Page 30 of Cruel Devotion

“However, if you open your mind—”

“What the hell is in there?”

Duck left his bench and stood. “Yeah. What could be worse than cockroaches?”

Wu let out a long breath. “I believe the urine is what accounts for the overpowering smell.”

I blinked. “Did you say urine?”

“Drinking urine will detoxify the body and boost your immune system—”

“No!” Anger surged through me. “I have had enough of—”

“Lei, every time I attempt to give you your medicine, we go through this—”

“Because you keep making unnecessarily insane concoctions—”

Master Wu leaned in and his voice was soft but stern. “Every ingredient has been carefully chosen for its healing properties.”

“Urine?” I gritted my teeth. “You are a sick man.”

Duck slowly walked over and stopped by my bench. “But who’s urine is in there?”

I stared back at him in horror. “Does it matter?”

“I guess.” Duck shrugged. “I mean. . .maybe. . .I would drinkmyurine, but other people’s urine...”

“When would they have had time to get your urine, Duck?” I directed my view back to Wu. “It’s probablyhisurine. Sick bastard.”

The head healer remained calm. “Lei, you are the Mountain Master and must always be in optimal health to lead.”

“Therefore, urine is the answer?” I leaned my head to the side. “Just tell Chen I drank it, and this will all be over—”

“I will not lie to Chen.”

“I am not drinking that—”

“The path to great health is sometimes bitter. Yet, it’s a small price for the strength and vitality a concoction like this would bestow.”

I looked down at the bubbling liquid. “I’m not drinking that.”

Wu checked his watch. “Well. . .let us see how long you want to remain in this tent.”

I sneered his way.

“Until then, I will return to my tent and finish the report on you and Dongfang Hóng’s battle today.” Wu headed off. “The East’s historian will want the record.”

I groaned.

Chuckling, Duck called after him, “Make sure you write that I was victorious and Lei begged for his life, in which I gave him mercy.”

Wu left the tent.

I gazed at the black bubbling liquid, its pungent aroma threatening to overpower my senses. My thoughts wandered, and I found myself caught in the battle of old philosophies and personal desires.

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.”

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