Chapter 4: Dong Kyu

It is after dark, and the stars are out when she finally reaches a gate in the outer wall of the city. There is a fee of 15 coppers to enter, but as she has no means of paying it, she is required to sign a magically binding contract. The contract will take the entrance fee from any money she earns, up to 50% at a time, until it is paid off. This does not make her happy, but she doesn’t want to stay outside the walls another night.

Without coin, she isn’t able to afford to stay in an Inn. Thus Ki Jung is relegated to the slums and once again sleeping under the stars. Luck remains on her side. The weather continues to be comfortable for sleeping outdoors.

In an open space next to the outer wall, Ki Jung makes herself comfortable. Pulling her parka over herself like a blanket, she is about to fall asleep when someone kicks her foot, hard.

“That’s my space your in! Get up! Either pay the fee for it or move on.”

Ki Jung is instantly alert. She expected something like this might happen. Bullies are everywhere. And, when you are new and unknown, one is likely to show up and do their best to make you miserable.

Yawning, Ki Jung stands up and looks this cretin up and down like he’s a worthless toad. He is slightly taller than her, but he has significantly more mass. He is carrying a basic cudgel that he is taping against his off-hand. Behind him are three others of similar status. From their appearance and body language, they are with him.

“This is your spot? Well, I don’t see a name on it, and no one else said it belongs to anyone. So, how about you just leave me alone and move on. I’m tired and want to sleep,” she tells the person attempting to menace her.

This causes the man to growl and in response, he says, “Don’t you know who I am? No one messes with me. Now get out of here or pay me for using my space!”

“I’m sorry, but I will have to decline,” is Ki Jung’s response. If you allow bullies to cow you, they’ll never stop.

“Why you damned bitch, I’m going to beat you until you beg me to stop, and then I’m going to use you like a cheap whore,” he bellows as he steps forward taking a swing at her with the cudgel.

Ki Jung isn’t impressed by his words, but they do ignite a fire in her belly. She watches the man intently and unconsciously exudes a menacing aura. Using her Qi is second nature now, so she follows the flow of his energy with it. When he swings at her, the world seems to slow down in her mind. Stepping into him, she grabs and throws him to the ground with a mighty thud. Without letting go, she takes hold of his wrist and twists it while applying pressure to it in a way that has him screaming in pain.

All three of his accomplices charge forward to help their leader. Ki Jung sensing their approach twists their leader’s arm up in a way that has him bellowing like a wounded bull. “Oh, do stop, boys. If you don’t I will have to break his arm and then I’ll break one on each of you. We don’t want that, do we?” Her voice is as sweet as honey and smooth as silk as she says this.

The gaggle of ruffians stops in its tacks. They narrowly avoid falling forward on their faces in their haste to do so. They have good reason to do as the woman bids. First of all, they have never seen anyone take down their boss. But, it more than just that. They’ve seen plenty of fights at various arenas and in the streets. Never have they seen someone move the way this demon in human form does. They have little doubt that she can do what she says she will. Finally, there is that menacing aura she has about her.

With the situation under control, and the three banditos backing off, Ki Jung lets up on the leader’s arm a little. Leaning in, Ki Jung gets close to his ear and whispers something to him. His response is a nod of the head while his free hand slowly moves to his belt and removes his coin purse. With some effort he opens it and withdraws the coins, counts out half of them in full view, puts them back in his pouch. The rest are given over to Ki Jung.

With a polite thank you, she relinquishes her hold on him and helps him up. What others do not see is the way she carefully controls him using pressure points as he stands up. With a deep bow and a very polite parting gesture, he beats a hasty retreat with his group in tow.

Ki Jung pockets the money and lays back down. Not once did she stop using her Qi skill, though she has minimized it to 5m. She sleeps soundly until the crowing rooster wakes her early the next day.

At no time does the town guard come to investigate. Something Ki Jung takes note of for future reference. For now, she figures they don’t bother with minor problems in the slums.