Part 1
The Rise of the Stars
Chapter 2
Motive
Zhang He awoke with a start, confused as to where he was. He sat up holding his head and the entire thing came back to him. Training He thought, I need to go to the courtyard. He jumped up on his feet, slid the wrinkles out of his clothes, and went over to the looking glass. A black ribbon made of silk lay near the shiny mirror. He seized it and did up his ponytail in a flash. After looking a few more seconds, he ran outside. The blazing, white sun blinded him momentarily, as he stepped into the spacious courtyard. A few trees were around, but besides them, the courtyard was empty. Zhang He lolled around, and flopped down under the shade of a Sakura tree. He stared into the cloudless, astonishingly blue sky, and smiled. Maybe his life wouldn't be such a total waste. After a few minutes, Yuan Shao entered into the courtyard, and Zhang He stood and went to meet him. "Did you find your way to your Chambers alright?" Yuan Shao asked kindly. "Yes, Thank you very much sir, It means very much to me" Zhang He said, bowing his head very low to Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao laughed a little. "It was nothing at all." He said, smiling broadly "Now, let us begin on your training. As you probably know, the Han dynasty it at its very end, and once the Han is dead, fighting will break out. In these perilous times, it is wise for me to have a bodyguard or two, to protect me from assassins and whatnot. That is where you come into the picture. You will be trained in the arts of war and weaponry to protect me from whatever may come our way. I am counting on you to be obedient and become strong, can you do it?" "Yes sir, anything you wish" Zhang He said truthfully. Zhang He didn't respect many people, but he respected Yuan Shao. He was a kind man, unlike his father, and no matter how harsh this training would be, he would be ready. He also liked the sound of being a bodyguard. "Please come this way." Yuan Shao said, beckoning for Zhang He to follow. He took him to a room where many weapons were mounted along the wall. There were expensive swords with flames painted along the blades, Katanas made by the best Japanese blade forgers, Long, beautifully crafted pikes with red feathers, large fans made for battle, and many others. Yuan Shao stopped and turned to face Zhang He. "Please select a weapon that you would like to use for the rest of your life." Yuan Shao said majestically, stretching his arms out. Zhang He looked over each and every one of the weapons. He didn't want to decide on some ordinary sword, he wanted something more interesting, something you didn't see everywhere. His eyes strayed across a pair of metal claws that attached to your hands. "What about those claw glove things?" Said Zhang He hopefully. "Ahhh, the Metal Talons" Yuan Shao said "Those are incredibly difficult to master, but extremely deadly, are you sure you want that one?" Zhang He liked the sound of deadly, and they looked so beautiful. "Yes, sir." He said with confidence. Yuan Shao walked over and removed the Talons from the wall, and handed them to Zhang He. They were quite heavy, but Zhang He could support them. "Take them outside, and wait for the trainer to come out." Yuan Shao said. "Yes, sir." Zhang He said, and obeyed. Back out in the courtyard, Zhang He Examined the Metal Talons. He ran his fingers over the gold on the part that would go over his hands. They had sections, similar to scales, with a type of pink jewel instead of gold. At the end of the gleaming handle were several long, sharpened metal poles that ended in hooks. He gazed at their beauty, never had he seen such a fine weapon. "Like them, do you?" Said a female voice above his head. He jumped and looked up into the smiling face of a woman in her mid thirties. "Well, their a lot of trouble once you get to using them, but after you've got the mastered, you'll be able to take anyone down." She advised, stepping away from Zhang He and turning her back to him. He noticed that she had a pair of Talons on as well. He stood up and walked over to her, still holding the Talons. "The first thing you do is put them on, of course." She said, turning to Zhang He and picked up one Talon from his outstretched hand. She turned it upside down so the hooks pointed up. She lifted up a latch so that a part unhinged. There was a sort of long bowl inside. "Extend your left arm and face your palm towards the sky." She instructed, and Zhang He did what she said. She then placed his outstretched arm in the bowl and closed the top, hiding his skinny arm from view. His finger poked out at the same place that the claws extended from. She pulled his other arm out and attached to claw. "Now that you are equipped, we can begin training. Well, obviously, you are going to want to hit your enemy with the Talons, but what is the correct way? I want you to charge at me and try to hit me with the Talons, got it?" She said. She sounded almost bored. Zhang He nodded, and ran towards her. He raised one Talon and tried to bring it down, but he was afraid of hurting her so he did it with very little force. He heard a clang of metal and the next thing he knew he was lying face down on the grass with what felt like the very tips of the trainer's talons touching his back. She made a sort of cutting sound with her mouth. "Now you're dead!" She teased, and began to laugh softly. "How did you do that?" Zhang He said, trying to get up without stabbing the ground with the claws. The woman pulled him up and he stood there, looking stupid. "Easy!" She said with a rather positive note "I flipped you into the air with the dull side of my Talons, an elementary move, my dear trainee" She said smiling. "Could you teach me to do that, Miss, uhhh." Zhang He began. "Rai Tso! Your name would be?" Rai Tso inquired. "Zhang He!"
The sun was beginning to set, and Zhang He was very tired. Rai Tso was an excellent teacher, but she worked him to the point of exhaustion. By the end of the day, he had learned to block a series of different attacks. The sky had turned red and the light flowed onto the field, casting long shadows onto the grass. "Well, I think that about wraps it up for today, don't you think?" Rai Tso said, looking up at the sky. Zhang He sighed and relaxed. "Now, you have to come back here tomorrow at noon, alright?" Rai Tso said. "Alright." He said, starting to remove the heavy Talons. "What do I do with these?" Zhang He asked. "They belong to you! You get to keep them, kid!" Rai Tso said cheerfully. "Ok! Thank you, Rai Tso." Zhang He, said bowing, and he made his way back to his room. He laid his precious Talons down on the table, and noticed a bowl of steaming rice and a flask of water set down for him. He just then realized how very hungry he was, and wolfed down the rice as fast as he could. He walked slowly over to his bed a fell down upon it. The day was not nearly over, but he fell asleep. When he awoke, it was late at night. He sat up and rubbed his aching muscles. He decided to have a look around and maybe take another bath. He exited his room and peered out into the hall. It was dimly lit with candles every couple of feet. He walked out and shut the door silently. He walked down the long hall, studying the interesting things all over the place. He then found the door to the north entrance and took it outside. It was a cool night, and there were some dead leaves on the ground. An autumn wind was blowing, but it wasn't very strong. He looked up at the beautiful full moon, and began to walk around. He always loved the night, it wasn't hot, the moon and stars were beautiful, and no one could spot him easily. He went over to a short, stone wall and sat on it. Yuan Shao's palace overlooked a deep forest. The dark trees rustled in the wind. The looked quite menacing to Zhang He, those ever moving black shapes. He could just imagine what sort of beasts made their home in that wood. He hummed a mysterious tune that reminded him of things of the sort. "Does it scare you?" Taunted a mean voice from behind him. He turned swiftly to see Guo Tu. "Of course not!" He said loudly. "Hmmm." Said Guo Tu striding to where he sat "Maybe it should." He stated, sounding amused. "And why is that?" Challenged Zhang He, trying to sounding like he didn't want to know. "Don't you know what sort of creatures live there?" Said Guo Tu, putting on a fake frown. "Maybe. Boars and deer?" Zhang He guessed. "Wrong, again! There are tigers and wolves, and all sorts of terrifying things! I've even heard about a dragon." Said Guo Tu, Smiling. "You're a liar! There is no such thing as a dragon." Zhang He said as-a- matter-of-factly. "Is that so? Well, you're not brave enough to go down there anyway." Guo Tu looked at Zhang He "You're only a child after all." "Well, have you ever been down there, oh, great brave one?" Zhang He said loudly. "Millions of times. I've gone to the hunt tigers, but I'm not allowed, you know, only under the cloak of night, when Yuan Shao won't realize what I'm doing. Of course, you wouldn't dream of breaking a rule, would you?" Guo Tu said, narrowing his eyes and smiling cruelly. "I'm not having this conversation with you anymore." Zhang He said, as he stood up and began to leave. "Just what I would expect from a child." Said Guo Tu softly. Zhang He turned on the spot and faced Guo Tu. "I am not a child! Your not even that much older than me!" Zhang He yelled. "Ooh, touchy.and by the way, I happen to be seventeen years old, much older than you." He said nonchalantly. "Yes, of course, because seventeen is soooo much older than fifteen!" Zhang He said, crossing his arms. "You're 15? My, my, with that skinny body, I thought you were twelve!" Guo Tu said, going into a small fit of laughter. Zhang He turned again and walked swiftly back into the building. What was his problem? Why is he so mean to me? I'll show him.once I train a little more, I'll go into that forest and bring him back the head of that dragon! He walked back to the hall in which his room was in, and pushed open the red door. He got back into his bed and fell asleep after about and hour of lying and staring at the ceiling. The next morning he awoke around eleven o' clock. He dressed in new clothes and hung around his room for about 40 minutes. He then gathered up the Metal Talons and went through the door to the sunny courtyard. As he was there a bit early, he fastened the Talons to his arms and performed the blocking moves he had learned yesterday. He was already getting used to his life at Yuan Shao's palace. He sat down to rest before Rai Tso showed up and watched the people and servants walk by, performing the tasks they were assigned. After another 10 minutes, Rai Tso made her appearance, and Zhang He went to meet her. "Do you remember all the things we did yesterday?" Rai Tso said, examining her own Talons. "Yes, I think I've got it all down." Zhang He said. "Alright, about another day of basic blocking moves, and I think we can start on the advanced part." Rai Tso said happily "You learn pretty fast, only a day and you've got the hang of it!" "Thank you!" Zhang He said. They then began practicing the moves they had done the previous day, and soon after tried some new blocks that were far more difficult to execute. It was hotter today, and the burning sun beat down on them both very hard. It slowed their movements and Zhang He began to become slightly dehydrated. Even Rai Tso had to stop a few times and wipe her brow. "Odd weather for autumn, don't you think?" Rai Tso said, after they both agreed a break was needed. "Yes, you'd think it would grow cooler." Zhang He said, looking up towards the sky. "In battle, they don't care if it's snowing, blazing hot, or a thunder storm, they will fight no matter what." Rai Tso said bitterly "You're out there with only yourself and your weapons, none there to watch out for you, you're one against an army." "I don't think it'll be that tough." Zhang He said a little impudently. "Oh? You don't do you?" Rai Tso said looking at Zhang He "What about going out in four feet of snow against fifty men with swords? Generals are also out there too, and they'll be after your head first of all! Also, ask yourself, are you truly ready to kill another human being, not just kill, but also rip apart? Ready to take your Talons and sink them into the flesh of a child? Battle is just tough, it horrible, truly horrible." Rai Tso said sounding almost sad. "I.never thought of that before." Zhang He said softly. "After time it will harden you as well, everyone faces the initial shock, I'm just trying to prepare you." Rai Tso said with a kind tone as she stood up briskly "Now, lets get back to work!" They trained for a few more hours, and then the sun began to set once again. Fatigue began to bear down on Zhang He and his blocks began to look worse and worse. Rai Tso saw what was happening and stopped. "Ok, we can stop now, I think you've learned enough for today!" Rai Tso said with her hands on her hips. Zhang He sighed and put his hand on his face. "Thank you." Zhang He said. He more exhausted than he had ever been before. "Don't worry, once you get to doing this every day, you'll get used to it." Rai Tso said, patting him on the back. "Goodnight, Rai Tso." Zhang He said, wallowing back to the castle. "Take it easy!" She said waving and walking the opposite direction. Zhang He turned and began to walk to his room, but he was stopped by a voice. "How is the training coming, Zhang He?" Zhang He turned around to see Yuan Shao. "Wonderful, thank you for asking, my lord" Zhang He said, eager to get inside and rest. "I just came to inform you that there is a rumor of an assassin after my head. I would like you to be on the watch whenever you can. I also must remind you that you are not to be out after dark under any circumstances, Of course you shouldn't be outside after dark anyway!" Yuan Shao said. "Yes, my lord." Zhang He said, remembering last night with Guo Tu. As he walked away, He had the small satisfaction of knowing he had some dirt on him, and he could use it to his advantage. He walked slowly back to his room and removed the Metal Talons from his sore hands. He massaged his head, and pulled off his worn shoes. He rushed over to the table and gobbled down his small, yet filling meal. After he lay on the floor for a few minutes, he mustered some strength and made his way to the baths. For a long time he lay in the steaming water, letting it soothe his tired muscles. If Guo Tu so much as walked by, Zhang He would have a fit. He splashed some water into his hair, which seemed to help his pounding headache. He thought about the important events that had occurred over the last couple of days. What was to become of him? He wondered what would happen if he couldn't move in the morning. Would Rai Tso drag him out of bed and start training right then and there? No, He could move just fine. He got up out of the water and pulled on his pants. He then looked at his bare chest. Was it just him or was he getting some more muscle on his bones? He smiled, flexed, and then pulled the shirt around his arms. After buttoning up the frogs on the green fabric, he began on the road back to his quiet room. Once there, he fell over onto his bed and buried his face in the soft, silk blanket. Still warm from the bath and completely worn out from training, he found it no challenge to get to bed.
The Rise of the Stars
Chapter 2
Motive
Zhang He awoke with a start, confused as to where he was. He sat up holding his head and the entire thing came back to him. Training He thought, I need to go to the courtyard. He jumped up on his feet, slid the wrinkles out of his clothes, and went over to the looking glass. A black ribbon made of silk lay near the shiny mirror. He seized it and did up his ponytail in a flash. After looking a few more seconds, he ran outside. The blazing, white sun blinded him momentarily, as he stepped into the spacious courtyard. A few trees were around, but besides them, the courtyard was empty. Zhang He lolled around, and flopped down under the shade of a Sakura tree. He stared into the cloudless, astonishingly blue sky, and smiled. Maybe his life wouldn't be such a total waste. After a few minutes, Yuan Shao entered into the courtyard, and Zhang He stood and went to meet him. "Did you find your way to your Chambers alright?" Yuan Shao asked kindly. "Yes, Thank you very much sir, It means very much to me" Zhang He said, bowing his head very low to Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao laughed a little. "It was nothing at all." He said, smiling broadly "Now, let us begin on your training. As you probably know, the Han dynasty it at its very end, and once the Han is dead, fighting will break out. In these perilous times, it is wise for me to have a bodyguard or two, to protect me from assassins and whatnot. That is where you come into the picture. You will be trained in the arts of war and weaponry to protect me from whatever may come our way. I am counting on you to be obedient and become strong, can you do it?" "Yes sir, anything you wish" Zhang He said truthfully. Zhang He didn't respect many people, but he respected Yuan Shao. He was a kind man, unlike his father, and no matter how harsh this training would be, he would be ready. He also liked the sound of being a bodyguard. "Please come this way." Yuan Shao said, beckoning for Zhang He to follow. He took him to a room where many weapons were mounted along the wall. There were expensive swords with flames painted along the blades, Katanas made by the best Japanese blade forgers, Long, beautifully crafted pikes with red feathers, large fans made for battle, and many others. Yuan Shao stopped and turned to face Zhang He. "Please select a weapon that you would like to use for the rest of your life." Yuan Shao said majestically, stretching his arms out. Zhang He looked over each and every one of the weapons. He didn't want to decide on some ordinary sword, he wanted something more interesting, something you didn't see everywhere. His eyes strayed across a pair of metal claws that attached to your hands. "What about those claw glove things?" Said Zhang He hopefully. "Ahhh, the Metal Talons" Yuan Shao said "Those are incredibly difficult to master, but extremely deadly, are you sure you want that one?" Zhang He liked the sound of deadly, and they looked so beautiful. "Yes, sir." He said with confidence. Yuan Shao walked over and removed the Talons from the wall, and handed them to Zhang He. They were quite heavy, but Zhang He could support them. "Take them outside, and wait for the trainer to come out." Yuan Shao said. "Yes, sir." Zhang He said, and obeyed. Back out in the courtyard, Zhang He Examined the Metal Talons. He ran his fingers over the gold on the part that would go over his hands. They had sections, similar to scales, with a type of pink jewel instead of gold. At the end of the gleaming handle were several long, sharpened metal poles that ended in hooks. He gazed at their beauty, never had he seen such a fine weapon. "Like them, do you?" Said a female voice above his head. He jumped and looked up into the smiling face of a woman in her mid thirties. "Well, their a lot of trouble once you get to using them, but after you've got the mastered, you'll be able to take anyone down." She advised, stepping away from Zhang He and turning her back to him. He noticed that she had a pair of Talons on as well. He stood up and walked over to her, still holding the Talons. "The first thing you do is put them on, of course." She said, turning to Zhang He and picked up one Talon from his outstretched hand. She turned it upside down so the hooks pointed up. She lifted up a latch so that a part unhinged. There was a sort of long bowl inside. "Extend your left arm and face your palm towards the sky." She instructed, and Zhang He did what she said. She then placed his outstretched arm in the bowl and closed the top, hiding his skinny arm from view. His finger poked out at the same place that the claws extended from. She pulled his other arm out and attached to claw. "Now that you are equipped, we can begin training. Well, obviously, you are going to want to hit your enemy with the Talons, but what is the correct way? I want you to charge at me and try to hit me with the Talons, got it?" She said. She sounded almost bored. Zhang He nodded, and ran towards her. He raised one Talon and tried to bring it down, but he was afraid of hurting her so he did it with very little force. He heard a clang of metal and the next thing he knew he was lying face down on the grass with what felt like the very tips of the trainer's talons touching his back. She made a sort of cutting sound with her mouth. "Now you're dead!" She teased, and began to laugh softly. "How did you do that?" Zhang He said, trying to get up without stabbing the ground with the claws. The woman pulled him up and he stood there, looking stupid. "Easy!" She said with a rather positive note "I flipped you into the air with the dull side of my Talons, an elementary move, my dear trainee" She said smiling. "Could you teach me to do that, Miss, uhhh." Zhang He began. "Rai Tso! Your name would be?" Rai Tso inquired. "Zhang He!"
The sun was beginning to set, and Zhang He was very tired. Rai Tso was an excellent teacher, but she worked him to the point of exhaustion. By the end of the day, he had learned to block a series of different attacks. The sky had turned red and the light flowed onto the field, casting long shadows onto the grass. "Well, I think that about wraps it up for today, don't you think?" Rai Tso said, looking up at the sky. Zhang He sighed and relaxed. "Now, you have to come back here tomorrow at noon, alright?" Rai Tso said. "Alright." He said, starting to remove the heavy Talons. "What do I do with these?" Zhang He asked. "They belong to you! You get to keep them, kid!" Rai Tso said cheerfully. "Ok! Thank you, Rai Tso." Zhang He, said bowing, and he made his way back to his room. He laid his precious Talons down on the table, and noticed a bowl of steaming rice and a flask of water set down for him. He just then realized how very hungry he was, and wolfed down the rice as fast as he could. He walked slowly over to his bed a fell down upon it. The day was not nearly over, but he fell asleep. When he awoke, it was late at night. He sat up and rubbed his aching muscles. He decided to have a look around and maybe take another bath. He exited his room and peered out into the hall. It was dimly lit with candles every couple of feet. He walked out and shut the door silently. He walked down the long hall, studying the interesting things all over the place. He then found the door to the north entrance and took it outside. It was a cool night, and there were some dead leaves on the ground. An autumn wind was blowing, but it wasn't very strong. He looked up at the beautiful full moon, and began to walk around. He always loved the night, it wasn't hot, the moon and stars were beautiful, and no one could spot him easily. He went over to a short, stone wall and sat on it. Yuan Shao's palace overlooked a deep forest. The dark trees rustled in the wind. The looked quite menacing to Zhang He, those ever moving black shapes. He could just imagine what sort of beasts made their home in that wood. He hummed a mysterious tune that reminded him of things of the sort. "Does it scare you?" Taunted a mean voice from behind him. He turned swiftly to see Guo Tu. "Of course not!" He said loudly. "Hmmm." Said Guo Tu striding to where he sat "Maybe it should." He stated, sounding amused. "And why is that?" Challenged Zhang He, trying to sounding like he didn't want to know. "Don't you know what sort of creatures live there?" Said Guo Tu, putting on a fake frown. "Maybe. Boars and deer?" Zhang He guessed. "Wrong, again! There are tigers and wolves, and all sorts of terrifying things! I've even heard about a dragon." Said Guo Tu, Smiling. "You're a liar! There is no such thing as a dragon." Zhang He said as-a- matter-of-factly. "Is that so? Well, you're not brave enough to go down there anyway." Guo Tu looked at Zhang He "You're only a child after all." "Well, have you ever been down there, oh, great brave one?" Zhang He said loudly. "Millions of times. I've gone to the hunt tigers, but I'm not allowed, you know, only under the cloak of night, when Yuan Shao won't realize what I'm doing. Of course, you wouldn't dream of breaking a rule, would you?" Guo Tu said, narrowing his eyes and smiling cruelly. "I'm not having this conversation with you anymore." Zhang He said, as he stood up and began to leave. "Just what I would expect from a child." Said Guo Tu softly. Zhang He turned on the spot and faced Guo Tu. "I am not a child! Your not even that much older than me!" Zhang He yelled. "Ooh, touchy.and by the way, I happen to be seventeen years old, much older than you." He said nonchalantly. "Yes, of course, because seventeen is soooo much older than fifteen!" Zhang He said, crossing his arms. "You're 15? My, my, with that skinny body, I thought you were twelve!" Guo Tu said, going into a small fit of laughter. Zhang He turned again and walked swiftly back into the building. What was his problem? Why is he so mean to me? I'll show him.once I train a little more, I'll go into that forest and bring him back the head of that dragon! He walked back to the hall in which his room was in, and pushed open the red door. He got back into his bed and fell asleep after about and hour of lying and staring at the ceiling. The next morning he awoke around eleven o' clock. He dressed in new clothes and hung around his room for about 40 minutes. He then gathered up the Metal Talons and went through the door to the sunny courtyard. As he was there a bit early, he fastened the Talons to his arms and performed the blocking moves he had learned yesterday. He was already getting used to his life at Yuan Shao's palace. He sat down to rest before Rai Tso showed up and watched the people and servants walk by, performing the tasks they were assigned. After another 10 minutes, Rai Tso made her appearance, and Zhang He went to meet her. "Do you remember all the things we did yesterday?" Rai Tso said, examining her own Talons. "Yes, I think I've got it all down." Zhang He said. "Alright, about another day of basic blocking moves, and I think we can start on the advanced part." Rai Tso said happily "You learn pretty fast, only a day and you've got the hang of it!" "Thank you!" Zhang He said. They then began practicing the moves they had done the previous day, and soon after tried some new blocks that were far more difficult to execute. It was hotter today, and the burning sun beat down on them both very hard. It slowed their movements and Zhang He began to become slightly dehydrated. Even Rai Tso had to stop a few times and wipe her brow. "Odd weather for autumn, don't you think?" Rai Tso said, after they both agreed a break was needed. "Yes, you'd think it would grow cooler." Zhang He said, looking up towards the sky. "In battle, they don't care if it's snowing, blazing hot, or a thunder storm, they will fight no matter what." Rai Tso said bitterly "You're out there with only yourself and your weapons, none there to watch out for you, you're one against an army." "I don't think it'll be that tough." Zhang He said a little impudently. "Oh? You don't do you?" Rai Tso said looking at Zhang He "What about going out in four feet of snow against fifty men with swords? Generals are also out there too, and they'll be after your head first of all! Also, ask yourself, are you truly ready to kill another human being, not just kill, but also rip apart? Ready to take your Talons and sink them into the flesh of a child? Battle is just tough, it horrible, truly horrible." Rai Tso said sounding almost sad. "I.never thought of that before." Zhang He said softly. "After time it will harden you as well, everyone faces the initial shock, I'm just trying to prepare you." Rai Tso said with a kind tone as she stood up briskly "Now, lets get back to work!" They trained for a few more hours, and then the sun began to set once again. Fatigue began to bear down on Zhang He and his blocks began to look worse and worse. Rai Tso saw what was happening and stopped. "Ok, we can stop now, I think you've learned enough for today!" Rai Tso said with her hands on her hips. Zhang He sighed and put his hand on his face. "Thank you." Zhang He said. He more exhausted than he had ever been before. "Don't worry, once you get to doing this every day, you'll get used to it." Rai Tso said, patting him on the back. "Goodnight, Rai Tso." Zhang He said, wallowing back to the castle. "Take it easy!" She said waving and walking the opposite direction. Zhang He turned and began to walk to his room, but he was stopped by a voice. "How is the training coming, Zhang He?" Zhang He turned around to see Yuan Shao. "Wonderful, thank you for asking, my lord" Zhang He said, eager to get inside and rest. "I just came to inform you that there is a rumor of an assassin after my head. I would like you to be on the watch whenever you can. I also must remind you that you are not to be out after dark under any circumstances, Of course you shouldn't be outside after dark anyway!" Yuan Shao said. "Yes, my lord." Zhang He said, remembering last night with Guo Tu. As he walked away, He had the small satisfaction of knowing he had some dirt on him, and he could use it to his advantage. He walked slowly back to his room and removed the Metal Talons from his sore hands. He massaged his head, and pulled off his worn shoes. He rushed over to the table and gobbled down his small, yet filling meal. After he lay on the floor for a few minutes, he mustered some strength and made his way to the baths. For a long time he lay in the steaming water, letting it soothe his tired muscles. If Guo Tu so much as walked by, Zhang He would have a fit. He splashed some water into his hair, which seemed to help his pounding headache. He thought about the important events that had occurred over the last couple of days. What was to become of him? He wondered what would happen if he couldn't move in the morning. Would Rai Tso drag him out of bed and start training right then and there? No, He could move just fine. He got up out of the water and pulled on his pants. He then looked at his bare chest. Was it just him or was he getting some more muscle on his bones? He smiled, flexed, and then pulled the shirt around his arms. After buttoning up the frogs on the green fabric, he began on the road back to his quiet room. Once there, he fell over onto his bed and buried his face in the soft, silk blanket. Still warm from the bath and completely worn out from training, he found it no challenge to get to bed.