Rebirth of white flower

Lightning ripped through the night sky, bringing with it the promise of an impending rainstorm. All over the village of Shèngsuo, farmers sat in their beds at home, hoping for the rain to fall and bring life to their crops in the field. The streets were mostly empty, the population of the village having retired for the night. Only a few night stalls are open and the traders hung hurricane lamps inside to shed light on their wares.

A black wagon pulled by two horses rolled down a street, its wheels disturbing the silence of the night. As it passed, all the open stalls in its path quickly closed up as their owners recognized the wagon. It was over that had brought suffering on many of the traders in the village. When it went past them without stopping, many traders sighed in relief. It seemed that the heavens were lenient with them tonight despite what the weather might suggest. In front of the wagon, the rider gripped the reins tightly, his face set in a grimace. He was not supposed to be doing this right now. His normal job included exploitative raids on the villagers for food and funds for his organization.

Recently he had been tasked by his employer to transport something very valuable and had been ordered to bring the item unfailingly tonight. When the order had come, he had been surprised and scared at once. His role in the organization was not a vital I've and none of the higher ups usually cared about what he did, so long as he produced results that satisfied them. Now that he had been given such an important task directly from their leader, he would make sure he did not fail.

Not that he could afford to. His leader was not a merciful individual.

The wagon came to a halt in front of a large black gate guarded by armed guards with large sheathed swords slung across their backs. The gate was the only entrance into the wagon's destination: a large compound containing four buildings linked together to form a square. In the middle of the square, there was a tower-like structure that was obviously the most important part of the whole thing. The entire place was fenced by fifteen feet tall walls and guards stood along the walls, ready to draw their swords at any sight of an uninvited guest.

From the outside, the compound looked like a well fortified army garrison but it actually served a different purpose. It was the dwelling place of a very deadly individual, a person whose very name struck terror into the hearts of even the bravest of warriors.

The rider came down and walked up to the guards at the gate, his face so set in a frown. He rolled up his sleeve to reveal the dark jade tattoo in his forearm. It was a sign that bound all members of the association to its creator.

"I've pledged myself to fufil Her wishes," he recited the secret password to them. Two guards nodded and stepped back to open the heavy metal gate. The man all but ran back to his wagon and tugged on the reins to direct the horses inside. The gates shut behind them with a loud clang and the man shuddered slightly. He had never been into the organization headquarters before and he did not want mess up on his first time.