Chapter 74: Silent Steps

    ~~~

    Liu Jin and Lei Kong are each given a private room inside the Five Blessings Auction House. The building is well-equipped for receiving guests. Though it may be called an auction house, it is more accurate to call it the main headquarters of the Five Blessings Group in Five Bats City. The auctions just happen to draw the most attention.

    The room Liu Jin is given is opulent enough for him to know he is being treated well, but not so much that it becomes overly gaudy and uncomfortable to stay in. Its large, comfortable bed, muted colors, and classic furniture gives it a serious atmosphere, which Liu Jin finds himself favoring.

    As for Lei Kongs room, Liu Jin has not seen it. He doubts Lei Kong has either as the man seems intent on becoming his shadow.

    You have questions.

    Liu Jin does not bother looking up from his desk, his focus on the letter hes writing. Even if he did look at Lei Kong, hed just find him kneeling in the corner of the room. He has been doing that for the past hour.

    That is indeed the case, my lord.

    As Lei Kong speaks, Liu Jin puts down his writing brush and looks at what he has written so far. His eyes are halfway through the page when a dissatisfied hum leaves his mouth. His brow crinkles into a frown. A shake of his head. A click of his tongue. The paper is tossed away. Poison disintegrates it before it even hits the ground.

    A new sheet of paper is placed on the desk. The brush is inked. Soon enough, Liu Jin is writing again.

    How curious. I thought you were a tool. Since when does a tool ask questions?

    I

    It is fine, Liu Jin interrupts, his brush drawing a soft curve. You have tied your life to mine, allegedly.

    I wish my lord did not feel the need to add that last word.

    Wanting to know in which direction we are heading is completely natural, Liu Jin continues without missing a beat. Uncertainty is an ugly thing.

    Liu Jin hums a little tune as he reaches inside his spatial pouch and pulls out a talisman. It is one of many his master taught him how to make.

    For utility, Old Jiang had said. As Liu Jin sends out a jolt of Qi to activate it, he finds himself grateful for his masters foresight.

    That is!

    A talisman, yes, Liu Jin says, sounding bored as he lets go of the talisman and leaves it floating in the air. It will ensure we can talk without being overheard.

    The Five Blessings Group has proven far more reliable than Liu Jin had been expecting. Still, that doesnt mean he is about to let down his guard.

    Please, try not to sound so surprised at every little thing. It is rather annoying.

    The brush makes a soft noise as Liu Jin sets it down.

    It is a weird situation we are in. I know alienating you is probably the worst thing I can possibly do right now. Liu Jin finally turns away from the desk. Like it or not, I do depend on you. It is in my best interest to treat you well.

    Uncomfortable as it is to admit it, Lei Kong has been at his side ever since he woke up. If Lei Kong had lost his patience with him at any moment, he could have killed him. Thered have been little Liu Jin could have done about it.

    Even now, all Lei Kong would need to do is to attack him. It is unlikely Liu Jin would be able to react in time.

    And yet, I find it hard to suppress my dislike of you. To be more accurate, I cant find the will to do so. While it is heartening to know I am not without emotion, it is rather troublesome. Liu Jin drums his fingers against his left knee, lightly biting the inside of his cheek. Oh, well. No matter. You have questions. Go ahead and ask them. I do not feel like telling you my life story, but I will try to answer as best as I can. It is the least I could do.

    My lord, I Lei Kong trails off, unsure of how to continue. Perhaps it is because he is having a hard time deciding where to start. Perhaps it is because Liu Jins manner is simply that off-putting.

    Liu Jin wouldnt blame him for that. He finds himself rather off-putting as of late.

    On the bright side, he has been able to think about his Master without feeling any sorrow lately. That is certainly an upside to his condition.

    My lord, I will not question how it is that you have such a good relationship with the Five Blessings Group.

    Liu Jin blinks.

    Truly? I thought for sure that would be the first thing you were going to ask about.

    Lei Kong shakes his head.

    I will not deny I am curious, but it is as you say. I am a tool. There is no need for me to know about my lords past. My lord is clearly better connected than I had initially assumed. I acknowledge my error and ask forgiveness for my presumptuousness, Lei Kong says, bluntly and seriously, his face contrite. What I do wish to know, however, is what is it that my lord seeks to accomplish here? Certainly, we have been treated well, and selling that core will give my lord funds, yet I do not think that is all my lord is after. Am I wrong?

    Ho, rather insightful, arent you? Wasnt being a soldier a waste of your abilities? No, there is no need to answer that, Liu Jin adds when he sees Lei Kong about to open his mouth. It is as you say. Obtaining funds is only one of the reasons why we are here. There are three others.

    Liu Jin raises three fingers.

    First, I wanted to know if news of the attack on Eastern Port City had already reached this location.

    Five Bats City experiences a high amount of trade. Since people from all over the empire travel to and from the city, news from all over the Crimson Cloud Empire eventually make their way here. Despite that, Liu Jin has not heard a single thing about Eastern Port City being attacked. Not when walking through the streets and not when conversing with Branch Manager Bianfu.

    In other words, it is safe to assume the fate of Eastern Port City is still not public knowledge.

    Lei Kongs words he most likely wasnt wrong in implying only Liu Jin survived.

    Liu Jin takes a deep breath and wills himself to keep talking.

    Had that happened, Five Bats City would have been the safest place to stay while keeping an eye on the situation. Even now, staying in Five Bats City is probably for the best.

    Which isnt to say Five Bats City is the safest place for them to stay at. Far from it, really.

    Thatd have been New Moon Town.

    A small town several days away from Eastern Port City, lacking any resources that would make it attractive to an invading army. Had Liu Jin gone there, hed have been treated well. No one would have questioned his motives, and hed have easily been able to stay for as long as he wished to.

    However, that would have been nothing but hiding.

    Although... is what he is doing right now really so different?

    Tell me something, do you think your former comrades will keep pushing their way into the Crimson Cloud Empire?

    What? Lei Kong looks shocked before quickly shaking his head. No, my lord. I rather doubt it. Murong Bang is unfortunately not so foolish. The only reason he attacked Eastern Port City is that the Empyrean Crystals were a too tempting target. He and his army will most likely stay in the area until they have mined all of it then return to the Storm Dragon Empire.

    It was a stressful situation for you. A few heated words are easily overlooked. Seeing Chang Wei still doesnt look happy, Liu Jin adds, I accept your apology.

    Thank you. A content smile spreads across Chang Weis face. Not being able to apologize to Brother Liu has been bothering me all this time, so its good that you came here.

    Oh? You have been here since you left Eastern Port City then?

    Chang Wei nods happily.

    Yeah, some disciples chose to leave the school, but the rest all came here. After healing Brother Tians injury, it seemed easier to start over here than to return to Eastern Port City. Especially because of how things ended up there.

    A wise choice.

    For far more reasons than they realized.

    It is heartening to hear you were able to heal Cui Tian.

    Of course! We were able to find the Three-Hundred-Year Lotus right away. Chang Wei looks down and scratches the back of his head. To be honest, I was surprised by how helpful the Five Blessings Group ended up being. They gave us a huge discount on it. It is because of them that it was so easy for us to start over here.

    "Is that why you were doing that delivery just now?"

    Chang Wei nods happily.

    "Yes, occasionally, we receive jobs delivering merchandise or offering protection. The pay is pretty good, and usually, there''s no problem with deliveries inside the city. Master Shi is out right now, guarding a caravan, but I''m sure he''ll love to greet Brother Liu once he returns." Chang Wei brightens up immediately. "Ah, Brother Tian is definitely here, though! That''s where I''m heading right now! He''ll love to see Brother Liu! Maybe you can even have a match! Brother''s been growing fast since he recovered!"

    "That''d be an interesting experience. I never did get the chance to visit your first school."

    "What? Ah, no. Were not going to the new school. Brother Tian''s been spending all his time with this girl lately. Well, she''s the daughter of the doctor who healed him, so I can understand why he''d feel grateful, but he really should know better."

    As Chang Wei keeps talking, Liu Jin can''t help but think it is probably not gratitude that keeps bringing Cui Tian to this doctor''s daughter.

    "It''s here!" Chang Wei runs up a house and waves him over. "Brother Liu! Over here!"

    Chang Wei doesn''t waste any time knocking on the door. An older girl answers a few moments later. She is rather pleasing to the eyes with long black hair that is tied at the back of her neck and bright eyes.

    Chang Wei, she greets. She tries to sound happy, but Liu Jin can tell their intrusion is not entirely a welcome one. You are here early and you brought a guest.

    Liu Jin smiles and inclines his head.

    Greetings, I am an acquaintance of Chang Wei. It is a pleasure to meet you.

    Acquaintance, he says. Chang Wei throws an arm over his shoulder. Liu Jin tries not to flinch. Sis, you wont believe who Brother Liu is. Brother Tian! Get here! Look who I brought!

    Chang Wei! Cui Tians voice comes from inside the house. The young man appears at the door, looking far healthier than the last time Liu Jin had seen him. His powerful body barely fits through the door frame. You cannot shout like that. Think of the neighbors!

    He looks like hes about to say more but trails off when he lays eyes on Liu Jin. An instant later, Cui Tian laughs and, to Liu Jins surprise, catches him in a hug.

    What a blessed day! Cui Tian says, still hugging Liu Jin with enough force to lift him off his feet. Come here, Si Lan. Allow me to introduce you! Without this persons help, Id have never met you!

    Well, I can hardly be expected to greet him if you do not let go of him, the girl remarks teasingly. Cui Tian laughs and lets go of him. Liu Jin lets out a relieved sigh.

    The list of people Liu Jin is fine being hugged by is frighteningly short.

    It most certainly does not include Cui Tian.

    Am I correct in assuming you are the one who advised Master Shi to come to Five Bats City? If so, I must thank you, Si Lan says, bowing her head to him. Cui Tian has become very dear to me. Itd have been a shame if he had been left crippled.

    Please, theres hardly a need to thank me. Rather, wasnt it your father who performed the procedure? Liu Jin looks around, surprised the man has not come out of the house yet with all the noise theyve been making. Where is he? I should thank him for taking care of Cui Tian.

    Hes away!

    Hes sick!

    Two different answers by two different people are said at the same time. Si Lan and Cui Tian look at each other with panicked eyes.

    Hes sick, Si Lan insists. Cui Tian meant to say hes usually away at this time, but right now, hes sick. I am sorry, but I am afraid he cannot receive visitors. It is nothing serious, but nevertheless, he needs rest. I will make sure to transmit your thanks to him.

    Yes, that is what I meant! But what are we standing outside for? We should be celebrating! Come in! Come in! This is a happy occasion!

    Cui Tians smile and laugh.

    This time they sound forced.

    ~~~

    The meeting goes well enough. They sit and laugh and have a good time. It is late at night when Liu Jin leaves Si Lans house, promising Chang Wei and Cui Tian to meet again. Chang Wei even makes him promise to spar with him.

    Yes, today was undoubtedly a good day.

    However, Liu Jin cannot forget the wild, panicked eyes on Si Lans face when he asked about her father.

    They are definitely hiding something.

    It could be nothing important. It also could be none of his business. However, Liu Jin doesnt really feel like leaving this matter alone. He hops and lands on an empty roof.

    Lei Kong.

    Liu Jin only needs to say his name for him to appear kneeling before him.

    The steps of the thunder god, it seems, are remarkably silent.

    Yes, my lord?

    I need you to find out something for me.

    ~~~