The house was quite small, small enough for the entire structure to fit inside Ku Wei's room atop the eastern tower. The home only had three rooms, a kitchen, a washroom, and a living room that doubled as the bedroom in the evening. However, upon entering Ku Wei didn't even notice these most basic facts, his attention was focused entirely on a rather large door in the middle of the living room. Faint muffled voices were coming through the door. He walked around the door that seemed to lead nowhere, his curiosity about what lay on the 'other side' only growing. As he stared at its pitch black surface he noticed small twinkling lights, reminding him of the night sky. Gently pushing on the door, it began to open noiselessly. Through the growing crack in the door a warm glow could be seen, the muffled voices grew louder, but still couldn't be made out, and a pleasant smell, similar to tea but much stronger, was impossible to miss.
As Ku Wei was about to step through the door, he heard the door behind him open and close as Ku Shen entered the house. In his usual playful tone Ku Shen said, “Sorry for making you wait Big Bro. I'm also sorry we had to skip lunch, I can't think of any finer final meal than Old Cho's dumplings.” As the last few words left his mouth, Ku Shen's tone became colder, almost sorrowful. With a light sigh he continued, “At least you won't have to worry about Father locking you up again.”
Hearing his brother's words, Ku Wei's heart sank, but he wasn't surprised. The third scenario he'd hoped against hope wasn't true came to be. Ku Wei wasn't ignorant of his brother's nature, he'd heard stories from Ku Xue and seen how effortlessly Ku Shen lied first hand. However, he'd always hoped there was a line Ku Shen wouldn't cross on his quest for power and influence.
Without turning to face his brother, Ku Wei calmly responded, “I see, so you lied about the assassins to lure me out here... No... You're an opportunist. The assassins were real, but your unit subdued them. Now you get to play at being the hero and claim you fought them off, but not in time to save me.”
As he spoke, Ku Wei's mind raced, drawing this situation out to its logical end. Ku Shen wouldn't be satisfied with Ku Wen's title, he'd challenge Ku Xue for his title, but it would be years, decades even, before he had the strength and influence to pull that off. Ku Wei resolved to do whatever it takes to get stronger, so he could stop Ku Shen.
Ku Shen's mood was uplifted by Ku Wei's words, laughing he said, “Excellent! No one knows me better than my Big Bros. I doubt the story will fool Father or Xue, but I suspect Father will be impressed with my initiative. As for our 'genius' brother, the knowledge that I'm responsible, but that he can't prove it will gnaw at him and each time he makes a mistake I'll be there to take advantage. Now, turn around and face me, I have no desire to stab you in the back.”
Still facing the large door, Ku Wei spoke in a hushed voice, almost more to himself than Ku Shen, “Everything I knew of the world I learned from a book, I lacked the life experience necessary to guide you as an older brother should. When I return I'll have many lessons to teach you. Until then, I'll leave you with this.” As Ku Wei stepped through the door he smiled over his shoulder at Ku Shen, “Lesson one, get used to disappointment Little Shen.”
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Ku Shen was unable to see the large door and from his perspective it was as if, with that one step, Ku Wei had disappeared entirely. Ku Shen quickly waved his hand sending out Wind Blades in every direction, they filled the room, but failed to find their target. He quickly sent a Wind Whisper to his unit that was surrounding the house, but none of them had seen Ku Wei leave. Thinking quickly, he dispatched a few operatives to watch the paths leading back to the palace with orders to kill Ku Wei on sight. He gathered the remaining members of his unit in the house and ordered, “We're going with scenario two. We'll make it look like a kidnapping, I killed a few, but couldn't prevent them from taking Prince Ku Wei. If Prince Ku Wei returns with accusations against us we will claim that he has been brainwashed by his captors. If possible, try to pin this incident on some of Crown Prince Ku Xue's supporters to further undermine his support. When I return to report this matter to the Imperial Prince I suspect my movements will be closely monitored for the time being. I am trusting you to carry out this mission independently and without reporting to me, dismissed.”
*** *** *** ***
Ku Fu, Ku Wen, and Ku Xue had come to a decision, Ku Wei would be officially designated as an Ice Cultivator, but would cultivate the death element in secret. The two types of cultivators auras were similar, so this designation would allow Ku Wei to travel around the palace and city without being discovered. Unfortunately, he would have to return to isolation when cultivating or practicing new techniques to prevent discovery. It also went without saying that he would have to avoid any competitions between the families, this would have a negative impact on his influence, but Ku Fu was sure that his strength in the future would overcome any short term losses.
As Ku Wen was explaining the finer details of her training regiment for Ku Wei to Ku Fu, the door to the hall was opened abruptly, revealing a guard that was helping Ku Shen walk. Ku Shen was bruised and bloodied, his daopao was torn and hung from him like loose rags, weakly he cried, “Father! We were attacked. I barely managed to escape, but Big Bro Wei was kidnapped.”
Ku Wen's eyes went blood shot with rage. Many of the city guard captains were Ku branch family members and as the head of the branch families the capitol's security was one of her primary duties. She took any attack within the city limits as a personal affront, not to mention one involving her nephew, a prince of the Ku family. “They dare!” she screamed before storming out of the hall. She summoned a platoon of guards, immediately went about putting the capitol on lock down and organized a sweeping patrol to look for any signs of the abductors.
Ku Fu sat back on his thrown with a smirk on his face as if he were watching a good show that didn't concern him. Ku Xue on the other hand was positive Ku Shen had something to do with this. Gritting his teeth as he went to leave, but Ku Shen grabbed his arm and said, “Careful Big Bro, the attackers could still be around and you're the only sibling I have left now.”
A closer look at Ku Shen only increased Ku Xue's suspicions. Ku Shen's wounds were deep enough to produce large streams of blood, but completely missed his vitals and would leave no lasting effects after they'd healed. Clinching his fists as tight as he could, Ku Xue leaned in and whispered, “Don't bleed out Brother, the pleasure of killing you is all mine.”