Ma Gon Ran sat in a tiny wooden Chair and looked at his hands. They were the calloused, scarred hands of a warrior. The man with the face tattoo wasn´t musing, he just stared an empty stare, since his drives had been satisfied. The room was unornate, clay pots and their contents strewn across it in utter chaos. The Bu Shin was naked. His body looked as if chiseled by a classic artist, if one ignored the numerous scars and ill made tattoos. A partially naked, dead woman was draped before his feet and he felt honored by the life she had given him, even if it was just for an instant. A moment in which her face turned blue and her soul left her body to be his forever! Her face beautifully torn in terror, fear and something the Bu Shin would have called lust. She hadn´t been a young, or remotely good looking, woman but things like beauty didn´t appeal to Ma Gon Ran. He was an heir to Wu Dang and therefore he made sure his women belonged to him forever. His master had done so with his sister and whenever he met the grey-haired bastard, he could see the flicker of his little honeybird in the man's cold green eyes. His sister was immortal in his masters and so he had given immortality to many women as well! He just loved the desperate wriggling, the flailing and crying. True beauty was always born through pain and suffering, as he knew from experience.

While the man was drooling in post coital glee, he didn´t listen to the loud knocking on the door. Suddenly the door was opened, and the naked Bu Shin jumped from the stool, grabbing and throwing it at the intruder with a single fluid motion. The stool was deflected by a lump of earth and clay tiles. "Behave peasant." A cold voice stated calmly. Ma Gon Ran hated the cool, cultivated voice of the man who was less than a human in his eyes. A true man reveled in his power and fought to his fullest! The Dai Li however didn´t seem to have any kind of fire, not even a sickly flickering candle like this damned tax collector! He ignored the bloodthirsty humming in his very bones. He would not give in to the allure of his mirror image. Not now, when his lords right hand man was standing in front of him. The man was clad in a meticulously cleaned green robe with golden ornaments. He knew that the Colonel was a cold-hearted bastard, who wouldn´t even kill his nemesis if he took a sufficient advantage out of it.

The Dai Li believed in the heart of stone and the Colonel was the living example of it. It seemed that the man was devoid of any feelings, even hate, rage and lust! "Clean this mess up. There will be new peasants moving in by the morrow noon. It´s bad enough that the rumors of your kind's behavior are spreading to the remotest corners of our lord's domains." The man stared at him with nothingness in his cold, green eyes. "I´ll have a word with the lord Ma Gon Ran. This is not the warring states period, or some other civil war in which you can indulge in your primitive desires." The Dai Li responded. "The Family doesn´t plan on governing a wasteland full of marauders and thieves. You should reign in your urges because otherwise, the lord might reconsider you value." He threatened. "Eh – you´re wanna get split open like a ripe plumato?" Ma Gon Ran grinned a maniacal smile. The Dai Li agents stone covered hands moved in the blink of an eye. The Bu Shin did not evade and took the blow straight to his face. His nose broke and pain shot though his head in a dazzling jolt of LIFE! The man savored the taste of blood. "Ouch…" he rearranged his nose with a sickening, crunching noise, snorted blood and spit on the corpse before his feet. The spirits rage was so strong that the martial artist had to refrain himself from killing the other man. He didn´t feel ready for another major battle because his body was recovering from various torn muscles and fragmented bones.

A common man would not be able to stand in his condition but Ma Gon Ran´s tolerance for pain was abnormal, even for Bu Shin standards. It was the only reason why he was still alive. "You punch like a girl!" he insulted the official. The Colonels eyes widened for a fraction of a second, obviously awed at the other man's durability. "The healers shall tend to you because the lord demands your services." The man stated in the perfectly plain voice. The crimson swordsman hissed in Ma Gon Rans head. He´s afraid little one! Let´s cut him open and wash off your humiliation with his blood. The man frowned and ignored the spirit, he was tired to lock it away in fading memories of a rather plain childhood. Since the thirst of the dark god was satisfied for the moment the crimson swordsman allowed it. "If the lord commands, I´ll be happy to serve!" he chuckled, while a feeling of happiness washed through him. With his body healed he would be able to indulge in warfare even faster than he had imagined. His guardian spirit seemed pleased by these expectations. The high Lord of the Ling clan would have made a wonderful Wu Dang practitioner, if he hadn´t deemed common fighting below his dignity. It was something Ma Gon Ran could not possibly understand. However, a man who was not afraid of the horned gods was worthy, no matter his martial prowess.

He followed the Dai li agent through the encampment in which a few hundred bandits rested their lazy bones. Most of these men were small fries. Uprooted farmers, political dissidents, whores, nationalists and a lot of travelling riffraff had flocked around the Ling clans' estates. A lot of these people were just here for money and weren´t eager to do anything beyond boozing and whoring their days through. They feared Ma Gon Ran and made way for the unpredictable, violent Bu Shin. The fact that he was accompanied by the Colonel, who was some sort of strategic advisor to the prince, did not lessen their "respect". They passed the disorderly assortment of tents, in which the people were living in grime and dirt alongside their livestock. To Ma Gon Ran this seemed perfectly normal, while the Colonol showed a slight sign of disgust as he observed spindly children playing with animal feces or throwing stones at obviously sick reindeer dogs. The lord's palace however was clean and perfect, like always. The serfs were hurrying around busily and did everything to keep the largest possible distance to the two men. The palace was littered with the personal guard of the Ling clan. Their soldiers exuded uneasiness wherever Ma Gon Ran went. It was right for them to fear his might that surpassed even the bridges! Even though every movement of his body caused the man hellish pain his face was caught up in his omnipresent, swaggering sneer. They entered an enclosure. The garden was surrounded by a several men high iron fence. Dai Li were guarding it. Well, they were right to guard the savages.

Twenty benders from the swamp tribes, most of them skilled in the healing arts, weren´t something you could just pick up on the roadside! Due to the silly, patriotic feelings of these imbeciles, and a biased point of view of his lord, they had to catch the blue-eyed savages like the slippery eels they were. Luckily the women were quite docile as long as they were left to themselves, which was a high priority of his master. It was a shame, since Ma Gon Ran found their blue, large eyes quite arousing. The gate was opened, and the two men entered the group of pavilions that had been erected in the middle of a meticulously kept garden. There even was a large pond with koi fish. The women´s services were mostly kept for important members of the ling´s army. "Mylord." One of the older women arrived in front of them. She might look demure, but her eyes were filled with hatred and glowed like burning coals. "Miss Tahno. I would like you to heal this man. Make sure he is able to fight by tomorrow noon! No resources are to be spared." the colonel ordered. "And Ma Gon Ran – if even one of these ladies, suffers as much as a scratch…." The colonel leaned close "I personally will take your head, no matter how powerful you deem yourself!" the man´s voice was unreadable and somehow that was what intimidated Ma Gon Ran. Not even his guardian spirit knew what to make of this strange human being. "Don´t worry, I´m a nice boy if I´m in the mood." The peasant responded. The woman gulped and seemed drenched of any color. "Y-Yes Mylord. I- I would be very pleased if his lordship sent somebody to…" the Colonel interrupted her. "I´ll send a guard for your reassurance." He responded. "Thank you very much mylord." She whispered while shrinking under Ma Gon Rans offended gaze. They thought he was a savage beast? He took this as a compliment…. That the colonel actually thought a single stone thrower could stop him, even in his current condition, was an insult that made his blood boil.

#he had to endure it, let the hate give him strength and determination. He swore that he would eat the heart of the colonel after he had killed off all of his henchmen. He would do so one day, like he one day would kill his master and be reunited with little Liling! "Let´s get this done woman." He blurted while grabbing the shivering healer. Bruises were quickly forming on her arm. He dragged her off towards the healing tent while the other women screeched in terror in their weird, chattering language. He entered the healing tent, which was filled to the brim with ointments, leaves, surgical tools and more. The woman addressed Ma Gon Ran directly. "Please undress yourself and sit in the healing pond." Her voice was shivering. Ma Gon Ran did exactly what she recommended. The water was cold, but he didn´t mind. His twelve-year-old self had stood under pouring waterfalls in deep winter. He sat there and waited until four women arrived. He also felt the presence of a warrior outside the hut. He smirked mirthfully, which made the women flinch in fear. "Now, come here and do yer healing mumbo jumbo, bitches." He responded. The women cringed but they came near him. They all gasped as their eyes slid over his scar covered body. "Never seen a real man eh? Guess I should mess ya all up. See… yer desperately needy right?" He sneered cockily. "I- I let you know that a guard is standing outside!" the youngest of the women responded in a weak attempt of protest. Then the healers went to work. Their slimy, cool hands slid over his body and a beautiful numbness spread through his limbs. The Bu Shin sighed relieved and was too caught up in these moments of bliss to make any indecent comments. They exchanged the healers and water two times. After a felt eternity he was served a bitter tasting tea and some pills. Some infected cuts were opened, cleaned and stitched together, even his nose was tended. The waterbending healers were outright exhausted when they finally were done with him. Ma Gon Ran himself also was very sleepy and therefor simply rolled himself up on the floor to take a short nap. He could not bother himself to search for any kind of futon. The man couldn´t even remember the last time he had slept in a bed of any sorts. He wouldn´t do so despite his growing backache, since pain was weakness leaving the body!

He awoke by a continuous prodding in his side. The man groaned, awakened from his strange dreams. "What the fuck!" he growled, while jumping from the floor in a fluid motion. Another Dai Li agent looked at him. Even though he tried to look as calm and collected as the colonel Ma Gon Ran could smell his anxiety. "the Lord awaits you!" the man responded in a plain voice. "Good. I´ll not disappoint the master!" Ma Gon Ran responded. The Dai Li looked offended but he didn´t dare to correct him. Good – he should be afraid of his power. "Come on boi!" the Bu Shing mocked. The Dai Li didn´t even show a hint of frustration, which frustrated Ma Gon Ran. They walked inside the palace and arrived in the temple. There his prince was awaiting Ma Gon Ran. The Dai Li remained in front of the artfully crafted doors. There were demon faces, distorted in pain and pleasure, painted a deep, bloody red. Ma Gon Ran loved the temple dedicated to the ten Yama princes. The Lord sat in a blackened throne and played with a chain of finger bones. His deep green robe was worth more than the Bu Shins life. "My prince, you have summoned me?" Ma Gon Ran bowed low. "Rise." The noble waved his hand with lacquered fingernails. He did as he was commanded. "What do you wish from me?" he wanted to know as the death masks of the ling clan stared at him. They seemed angry and full of pain. The horned Yan-luo was staring at them from an altar erected from human bones. The crimson swordsman was stirring in the man´s head due to the spiritual might of the temple. The floor also was made from dark, smooth stone, while crimson candles burned on numerous chandeliers.

"I need your special powers. Ma gon Ran." Ling Hei sho´s eyes burned with ambition and desire. "I´ll need a Bu Shin to get something from beyond the veil. You´re familiar with the legend of Zhong Kui right?" he asked. The Bu Shin grinned. Of course, he was familiar with the great wizard's story. "I´ve always found it hilarious that he bashed his skull open because the emperor stripped him of his title. I mean… top scorer… A real man would have thanked the emperor for renouncing such an insulting title…" the prince laughed. "You´re talking about a god Ma gon Ran. His skull is a catalyst of spiritual power that is great enough to brew the elixir of eternal life." The prince looked greedy, his hands gripping his armrests ferociously. "So - my master wishes to life eternally." Ma Gon Ran chuckled. "You could just become a Bu Shin my prince. Because then you would also become powerful beyond comprehension! You´d make a fine demon king." He was convinced that Ling Hei Sho had what it took to become the true heir of Wu Dang, maybe even the bloodbound brother of the great Yan-luo himself! But the master would not hear a word about martial arts and rituals under a moonless sky…

"Well, I am a Bu Shin, but I have no idea where this skull should be located my prince. I guess you have that figured out already?" He stated. The prince smiled. "Of course, I have. I just need a man of your caliber to retrieve it. A trip in the underworld is not something a common man can handle." He responded. Oh – how right he was! The ritual of initiation was held under a dark moon, covered by the blood of six children. Ma Gon Rang remembered the static power that made him wet himself inside the circle. He remembered the incantations of the priests, remembered the spirits glittering around him. He remembered the terrifying pain as the crimson swordsman possessed him and just his master could stop him from killing the priests and everybody else. This single night had changed his life forever! Entering the realm of a god was something much more dangerous, he trembled in excitement.

"Something like this isn´t done without a lot of money. Medicine, talismans and the likes have to be purchased!" he responded. The prince frowned and slapped the Bu Shin straight in the face. "You´re my dog and you bite when I order you! You have no right to question my competence!" he snarled. There was something in his eyes that made the warrior lower his head in shame. "Yes, my prince." He responded with a silent voice. "I apologize to his majesty." The other man just snorted and dismissively waved his hand. "Never again doubt my wits and knowledge! Of course, I have sent notice to certain priests that have prepared everything you need to enter the tomb. They have even prepared a crate in which you can transport the skull safely." He ensured the Bu Shin. Ma Gon Ran was doubtful, but he would obey his lord. "As my prince commands. So, what is my job?" he asked. "you travel to the town of Du Ping. There you will meet up with hired graverobbers that will accompany you. Maybe you´ll need to eliminate them after retrieving the skull. I´ll leave that decision to you." The prince suggested. Of course, he would kill them – most likely they wouldn´t even survive the tomb. "The grave is located in a tall mound outside the city. Large shrines are built on top of it and numerous pilgrims arrive there each year." The prince explained. The Bu Shin made a sour face. This would make entering the tomb much more difficult. Now he understood why the colonel had warned him, they didn´t want another town burned to the ground. That was a shame… after all nothing captured beauty like a dying woman and a burning city! "I will enter the temples in silence." He sighed. That could indeed become a difficult task. He wasn´t afraid of sacred water or mirrors.

However, there were certain risks involved if somebody spilled blood inside a temple. The spirits of the land disliked it and they were powers to be considered. "Is there something else that needs to be considered your majesty?" the man asked. The prince stroked his black goatee, while his sharp eyes stared into nothingness for a moment. "No, not really…. Just keep a low profile and, under no circumstances, hand the skull to anyone but ME! No matter what the colonel says, you answer to me and ME ALONE! If anybody sends you a letter or my seal – ignore it!" Ma Gon Ran noticed a hint of paranoia in the prince's voice. That was to be expected, since the lord was an object of envy. He was powerful, ruthless and beautiful, so which man would not envy him? The Bu Shin himself would have killed him due to envy, if he had not respected him so much. "Indeed, an Ostrich horse is already prepared in the stables. By the way, I would be glad if I hadn´t the necessity to slaughter every mount you´ve had your way with." The prince noted. "Oho my prince. I told you that animals minds are not suited to survive the presence of a Bu Shin – it´s you who always insists that I ride to places!" Ma gon Rang responded. He hated riding, mostly because it was painful for him to suppress his guardian spirit that much! "You´re right. I shouldn´t be annoyed about the results I should expect when my orders are fulfilled properly." The prince was in a good mood. He took a gulp out of wine. Ma Gon Rang waited and basked in the presence of the temple. There were silent voices whispering in his ears. They sounded like the rustling of leaves and the sheathing of swords. "At least one of my servants can appreciate this temple like I do." The prince responded suddenly; the Bu Shin flinched as he suddenly snapped back into reality. "You´re dismissed." The man ordered. The spirit sword rose and left the room. The sun was already near the horizon and so Ma Gon Rang decided to call it a day. It would be early enough if he rode off at dawn.

The travel had been two weeks and ten Ostrich horses. A common man would have needed one Ostrich horse and four weeks. Ma Gon Ran wasn´t exhausted at all. Like most martial artists he liked having a trump in his sleeve and therefore never displayed his abilities to their full content. He was sitting in a seedy tavern that was very much to his liking. The tavern reminded him of his childhood, before his master had bought him and his sister for half a yuan. He didn´t reminiscence these days anymore but nevertheless he felt vaguely content amongst the dirt and flea staring people that wasted their evenings away with cheap booze, betel-nuts and opium. The wenches were toothless, the patrons wiry, sunburnt creatures that looked like old men despite only being in their late twenties. Children were serving the customers and the food – well, he definitely was NOT eating some kind of chicken. His master had arranged a meeting with the grave robbers and Ma Gon Ran wondered about the choice of location. Professional graverobbers were wealthy clans, some of them even possessing estates that rivalled those of lords!

The Bu Shin wondered if the master had grasped the risk of his quest to the full extent, because this surely felt like a scam. He had downed two flasks of an undefinable rice-based beverage as three men and a woman arrived on his table. They were dressed even shabbier than the Bu Shin. One of the men was chewing betel-nuts and asked in a broad peasants' voice. "Eh, may we take these stools pal?" the Bu Shin eyed the plain looking people closer. They all were of earthern decent, with emerald eyes and the honeylike skin color peasants usually sported. He Spit on the floor with a lazy seeming movement. "I´m waitin for me friend, owe him a couple of green plumato seeds." He even drew out a leathery pouch. There was the ghost of a smile dancing around the womans lips and another one of the men, a dried out old geezer opened his almost toothless mouth. "We´re searching for some healthy koi in violet and white." He completed the ritual of recognition. "Take a seat and have a drink." Ma Gon Ran waved at a ten-year-old girl and ordered a round of the "strongest stuff ya ave". His accomplices seemed delighted.

"We would like to discuss the details of the arrangement in a more private place, master." One graverobber stated the obvious. Ma Gon Ran felt flattered by the used title and nodded. They however had three drinks first, as tradition demanded. One for the living, one for the dead, one for the spirits – he laughed internally. As if such puny rituals would protect oneself from the wrath of the otherworlds. Rituals had to be conducted with blood, bone and life, everything else was the pointless dabbling of peasants! The Bu Shin went along, since his master had made clear that he wasn´t allowed to simply enter the grave alone. The prince had given him talismans, to ward of the evil. Strips of papers blessed by earthern priests, holy waters and tons of incense sticks. And lastly the Bu Shin had the crimson swordsman and a sword that was able to cut though ghosts and humans alike. A true Wu Dang blade that was tempered in the blood of a virgin he raped and killed.

"Vicious lookin blade yer ave." the woman mentioned, while her keen eyes stared at the plain looking Dao Man Gon Ran wore on his belt. He wondered if the wench knew how vicious his blade truly was. "Heh, I can show ya outside." He replied in a husky voice, which led to the the men staring daggers at him. Not that the Bu Shin minded. He was disturbed at the lack of fear the grave robbers exuded in his presence. He let a little of his Chi flow through his veins. "I´m not pissin in me pants for any guy, no ma´er how much of a mo´erfucker he is!" the girl added in a stingy tone. Obviously, she was used to swooning men and expected something along the lines from Ma Gon Ran. He definitely would have his way with her before his sword ate her soul! The crimson swordsman was chuckling in his ears. After the old coot had emptied another bottle of rice wine, they finally were able to leave the tavern. The Bushin´s eyes were searching for possibly hidden assassins while they were walking towards the close by village. He didn´t notice anything, no matter how intensely he studied the wilting wheat-fields that stretched out left and right of the path of solidified clay they called a road in these parts. Harvest was nearby and the plains of Chu Da, brought honor to their name. One of the spindly fellows was chewing on a straw, while looking careless as a bird. When they arrived at the wooden palisade, which was a slowly degrading leftover from the great war, the gates were wide open. No guardsman was located on the watchtowers that were flanking it. Most likely the ancient wooden structures weren´t able to bear a man anymore. When the four people entered the villagers, which were obviously used to his accomplices, spit across their shoulders to ward off the evil. It seemed that the grave robbers were just barely tolerated due to their wealth. Ma Gon Ran spotted their house as soon as it was in sight. It looked like a miniature version of a classical palace. A high enclosing wall, green tiled roofs and heavily carved doors to ward of lost souls. Next to the four houses, which were pointing into the for heavenly directions east, west, south and north – the estate seemed to have quite substantial gardens. He also noticed the seal of the jade emperor burned into the wooden doorframe. Next to it set a hog-monkey with a bony hand. It was the family`s mark – low life grave robbers weren´t allowed to have proper family cards – the emperors seal showed that his acquaintances belonged to one of the seven clans. They were some of the very few "legal" grave robbers that could openly sell their findings due to a decree of old. The Bushin didn´t know more than the stories and legends the peasants told each other, hence he couldn´t do anything but feel slightly disappointed. The members of the seven Families didn´t look special at all. "There we are." The old man responded without the previously displayed accent and knocked on the door. It was a complicated rhythm that somehow sounded ghastly. The crimson swordsman didn´t like it at all and Man gon Ran felt as if his bones were grating against each other. The door was opened by an old looking woman. Her hands and neck were laden with ancient looking jewelry, while her robe was rather fashionable. The Bushin could smell the rot of the dead exuding from the very ground he was walking on. Just very strong charms protected the people living here from the other side of the veil. The woman greeted her husband and the rest of the family with close hugs, while the Bu Shin was greeted with an elegant bow.

He noticed that the woman was afraid of him, which made smile a tiny smile. Sadly, his master had insisted on him keeping low profile. Ripping off the written charms that were fastened on Pillars, Doors and windows and releasing a horde of angry ghosts on the village would have been quite funny to watch. Also, Ma Gon Ran could have tested his swordsmanship against the remains of the dead. He would have enough opportunity to do so in a few days. The martial artist remembered the faint lessons of his childhood and gave a tiny nod. "Since you brought an esteemed guest, please – the dinner is ready." Stated the middle-aged woman, who carried herself gracefully, even if her face was far from beautiful.

Something about her lit an unknown agony in Man Gon rans chest. He felt dizzy and almost collapsed. The strange family looked at him. "Are you feeling unwell?" asked the old man, who obviously was the family head. The Bu Shin just snorted and spit on the floor. "Have I lost my head? Then I might feel unwell." He retorted in a biting tone. Ma Gon Rans eyes flared in a faint, barely suppressed reddish glow. The young woman poked his shoulder. "Come on, it´s a joke! Great an mighty Bu Shins don´t laugh? Do they." She shook her head. Ma Gon Ran roughly grabbed her Jaw and tilted it upwards. He sneered. "You wanna get fucked? I like your fire, it´ll be something different than the usual dull bitches." His voice was deep like cracking rock as his tongue left a wet trail und the shocked girl's cheek. "H-How dare you – leave her alone!" the second man yelled. "Hong." The family head was sweating lead as the Bu Shin locked his glowing eyes on the young man. The Girl was gripping Ma Gon Rans forearm and let out muffled noises. Her cheeks had already turned violet where the Bu Shins finger had pressed into her skin. He released her and turned to the shivering bigmouth. He let his Chi loose and the room seemed to cackle with energy. Even non benders would have felt a pressure. The Old man, obviously a son of the earth, fainted from the Bu Shins presence. He collapsed like a ragdoll. The young man wetted his robes while the girl screamed in fear. He would break every bone in this impudent little scoundrels' body! Ma Gon Ran gripped the wooden doorpost and the wood cracked an splintered between his fingers. "This is the strength of a true man – and you little pest want to deny ME what I want!" his voice was unnaturally deep and furious. The boy's eyes were wide as he looked at the wavering red flames that formed an armor around the Bu Shin. "Honorable spirit sword. Please cease your anger!" spoke the old woman. She somehow had entered the Bu shins space without him noticing. Ma Gon Ran wanted to swat her away like an annoying bee, but as she grabbed his wirst his movements were stopped. His head turned. "Are you not afraid of me?" he asked stunned as he looked in her painfully plain face.

Her eyes, burned him, their soft muddy brown pierced the man named Ma Gon ran. His glow faded and he stepped back, while his head ached terribly. He saw flashing pictures, brown eyes distorted in pain and terror, his bloodied hands and an old man under a moonless sky. "Sit down and eat. Please!" the woman responded, her voice silent an soft like a summer breeze. The Bu Shin dropped the splintered wood that still stuck between his fingers. A few splinters remained in his calloused hand, but he didn´t mind. The old man had found back to his senses, and after frantically looking around he noticed that all his family members still were amongst the living. "Do we still have an arrangement?" he asked his guest. Obviously, he was even more afraid of the Ling Clan than of Ma Gon Ran. He didn´t want to offend his master and therefore still groveled at his feet. Ma Gon Ran sneered, but somehow even he felt that he had lost his edge. The old woman was scary, she messed with his head, which was something the mercenary didn´t tolerate. Usually he killed everybody who tried to come close to him. He hated those pitying weaklings and groveling bootlickers who would backstab him whenever it benefitted them. Only grand masters who didn´t had to rely on him to fulfill their wishes could be trusted. Men like his Prince or his teacher. So why didn´t he just finish this old hag in one quick swoop?

Somehow, he found that he couldn't. "Let´s eat everyone. It is important that the heir to the jade throne is pleased with our actions." The old man wheezed, while he seemed slightly tipsy. The younger generation didn´t respond anything and obeyed. However, the couple threw hate filled glares at the Bu Shin. Ma Gon Ran found himself on an exclusively laden table. He sat on a richly carved chair, with a leather plated Seat. There were precious, white plates draped all around him. The grave robbers obviously employed a couple of serving girls that ha readied everything for them. There was no elaborate welcome anymore. The family head sacrificed a bowl of rice to the household goddess and started eating right away. Ma Gon Ran hadn´t tasted such food since the last time his prince invited him for dinner. Exquisitely steamed vegetables, porcelain colored rice and eight grilled meats. The Bu Shin cleaned his plates time after time. Everbody else also ate, quite ill mannered. The white dish cloth was stained by sauces, rice and other leftovers, while the people sleepily lounged around the table. Ma Gon Ran had eaten so much that he even forgot the plumwine that was resting in front of him in an intricate looking carafe. He just dozed off while sitting in his chair. When he awoke again nobody besides the family head were left in the room. The old man had a golden Charm dangling around his spindly neck. "Listen boy! You´ll keep yer hands off me family. Are we clear!" there was nothing demure in the other man's bearing anymore. "the Prince O ling wants the skull, he´ll get what he pays fer. However, he ain´t buyin me family – got that? I don´t care if yer lil princeling builds a throne in the heaven´s, or if he turns Ba Sing Se into a bottomless pit! As long as he pays his debts I´m his man. I´m just a mere graverobber – but lemme tell ya. I´m not afraid o any man, no ma er how mighty his Chi. N if ya start something stupid I´ll put ya six feet under, got it?" He stared at the Bu Shin, his green eyes hard and fragmented. Ma gon Ran gulped. This old man was dangerous. He felt it in his guts. He just was playing the dumb peasant, in reality he was a deadly pit viper!

"I could pierce your skull with my little finger old man. Don´t be ridiculous." The Bu Shin responded in faked bravado. The man let out a high-pitched chuckle. "Tell me o mighty Bu Shin… how strong are you without that spirit of yours?" he smirked. Ma Gon Ran jumped from his chair and leapt at the man. Sweeping Tiger, Breaking the iron Wall. Nobody was more startled then Ma gon Ran as the old geezer parried his forceful punch with his forehead. Even though he was bursting from power the old man's skull showed no dent. He wasn´t even bleeding! With all his spiritual power the Bu Shin could not harm him. It was just a regular Punch that had connected with the man's head. "How- How´s this possible!" the warrior yelled. The old man smiled a pitiful smile. "You really think I would tell you? So that you can kill my children and rape my wife… I know perfectly, which kind of warped man you are Ma Gon Ran. Rest Well for you will need your strength in the following weeks." The man smirked and pointed on the floor. "You´re used to sleeping like a dog, aren´t you?" the Bu Shin seethed, however he nodded. He had to obey the old man – for now.

It was before dawn that Man Gon Ran was woken from his dreamless slumber. Shuffling steps echoed through the estate. He rose from the floor, his eyes adjusting to the darkness. The candles in front of the household god had ceased burning. He wondered if the graverobbers were already preparing their equipment. He had been told that the graverobbers always were equipped with many things ordinary people deemed useless. For example, every one of them was carrying a tiny cage on their waist, which contained a tiny elephant-rat. These fidgety rhodents breathed much faster than humans. If the air was poisonous, which was a quite common occurrence in century old graves, the little animal would die much more quickly than a human being and therefore enable the robbers to leave the grave. This was just one of many examples that showed that a successful graverobber was a paranoid creature that suspected his own mother of high treason on a daily basis.

Since yesterday even the Bu Shin could not deny that these people were formidable opponents in their own ways, which was quite the compliment. Ma Gon Ran did not count many as his equals. The family had gathered in the center of the square garden, which was looking like a common lords. It was ugly, with delicately cut trees, flowers and ponds that contained the expensive lion-fish that were better known as the golden fish. The Bu Shin himself would have preferred black volcanic soil, withered trees and splintered, charred rocks. They were loading three huge, four wheeled carts. Besides the numerous fastened charms and burning incense sticks the cart was already laden with wooden crates, which carried foreign looking signs burned in their planks. The robbers worked as a finely tuned unit. The Bu Shin just looked at them with wondrous eyes. The young woman started at him with a mixture of disgust and fear, while he smirked at her. Just because her father somehow was able to bend the laws of heaven Ma Gon Ran was not afraid of the wiry old geezer. If he were, he wouldn´t be a Bu Shin after all! Instead of ostrich horses the strange cart was obviously dragged by people, the whole family was wearing intricate leather harnesses, that were showcasing strange looking brass rings. There were more ropes than people on the cart, which made the Bu Shin wonder if these people wanted to climb straight into the underworld. "Stop standing there like an idiot! There´s work to be done! Start loading up the crates." The young woman snapped at Ma gon Ran. The man thought his ears had played a prank on him. This GIRL dared to give him an order? He growled silently. This was all service to his master – the man who served the horned gods! He silently walked over to the chests, grabbed two of them and lifted them onto the cart. The chests were surprisingly heavy. "What on earth are you taking towards the graveyard. You´re planning to move in with the dead?" he added a few hefty curses. The girls snorted, while her mother seemed less hateful.

"Grave excavations aren´t something that can be predicted. They may even take years to complete, due to the numerous traps, spirits and other disturbances." She elaborated. "So we´re indeed transporting parts of our household to the excavation site." She explained. YEARS?! Ma Gon Rans mouth dropped open. He couldn´t waste years on a stupid skull, no matter if it had once belonged to a god or not! He couldn´t refrain from battle for so long! "We´re done next week, otherwise my master has enforced me to MAKE SURE you´re done!" he lied. The woman laughed and shook her head. "You can threaten us as much as you want mighty one. Excavating a gods grave is not something anybody has dared in many centuries – it´s of no use if we all die without receiving the skull, right?" she paused. "Because if that happens it will become more and more difficult to retrieve it since the wardens of the grave will receive more and more sacrifice." She added mumbling. The man sighed impatiently. "Then in the nine headed beast´s name – GET TO WORK!" He almost sounded like an annoyed child. His patience was so strained that he even bothered himself to throw some crates on the wagon himself. Ma Gon Ran could have spent his time honing his body and deepening his martial skill instead of doing peasant labor. The mighty Bu Shin soon noticed that the grave robbers would be occupied for quite some time. Therefore, he decided to leave them to themselves. The Bu Shin ran a few miles until he found a secluded spot with high oak-nut trees. There he warmed himself up by tying knots into his body that would have made a circrus acrobat proud and famous. After sufficiently warming up he began to hit the trees. The locals most likely would tell their children new ghost-stories about a huge dark spirit that felled trees without using claws or blade. Ma Gon Ran did not stop until the sunset arrived and roughly twenty trees had been cut down. The crimson swordsman still was lingering in his veins, mighty amounts of Chi flowing through him, giving him a feeling of power and liveliness that surpassed anything an ordinary mortal could experience. However, when he returned the family head told him that it would take roughly three weeks until they had completely packed up the wagons for their expedition. The Bu Shin destroyed half of the estates gardens in an enraged frenzy. Not even the old woman could calm him down until the earth was scorched by spirit fire and the lion-fish had been slices to pieces by his sword.

The locals indeed hat started to tell tales about the strange man that had arrived at the cursed Sun familie´s place. There were huge trees chopped down with something blunt, furthermore something had squashed the skulls of Old Gao´s freshly imported pair of Khomodo-rhinos. What could possibly be able to kill the beasts that had, almost, conquered the world for the ash-makers? Maybe the spirits of the land were angry at gao´s heretic behavior. To bring these demon-beasts in the land of their ancestors was a grave sin! Of course, the honored jade ostrich-horse would be furious. Maybe the strange man that visited the graverobbers was a travelling priest or even a dark sorcerer scheming something unnatural and perverted. Only an evil man left the homeland of his fathers and the strange traveler definitely wasn´t from these parts. He looked like the mountain-monkeys – or even worse, the travelling riffraff that moved along the large rivers! It was very amusing to sit in the seedy tavern and listen to everything the peasants muttered under their breaths. A common man of course would never have been able to hear any of it, but Ma Gon Rans ears were sharp as a cat´s if he willed it. Especially the drunkards that spent almost as much time in the place as Ma Gon Ran were a steady source of entertainment for the bored Bu Shin. Sadly, his guardian spirit was not half as pleased with his past time as Ma Gon Ran was. He felt the dull, throbbing pain in his head that always returned when he had not killed for a month´s time. Also, the spirit was whispering in his head, telling him that the old farmer thought him a limp-dicked coward or that the serving maid wanted him to ravish her in front of her parents. The man knew that soon – very soon – he HAD to kill more than animals. He was a master of Wu Dang and hence it was in his nature to do so.

After almost two months the preparations had been finished and the travelled towards their destination. Last night Ma Gon Ran had been running wild, burning down the tavern he had frequented regularly. The flickering orange inferno had been a soothing sight that he and his companion had enjoyed. However, the crimson swordsman still wasn´t satisfied, which led to the piercing pain in his head, which was much more bearable than the unspeakable pain an rage he had suffered until yesterday. He wasn´t speaking with the Sun´s, mainly because he never had been a man of many words. Furthermore, this old – hag was not less scary. She had stopped him from ripping a man to shreds, something no woman had managed before! Furthermore, the patriarch had made it clear, that his family was off limits and since Ma Gon Rang had not fulfilled his masters command, he could not challenge fate be attacking the old geezer with his strange, spirit distorting powers. The tattooed man dragged the heavily laden cart, while sweat was pouring down his body. He was finally devoid of thought in an almost meditation like state were just breathing and moving existed. The large wagon commonly would be drawn by ostrich horses or similar beasts, but the martial artist was strong enough to to et himself. The Sun´s were somehow sitting on two other wagons that were looking a lot like Haka wagons. Even if they were part of the seven families it was not wise to start robbing a temple without some sort of disguise – no matter if the future emperor himself ordered you to or not!

The people were staring at him in wonder, which did not faze him the slightest. Biyu, the young woman he could not wait to get his hands on, was playing the reed flute while sitting next to her father. The rest of the family also was clad in the brownish but strangely ornate clothes of the gypsies. Ma Gon Ran wondered if they would go as far as giving street performances. Du Ping had flourished through the centuries, mainly due to numerous scholars and their pilgrimages to the great wizards grave. The city even had founded an own university and grew into a great city with proper city gods. Ma Gon Ran didn´t like this a single bit. Luckily the domain of the "top scorer" still was outside the city walls. The numerous charms and shrines were an eyesore and he was happy that filthy haka troupes would never be accepted inside the city walls. "We should set camp next to the west gate." The patriarch announced in a strong voice. "Tha ladies will visit the temples for a closer look, while the rest of us will help preparing the equipment for tonight's fun and games." His eyes narrowed as the locked on the the Bu Shin. Ma Gon Ran returned the challenging stare. "I´m a warrior and no some kinda priestly peasant." He spat back. "I´d not even shite on yer stupid bone talismans an balm oils!" the old man frowned angered. "You shouldn´talk bout things you know nothin bout - boi!" the man growled and gripped his blade. "You wanna get cut open?" the Bu Shin threatened. The old woman looked at him with a smile. "Please Ma Gon Ran – we all just want to satisfy his majesty, so let's do this without making things complicated and messy. Yes?" the man gulped and released his sword. "Do not think I´m letting you off the hook because I´m some kind Buddhist!" he growled furious. Ma Gon Ran had the feeling he wasn´t saving face at all. The air was full of tension as they halted the wagons on a green meadow that seemed unused enough. While the old man took care of the already stressed out ostrich horses, that were easily spooked by Ma Gon Ran´s presence the others were unloading some of the numerous wooden crates they had piled up in the Wagon Ma Gon Ran had pulled. the temple servs, that passed them on their way to work didn´t take much notice of the parked wagons, since Haka troupes were a quite common sight in shrine cities like Du Ping.

"What´re ya doin?" the Bu Shin asked in an unfriendly tone. The old man sighed. "I´m doing my job! I prepare the lamps, the chalk, the tools – everything YOU can not do!" he stated with a slight hint of superiority present in his voice. Ma Gon Ran loathed his tone. "Tricks and flattery are for the weak – I take what is mine by force!" he mocked the old man, even though the old geezer had bested him once already. "Of course." The older man responded. He obviously just wanted to get this job done as fast as possible. "However, you should prepare your weaponry and armor for tonight. There will not be much time when the bell is struck twelve times. You should use the oils we prepared. Ya should fasten the talismans and charms. They aint no child's play and hence should strongly influence the – thing – ya call yer power." He sneered while holding up a small clay bottle with a plain seeming stopper. The Bu Shin took up the bottle. "So I shall drink this?" he asked while casually removing the stopped with his teeth. "Stop!" the old man yelled. "Ya´ve go a death wish? Serve that fer when I´m no longer in yer filthy presence!" the swordsman halted and took in a whiff of the flasks contents. It smelled sickeningly sweet and fruity. Something in this smell seemed familiar to the crimson swordsman. "This is a mixture of bloodflower, bitterweed, maiden´s fern, raven blood an – o`er things." The graverobber was uncomfortable. "Two drops of this on a candle and even a dense blockhead like ya can meditate in the otherworlds." He explained. "Since we´re goin to open a portal to the ancestors hall´s we´ll need a lot of it. Be careful with this flask, it worth more n yer life an belongings." He responded. "Coat yer knive n armor with it, otherwise they´ll not follow ya where we`re goin." The man explained. "Be sure ta focus on yer task or ya might be lost in the realms forever." The old man explained. It was quite obvious that the experienced graverobber was afraid of what he was going to do. Ma Gon Ran though knew no fear. "A warrior is always focused." He responded while capping the tiny bottle. As a true master of Wu Dang he would not need a human armor, which he voiced quite eloquently while sharpening his sword. The old man laughed. "Why´d ya think the lord gave ya pig-iron chainmail, gloves n boots covered with platin ornaments?" he mocked the Bu shin, who had no knowledge of such presents. "Cause platinum hurts spirits, since it´s a metal that shouldn´t be and pig-iron can not be pierced by spirits. It´s a protection gainst ya, getting even more possessed than ya already are." He responded. The man took a long chest and set it down in front of the Bu Shin. It carried the seal of the ling clan. "This is yours." The old man snarled while he was holding a primitive looking crowbar in his other hand. He handed over the tool.

The Bu Shin opened the chest, which was filled with slightly archaic seeming armor. Besides the padded underclothing a heavy coat of mail was included. There alsod were stangely ornate boots,an iron helmet and a wooden demon mask. The mask was beautiful, a stylized idol of the crimson sword demon himself. The swordsman let out a sigh of awe and admiration, while his guardian spirit reeled in his head full of satisfaction. At least your master does appreciate us as any mortal should. He whispered. We shall return him the favor with blood and glory. The Bu Shin smirked as he stared at the beautiful, red lacquer that was granting life to the mask. It was just perfect! The eye holes were like endless pits of darkness that lured Ma Gon Ran in. He must have stared at the mask for several minutes, because the old man had already prepared numerous burglary tools with holy water, incense sticks and prayers. The Bu shin blinked as he returned from the beautiful work of art in his hands, he didn´t notice his tear stained cheeks. Then he went on to follow his master's orders. The strangely familiar liquid made him feel dizzy as soon as it touched the linen cloth in his hands. Had he not been used to the rites of Wu Dang he would have lost himself at once. The yellowish, brown liquid stung on his fingers and left oily traces across the surface of his sword. Nevertheless, it seemed to evaporate almost instantaneously, leaving his blade feeling somewhat cold and angry in his hands. The men of the Sun family had various other preparations to make and even though their rituals seemed foolish and pointless Ma Gon Ran could feel the powers from beneath the veil responding to their will. It was a strange thing to observe and left him at his wits end. The spirits were not supposed to respond to weird flower concoctions! Blood and flesh were the only things that should be able to call the gods to mans will! That was the way of Wu Dang, the only true way there was! Ma Gon Ran yelled at himself and the guardian spirit in his head chuckled a cruel, otherworldly chuckle.