Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 108768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
In my mind, I could hear my father’s stern voice echoing his lessons on leadership.
“A leader stands on the principles of discipline, respect, and humility. Even when faced with decisions that challenge their desires, a true leader adheres to the rules and traditions that govern them.”
My father, despite the monster he had become in his later years, had imparted many valuable lessons that I couldn’t shake off. He believed that rules were essential to maintain order and to ensure leaders didn’t become tyrants.
To him, a leader without boundaries was a leader capable of unimaginable cruelty.
But as I looked at the glass, a profound sense of rebellion welled up inside me. Why should I consume something so repulsive simply because tradition and rules dictated it?
The very thought of swallowing even a drop made my stomach turn.
Duck’s snickers pulled me from my contemplation. “You know he won’t let you leave until that glass is empty?”
“I’m aware of that.”
“We probably could beat him up.”
“Wu?” I shook my head. “You heard the old rumors. Many say Wu is the only man that’s ever been able to beat my father twice.”
“Yet, my dad never confirmed it.” Duck chuckled. “Honestly, I think they said the rumor so we always would be terrified and just drank whatever he gave us.”
“Knowing my father and all of his smoke and mirrors with tradition. . .that could be it.”
“Yet, knowing all of that, you will still drink it.”
Sighing, I ran my fingers through my hair. “It is my duty.”
“My father is right, Lei. You are a good Mountain Master.”
I pursed my lips together.
Duck studied the contents of my glass for a moment then flashed me a mischievous grin. “Tell you what, I’ll drink yours and mine.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Why would you do that?”
Duck leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “If you tell me what happened between you and Moni, I’ll empty both glasses.”
I stared at him with disbelief. “Why is it so important for you to know?”
He shrugged nonchalantly, but there was a wicked curiosity in his eyes. “I’m intrigued.”
“Or you are still being possessive of Moni?”
“I was never possessive—”
“It’s none of your business—”
“Then, drink up.” Duck snatched his glass from the table and downed its contents in one swift motion.
I watched him in horror. “Is it as bad as it smells?”
Duck scrunched his face up in disgust and placed the empty glass on the table. He raised his finger as if to shush me and then he held his stomach looking like he might vomit. A few seconds passed before he could answer. “That is. . .by far. . .the nastiest. . .most vile. . .uh. . .that was torture. . .my throat is burning. My stomach is back-flipping.”
Fuck. How am I going to drink that?
I took a deep breath and steeled myself for the task ahead.
You can do this.
I picked up the glass, staring at the thick, black liquid with trepidation.
An image flashed in my mind of Master Wu yanking his little dick out and happily pissing in my glass. I bet he whistled a cheery song the whole time.
Oh God.
I could feel my stomach churning at the thought of what I was about to do.
But I knew that as Mountain Master, I had a responsibility to my people to maintain my health.
Come on. Make it quick.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, then brought the glass to my lips. The smell was overpowering, and as soon as the liquid touched my tongue, I gagged.
The taste was even worse than the smell and I had to fight to keep it down. It wasn’t liquid. It was sludge. Cruel and repugnant. I forced myself to swallow, then took another deep breath and downed the rest of the glass in one torturous go.
Dear God!!! Next time they should just kill me.
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and placed the glass back down. “I’m going to choke Wu to death. Fuck him.”
“At least you finished it.”
My stomach twisted.
I will not be able to eat at this feast.
Duck watched me. “I could have drank it for you.”
I could feel my stomach gurgle in protest, it threatened to reject the horrible liquid I had just fed it. “Yet, you needed more information than necessary.”
“I’m more surprised you are keeping that information private. You always tell me about your moments with your harem—”
“Monique is not my harem.”
“Hmmm.” Duck looked away.
“What?”
“Maybe, she did take your virginity.”
“Why does it matter?”
He gazed back at me. “Perhaps, I just want to know if my cousin has become a man.”
I searched for a bottle of water or anything that could get this taste away. “You think sex is what defines a man?”
“Well, isn’t it a rite of passage? A milestone?”
I rose from my pillows and stood next to him. “A man is defined not by what happens in the bedroom, Duck, but by how he lives. By the choices he makes, the values he upholds, the responsibilities he shoulders. By the way he treats others, especially those weaker than him.”