Ming Jia Ying may be a child, but it had been years since she'd felt like one. Her mind wandered for a moment, tracing back to a time when she still held on to that child like exuberance. She could still faintly remember laughing as her father chased her through the flower gardens surrounding their estate. She remembered him falling during one such moment and not getting up again. She remembered the life cultivator shaking her head. She remembered her mother and Da arriving after he'd already passed, characters from her father's stories that she'd scarcely believed were real. There were no more flowers after that, only the Siege board. Her mother's attempt to teach her how to exercise even the smallest amount of control over a world that would try to take everything from her if she let it.
Looking at the boy sitting across from her in the coach, she couldn't help but pity him. In his eyes she saw the same aged look she saw in the mirror. A child in name only, for they had grown much quicker than nature had intended. From what Ku Wei had told her, Ku Shen's mother had given him up so he could be raised in the palace. Of course, the woman had been compensated, but that probably only made it sting more for the young prince. Ming Jia Ying sympathized with the idea of suddenly being raised by a parent that was little more than a stranger, but where Ming Fang had introduced analytical strategy with loving care Ku Fu had injected callous ambition with oppressive pragmatism.
Of the four in the coach the one youngest at heart was probably the woman sitting to her left. Tsubame was practically bouncing in her seat as she marveled at the world tearing past her window. She kept attempting to point out each novel item that entered her view, but they would have inevitably passed by before any could look over to see. In stark contrast to the animated Tsubame, Lin Liqin sat to Ming Jia Ying's right with his chin to his chest as he dozed off. Somehow, despite slouching and the occasional snore, he still radiated with a dignified charm that was hard to ignore.
Ku Shen had discarded the cloak he'd worn in the tavern, the fine silk of his green daopao shimmering as he leaned forward to speak, “I'm afraid there won't be much time for sightseeing before the tournament starts.” This elicited a pouting expression from Tsubame to which he quickly added, “But I'd be more than happy to personally escort you through the city afterwards.” The prince's reply teased out a giddy squeal from the young woman and a foolish grin briefly played across his lips.
In an attempt to keep the conversation on track Ming Jia Ying gave a small cough. “About the tournament.”She let the statement hang in the air as the prince's attention slowly shifted back to the trio's young leader.
“Ah, yes. And thank you again for accepting my request Yingying,” Ku Shen replied. A genuine look of gratitude filled his eyes as a bright smile blossomed.
The smile reminded her of Ku Qin Zemin, their family resemblance surprisingly strong in that moment. Ming Jia Ying played with a coin pouch full to bursting. “This is more than thanks enough your highness,” she stated, returning a toothy grin of her own.
“So, about the tournament,” said Ku Shen, returning to the topic at hand. “When we arrive I will provide you with a writ identifying you as a team that I'm sponsoring. You may present it to the officials any time before the tournament starts in order to register.”
“I guess that will be our first stop then. No point in putting it off,” Ming Jia Ying shrugged, making her best attempt at appearing aloof despite the competitive spirit burning in her chest. “Do we know anything about what form the contest will take?”
“The officials are being oddly tight lipped about it this year. That can mean one of two things, either they've come up with a new format they don't want to share or they're holding out for a bigger bribe. Could be both.” Ku Shen sighed, “All my operatives have been able to glean so far is that it will be testing your survival skills and will be taking place in the wild game forest outside the capital.”
“And what of the other teams? Any worth while competition?” Ming Jia Ying asked while wearing a facsimile of a bloodthirsty grin.
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If Ku Shen could tell the expression was forced he gave no indication. “In case you aren't aware, the rules state that no participants will exceed the age of thirty or have previous military experience...”
A peel of laughter from Tsubame interrupted the prince. “I served briefly in the Japanese army, but I won't tell if you don't,” she said with a wink and another giggle.
“Yes. Well. Perhaps it's best we keep that to ourselves,” he agreed, a cunning smile tugging at his lips. “As I was saying. The teams are limited to groups of three, so meeting you was providence. Due to the age restrictions, nearly all of the participants will be below the 33rd realm. From what I saw in the tavern, based on power alone you should place in the top ten teams. Many of these teams are newly formed, so if we include team cohesion you're easily in the top five. With a bit of luck, and me pulling strings behind the scenes, you could win the whole thing. Even so, there are a few note worthy teams registered already. Namely, Ku Yu Zhengzhong, Ku Qin Zemin, and Crown Prince Ku Xue.”
Ming Jia Ying smiled at the mention of Ku Qin Zemin but hid it behind her fist, giving the sense that she was carefully considering Ku Shen's words as he continued to elaborate, “According to my sources, Cousin Zhengzhong recently subdued a crime boss operating within the capital. Two of the boss' former enforcers will be joining Zhengzhong to make up his team. Reports indicate that one of the enforcers is a Ki refiner of modest skill. Cousin Zemin's team may be slightly weaker, but the man is a strategic nightmare. He is a cunning technician and his team composition implies he's already aware of the tournament location. He's a water cultivator, but he's bringing an earth cultivator and an ice cultivator. In the mountain forest there will be plenty of hard rocks and snow for them to use and the trees can provide cover while they close the distance. Not to mention the potential rock slides or avalanches they can cause or divert. Big Bro Xue, despite registering as a single man team, is the favorite to win. For good reason too, he's the only member of the younger generation to cross the 33rd realm. Loath as I am to admit it, he is a cultivation genius and the last few months he has been... determined...”
Ku Shen described a few other teams his reconnaissance reports had covered before moving on to the notable areas located within the imperial hunting grounds. His explanation was just wrapping up as they were pulling up to the registration office. A soon as the coach came to a halt Lin Liqin snapped awake, opened the door, and gracefully stepped out on to the street making the others question if he'd ever truly been asleep. With a small bow and a flourish he extended his hand back into the cab, “Your highness, the letter of sponsorship? If it pleases.”
Ku Shen was speechless for a moment before handing over the slip of paper. Lin Liqin turned to leave and Ming Jia Ying was quick to disembark, hot on his heels. Before Ku Shen could regain his composure Tsubame placed a hand to his cheek and made eye contact for a fleeting moment before disappearing through the doorway leaving a trail of giggles in her wake. Words failed the young prince as he simply shut the door and signaled for the driver to depart.
The bold teams had already registered and the more secretive teams were waiting until the last minute, as such the registration office was eerily empty except for a lone attendant manning the table. The man quickly and efficiently processed their paperwork and presented them with their badges before directing them to a nearby inn that had been reserved for participants.
Ming Jia Ying couldn't help but sigh as she looked at the team name on her badge. Tsubame had been the one to quickly fill out their forms and submitted them before the others had seen what she'd put. Lin Liqin just laughed, “The little prince is going to get his underwear in a twist when he sees this.”
“It will be fine,” Tsubame said dismissively. “I'll giggle and bat my eyes and he'll forget all about it. Little kids like him that are playing at being an adult are the easiest to manipulate. Just act like the biggest kid around and they melt in your hand.”
Sudden realization struck Ming Jia Ying, “Wait! You were acting just like that your first week at Tomo's. Were you manipulating me as well?”
“Of course not dear. You are much too smart for that,” said Tsubame in a doting voice that was overly exaggerated in a way that was obviously meant to mock rather than reassure. Her voice returned to normal, “Does it really matter? Look at us now, we're practically sisters.” She linked arms with the young girl pulling her towards a merchant stall selling animal masks. “What do you say we give that fiance of yours a surprise during the match?”
The three approached the inn wearing the masks Tsubame had picked out for them. Ming Jia Ying looked every bit her age with a white rabbit mask on. Meanwhile, Lin Liqin somehow made his hawk mask look quite fashionable and Tsubame continued to giggle from behind a truly adorable red panda mask that Ming Jia Ying had refused to wear.
Upon entering the building they found that the lobby was rather lively. Several groups of contestants were milling about socializing, likely in an attempt to feel out the competition or form tentative alliances. As they made their way to the center of the main foyer all eyes turned to them. Each fixed them with an appraising look. Many scoffed at their masks as their eyes roamed towards their badges. Most turned away immediately, but the braver individuals gave them a second glance after reading, “Ku Shen's Lesson Three.”