A Beginning's Continuation

by Tony Tran

  The boy's father tried to tell his son to stop, however his mouth was gagged and his arms and legs were bound, so there was nothing he could do but squirm about on the ground.

  The young woman’s hand extended and reached toward the boy's temple as countless unreadable runes appeared on her arm. Everyone became wide eyed and watched in silence as the boy proceeded to scream and struggle as the woman's index finger pressed onto the boy's forehead.

  Well soon enough these tunes that were on the woman's arm were transcribed onto the boy, flowing into his mouth, ears, eyes and nose. The runes began glowing in an eerie green light before the boy seemed to lose all strength and go unconscious.

  “Onto the next one.” The young woman said with a smile still on her face, but with somewhat of a sign in her tone.

  The moment the boy lost consciousness, everyone else seemed to have been driven mad and squirmed about on the ground trying to escape. Every the few mothers who were left unbound to hold their children, began standing up and trying to run off.

  Of course, before they could even make a few steps, they were apprehended.

  This one by one, people were brought in front of the beautiful young woman with red hair, and one by one they lost consciousness.

  Soon everyone has become unconscious and were once more loaded into the carriages this time however their bindings were taken off and when they awaken they will no longer be bounded by ropes.

  “Sweetheart I think for the amount of work I did I deserve a reward.” The beautiful woman with red hair said with a smile. Afterward she produced a small bottle of water and drank it, instantly her complexion which seemed a bit pale, improved and became rosy like before she had performed her technique on the boy.

  “Well you did alter the memories of all of these people.” A handsome young man with black hair and distinguishing features such as slanted eyebrows said with a grin as he walked out from behind a few carriages.

  Of course, this handsome young man was Zhang, and who else could toy with someone's memories beside Yuying.

  “Now they should totally have forgotten about the fact that they have come from the aristocratic families, and a bunch of other things.” Yuying said while puffing out her chest in a proud manner.

  “Yea this way at least some people can be spare.” Zhang said with a slight smile. Although the three aristocratic families had to be dealt with, if he could spare women, and children then Zhang would. Not wanting to make some children, orphans he also soared a good number of the men.

  Those who had raised their swords in battle though, were killed because to be prepared to take another life is to be prepared to lose your own life.

  All of these people had been knocked out and carried up the cliffs of the Qilin’s Pass and then transported within carriages with the last couple days, only after taking them a fairly far distance away from Qilin’s Pass did Zhang's feel that they would be far enough from prying eyes that he let these people out of the carriages.

  “Now that everyone thinks that everyone in the Qilin’s Pass had died and with all of their memories altered, if we take these people far enough then no trouble should arise for us and them.” Zhang said with a smile as he looked toward the carriages loaded with people.

  He had planned to find a quiet village somewhere or a nice and safe city for these people to live in. With the money that he had looted from the carts in the pass, even if he only gave them half of it, they would be able to live luxuriously for the rest of their lives and the next few generations.

  Some would say that Zhang and the beauties were fools for sparing these people because of the possible problems that could arise if these people regained their lost memories, but killing children and innocent women was not something that he felt should be done. If a day came when these people regained their memory and sought for revenge then he will deal with them but for now, they posed no threat to him thus they were spared.

  With the remnants of the three aristocratic families dealt with, Zhang subordinate began setting up camp and preparing meals for everyone.

  “That lady didn't let me hold the baby… it looked so cute.” Yuying pouted as she recalled the crying baby.

  “Well it won't be long until you can cuddle our baby all day long. We just got to try harder.” Zhang laughed as he looked at Yuying before walking up toward her and placing his arm around and stop her shoulder.

  Soon the two of them found a large boulder which they climbed up on and sat atop of. Gazing out at the hundreds of men and women, hastily pitching camp and cutting down trees to use are firewood the two of them fell into a world of their own.

  “Should we break them up?” A whispering voice sounded out a short distance away from Zhang and Yuying.

  “Yea, should we?” Another voice said.

  “No, no we shouldn't.” Yet another voice said.

  The other three beauties could be seen huddled up amongst themselves. Yuying had been the first to speak, followed by Ling and lastly Ai, who was the one to say not to ruin Yuying’s moment with Zhang.

  Of the four beauties, Ai and Yuying were the closest and often times would cooperate with each other, while Lingqi was the go getter and Ling somehow always finding the right opportunities to appear.

  “Are you sure we shouldn't move in?” Lingqi asked the other two.

  “I think we should.” Ling said as her head lifted up and she looked at the backs of Zhang and Yuying who were now leaning against each other.

  “As much as I want to, we shouldn't because if we keep getting in each other's way, then there might be a fifth sister who shows up.” Ai said as she glanced at the other two.

  “A fifth… competitor…” Lingqi murmured.

  “Yea because not too long ago there was only three of us, until a fourth showed up.” Ai said, glancing at Lingqi who was also contemplating the possibility of a fifth competitor popping up.

  “Damn…. if another me appears then all hope is lost.” Lingqi cursed in a low tone, taking Ai’s words to heart.

  “I agree, if another you appears then all hell will break loose.” Ling said as she glanced at Lingqi.

  “Yup… Then none of us will be able to get alone time with him…” Ai said while her gaze shifted from Ling to Lingqi and back.

  “If darling wasn't such a womanizer then we wouldn't have to worry about this…” Lingqi said as she lifted her head and looked at Zhang’s back.

  “Yea this is all his fault…” Ling said while also lifting her head and looking at Zhang.

  Somehow all of the blame was thus shifted into an unsuspecting Zhang. Had he known about this then perhaps he would vomit blood at these allegations.

  “So, it's agreed that we will leave them alone for now.” Ai said.

  “Agreed.” Lingqi and Ling said at the same time. The thought of another Lingqi showing up had scared them into leaving Zhang and Yuying alone.

  With that in mind the three of them dispersed into the camp, each doing their own thing. Lingqi gather up a group of subordinate to go herb picking, Ling withdrew a technique manual from her interspatial ring to read, while Ai tagged along with Lingqi and headed off into the woods.

  As Zhang and Yuying say atop the stone boulder a sudden thought drifted into Zhang’s mind.

  “What do you think about me bringing back for you another sister, maybe twins” Zhang said jokingly.

  “Don't even think about it.” Yuying replied while sticking out her tongue in a joking manner contrary to the killing intent she has emitted for a split second.

  “Just kidding, the four of you'd probably kill me if I did, if not your father would toss me back down the pits of hell again.” Zhang replied while looking down toward the earth, imagining the eighteen levels of hell after a flash of murderous intent ran down his spine.

  “Yea you know how father is.” Yuying said with a grin.

  “If another wife doesn't get you killed than twins definitely will.” She thought, if the Yama didn't kill him then she or one of
the other beauties definitely would.

  Henceforth the topic of adding more wives to the marriage or disturbing alone time between Zhang and anyone of the beauties was never mentioned again for they all feared for the worst.

  Chapter 28: City of Firsts

  Roughly a dozen days had pass since Yuying had rewritten the memories of the survivors of the three aristocratic families. As of now, these people completely believed that they were a part of the Zhou clan, in other words, they were now considered relatives to Zhang. Meaning in terms of status, they were still nobility, actually compared to before they could be considered a step higher in terms of status. Since they were now relatives of a prince who will one day become king of Aurora.

  So, after having their memories altered so that the massacre at the Qilin’s Pass never happened, everyone who had been kept bound in the carriages were integrated into the rest of Zhang’s caravan. It had been decided that after heading to the Star Mist Province for a leisure trip, Zhang would then lead everyone back to Aurora, where these no additions to his family would settle.

  That way he could keep an eye on them, in case anyone regains their memories and plots against him.

  For the most part the last dozen or so days of the trip had been filled with relaxation. The beauties had grown exceptionally close to Zhang’s so called relatives, especially Yuying who had spent most of her time watching the toddlers who were now her nieces and nephews play.

  The beauties were very fond of the children who were now a part of the group, be it babies who were still being breastfed, to children who were running about. Often times, Zhang would to see the beauties in one of their play sessions with the children and it would warm his heart.

  “One day we’ll be able to play with our own kids and hopefully by that time there won’t be any need for me to fight.” He thought as he imagined coming home to a house full of kids. Thus, the last dozen or so days passed like a breeze.

  “My lord if we keep our current pace, we should be within the Star Mist Province’s borders in a few hours and if we don’t set up camp, we can arrive at Wolfden City before midnight.” Cheng Yu reported to Zhang as his voice drifted in from a window that could be opened from the driver’s seat of the carriage.

  “Pass down my command, we will head to Wolfden City at full speed.” Zhang said in reply to Cheng Yu from within the carriage.

  If he could help it, Zhang would very much prefer to stay inside a city and enjoy all of the benefits that came along with it. Although he had a comfy bed within his magical carriage, there was a lack of delicious food, and the rowdy atmosphere that a city usually possessed.

  Of course, besides these two minor things, there wasn’t much to complain about. Rather most people would envy how Zhang traveled. He had for one a comfy bed, which most travels wouldn’t have the liberty of enjoying until they entered a city. He was surrounded by beautiful women and there was occasionally delicious food, depending how what could be gathered from the surrounding area.

  After Zhang’s command was passed, the caravan’s speed increased and everyone was looking forward to arriving at Wolfden City. The trail of carriages and carts sped through the mountainous path in front of them as they neared the border of the Star Mist Province.

  “Oh, yea I almost forgot, we might meet mister Qian when we arrive in the Star Mist Province.” Zhang said as he recalled the old man who had traveled with him through the bloody forest.

  A few hours later once they entered the Star Mist Province, signs of people began appearing. Carriages and travelers would occasionally appear along the side of the road, unlike the last few days within the New Moon Province where they did not see a single soul. Perhaps it was because New Moon City was relocated that attributed to this but who knows.

  The deeper they went into the lands of the Star Mist Province and the closer they got to Wolfden City, more and more people could be spotted heading in the same direction. Some of these people were traveling with their families and were most likely relocating themselves to avoid be caught up in the war in the southern region.

  Countless rumors had been sparked regarding the possibility of war breaking out in the southern region of the warring states, of course, no solid evidence was provided to back up such theories, but people felt that to be on the safe side they should move. Zhang certainly knew that the war was definitely going to happen but for the most part the civilians were only speculating.

  Besides the families that were relocating, hundreds of men were often spotted in pairs or small groups also heading toward Wolfden City.

  True to being the Warring States Region’s second strongest province, from the number of travelers alone one could tell that traveling within the Star Mist Province was fairly safe. In weaker provinces that possessed less security, travelers wouldn’t travel in small groups and would often employ guards, but this was not the case here.

  It did not seem like the people who were traveling within the Star Mist Province possessed any fear of bandits at all from the lack of guards and small groups that they traveled in. Compared to them, Zhang’s caravan was made up of thousands of people, causing it to draw lots of attention.

  So, while drawing attention to themselves, the caravan continued forward until the sun descended and hid itself below the horizon. A cool refreshing breeze and the luminous moon was present and reminded everyone that that day had ended and it was not night.

  By now it was the stroke of midnight and the caravan had reached the outskirts of Wolfden City. However, they found out that they could not enter because despite being midnight there was a long line that stretched out from the gates of Wolfden City.

  Strangely enough the line was comprised of people who were waiting to enter the city. Zhang would soon find out that Wolfden City was also known by another name, many people called it the city of firsts, the city that never sleeps.

  One might ask why is Wolfden city referred to as the city of firsts and the answer would be simply because Wolfden City is red light city, or in other words a brothel city. From that bit of information anyone could guess as to why it was referred to as the city of firsts, but for those who can’t guess, it was referred to as the city of firsts because of how many people have their first time when visiting it.

  Wolfden City was a haven where one could prefill their hidden desires, a place where men and women alike could find fulfillment and entertainment if their pockets were deep enough.

  Of course, Zhang and the majority of the people in his caravan did not know of any of this so they were somewhat confused as to why there was such a long line of people waiting to enter the city at such a time, a time when most people should be at home in their beds getting ready to enter their dreams. For the most people those who have been to Wolfden City do not tell others that they have been there, because what happens in Wolfden City, stays in Wolfden City.

  But from the look Cheng Yu’s eyes one could tell that he had certainly been here before, he definitely was not alone because a few others who were a part of the aristocratic families had the same look in their eyes. Although their memories were altered, there were things that were of course, left intact.

  “My lord, I think I’ve heard somewhere that Wolfden City is a city that never sleeps, so the sight before us is a common one here.” Cheng Yu said after jumping off the driver's seat and arriving at the side of the carriage at the window where Zhang’s head was sticking out.

  “Is that so?” Zhang asked with his head still sticking out of the carriage window. He had been curious as to why the carriages had stopped before entering the city so he poked his head out of the window to have a look. With Cheng Yu’s words, many of the questions that had popped up into Zhang’s mind had been answered thus with a few words he closed the carriage window and resumed what he had been doing before. What was happening in his carriage? The world may never know.

  The caravan thus waited in line to enter the city, the line was long but was moving at a steady pace, making is so that th
ere wasn’t a very long wait time for those in line. Before long’s Zhang’s carriage arrived at the city gates and was greeted by a dozen or so soldiers.

  “State your business.” One of the guards who seemed to be in charge said in a powerful voice.

  “My young master is here for leisure, my lords” Cheng Yu said from atop the driver’s seat of Zhang’s carriage.

  “Leisure with this many people?” The guard asked somewhat skeptical of what Cheng Yu said.

  “Yes, my lord, the young master had brought along a few servants beside myself, and a few other members of the clan had tagged along.” Cheng Yu said as he climbed down from the carriage and stood in front of the guard, somewhat hunched over so he did not give off an intimidating imagine.

  “Wait haven’t I seen you somewhere before?” Cheng Yu asked.

  “What?” The guard replied with a confused look on his face.