~~~
Liu Jin bites down on a piece of fluffy candy one of the newer disciples brought him from Ember City. Most people would consider it overly sweet, so it is perfect for Liu Jin’s palette. The sweeter something is, the better. That is something Liu Jin realized a long time ago.
However, he might have forgotten the meaning behind that realization.
Liu Jin did not want to lose sight of the simpler things in life. That is something he indirectly learned from Elder Brother Xiao Nan. As the Number One Prodigy of Eastern Port City, Xiao Nan must have been under great pressure, yet it never really felt like he lost sight of the world around him. Liu Jin wanted to emulate that.
Despite that, the answers they arrived at could not be more different. Elder Brother Xiao Nan reached Emptiness, and he...
He reached Hollow.
Liu Jin winces. Just focusing on the word seems to darken the world around him. Even the candy in his mouth is suddenly not as sweet as before. While Elder Brother Xiao Nan’s Emptiness refers to the state necessary before something can come into being, his Hollow is a judgment levied at the entire world. Xiao Nan’s Emptiness is full of possibility and infinite in potential. His Hollow is... not.
After all, how can something be sweet when all is bitter? How can something be hopeful when all is bleak? The strong are eager to indulge in cruelty, and the weak have no choice but to bear it. Why shouldn’t he scorn such a world?
…
Has he been hurting himself by doing so?
Nearly all the Emperors Liu Jin has met had a confidence and certainty to them that Liu Jin lacks. They are at ease with themselves in a way he isn’t.
Elder Xun’s words echo inside his head. He has filled himself with things he does not really want. All the things he has learned and practiced since the fall of Eastern Port City are things that will help him with his goals. However, is that all there is to him? Has it truly gotten to the point where he has lost sight of the small joys in life?
Liu Jin eats another candy.
It is still not sweet.
“I hoped to find you here,” Lu Mei says as she opens the door to his room. “Did things go well with-umph!”
Lu Mei is unable to finish her sentence. Her eyes widen as Liu Jin seals her lips with his own but quickly closes them and melts into the kiss. The door is slammed shut, and the two fall on the bed in a flurry of motion.
“Not that I am complaining,” Lu Mei says when their kiss finally ends. She is pinned under Liu Jin’s body. Her face is blushed, and her breathing is heavy. “But what brought this on?”
“I spoke to Elder Xun.”
“You clearly need to make a habit out of it.”
Liu Jin smiles.
“He told me it was important to find that which brings me fulfillment. I thought it sensible to review all the things I enjoy.”
“A very sensible choice.” Lu Mei’s arms wrap around Liu Jin’s back and pull him closer. “If it is for your own good, I suppose–”
Someone knocks on the door.
Lu Mei does not frown or curse. Without once losing the smile on her face, she sends a wave of menacing intent at the door strong enough to make weaker cultivators faint.
The knocking grows louder. Liu Jin and Lu Mei knew it would. They can recognize the Qi of the person knocking. Trying to scare him off was never going to work.
“Why?” Lu Mei whispers. In a louder voice, she yells, “Go away!”
The door is kicked open.
“Really?” Bei Hong looks at them and scoffs in disdain. “It’s the middle of the morning! Don’t you have anything else to do?”
Lu Mei sighs as Liu Jin rises from the bed. She adjusts her dress and glares at Bei Hong.
“Should you not be hitting yourself in the face with boulders and call it training? Lu Mei asks him. “Preferable somewhere far away from here?”
“I wish, but I’m here on official business,” Bei Hong says. He then adds, “Interrupting you is pretty fun, though.”
“It is good to see you, Brother Bei,” Liu Jin says, his tone only slightly irritated.
Liu Jin first met Bei Hong during the entrance exam. Together with Huang Shing and Lu Mei, the four underwent various trials together. The only reason he did not accompany them to the Storm Dragon Empire is that he chose to prioritize his isolation training instead, something that has clearly borne fruit. Bei Hong has grown at least three more inches since Liu Jin last saw him. However, the real change is his power. Bei Hong has not just entered the True Realm but reached its upper levels.
“What official business do you have with us?” Liu Jin asks.
“Elder Fa gave me a message for you,” Bei Hong replies. The name of the Elder immediately causes Lu Mei and Liu Jin to tense up. Bei Hong rolls his eyes. “Relax. I do mean just a message. It is not some vague way of implying violence, though that would probably be more fun. Maybe after this is over-”
“Get to the point!” Lu Mei snaps at him.
“Fine!” Bei Hong reaches into his pocket and pulls out a piece of paper. Liu Jin blinks when Bei Hong starts reading it. “To the most Esteemed Emperor Qing Jin, ruler of the Storm Dragon Empire, Bringer of Order, and Ally of the Eternal Flame Clan. Honored as we are by your visit, it behooves me to apologize for our lackluster welcome. As Head of the Division of External Relations, it would please me to discuss various matters with you...”
It continues like that for a few more paragraphs. Once the reading is done, Bei Hong’s hand turns into gold. He crushes the paper and grinds it between his fingers until it’s nothing more than dust at his feet.
“That guy really likes hearing himself talk,” Bei Hong says.
“The unimpressive often do,” Lu Mei says, “but why are you the one delivering his message?”
“Who else was going to do it?” Bei Hong asks. “I’m a member of the Division of Internal Disputes, which is the only Division that’s sort of on good terms with External Relations. I’m also on good enough terms with you to be allowed here, but not so close that I was part of your coup. At least, that’s how people see it, which I’m a little hurt by, if I have to be honest.”
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
“You’re the one who wanted to stay here,” Lu Mei points out.
“Because I didn’t know there would be a coup!”
“It wasn’t supposed to be a coup,” Liu Jin mutters.
“Call it what you want,” Bei Hong says. “You went there, killed lots of people, and named yourself emperor. That could have been fun. All I have are the gains from isolation training and the cultivation pills Elder Fa bribed me with.”
“You took a bribe from Elder Fa to deliver his message?” Liu Jin asks.
“Of course I did. It’s not like you’re going to meet him, right?”
“I wasn’t planning on it,” Liu Jin replies. He turns to Lu Mei. “What do you think?”
She considers it for a moment.
“He is an Elder of the Eternal Flame Clan, so you are somewhat obligated to give him some face. I doubt he’d actually try to kill you in a public meeting.” She pauses for a beat before adding, “However, it’s Elder Fa. Everyone important already knows he was working with the Death Fashioning Scripture. That he is asking you to meet him betrays his desperation. The only thing stopping him from running away is the presence of the other Elders.”
Bei Hong yawns. “Yeah, yeah. So basically, you can ignore him without feeling bad about it.”
“Why are you still here?” Lu Mei asks. “You deal with trash often enough. You should already understand it is better if it knows to take itself out.”
“I’m not smart enough to have a witty retort, but I know if I stay here out of spite, it’ll make you mad,” Bei Hong replies, crossing his arms.
“Thank you for delivering Elder Fa’s message,” Liu Jin says, raising his voice over the ensuing argument. “What will you do now? Do you still plan to remain in the Division of Internal Disputes?”
“Why not?” Bei Hong shrugs his large shoulders. “Lord Feng Gui won, so it doesn’t really matter who’s on whose side anymore, and Internal Disputes suits me better. Besides, Elder Dang’s funny when he’s angry. You better invite me the next time you’re about to pull a big stunt, though.”
“Get yourself elected to the next Crimson Cloud Tournament and I will.”
Bei Hong laughs, then realizes Liu Jin is serious,
“Oh, you really are a troublesome guy,” Bei Hong says with a grin that’s all teeth. “Fine. I’m never one to turn back from a challenge.”
“You really like to fight, don’t you?” Liu Jin mutters, mostly to himself, but Bei Hong hears him anyway.
“Of course. Why not give it a try sometime? Just let loose and hit hard. You might actually enjoy yourself for once.”
Liu Jin looks at the ceiling for a moment, considering various things before coming to a decision.
“Very well. Will you fight me, Brother Bei?”
“What?”
It is Lu Mei, not Bei Hong, who shouts in surprise. The girl’s gaze moves between Liu Jin and Bei Hong, trying to piece together what just happened.
As for Bei Hong…
There is no need to state his answer.
~~~
Liu Jin is in the First Level of the Earth Realm. Becoming host to the Storm Dragon for a few moments did not change that. Still, even that level makes him far stronger than most in his generation. It certainly makes him stronger than Bei Hong, who has only reached the Seventh Level of the True Realm.
In light of that, it is outrageous for Liu Jin to challenge Bei Hong. Had people heard about it, they would have assumed this to be an attempt to bully him. No one would have blamed Bei Hong had he refused.
“I am not sure what made you ask,” Bei Hong says as he cracks his knuckles, “But I’m not letting you back down. I have been wanting to do this for a while.”
The two disciples stand on opposite sides of an underground arena in the lower levels of the Apothecary. It rarely sees use, so there is no one other than Lu Mei to watch them.
“I will try to meet your expectations,” Liu Jin says, assuming a fighting stance.
“Don’t try! Do!”
Gold covers Bei Hong’s whole body as he shouts. A heartbeat later, he is dashing toward Liu Jin at top speed, his fierce golden Qi making him akin to a comet streaking through the sky.
[Art of the Roaming Thief]
Fighting the Curse of the Earth Realm, Liu Jin accelerates and enters Bei Hong’s blind spot. The needles in his hand strike with impeccable accuracy.
They cannot pierce Bei Hong’s golden skin.
“I knew you’d try that!” Bei Hong yells as he stomps hard enough to break the ground, removing Liu Jin’s footing. “But I’m beyond tarnish!”
His golden fist shines as it moves through the air. Liu Jin materializes a snake construct and rams it into the attack. However, Bei Hong does not back down. His Qi shines brighter as he puts more power into the attack, fully intent on smashing right through Liu Jin’s construct. As the two forces collide, the ensuing shockwave lifts up a cloud of dust.
“You took that on purpose,” Bei Hong says, snorting when the dust clears. “There is no way you couldn’t have dodged. I don’t need your pity.”
“I am not giving it,” Liu Jin says, brushing some blood away from his lip. The wound is already healed. “I wanted to get a feel for Brother Bei. That’s all.”
“Is that something that requires effort?” Lu Mei mutters on the sidelines. “He’s a brute through and through.”
She’s completely right. About the first part, at least. Knowing Bei Hong does not require much effort. The man’s soul is unbearably loud. Allowing his fist to make contact only made it easier to understand.
“This is why you’re annoying,” Bei Hong tells him. “You always like doing sneaky stuff even when there’s no point.”
Does he?
Liu Jin blinks as he considers the question. Certainly, he has become a little… indirect in his dealings, but that was the only way forward. Even now, he still lacks the power to do things in a more direct way. The people in his path are too powerful. Without wanting to, poking and prodding people has become second nature to him.
But is it something he enjoys doing?
“I guess I do enjoy it somewhat,” Liu Jin admits.
“Of course you do!” Bei Hong shouts. “Don’t be all sneaky about something as simple as getting to know someone! I’m right here! Stop thinking and f-argh!”
Bei Hong does not get to continue as Liu Jin drives an electrified fist into his golden chest. The impact does not do much damage, but the lightning stuns Bei Hong momentarily, allowing Liu Jin to punch him several times. Bei Hong’s eyes flash as he stomps hard on the ground to regain his balance and brings his head forward in a brutal headbutt.
Liu Jin’s knee strikes him in the face.
The hit launches Bei Hong into the ceiling, making a loud noise that echoes on the walls. A burst of inspiration strikes Liu Jin, and he quickly uses mid-air [Ground Contraction] to chase after Bei Hong. He times his hits just right, each one making a different noise before finally kicking Bei Hong back down into the arena.
“Did you just… Did you just play a song with me?” Bei Hong asks after picking himself from the ground. He had not missed the melody Liu Jin’s punches made on his body, and neither had Lu Mei, who seemed to be struggling not to laugh.
“Since you appreciate bluntness, that was for interrupting us,” Liu Jin says.
“That’s just wrong,” Bei Hong says before grinning. “I’m definitely trying that on my cousin!”
“I’m glad you approve.”
“I’ll approve when you stop holding back!” Bei Hong shouts as he stands up again and attacks.
Liu Jin gives him what he asks for.
He and Bei Hong clash again and again, Bei Hong’s soul roaring with every exchange. Due to the Curse of the Earth Realm, the speed difference between them is not as big as it should be, but Liu Jin’s movement techniques make a significant difference, allowing his attacks to land with greater frequency.
And yet, Bei Hong keeps fighting with a smile on his face. There are no attempts at deception. Liu Jin can hear Bei Hong’s soul declaring his purpose. This is what he wants. It is not about fighting for the sake of violence. He seeks the struggle. Battle is how he reinforces his personal truth.
This is Bei Hong’s way of finding fulfillment.
Liu Jin is not sure if he approves, but he doesn’t hate it. There is something simple and pure about it.
“I think I like you, Brother Bei.”
“I don’t need to be told that by a guy,” Bei Hong says with his back to the floor. He is finally too tired to continue. “Argh, damn it! So... the Crimson Cloud Tournament? You meant it?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll be there,” Bei Hong says, struggling to stay conscious. “You better not disappoint.”
Liu Jin smiles. “I would not dream of it.”
~~~