Rick Scott
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Path of the Berserker 5 - Chapter 36
🕑 Added 2025-07-14 02:21:29 +0000 UTCThis had to be some kind of freaking joke. I glanced over at my companions and all of them had the same bemused expression of shock and inco
This had to be some kind of freaking joke.
I glanced over at my companions and all of them had the same bemused expression of shock and incomprehension as I did. The Fire Birds were a persistent bunch, I’d give them that, but this guy in particular had an axe to grind.
Five months’ worth of axe grinding to be exact.
“What did you do?” Ling Wei whispered to me nervously.
“It’s what he didn’t do,” Zin Tai said from behind. “I told you to pay your respects, Iron Bull. You should not be surprised by this result.”
I glared at Zin Tai and wondered if he didn’t have some hand in all of this.
“I’ve got bigger things to worry about than this dumb shit,” I said.
“You want us to take care of them boss?” Mal’Kira said, reaching for her glaive.
“Us?” Tu’lok balked. “What the hell are you talking about? That’s an army of cultivators out there.”
“And Max is strong enough to beat all of them. So what?”
“That may be true,” Ling Wei said. “But is it wise?”
I sighed in frustration. Just when I had a clear path to get shit done, these clowns decide to show up. “Like I said. I ain’t got time for this. I need to see the empress to punch my ticket for Dokumo or whatever that place is called.”
“Then I suggest you play your cards right here, Iron Bull,” Zin Tai said. “Although the martial sects hold no official political power, their roots touch every facit of Yee society. It is the clans which predate the dynasties, after all. Run afoul of them and you may find yourself cut off in any manner of ways.”
I glared at Zin Tai once again. “What the hell are you? The karma police?”
He furrowed his brow at the English words, but I wasn’t about to explain it to him.
“I’ll give you one more warning, Max Chun,” Pak Song shouted. “I’ll have no problem bringing the Patriarchs back a stubborn corpse if you so wish.”
“Resorting to idle threats now, huh?” I curled my hands into fists, summoning my Frenzy. “Let’s see you pull that off.”
“Wait, marshal!” Ling Wei pleaded, grabbing my arm. “Listen to Master Zin Tai. It would not be wise for you to fight them.”
“Yeah, let us do the honors, master,” Mal’Kira said, drawing her Phalanx Glaive. “Let’s go Blue.”
Blue Rose pulled her daggers as well, but had a look of chagrin on her face. “This can’t possibly end well…”
I looked out at the contingent of orange and red clad cultivators. I couldn’t sense Qi, but by the looks of them, they had to all be High Teir Core Realm cultivators at best. Mal’Kira was right. I could probably kill all of them with a single technique with how powerful I was now.
But that probably wouldn’t be a good idea either.
“Tell you what,” I said, [Trudging] slowly towards Pak Song and his gang. “Since you won’t take ‘no’ for an answer, I’m going to give you a different one right now. A friendly little competition of sorts.”
His brow furrowed with incomprehension. “What is this? Another jest?”
“You wanted to know why your masters think I’m so special, then let me demonstrate it to you now. I’ll take all of your men on at once. Non-lethal. No Qi involved. Just pure martial skill alone. If just one of your men manages to land a blow, then I’ll come with you freely. If I manage to knock all of them out, then I’ll see you later. At a time of my choosing. Deal?”
“What the hell did you just say?”
I sensed the fear inside Pak Song rise, as did that within his men behind him. I flexed casually with [Struggler’s Resolve], letting them know I wasn’t playing either. Mal’Kira gave me a nod, and I grinned back at her. The same confidence that had fueled her to lead the charge was the same that was filling me now. We’d both spent five years training intensively under the martial masters of Rhi Ben, and I was itching to put my new skills to the test.
And what better way than to pit myself against 50 skilled combatants all at once.
“So what will it be? Willing to take me up on my offer? Or are you too chicken shit to have a little fun?”
This was a test of ‘cool’, I knew I’d already won. People from the surrounding crowd and archives were looking in now, waiting to see what would happen and I’d just thrown him an open challenge that would cause a loss of public face worse than death if he backed down now.
Anger suddenly burst through his fear. “Chicken shit? I’ll show you who is chicken shit! Men, at the ready! Teach this wretch to respect his clan elders.”
I chuckled. “You know I’m an elder too, right?”
“Of an obscure branch on some nameless backwater?” He scoffed. “I am a Senior Second Elder of an Inner circle within the core worlds! Do not dare to think of us as having equal station. Ever!”
I glanced at the Imperial Guards standing on the sidelines. “You guys mind keeping score? Also, despite my humble-looking robes, this is sect on sect violence, so no need to issue any writs, okay?”
The Imperial Guard who seemed in charge looked to Pak Song as if for direction.
“It’s fine,” he said. “I give sanction to the officiating of this so called, competition.”
I looked over my shoulder and smiled at Zin Tai. “Looks like you were right about that influence.”
“Pay attention!” Pak Song shouted. “Prepare yourself to be embarrassed, Max Chun!” He then turned to his men. “On my command, the first of you to land a blow on this man shall receive a bonus of 50 spirit stones. Go!”
The added incentive caused the Fire Birds to rush at me like a tidal wave.
I heightened my senses, and the world slowed. The cultivators charged at me with a myriad of techniques; from swords, halberds and spears—and I knew them all. I materialized my axe mid-swing, deflecting three cultivators at once. I repeated the process twice more in the space of half a second, moving too fast for them to see. I was sensing their techniques and actions before even they did.
I opened up some space with a wild swing, causing a second wave of cultivators to halt and used the opportunity to peg one of them with the blunt side of my axe. I hit him with mortal force, sending him flying thirty feet or more, tumbling across the ground unconscious.
One down, I thought.
My countless spars with Mal’Kira returned to my mind as I faced several variations of weapons simultaneously. It was a challenge like nothing I had faced before, but the thrill of it had my Frenzy pumping. I dare not use a drop of it though. That would be cheating myself of the challenge. I’d gotten better, but just how much better was being put to the test now.
I read the patterns of every attack I could see and used my ‘killing intent’ sense to avoid those I could not. The result was a chaotic maelstrom of sparks, sweat and steel. But through it, I remained in complete control. I’d faced throngs of demons before, but this was different. This wasn’t random hacking and slashing. Each motion was a well thought out chess move five steps ahead of everyone else.
My mind was moving far faster than my body. Calculating, prepositioning, countering, dodging. I was knocking the Fire Birds out by the second, using swift blows from my fists or the hilt of my axe. As the numbers thinned the competition grew less and less.
By the time there were only a dozen left I was chasing them around the makeshift ring of the courtyard. I subdued them all with swift and efficient techniques and by the time I came to a stop I was barely breathing heavily.
I wasn’t sure how much time had passed.
A few minutes?
Less than ten for sure.
The moans and groans of 50 defeated cultivators filled the air as they dragged themselves and their unconscious buddies across the ground. Pak Song was standing in the middle of them, mouth ajar. He turned to me with anger in his eyes but fear in his soul. From the crowd and my companions, hushed whispers accompanied an outpouring of lemonade.
“How did he not kill any of them?”
“Who the hell is he?”
“I would have paid money to see something like this in the arena!”
“He made them look like Wooden Bracket contenders.”
“That’s the Iron Marshal! I hear he’s a native from the outer worlds!”
“What!? A native outworlder?”
I cultivated it all, fueling my Dantian.
“This proves nothing,” Pak Song said, dropping into a ready stance. “They were the least skilled of our disciples. I will best you myself.”
I gave him a shit-eating grin of [Struggler’s Resolve]. “Was hoping you’d say something like that, junior.”
“Junior!? I am a Senior Second Elder you disrespectful cur!”
He swallowed my obvious taunt like the idiot he was, and flew at me with a turmoil of killing intent and fiery Qi.
“[Firebeak crests the Mountain]!”
Purplish blue flames engulphed his sword that was flying straight at me.
I resisted the urge to simply deflect it and stood my ground this time. It was important to let him know he was outmatched in both skill and power. I braced myself with [Diamond Skin] and [Indifference] and took the attack full on.
His sword hit my chest and bounced off with a skittering of sparks.
The flame surrounded me and singed my robes but nothing else.
Besides the slight bite of pain, which I quickly cultivated, I felt nothing at all.
Pak Song landed on the ground in a roll and looked up at me with shock.
“What trickery is this?”
“Oh… are you finished?” I said with [Fear the Flame]. “I guess its [My Turn] then.”
I channeled my Frenzy into my speed and reflexes alone, going on the offense with pure martial skill. Pak Song was immediately on the backfoot, defending with textbook, straight-sword techniques. To be fair, the guy wasn’t bad and were this five years ago he probably could have wiped the floor with me when it came to skills.
But this wasn’t five years ago.
I saw every one of his blocks and counters coming a mile away. I reacted with simple, effortless deflects that made it look like I was bored. I doubled down on the effect with [Indifference] and the lemonade from the crowd surged with laughs like it was a damn comedy show.
“Pissed off for having to wait for five months?” I let out a mirthless scoff, mid swing. “Try five years asshole!”
Five damn years. That’s how long it had been for me since I’d seen Fia.
Seen my child.
And now this idiot was going to delay me further?
I laid into him with my own frustrations now.
Sparks and weapons flying.
He fought back with Qi techniques, trying to even the playing field but I ate them head on. His anger slipped into fear and desperation and with a final move I swept his feet from under him with a low kick and followed up with an axe strike straight to his face.
“No!” he cried.
But I had already stopped half an inch from his forehead.
“Looks like you lose as well, Pak Song. I’ll be on my way now, if you don’t mind.”
I turned and stowed my axe, ready to depart from the battlefield when a slow clap filled the air. I looked across the courtyard to see another Fire Bird member standing on the sidelines along with the Imperial Guards.
He was white bearded and stooped, like he was pushing two hundred years old or something. That meant his true age was likely ten times that or more. I didn’t know where he was on the cultivation spectrum, but by the elaborate insignia on his red and orange robes, he had to be Pak Song’s superior.
“So, you are the infamous and elusive Marshal Iron Bull,” the man said and slowly he began wading through the sea of injured cultivators. “You live up to your reputation it seems.” He stopped next to me and looked down at Pak Song. “As does this one. I knew when you returned to summon reinforcement something was amiss, Pak Song. Explain what has happened here, Senior Elder.”
Pak Song went from haughty elder to groveling sect member in an instant, flipping onto his hands and knees to perform a kowtow. “Your Eminence, this one greets you humbly and can explain. Grand Master Wing Lang, Patriarch of the Third Inner Circle, I Pak Song have tried my best to compel the said Iron Bull to present himself to you and the other patriarchs at the headquarters, but as you can see, he is most belligerent and non-compliant.”
I could almost laugh at all the formal tones of obsequious ass kissing he’d just used.
The Patriarch Wing Lang, who was only about five feet tall, looked up at me with an amused smile. “And what is your explanation, Marshal Iron Bull? Is it true you refuse to pay even a visit to those you owe your martial skill?”
I don’t owe you guys jack shit for my skills, I wanted to say.
But the old man held an aura not dissimilar to that of Chief Moraboshi—someone ancient who had perhaps seen it all. Maybe even someone like me before. That gave me some pause. The Fire Birds back home all turned out to be secret I’xol’ukz worshipers, but whether they were some corrupted branch, or par for the course, I wasn’t quite sure.
These Fire Birds here seemed more legit, but perhaps they were just better at hiding the source of their powers. Either way, I had to be careful how I played this now, especially in front of one of the damn patriarchs themselves.
“It’s not a matter of refusing, Grand Master,” I said and offered him the courtesy of a bow. “I simply don’t have time for it right now. I’m on a schedule.”
He chuckled. “That it seems. You are one intent on progressing outside the sect, but all must pay their homage. And if it is time you lack, then you must pay your dues with in some other form. I would very much like to see what lightning techniques you have developed, for example. Perhaps you can share them as your contribution to the advancement of the clan.”
Damn blood suckers, I thought. So knowledge was what they were after.
Zin Tai suddenly appeared at my side, along with Ling Wei.
“Grand Master Wing Lang,” Zin Tai said with a smile and a bow. “So good to see you again.”
Wing Lang gave him a simple head nod in return. “Grand Sage, a pleasure. You have not disappointed in your assessment of our prodigal brethren here. The Iron Bull is a most interesting specimen indeed.”
I shifted my gaze to Zin Tai, but the bastard avoided eye contact.
So he ‘had’ sold me out, I thought. The prick.
I felt like clocking him one, but this was growing less and less like a situation I could punch my way out of now.
“So, will you at least grant me a demonstration of your peak abilities, Elder Iron Bull?” Wing Lang said. “And it would seem an elevation in ranking would be due to you now as well.” He then looked down at Pak Song. “To at least the equivalent of this one.”
Pak Song kept his face to the ground, but I could see him grimacing and flaring with rage.
Zin Tai smiled at me, as if prompting me to answer.
Damn prick.
“I’ve got somewhere I need to be,” I said. “Got an appointment with an empress.”
“Which I can handle for you,” Ling Wei said, stepping from behind me.
I balked at her. “Not you too...”
She let out a nervous laugh, tugging me on my arm. “Please excuse me for a moment, your eminence. I need a word with the Iron Bull.”
“By all means,” he said pleasantly.
Ling Wei dragged me to the side along with Zin Tai.
“Marshal, I strongly suggest you simply go along with this,” she said. “Like I said, I can handle arrangements with the empress. It will probably take a day or so to make arrangements anyway. Would we not have to get to this planet via a skiff, Master Zin Tai?”
“That we would,” Zin Tai confirmed.
“So there is no rush,” Ling Wei say. “Just go pay your respects and get it over with.”
I sighed, frustrated. I wasn’t liking being pushed down a path like this, but it wasn’t looking hopeful to break free.
“I’ll promise you this,” Ling Wei said. “As soon as I arrange things, I’ll come rescue you from the clan. Okay?”
“And I will accompany you there,” Zin Tai said. “To ensure things don’t go awry.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you will,” I muttered. “Was this your game plan all along?”
He feigned innocence. “Why, I’m just as curious as everyone else to see the depths of your powers, is all. Most interested to see the full extent of that core of yours.”
A new kind of ick suddenly creeped me out.
But it didn’t look like I was getting out of this any other way now.
“Fine,” I said. “Just don’t take too long please, Ling Wei.”
She bowed to me. “You have my word.”
I walked back to Wing Lang and gave him a bow as well. “Alright, grand patriarch. I’ll come with you for a demonstration.”
“It’s ‘your eminence’,” he corrected. “But I imagine there are a great many things you do not know of clan protocol and decorum. But all can be fixed. Come now. I shall arrange a full assembly in your honor. It is not often one of us obtains a ranking such as Imperial Marshal.”
Inwardly, I cringed even more.
The last thing I needed was the attention of more Fire Birds.
“Come Pak Song,” he said. “Let us prepare the Iron Bull for his grand introduction to the Greater Fire Bird clan.”
Comments
Patricia
Very happy to see how five years of work in action. I have no desire to hear much about the fire birds, except that maybe these folks are not of the same caliber as the people he has dealt with in the past. If that is the case it would be wonderful for Max to find one or two allies that maybe assist on down the road in some capacity?
King Nereus
Seems doubtful it was only that one branch. The more connected you are, the less rules seem to matter. Perhaps the sect leader has some leverage to keep him and his sect safe. They may have some valuable service only they can provide the empire, or they are otherwise entwined with the royals somehow, or perhaps it’s as simple as nobody has been able to best the guy in charge so they can’t actually do anything to them.
King Nereus
It was stated that no aging at all happened inside the village,
Meir Banon
Tftc
Lorenz
Great one Rick. Very much enjoyed the fight with Pak Song and his 50 henchmen. Seems Max is no chun anymore when it comes to martial prowess. Looking forward to the demo to the Grand Patriarch and clan.
Cellaperian
What was explained earlier in the books was the sects or clans hunt those that leave , basically trade secrets and such id assume. Its a lifelong commitment plus there are benefits from what I understand like carrying your weapons around . Granted he can now just put them in his soul space . There's also just the fact he really isn't that smart . Plus his sect the furious lightning is a subsect of the firebirds so even if he's the leader of that branch he still has to answer to its parent sect. If I remember right he created an even further subsect from the furious lightning sect and thats the terran sect though that one isn't a martial sect. Also he's basically dominated the firebirds on earth so as far as I know he doesn't actually have to deal with them there as he challenged low fang for his position . There's also the huge benefit of him knowing they are demonic cultivators and basically the empire doesn't police killings within the sects its up to the sect to police itself. So basically he could kill any of the demonic cultivators in the firebirds freely with only the firebirds who care getting mad . There's also just the possibility the demonic cultivators of the firebirds were the ones who moved to earth for the opportunities of being away from the core worlds and scrutiny of the greater firebird sect could allow so the greater firebird sect might not all be demonic cultivators and it could've been just those that moved to earth plus a few stragglers in key positions that couldn't leave . Those are a few reasons I thought of granted max isn't that smart with people sooooo really he probably hasn't officially quit because they haven't got in his way .
christian slater
TYFTC! At the very end you misspelled Fire Bird as “Fore Bird.” Gotta say I was hesitant about the Hyperbolic Time Chamber route, but it was the right call. they made good friends and allies with the forge masters, and the cost was there as well; Mal’Kira especially paid as I don’t think she has slow aging, or as slow aging as Max does. Max going from no skill brute to Highly skilled brute is awesome, but we’ll need to see how he shapes up against the perv princess in the court match! Excited to see it!
christian slater
Well, once he gets to the top of leader deity, he could. At least in the mortal realm.
Jacob Friebis
I hate the firebirds
evan maples
hmm i wonder if the all of the techniques the fire birds use are ones they made themselves or are they the temu version of the demonic techniques they copied from demons? if its the latter how have they gone this long without anyone connecting the dots?
David Lee
Once again he is saved by his friends from his own bucket mouth and impatience. I won't say the shtick gets old because it's part of a well developed character, but he's not going to be able to punch his way through everything.
Joe
Why hasn't he resigned from that clan? Is it really possible there are no other clans that would accept the Iron Marshall?
Heavyarms670
Don't trust those Fire Buzzards one bit . Max would probably be able to ascend to the Next Realm if he had to go all out against that Elder . Now to patiently wait to see if the Core Fire Birds are as Dirty as the ones on Earth. See Society in general just sucks . Thanks for the Chapter
