Maiden Of The Splitting Moon

Chapter 97 - The Six Pillars

"Ah, this is Ming Yue, the girl that Li Gang brought!" said Fu Shan.

"Ooh, I see. Well, I am called Mei Yuan. Nice to meet you!"

"Hello, My-my name i-is Qing Z-zhi."

"I am Wu Dao."

Mei Yuan was a female cultivator that used a pair of daggers. Her slim and nimble body made it quite hard to track as she could easily slip through small openings. She had short hair and a cheerful disposition. In addition, she wore a tight body suit with some light armor around her joints. As frail as it looked, there were no signs of damage despite fighting against Blood Fiends minutes ago.

Qing Zhi did not have the same confidence as the others. Ming Yue had recognized him as the one with the numerous contraptions. A young boy with a figure even smaller than hers, he carried a large bamboo box on his back. His hair cut like a bowl, he was a cute one who would rather hide behind his box of contraptions. He wore light brown robes with his sleeves rolled up, showing his little forearms.

Wu Dao was a bit more stoic than the others, only sharing a few words before leaving the little group. This was the fighter with the flying blades. Each of the five swords were strapped to his back. He himself, wore a hat which covered the top of his face.

"So you're the one Li Gang brought back", said Mei Yuan.

"Then that must be the sword that the Forgelord made!" she looked at Ming Yue's sword.

Fu Shan then gave everyone a much more formal introduction to Ming Yue.

"These three including me and Li Gang make up the Six Pillars of Rong Lu City. All of us reside in our own respective workshops but we come together whenever the city is in danger. Of course, our positions aren't fixed, anyone willing to challenge our position and defeat us will of course take our place", he said.

"I'm a blacksmith focused on all types of equipment, quite a balanced craftsman. Li Gang is a weaponsmith who likes to work with strange designs. Mei Yuan's area of expertise is engraving and talismans. Qing Zhi is best known for his inventions and many contraptions and Wu Dao is a gifted bladesmith, famed for a fair number of his single edged swords."

Ming Yue made some quick bows before asking him a question.

"What about the sixth pillar?" she asked.

"Ah the sixth pillar is busy up on the walls. I'm sure you can recognize him from his loud voice. He spends his time with things such as siege weapons, quite large and destructive objects. Not to mention, he is quite the strategist", Fu Shan replied.

Moments later, that same voice barked out once more.

"We're going to reload soon! Be ready frontline!"

Hearing those words, everyone walked forward, waiting for the barrage to end. Smoke rose from the impacts before a giant figure pushed through. With it's red sagging skin, this Blood Fiend was different, walking on it's hind legs and roaring out loud. Wings formed on its back as it staggered forward, severely injured from the cannons. Its skin was burned, boils formed and pus came out. It's shoulder was blown out, limping to its side and yet it walked forth with the same fervor.

"A Blood Imp? How rare!" Fu Shan said, "You normally don't see them here."

Following the Blood Imp's roar, its smaller counterparts, the Blood Fiends rushed about and the battle was once again plunged into chaos.

In a bid to hasten this fight, Ming Yue send out wave after wave of wind blades, slicing through dozens of bodies before dissipating. Similarly, Wu Dao's five swords started fly on their own, going about in varying directions. Qing Zhi's bamboo box suddenly manifested a small tube that spewed a liquid from its mouth, pretty much melting anything it touched. No one else came close to the deadly power of these two, whether it was the sharpness and swift speed of Wu Dao's swords or the corrosive power of Qing Zhi's latest creation.

The whole fight lasted half an hour before the last of the Blood Fiends fell to the ground. Thousands upon thousands were killed, many of their bodies were already turned to nothingness by Rong Lu City's defenses. The aftermath ended with everyone cleaning up the surroundings, refilling the holes, dismantling the bodies for materials. The body of a blood fiend is quite handy, many of its parts could be used for cultivation and pill creation. They were separated into organs, skin, and bones, each one having their own purpose. Surprisingly enough, Ming Yue did not think that a beast horde would be dealt with so quickly. The preparation and skill that was put into the city's defense were good, not to mention, everyone seemed quite experience with it.

As the cleaning was just about finished, another bell rang out but this one was much more high pitched.

"Hm, the Forgelord is calling for a meeting? Could this be related to the horde of Blood Fiends?" Mei Yuan said.

"Possibly" said Fu Shan.

"May-maybe he's here to congratulate us on defending against another beast horde", Qing Zhi added.

"Who knows, I just want to go back to my forge already", said Wu Dao.

"Oh shut up you, stop whining and go to the center", a figure joined them, smacking Wu Dao on the head. This one was an old man, possible just as old as the Forgelord.

His wrinkled face and shrinking body showed no signs of that powerful voice that commanded the walls. He wore his hair in a pony tail, tied by a metal ring and his body smelled of a mix of gunpowder and ash. His strict expression made him comparable to that of a stern parent.

As everyone gathered at the center where Lord Qin's home and forge resided. The land around his hut was pristine and almost perfect. To the side was a very tired and very exhausted Li Gang, angry that Lord Qin decided to turn his one week deadline to just one hour. Of course, failing or refusing would result in a fate much worse than death.

Lord Qin came out out his hut, carrying a cup of tea and a small wooden stool which he proceeded to sit on. He gestured for everyone to sit.

"First off, I'd like to celebrate another beast horde fended off", he said, followed by a bit of clapping. "Now the bigger issue that I'm sure you are all wondering is why this beast horde is mainly Blood Fiends from the Bai Yan Plains. That is because the Bloody Plains will be reappearing again."

"The Bloody Plains? It will come again?"

"It is going to get busy again", everyone spoke excitedly, it seems that this Bloody Plains is a time of great fortune.

"For those of you who do not know, the Bai Yan Plains was a place where many battles took place. There was great bloodshed and resentment as well as a treasure every now and then. The accumulating bloody aura has long since seeped into the ground giving form to what you call Blood Fiends. Every now and then the aura would burst out and the plains would once again become the battlefield it once was. Because of this, many fighters come and use this oppurtunity to sharpen themselves and improve their cultivation", he said.

"Of course this means more business for us!" a grin formed on his face as he said those words.

"Alright, that's all I have to say! Everyone should be ready, I estimate that the Plains will reappear in a few days."

The people of Rong Lu City dispersed, anticipating the business that they were about to have. Ming Yue stayed back, wanting to ask Lord Qin a few more questions about the plains.. The Six Pillars also stayed behind, visibly excited.