Chapter 6 An Expedition

~

"So you didn't get the ring?" Elite Hong asked. He was disappointed he couldn't get his hands on the ring. "And you said Feng didn't get it as well?"

"Yes, Elite," Dao replied. While on the way to Hao city, he had spent time to think about the mystical item. What would be the outcome if such item were to lie in the hands of the Elite? He knew Elites very well. They were all greedy for power-all of them. So instead of giving Elite Hong the mystical item, he decided to lie to him. And thankfully, Duke Han wasn't around or he would have seen through Dao's lies.

Sigh...I need to become a baron as quick as possible, Dao thought. He wanted to advance in rank so as to become more powerful.

Elite Hong cleared his throat and said, "It's good none of us got the ring. It's better that way."

Dao nodded, maintaining his grim expression. He wanted to tell the Elite about Qi-how the lad had saved him. This would earn him a promotion in rank.

"Elite, I have something to propose."

Elite Hong nodded, approving Dao. Regent Dao was his most trusted and efficient regent among the five regents of Crosslands. It wouldn't take a thing out of his body if he listened to his request.

"It's about Qi-the lad deserves something great. He actually saved my life today."

"Saved your life?"

"Well, through a distraction though. Feng would have killed me if he had not distracted her."

With a tone of impatience, Elite Hong said, "Do anything you think is best."

"Thank you, Elite."

Dao bowed and walked backwards before turning around, walking out.

~

The army of huntlets stood, anticipating what the Regent had to say to them. Normally they were always spoken to by hunters and Chief hunters, but now the Regent was here himself-it was a rare occurrence.

"Qi has shown his bravery in the face of death by doing what even no hunter here has done."

The whole place was silent-probably as silent as a graveyard. Everybody had something to say but no one dared to speak. The Regent was someone to respect as well as fear. Speaking while he was speaking was a sign of disregard. Everybody had this in mind so they all stuck to silence.

"He's been promoted. Qi is no longer a huntlet but a hunter. He has become a hunter-a lethal fighter in the army."

~

"I don't believe it!" It was Sun talking to Qi who was packing his belongings. He, Sun and ten others shared a room. But now that he had been promoted, he received an immediate transfer to another room.

"You better do," Qi smiled. He was happy he was now a hunter. Other huntlets who had even come months before him had yet to be promoted. This was something to be happy about.

"I mean, what exactly happened?"

"I made myself a bait, saving the Regent."

Qi's stomach burned when he said this. He had wanted to directly say that he saved Regent Dao but it was illogical. Who would believe it if he told them? In terms of experience and strength, Dao even surpasses all the regents in the six kingdoms much less an ordinary huntlet like him.

Huntlet? I'm definitely a hunter! He smiled at the thought.

"Oh!"

"Yeah."

"So, you're leaving..."

"Sigh...Yes."

"Good luck then."

Qi smiled as he slung his leather bag across his shoulder. With a happy voice, he said, "Thank you."

~

Regent Dao sat in a wooden chair behind a desk. He was in his chamber awaiting Qi. He had summoned him to allocate him to an expedition team which had being recently given a mission.

Knock! Knock!

The door vibrated, threatening to tear at any moment. It seemed the person knowing was a little aggressive with the knocking. Poor door.

Regent Dao frowned and grunted, "Come in."

The door creaked as it opened, Qi poking his head inside. He swallowed hard and then walked inside the chamber.

It was a large one with expensive furnitures and decoration. It left a deep impression on Qi. Regent Dao was sure not simple.

"Good afternoon Regent!" he saluted, bowing his head.

"Good afternoon Qi," Dao replied. He then sat upright.

"An expedition has been assigned to a team of hunters headed by a Chief Hunter. You've being put in this team and will join them on the expedition."

"W-what expedition?" Qi asked, arching his brows.

"Your Chief Hunter will tell you."

"Okay, Regent!"

"You may leave."

"Yes Regent!"

~

An army of five hundred hunters stood in an open field, facing the Chief Hunter. He was a tall man with taut muscles and heavy physique. His face was covered with beards, making him give off an animalistic feeling. His name was Shang-the Chief Hunter of this army.

"As expected, we've been assigned a mission," Shang spoke, his voice leaving a fearful impact on the new hunters.

"There is an abandoned castle in the depths of a forest in this city. The mission is to expedite this castle and inform the Regent of our expedition. This castle is suspected to have many treasures but many expedition teams have failed to find them. So, the expedition has been entrusted onto us."

One of the hunters raised up his right hand. It was Qi. He has a question for the Chief Hunter. He found it illogical for hunters to be sent into this castle to do the expedition instead of Shadowcasters. Weren't they more related to mysterious things than hunters?

"Why aren't the shadowcasters being sent to scout the castle? They're more skilled than us in areas pertaining to mystery. The Shadow Harbingers leading them should have the corresponding knowledge."

"Your name's Qi, right?" Zhang asked. He was irritated with the lad. Why not just shut up and listen when the Chief Hunter was speaking?

"Yes, Chief Hunter."

"What lethal fighter are you?"

"A hunter."

"Very good. So the expedition should be entrusted to hunters and not shadowcasters. We are good at hunting than them."

"The expedition team would be made up of ten hunters which would be chosen from this army. I will call the names immediately."

The whole army stood straight, listening attentively.

"Wukong..."

"Zhou..."

"Long..."

"Yang..."

"Li..."

"Bao..."

"Zhao..."

"Shang..."

"Ying..."

"Yu..."

Qi heaved a sigh of relief. Thankfully, his name didn't come out. He was happy he hadn't been chosen to go on the expedition. He wasn't enthusiastic about things like this. An abandoned castle was one thing and then the mysterious treasures made it another thing. He didn't want to encounter any evil spirits during the expedition. He had learned at the Monastery that abandoned places where the suitable abodes for evil spirits.

"Oh! I made a mistake on the last name," it was Zhang.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Qi's heart tensed. Let it not be what I'm thinking, he prayed inwardly.

"The last name should be Qigong."

"..."

Qi wanted to faint on hearing that. He had been chosen to go on the expedition!

"The above mentioned should prepare themselves. We're moving at sunset."

Sunset!

This expedition team sure has a death wish, Qi could not help but lampoon. He couldn't imagine how a whole team with no knowledge of mysticism go on an expedition to a castle which would no doubt be haunted. This mission was meant for devils and not ordinary hunters like them.

"Qi, are you there?"

It was Zhang. Qi was jolted from his thoughts. He turned around only to discover that all his comrades had left. The Chief Hunter had dismissed them along time ago.

"Uh-huh..." Qi stammered, not knowing how to answer the question.

"Your fellow hunters are gone."

"Oh!" he arched his brows, took his bow and left.

Sigh... Zhang sighed inwardly. I hope they survive that expedition.

~

At sunset the expedition team gathered awaiting Zhang. While waiting for him, they took the opportunity to discuss among themselves.

"Sigh...An expedition to an abandoned castle doesn't sound right," it was Long. His hair was dark and wavy, his eyes narrow and sharp. He had thin lips and a straight nose which made him look funny. He resembled one that could pass out as a laughing stock for people.

"We've gone on several expeditions before. This one shouldn't bring us down," Wukong spoke. He was the oldest among them and had an air of authority in him. He had no remarkable looks and could be considered average. He was average of height with small eyes, small nose and small mouth. It seemed the Creator had been so proportional in creating him.

"We're talking about an abandoned castle," Shang reminded, rolling his eyes. He was the handsomest among them. His hair was long and brown like nutmeg, his eyes as blue and charming as the morning star, his lips as pink as rose and his nose as well-structured as a perfect sculpture-a perfect description of beauty.

"What if we were assigned this expedition to get rid of us?" Zhou asked, peering at everyone with his dull eyes. He was a very shy type and always thought about himself as inferior to everyone. His hair was shaved into side cuts, making him look handsome.

"Zhou, that shouldn't be possible. Regent Dao isn't that heartless," Yang retorted, staring at Zhou with his cold eyes. He was the type of person who always wore a grim look, making his surrounding gloomy. He had his black hair made into a ponytail.

"You said Dao isn't that heartless..." it was Qi, the newest member of the team.

"Yes?" Yang replied.

"So he's heartless to some extent?"

Ying chuckled, "Brother let me answer him."

It was obvious Ying was Yang's brother and they had both being conscripted into the army. He almost looked identical to Yang except for the eyes-they were always filled with excitement.

"You've heard of the Baron championship, right?"

Qi nodded. Dao had mentioned something like that to him.

"To become a baron, one needs to perform a ritual-a sacrificial ritual and a bestowment ritual."

Qi arched his brows, taking in the information. This was sure problematic.

"A sacrificial ritual is one set up to offer sacrifices to the deity one believes in. One has to sacrifice the corresponding items pertaining to the deity to him. As hunters, we believe in the God of combats and war. One of the items pertaining to his domain is a dagger. In fact any weapon would do," Li explained. He was a lanky type who seem likely collapse any time he stood up. His hair was shaved very low, making his head look clean.

"The bestowment ritual is one set up to ask for a deity's bestowment. Remember, only do this ritual for the deity you believe in. Sigh...But as hunters, we all believe in the God of Combats and War."

Too bad I believe in myself, Qi sighed in lampoonery.

"Does this God have a name? Or is He nameless?"

The others gave him a cold look. He definitely knew nothing about gods.

"Thou shalt not take the name of Thy Lord in vain," Zhao replied, his green eyes giving Qi a pitiful look. It was sure pitiful not to be informed.

"..."

Qi was speechless. What if the name of a god was mentioned? Would one be punished?

"Sigh...As the Regent would say..." Wukong spoke.

"You are not informed!" All of them shouted and burst into laugher.

Qi laughed as well. He was tired of hearing that.

"You all are problematic!"

"..."

All of them were momentarily at loss. They hadn't heard that one.

"That's mine."

Qi smiled widely, caressing the sword which was at his left side.

Just then, Zhang came. He was fully dressed in his military outfit and armed to the teeth.

"Good day, Chief Hunter!" they all saluted.

"Good day."

Daggers, boomerangs and two katanas... Overloaded, Qi thought. He was sure prepared. Looking at his own sword, he sighed. He lacked sufficient weapons.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes, Chief Hunter!"

"Then let's get moving!"

They all moved to various white horses which had being standing all the time and mounted them. Following the Chief Hunter, they rode out of the barrack.

~

The sun was down and the sky was becoming darker. Crickets could be heard chirping while owls could be heard hooting. The whole forest was filled with a babel of sounds from different animals, making it a beautiful evening.

The expedition team rode their horses slowly, passing through the forest. The could see the castle far ahead, but it wasn't clear. It was dark and their visions were clouded.

"Your torches," Zhang reminded.

They obeyed, took out their torches and lit them by scrubbing two rocks together-the sparks produced ignited the torches.

They rode till they came to a part of the forest filled with large rocks. The terrain wasn't suitable for horse riding so they dismounted the horses and proceeded on foot.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

The team walked slowly and cautiously, headed by Zhang who walked before them.

They soon came to the castle. It was gigantic, reaching up to the sky. Its walls were old and weak, vines and algae growing all over it. Most of the walls had collapsed while others were yet to collapse. The entrance to the castle had no door. It was obvious it had fallen of, eaten by moths.

The whole team took a close look at the castle again before dissolving into a sigh.

"Qi, do you know what the castle's missing?" Ying whispered to Qi.

"Windows. What does that tell you?" Qi asked.

"The castle doesn't belong to humans."

"Sigh...This is problematic."

Zhang proceeded into the castle, his left hand holding his torch. The others followed behind, highly alerted of their environment.

The light from the torches illuminated the castle's interior, making them have a dim view of it. Inside of the castle had collapsed, leaving debris on the ground. They had to climb through rocks while moving.

Ahead of them stood a door. It was the only thing still intact in the castle.

"We are going to divide ourselves into two groups. Five will head into that door and the remaining five will expedite the other parts of the castle. I will be alone and take my expedition around the castle," Zhang said.

"..."

Qi's mouth twitched. He was afraid of venturing towards that door. It left an unknown feeling in him. It was as if something dangerous was hidden behind the door.

"Qi, Long, Ying, Zhou and Bao...head to that door," Zhang ordered. "The rest are to expedite other parts.

Qi gulped. He stared at the door, aching his brows. This is problematic, he sighed.

Qi, Long, Ying, Zhou and Bao moved toward the door and stopped in front of it.

"It seems this place has not been disturbed for some time now," Bao said, grabbing the handle and turning it.

Creak!

The sound echoed through the castle, filling their hearts with fear. But the ground but the door wouldn't bulge.

"Now wonder past hunters didn't find the treaures-they never dared to venture towards here."

Bam!

Qi punched at the door, shattering it instantly. The others looked at him in awe. They knew what technique he used-Dead Fist.

"The Regent taught me," Qi smiled. He walked into the darkness which lay behind the door, followed by the others.

The torchlight illuminated a staircase which descended into a dark tunnel. They climbed down the stairs, descending into the tunnel.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Their hearts beat as they entered the tunnel. Pinned to the walls were corpses which seemed to have died some minutes ago. They were stripped naked and had weird looks on their faces-looks of satisfaction.

As they proceeded, they saw more corpses. Hundreds of them in total. Their bodies became covered in goose pimples.

Something ran across Qi's feet, making him yell in fear and throw away his torch.

Squeak!

It was a black blur which scurried into the darkness. A rat.

"It's a rat," Long said.

"I know," Qi picked up his torch.

Squeak!

"..."

They were momentarily at loss. Was that a rat? They listened carefully.

Groan!

"..."

They were consumed by fear, their legs shaking violently.

Roar!

"We should retreat immediately!" Ying shouted.

Whoosh!

A cold wind swept past, making their hairs stand. They couldn't even move. The flames of their torches wavered before they were eventually blown off.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

They heard a banging reverberate across the tunnel. Without waiting any further, they broke free from their fear and ran off.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

Their feet sounded through the darkness as they ran. They had to escape from this place immediately.

Whoosh!

A cold wind swept them off feet, crashing them to the ground. They couldn't stand up from the ground after falling. It was as if a force was holding them down-a supernatural force.

The thought of this made their bodies convulse. If a supernatural force was at work here then they were doomed. They lay sprawled in the darkness, awaiting their fates.