Dustbender 006 (ATLA)

After accepting Old Man's offer, he had buried Star, and said a prayer to the spirits. Although his heart was filled with rage fuelled grief, Terrah wasn't one to lose himself to his emotions. As a man, he had to be responsible. It would be illogical to wallow in self pity or needlessly rage at the sky all night. The time for revenge would come after he had learnt everything he could from his master. 

After burying his friend, Terrah followed after Old Man and entered his hut for the first time since arriving on the farm. 

It was a small one room house, but it had a homie atmosphere. What stood out to him was that on one side of the room, a massive war bow was strapped to the wall. Next to it was a stand with a full suit of armor, and a massive saber. 

“Sit.” Old Man kicked over a stool, and then began to put on the armor. 

Taking a seat, Terrah stared at the bow. 

Old Man had revealed his name to be Huang Zhong. If memory served correct, that was an archer master from the Three Kingdoms era. The man he had been working for was a famed General, one who served under Liu Bei. He belonged to the fearsome group known as the Five Tiger Generals. 

Honestly, he always knew Old Man was someone special, but it was a little surprising to learn that the God of Snipers was now his master. If he was to get stronger, Old Man's advice would be critical. 

“Ask.” Old Man brusquely demanded, as if he had sensed Terrah's mounting curiosity. 

“What is spiritual energy? Do the spirits walk among us?” 

“It may surprise you, Vagabond, but I don't know what it is. Some scholars think it is the harmony of yin and yang, but I am a retired warrior, not some literati. But I do know how to harness it, and will teach you in due time. The act of releasing this energy is what is referred to as a musou attack. It is very dangerous for the user, and in fact, you nearly died back there due to over exposure. 

As for the spirits?...our two worlds are slowly merging together, you can find them if you seek them out, but I do not recommend it.” Old Man spoke as he put his armor on. He tried to tie a strap down behind his back, but no matter how he tried, he couldn't seem to get it down. 

Terrah stood up, and tied the strap down for him. 

“What are you gearing up for?” Terrah curiously asked. 

“You know why.” Old Man replied in a dark tone. 

“...isn't it the place for the master to diligently train his student, and then send him out on revenge? To prove that he has learnt all that the master has to offer?” Terrah rebutted. 

“You've heard too many stories. What man would allow the murder of his family to go unanswered? Besides, a few of them got away. If I don't handle this tonight, I'll have rats snooping around my farm during all hours of the night.” Old Man scowled. 

Terrah wordlessly nodded. What he said made sense. Bandits were like weeds. Unless you pulled them up from the source, they would keep multiplying. 

While he wanted to get revenge personally, Terrah couldn't help but be touched. They had only known one another for over two weeks, and already Old Man was willing to put himself on the line to help him out. He was clearly retired, and enjoying life, yet here he was, practically adopting a stranger into his life. 

In so many words, Old Man had called him family. As a transplant lost in another world, this meant a lot to Terrah, and he vowed to himself that he would try his best not to let Old Man down. 

After another minute, Old Man had fully dawned his gear, and he looked something like a God of War. 

“Unload the ingredients, then move the prisoners into the cart. We'll have them take us to their base.” Old Man ordered. 

“Yes, master.” Terrah said, and moved to bow, but was held up. 

“None of that crap. At least not when it's just us.” Old Man scowled, then pushed him out of the house. 

Terrah, still somewhat emotional over his friend's death, found himself slightly grinning at the old man's surly attitude. 

Going about his tasks, Terrah restocked the kitchen, and then moved the prisoners into the back of the cart. 

Old Man had come outside at some point, and plucked one of the teens out of the batch. 

“Take us to your boss, boy.” Old Man sternly commanded. 

Terrah felt as if Old Man had released some sort of aura, because he had goosebumps all up and down his body. 

The teen pissed himself, but he still made sure to nod his head repeatedly. 

“The A-Axe Gang are in Gao-Gaoling, I know the way, just don't kill me!” The teen stuttered out. He then began to describe what their leader looked like, and the horrible things that would be done to him if they found out he had revealed this information. 

“Let's go.” Old Man said, and crossed his arms. 

“Hyah!” Terrah whipped the reins, and set the cart in motion. 

He was going back to Gaoling. 

Traveling in silence, and using the light from the moon as a guide, they eventually came up to the closed city gates. 

A small guardhouse was directly beside the gates, and a squad of men-who must've heard them coming-were standing out front with their spears drawn. 

“Halt, and turn back! Gaoling is closed until dawn, entry is denied until curfew is lifted!” A guard shouted at them in an authoritative voice. 

Terrah didn't slow down. 

“Violators will be shot!” The squad lead shouted, and then motioned towards some crossbowmen mounted on the wall. 

Old Man took out a golden token the size of a fist, then tossed it at the lead guard. 

Sailing through the air, it landed in the dust just in front of the squad lead's feet. 

“Tiger General Huang Zhong!” A shout seemed to spread through the crowd of soldiers, causing a commotion. 

“Open the gates, or does Gaoling intend to rebel?” Old Man commanded, and gave the troops a grim smile. 

“O-open the g-gates! Gaoling's garrison greets General Huang!” The squad lead stuttered as he bowed. 

A heavy creak began to sound, and the mighty gates that guarded Gaoling began to slowly swing open. 

“Lieutenant, what is the meaning of this?!” A soldier dressed in expensive looking armor rushed over from within Gaoling, and demanded. 

“Show him the token, soldier.” Old Man gestured. 

“G-gate Captain, please observe!” 

The finely dressed officer frowned when he took the token. 

“Huang Zhong was reported as dead at the battle of Hong Fong, imbecile! Arrest these charlata-” The officer got out, but was stunned to speechlessness as his helmet-and the helmet of every man present-was sniped clean off their heads within seconds. 

From Terrah's perspective, all he saw was a flash of movement, and heard the twang of a bow, then the helmets were gone. 

“You men follow me. Bandits have infested Gaoling. Do your duty, soldiers.” Old Man barked. 

“Yes, General!” All the men rushed to salute. 

Terrah moved the cart forward, then leaned down to take the seal out of the captain's paralyzed grasp. 

As they creaked along, a unit of about 100 men followed behind. 

The teen they had captured pointed them in a direction, and eventually they found themselves at a brightly lit venue. 

It was a rival casino across the street from the one that housed the underground arena. 

Although it was night time, and 90% of the stores were closed, this place seemed to be bustling with foot traffic. 

Both rich and poor came to spend money, get drunk, and enjoy the festive atmosphere. 

All that came to a crashing halt as Old Man & Terrah walked in, flanked by the army unit. The music stopped, and the gamblers all started to flee the scene as they sensed something was wrong. 

A well dressed man flanked by a few dozen rough looking armed guards approached them. 

“Oi, Captain Ping?! What are you doing here? The boss already paid you-” 

“Be silent.” The Gate Captain hissed. 

“Oi, oi, don't think we're weak, Captain. Just because you have numbers-” 

Old Man flicked his bow, and an arrow lodged itself in the well dressed man's tibia, causing him to collapse to the floor, and wail in pain. 

“You're dead! My big brother has the governor's ear! Do you know who I a-” The man raged, then fell down dead as another arrow pierced his lungs. 

The whole room watched on in horrified silence. Old Man's actions had been so fast, no one could see what had happened. One moment, the slick gangster was talking, the next, he was dead. 

In fact, it was so quiet, Terrah could hear the guard captain's gulp. 

Terrah glanced at the man, and saw that he was sweating bullets. 

“Arrest these men, and put them to work in the mines.” Old Man ordered, and then he started to move towards a private area where some music was still being played. 

“O-on what charges?” The captain mustered up his courage, and asked. 

“Hrm?” Old Man raised a brow, and glanced back. 

“R-right away, General, sir! You heard him, men!” Captain Ping saluted Old Man, and then hurriedly ordered as if his life depended on it-because it did.

The gangsters who were standing by suddenly reacted violently, and some tried to attack or run, but Old Man just kept walking towards the back. When they neared, he would flick his hand, swiping with his sword, then any gangster who raised a weapon at Old Man turned into shredded organs, gallons of blood, and torn bits of skin. 

Catching a brief gleam of metal, Terrah belatedly realized Old Man had drawn and sheathed his sword as casually as if he were a teen checking his phone for a text message. 

‘To think I even considered running after stepping on this man's potatoes!!!’ Terrah absentmindedly thought to himself. 

After this display of raw martial might, no one said a word, and every single remaining casino guard dropped to the ground, and pressed their foreheads to the floor, not daring to make eye contact, or even look at Old Man. 

“Come along.” Old Man snorted, breaking Terrah out of his fugue. 

“Yes, master!” Terrah ran along like a duckling. 

Old Man rolled his eyes, but didn't bother rebuking him. 

Terrah cheekily grinned, and wordlessly followed. 

Eventually they reached the backrooms, and they found a man in a white hat lazily leaning back in a big chair being serviced by a pair of gorgeous twins. In this room, it was extremely extravagant with rich carvings, and extraordinary pieces of art. There were also a group of ugly old men getting it on with beautiful teens/preteens. 

From Terrah's perspective, some of these guys were in their 40's, and the boss was a [???] individual! Anyone of them could sneeze, and Terrah would fall over dead. 

“Ahhh? Who are you?” One guy questioned, and reached for a dagger. 

Old Man didn't waste any words, or make any declarations. He shot each man with an arrow, killing them. He refused to elaborate, and then left. 

Just like that, people who could turn Terrah into their bitch had fallen dead, as if life was no more precious or rare a commodity than air. 

For the first time, Terrah held a hint of fear as he looked at Old Man's broad back. But much more than that, he felt excitement. 

‘This is my master. A man who does not mince words, one who acts when a threat presents itself.’ Terrah thought to himself as he beamed with pride. 

Terrah then eyed all the money, and expensive things that were loosely lying around in this chamber, his greed started to act up and he unconsciously reached a hand out, but a derisive snort from Old Man stayed his hand. 

Old Man then approached Captain Ping, and looked him in the eye. “Hold this location until a man named Po arrives, he will take over matters from there.” He then raised his voice to address the entire unit. “Should any coin go missing during your wait for his arrival, I will reward whoever turns the thieves in handsomely.” 

The 100 man unit all eyed one another wearily. Certainly there were cliques amongst them who would be in favor of pocketing some of the money, but could you trust over a dozen men to keep a secret, much less a hundred? 

“Sir!” The soldiers saluted, and made way for Old Man as he left the building. 

Walking down the streets, Terrah followed behind Old Man, complex emotions ran their course through his mind. He had wanted revenge, and he respected Old Man in both his act and reasoning, but some part of him wanted to enact revenge personally. When someone close to him was taken, he wanted the opposing party to suffer. 

Terrah was a man of few friends, and few relationships, but the ones he did have, he treasured and guarded like a dragon coveting his hoard. To lose even a single one to murder was grounds for some malicious intent. 

“Aren't satisfied?” Old Man asked over his shoulder without looking back. 

“....thank you, master for your help, but no, it felt…too easy.” Terrah said, struggling to find the proper words. 

“Which warrior would you rather be? The one who seeks challenge and adventure, or the one who seeks victory?” Old Man slightly changed gears, and asked another question. 

“Victory, of course.” Terrah replied after a second's thought. 

Old Man nodded. 

“When the arrow has been released, there is no turning back. When seeking victory, one must fly swift, and aim true. Never give your enemy a second chance, or the opportunity to gather themselves.” 

“I understand.” Terrah nodded. 

“Do you?” Old Man pressed. “Men your age die every day in pursuit of glory and accolades. There were hundreds of men who were more talented than me, worked harder than me, and were born into better upbringings than me, yet I am still alive and they are all long dead, why?” Old Man sternly looked Terrah in the eye, and asked in a critical tone. 

“Pride?” Terrah asked in a hesitant tone. 

Old Man nodded his head in affirmation. 

Terrah smiled in relief, but took a jab to the stomach for his efforts, forcing him to double over and fall to the ground. 

“Pride is but one component. However, a man must have his pride, for without pride, are you really a man?” Old Man rhetorically asked, and kept walking. 

Terrah glared at his back, however, he was quick to pick himself up, and follow in Old Man's steps. 

“Keep that fire in your belly, it will nourish your spirit when the will to go on has left you. When exhaustion saps your limbs of strength, when you haven't slept for 3 days straight, only strong emotions will keep you going. No matter how talented, or hard working one is, morale can vanish like dust in a light breeze. Without the will to survive, ambitions will swallow a man whole.” Old Man glanced over his shoulder, cupped Terrah by the chin, and stared him in the eye. 

Terrah was once again struck by how powerful Old Man really was. His words and actions right now resembled a shift in their relationship. Gone was the laid back retiree. 

Standing before him under the moonlight and dim city lanterns was a warrior. 

“Discipline, boy, above all other things is what I shall strive to teach you. You have a gift, but recklessness will only serve to be your undoing. Tonight, I shall show you the price of said recklessness.” Old Man said, and then pointed at an enormous walled villa. 

“Halt, who dares approach the Governor's residence at such a late hour-ah, General!” A guard said with authority, but was quick to change his tune as he recognized Old Man. 

“Inform Governor Beifong that Huang Zhong has agreed to his request, and humbly seeks an audience.” Old Man said in a formal tone. 

“Y-You're-!” 

“That's right, Guan Yu can stop worrying over his little sister and Aunt. Huang Zhong shall guard Gaoling Province!” Old Man declared. 

“Right away, sir! Please, wait but a moment, the Lord is engaged in his night time meal, he would surely invite you to join him!” The guard hastily replied, and then sent a runner into the estate. 

Terrah quirked an eyebrow at Old Man. 

“Do you think marauding through a casino is without its consequences?” Old Man answered his question without turning back. 

Terrah's mouth went dry as he realized something. 

‘Old Man was retired, and likely wanted to spend the rest of his days in relaxation. He's doing this for me. To an old kung fu master, returning to war was the absolute last thing they wanted to do.’ 

Guilt welled up Terrah's throat, and he bowed his head at Old Man's back. 

“Thank you…Old Man.” Terrah said in a quiet voice. 

“Hmph. If you are truly thankful, then go to the kitchens at once, and have someone change you out of those rags.” Old Man grumbled. 

Terrah smiled, and bowed once more before turning to one of the guards. 

“You heard the General.” 

“...this way.” The guard hesitantly said, and led Terrah to the kitchens. 

Cracking his knuckles, Terrah took a look at all the tools, and ingredients, then nodded in satisfaction. 

Old Man sure was clever sending him here. 

He may not be able to show off his martial arts, and was well aware of Toph's dad's weak personality. Such a man was a wimp who pretended to be a tiger, but for all that, he had a skill for recruiting talented people. By showcasing his worth, Terrah was sure to make a good first impression. 

Grinning to himself, Terrah couldn't wait to mess with Toph. When she was around her father, she had to act like a cordial good girl. In other words, her true personality was very tomboyish and she acted like a true bandit, or slovenly man. But at home, she was like a glass doll. 

Truly, teasing cute girls was Justice!