Duihaiguo[1], a large island located between the Gaian Empire and Japan. This beautiful paradise was once home to some of the world's most talented artisans, notably their weaponsmiths. That combined with the island's position between two of the wealthiest countries made Duihaiguo a prominent center for trade in times of peace. Unfortunately, as Emperor Ku Pa rose to power so too did tensions with Japan, resulting in Duihaiguo becoming one of the most hotly contested areas.
Duihaiguo's rich and varied history as well as its current struggles were the furthest things from the mind of the 22 year old youth currently sleeping atop a hill overlooking one of its picturesque valleys. The sun was already dipping to the west, playing with the shadows and washing the view in gold and red sunlight, creating a beautiful scene that could never be captured by a painting.
Yawning as he sat up, the young man caught a wine bottle flying at his head. Clearly disappointed to find the bottle empty, he sighed, “Good morning. Is there anything to eat?”
The woman that had just thrown the bottle was storming up the hill from a nearby forest. It was obvious from her heavy steps that she was in a bad mood. “It's almost evening you asshole and what's good about it! You can forget about eating my cooking today. I've got half a mind to never feed you again,” the woman angrily snapped.
“What's wrong Liqiu? Did someone bully you? Tell your big brother who it was and I'll take care of them or my name isn't Lin Liqin!”
“What big brother? I'm five minutes older than you.”
“Age is just a number. You spend all day working instead of enjoying life. As such I have more life experience, so shouldn't I be taking the lead?”
“...” Lin Liqiu was left speechless by her brother's shameless words.
Seeing that Lin Liqiu wasn't saying anything, Lin Liqin continued with a grin, “Now tell me what's bothering you and we'll handle it together.”
Lin Liqin hadn't bothered to stand as Lin Liqiu was approaching. She was looming over him, her face flushed, though he couldn't tell if that was from anger or the wine. She forcefully pointed her finger at his face before yelling, “You're what's bothering me! A lazy do-nothing brother would be a hundred times better than a good-for-nothing brother like you that actively brings me trouble.”
“I don't understand. I didn't do anything wrong,” replied Lin Liqin defensively.
“Didn't do anything wrong? Then, why did Farmer Yamada tell me that he'll no longer need my services this morning!? Even when I reminded him that I'm the last blacksmith on the island he still said that he'd rather pay to have his tools imported than do business with us!”
“Oh... that.”
“Yes that!” yelled Lin Liqiu. All her anger was released with that last exclamation. She sat down next to her brother and enjoyed the view of the valley for awhile before saying, “Liqin, can't you show some self control? At least stay away from my clients' wives.”
“Don't slander me!” said Lin Liqin in mock protest, “I have self control. I haven't touched a single hair on that beautiful baker you've had your eye on.”
Pulling out another bottle of wine from under her leather apron, Lin Liqiu began to drink in an effort to hide her blushing face. After downing half the bottle in one go she passed it to her brother while changing the subject, “Yamada said his wife wanted to take you as her second husband. I wonder where she got such a bold idea?”
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“Hahaha! She really said that!?” Lin Liqin paused to take another gulp of wine before returning the bottle to Lin Liqiu as he continued, “She asked me why I had so many lovers. I explained that love was meant to be shared. People filled with jealousy aren't in love, but are actually obsessed with owning the other person, so they can confine them and keep them to themself. True love makes the other person happy, supports and uplifts them, setting them free. Then I told her that even if I had a hundred wives and she had a hundred husbands I'd still love her and deeply cherish the time we'd spent together.”
Lin Liqiu passed the nearly empty bottle back as she mocked, “Such a beautiful sentiment. You almost convinced me that you're more than a shameless philanderer. Seriously though, she's in her fifties. Are you running out of women your own age to chase around the island? Why would you even be interested in someone more than twice your age?”
Finishing the bottle, Lin Liqin sighed, “Like I said earlier, age is just a number. What matters is life experience and oh man was she experienced! She even managed to teach a philanderer like me a few new tricks.”
All Lin Liqiu could do was shake her head in response to her brother's words. The sun was setting so she stood up and motioned for him to follow. The siblings walked through the woods together in peaceful silence.
Arriving at a small cabin in the woods with a forge attached, the twins noticed three soldiers waiting out front. There were two men and one woman. They were wearing green and brown, the colors of the Gaian army. With a single glance Lin Liqiu could tell they were low level foot soldiers from their low quality armor.
One of the men was taller than the others and Lin Liqin could tell from the way they were looking at each other that he was the one in charge. Lin Liqin stepped forward and greeted the soldiers with a slight bow towards the taller man, “Great warriors, we are honored by your visit, but I'm afraid you've wasted your time making the trip here. We are strictly neutral. We don't accept commissions from the Gaian military or the Japanese military.”
The three soldiers looked distraught, but then the taller man's eye lit up as he questioned, “What if it's a personal request?”
“Hmm. We'd have to hear the details first, but it's getting late. Please return in the morning during normal business hours and we can discuss it then,” replied Lin Liqin. After a moments thought he turned to the female soldier and continued with a smile and a wink, “Of course, we could discuss it now if you'd like to join me for dinner. Perhaps we could even hammer out the finer details tonight and have the deal settled by breakfast.”
The female soldier began to blush and stammer as Lin Liqiu stepped forward and elbowed Lin Liqin in the side, “That's enough. Now's not the time for your games.”
Now that Lin Liqiu had stepped closer the tall soldier could finally get a good look at her. The first thing he noticed was how tall she was, it was his first time meeting a woman taller than himself. She wore a basic beige outfit similar to those worn by most of the villagers nearby, however the sleeves had been torn off at the shoulder. Her exposed arms were incredibly toned, outlining each individual muscle. The leather apron she wore was thicker than his leather armor. He could only imagine how heavy it is, but she moved as if it were as light as silk, implying that the rest of her body was brimming with the same level of strength seen in her arms. The apron was covered is scorch marks, there were traces of soot on her hands and face, and there were even a few flakes of ash in her short, uneven hair that only fell to her shoulders.
In contrast to his sister's strong and serious vibe, Lin Liqin gave the tall soldier the same feeling as a crafty old merchant. His clothes, facial features, height, and olive skin tone were all similar to Lin Liqiu, but it was the details that set them apart. His clothes were free of tears, dirt, and wrinkles despite having traveled through the forest. There was even embroidery done in fine blue thread depicting a beautiful ocean scene across his clothes. His skin was unblemished and appeared to be smoother than most women's. The hair on top his head was slicked back while the sides and back were shaved. On his handsome face hung a nearly permanent self-assured grin, as if everything were within his control. The tall soldier immediately labeled Lin Liqin as a fop.
The shorter soldier felt like he was being ignored and was upset that Lin Liqin had flirted with the female soldier. While the taller soldier was still sizing up the twins the shorter soldier interjected, “We have already waited here for hours just to be turned away! Why should we return tomorrow when we can take our business somewhere else?”
“I'll give you three reasons. First, I could tell from your faces that this task is important. Most likely an order from your superior. When you return tonight I'm sure it would sound better if you reported that you were still negotiating instead of reporting that you failed. Second, despite her age, my sister's reputation as one of the last great weaponsmiths outside Japan has spread far and wide. So if you want the best, and trust me you do, then it's worth the wait. Lastly, she's the last blacksmith on the island,” Lin Liqin quickly countered before giving a light chuckle and pointing at Lin Liqiu.
“Lets hear the details. Then if we turn down the job they won't have to return in the morning,” said Lin Liqiu as she put her hand on her brother's shoulder and he immediately stopped gloating over the soldiers.
Everything Lin Liqin had said was true and the soldiers knew it. The tall soldier was thinking to himself, -The rumors said her outstanding skill was only rivaled by her temper, to the point that some have taken to calling her the Demoness of the Forest Forge, but from what I've seen her brother is the real demon here.-
Author's Notes:
[1] Duihaiguo is the oldest documented name for the Isle of Tsushima (any Ghost of Tsushima fans?)