She called her gang after her friend's favorite idiom, Fushu, 'A group of owls got a rotten mouse, and laughed at you for being hungry for a long time.' and they accepted anybody: old, young, spritely or weak, as long as they did their part. And the parts were designated by her, somehow finding a use for even the weakest.
However, their communication was the best in the streets, and it wasn't long until she began to get bigger deals, instead of her smaller thieveries that didn't gain any attention, nor could track back to them. Until, at last, she finally got a summons: from the leader of the Hao clan. She had qualms about this. But there was no choice but to go if she didn't want to die, she knew better than that.
"Kuangshu (rabid rat/junkrat), you gonna be okay?" Asked BiaoShu, (shaggy rat) her no. 2, way shaggier than he should look, and a burn scar that covered half his body. Apparently his mother lost grip of him when he was a toddler, and he ended up falling into a fire, and was only rescued out after half his skin was burnt almost through. He should have died, instead he was left on the streets for the dead, and she picked him up, cleaning up his wounds, and bandaging him properly, with salves, she had made with knowledge from her past life mother's personal botanist hobby. It's all she normally talked about when coming to visit her in the hospital.
Tongku smirked at him, "Who do you think I am, a summons like this, I'll probably get out, but I had to mention it to y'alls, case I didn't."
"Yeah, it'll just be really hard out here without you, the gang'll dissolve you know." Complained her no. 3, Dashu, (big rat) a fatter boy. He had been thin when she picked him up, almost dead, in a pile of garbage, she had thought he was a corpse at first.
She clapped his shoulder comfortingly. "Then, it'll dissolve, not like it was made to last, it's just to survive, if that way no longer works, find another, okay? Just don't worry me, cause you'll face my beating wherever we end up next, if you don't survive!"
Dashu grinned.
Her no. 1 gripped her shoulder before she left, giving her a hug. She was a tall kid, a bit older than than Tongku, but well, all of them were older than her. However, her no 1, called Mu Songli, or now called Pishu, (tired rat) was an especially special case, and the scars and stitches across her neck and wrists were testament to this. "Don't go." She had been picked up, dying on the streets, outside a brothel. It was obvious what had transpired. Whether it be physically or mentally, she was the most scarred of them all.
Tongku just smiled, hugging her back. "Don't worry, if anything happens, you have full permission to burn down the whole town."
"Tch, just go and die already, leave this place in peace." Complained her no 4, a skinny rat-like kid, he was just called shushu, (mouse). She had picked him up later than the rest, and it wasn't easy to save him, compared to the rest, since he often got her in trouble, and had many enemies.
Many other children surrounded her, wishing her well or woe alike.
and with that, she set off for her destination.
after a rather cordial discussion (far more cordial that it should have been). She made some agreements with them, as was a small alliance, since bringing her group to work directly for the Hao clan would only bring down its reputation, and she had far too many useless people who worked under her to make it worth it for them. An unequal alliance though? This was definitely far more in their vested interest.
after establishing a connection, things were only getting better, Biaoshu and Pishu ran most all of the tasks by the hao clan, and Dashu was training the new hires faster than anyone before. She had found that Shushu had his own talents in memorization, and found work for him aplenty in accounting positions and who was where, compiling information, often just mentally, for her. and she had picked up a new kid, Rushu, she was a sweet one, but only to her friends. Tongku was lucky she was one of them.
Thus, they heard about some refugee children in the west, she left the city with Dashu, Rushu and Shushu. an old man who worked in her gang drove a cart of wine barrels and food, and they teamed along in the back of it.
It took them a couple weeks, but they eventually made it to their destination. She was hoping to spread her influence outside their own city, but only after leaving, did she realize just how far the town was. However, arriving into it, it was as destitute as she had thought, and after offering a bit of food out, had already gathered a crowd of children.
"Ah-shu, get all their names, Dashu, Rushu, go out together to gather some more," meanwhile, she began to help make them presentable for travel. offering them food presently but if they desired or had nowhere to go, they could follow her back to work for the gang, in exchange, she promised to do her best to protect them and provide for them, at least until they were adults, where they would either leave with their skills that they'd learnt, or they would run her gang more officially beside her.
She figured most of the kids didn't understand, but seeing that she cared for their wounds and stomachs, several were happy to take the risk.
Evening came, and most settled down for the night, including herself, all huddling up together, warming up one another's bodies in the cold night. Her Dashu and Rushu were on either side of her, and she felt it wasn't too bad, living in this strange world.
It was then, a feeling of dread washed over her. She didn't know where it came from, or why she felt it, perhaps her feminine senses, being stronger, felt it first, because only her and a few other girls looked up right away, but the second wave of dread that washed over quickly woke up everyone else.
They scrambled to their feet.
"Thats…" One of the girls whispered. "It's, it's the demons, isn't it!" she panicked. Another burst into tears immediately. Tongku had heard of these strange people that were called demonic cultivators in this world. They were fearsome people, that would kill and wreak havoc to grow stronger, and for the fun of it. they were like terrorists, she assessed, but anyone had the potential to be one, if they strayed down the wrong path. Well, if one really thought about it, that was a terrorist too, wasn't it? Indeed, she was quite good at making metaphors up, she nodded to herself, but currently there were more problems afoot. As well as a more socially acceptable terrorist in this world.
It had only been a year for her in this world. She was around 7 now in her current body, 13 years old in totality, but unlike most 13 year olds, death didn't scare her. she'd already chosen death once. This was a new life, a chance to start over, a present she didn't deserve. What was choosing death a second time? She stood up, whispering a couple things to Rushu, Dashu and Shushu before taking a protective stance before the children, as two men walked out. They were both glowing with red light, especially their eyes, which glowed vibrantly. She had never seen anything like it before, and it really hit home just then how different this world was from her own earth.
She gritted her teeth, before her heart quickly stilled. "Sir," her knees shook, falling to the ground, "Please, please have mercy!" her eyes alit with tears, begging them.
They, seeing all the panicked expressions of children, instantly relaxed, swaggering forward, their blades lowered, as one came down to snivel in her face. "what? Scared? Alright, t-" before he could continue, a rusty dirk that she carried with her, hidden in her sleeve, pierced into his neck, or, it should have. But this wasn't earth. His hand moved faster than it should have, the red light that wreathed his body, as his hand guard deflected the blade, he snarled, "You-" grabbing at her, but she had already flipped backwards, away from him, right then, he felt himself doused in the back. She had done well grabbing their attention long enough for Dashu with his large frame, to dunk them in fluid, and before they could even properly determine what it was, a burning wood piece flew out as well, and they burst into flames.
"Follow him!" She screamed, "Run!" Pointing to Shushu, she'd already informed him of the best direction.
Shushu, still holding a torch in his hand, was a perfect beacon, the kids went running. Rushu had been waiting in the shadows, as Shushu passed, grabbing up the ablest of them to take a separate, more dangerous route, she had also gathered any others that weren't sleeping out in the open with them.
Those that didn't run at her cry were forced away by Dashu, as she grabbed a shovel, tripping the men currently on fire. She figured the fire wouldn't kill them, it would only blind them for a bit, and cause some pain, but that was enough, the moment they fell, she grabbed up her rusty dirk, slicing the men's belts and pant strings. After all, it was hard to chase after someone with your pants falling down, before taking off running herself.
But, the moment she turned around, there were already two more that appeared in her peripherals. She blinked, and one was already before her, grabbing her by the neck and lifting up her struggling form.
"What a mess." He commented, gazing up and down at his companions, who had finally put out the fire on themselves, and were holding up their pants. He was cloaked completely in black with large ring earrings and long black hair that was free flowing, "And you," he snarled at her, a small flick of his other hand, and her dirk went flying. "You are quite the little scamp, aren't you?"
she stopped struggling, relaxing her entire body. She was tall for a 7 year old, probably since she had never let herself grow hungry in this hunger-infested world.
With her relaxing, he had also incidentally relaxed his own grip a bit, but she knew, with his cultivation, it would be easy to prevent her from escaping even with such a weakened grip.
"Ah, do you think you helped your filthy little urchins escape?" He chuckled at her, lifting up his hand, his curly hair billowed a bit, as he turned his face up, she followed his gaze, to watch as, at his command, kids were pushed forward, out from the alleys. "I must thank you for gathering up all the children ahead of time, it really, saved me a lot of trouble." He seemed to want to want to torture her with his words. It seemed her scattering tactic, to scatter a few and escape with the many, had been much more costly than she anticipated. It seemed even Dashu had been caught, he was bleeding profusely, he hadn't gone down without a fight.
She didn't bother struggling again, but watched as one by one, kids she recognized were dragged out to stand in a circle, weapons pointed at them.
A man came over to the one in charge, at his gesture. "Is this all of them?" he asked blithely.
the man bowed. "I'm sorry, sir, we can only find less than a third of what was recorded."
He flicked an eye down at her. "Is this…your doing?" she didn't respond, he shook her a little, "Don't play dumb, I know you are the gang leader here."
She just smirked, "I don't know, I can't remember every child on these streets, and I haven't found any account books for them."
"Heh." He turned to his man, "Send the men farther out, light all the houses on fire if you need to, it's time to smoke them out."
To her disappointment, another 50 kids got rounded up, less than half had managed to escape.
She glared at the leader of those kids, who was in perfect condition and much too content. Shushu! why is it always you! You little scamp! Don't think I don't know you gave up the kids! You always said you wanted to join the demonic cult….Tch. You brat. She sent a glare his way, sending some obscene finger gestures, he just spat out his tongue, and she gave up, looking away again.
"Heh." She felt a voice in her ear, his goatee tickled her, spit flying to land on her lob, "Seems they can't get away then."
She just ignored him, looked down at the ground, he tossed her over to join them. "Dont' worry," she assured them, "They won't kill us yet." She waited till the attention was off her before making her way to Dashu and helping him stem the bleeding, bandaging him up.
"What happened?" She asked.
"That stupid Shushu made some noise, so I held them off to escape, but, to think he still didn't get away…"
"Haha," she sighed, "Such is the way of Shushu, it was my bad, thinking he'd forgotten such aspirations after so long with us."
They both sighed in disappointment.
"Imma gonna beat him up real quick," she cracked her knuckles, standing up, Dashu didn't stop her.
"Little Laoshu!" she cried out, the kids all parted. "You really asking for my fist tonight!"
Shushu quickly ran to the outside of the crowd of kids, so as to dissuade her fist. It didn't help.
she came after him, landing a good blow before the man in black stopped her.
"Hey, scamp," his grip was so fierce her arm felt it would be snapped in two, "You're no longer the boss of here, sit down like a good little boy, and be quiet."
"Let go." She spat on his hand, making him let go, taking back it back in anger.
He drew his blade with the same vengeance she took back her hand.
"You! Who do you think you are!" His blade was pressed to her neck, but she held no fear in her eyes or stance at all.
"Okay, kill me then, let's see who the real boss is now."
He knew what she was doing. Able to remain in authority over his gang even after being taken prisoner. This kid was wise beyond his years. Luckily, he wasn't conniving though. The boss might like him. He should kill him.
He slammed his foot into her, sending her backwards, coughing up blood, mud coated the front of her rags.
"I won't kill you, but disrespect us again, you won't be able to get back up to beat your little pet mouse again."
They finally moved out. Taking all the kids into a covered cart, and wheeling them out.
It took several days to get to their destination. In that time, only a pail of water was given every evening, other than that, nothing went in and out, not even feces and urine.
They stunk terribly by the time they exited. Some didn't exit, remaining motionless, slumped against the floor.
They were in a dark cave. She wondered if teleporters existed. At one point they had all felt incredibly ill for no reason, and where they were currently felt completely different from where they had been. She hadn't gone traveling in her past life, but she had lived in a different country to her current one. She now knew the air smelled different depending on where you lived.
they were far from home, and very deep underground.
They were forced to strip completely, bathing in an underground stream that ran by. As they stripped, more gathered from other wagons that had been brought in. There were around 500 children now. Only a little over 100 came from her town.
She made sure to hide herself in the multitude of bodies, until she put on the new garments they gave them. simple black ones, tied with coarse rope belts. Dashu barely fit into one himself. and with their terrible stitching, they tore a little on his shoulders and barely closed over his stomach, but it wasn't terrible.
They were led to an open room and left alone after getting their garments. Most of the kids were starving before she met them and had once again starved for several days in the carriage there, few had strength to run around or make chatter, and those that did chatter slowly came to a halt, when finally, a man with white hair and red eyes entered the room, along with several more guards. After discussing it for a moment, he called out.
"Welcome!" His teeth glistened much too white for the dirty place they were in, his long, sharp fingernails, coated in pain, waved through the air, gesturing as he spoke. "To the blood cult, you have come across the blessed opportunity to now join us as one of our members, that is," he grinned maliciously, "If you can survive long enough to become one." His feet tapped the ground crisply, his heels grinding into the rock-packed floor. "However, it's also important that after you have entered this cave, there will be no leaving it until you become a member of the blood cult, and you aren't a member of the blood cult until you have finished your training and are given a name by a red member.
"Now, the first rule of being a blood cult member, is to obey your superiors. However, i don't know if you have really had a moment to comprehend this rule yet." His eyes flitted over the crowd, "Hmm, let's see, what could be a good way to tell?" He strode amongst them, they made way for him, scooting out of it. "What a sorry lot you are." All but one. He smirked, grabbing Dashu and dragging him forward.
"Alright, here's the first test, one of you, come up here," he took out a straight dagger, embellished with carving in its simple handle, "And slit this boy's throat. If you do, I'll reward you with a fine meal." The smell of roasted meat wafted over them, as a furnace was brought in, a pot of boiling broth over it. None of the kids moved, but a couple began to whisper.
"What's this?" He sneered. "You don't dare to do it? have you not understood? Do you know the consequences of disobeying? Let me tell you, if none of you steps up to kill him, I will order them to kill you all." His eyes grew ominous, as he gestured for the men to step forward, drawing their blades. "There are thousands of orphans in the world, and we already have warriors we've groomed since birth, you lot are more worthless than the dust on my shoes. But, if you do do it, I'll let you have a meal tonight, oh, and be the leader over the rest." Dashu wasn't flinching, despite the blade pressing to his neck, blood already leaking out from where it pressed against it, his eyes steadily on his boss's face. The kids were all restless, talking amongst themselves, some were already standing up, all but one group, his eyes narrowing in on them. A group centered around one person. That boy also slowly stood up. "I'll do it." Her voice was so commanding, for a moment, it silenced all dissension, gathering every eye to her as she stood up and strode forward.
Liao Lusheng was bored. He had recently angered his superior and been demoted, forced to with the menial job of training children gathered as spoils from looting. These children were usually useless, born without talent for martial arts,they were trained half heartedly, mostly just brainwashed, given 3rd rate skills and sent out on one time missions or to be used as low-level spies. And of these 500 he doubted more than 20 to 50 would really make it out alive. In this group though around 100 of the kids were rather organized compared to the rest. The reason, he quickly noticed, was just one, singular person.
"I see." He commented, "So you are the boss of them, hmmm, are you his boss too?" He gazed down at Dashu who still staunchly had his eyes locked to her, biting his lip as if to ward off the fear that threatened to overtake him.
She smirked. "Yes, I'm his boss. Say, Dashu," she leaned over, "Would you be upset if I were to kill you?"
Dashu shook his head loyally, "Never boss, you can kill me if you like!"
"Oh? To think he's honored!" Liao lusheng handed over the knife, eyes narrowing. This boy that had come forward was dangerous.
"As he should be." She chuckled, lifting the blade to his neck, then, one solid thrust, she plunged the blade into her opponent.
Liao Lusheng, caught unsuspecting, could only lift his hand to defend,