Chapter 35: Interluding Cloud

Thunder cracked overhead as Blackmere’s city walls emerged through the misty distance. Light raindrops pattered against Xiulan’s already mud-stained robes. The weather matched her mood.

“We should pick up the pace before this gets worse.” Xiulan adjusted her grip on the reins.

“Hmmm.” Ren Chun’s noncommittal response drew her attention.

A transparent dome of qi energy shimmered above his head, deflecting each raindrop. The martial artist sat dry and comfortable atop his mount while Xiulan endured the increasing drizzle.

“Want to use your last favor learning this one?” Ren Chun flashed a smug grin.

Xiulan kicked her horse into a trot. “Not interested!” The steady clip-clop of hooves splashed through forming puddles as she pulled ahead.

The city gates thrummed with activity despite the weather. Merchants haggled over goods while porters shouldered heavy loads between the walls. The new acting magistrate had maintained order on the surface at least—a pleasant surprise after the corruption of his predecessor.

Xiulan slowed her mount at the edge of the crowd. Ren Chun caught up as she guided her horse through the gates. The guards snapped to attention with crisp salutes, recognition clear in their eyes despite her disheveled state. She nodded back to them.

Next time she ventured into the wilds, she needed spare robes—or perhaps some kind of mystical cleaning technique cultivators surely possessed. No one in the game ever got muddy.

The rain intensified as they passed beneath the city’s archways, turning the cobbled streets into shallow streams.

“Hey! Where are we going anyway?” Ren Chun called out from behind.

Xiulan steered her mount around a merchant’s cart. “First, we return these horses. Then I need to verify my family’s city manor hasn’t burned down in my absence.”

He continued to follow her. “Haaa, okay.”

The manor’s familiar stone walls emerged through sheets of rain. She hadn’t been entirely serious about it, but relief washed over Xiulan at the sight of the intact structure, its gates standing wide open. She guided her horse through the entrance.

“Halt—” A guard’s challenge cut short. Recognition flashed across his face. “Miss Lin has returned!”

Manager Han rushed out from beneath a covered walkway, his robes fluttering. “Did your expedition yield good results?”

Xiulan nodded, droplets falling from her sodden hair. “Thank you, Manager Han.” She turned to a nearby servant. “Please prepare a guest room for Mr. Ren, with baths and fresh clothing.”

The servant’s eyes widened at their mud-caked appearance. She bowed deeply. “Right away, Miss Lin!”

“So we’re just staying here?” Ren Chun asked.

Xiulan released a tense breath and turned toward Ren Chun. “You’re welcome to stay as a guest for as long as you like. Consider it thanks for your help.”

“Alright, but what about after that?” He returned his horse’s reins to a servant who led the animal into the stable to be cared for.

A knot of guilt pricked at Xiulan’s stomach and she bowed her head. “You hardly owed me any favor at all. You’ve done enough—you don’t owe me anything more.”

She adjusted her soaked sleeve. “Come by when you wish. I’ll see about making that earth reinforcement pill without charge. That should repay you properly.”

She pivoted toward the manor entrance, but warm fingers wrapped around her wrist. The sudden contact sent a jolt through her qi meridians. She spun back, eyes widening at his stern expression.

“Aren’t you a bit full of yourself right now, Miss Lin?” Ren Chun’s grip remained firm but gentle. “Are you thinking I’m too stupid to know when and why I owe a favor? I thought it was interesting and after how well the first one went, you think I’ll let you return the last favor like this?” He exhaled sharply and frowned. “I’ll pay for the pill, and still owe you a favor.”

“But—”

“Ah ah ah, no buts.” Ren Chun released her wrist. “Call on me for the last favor when you need it, and I’ll try to help. If you can make it as eventful as our adventure in the swamp, that would be great!”

A grin spread across his rain-streaked face. “And are you really in a position to turn it down? I don’t know the specifics, but Miss Lin always gives off the impression that she’s in some type of trouble.”

Xiulan studied the rain-soaked cobblestones beneath her feet. “I’m sorry, and thank you.”

Ren Chun tilted his head. “Are you alright?”

“Huh?”

“Those four words! From you!” Ren Chun spread his arms wide. “Never thought I’d hear that from you! You’re such an aggressive person.”

“What!” Heat rushed to Xiulan’s cheeks as she spun away from him.

Muddy water splashed beneath her boots. “The ingredients for your pill will be ready in a few days. I’ll let you know if I need help with something, but right now I just want a bath and to handle today’s business!”

“A wise choice.” Ren Chun nodded sagely. “As the great Hong Bi always says—a clean body and mind shall keep one ready!”

They trudged through puddles toward the residence.

“By the way,” Ren Chun said, “I can still get that discount, right?”

Xiulan’s foot slipped on the wet stone, but she caught herself.

It was impossible to not let out a tsk. “Yes, you can have a discount.”

Ren Chun’s laughter echoed through the courtyard.

----------------------------------------

Steam curled off Xiulan’s skin as she stepped from the bath. The hot water had worked wonders. She slipped into a light silk robe, savoring the smooth fabric against her clean skin.

The plush bed beckoned. Xiulan sank into its softness, releasing a long breath as tension melted away. A servant brought a plate of fresh fruit—sweet lychee and ripe peaches. The burst of flavor helped revive her somewhat.

“Please inform Manager Han and the officials to meet me in the court hall,” Xiulan told the hovering servant.

After finishing the fruit, she called for one of her fresh martial dresses. The servants helped her into it, securing each tie with practiced efficiency.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

The golden signet ring of the city manor felt heavy in her palm as she walked to the court hall. Its weight carried the authority of generations. Not that she thought her ancestors would look kindly on her for possessing it.

She settled onto the carved wooden throne, adjusting her posture to project confidence.

Officials filed in, their robes rustling as they bowed in unison. “Greetings, Miss Lin.”

“Your reports?” Xiulan kept her tone crisp.

They launched into endless details—grain storehouse inventories, guard patrol schedules, tax collection figures. Xiulan directed some matters to her mother’s attention, assigned priorities, and gave clear instructions. The mundane administrative tasks proved more draining than the travel through the swamp.

A dull throb built behind her temples. Even pushing qi through her meridians failed to ease the headache. Isn’t it really unfair that cultivators can still get headaches?

“Continue your duties,” Xiulan dismissed them with a wave. “Manager Han, stay a moment.”

The former soldier remained, standing at attention.

“Watch them closely,” Xiulan said. “Report any suspicious activity from them or the city magistrate.”

Han Shun bowed stiffly. “I will do my best, Miss Lin, though I lack training in court politics.”

She shook her head. “Sometimes a soldier’s discipline serves better than a politician’s schemes.”

Xiulan retreated to her chambers, collected her travel pack, and headed for the armory.

Inside the building, she tested the weight of multiple spears, searching for one that matched her previous weapon’s balance. The fifth clicked perfectly into her back sheath—a standard issue weapon that would serve well enough until she could acquire something better.

A fresh dagger snapped into her belt sheathe. The standard-issue weapons she’d lost in the swamp hadn’t been anything special, which eased the sting of their loss. Still, she needed to be better prepared next time.

The sleeve of her new martial outfit whispered against her skin as she ran her fingers along the intricate turquoise, black, and gold patterns. The fabric moved with far more grace than her hastily dyed black outfit, which had grown stiff from the rushed treatment.

She poked her head out the door, looking up into the sky. Rain drummed against the roof tiles and she let out an annoyed breath.

Gathering qi into her palm, she attempted to form it into an umbrella shield. It mostly worked with a few leaks, but the energy pulsed bright and visible—too conspicuous for walking through the city streets. She certainly had a lot of qi, if she was using Ren Chun as a measuring stick, but fine control?

She’d probably need to wait until she reached qi gathering or qi refinement stages… and that was still a ways away.

There had to be a trick to the umbrella skill that she didn’t know, since Ren could do it.

Her first steps in gathering the items for the golden meridian opening pill served two purposes at least. It was very good training… and it would get help for Mei Chen.

With a frustrated huff, she reached back inside and grabbed a leather-wrapped umbrella. The sturdy construction put the flimsy paper parasols noble ladies carried to shame.

The weight of Earth-Heart Root and Blood Lotus pressed against her back as she adjusted her pack. She would have visited Master Qingfeng first, but appearing at Treasure Pavilion covered in swamp muck would have seemed either disrespectful or desperate.

Neither impression would serve her well.

Qi pulsed through her meridians in time with her growing anxiety. The bath had washed away the physical remnants of the expedition, but clean skin and fresh clothes had brought fresh worry for Mei Chen.

At least the leather-wrapped umbrella kept most of the rain off as she headed out.

“Miss Lin.” The gate guards snapped to attention. “Would you like an escort into the city?”

“No need.” Xiulan adjusted her pack. The less attention drawn to her movements, the better.

The streets proved oddly empty despite the light rain. The few citizens who spotted her darted into doorways or crossed to the other side. Whispered conversations and furtive glances followed in her wake.

Great. More rumors. At this rate, they probably thought she breathed fire or ate children for breakfast. The image almost made her laugh.

The Treasure Pavilion’s curved eaves came into view through the drizzle. Xiulan shook excess water from her umbrella before stepping under the gate. The familiar scent of incense and tea filled the courtyard that beckoned.

A servant approached with a practiced bow. “Welcome to Treasure Pavilion.”

She nodded politely. “Please inform Master Qingfeng that Lin Xiulan requests an audience. I’ve brought Earth-Heart Root to sell and wish to make additional purchases.”

“At once.” The servant bowed again and retreated.

Movement caught her attention. Two cultivators in indigo robes rose from their usual corner where a half-finished game of Go lay abandoned on the table.

The taller one stormed toward her with thunderous steps. “You better not be here to cause trouble, we’ve already had to—”

His companion grabbed his arm. “Wait, Martial Brother Long.” The shorter cultivator studied her face. “I recognize her. She’s come here before?”

Long stepped closer, squinting at Xiulan. “Martial Brother Mo, I think you’re right. Didn’t she speak with Master Qingfeng both times?”

Mo performed a crisp martial salute, the sleeves of his indigo robe rustling. “We serve as guards from Aqua Seraph Academy, contracted by Treasure Pavilion.”

“Lin Xiulan, sister to Lord Lin.” Xiulan returned the salute with practiced grace.

“Remarkable.” Long scratched his chin. “Your first visit here showed no signs of cultivation. Yet now...”

Xiulan stretched her lips into a practiced smile. “Why such hostility upon my arrival today?”

A flush crept up Long’s neck. “My deepest apologies.” He shifted his weight. “We’ve dealt with numerous young cultivators lately. Many lack proper respect for Treasure Pavilion’s customs.”

“Oh?” Xiulan arched an eyebrow.

“You haven’t heard?” Mo’s eyes widened. “A substantial bounty circulates for a rogue cultivator—the one who murdered your family. The notice brought many hunters to the city.”

House Chao moves faster than expected. Xiulan pressed her lips together. The rumors spreading through the city would only complicate matters. Though perhaps it didn’t matter anymore—House Chao would construct whatever truth suited their agenda.

And the truth was a perfect excuse to pursue Zhang Wei. The trap had indeed set itself.

At least they seemed to lack evidence, otherwise the bounty would have specified her directly.

Her cultivation needed to strike a delicate balance—strong enough to protect her family, yet not so powerful she’d be forced to abandon them. At least until she dealt with House Chao. Her mother would need to secure House Min’s support, too.

“I heard about a small bounty,” Xiulan said.

Long shook his head. “It started small, but now exceeds a thousand spirit stones. Young masters and fairies flood into the county, drawn by the reward. Word is the culprit still lurks nearby.”

A thousand? No wonder. A weak laugh escaped Xiulan’s throat. “I hope these visitors don’t cause too much trouble.”

“Such upheaval must weigh heavily on you.” Long’s tone softened. “Losing family while awakening as a cultivator... Perhaps catching the culprit will bring peace.”

A servant approached with quick steps and dropped into a bow. “Master Qingfeng awaits Fairy Lin on the second floor.”

“Thank you for sharing the information.” Xiulan bowed to the two martial brothers.

They returned her bow with matching precision. “Good health to you, Fairy Lin.”

The weight of their words settled in her stomach as she turned toward the stairs.

Peace seemed an unlikely prospect.