~~~

    Of Imperial Cloud City’s many districts, those closest to the palace are, almost uniformly, residential areas. It is there where one can find the luxurious estates of the most important sects of the Empire, including those of the Four Great Sects. Though not as grand as the palace by design, these branches fulfill a critical role. They make it easy for the Emperor to discuss, negotiate, and, more often than not, mediate any issue that might arise between the various powers in the Crimson Cloud Empire.

    The tenth district is the lone exception to this. There are no grand mansions there. The smallest of all districts is exclusively dedicated to commerce. However, that does not mean it is a place of booming markets and busy streets. All the shops there are exclusively for the use of the elite, and only those with the right level of prestige and power are even allowed to enter.

    Among those establishments, the Five Blessings Auction House is arguably the greatest. Due to the capital’s centric location and heavy trade, there is very little one cannot obtain there. Every month, there will be a special auction that is accessible only through invitation. The imagination of the common man is not enough to conceive what occurs during these, but rumors do get out.

    Cui Tian of the Seven Leaves School is neither rich nor overly influential. Yet, that morning, like so many other mornings, he rides towards the Five Blessings Auction House at the head of a caravan. It is his job to protect the merchandise of the Five Blessings Group from bandits, Spirit Beasts, and other threats.

    He excels at it.

    Tall and powerfully built, Cui Tian makes the horse he is riding look like a pony. His head is shaved bald, and he has started to let his beard grow. Though initially not pleased about it, his wife seems to have grown to like it, a good thing since having a prodigious beard makes his job much easier. Most would-be bandits take in his appearance before noticing his cultivation level.

    “Brother Cui Tian,” one of the guards at the back entrance of the Five Blessings Auction House greets him. “I trust you had a good journey.”

    “It was pleasant enough,” Cui Tian replies as his horse comes to a stop and the rest of the caravan with him. At once, everyone starts working on unloading all the merchandise. “A few attacks, but those ended as usual.”

    Quickly, decisively, and with fewer bandits in the world.

    The guard snorts a laugh. “Ah, there’s always a pack of idiots who want to try their luck. By the way, we received word that Brother Chang arrived safely to his destination. He might make it back in time for the tournament.”

    “Yeah, but only to watch,” Cui Tian says, making the guard laugh some more. It is well known that Chang Wei is annoyed that he aged out of the participation range. “Still, that is good news.”

    He should take him out for drinks when he returns. If he returns quickly enough, maybe they’ll go watch the finals together.

    “Speaking of good news,” the guard says, “the bosses were talking the other day. I think there’s a promotion coming for you, though I suppose as far as good news goes, it pales compared to the one you already received.”

    As the guard waggles his eyebrows at him, the smile on Cui Tian’s face grows into something that can only be called goofy. The expression looks completely out of place on a man who can, and had on one occasion, crush someone’s skull like a grape, yet it comes from the bottom of his heart. He cannot wait to be home with Si Lan, his wife.

    His pregnant wife.

    A goofy giggle escapes his mouth, making the other members of the caravan shake their heads at the man. Still, they are happy for him. Each had done their best to ensure their friend will be with his wife when his child is born.@@@@

    Without a doubt, Cui Tian is a lucky man.

    And yet, there was a time when that wasn’t the case.

    Cui Tian still remembers his darkest hours. He remembers nearly losing his cultivation to the cruel whims of someone stronger. He remembers the support of his master and fellow disciples who moved out of Eastern Port City with him to find the cure. He remembers the kindness of the Five Blessings Group, who not only gave him what he needed to heal but also employed him and the rest of the Seven Leaves School, giving them the direction and protection they desperately needed.

    More importantly, Cui Tian remembers Him.

    “Go to your wife,” The guard says, smiling. “The others and I already talked about it. We can handle the rest here.”

    “Are you sure?” Cui Tian asks the guard. “Unloading anything will only take an extra hour...”

    “I already told you we agreed on it,” the guard says before frowning when he notices Cui Tian seems to be staring at one of the windows in a daze. “Something wrong?”

    “No,” Cui Tian replies immediately. His mind must have been playing tricks on him. That couldn’t have been... “Anyway, if you are all agreed, I suppose it would be rude not to take advantage of your kindness.”

    Cui Tian cannot wait to be with his wife.

    ~~~

    “Ho? Did you find something interesting?”

    Liu Jin looks at Song Daiyu’s green eyes, mentally debating with himself before answering.

    “A friend asked me for a favor,” Liu Jin says. “It is part of the reason I am here today.”

    “Hm, so that request for the banquet wasn’t just for some bold and unreasonably daring plan of yours?”

    Of the many festivities, both official and unofficial, that precede the Crimson Cloud Tournament, the banquet at the Imperial Palace is the last before the tournament begins. Nominally, it is a gathering of all those who intend to compete. In reality, only the Four Great Sects and those directly allied with them are expected to attend. Anyone else would just expose themselves to shame, ridicule, and ignominy.

    “I am afraid my bold and daring plan will come much later. You will most likely not notice it,” Liu Jin says.

    Song Daiyu stares at him, waiting for him to elaborate.

    He does not.

    “You do this on purpose,” she accuses him.

    “I might do it on purpose.” Liu Jin admits, but teasing Song Daiyu brings him no joy today.

    Even though the way she crosses her arms and humphs is rather cute.

    “I’ll add that to your balance,” she promises. “But fine. Your friend asked for a favor, and it’s clearly not beyond your ability to grant. What is the problem? Did he not offer suitable payment?”

    Liu Jin groans and leans forward so his forearms rest over his knees. “That’s the problem. He did. He knows I can help him because I am the Emperor of the Storm Dragon Empire. His pride would never allow him to ignore that, so he could not ask me for the favor as a friend.”

    It is not something he should be surprised about. The relationship between him and Xiao Fang was never horizontal. In Eastern Port City, Xiao Fang had been the Young Master of the Xiao Sect while he had been the son of the local doctor. Marrying his sister lessened the distance between them somewhat, but Xiao Fang’s position was always something Liu Jin kept in mind when dealing with him.

    The difference now is that he is the one in the superior position. Liu Jin knew that already, yet having it thrown on his face like that was not something he enjoyed.

    “Is that really such a bad thing?” Song Daiyu asks him. “Every relationship is transactional in nature. Look at us. Through you, I gain access to the Storm Dragon Empire, and through me, you gain access to the Five Blessings Group.”

    And yet, that does not make their friendship any less genuine.

    She does not say it, but he understands her intent.

    “I know I am being difficult. I should be happy that being Emperor means I can help Xiao Fang. Instead, I can only think that I can help him because I am Emperor.” Liu Jin chuckles. “Don’t tell anyone this, but even though I keep saying I don’t like being called Emperor, at some point, I have become glad that I am.”

    “Power is nice, isn’t it?”

    “It is, Liu Jin replies seriously, wiping off her smile. “If I wasn’t Emperor, I probably wouldn’t be able to marry Xiao Shuang and Lu Mei. Their Sects would never allow it. However, because I am, not only am I able to, but everyone expects and encourages me to do it. I am powerful, so I can be happy. I am powerful, so I can make them happy. If I wasn’t... I’d have to make one of them unhappy. I don’t think I’d like that.”

    An odd look crosses Song Daiyu’s face. It is intense yet utterly inscrutable to him.

    “You,” Song Daiyu says, “are a very unfair man. And you do not even know how unfair you are. Do you realize you are complaining about your good fortune to my face? To a merchant’s face!”

    Liu Jin smiles sadly. “Is it unseemly of me, huh?”

    “Despot! Tyrant! Monster!” Song Daiyu says, pointing at him. “You have no idea how much I am going to overcharge you one day.”

    “That bad?”

    “A lifetime debt. Maybe more,” she promises.

    ~~~