149 Meeting a Friend

"I already broke through!" an overjoyed young man said as he exited the newly installed gold-gathering formation. The boy, Cha Ming observed, was barely twenty years old, a prodigy in his family. Unfortunately, they had not been able to provide for him as well as they had liked. The gold-gathering formation would allow him and his talented cousins to reach unprecedented heights.

Cha Ming gently probed his cultivation. His foundation was solid, which was impressive given his cultivation speed. "By the looks of it, you'll only need a few days before your qi sea clears up and you can begin cultivating once more," Cha Ming said. "I confess myself impressed."

"It's not surprising," the boy's father said. "He's been trapped at initial foundation establishment for two years. Unfortunately, our family offended the Zhou family long ago. We been unable to provide him with as many medicinal pills as we'd like. This gold-gathering formation is a godsend."

"I'm glad I could help," Cha Ming said. Then he pulled out three mid-grade talismans from his spatial ring. "Here are the three Mid-Grade Gold-Rending Talismans, as promised in your agreement with the Wang family."

"So fast," the man said. "We have three promising juniors that are the hope of our family. These lifesaving treasures will greatly reduce my worries. I, Jin Hao, owe you a favor."

Cha Ming shook his head. "It will only even up the odds for them if they encounter someone at early foundation establishment. These won't help them much against stronger opponents."

"That's enough for me feel relieved, and yet not enough for them to grow arrogant," Jin Hao said. "Don't be a stranger."

At least they know how to show appreciation, Cha Ming thought. Unlike Wang Jun.

Just as he was about to leave the Jin Clan, he spotted a green glow out of the corner of his eye. To his surprise, it was a fifteen-year-old boy.

So young to have condensed a merit halo, Cha Ming thought. "Who is that?" he asked Jin Hao.

"He is my adopted son," Jin Hao said. "There are so many orphans out there, but for some reason, I felt compelled to take him in as my own. He is a kind soul, and he has been a wonderful addition to our family."

"Have you evaluated his talent?" Cha Ming asked.

"He's a lucky one," Jin Hao said. "Jin Huang is a grade-four talent with an innate soul force of seven. What's most amazing is that he has an affinity for all five elements. Unfortunately, our family only has gold-element cultivation methods and dual-element cultivation methods related to gold." He shook his head self-deprecatingly.

"A pity," Cha Ming muttered. "It would be a pity for such a kind young man to have his options limited." He looked at Jin Hao. "Once he turns sixteen, if he is interested, I can teach him five-element cultivation. If he is willing, I can also teach him talisman arts. He is qualified."

Jin Hao's eyes widened. "Would you?"

"Only if he wants to," Cha Ming said. "There is still one year until he reaches the proper age for cultivation. I suggest letting him do whatever he likes."

Cha Ming left the Jin Clan shortly after. He was joined by Wang Jun, who appeared out of the shadows. Huxian trotted out beside him.

"How did it go?" Wang Jun asked.

"Very well," Cha Ming said. "And there was a pleasant surprise. I want you to keep an eye out for a young boy named Jin Huang. He's a talent with much potential. More importantly, he has already condensed a merit halo at his young age."

"You want me to recruit him?" Wang Jun asked. "Fifteen is a little young, but the good fortune provided by merit is nothing to scoff at."

"No, I just want you to have someone keeping tabs on him," Cha Ming said. "I'll be looking for students one day. This one is a perfect match."

Wang Jun nodded.

"Where to now?" Cha Ming asked. Although it was gratifying to see many neutral families flock over to the third prince's side, he was getting tired of the ceaseless running about.

"I've booked a great restaurant," Wang Jun said. "You've been working hard. Let's have a little fun."

Cha Ming eyed Wang Jun suspiciously and looked at Huxian, who was grinning ear to ear.

No wonder you came, Cha Ming sent mentally. The only thing that interests you is food.

He never lets me out, Huxian said. So what if I broke a few things? So what if I ate a few rare plants and hurt Elder Bai's cat? Besides, isn't it about time he shows you some appreciation?

Cha Ming rolled his eyes.

"Why are we walking so slowly?" Huxian asked a half hour later. "We could have gotten there a quarter hour ago."

"Patience, young friend," Wang Jun said. "A special guest will be joining us, but he hasn't arrived yet."

Huxian looked to Cha Ming for clarity, but he just shrugged in response. The guest's identity was a mystery to him.

They entered the restaurant and were immediately escorted to a private room. Wang Jun waited calmly for a few moments before forming multiple hand seals. His shadow stretched out toward the wall and formed a shadowy door.

"Shadow Road," he whispered.

Cha Ming's resplendent force noticed a long shade pulling away from the building and toward a black-armored soldier with a red cloak.

***

"Heavens, I'm bored," Feng Ming mumbled as he wandered aimlessly through the back alleys. He was hoping he'd find someone getting mugged to rescue so that he could lighten up his day, but luck wasn't on his side. Although he had money to spend—his stipend as a colonel—he wasn't in the mood for shopping.

Maybe I can go gambling, he thought. Yeah, criminals and thieves hang out at casinos all the time.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a black door that was cleverly concealed in the shade of a building. A black figure with familiar features stood next to the door—it was a friend he hadn't seen in a long time. Feng Ming didn't hesitate to walk through the door. His surroundings turned black for a moment before he walked into a room filled with familiar faces.

"Cha Ming, Wang Jun, Huxian!" he said before walking over and giving Cha Ming a firm hug. They hadn't spoken since his disappearance, and Feng Ming had only heard about his survival from Wang Jun a short while ago.

"It's good to see you, my friend," Cha Ming said. His features had filled out considerably since the last time Feng Ming saw him. Looks aside, he could tell that his friend's cultivation had improved substantially. His incandescent force couldn't pierce his friend's passive defense.

"Resplendent soul?" Feng Ming asked casually.

"Yes," Cha Ming replied. "Though by the looks of it, you're much stronger than me."

Feng Ming's cultivation level was at the peak of foundation establishment.

Feng Ming shrugged. "I got lucky. It's what I do."

***

The waiters brought in tray upon tray of dishes into their private room. Huxian and his two friends were busy gorging themselves like their lives depended on it. Meanwhile, the human trio drank tea as they waited for their dishes.

"I heard a funny story the other day," Wang Jun said. "It was about a witless colonel who told his father he'd have to tie him up to bring him to the capital. They say half the country saw him by the time he was tossed through the city gates and prohibited from leaving the city."

"Who knew Father would take my words so literally," Feng Ming lamented. "Especially after all the military merit I've accrued. You'd think he'd be proud or something."

"I think it might have something to do with you being his only son," Cha Ming noted. "Plus, there's no rule saying overprotective fathers can't discipline their sons. You're lucky he didn't beat you black and blue before dumping you into the street naked."

Feng Ming sighed. "I just wish I had something to do. While I'm technically here on a military assignment, I don't have any actual duties to speak of. All I have is my rank and people occasionally saluting me."

"Then it's not much different than many of the noble clans I've visited," Cha Ming said. "Many of their descendants get honorary military positions and the like, and all they do is go to some training and then lounge around for the rest of their days, telling each other stories. Speaking of which, they tell a lot of stories about you."

A waitress arrived with six dishes balanced precariously in her arms. She accidentally tripped, but the dishes flew perfectly on the table in front of their intended recipients. Feng Ming didn't miss a beat. "What's your favorite one so far?" he asked after swallowing down a few mouthfuls.

"Definitely the one about the Yin Gathering Cult," Cha Ming said. Feng Ming's face darkened at the mention. "I heard you and twelve of your best dressed up as freshly trained courtesans on their way to a brothel. Fortunately, it was a dark night, and the cultists who found you were as blind as bats. That or they had atrocious taste. After leading you straight to their base, you caught them just as they were starting a ceremony that prohibited weapons from being carried on their persons due to an odd quirk from their leader."

"It's not that they were blind as bats," Wang Jun chimed in, "but rather that they were far too stupid to attend the ceremony in the first place. He just happened to be in the right place at the right time."

"Look, it's not the most honorable idea I've had, but it worked," Feng Ming said indignantly. "Besides, I think they had good taste. Who could resist a dashing man like me in a pretty dress?"

Cha Ming erupted in violent fit of coughing. "My apologies, tea ran down the wrong hole. Either way, I'm relieved to see that you haven't sworn yourself to the crown prince like your father. Filial piety doesn't extend to damning yourself for all eternity."

"He can't be that bad," Feng Ming said. "The crown prince seems genial and hardworking. I'm sure my father wouldn't swear his loyalty to a bad man."

"Then you haven't met Zhou Li yet," Wang Jun said.

Huxian, who was eating off to the side, scowled at the name drop.

"I haven't, but I've heard a few scattered rumors. They all seemed baseless," Feng Ming said.

"I can confirm that he has consorted with devils. And that his brother was responsible for the Fairweather incident," Cha Ming said. He also tried to have me and Huxian killed shortly afterward. Finally, either he or the crown prince hired around fifty devil cultivators from the Obsidian Syndicate to participate in the struggle for the Silverwing Mountain Range. Wang Jun, Huxian, and I directly participated in that battle."

Feng Ming frowned. "Do you have any proof of the crown prince's involvement?"

Cha Ming shook his head. "I only know about Zhou Li being involved. While it's possible that this is Zhou Li's independent scheme, I find it highly unlikely. Especially given the coincidental timing of the king's collapse and the benefit that his father's death would grant him."

"Unfortunately, Zhou Li is good at erasing his tracks," Wang Jun added as he poured tea. "He is an expert in burning karma—even an inquisitor would have trouble pinning anything on him."

Feng Ming shook his head. "I can only continue to remain neutral until I have something solid. One's first duty is to their parents. It would take some pretty damning evidence to make me move against my own father."

"It's your life," Cha Ming said.

"It will all work out fine," Feng Ming said. "I'm lucky, remember?"

"Do let us know if you happen to luckily stumble across some of that damning evidence," Wang Jun said. "Anyway, that's enough dark talk for the day." He held up a small glass of hot baiju, which had just been delivered. "I never drink, but today I'll make an exception. I propose a toast to friendship. Don't be a stranger."

"To friendship," Cha Ming said, downing his own glass.

"To friendship," Feng Ming repeated. Both he and Wang Jun gulped it simultaneously.

A few rounds later, Wang Jun had tapped out, leaving only Feng Ming, who was used to such drinks, and Cha Ming, whose body refining made him almost immune to mortal liquor.

"So what will you do with all this free time on your hands?" Cha Ming asked.

Feng Ming shrugged. "Maybe I'll pay those nobles a visit and have a drink or two. For some reason, I feel like going gambling, of all things. Do you want to tag along?

"I'm game," Cha Ming said immediately. He was a notoriously unlucky gambler, which was why he usually avoided it. However, a lucky star had just offered his services free of charge. How could he refuse?

"Good," Feng Ming said. "I'll let you know when."

Their feast continued for an hour, after which they parted ways.

***

As Cha Ming returned home with Huxian and Wang Jun in tow, his jovial mood rapidly dissipated. He became sullen once more, and so did Huxian. It was as though Feng Ming was a bright light that banished the gloomy atmosphere that surrounded them lately. The negative thoughts returned with his absence.

"So much for pulling him to our side," Wang Jun said as they walked back to the Jade Bamboo Auction House.

"What is it with all the sides and fighting?" Cha Ming said. "There's no need to pull him to our side. He's got a merit halo a mile wide. With his luck, a warning is enough. I'm actually looking forward to what kind of chaos he'll cause in the city."

Wang Jun chuckled uncomfortably. "I suppose you're right. I bet you one hundred high-grade spirit stones he'll get kicked out of the city within a month."

"Why is it always about money with you?" Cha Ming said. "And have you scheduled an appointment with the king yet?"

"What's gotten into you?" Wang Jun said.

As he reached out to Cha Ming's shoulder, Huxian growled and darted between them. His pseudo-core-formation cultivation immediately repelled Wang Jun, who could only back away in disbelief. The usually kind fox's teeth were bared and his ears pulled back.

"Soon," Wang Jun said coldly. "The king's condition is degrading very slowly as the spirit doctors are doing a good job keeping him alive. I hear the crown prince is holding a banquet sometime soon. The princess should be distracted for the entire evening. Although, I really wonder if you're fit to examine anyone in this state."

Wang Jun frowned and pulled a jade orb from his robes. Elder Bai's jade projection immediately appeared. "What's the urgent matter?" he asked the older man.

"Regulatory problems," Elder Bai said seriously. "The crown prince is using his position as intermittent leader to push forward price controls and choke out our potential profits."

Wang Jun's expression turned grim. "I'll be right there." The usually calm man walked toward a shadowy door that appeared on the wall. "Would you like to come along, or will you be heading back yourself?"

Cha Ming waved him off. "We'll take a walk and enjoy the scenery."

Wang Jun departed immediately, leaving Cha Ming and Huxian with two innocent-looking small animals. Huxian looked up at Cha Ming with teary eyes.

"You guys are still hungry?" Cha Ming asked incredulously. "Fine, but I'd like to visit the Talisman Artist Guild before they close."

***

A few hours later, Cha Ming and Huxian walked out of a shabby-looking building, their faces full of disappointment. Instead of a guild, it was better to call it a personal workshop for a single talisman artist. The lone man wasn't even a master artist, and the few students he kept were disappointing at best.

When asked where the branch leader was, the man said there wasn't one and shooed them off.

"It's too bad I don't have time to take over," Cha Ming said to Huxian. "This place is terrible. Do you think Feng Huoshan would even be interested?"

The "guild" was in a run-down alley where various shops were located. Cha Ming saw a pawn shop, a moneylender, and other less-savory businesses. Here and there, he saw red lights beckoning to their depraved customers."

"What's that?" Huxian said, perking up his ears.

A hooded figure stood in the distance, its black garment blending in with the nearby shadows.

Huxian sniffed. "That person smells familiar." He sniffed once more, and his eyes turned crimson. Shadows surrounded Huxian as he disappeared.

Cha Ming followed suit, wreathing himself in shadows and entering a surreal dimension. They were now walking in a space that seemed to defy physical laws. Pieces of ground and buildings littered this new landscape, which was divided by a sea of bright light.

Just jump from shadow to shadow like I do, Huxian said, darting from one piece of "land" to another.

You mean these are shadows? Cha Ming asked, looking at the perfectly visible pieces of road and building. He now realized they were a partial picture of their surroundings, the pieces that were originally obscured by darkness.

Of course, Huxian replied. Those who dwell in the shadows see things differently.

Cha suspended his disbelief and followed the small fox from one landmass to the next. In the distance, he saw a cloaked figure growing clearer and clearer in the ocean of light. He was walking at a leisurely pace, changing directions every so often. The process of tailing someone in the shadows was disorienting.

Why would he go there? Huxian sent mentally.

Before Cha Ming could wonder where "there" was, he noticed that they'd arrived in an alley. It was perfectly lit in their world of shadows, meaning that it was completely obscured in reality. However, the figure wasn't there. Instead, they saw a few inconspicuous scraps of meat.

They both emerged in the alley, and Cha Ming looked away with disinterest as Huxian ate up the scraps of meat.

"Who was that?" Cha Ming asked.

"Beats me," Huxian said.

"Should you really be eating something if you don't know where it comes from?" Cha Ming said.

"Who made you my boss?" Huxian growled. His pressure sent Cha Ming back a few feet, but he ultimately remained unharmed.

"Fine," Cha Ming said. "Have it your way."

They hid their bitterness in their hearts as they headed back to the Jade Bamboo Auction House.