Purple River
Chapter 01 Part 08 - Xiu’s Company
Chapter 01 Part 08 - Xiu’s Company
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At the most exclusive (also the most expensive) Heaven’s Dream restaurant in City Warren, Luo Jie, Bai Chuan and Chang Chuan celebrated their promotion to Banner Masters and arranged a farewell banquet for their commanding officer, Deputy Commander ZiChuan Xiu, for getting rea.s.signed to the Capital!
Bai Chuan took a look at the menu, and felt a bit shaken by what she saw: so expensive!
She whispered to Luo Jie: “Are you sure you brought enough money?”
Luo Jie whispered back bitterly: “At worst we will have to p.a.w.n you off for payment. Why did Commander Xiu choose a place like this? One dinner is going to cost me half year’s worth of my salary… and that is only when it is shared between the three of us.”
Bai Chuan (whisper): “I suspect that idiot is purposely trying to mess with us. Just look at the dishes he ordered… Golden Roasted Piglet, Golden Broiled lobster, Golden Grilled Chicken, Golden Roasted Duck, Golden Fruit Basket, Golden Flossed Vegetables and Golden Brandy… so much gold, I hope he b.l.o.o.d.y dies from constipation!”
Luo Jie (whisper): “Shh, keep it down! I saw him eyeing you suspiciously; he may have overheard us… Ah, s.h.i.t, he is making another order… it is the Eight Golden Treasures of the Royal Palace! f.u.c.k, my next year’s salary is now gone as well!”
…
ZiChuan Xiu and Chang Chuan were having a good time, but then he suddenly turned around: “Bai Chuan, Luo Jie, what are you two talking about?”
Bai Chuan: “Sir, you are getting rea.s.signed. You won’t be our commander officer anymore… We feel really sad; we are going to miss you.”
ZiChuan Xiu: “Oh ho, now that you mention it, I feel really sad as well… But you don’t look very heartbroken about it… you look more like… someone who just got liberated.”
Bai Chuan: “Well, even though we are laughing on the outside, we are actually crying on the inside, Sir!”
Luo Jie and Chang Chuan both felt the same way: They are both crying on the inside… in silence… for their wallet…
ZiChuan Xiu rubbed his eyes, feeling a bit overwhelmed with emotions: “I’m so fortunate to have served with good men like you! Perhaps I should stay…”
“Don’t!”
Chang Chuan, Luo Jie and Bai Chuan shouted in unison!
“Sir, we don’t want be the ones to keep you from your dreams!” (Yes, leave; go torment the idiots in the Capital!)
“Yes, Sir, but do come back and visit us when you have time!” (Better if you don’t!)
“Sir, I hope you won’t forget about us after you ascend to greatness…” (Don’t really care whether you remember us or not, we won’t be remembering you that much is for sure.)
ZiChuan Xiu was about to burst into tears, he spoke weepingly: “We have risked our lives together… We are brothers in adversity… How can I possibly forget you? Come, for our friendship, let’s toast! Yo, lady, bring another five bottles of Royal Brandy, and a Golden Roasted Lamb!”
…
By the time everyone had their fill and rubbed their bellies in satisfaction (Or pretend to be).
ZiChuan Xiu suddenly remembered something: “Oh, I almost forgot to tell you guys! There is official business as well.”
He retrieved an envelope from his briefcase: “Signed by Deputy Commander Luo Bo, this is your new a.s.signment. Luo Jie, why don’t you take a look?”
Bai Chuan was getting a bad feeling about this, but quickly comforted herself: Surely it can’t be worse than this, right?
Luo Jie took the envelope, but merely a glance of it… made this fearless warrior who wouldn’t even flinch in the face of thousand demons, faint on the spot.
Chang Chuan s.n.a.t.c.hed the envelope: “Useless coward, at worst it is an order to attack the Great Demon G.o.d Fortress, shame on you!”
As the words fell, he took a look at inside the envelope… and fainted as well.
Bai Chuan picked the Appointment Letter back up from the floor, hands trembling… ZiChuan Xiu eyed her sympathetically, suggesting: “Would you like some wine to calm the nerves?”
…
Bai Chuan mustered her courage and opened the envelope in one go, the order was surprisingly simple, just one sentence:
“Bannermaster Luo Jie, Bai Chuan and Chang Chuan are being redeployed to the Capital and will continue to serve under the command of Deputy Commander ZiChuan Xiu. – Far Eastern Army General Staff Officer Luo Bo, Imperial Calendar, Year 778”
Bai Chuan’s mind went blank for a second… but she managed to hang on.
Her initial instinct was to reach for her sabre… but she didn’t bring her weapon today.
She then thought to leap at him with the intent to kill… but she was unarmed.
She wanted to curse… but looking at ZiChuan Xiu’s “honest” smile, she knew she would be wasting her breath.
Finally, she thought of an even deadlier manoeuvre.
…
Bai Chuan’s sudden calm caught ZiChuan Xiu by surprise; he couldn’t help but commend her: “No wonder they say women are more durable than men in the face of a crisis!
ZiChuan Xiu: “Well, Bai Chuan, you see, it all worked out! We can all be together again, no wonder those two fainted from joy…!
“Huh? Why aren’t you saying anything? What are you doing with Luo Jie’s coat… Why are you taking his wallet? And Chang Chuan’s wallet as well…”
“Is it possible that we both share the same hobby… we both like to get our friends drunk then steal their wallet? Surely that is not right. I’m still awake… unless you share it with me.”
“Why are you opening the window? It is quite cool inside…”
Bai Chuan stood next to the window, taking a deep breath and shouted: “Someone is doing an eat and run! Catch him!” With that, she leaped out of the window.
Suddenly voices stirred inside the Heaven’s Dream restaurant: “Who is doing an eat and run? Don’t let him get away!”
“Catch that guy, he is doing an eat and run! Over there, the one s.p.a.cing out next to the window!”
“Stop right there, how dare you try to cheat us wearing Deputy Commander’s uniform and pretend to be an army officer?!”
“I knew he was a fake the moment I saw him… How can someone so young be a Deputy Commander?”
“Let’s beat him up before we take him to the police!”
…
According to House ZiChuan’s History Record: Imperial Calendar, Year 778 July 29th, with Far Eastern Army Deputy Commander Luo Bo’s approval, ZiChuan Xiu who was on reserve duty at the time, formed what would later be known as the bane of demons and the most powerful army in the world. The famous “Xiu’s Company”, its creation has been crucial in the history of House ZiChuan. In fact, this newly formed army is what made it possible for the new Headmaster of House ZiChuan to successfully inherit the House. It also played an important role in the quelling of civil unrests, defending against enemy attacks, subjugating the House Liu Feng and the conquering of the Great Demon G.o.d Fortress. It will greatly influence the course of House ZiChuan for the hundred years to come!
The three Bannermasters, Luo Jie, Bai Chuan and Chang Chuan were amongst the first officers to join Xiu’s Company. That day at the Heaven’s Dream restaurant in the City of Warren, they swore their fealty to ZiChuan Xiu. From that day forth, no matter in what kind of dire situation they found themselves in, none of them ever betrayed their vow and they remained loyal to ZiChuan Xiu, until the moment they died. It was also the first step ZiChuan Xiu took in becoming what would later be known as… the “King of Light”.