Martial Liquor God, Liuxian

SHADOWFALL FOREST

The Marksmen that had been sitting by the fire quickly got to their feet preparing to kill the Unholy Bird. That was just the way they were. Unlike most people who would just run away from the scene, the marksmen believed in their strength.

“You are going to kill it? What if the school holds us responsible for it? Besides, the Unholy Bird sees things in a red light. We are wearing blue. We can't be seen. Not to mention that there is at least a hundred of us. It won't be able to harm us.” Liuxian heard one of the marksmen say.

“There is only one way out of the forest. Even if we don't want to fight it, we might have no choice to do so in order to leave. Follow me. Be careful.” Another marksman said leading them out of the forest.

Walking out, Liuxian walked with them pretending to be scared. The marksmen didn't seem the least bit afraid which wasn't too good for him.

“The place looks calm." Liuxian heard one of the marksmen say.

“Still keep your eyes out. Don't underestimate anything.” Liuxian said hoping the Unholy Bird would appear anytime.

“ I have no idea who you guys are waiting for but, I know that you people should not return back to the academy.” Liuxian heard a voice say making him look around.

He had not been the only one that heard the voice. Bringing out their bows and arrows, the marksmen immediately became alert.

“Who are you? Show yourself." Liuxian heard them say.

" Show myself. I do not have a form. You can't see me but I can see you. You are me and I am you.” Liuxian heard the voice say making his eyes widen.

Raising his hand, Liuxian quickly covered his ears knowing what exactly it was. The marksmen had good combat and fighting skills however, they weren't the smartest of the four clans.

“I won't ask again. Tell us who you are!" One of the marksmen screamed and suddenly, all of them fell into a trance standing.

It was the Cursed Voice of Illusions. He had just arrived at the academy and yet, he already encountered a lot of things. With his hands on his ears, Liuxian looked around trying to find where the source of the voice was coming from. He had no means of fighting it at all.

“But I have to get the badges. How do I get the badges without removing my hands from my ears?" Liuxian asked shouting as he looked up.

Looking at the sky hoping to hear the voice he had heard earlier, Liuxian removed his hands from his ears without knowing. But he didn't enter any trance. Happy that nothing was wrong with him, Liuxian took the marksmen badges quickly from their clothes and wanted to run when he remembered something. He could use this to his advantage.

Other students arrived and saw the scene. All the hundred marksmen that had arrived earlier were all in a trance. Liuxian was also among them pretending to be in a trance. His eyes were wide open but yet he couldn't move his body at all. The students that arrived this time were all protectors. They arrived one by one slowing down in their tracks as they saw the mysterious scene in front of them.

“What happened to them?” One of the protectors asked checking as he moved around.

Just then, the Cursed Voice of Illusions spoke again scaring everyone including Liuxian.

“ Tell me what you desire and I will give you your heart desire. Mountains and oceans are no match for me. I am you and you are me.” Liuxian heard the voice say and closed his eyes briefly hoping to block out the voice.

“ What we desire? Who are you?” One of the protectors asked but the Cursed Voice of Illusions didn't say anything. Instead, there was a humming sound all around the forest.

“ It's the Cursed Voice of Illusions." Liuxian heard a student answer as he walked in making Liuxian shake his head.

Not many people knew about the Cursed Voice of Illusions. If it there was someone who had knowledge about it, it would certainly be someone from the Scholars clan.

“Cursed Voice of Illusions? What is it responsible for making these people like this?” One of the protectors asked.

“Yes. Close your ear and walk away. That's the only way you can escape." Liuxian heard the Scholar student say as he walked past them heading his own way.

The other protectors looked at each other questioning what the Scholar student said. Nevertheless, they didn't waste time obeying him. Watching them leave, Liuxian's eyes widened knowing that it would be impossible for him to see another opportunity such as this.

“Be careful!" Liuxian shouted all of a sudden shocking the students.

Few seconds later, Liuxian started to collect their badges while they stood still remaining in a trance. They had removed their hands from their ears and the humming sound of the Cursed Voice had gotten them. Looking at the amount of badges in his hands, Liuxian smiled.

“250 badges.” Liuxian said happily.

Suddenly, someone started clapping startling Liuxian. Looking around, Liuxian didn't see anyone.

“Up here, you rascal." Liuxian heard the voice say making him look up.

Looking up, Liuxian saw a man dressed in black assassin clothes. His silver hair was tied up in a bun and there was a bow and bag of arrows at his back.

“Who are you? And what do you want?” Liuxian asked as he stepped back slowly.

“I should be asking you the same question. Why are you stealing so many badges?" Liuxian heard the young man in black ask.

“It's none of your business. To be acquainted with each other, one must know each other's name. You are asking questions, it's only right that I know your name." Liuxian said.

" I am Peng Chen. And you are?” Peng Chen asked looking at Liuxian as he folded his arms standing on the highest branch of the tree.

“Liuxian. Senior, there is no need to bother yourself with me. I am just going about my way trying to head to the academy.” Liuxian said even though he was sure the boy in front of him wasn't his senior in age.

“You have collected 250 badges from your classmates. What do you need so many badges for? Last time I checked, you needed only one badge in the academy. Also, you have the scent from the Liquor of Desire in all over you. Hand it over immediately." Liuxian heard Peng Chen say as he drew out his bow and arrow showing he was a marksman.

“You are a marksman? No need to shoot. No need to shoot. I did find a liquor bottle buried deep in the forest but I drank it. I heard from my father that it was very tasty. I didn't know it would bring me any sort of trouble. Look. It's almost finished.” Liuxian said as he showed the bottle to Peng Chen.

Jumping from the tree, Peng Chen landed on his feet perfectly.

“You really drank it all. You fool!” Liuxian heard Peng Chen say as he looked at him making Liuxian shift back.

“I just thought it was a natural liquor made to taste great. Does it have any particular power I should know about?” Liuxian asked pretending to be ignorant.

“Don't think you can decieve me. If you have already drank the liquor, that means you must already know what power the liquor holds. That's why you are fulfilling weird tasks. I was wondering why you were collecting so many badges. It doesn't change anything. I can still kill you and find another way round my mission.” Peng Chen said drawing his bow.

“Don't kill me. Don't kill me. I didn't know that you were looking for this liquor. Seriously. Please pardon me." Liuxian said as he raised his two hands up begging.

Staring at Liuxian for a long time, Peng Chen didn't say a word making Liuxian scared. Taking a step back, Liuxian walked slowly aiming to run out of the forest. Taking to his feet, Liuxian kept running not knowing exactly where he was going. Just then, Liuxian turned seeing as a couple of arrows were coming at him. Using his Qinggong skills, Liuxian moved out of the way dodging all the arrows easily.

“Impressive. You lack the core strength of a protector yet you have very good Qinggong skills. Who taught you?” Peng Chen asked.

“My father." Liuxian said breathing heavily.

Looking at his watch, Liuxian's eyes widened once again. His time was already almost gone. If he continued fighting with Peng Chen, he would continue to waste even more time.

“And who is your father?” Peng Chen asked.

“ My father is just a nobody. No need to concern yourself. Instead, let's make a deal. I don't know why you are so concerned with this liquor and me but, I am willing to help you. I am willing to grant you one request. Just one. Anyone.” Liuxian said.

“ One? In exchange for?” Peng Chen asked.

“In exchange, you help me with this first task. I already have 250 badges but, I still need 150. You look powerful so you can help me. Help me bully the others for their badges.” Liuxian said.

“You want me to help you fulfill your task in exchange, you will grant me one wish? Do you think I'm a fool? You're the one running out of time. I want two wishes. Do you agree?” Liuxian heard Peng Chen ask.

“Fine. I agree." Liuxian said.

Soon, other students started to come passing through with caution as they wanted to leave. Hiding behind a tree, Liuxian sighed looking. Peng Chen was already waiting for them from the top of a tree which made Liuxian feel at ease. This was his first task and the voice had already said he would go back to level 0. Although he didn't know what Level 0 was, the mere thought of dying scared him.

“What did he say again? Green are protectors, Red are mages, blue are marksmen and yellow are Scholars. Right?” Peng Chen asked watching as Liuxian nodded his head.

“ This people seem to be Scholars then. Interesting." Liuxian heard Peng Chen say and closed his eyes.

His mouth was suddenly starting to feel dry by the moment. Although he had not noticed it before, his strength was also fading away.

“ I feel like my strength is fading away. My mouth is also feeling dry.” Liuxian said making Peng Chen turn back.

“Don't lick your mouth and don't faint. I'll help you complete your task." Liuxian heard Peng Chen say making him nod his head quickly.

Bringing out the liquor bottler had hidden, Liuxian sighed. Was the fact he was feeling faint really because of the Liquor of Desire? There was very little remaining in the bottle and Peng Chen had told him not to drink it. There was no water either anywhere.

Meanwhile, Peng Chen was fighting with the Scholars. The Scholars were a clan known to be very intelligent. They didn't use weapons or magic like the Mages or Marksmen yet they were always able to escape any trouble. Fighting with them, Peng Chen easily defeated all of them. They were no match for him who had spent an eternity cultivating.

“Here are your 100 badges. What else do you need? Hello? Liuxian?” Liuxian heard Peng Chen's voice but yet he couldn't say anything.

His entire body felt weak and he couldn't move.

“What is remaining for you? Tell me." Peng Chen's loud voice echoed as he tried shaking Liuxian so he wouldn't fall asleep. The words were in him to say it. He needed only 50 badges from the mages. But how would he get it across it to Peng Chen. Using the last hit of his strength, Liuxian answered.

“ Mages." Liuxian heard before giving into the darkness that was in front of him.