~~~
The waters of Stone River are perfectly clear.
Usually, the flowing water of a river will inevitably stir up the soil beneath and around it on its journey to the ocean. The minerals in the ground, in addition to the plant and animal life in the water, give a river its color, be it brown, green, blue, or even red.
However, Stone River has fully transparent water. One can easily see the many colorful fishes moving below the surface and the gray, black, and white stones that lie at the bottom of the river. Viewed from up high, the river looks like a path made of shiny cobblestones.
Flowing to the left and right of that path is Stone River City, the city Duke Lai rules over.
Unlike Rumbling Thunder City, which rises high into the skies, Stone River City is nestled deep inside the large valley that shares its name. It is made of countless houses and buildings of all shapes and sizes. The closer Soaring Feather gets to the city, the easier it becomes to see how it bustles with activity. There have to be tens of thousands of citizens moving about down there.
In terms of size and population, Stone River City has no need to envy Rumbling Thunder City.
Duke Lai’s manor--His castle, really. The construction is too large and fortified to be called anything else--is located in the center of the city. While Stone River cuts the city in half and makes the rest of the city accommodate around it, Duke Lai’s castle remains bold and strong, leaving the river no choice but to go directly under it. Each half of the building is located on a different side of the river. It is a curious detail that makes the otherwise traditional construction look daring and bold.
Liu Jin takes it all in. The castle, the river, and the city around it. It makes for a pretty sight, especially when viewed from high up.
It is a good city, Liu Jin decides as Soaring Feather lands in front of Duke Lai’s house.
A group of soldiers is already waiting for him before the gates. The appearance of a cultivator in the True Realm flying above their city must have put them on alert.
“Halt!” one of the soldiers, most likely their leader, shouts. His hand is held out as if the gesture could somehow stop Liu Jin. “Identify yourself, stranger. Why have you come into our city unannounced?”
“Are you stupid?”
The words do not come from Liu Jin.
They come from Yi Jiao.
“Are the people of Stone River City so ignorant they cannot recognize the robes worn by those from the Eternal Flame Clan? Do they not know that the Eternal Flame Clan and General Dan, the man you owe your loyalty to, are good friends? Have you still not realized the one who stands before you is a Core Disciple of the Eternal Flame Clan who has come to visit Duke Lai?”
Yi Jiao’s questions come out fast and furious. With each one, she waves her arm at Liu Jin to emphasize her point. The commander almost seems to shrink as she speaks.
“E-Even so!” the commander manages to get out, “W-We cannot possibly take you at your word! Y-You must submit yourselves for questioning!”
“You are asking a representative of the Eternal Flame Clan to submit to your authority?” Yi Jiao sounds completely outraged, and not one bit is fake. The idea that he and, to a lesser extent, she should submit themselves to the authority of the local soldiers simply does not make sense to her.
“How dare-”
“Okay.”
Yi Jiao’s head whips so fast that Liu Jin is surprised she didn’t hurt herself doing it. The look she gives him is a perfect mix of outraged and betrayed.
“Just make sure to let Duke Lai know that Qing Jing of the Eternal Flame Clan has come to greet him. I would be very cross if you declined to do at least that much,” Liu Jin adds, looking the soldier right in the eyes.
“N-naturally,” the pale-faced commander replies
“Brother Qing!” Yi Jiao shouts, finally getting over her shock. “We represent the Eternal Flame Clan! How we allow ourselves to be treated reflects on the reputation of the Eternal Flame Clan!”
“You’d be surprised at how many things the reputation of the Eternal Flame Clan can withstand,” Liu Jin replies while thinking of the many things he has seen the people of the Eternal Flame Clan do, himself included. “A few small indignities are nothing.”
Of course, there is a difference between things that happen behind closed doors and things that don’t. That must be the root of Yi Jiao’s objection.
“These men are merely doing their job,” Liu Jin tells her. “Such professionalism and loyalty to their duty in the face of adversity are to be praised, not scorned.”
It is easy to enforce the rules when one is in a position of power, but not one of these soldiers is stronger than them. It wouldn’t be unusual for them to bow their heads and let them do as they please. Instead, they dare to block their way. That takes real courage and is worthy of respect.
At least, that is the way Liu Jin thinks. Yi Jiao still doesn’t look convinced.
“I outrank you,” Liu Jin reminds her in a quiet voice when it looks like she is going to keep objecting. “Will you give our Eternal Flame Clan a reputation for disobedience?”
Yi Jiao blushes and lowers her head in embarrassment. The meaning is clear. She will follow his lead for now.
Liu Jin and Yi Jiao allow themselves to be led into the local garrison, a much smaller and less grandiose location than Duke Lai’s house and spend the next hour answering questions. Well, Liu Jin spends the next hour calmly answering questions. Yi Jiao just glowers at everything around her.
Once the nervous soldiers are done with their questions, they leave the two alone in the interrogation room. The following minutes pass in comfortable silence for Liu Jin and highly uncomfortable silence for Yi Jiao.
“If you have something to say, now would be a good time for it,” Liu Jin says. He takes a sip from the tea the guards have provided them at his request. Unsurprisingly, Yi Jiao’s cup is untouched. The tea is not particularly good, but it is warm, and sometimes, that is what matters most. “After all, we are alone here.”
“The walls often have ears, Brother Qing,” Yi Jiao says.
“Oh, that?” Liu Jin waves his hand dismissively before pointing to the side. “I already placed talismans in this room to prevent us from being overheard.”
“What?!” Yi Jiao’s eyes bulge as she follows Liu Jin’s finger and finds a talisman on the wall. It is not the only one. A quick look around reveals at least five others like it. “How did you…? When did you even have the time…?! I didn’t see you move!”
She blinked.
At least, that is what the part of Liu Jin that is still a kid wants to say. However, that wouldn’t be strictly true, even if it would feel pretty nice.
Instead, he goes with, “You can speak your mind.”
That does it.
“What are you thinking, Brother Qing!” she rises to her feet with both hands balled into fists at her sides. “We have allowed the enemy to imprison us! I thought we were supposed to be in a hurry! What will happen if the others suffer because we wasted time here?”
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Liu Jin frowns minutely. He was worried about that as well. Even now, the urge to barge into Duke Lai’s house is strong.
However, that won’t lead to an optimal outcome.
“You may not believe me right now, but this is the fastest way to settle things,” Liu Jin says. “Breaking into Duke Lai’s house and demanding an audience would feel good, but it would also make him more negatively predisposed towards us than he already is. The last thing we need is to add spite as a motivator for him.”
Spite is a dangerous thing. Liu Jin has seen it in action often enough to know that. Perhaps if Liu Jin had more leverage, he could afford to act more brusquely, but he doesn’t.
“Put yourself into the position of the people of this city. Two high-level cultivators showed up unannounced and headed right for their leader. The soldiers were right to be wary of us. To them, we are a threat, and it is hard to say they are wrong. If we had forced our way, it would confirm their suspicions and give Duke Lai more than enough reason to treat us as hostile.”
Yi Jiao frowns. “Even so…”
“We are not the ones with the power right now,” Liu Jin reminds her. “Duke Lai is.”
“I know that! I am not an idiot,” Yi Jiao hisses at him. “That’s why I am worried! I know how these things work. My father once made a merchant wait for a month before finally gracing him with an audience, and that was only so he could say no to face! All because that merchant was heard making vulgar comments about an aunt of mine. Who is to say Duke Lai won’t do the same?”
“Part of me would prefer that,” Liu Jin admits.
Yi Jiao stares at him.
“Are you… are you vague and mysterious on purpose?” She asks. Her finger then switches between pointing at him and her. “Or is it because of what I did?”
Liu Jin stops to think it over for a second.
“It comes naturally to me, I am afraid,” Liu Jin admits. “I think a lot, and sometimes I forget that people aren’t privy to my thoughts.”
It has caused him quite a bit of trouble now that he thinks about it.
“We are representatives of the Eternal Flame Clan who are here on Colonel Peng’s orders. A capable man should know he can only delay meeting us momentarily, or else, he risks angering the ones who send us,” Liu Jin explains. “If Duke Lai tries to ignore us, it will tell us much about his quality.”
“So when you say you’d prefer it if he tries to put off meeting us for as long as possible, you mean that you’d prefer it because it would mean he’s stupid?” She waits for Liu Jin to nod before sighing and shaking her head. “I am beginning to see why things are the way they are between you and Zhi.”
“Mei would have understood just fine,” Liu Jin muses with some sadness. It is a pity she is not here.
“That just means she is as devious as you.”
“No, she’s definitely more devious.”
“Don’t say that like you’re proud of her!”
~~~
It takes seven hours for Liu Jin and Yi Jiao to be allowed into Duke Lai’s castle.
The interior is far from the grandest or most luxurious Liu Jin has ever seen. However, that speaks more of Liu Jin’s experiences and less of any deficiencies in Duke Lai’s castle. Its polished marble surfaces with gold accents are undoubtedly far more lavish than the utilitarian Tiger Storm Fortress and even the meeting rooms of General Dan. It is truly a place made to impress upon those who visit that they are in the presence of someone important.
“I see you have come to visit me.”
Duke Lai’s voice echoes across the chamber. He looks much like he did the last time Liu Jin saw him. Pale, gaunt, and sickly.
However, the strength of his Qi does not lie.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” Duke Lai asks with a half-smile on his face.
It is an obvious taunt. Liu Jin feels Yi Jiao bristle beside him, but thankfully, she knows better than to lash out.
“Duke Lai, it is a great honor to be welcomed into your halls,” Liu Jin says, his tone nothing but respectful. “Unfortunately, it is not a happy occasion that brings us together. As I am sure Duke Lai has heard, Murong Bang’s men rage across the border, and our supplies begin to run short. It would ease Colonel Peng’s heart and mine if we could count on Duke Lai’s support for this matter.”
“Ah, yes, that business,” Duke Lai says as though he only vaguely knew of it. “It saddens me to know our brave soldiers down south are suffering. However, you must have heard we are not without our troubles. Murong Bang is not the only one who has stepped up his efforts. General He’s men are causing quite a bit of trouble on the other border.”
Is there any point in talking when they both know what the other is going to say? Liu Jin seriously wonders about it for a second.
“I cannot, in good conscience, waste resources on the southern border when the eastern border is far more important,” Duke Lai continues, going over his lines like an actor in a play. “What is there to lose if Colonel Peng’s lines collapse? Miles of ugly wasteland? My lands are far more valuable.”
Duke Lai is not wrong.
Certainly, the collapse of the southern border would lead to a large loss of lives from those who have made that place their home, but Duke Lai’s lands are of far greater strategic importance. They are far more populated and hold much more wealth. Between the two, it is obvious which one should be prioritized.
However, that is only if one has to pick between the two. Therein lies Duke Lai’s lie. He is presenting the situation as though it were a binary choice.
“Surely, you must understand, Lord Qing,” Duke Lai says, gesturing at him with a bony hand. “After all, was it not you who complimented me on the wealth of my lands the night we met?”
He says it with a taunting smile. Back in Rumbling Thunder City, Liu Jin and Lu Mei taunted Duke Lai about knowing of his dealings with Yuan Tao and having discerned his motives. Now, the roles have reversed. Duke Lai is the one in a position to taunt him at his leisure.
“Certainly, I said that,” Liu Jin admits, nodding. “Coming here has not changed my mind. Rather, it has reinforced that opinion. Stone River City is wealthy and prosperous. Even more so than I thought at first.”
He has not seen most of the city yet, but Qi does not lie. Liu Jin can feel the thousands upon thousands that live here.
“I feel I should apologize.”
“Oh?” Duke Lai raises an eyebrow.
“When I learned you were cooperating with Yuan Tao, I thought you were merely an opportunist afraid of losing power.”
Liu Jin’s words are delivered softly, yet there is no denying their effect. The entire room goes deathly quiet. The guards around them suddenly do their best to imitate statues, and Yi Jiao cringes with her whole body.
The fake smile on Duke Lai’s face falls off like wax melting under the harsh sunlight.
“However, I now realize what you truly have,” Liu Jin says. “You have many responsibilities on your shoulders, and so, the choices you have made are natural from your point of view. Not just justified but righteous.”
Duke Lai is acting in the way most beneficial to his territories. Even if his motivation ends up being simple greed, there is no denying that countless people under him have benefited from his leadership. The people who live in his lands are just normal people living normal lives.
Liu Jin does not want to ruin that.
Once upon a time, Liu Jin helped the Medical Pavilion deny supplies to those of Lord Feng Shang’s faction without fully thinking about the consequences.
He is in the opposite situation now, and because of it, it is important to understand that he cannot dismiss Duke Lai as a simple villain. After all, Liu Jin believed his motives and goals were good. Who is to say Duke Lai is not the same?
“That makes it all the more important for me to warn you that the path you are walking is dangerous, Duke Lai,” Liu Jin tells him. “I advise you to abandon it.”
Duke Lai leans forward. His face is set into a frown.
“Are you threatening me?”
At his words, the soldiers around them immediately reach for their weapons.
“No.” Liu Jin shakes his head, completely untouched by the hostility surrounding him. “I am merely cautioning you. The people you are working with do not have your best interests in mind.”
Duke Lai laughs. “And I am supposed to take you at your word?”
“Naturally, you won’t,” Liu Jin admits.
If he tries to bring up how Elder Fa and Yuan Tao are related to people from the other side of the Dead Plains, Duke Lai will just laugh at him. Liu Jin has no evidence to support his claims, and there is a chance Duke Lai won’t even know of the people from that side.
There is also a possibility that Duke Lai is part of the plot. It would have been wiser if Liu Jin had stuck to talking to Duke Lai about buying supplies like he had initially planned.
However, Liu Jin really wanted to warn him.
“Is this really fine, Duke Lai?” Liu Jin asks him. “If you proceed with this plan, you will save your current source of revenue, but what will it cost? General Dan will know what you have done. Even if he can’t prove it, you will have lost his trust. Your reputation will be damaged. Who will do business with you then? You will have left yourself with no other partner than the Eternal Flame Clan.”
“Who will do business with me? You would be surprised, child.” Duke Lai smiles with confidence. “It just so happens that I was entertaining an important guest when you dropped by unannounced. One that will soon expand my business far beyond what it is now. Shall I have you meet her?”
Duke Lai orders the guards to bring his guest, and less than a minute later, they return with a young woman with golden hair.
Golden hair and bright green eyes.
Duke Lai introduces her in boastful tones like a fisherman would talk about a prize catch. However, Liu Jin is only half-listening. He only has eyes for the woman who looks at him with eyes shining with amusement.
After many years, Song Daiyu of the Five Blessings Group stands before him once more.
~~~