Punish the Heavens and Punish the Gods - Chapter 05
“Let’s go! It’s almost dark,” Lu Peng said.
I grunted in agreement, swung onto Xiao Hei’s back, and Lu Peng mounted his White Dragon Horse.
“Let’s head to Shaoyang Academy!” I said.
Lu Peng grinned. “Then let’s hurry!”
“How long will it take us to get there?” I asked.
“About two days if we ride hard,” he replied.
I nodded. “Alright, let’s go.”
The sky was gradually dimming. The sun sank lower and lower, the horizon painted in shades of red and gold. The moon peeked faintly from behind drifting clouds. Lu Peng and I rode side by side along a flat dirt road, our long shadows stretching before us under the dying light.
After a while, I noticed Xiao Hei’s back was slick with sweat — enough to soak through my pants. He’d been running too long without rest. I pulled the reins.
“Let’s stop for a bit,” I said.
Lu Peng gave me a puzzled look. “We’ve only been riding for a while. I’m not tired — are you?”
“I’m fine,” I replied, “but your White Dragon Horse is exhausted. Look at its back — it’s drenched in sweat. You didn’t even notice, did you?”
Lu Peng scratched his head and laughed. “You’re right. I really wasn’t paying attention.”
He jumped off his horse, and I dismounted from Xiao Hei. We leaned against a big tree by the roadside to rest.
“Yan Jie, I’m thirsty,” Lu Peng said. “Got any water?”
Without a word, I pulled out a gourd hanging from my belt and shook it in front of his face.
“Water!” he exclaimed eagerly. “Give me a drink!”
I shook my head.
Lu Peng blinked. “What, it’s not water?”
I grinned. “Nope. It’s the Daughter Red wine I didn’t finish earlier. I poured it into this gourd. Didn’t you see me do it?”
Lu Peng rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “No, I was too busy beating up those two lackeys of Magistrate Bai. I didn’t notice! Come on, just let me have a sip — one sip!”
I hesitated, then sighed. “Alright, but just a little. Don’t drink too much.”
Before I even finished, Lu Peng had already snatched the gourd from my hand. He took a massive gulp and smacked his lips with satisfaction.
When I grabbed the gourd back and shook it, my heart sank — two-thirds of the wine was gone!
Lu Peng noticed my expression and scratched his head guiltily. “Yan Jie, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to drink that much… I was just so thirsty. You’re not mad, are you?”
I glared at him. “No,” I said coldly. “You’ll pay me back!”
Still fuming, I turned away and began mounting Xiao Hei again.
“Hey! Yan Jie, don’t be like that! I said I was sorry!” Lu Peng called after me.
“Forget it,” I said over my shoulder. “We’ll go our separate ways from now on.”
Just then, something clattered to the ground beside me — another gourd.
I picked it up, uncorked it, and caught the scent. My eyes widened. This wasn’t Daughter Red — it was Wanli Xiang, an even finer wine! So this was Lu Peng’s way of making it up to me.
I turned back to him and said, “Alright, I forgive you. Here — take it back. I don’t really like drinking anyway. I was just upset by how you acted.”
I tossed the gourd to him.
“Wow! Wanli Xiang! You’re giving it to me?” Lu Peng beamed. “You’re too generous, brother!” He uncorked it and inhaled deeply, clearly enjoying the rich aroma before taking a sip.
Something felt off. I narrowed my eyes. “Wait… are you sure this is your wine?”
Lu Peng froze. “Uh… no.”
Before I could say anything, a cold, mocking voice echoed nearby.
“That gourd of wine,” said an old man, his voice full of venom, “will be the last drink of your lives! Ha ha ha! I’ll avenge my son, Xiaobai!”
Lu Peng and I both stiffened. Xiaobai!
We realized instantly who it was — Bai Ningtian, the county magistrate of Xiongdu!
“You’re Bai Ningtian, aren’t you?” I shouted.
He sneered. “At least you’re not a complete fool. You can die knowing who killed you.”
At that moment, I felt my bl00d run cold. Lu Peng’s face turned pale too. He dropped the gourd of Wanli Xiang. It shattered, and the wine spilled across the dirt. The strong aroma turned sour — poisonous.
“Bai Ningtian, you poisoned the wine!” I roared.
“Yes,” he said with a cruel grin. “Don’t worry — the poison won’t kill you immediately. It’ll only weaken your powers. I’ll be the one to finish you off.”
Rage burned through me. “You despicable coward! I’ll end you!”
Bai Ningtian laughed. “Big words. Let’s see if you can back them up. Remember this — next year, this day, will be your death anniversary!”
He began chanting, “Great power of light, almighty god of light, grant me the form of the Seraphim!”
A blinding glow enveloped him. A pair of huge, snow-white wings burst from his back.
Lu Peng’s eyes went wide. “Run! He’s transformed into a Seraph of Light!”
I clenched my fists. “What are you afraid of? Between the two of us, we can take him!”
“Don’t be stupid!” Lu Peng shouted. “Only a Fallen Angel can counter a Seraph! We’ll die if we stay!”
“What’s a Fallen Angel?” I asked, startled.
He shouted back, “It’s when someone who practices the dark magic Shadow Arts reaches level four — they can transform into a Fallen Angel!”
I froze. My Shadow Judgment was only level one. I was nowhere near that. A wave of dread washed over me.
Bai Ningtian swooped down like lightning, his fist glowing with holy energy. He aimed straight for my chest.
Lu Peng leapt from his horse, using his wind magic to intercept the blow.
“Lu Peng!” I shouted.
Bl00d sprayed from his mouth, staining his shirt crimson. Still, he smiled weakly. “We’re comrades who live and die together… this is nothing. You have to go, Yan Jie! Live — and one day, come back and avenge me! If you die here too, then what was my sacrifice for?”
Tears blurred my vision. I clenched my teeth, mounted Xiao Hei, and shouted, “Go!”
Xiao Hei neighed loudly, sensing the danger, and charged forward faster than ever.
As we sped away, I looked back — Lu Peng stood his ground, facing Bai Ningtian.
My heart ached. “Lu Peng… we’ve only known each other a short time, but you…” My voice broke. “You’re a true brother… a hero…”
I swore silently, I will come back. I’ll make Bai Ningtian pay for you… my comrade, my friend.
Behind me, Bai Ningtian’s wings folded. He didn’t chase. He simply grabbed Lu Peng’s limp body and dragged him away…