~~~
Elder Xue told him to lay low and wait for instructions. That order was most assuredly given for Liu Jins benefit. He had distinguished himself far too quickly, and the Eternal Fla Clan is no longer the sa place it was even a few weeks ago. Bu Jings actions showed how far so people were willing to go to remove Liu Jin. A harsher person might have confined him to the Apothecary for his own good.
That woman is going to be cross with you for this.
Liu Jin takes a deep breath. Down below, the Eternal Fla Clans compound stretches endlessly. A sea of white with tiny islands scattered throughout, each one separated from the other by a vast distance. What he is doing right now is completely at odds with what Elder Xue ordered, yet he cannot turn back.
I am aware of it.
And yet, you choose to go through with it. That does not make your actions any better. Quite the opposite, really.
Scree.
Soaring Feathers interjection earns him a flat stare from Liu Jin. Impressed as he is by Soaring Feathers understanding of the human language, that he sides with Lu i stings a bit.
Even if they are both right.
Rather than staying in the dical Pavilion, Liu Jin and Lu i soar high on Lu is flying carpet. Far too high up to have to worry about the Internal Force. Most of their mbers lack the ans to reach this altitude. Next to them, Soaring Feather enjoys the opportunity to stretch his wings.
I apologize.
Oh? Lu i crosses her arms. For doing this or for being here? The forr would be novel. The latter would be unneeded. You did not ask to co with you. I chose to do so because I could no longer stand having to hide away.
After expelling all that fire in their office, Lu is condition has greatly improved. Liu Jin examined her body for any traces of Fla Qi, and though there is a part deep within Lu i where the Eternal Fla still shines, it does not look as though she is in danger of bursting into flas anyti soon. Once more, Lu i is free to move about as she pleases.
Indeed, a pleased sigh escapes Lu i as she closes her eyes and lets her body sway in tune with the wind. The sight draws a smile from Liu Jin.
Truly, the outside suits best.
I do not disagree. That is not why I am apologizing.
What for then?
"I apologized for not warning you of what would beco of the dical Pavilion before. However, I did not comprehend how much danger that placed you in back then. I did not realize just how much you risk by becoming involved with the affairs of the Eternal Fla Clan."
Because Lu i wields the Eternal Fla.
Neither knows exactly what that ans, but it is bound to be significant.
"Even if you had warned to stay out of the dical Pavilion that day, I would have picked a side regardless," Lu i replies, shaking her head. "Neutrality is not looked upon favorably by either side right now. In a way, being there worked out for the best."
"That does not change what I did was wrong."
"True. I reject your apology."
Liu Jin blinks. "What?"
"What?" Lu i raises an eyebrow at him. "Do you really think I am a woman who forgives and forgets easily? Now that you have made realize your poor manner, I must rescind all forr pardons."
I distinctly recall soone calling herself magnanimous.
And I distinctly recall saying it is a womans prerogative to change her mind. I was magnanimous then. Now I am cruel and terrible, Lu i counters without an ounce of sha. Do you really believe my forgiveness could be purchased by re words forever?
Purchased? Liu Jin echoes, head tilting to the side. If not words, then what coin will you take?
Lu i makes a show of thinking about it, humming thoughtfully while tapping her chin with a single, dainty finger.
I suppose I could always ask you to teach Ceaselessly Refining Breath. I had always been curious about it, but no. Hearing about your wife will suffice. Tell more of her.
Liu Jin almost chokes. He ets Lu is eyes and finds there is no trace of levity there.
Why the sudden interest? He asks, suddenly not comfortable with being confined to a flying carpet with Lu i.
When you first ntioned her, I found her inconvenient, but only for a while. Upon reflection, it occurred to that I had little to worry about, Lu i admits with an easy shrug. We are both mbers of the Eternal Fla Clan. The existence of a re provincial girl did not change that. Even if you were, for so inane reason, attached to her, shed ultimately be but a speck of dust in your life.
A speck of dust in his life.
A callous way to think of soone, yet it was a natural assumption for Lu i to make. At the age of fourteen, Liu Jin already nears the True Realm. It is a trendous achievent that marks him as a staggering talent. Lu i is in a similar category. Assuming neither ets an untily end, the most conservative estimates of their lifespans will still be asured in centuries.
In a hundred years, when most people will already be showing signs of age, Lu i and Liu Jin will still be enjoying their youth. Why should Lu i be worried about so girl she knew nothing about? Why would she ever consider Xiao Shuang might be a cultivator on the sa level as her?
Lu is eyes narrow. Her hand takes hold of his.
But now I know she is a disciple of the Divine Frozen Palace.
Under other circumstances, Liu Jin would be impressed by how quickly Lu i has picked up transmitting her thoughts and feelings through Qi.
What do you wish to know? He asks her, his voice a mix of tired and resigned.
The emotions that swirl inside him, however, are far more confusing.
If your wife truly is a mber of the Divine Frozen Palace, why join the Eternal Fla Clan? No one knew of you here, yet it was the Eternal Fla Clan that you chose. Even if the Eternal Fla Clan has a stake in the Storm Dragon Empire, would it not have been natural to seek the Divine Frozen Palaces aid?
I considered it, Liu Jin admits. Even after making his choice, he had considered it. However, it is entirely possible that the Divine Frozen Palace would not even take my marriage to one of their mbers into consideration.
Certainly, Xiao Shuang is the disciple of one of the Five Fairies of the Divine Frozen Palace, but that does not guarantee they would hear his plea. ng Yue certainly hadnt seed to think much of him the one ti they t. And why should she?
His marriage to her disciple was simply a matter of convenience.
Besides Liu Jin sighs. I did not wish to cause undue trouble for her.
That is why sending a ssage was all he had allowed himself to do.
The truth is, though we were married, it all happened when we were children. We said many things to each other, but the words of children have very little weight. From the beginning, it was assud we wouldnt see each other again.
Months.
That is the ti he and Xiao Shuang had spent with each other. Not even a full year. re months. The ti that had passed since he and Xiao Shuang parted ways more than exceeded the ti they had been together.
Yet, all the tis I have heard you speak of her, you do it with fondness, Lu i points out, her amber eyes peering into his. Even though the wind blows with great force this high up, none of it touches Lu i or Liu Jin. It is as if the wind itself has decided to avoid them, leaving them trapped in a false calm.
I am fond of her.
Their fingers are interlaced. Their Qi flows freely. Liu Jin could lie to Lu i and hide his feelings, but he doesnt. He is as open to her as she is to him, both fully exposed to the other.
Do you love her?
Liu Jin takes a mont to think. A quickly given answer would not satisfy either Lu i or himself.
I am not sure I know what love is, he says at last. Not in the sense you are asking, at least.
He understands the love of a father to his son and the love of a son to his father. He understands love for ones master and even even love for an older sibling.
Romantic love that he has much less experience with.
Do you wish to see her again?
This question is far easier to answer. Liu Jin does not even have to think about it.
I do. I am not sure what will happen, but I think it is the only proper way to settle things.
What Xiao Shuang will say, and what he will feel. Whether she will bla him as he blas himself. Those are things he can only find out by eting her once more. Until that happens, that aspect of his life will remain frozen.
Static.
Lu i sighs.
It really annoys that I am more like my mother than I thought.
Liu Jins grip on her hand tightens.
I have no intention of ever treating you so poorly.
Oh? She raises a skeptical eyebrow, yet her body leans against his. I thought you did not know what love is?
I dont. Liu Jin turns to look at her. That doesnt an I dont wish to find out.
Their gazes lock on to each other, faces growing closer as their lips et. Slowly but with passion.
They do not co down for a while.
~~~
Khong Hu first ntioned the Technique Hall when he gave Liu Jin and Huang Shing a tour of the Eternal Fla Clans compound. However, today is the first ti Liu Jin lays eyes on it.
The Technique Hall is a round three-story building without doors or windows. The surface of the building is smooth and made of the sa obsidian surrounding the main house. Were it not for its square tiled roof, the building would form a perfect circle when viewed from above.
It is here where the Eternal Fla Clan keeps knowledge of all manner of techniques stored. Disciples can be granted access to the contents of the building through the use of points. The more points one uses, the more valuable the techniques he is allowed to access. Disciples who have distinguished themselves can also be given access to the Technique Hall as a reward.
It is here where Elder Xun, the mightiest and oldest of the Elders, resides. As alluring as the contents of the Technique Hall are, it is not a place one can approach with half-hearted resolve.
At least, that is what Liu Jin had assud.
If the crowd of disciples gathered around the Technique Hall is any indication, Liu Jins assumptions clearly need revising.
For so reason, there is also a pyre burning off to the side.
I was not expecting this, Lu i says, echoing his thoughts as the two land in front of the building. Soaring Feather lands on the roof, right next to a stone statue of so mythical bird. The eagle takes one look at his stone counterpart and snorts contemptuously.
It is certainly odd.
Most disciples are sitting on the ground, all of them holding sothing too small to make out in one hand and a tiny brush on the other. The cobblestones are stained by ink, and one brush breaks every thirty seconds, prompting muttered and not-so-muttered curses from the disciples. One disciple throws the broken pieces of his brush into the horizon and stomps on the ground hard enough to crack the cobblestone. After taking a few deep breaths, he goes to pick another brush from a large pile and sits down once more.
Welco.
Unlike the other disciples around them, the one who approaches Liu Jin and Lu i is not holding any brushes. He is tall and dark-haired. His eyes are a little too large for him to be called handso, and his face a little too placid to put anyone at ease.
He is in the First Level of the Heaven Realm.
This ones na is Mud. The disciple bows his head to them. Welco to the Technique Hall. If you bring any gifts, please throw them to the fire.
Lu i and Liu Jin blink in unison.
Mud?
Gifts?
Very good questions, The disciple says with a slow nod of his head. Master Xun told this one, You are mud nearly two centuries ago. Who is Mud to argue with the wisdom of an Elder? Perhaps one day, sothing good will grow from this one. Until then, this one is Mud.
More blinking.
As for the gifts, Mud looks at the burning pyre. There have been many cases of people trying to earn Master Xuns favor through extravagant gifts. In his great wisdom, Master Xun decided to show them what he thinks of such tactics. Any gift sent to Master Xun is sent to the pyre. So please, if you have any gifts, throw them there. It would be unpleasant if you were to try to sneak them in.
I see.
We did not bring any gifts, Lu i adds, feeling about as put out as he does.
Wise. Mud nods in a sagely manner. Then do you perhaps wish to join the Technique Hall like the others?
Is that what they are doing? Liu Jin asks, struggling to keep his voice even.
Quite. Mud nods again. No doubt they seek refuge under Master Xun's shadow to escape the brewing conflict between Patriarch Fengs sons. However, Master Xun is under no obligation to accept the unworthy. Only those who pass his test will be considered.
I see Liu Jin says, feeling more uncertain with every passing mont. What exactly does this test consist of?
Rice painting.
Rice painting? It is a puzzled Lu i who asks a question this ti.
Rice writing would be a more accurate term, I suppose, Mud clarifies. You see, each one of the disciples here has been given a grain of rice. They must succeed in writing at least 20 characters in the rice. Without the use of Qi, of course. There would be little rit in such a feat.
Twenty characters.
On a grain of rice.
Even with Qi, the feat would require an impressive amount of control. Liu Jin would need at least hours to succeed.
Without it
How long have these people been here? Lu i gives voice to the question forming in Liu Jin's head.
Weeks, Mud says. A few have even been here for months. The ones you see here are the persistent ones. Most give up in a matter of days. Shall I fetch you a bag of rice and ink so that you may begin your trial?
That will not be necessary. Liu Jin holds out his hand. This is all too weird for him. We did not co here to join the Technique Hall.
Oh? For the first ti, a glimr of interest shines in Muds eyes. You do not co bearing gifts. You do not co to join. Why are you here then?
I-
We, Lu i interjects.
We seek an audience with Elder Xun, Liu Jin says.
Huh. Mud lightly rocks back on his heels. How thoroughly unexpected. Very well. I shall inquire for you. Wait here.
Mud turns around. As he approaches the building, the stone becos like water, allowing him to pass through. As soon as he does, the obsidian turns solid.
You do not have to co with , Liu Jin says.
On the contrary, soone has to try to keep you alive.
I am touched.
Not much, I hope. Rest assured, many of my reasons for doing this are perfectly self-serving. If you die, who else will offer his uninterested and reliable aid? Such a combination of services is quite a commodity.
The obsidian shimrs once more. Mud steps out from it. Had he spoken with Elder Xun so quickly?
I must admit to so surprise, Mud says. He tilts his head to the side in an unmistakably owl-like way, as if sohow looking at them from a different angle would reveal sothing to him.
He steps to the side, leaving the way open.
Master Xun has decided to receive you. You are free to enter.
You will not accompany us? Lu i asks, surprised. It could be said that a disciple in the Heaven Realm had better things to do than guide a couple of Inner Disciples, but by the sa token, a Heaven Realm cultivator had better things to do than to spend all his ti watching disciples trying to write on rice.
That was not within my orders. Do not worry. The path to Master Xun should be fairly obvious.
Through it all, Mud never takes his eyes off them, and he never bothers straightening his neck.
Oh, and one more thing Do not peek.
~~~
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