~~~
“Are you certain?”
Xiao Nan nods. The look on his face is grave.
“Completely, Little Brother. Even more so now that I am here,” he says. “The feeling is too similar to be a coincidence.”
The two are in Liu Jin’s study, away from prying eyes. Xiao Nan arrived at the palace wounded and covered in hastily applied bandages and ointment, much to Xiao Shuang’s dismay. However, rather than allowing his injuries to be treated, Xiao Nan demanded to speak with Liu Jin in private.
Liu Jin understands why now. He closes his eyes and reaches out to the Storm Dragon, awakening the slumbering Shadow. Those in the palace only feel the slightest of tremors running through the walls, but Liu Jin feels how the enormity of his presence fills the room. It is as if an entire reality has been created between these four walls, infinite in majesty and boundless in scope.
And so very angry.
Liu Jin winces as the Storm Dragon’s emotions wash over him. His Qi rises as the Divinity’s wrath becomes so loud that it starts to overwhelm his own thoughts. This is exactly why he didn’t want to do this.
“Are you-”
“I am all right,” Liu Jin says, even though he is obviously not. His body is covered in sweat, and his hand has grabbed hold of the wall to steady himself. “He’s just a little loud. However…You were right.”
Xiao Nan frowns.
“I didn’t want to be.”
Xiao Yifan only visited Eastern Port City a scant few times while she was alive, and all of them were before either Liu Jin or Xiao Nan was born. No one has ever heard of her going to the Storm Dragon Empire. By most accounts, the woman who tried to usurp the Xiao Sect spent the past few decades of her life inside Imperial Cloud City.
How could a woman like that have gotten her hands on the power of the Qing bloodline?
The Storm Dragon is usually aware of all who inherit his power. Even though Liu Jin’s father mutilated his own soul, the Storm Dragon remained aware of him. However, it was only during Xiao Yifan’s battle with Xiao Nan that she finally used enough power for the Storm Dragon to notice her, however faint the connection might have been. It was like a tree noticing a branch that should never have been there.
If Xiao Yifan weren’t already dead, the Storm Dragon would be demanding that he go to the Crimson Cloud Empire and finish the job.
“The Storm Dragon has been active ever since my Uncle was left in charge of the Empire,” Liu Jin says while exchanging thoughts with the Storm Dragon. “In all that time, Xiao Yifan has never been in the palace. If she ever was, it would have to have been before that.”
Xiao Nan frowns.
“You mean during Doctor Liu’s time as the Black Dragon?”
Liu Jin smiles. It’s a small thing, but the fact that Xiao Nan still thinks of his father as Doctor Liu first makes him happy. There are not many people left who knew him as a doctor.
“It is possible, but also not necessary,” Liu Jin says. “We already suspected Xiao Yifan was in contact with the Endlessly Raging Valley, right?”
“Being in the capital, my aunt had more opportunities to speak to them,” Xiao Nan says, nodding.
“Murong Bang had dealings with the Endlessly Raging Valley,” Liu Jin says. “He sold slaves to them.”
Xiao Nan looks at him sharply. He understands the implication in Liu Jin’s words. It is too clear not to be understood.
“Do you really think they can be connected to the attack?” Xiao Nan asks him. He tries to sound dubious and only halfway succeeds. Doubt is too strong a poison for one’s mind. “Everything I have learned about that man does not paint him as someone who’d follow anyone’s orders. My Aunt was grandstanding. We are all prone to it. Besides, that still wouldn’t explain how she got that power.”
“I know. I know,” Liu Jin says, running a hand through his hair. “It was just a stray thought.”
But what if…
No, he cannot think too much about it.
“They’d need to be close to the palace to have somehow obtained that power, and the one in charge of it was He Bin, a man with ties to the Death Fashioning Scripture. While this is the sort of thing I could imagine them attempting, Xiao Yifan had no links to them. At least, as far as we know,” Liu Jin says, rubbing his chin. “He Bin did have ties to the Wandering Wind, but I cannot imagine her being involved with this.”
“You think that highly of her?” Xiao Nan asks.
“Highly is not the word I'd use. However, my soul did clash against hers multiple times,” Liu Jin says. “I am positive she’d see trying to steal an Inheritance as beneath her.”
“So the Death Fashioning Scripture could have done it, but they were never close enough to Xiao Yifan, and the Endlessly Raging Valley was close to Xiao Yifan, but the one member who was close enough to the palace wouldn’t bother to do it,” Xiao Nan says, rubbing his chin. “Maybe we need to go back to what I said. What if this happened before Doctor Liu’s departure?”
Liu Jin frowns. “What are you suggesting?”
“As I understand it, your grandparents were murdered by your evil Uncle, weren’t they?” Xiao Nan points out. “From that time until your father took over the Empire, there is no telling what happened.”
“So the Endlessly Raging Valley could have done something during that gap,” Liu Jin mutters before sighing and rubbing his head. “This is very annoying to think about. How far back does it all go?”
Xiao Nan chuckles quietly.
“The Emperor from Temple of the Thousand Shadows I fought talked about the tragedy of being born too late. I understand him a little better now,” Xiao Nan says. “However, that’s our lot to bear. Little Brother, you understand, right? I didn’t come here right away only for sentimental reasons.”
Liu Jin nods.
All this time, he has been relying on the Storm Dragon to be his final line of defense. However, if someone is out there working to steal his family’s legacy, that defense suddenly does not look as sturdy as it did before.
“Xiao Yifan could not tap into purple lightning,” Liu Jin says.
“She couldn’t do it yet,” Xiao Nan corrects him. "There's no telling what could have happened if she had more time."
“Not yet,” Liu Jin agrees. “Still, that’s one thing to be thankful for.”
“True enough,” Xiao Nan says. “I can think of another.”
Liu Jin looks at him with curiosity. Xiao Nan manages a smile.
“I heard you were planning to celebrate, Little Brother,” Xiao Nan says. “Right now, fun sounds like an excellent idea.”
~~~
“It is good to see you again, Emperor Qing Jin.”
Liu Jin’s face remains impassive. His aura gives no hint as to his true feelings, and his body resists the urge to tap his fingers against the armrest of his throne. His mind, however, keeps asking one very simple question.
“Why has a man from the Infinite Mountain Sect come to visit me?”
If Chen Guo is offended by the bluntness of Liu Jin’s question, he gives no indication of it. His face, which could easily be mistaken for granite, is even more inscrutable than Liu Jin’s. It is enough to make Liu Jin sympathize with all the people he has unintentionally frustrated with his seeming stoicism.
“I came to congratulate the Storm Dragon Empire on its victory over the foreign invaders," Chen Guo says. Each of his words is as immovable as stone. “I brought gifts.”
A group of servants enters the throne room, bringing two crates with them. When they reach Chen Guo, he opens one and tilts it forward so its contents may be seen. More than one person in attendance gasps. The crate is full of Gold-Veined Empyrean Crystals. Though not as rare as the purple-veined variety, such a large amount is worth a fortune.
“These have been mined straight from the depths of the Infinite Mountain,” Chen Guo says. “I heard the Storm Dragon Empire would hold a competition, so I thought they might serve as prizes if you wish them to.”
Liu Jin considers it. Even offering just one as the main prize would cause a stir and inspire everyone to compete harder. It would definitely bring more attention to the games.
“Leave us,” he says to those gathered.
Slowly, everyone walks out of the throne room, leaving Liu Jin and Chen Guo alone. The doors close with a snap of Liu Jin’s fingers, and all the attempts to overhear their conversation are thwarted with similar ease.
“Why are you really here?” Liu Jin asks him.
“My grandfather still wishes to see you,” Chen Guo replies.
Liu Jin sighs. It is the same thing Chen Guo said to him during the Crimson Cloud Tournament. Liu Jin thought they had put that matter to rest, but that’s evidently not the case.
“My answer has not changed,” Liu Jin replies. “You cannot expect me to leave the Storm Dragon Palace to visit your grandfather, especially at a time like this.”
"There is no place in the world that is safer than at my grandfather's side," Chen Guo replies.
Liu Jin smiles. The tone of Chen Guo's voice has not changed in the slightest, yet he can feel the emotion coming from it. The fearsome giant in front of him loves his grandfather from the bottom of his heart.
“I believe I should apologize,” Liu Jin says. “I said things during our fight that I should not have said. I am sorry.”
“We were fighting, and words are weapons. Nothing more needs to be said,” Chen Guo replies.
"You are a man of impeccable character," Liu Jin says. "I see now why your grandfather chose you to carry his message."
“My grandfather did not send me here,” Chen Guo corrects him. “This is my own initiative.”
Liu Jin’s eyebrows rise. That means the crates of Empyrean Crystals are something that belongs to Chen Guo rather than something gifted to him by the Infinite Mountain Sect. That’s quite impressive. He doubts either Feng Zhi or Xiao Shuang have a similar amount of wealth lying around.
Well, Lady Meng Yue would probably get it for Xiao Shuang if she asked.
"Regrettable as it is that you chose to decline my offer, I will accept it for now," Chen Guo says.
Liu Jin blinks. “For now?”
The ghost of a smile appears on Chen Guo's face.
“I believe I can change your mind,” Chen Guo says. “Your Majesty, I am nothing if not resolute.”
~~~
It is a credit to Minister Chu’s skills that it only takes three weeks to organize the games. The man didn’t just create a committee to decide on the events and spread the word. He had an entire stadium built for the occasion. It would have been easy to use a place like Cloudburst Arena, but Minister Chu believed that the massive block of ice created by Lady Meng Yue was simply too scenic to pass up.
After consulting with Lady Meng Yue and conducting their own studies, the project was approved. The stadium was built, not within view of the ice, but on top of it instead. A normal construction group would have needed several years to complete the project, but the entire army, including several high-level cultivators, had been mobilized to transport the materials and finish construction in mere weeks.
Now, the Glacial Arena opens its doors for the first time. Special transport gates ensure the audience does not need to actually climb the glacier, and heat talismans provided by the Eternal Flame Clan make the inside nice and warm. In addition, the area around the glacier has been developed into a town full of large inns, game stalls, and countless shops and restaurants, where people can spend their time in between events.
Everything is ready now.
All that is left is for Liu Jin to give a speech.
He stands up, well aware of the many eyes on him. The Emperor’s box has been designed so it can see everyone and be seen by everyone, so that the Emperor might look upon his people and his people might look upon their Emperor.
“My people,” Liu Jin begins. Qi carries his voice across the whole stadium. “For decades, our Storm Dragon Empire has endured all manner of injustices, yet we remain here. More importantly, we stand victorious while our enemies lie defeated. Today, we honor the efforts of all who have kept our country safe. Today, we celebrate them and our victory!”
It is a short and simple speech, but the people cheer for it all the same. The natural excitement that comes from being part of such a large crowd works in Liu Jin’s favor.
“You did well,” Lu Mei tells him, clapping as he returns to his seat.
“Did I? The people are just happy to see their Emperor.”
“That usually means the Emperor is doing a good job,” Lu Mei counters. “Relax and let yourself be adored. That is your duty now. I’m sure you’ll manage to bear it.”
Liu Jin smiles and allows himself to enjoy the festivities. Minister Chu has prepared many things for the opening ceremony, even asking the disciples of the Eternal Flame Clan and the Divine Frozen Palace if they wished to perform. They had been eager to volunteer.
"Sublime," Lu Mei says as the disciples of the Eternal Flame Clan amaze the crowd by creating huge shapes of fire and making them dance. "I grew up around wind, but the possibilities of fire never cease to surprise."
"It would seem the crowd prefers ice," Xiao Shuang says minutes later, when the disciples of the Divine Frozen Palace put on their performance.
While it is true that the crowd cheers more for the Divine Frozen Palace, Liu Jin thinks that has more to do with the legendary mystique of its women. Liu Jin would not be surprised if some people are only here for the chance to lay eyes on their disciples.
When the actual competition begins, the cheering does not grow any quieter. There is archery, swordplay, and unarmed combat. Minister Chu also talked about a game called cuju, but it would have taken longer to organize the teams and teach the rules. He seemed very sad about omitting it, but he said he’d do his best to include it next time.
"Is that the blacksmith's assistant?" Xiao Shuang asks when she sees Nail fighting in the armed competition.
"He's come a long way," Liu Jin says, smiling as he remembers the time he saved him from Murong Bang.
"I see another one of your subjects is making a name for himself," Lu Mei says later when the unarmed competition begins, and the crowd cheers for Long Zei's victory, a man Murong Bang once put in his service.
"I hear he's engaged," Liu Jin says.
The armed and unarmed tournaments will continue for the rest of the week, culminating in a final match between the winners of both. For now, however, people are content to enjoy the battles playing out in front of them.
All in all, it is a good first day.
That is why it is so unfortunate when the sky breaks during the evening.
~~~
Mini-Character List
Liu Jin: Our protagonist. Happy to see his underlings succeed.
Xiao Nan: Prodigy of the Xiao Sect. Rest is for the weak, and the weak die young.
Chen Guo: Young Master of the Infinite Mountain Sect. “You should have come to Shiratorizawa.” Most people will not get this reference.
Lu Mei: Disciple of the Eternal Flame Clan. Happy to look down at a hundred thousand people. Disappointed there is no cuju competition.
Xiao Shuang: Disciple of Meng Yue. Feels a bit awkward about being in the spotlight. Does not know what cuju is, but will try her best to become invested if the need arises.
Minister Chu: Minister of the Storm Dragon Empire. Does not speak this chapter, but if he existed, he’d get China to the World Cup.