Late Revenge

  Lin held the opinion that with the recent Bitzer invasion, the farm would have certainly perished. A few goblins could never compare to the stories circulating from the northern pass. Unlike the raiding goblins, the Bitzer horde had decimated a large village.

  As such, this foothold in Frost City belonged to them.

  "So why, after learning about this, did those idiots remain loyal? Didn't they know how to think for themselves?"

  'After being accepted into the fold of the Bloodnight Society, Singh continued pushing to open little orphanages across the city. He's now negotiating with the various churches to use their land. Chong remains submerged in the sewer tunnels while mapping and doing who knows what. The other three are either in the tunnels or training the lieutenants of the gang in management and fighting tactics.'

  He twitched his nose while recalling the activities. Over the last few months, Lin kept pushing for them to expand their business on the street, but to no avail. Doug vetoed any ideas that strayed from a plan conceived on a distant farm. The young men seemed to possess a one-track mind, set on achieving their goal.

  Scoffing at their lack of vision, his feet paused on the worn cobblestone. A familiar doorway marked the end of his journey. The mellow stringing of an instrument, gentle laughter, and alluring scent of women wafted from within. Entering the parlor, he waved to the Madame at the counter.

  The old woman greeted him with a head filled with salt and pepper hair combed into a bob. An unidentifiable powder covered the pronounced wrinkles emerging at the sides of her eyes and thin lips. Clasping her clammy but knowledgeable hands together, she produced an encouraging smile.

  All across the street, experienced women like these served as the gatekeepers to the heavenly abodes.

  "It seems Master Lin has fallen for the ambiance of the neighborhood. The girls will be pleased. Shall I find a free damsel to accompany you?"

  "Madame already knows what lies in my heart."

  He responded. This woman possessed a shrewd heart, one who easily conformed to the wishes of her new masters. But then, given the wars in the shadows, many establishments on the street would have experienced a change in owners at some point in time.

  Shortly afterward, Lin lay on his side while propping up his head with his hand and elbows. A young beauty sat on a small rostrum wearing a snow-white dress which spread beyond her dainty toes. Long hazelnut hair flowed neatly down an enchanting figure while pale blue eyes captivated the sole visitor.

  Her delicate fingers, extending from an unblemished arm, continued gliding over the strings of a large lyre. A sweet melody accompanied the strumming fingers while transforming the candlelit and scented oil room into heaven. A stark contrast to the winter chill beyond the walls.

  "Instead of sinking our earnings, we should be out enjoying life. Now that we have made it big on our own, why toil for others? Doug has been squandering our protection money and tributes on constructing shops in the slums. He continues encouraging resident merchants and tradesmen to increase their stocks while cutting their tribute to our gang."

  Lin murmured while listening to the pleasant sound drifting into his ear.

  "If I had my way, I would have increased our tribute and expanded out on this street. Coins flow around here like water..."

  He thought.

  With the Bloodnight Society behind them, they might represent the weakest division, but the hidden ranking brought power and perks. They had achieved a position where gangs who wanted to operate within their territory required approval.

  Lin deemed they shouldn't hide their status but use the name of the Society to the fullest. Doug, however, harbored the opinion of keeping the information a secret. After a meeting with the members of the Society, Doug hinted he detected a bad vibe from the current leader.

  "Useless speculation. We should be spreading fear to solidify our gains."

  He had snorted.

  Come next year, Lin certainly felt they would possess a status beyond the control of hillbilly farmers. Provided the opportunity and time, soon he would wield the power matching a Noble House. The dawn of an era...

  The sliding of the door signaled the end of an era.

  "The voice matches the beauty. So I've decided to claim this room."

  "Pardon, sir, but this room has already been occupied. We also have much better ones available."

  A serving lady replied to the figure hovering at the open doorway. Her shoulders and bowed face bore an apologetic expression. No doubt, of having disturbed the entertainment of a guest.

  On the doorway, the figure of a skinny man stood while leering into the room. The interruption served to dispel the heavenly atmosphere. Lin rose from his position, swaying a little from the effects of the wine. All while focusing on the thin, oval face occupying the door.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Those shrewd eyes lusting at the lady on the stage while seemingly ignoring him raised his ire.

  "Patron, this room already has a guest. Please follow the etiquette of this establishment and apologize for the interruption."

  Lin remarked while voicing his displeasure. His tone carried the air of a boss who spotted an unwanted plebeian within his territory.

  "Scram, boy. A lady like this will only appreciate a true man."

  Came a condescending reply.

  The intruder never once removed his lecherous gaze, which now roamed all over the entertainer. Like an elephant ignoring an ant, he ignored the young man. Lin staggered between the man and the stage, breaking the line of sight.

  "It seems like you don't understand the rules of the street. I suggest you control yourself before trouble falls on you."

  Lin said while gritting his teeth.

  By now, the Madame would have been notified of the disturbance. In a few minutes, reinforcements patrolling the streets should arrive. The brawny patrol differed from the city guards since they operated solely under the directive of the street businesses.

  Because of their presence, disturbances like these were easily quelled before they escalated into open brawls.

  "Haha, what does a boy recently weaned of his mother know about the rules of the street? Run home, loser, if you have neither the power nor the status to stop a real man. Poor, weak men have no business on the street."

  Returned a withering remark.

  What was it that boiled the blood of a young man?

  The scornful remark of being a weak man in front of the beauty he pursued?

  The stabbing comment about being poor?

  Having no status?

  The anger built up by embarrassment, fueled by the alcohol?

  Zing!

  The scraping of metal sounded as Lin unsheathed his sword.

  The revelation of cold iron caused the eyes of the man to narrow, like a viper priming for its prey. A brow raised above the hawk-like nose, which focused on the sword. The edge of a thin lip curled into a sneer.

  "What a foolish brat. The rules of the street state that you are required to leave your weapons in the parlor of the houses of ladies. Yet you dare draw one at me? Face the consequences then..."

  The words had barely exited the crooked teeth when Lin witnessed a blur. Before the hairs on his pores raised, he found himself staring up at the vicious eyes towering above him. The next second, a sturdy fist slammed into his face.

  The unusual speed and force of the blow shattered his nose while causing him to stagger under the effect.

  The surprise of receiving such a strike from a scrawny man led him to make a rookie mistake.

  With a clatter, his sword fell onto the wooden boards.

  Unlike Doug and the others, who constantly trained after consolidating their little empire, Lin lived the life of a young master. The excuses and time he spent roaming the red light district finally caught up with him. His yell of pain and sobbing drowned the screams of the ladies.

  Slamming against the wall, he crumpled to the floor while reeling from a second punch to the chest. With a hand trying to cup the dripping blood, Lin's glazed eyes soon focused on the man hovering over him. He glanced at the familiar sword now claimed by his adversary.

  Lin struggled to mouth decipherable words in spite of his wheezing nose and swelling lip. His breath labored while ignoring the pain of his bruised ribs. This brawl had rendered him injured and unable to counter in the space of a breath.

  "Do you know who I am? Stay your hands!"

  His words fell on deaf ears and a vulture-like stare.

  Lin stiffened as the man crouched beside him while digging the tip of the blade over his thumping heart. His thin garment twisted and tore easily. He had removed his cloak, but lamented not heeding the advice of Singh to always wear a leather vest.

  With a merciless twist, his adversary extorted a scream from the bloodstained teeth of Lin. The favorable response drew a blackened tongue, which moistened the thin lips. The torturer leaned into his side, causing Lin to cringe on reflex.

  Taunting words entered his ear as the speaker smacked his lips in satisfaction.

  "Why should I care about your status? The punishment for raising a weapon at an unarmed man in the brothels is the loss of a hand. At the very least..."

  "You need to stay your hand. I am a leader of the Behemoth Gang."

  Lin blurted out a sentence he spent weeks preparing to propagate.

  "So I should let a little gang member roam free?"

  "Little gang? I belong to the Bloodnight Society, there will be no place safe for you in Frost City if you kill me."

  Lin uttered the words that sealed his fate.

  "Bloodnight Society?"

  The narrow eyes closed in some more while the lips shrank thinner.

  "Never heard of them. What are they?"

  "We control the gangs of the underworld in Frost City from the shadows."

  The man stood up and pulled the weeping usher inside the door. Grabbing a tuft of hair from both women, he dragged them closer to Lin and tossed them on the boards.

  "What are you part of again?"

  "Bloodnight Society."

  "Louder. I can't hear."

  Lin practically shouted the name while tasting his blood. His eyes kept darting towards the open door, wondering as to why no one arrived to his rescue. The commotion in this room should have alerted the Madame and the staff. Not only the street patrol but the city guards should have made a welcome appearance.

  The smirking face displayed a broad grin.

  "Do you know how the Bloodnight Society managed to remain in the shadows for hundreds of years?"

  The man squatted before him while continuing.

  "Anyone can mention a gang or group of thieves in the city, but the words Bloodnight Society are taboo. Before mentioning the name, one must use the appropriate hand signals. Only then can the Society remain within the confines of its respected circle. For those living in the underworld or dipping their toes into it, all they know is that a shadow lurks over them."

  Lin grunted a reply while moving his eyes from the stiff smile to the blade piercing his stomach. A red line meandered on the polished weapon before dripping onto the floorboard. The shock of witnessing his life ebb away slowly masked the pain.

  "You should never have crossed the Guido gang..."

  With his soul fading, Lin assessed the last words whispered to him alone.

  Recalling the event which transpired, the lack of spectators, the silent response to aid, and the final words, his mind cleared.

  How stupid of him to ignore the preaching of Doug and the others? Singh always remarked that they entered the Society on their superior information gathering skills and not on fighting power. No wonder they continued to strive, toiling harder instead of reaping benefits.

  This man must have had companions who locked down the Silk Flower House while assaulting him. Even if help arrived, it would arrive too late.

  Well played.

  Well executed.

  His eyes dimmed on remembering the day he departed from the farm. The thrill of visiting a city and the caring words.

  The figure of a small redhead, with piercing green eyes...

  Kind.

  Arrogant.

  Vicious.

  Vindictive.

  Lin struggled and gasped until he left the world after mouthing a clear sentence.

  "Even in death, my Boss will find you..."