Chapter 307 - Fitting Request
If Yuzu’s refusal of his invitation upset or surprised Renshu, he did not show it. He gazed upon the ruins behind Yuzu which she had offered to host him in as a counter offer.
“I apologize, it seems that my invitation might have upset you.” Renshu smiled politely, inquiring in ancient Byranese, “Is there something you are worried about? I promise you would be treated as an honored guest in my kingdom.”
I’m worried about many things. Yuzu thought quietly to herself. Like, how much of my knowledge of this God is true, versus planted intentionally in my head?
At the very least, her intuition around Renshu’s white fate thread told her that this God that stood in front of her was the same entity that she had been affected by during the ritual of the cloak.
If this God of Knowledge was telling the truth about accidentally ‘seeing’ her, the knowledge that was transmitted during that moment should be true. Her spiritual intuition also told her that the dignified, handsome man before her and the beautiful landscape within which he stood did not carry danger towards her.
She was just an Apprentice, the second lowest rank in the Exalted world, so if Renshu really wanted he could probably force her to do anything he wanted. The fact that he approached with a sense of hospitality and politeness meant that there was something He wanted from her— and if His gentle demeanour was to believed, that he preferred to get that something with her willing cooperation.
Or… That was just want He wanted her to think.
You said you have no reason to manipulate me… Let’s see how true that is.
“I mean no disrespect. The reason for my refusal is a little embarrassing.” Yuzu bowed her head in apology, replying in ancient Byranese as well, “I was raised not to visit a man’s home when we first meet.”
The cordial smile on Renshu’s face didn’t twitch, but Yuzu peeked a glance at his eyes she could see that he knew her words were a bald faced lie. They were an excuse, a test of his words and character.
You dare talk back to a God? His eyes asked silently.
Yuzu returned the gaze, her grey eyes fearless and resolute.
After a moment Renshu chuckled softly, fanning himself as he stepped forward, walking off the picturesque white stone path onto the soft, weed-strewn swamp soil. The image of the Singing Castle shimmered into vapour behind him, disappearing from sight.
“You are truly an interesting girl, fitting for an heir of Fate.” Renshu said, “I accept your invitation. Please excuse my intrusion.”
He switched to modern Nianese, speaking the common phrase which guests in NianXing would say to their hosts.
Yuzu led him through a hole in the wall to the large room where Somm had performed the ritual of the cloak the night before. There was a small table and three chairs, which they had scavenged from other parts of the building.
“Please.” Yuzu gestured for Renshu to sit, taking a seat opposite him.
Renshu acted the part of a guest well, following humbly behind Yuzu and sitting elegantly on the rickety, grimy chair. He interlaced his fingers, resting his hands on his crossed legs.
They looked at each other in silence, each waiting for the other to speak.
“Not to be rude, but is it common for Nianese hosts to not offer tea to their guests?” Renshu eventually asked with an innocent smile.
You declined me, were his unspoken words, I shall play by your rules, but you go first.
“I apologize, I was not expecting guests and was unable to prepare proper refreshments.” Yuzu replied, “However, I appreciate that you’ve entertained my request. To be honest, I was simply wondering if it was an offer to be accepted or an order to be followed.”
“Were you not concerned that I would take offense?” Renshu asked.
“It would tell me a lot about your character, if you did.” Yuzu replied.
“And so, what do you think of my character now, Yuzu?”
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Though his words were spoken in a friendly tone, Yuzu felt a twinge of danger at his words. She had not told her name to this God. Renshu had introduced himself to her when they first met, but Yuzu had not returned the politeness. It was as much a comment on her own character as it was a question about her perception of his.
It was also a not-so-subtle reminder to her that He was a God that was humouring her, a mortal.
“You are patient and amenable. Humble and forgiving.” Yuzu said, “As expected from the God of Preeminent Wisdom.”
“You flatter me.” Renshu said, not looking particularly pleased or displeased by the kind appraisal, “I am curious what you would have done if I had not been so amenable.”
“I imagine I would not be able to do much of anything. You are, after all, a God.” Yuzu said matter-of-factly, “Whatever it is you want from me, I doubt I have the power to refuse.”
“Yet you refused my invitation.” Renshu smiled.
“A refusal which was within your power to grant or deny.” Yuzu said. A small smile crossed her lips as she nodded at him in acknowledgement, “In light of your acceptance of my request, I apologize for my rudeness. It is simply that I am tired of gods and their angels telling me what to do. I am tired of being taken to strange places and visiting their divine kingdoms.”
“How straightforwardly candid of you.” Renshu said.
“That is why, in exchange for whatever it is you want of me, I will request one thing.” Yuzu said, “If it is within my ability to help you, I want to be sent back to my home in NianXing. Secretly, without the knowledge of other Exalted forces or entities.”
Small talk and introductions are over. Now the negotiation begins. Yuzu thought quietly to herself. Against a foe with the illustrious title of ‘God of Wisdom’, Yuzu doubted any of her usual negotiation tricks would work. Her intuition told her that Renshu had seen right through her ruse from the beginning and was simply playing along. Stating her goals from the beginning, then, would set the field and start the framework of the discussion.
The White Maiden was a useful ruse, one which had given her plenty of bargaining power. It had kept her and her friends safe as she threaded the needle in the power struggle between Lord Noga and Prince Deka. It had given her the bargaining chips to negotiate with Li Ru the Angel of Death and the guru-chi of the Sun God.
However, now that the God of Life was truly defeated, the White Maiden which protected Noga City had no need to exist anymore.
The rocky journey across the Fuha Wasteland, playing the role of Shou Tao the mysterious swamp merchant, gave Yuzu the time to come to one overarching conclusion.
It was all too troublesome.
Did she really care about the heir of the Sun God’s inheritance? Did she care about dealing with the Demon King trapped in Ying Zhen?
The entity at the bottom of the white world had healed the fatal injury of her soul before ejecting her into Fuha. Did she really care about going back there and finding the ornate chest?
The answer she came to was a firm and resounding “No!”.
All those Gods and Angels could take their problems to someone else and leave her out of it. She just wanted to go home and live her own life.
And sure, maybe that life would have a little bit of Fate tweaking sprinkled here and there, but it would be for her and her alone.
Everyone else can stuff it!
“Making a request of a God, how bold.” Renshu said with an amused smirk, “And stating your reward up front, what is it do you think I am going to ask of you in return?”
“I do not know, but you are aware that I am only an Apprentice of Fate. If I couldn’t deliver on your request, I don’t believe you would have come in person to ask me for it.” Yuzu replied, “As for being bold… I am simply being honest and straightforward with you. Whether you grant or deny my request is completely within your power and judgement.”
“Spoken like a true Fate Exalted.” Renshu said. His gaze grew thoughtful, “You wish to return home and have traces of your arrival removed… Concealment of that kind is within my power. I am curious, why do you not want to be noticed when you return?”
“I just want to go back home.” Yuzu said, adding internally, …and not be bothered by annoying requests for the White Maiden.
“Is there perhaps someone you are hiding from, or that you want to take by surprise?”
“No.” Yuzu said, seeing the skepticism in Renshu’s eyes, “Really. I truly just want to return home and be done with the Exalted world.”
Yuzu looked straight into Renshu’s eyes as he continued to gaze at her. He took his time to digest her words. The thought crossed her mind that He was a God of Knowledge and could possibly read her thoughts, and know that there were caveats to the simple motivations she had expressed.
But then he should also understand that she had simply said she’d be done with the Exalted world and that she never implied she wouldn’t still use her powers. She found herself accentuating the thoughts in her mind just in case he actually was listening.
A slight grin touched the edge of his lips.
Thought reading or not, it didn’t seem like He was offended by the audacity of stating her request to Him so directly.
It seems my impression of Him was true. Yuzu thought, after some time had passed. Patient and amenable. Humble and forgiving. These were the traits that the God of Pre-eminent Wisdom was known by in classical Byranese lore, lore which had been transferred into her memory when their minds had connected.
On the one hand, it could have been planted. Yet he had allowed Yuzu to test his nature, and she had spoken honestly when she had appraised his character. Even though she still retained the possibility that he was merely putting up a front, at the very least she had no reason to believe he was misleading her.
Fitting traits for a God with the title ‘Pre-eminent Wisdom’.
“Very well. If you help me, I shall fulfill your wish.” Renshu smiled, “Your perception that my own request is within your power to deliver is quite sharp. And I think you will find the exchange quite… fair.”
Yuzu nodded, indicating for him to state his request.
“The task is simple. I would like you to retrieve an item.” He said, “It has been hidden away for a thousand years, but is now about to surface in the world once more.”
“It is the reward for completing the Sun God’s Trial of Succession, an emerald amulet known as the Sun Brooch.”