Chapter 5: The Mountain Kingdom
The tense standoff that seemed as if it would last forever was finally broken by the words of the mountain people's leader who I identified as Bajiou. Bajiou was far more average sized when compared to his fellow mountain people but he was surrounded by a more dangerous air than anybody here besides my self. All of the mountain people wore masks on their faces with him being no different. He was also carrying two curved sabers on his back that I could already tell had seen combat by the markings along the blades.
" Welcome king of Qin our leader has decided to see you " stated Bajiou in a somewhat raspy tone which I think he is using to sound more intimidating since I know that he is able to talk normally from the manga.
" Great then lets go " shouted Shin enthusiastically but as he began walking he was thrown backwards by Bajiou who continued speaking with the raspy voice " not you only your king can come with us ".
When he finished he was met with the outcry of Sho Bun Kun and the remaining soldiers who wanted to stay with the king only to be interrupted by the death threat from Bajiou and Ei Sei agreeing to his demand.
Deciding that I should interrupt here to prevent myself from being thrown into jail later when Sho Bun Kun sends Shin, Ten and Heki after the King later I put a hand on Ei Sei's shoulder stopping him from moving forward.
" That's not really that fair is it, he should be allowed at least one guard shouldn't he " I say clearly suggesting that I go with the king.
My interruption caused many of the mountain people to raise their weapons just waiting for the order to attack from Bajiou. Bajiou looked at me or at least I think he did from the limited information I am receiving from under his mask. After a few moments of what seemed to be careful thinking he turns away and and begins walking before continuing once more.
" Very well the swordsman may accompany the flatland king " he acquiesced while beginning to move into the distance signaling for us and his soldiers to follow. As we moved away from Shin and company I gaze at our escort trying to figure out their combat power to the best of my ability.
A few hours later the sun begins to fall and we stop to setup camp for the night with me and the King being quartered in the middle of the camp.
" How do you plan to convince the Mountain King your majesty " I asked the King who was staring at the campfire in front of us with curiosity evident in my tone despite already knowing how it happens from the manga. I mean he seems to pull intricate arguments from nowhere so it seems interesting to get a peek at his thought process and conviction that he has to fulfill his dream.
" I plan to tell the truth " answered the king after a few moments before once more staring at the fire not elaborating on what he said.
After sitting at the fire for a few more moments the king speaks up and asks me a question.
" What is you dream Yoriichi, what drives you to get out of bed in the morning to practice your sword skills, why are you following me on this fool's errand " questions the king without taking his gaze from the fire that had begun to die down.
Just as I was about to make a snarky reply or joke I stop seeing that the king has a more serious look on his face than before. Taking a moment to think about his question I realize that I don't have a goal in this world, I know that I want my name to echo in history but I don't know what I want my name to be known for. I only came to this world because I know a lot about it and it seemed interesting at first. But now being in this world everything is so real between the fresh air the adrenaline in my veins and the excitement of crushing my opponents with the sword. Pondering for a few more moments while fiddling with the pearls around my neck I decide to answer the king honestly.
"To be honest your majesty I don't know what my dream is right now but I know that whatever it is I will require great strength to accomplish that goal which is what drives me to get up every morning" I reply with a very honest tone and a big smile on my face realizing that I can truly do whatever it is I want to do in this world.
" I see" was the only response I received almost causing me to believe the king was disappointed with my answer only to see a small smile on the king's face as he walked away towards the tent that the mountain people provided him with.
"I guess I need to keep looking for my dream" I muttered happily while gazing at the embers of the once blazing fire that had proudly burned only minutes before.
As the sun rose the next day and the mountain people packed up camp I gazed at Ei Sei who stood at the edge of the path overlooking the sun's rise and the valley below. 'He seems taller today' I remarked to myself before dismissing it as nonsense and walked up to him.
" We will finally reach the Mountain Kingdom today, are you excited your highness " I asked wanting to know what the King was thinking behind that ever calm face of his.
" I am interested in what the Mountain King will do or say as our fates and even our lives are in his hands at this point " pointed out Ei Sei
I don't refute his statement as even though I have confidence in my skills the Mountain King in her prime which is still approaching could easily rank in the top 20 warriors in all of China. I am strong and my skills are the real deal but I don't if I have yet reached the Zenith of Chinese warriors yet as I am still acclimating to this body and Yoriichi's skills.
Another thing to note is that Bajiou dispatched around 20 soldiers last night. Their job is almost certainly to capture Shin and Company who Sho Bun Kun would have sent after us. ' I mean what did those idiots think, how could people who spent their entire lives here not notice a campfire in the middle of the night when they have a vantage point over the entire valley'.
After a few more hours of walking we approach a checkpoint being guarded by a score of mountain people. After making sure that we are the correct people they let us pass allowing us to truly enter the home of the Mountain people.
As turn a final bend we are greeted by a sight that will forever be ingrained in my mind as one of the most beautiful places in China. Massive mountains surround the city that is directly built into the mountainside. Bridges spanning massive ravines connect different buildings giving off majestic feeling. Even the buildings are beautiful something you wouldn't normally expect from the mountain people. 'The manga really didn't do this city justice' was all I could think as I took in the sights before my eyes.
"Keep moving" shouted one of the mountain men aiming his spear at us and indicating for us to not stop.
We walked over several bridges before finally finding ourselves in front of the largest building yet which clearly served as the palace of the Mountain King based on the extra luxury in the building itself. Bajiou motioned for us to follow him.
"The Mountain King will meet with you in a few hours in the mean time you can wait here" said Bajiou ditching the raspy voice from earlier and using a more normal tone before exiting the room he had led us to.
" The game begins " was all I muttered to myself before sitting down in the lotus position to contemplate what I had seen so far today.
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Thanks for reading the chapter. If you enjoyed this chapter please leave a powerstone, review or comment because I would really appreciate it.
The next chapter will cover the meeting with the Mountain King
Also I am sorry for having two chapters in a row without combat the next chapter should have some.
This chapter covered manga chapters 17-19
(1444 words)
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