The Thousand Li Path: A Wuxia Series by Konstantin Zaitsev

Author:Konstantin Zaitsev [Zaitsev, Konstantin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-06-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

The White Bride

I had never heard the voice before, but I was absolutely sure it was female. It felt like the speaker was standing behind my left shoulder at arm’s length. As soon as I turned my head to look at her, the same soft voice said:

“Don’t let your mind stray. If you halt, you will be forgotten, and your body will be taken by one of the poor shades who languish here, yearning for another taste of life. You are in my realm now, and my laws apply.” I was uncomfortable with the calm, commanding tone of the words, and I didn’t risk disobeying. I didn’t know why, but I felt connected to this creature. I had a thousand questions running through my head, but I just had to take her advice, which was more like an order, and keep playing along.

“It’s been so long since I’ve met people of your blood in Limbo.”

Not daring to stop the melody, I mentally prepared a question, aware that my interlocutor could hear my thoughts when they were addressed to her.

“My name is Wu Yang, my lady. May I know to whom I have the honor of speaking?”

Etiquette was your mainstay when you didn’t know what to do. As far as I was aware, the Jade Empire’s rules of conduct were actually a reflection of the etiquette observed in the spiritual world.

“I have many names, but you often bring their echoes to the tip of your blades.” After she spoke, a cascade of ghostly voices came at me from all sides, and they spoke of only one thing: death. “The warriors of your clan are the closest to my kingdom. And I am glad to have you as my guest, but once you set foot on the Path of the Dead, you will either walk it to the end or stay here. You cannot have it both ways.”

“I am ready, my lady. What must I do?”

The eerie sounds of the bone flute created a safe zone around me, where the shadows couldn’t enter. All they could do was circle like a school of sharks around prey they couldn’t catch.

“Those who come here for my blessing must prove themselves worthy. The only thing valued in my realm is willpower.” The world around me was suddenly shrouded in fog, through which I could see painfully familiar walls covered with the logos of famous brands. My former home, where I had spent an unimaginable amount of time sparring. Death had chosen the octagon as my test. “Go forth, young Raven. Show me your willpower.”

I felt that I no longer needed the flute. The hungry spirits whispered to me, but their advice was discarded. I was going home. To where I was the undisputed champion. Where I met the White Bride and she smiled at me.

With each step I took, I became more certain that it was following me, hovering over my left shoulder. A wise man once said that death was an impartial judge who spoke only the truth and gave the most accurate advice.

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