The lanky man introduced himself as Ryouma. But Bing Anxi knew better than to take his word on it. But so far, she hadn’t seen any indication of hostility from him.
“The Angi Brothers were pretty famous around these parts. They even managed to take down a core formation expert together. I didn’t think you two could defeat them so quickly,” Ryouma said, leading the two through the maze-like hallways of the stronghold.
“I don’t understand, what was the purpose of the test? Could you not have just checked our sect emblems?” Feng Li asked in a disapproving tone.
“Well the test wasn’t to verify your identity, it was to make sure you two could handle the peak of foundation establishment with no trouble.”
“Of course we can handle mere foundation level wastes,” Feng Li snapped.
“Good. Then what you’re about to hear next won’t be too unpleasant,” Ryouma said, pushing open a door that led into what appeared to be a well-lit office or study.
The first thing Bing Anxi noticed was the small figure hunched over a desk in the center of the room. A petite woman in red stood at attention beside the desk. The secretary, Bing Anxi figured, or some sort of assistant.
The small figure’s cloak blocked any view of their face or body, so it was impossible to make out gender or age. Neither Ryouma nor the woman in red made any sound to introduce their presence, so Bing Anxi took the hint and decided against initiating conversation.
Feng Li wasn’t so inclined to play along. “As you know, we’re here for the artifact. The elders of my sect assure that payment for it is already on its way.”
The cloaked figure ignored Feng Li. Instead, they rose from their chair, and pulled back the hood of their cloak, revealing the pale face underneath. Bing Anxi couldn’t help but be surprised by her appearance. She was young and didn’t seem even a day older than twelve. Yet her eyes felt… ancient, inhumane.
“Not what you expected?” She said, her voice eerily devoid of any emotion.
Feng Li cleared his throat. “I can assume you have the full authority to represent the leadership of the Red Sharps?”
“Feng Li. Core disciple of the Golden Celestial Sect. At the age of three, you were abandoned by your parents and forced to resort to thievery for survival. At the age of ten, the currency chief of the Golden Celestial Sect found you half beaten in the slums after a botched mugging. And now you are his most loyal dog,” she continued. “Remember this, while it is admirable to repay a debt. Do not lose yourself in the process.”
“Bing Anxi. Daughter of the current chief. You are the youngest of three daughters and the only one yet to wed. You have lived your whole life sheltered within the sect, never knowing true hardship. Your mischievous antics have led to the death of four bodyguards, each one more talented than the last. Be wary of your pride and stubbornness, it will only lead you down a dark path.”
Bing Anxi barked out a few nervous laughs. “Who did you pay for all this information? And where can I hire him?” she joked, trying her best to seem unperturbed.
Feng Li frowned. “How do you know all this? This isn’t the type of information you can glean off any info broker in the underworld.”
“If you are wise, then you will heed my warnings. I tire of conversation. You will consult with my assistant about this... artifact,” she said, sinking back into her chair.
“Wait! We’re not done here!” Feng Li snarled. “How do you know all this?”
“Keep your cool. We’ve still got a job to do,” Bing Anxi wasn’t usually the voice of reason, but she didn’t want to see Feng Li getting killed because of his disrespect.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
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The assistant, who introduced herself as Xi Ling, led them into a more spacious office. Ryouma followed close behind, although he had deflected all queries on the matter of the strange girl they had met in the other room.
Bing Anxi wasn’t sure what to make of it, the girl knew too much about them. Only Bing Anxi and her father had any knowledge about Feng Li’s origins. Whoever that girl was, Bing Anxi hoped that their paths would not cross in the future.
“Why don’t you take a seat,” Xi Ling suggested, tilting her head in the direction of a large sofa at the center of the room. Feng Li declined, finding a wall to lean against while he brooded.
“Ignore him,” Bing Anxi said, taking a seat on the sofa. Xing Li nodded, and then took a seat on the adjacent sofa.
“What was her deal? Anybody want to explain what the kid was going on about?” Feng Li asked from across the room.
It wasn’t like him to be so brash, Bing Anxi mused. It was clear the girl’s words had struck a nerve.
“I’d watch that tongue if I were you,” Ryouma warned with a scowl.
“I’d say the same to you,” Feng Li retorted, his mood seemingly getting worse by the second.
“Can we focus on what's important? Please?” Bing Anxi interjected, putting an end to their squabble.
“Good idea, let's get down to business,” Xi Ling said, shooting Ryouma a stern stare.
Bing Anxi delved straight into the crux of the matter. “You don’t have the artifact, do you?”
“Complications… have arisen.” Xi Ling answered, her guilty gaze dropping to the floor.
“We were told you had the artifact, what is the meaning of this?” Feng Li snarled, pointing an accusatory finger at the secretary.
“Are you going to let her finish?” Ryouma asked. “Or keep interrupting her at every turn?”
“Why don’t the two of you take a walk… and bond? I’m sure two hot-headed youths like yourselves have much in common,” Bing Anxi suggested, dismissing Feng Li with a wave of her hand.
The two nodded hesitantly before turning to the door, which had already been opened by Tong, who closed the door after the pugnacious duo left the room.
“Tong? I didn’t even notice you were there,” Bing Anxi said, giving him a half-hearted wave. He seemed shaken up by the skirmish that had occurred just moments ago. Weak. Even if he was a servant at the very least he should have some backbone.
Xi Ling gave an awkward cough. “As I was saying, we no longer possess the artifact in question. The Chamber of Commerce has… confiscated it from us.”
“Chamber of Commerce? Confiscated? Just tell them my father wants it, problem solved.”
“It isn’t so simple. Your father is powerful but the Yulong Empire does not fear him.”
“Silly mortals and their silly governments, do they honestly think they can defy us?” Bing Anxi said, staring at Xi Ling with a look of skeptical bemusement.
“All-out war with the empire is something we want to avoid. I’m sure your father shares the same sentiment.”
“True,” Bing Anxi acknowledged, throwing her hands out in an exaggerated fashion. “What is your plan? I assume you have a plan, it's the only thing keeping me from walking out on this mess.”
“I do have a plan. A week from now, the Chamber of Commerce is holding a martial arts tournament. And believe it or not, they have put the artifact up as the grand prize.”
Bing Anxi shot up from her sofa. “They’re using it… as a prize? You can’t be serious!”
“I do not joke on matters of business. Ever. They must believe it to be some sort of fancy decor.”
“Simple. We wait until the tournament is over, and then take it from the winner by offering him items of greater value. I hear your lot puts immense value on silver and gold,” Bing Anxi said, taking a seat on the sofa once more.
“That would be messy, the Chamber of Commerce would get suspicious. We’ve come up with an alternative plan. There will be four seeded participants and four from the local populace. We’ve already slipped in two of our own into the seeded bracket.”
“Why can’t we just have Feng Li enter it?”
“Only fighters under the core formation will be allowed participation.”
“This is turning into one big mess,” Bing Anxi muttered. “And here I thought this would be a vacation.”
Xing Li stood up. “Now that we’ve got that out of our way, let me escort you to your rooms. I promise there will be no more ambushes this time.”
“Lead the way, Bing Anxi ordered. Her tone was arrogant yet inside she was beginning to feel the first stirrings of unease. This task was not as simple as she had envisioned it being.
“Wait! What was the whole point of the test earlier if we already have a plan in place to obtain the artifact without drawing blood,” Bing Anxi questioned, rubbing her cheek.
Li Xing looked back at Bing Anxi, stopping at the threshold of the room. “Consider that our… alternative plan, for you know, when things go south.”