Time Slip: The Xiao Lu
The Rise of Blackrose (2)

***

Early in the morning where it was still dark, everyone was still asleep and the chickens had not yet crowed, Xiao Lu was standing straight behind his pavilion with the special hanfu he had made for training. He was now staring intensely at Ong Xi and the others. Ong Xi and the others couldn't help but be nervous. The drowsiness they felt earlier was now replaced with a nervous feeling of being imitated by Xiao Lu's gaze.

"You know if we're going to practice now? Once again I will ask you one last time, because after this, you cannot stop and retreat or you will accept the consequences." Xiao Lu said firmly and flatly. The domineering aura was extremely viscous even defeating the generals and kings.

"So, you're really ready to come with me, aren't you?" Ask firmly.

"We're ready!" Ong Xi, Diwei, Tao, Chyou and Mao spoke out loudly making Xiao Lu grin with satisfaction.

"good. We're going to practice every morning so as not to raise a lot of questions. And you must always be ready. Understood?"

"We understand, miss!"

"Eit.eit..don't call me miss. Call me G'Rose. Understood?"

"Understand, G'Rose!"

"Now we're going to start training. For the first practice, I will train your physiques first so that you are strong. I will train you all kinds of martial arts as well as weapons. Besides, I will specially introduce you to the various poisons and antidotes. Moreover, for Chyou and Mao who are specialized in their fields." Xiao Lu began to explain about their first training and future training.

Xiao Lu used harsh military training methods in his time such as push ups and others. It has also transformed the forest behind its pavilion as a training ground. Fortunately the forest was not touched by anyone so he freely used it.

Their first day of training felt so heavy especially Chyou and Mao. But the moment they remembered their goal, they regained some vigor. Ong Xi behind his flat face looked such a strong determination. He always said he had to be strong in order to be able to protect his little sister and sister. He is determined to avenge those who once cruelly killed his family and the families of his brothers and sisters.

Diwei and Tao are also not inferior to Ong Xi. I am grateful to have met Xiao Lu. Now, their lives won't be hard anymore. He had to repay the kindness that Xiao Lu had given his family.

Xiao Lu smiled shadyly looking at their spirit and determination. He was grateful to meet them. In the future, they will be great people. And it will make all of that happen.

***

Not felt, a month they have gone through all kinds of exercises that they think are like hell. Within this month, Xiao Lu was very satisfied with their rapidly developing abilities. They can be called smart.

Ong Xi, Tao and Diwei were already very skilled in martial arts. The three of them could use all sorts of weapons. Xiao Lu himself personally made them weapons.

Sharp swords with dragon carvings for Ong Xi, twin swords for Tao, arrows and short katanas that can be tucked in clothes for Diwei, various types of needles for Chyou and twin daggers for Mao.

Chyou and Mao have also mastered the traditional and modern medical science that he teaches. He also taught them to make poison as well as various drugs.

***

"I'm proud of you guys. You guys are really great. In just a month's time, you guys can quickly learn everything I've given." Xiao Lu said with a proud tone to make them all smile wide including Ong Xi who was always flat-faced, now displaying a charming smile that would certainly not be seen by anyone but them.

"Thank you to G'Rose who has trained us" said Ong Xi, looking down on representing all of them.

"Because you have learned well. I'll give you your first mission." Xiao Lu said.

"For Ong Xi and Tao's first mission, you will be looking for talented people to be part of the Blackrose. Try for those who no longer have a family. And if you can, prioritize people your age. Find as many as you can. Understood?"

"Goodbye, G'Rose."

"Diwei, you I'm assigned to spread the word about Blackrose. You spread the word that we are a great organization of assassins but we only kill people who deserve to be killed and are ready to serve them. You also spread it if we are experts in the field of medicine. Remember not to let you open your identity, okay?"

"Ready."

"Chyou and Mao, you guys come with me to find a building for us to open up medicine. We'll also buy some herbal ingredients for our stock."

"Okay, G'Rose."

"G'Rose, if we find the men, do we bring them here?" Ask Ong Xi.

"No. I've got a place that suits us. You just take them to a pavilion in the middle of the forest there. I prepared it long ago. We just have to move away," Xiao Lu replied in a nod by Ong Xi and the others.

"alright. Let's start our first mission. But before, take this-" Xiao Lu said as he handed out a plain white mask with an intricate engraving beside the mask.

"This is to keep us safe. Moreover, I will go to the imperial court to tie business with them so that we can get a quick mission if the judiciary cannot handle the matter." Xiao Lu added and they nodded in understanding.

All of them were wearing plain white masks with those intricate carvings. Xiao Lu also wore a mask, only, the mask was different. The mask was gold in color with intricate carvings of a rose in black.

After wearing the mask, they immediately rushed by jumping over the fence and roof. They were so fast that they could not be detected by the guards of the Ahn residence.

***