Ave Xia Rem Y

~~~

“If you are an assassin, I am afraid I will have to kill you. It is unfair of me. I know. I deal with people much worse than assassins every other day. Yet, instead of throwing them to the dungeons and letting them kill each other so the world might be a more silent place, I greet them with open arms and mediate their many childish issues. If I must do that for them, you’d think an assassin would merit lands, riches, and women. It’s all so tiresome.”

Liu Jin blinks.

Xiang Zuolin, Emperor of the Crimson Cloud Empire, sits alone in his throne room. His legs are stretched out, and his arms hang loosely to his sides. His head is tilted back far enough that he is staring at the ceiling with a look of distinct annoyance and resignation. The aura of gloom around the man is so intense that it is nearly visible.

“I am not an assassin, Your Majesty,” Liu Jin says. His body blurs as he steps out of the shadows and bows in front of the Emperor. “Granny Zhao would not have let me inside if I was.”

“Oh, do not discount it. When I was young, she often allowed assassins to try their luck. I am pretty sure she hired some of them just so I’d get experience. A pity she never did the same with beautiful women,” the Emperor says. Slowly and reluctantly, he brings the upper half of his body forward to look at Liu Jin. “...Are you sure you are not an assassin? You stand like one. I am fairly certain you move like one. You are more assassin-like than people who have tried to kill me.”

“I am fairly sure I am not an assassin.”

The Emperor sighs. His whole body slumps back into his throne. It is a very undignified position, yet Liu Jin does not feel the Emperor has let his guard down in the slightest.

“What a pity,” the Emperor says. “It has been decades since the last time I unwound. Oh well, what are you here for? If you wish to ask for a favor, I have none to give. If you want me to mediate any issue, I will warn you I am terribly biased. If there is a grievance you must air, I might fall asleep while you do so.”

“None of those, Your Majesty. My name is Qing Jin, Emperor of the Storm Dragon Empire,” Liu Jin says. “There is a matter of great urgency I must discuss with you.”

Emperor Xiang stares at him.

“Is there any chance you meant to say that you are an emissary of the Emperor of the Storm Dragon Empire?”

“I am afraid not.”

“Of course,” Emperor Xiang says, shaking his head. “The ruler of another nation enters my country and my city without anyone knowing about it, and the person who should be helping me decides to let him sneak into my throne room. Why not?”

“Your Majesty, you are in the Emperor Realm. I am not,” Liu Jin points out. “We both know I am not a threat to you.”

“What I know is that I have been deliberately increasing the strength of my aura since the moment you opened your mouth, yet you remain at ease. I know people centuries your senior who would already be having trouble breathing. You are too comfortable in an Emperor’s presence for me to be comfortable in yours, Your Majesty.”

Emperor Xiang is still sprawled over his throne. Gloom hangs around him like a well-worn cloak. That has not changed.

However, the look on his eyes is by no means dull.

It is not that Liu Jin had not realized that Emperor Xiang was increasing the strength of his aura. He’d just assumed it was happening due to the stress. ᚱἈN𝘖ꞖĚŠ

“I suppose I am already used to Emperors who show little regard for the effect of their presence,” Liu Jin says.

“Those are words that should be said by no one.”

“It is hardly that impressive. If His Majesty were to use the full might of his Qi, I wouldn’t be able to breathe right now. This much is remarkably restrained of you.”

“Everything you say just makes it worse.” Emperor Xiang covers his face with his hands and rubs his eyes. “Enough. What motive did you deem important enough to trespass?”

“I am sure you already know there are several interests surrounding the Crimson Cloud Tournament,” Liu Jin says, then thinks a little more and adds, “More so than usual.”

“I suppose the possible appearance of the Wandering Wind does merit calling this tournament more interesting than usual, but what of it?” Emperor Xiang asks him. “The Crimson Cloud Tournament has always been a cause of headaches for me. Right now, thousands of people all over the city are plotting and scheming so their chosen children will be more effective at destroying each other. If you wish to invite me into any plot, I am afraid I have lost the taste for them.”

“I do not seek your participation, Your Majesty,” Liu Jin says. “I merely seek to inform you of what might happen in the coming weeks. Since I might end up causing some of these events, I thought it would be too brazen if I did not give any notice to the ruler of this nation.”

The Emperor stares at him.@@novelbin@@

“This is a new one,” Emperor Xiang says, rubbing his chin. “I am not sure if you are being considerate or brazenly disrespectful. I am starting to think you have managed to be both.”

“I apologize.”

“Don’t. This is new, and I am not altogether displeased by it. I am considering kicking you out of my country, but the Eternal Flame Clan would probably complain. That’s never ideal.” Emperor Xiang’s mouth twitches left and right as though he were chewing on something. “Alright, speak. What is so important?

Liu Jin does.

The Emperor spends the next several minutes cursing and pacing around the throne room.

~~~

Unfortunately for the Emperor–or fortunately, depending on how one looks at it–the time he can devote to ranting and complaining about things is soon shortened. As the Crimson Cloud Tournament approaches, the delegations from the more prestigious Sects of the Empire begin to arrive.

The Golden Fist, the Purple Scrolls, the Red Sky Pavilion, and more arrive one after another. The people make huge crowds just to get a glimpse of them. Each one has made it to the Top One Hundred Sects of the Empire on multiple occasions. As such, they are important enough to merit a private audience with the Emperor upon arriving.

Then, there are the Four Great Sects.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

The Four Great Sects do not enter through the main gates like the others. No, such would be far too plebeian for the likes of them. They must do things differently so that they might impress their superiority upon the masses. Who knows? Perhaps they would die if they forgot to do it for even one blessed minute.

The Eternal Flame Clan arrives first. Perhaps because they placed fourth during the last tournament. While the others are free to arrive in any order, it is an unspoken rule that one who placed the worst out of the four must arrive first so their entry will not take away from the others. One afternoon, the people of Imperial Cloud City are treated to the sight of wagons with wheels of fire blazing trails across the sky. Children who are too young to remember the last tournament have to be reassured by their parents that the flames are not about to rain down on them and burn their homes.

The Endlessly Raging Valley is far more measured. Their whole delegation arrives atop a golden cloud that showers the city with harmless sparks, much to the delight of the children who spend the whole day chasing after them. The Divine Frozen Palace comes in a dark carriage pulled by about a dozen gigantic horses made of ice. The ice creatures gallop across the skies, significantly dropping the city’s temperature for a whole day.

Of course, that is still preferable to the Infinite Mountain Sect.

It happens during one unassuming morning. The whole of Imperial Cloud City is awoken by a sudden quake. Screams rise as people step outside their homes and see a bridge made of solid rock literally form over their houses, casting them in its shadow. Above it, twenty interconnected wagons made of bronze speed towards the palace. Only when they reach it does the rock bridge disappear.

Until the Crimson Cloud Tournament begins, the people of Imperial Cloud City will talk endlessly about which Sect had the best entrance. However, those outlandish entrances are merely the beginning. The Emperor and all those who live in the districts close to the palace understand how thoroughly annoying the coming days are going to be.

Within five days of the disciples of the Four Great Sects arriving, there are reports of at least six tense encounters occurring despite the best efforts of the tournament organizers. It can be no other way. With enmities as ancient as theirs, their paths are always inevitably on a collision course.

One of those incidents, in particular, stands out above the rest…

~~~

It happens in the Imperial Park, a place frequented by the wealthiest in the city and where their children often go to play, usually accompanied by one or more servants. However, the laughter of children does not ring that morning. Everyone is silent and unmoving. They hold their breaths as they watch the scene unfold before them.

Two young women stand before one another, each accompanied by a full retinue of servants. One of the young women has red hair and golden eyes. Her face is beautiful, and the red dress she wears accentuates her impressive figure, drawing the gaze of more than one person. She is alluring like fire, yet the people feel that if they approached her, they would not fare any better than a moth drawn to flames.

The woman in front of her is her opposite in more than one way. Her face is hidden behind a veil, and blue robes conceal her figure. Only her snow-white hair and glimpses of her milky skin can be seen, yet everyone in the park somehow knows her beauty is not inferior to that of the red-haired woman.

Lu Mei of the Eternal Flame Clan.

Xiao Shuang of the Divine Frozen Palace.

Neither of them is exerting anywhere close to the full might of their Qi. Yet, even that is enough to cause significant discomfort to those near. Hot and cold clash against each other, creating small whirlwinds around the park. One wise maid grabs her young charge and flees.

Doubtlessly, she will receive a raise in the future.

“Well, well, well,” Lu Mei says, smirking. “This is a surprise. I was so sure the Divine Frozen Palace would let you keep gathering dust in your room. Are you sure you are okay with this much open space? Perhaps we can find a box for you to hide in until the tournament finishes. You ladies of the Divine Frozen Place do love to hide yourselves from the rest of the world, perhaps to keep others from noticing your lack of substance.”

More than one person gasps.

It is natural for disciples of the Four Great Sects to have tense and uncomfortable encounters, yet Lu Mei’s provocation is so blatant she might as well have walked over to Xiao Shuang and slapped her across the face. It is no exaggeration to say generational conflicts have started for less. People shiver as the temperature drops, and the aura around Xiao Shuang darkens. Even her aides are torn between feeling anger on behalf of their mistress and feeling threatened by her.

“I am surprised as well,” Xiao Shuang says, her voice soft but with a hint of steel, “I would have thought you would be staying in the pleasure district. Surely, it would be more suitable for someone like you to stay with the rest of your kind.”

A shocked look crosses Lu Mei’s face, yet it is immediately replaced by a smirk.

“How like the Divine Frozen Palace to equate affection and passion with whorishness. Your men must truly be miserable. I suppose that is why I live with Emperor Qing Jin, and you do not.”

“My husband,” Xiao Shuang says, stressing the term, “is free to have whatever distractions he deems necessary to relieve himself from the stresses of rulership. It is immaterial. There is a reason why I am his wife, and you’re not.”

Even more people gasp. There had been rumors regarding the Emperor of the Storm Dragon Empire and his relationship with the Divine Frozen Palace. However, they had been just that, rumors. It was known he was engaged to a daughter of the Feng Clan, so how could he be involved with the Divine Frozen Palace as well? No man could be that lucky!

Yet, the people cannot deny what their ears have just heard. Not only is the Emperor of the Storm Dragon Empire involved with a woman of the Divine Frozen Palace, he is apparently married to her!

“You sound so confident,” Lu Mei says. The air in the park warms slightly. “Yet, he has not made you Empress. Are you so confident in the position of wife that you have not realized how brittle your relationship is?”

“Ice is not brittle!”

“I am sure you will find anything built on ice melts all too easily when the right heat is applied.”

“And you will find flames are snuffed out in the frozen cold.”

~~~

“I sincerely apologize!”

Lu Mei blinks as Xiao Shuang’s image in the mirror repeatedly bows her head to her.

“Whatever for?” she asks, shifting a little to make herself comfortable on the bed. “Certainly, your delivery could have used more polish, but it was believable enough.”

“But I said so many awful things!” Xiao Shuang protests, utterly mortified. “I basically called you a… a…”

She could not even say it. Adorable.

“It is hardly the worst thing I have ever been called,” Lu Mei says. “Besides, we agreed on it. Do you see me apologizing?”

“Even so,” Xiao Shuang says, “was this truly necessary?”

Lu Mei considers the question and waves her hand in a so-so motion.

“If I reported to the Eternal Flame Clan that I find you agreeable, they would think the Divine Frozen Palace is plotting something.”

“You could have just said we are friends just now.”

“I could have.”

Xiao Shuang pouts. “Fine. It pains me to say it, but the Divine Frozen Palace would be suspicious if I were to report no conflicts with you. Maybe not my master, but the rest of them would. Considering your background and reputation, they would have more cause for suspicion.”

Lu Mei smiles approvingly. “See? You can do it if you try. This satisfies everyone.”

The rumors of their encounter would spread throughout the city and beyond, reassuring everyone that they were doing their job and vying for Qing Jin’s favor.

“Besides,” Lu Mei adds, “there are other benefits. Or am I wrong?”

Lu Mei’s smile widens when Xiao Shuang looks away.

“Two people approached me hours after the incident,” Xiao Shuang reluctantly admits. “The servants have notified me that messages have arrived from other parties that wish to set up a meeting.”

“Oh, is one of them my mother? I would love the opportunity to humiliate her again.”

“...Why are you like this?” Xiao Shuang asks.

“Oh, that’s a conversation far too long to have right now,” Lu Mei says with false cheer. “Regardless, you see how this is useful, right? As long as we keep up the pretense, we are each other’s strongest opposition, meaning those against us will seek the other. Controlled opposition is no opposition at all!”

“The deceit bothers me, but I must admit its effectiveness,” Xiao Shuang says, her white eyebrows furrowed. “It would be bothersome if we had to deal with so many would-be foes one at a time. Although that still leaves…”

She does not finish. She does not need to.

The smile on Lu Mei’s face falls off.

Some things cannot be controlled no matter what, and unfortunately, one of them decided to put Qing Jin in her sights.

~~~