136 Interlude - Fanning the Flames

The soft spring dirt cushioned Hong Xin's footsteps as she and Hong Yinyue walked to their next destination. Wherever they went, they would stop at an inn to play. The room and board was free, and whatever tips they made over and above that was theirs to keep.

It took some time to get used to such favorable treatment. She barely remembered the days when she was a mistreated tavern wench. The only memories that remained were those of a burning man and running in the dead of night. But now she was focused on the road. She loved the road and loved music and loved dancing. She wouldn't trade them for the world.

"You have a little hop in your step today," Hong Yinyue said. "What has you so excited all of a sudden?"

"It will be my first time inside a big city," Hong Xin said. "I'm very excited. Tell me again how many residents Quicksilver has?"

"Around ten million," Hong Yinyue said calmly. "But that is a conservative estimate. Their domestic policies have greatly increased the wealth and livelihood of their residents. In fact, they have a saying in some political circles. 'Always Be Constructing.' Whenever they need to make some tough choices, they remind themselves to always choose growth over other minor matters."

"Ten million," Hong Xin whispered. "That's an awful lot of people. I could know a dozen people in the city and never see them. Even our performances wouldn't change that fact."

It was hot out, so Hong Xin took out one of her red fans to cool down. They called their group the Hong Sisters. It wasn't her idea, of course. Hong Xin found this title very embarrassing due to Yinyue's age. She herself was just a woman in her early twenties, but Yinyue had lived for several centuries—or so she said, though she still maintained the appearance of a young woman in her midtwenties.

"You should focus on the road," Yinyue said, projecting her voice so that only she could hear. Hong Xin's eyes darted around as she maintained her calm demeanor. Her "elder sister" would only say such things if there was trouble. And trouble meant that Hong Xin would have to take care of it all by herself. Yinyue always refused to act.

"Could the gentlemen in the woods be so kind as to greet us in person?" Hong Xin asked in a sweet voice that pierced through the hearts of men. A dozen men stumbled out awkwardly, weapons in hand. They all looked at each other in confusion, which made sense, given that her suggestion had changed their original intent to catch them by surprise.

A person that seemed to be their leader stood forward. "You both know what we want," the man said. "These are hard times, so we need to spread the wealth. Understand?"

"But we're just innocent travelers," Hong Xin said, waving her fan in a way that caused the bandits' hearts to throb. "Surely you wouldn't harm beautiful ladies such as ourselves."

The man looked confused but quickly regained his composure. "We won't hurt you if you give us your money, your instruments, and your fans. We've heard the rumors. You Hong sisters get lords and kings begging for your favor and showering you with gifts."

"So you'll let us go if we give you our money?" Hong Xin asked with a flutter of her hand, a sway of her hips, and a voice that could compel any man to answer.

"Y-yes, of course," the man said nervously.

Lies. She had gotten very good at spotting them. It came from having to put up with all the flattery and the promises. It obviously didn't help the man's case that the dozens of men behind him were releasing enough murderous intent for a thousand men.

"Elder Sister Yinyue," Hong Xin said gently, "could I please get some music?"

"Of course," Yinyue replied, chuckling. Before anyone knew it, a jade zither had appeared before her. Her fingers plucked some introductory notes, setting the stage for Hong Xin. Hong Xin knew that Yinyue could decimate the group if she wanted to with those same notes, but she intentionally kept the music normal. It was an accompaniment, nothing more.

The temporary confusion subsided as the bandits realized what was happening. They began to organize themselves in a formation. Hong Xin would have none of that. Her body twirled as she made eye contact with them. Their hearts melted, and they couldn't help but let their weapons fall. A swish of her fan brought blazing flames to scorch them. It was only then that they realized they were completely helpless.

"Mercy!" the leader said. He tried to pick up his weapon, but the burning metal singed his hand. His arms were blistering under the intense whirlwind of flame conjured by the single fan.

"I don't show mercy to creatures such as you," Hong Xin whispered. Then, with a murderous look, she swung both her fans and intensified the flames fourfold. And inside the flames she saw three figures growing and mutating. One had gold skin, and another's was barky. Yet another had fiery eyes, but his fire was nothing in front of her flames. In fact, an inner fire could be seen burning out of control from inside him. His pent-up anger came to a head and cracked through his skin, destroying him from the inside out.

Soon, nothing remained but ashes. Hong Xin swept both her fans, and the ashes blew into the nearby woods. Then, the last note sounded.

"Your dance is getting better," Yinyue noted.

"It's because I get so much practice," Hong Xin replied. "Who would have thought that so many of these creatures were plaguing the countryside."

"It will only get worse," Yinyue said, sighing. She stowed away her zither, and they continued their journey.

That day, the Hong Sisters played in the northern side of Quicksilver. They passed by the Alabaster Group and proceeded without stopping. After all, the city was huge. Even if they knew a dozen people in the city, it wasn't likely they would spot each other.

And in this city, Hong Xin only knew one person.