177 Upheaval

A plain-looking carriage covered in green livery arrived at the Jade Bamboo Auction House at the crack of dawn. Like the many other businesses in Central Square, the auction house was abuzz with activity. The ovens roared as the cooks baked bread. Papers flew as the clerks organized themselves for their busy day. Only two people knew that all preparations were meaningless for what was to come. One of them was inside the auction house, while the other was in the inconspicuous green carriage.

"Right this way, my friend," Wang Jun said hoarsely. He broke into a fit of coughing, only stopping to wipe away a trickle of blood. He led the man to a room in the middle of the auction house that had been prepared just for the occasion.

"I really hate wearing these hooded cloaks," the man said.

"This secrecy is necessary, Your Highness," Wang Jun said as they entered a room at the center of the auction house. As they traveled through layer upon layer of formations, Wang Jun's complexion quickly recovered. "If Prince Tian knew you were leaving the palace in these delicate times, he would undoubtedly think of a reason to stop you."

Prince Lei nodded. "It's ironic being a prisoner in one's own home. Though, can I still call it my home?"

"Not after today," Wang Jun said, shaking his head. "It will only become your home again if we win. Only death or exile awaits you if we fail."

The prince walked over to a strange golden globe in the center of the room. "And what about you?"

Wang Jun followed him to the orb and began tapping various runic characters. They glowed with golden light that traveled to delicate lines in the floor connected to a mosaic of additional runes. "If we fail, I'll lose my only chance at revenge. Then I'll refuse to serve the new family head and live in exile for the rest of my life, living in constant fear of the most powerful financial group on the continent."

Prince Lei chuckled. "And here I thought you didn't have enough skin in the game."

"We're in this together," Wang Jun said. "Are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," Prince Lei said, slightly adjusting his royal garb. "Let's begin."

***

"Owner, owner," Tan Zhi yelled. "Two more plates of steamed buns. You know the ones."

An older man behind the bar nodded and made his way back to the kitchen. Tan Zhi was seated with six friends. They were adventurers, men who risked their lives for fame and fortune.

"Heavens, I regret coming to this city," Geng Jian said. "Who would have thought it would be so politically complicated to buy things in the capital city? We want to buy weapons, not sell ourselves into indentured servitude." The man was in his midthirties, far older than the average adventurer. Most of them would retire before then, assuming they lived long enough.

"Would it be so bad to join the Ma family, though?" Tan Zhi asked. "They're offering a pretty good salary, far more than we can earn in even ten years of adventuring."

Two heaping plates of steamed buns were plopped onto their table. The six men pounced on them like ravenous lions. It wasn't until the last one disappeared that they continued their conversation.

"You can all do what you want," Geng Jian said. "The only reason I've adventured until now is because I value my freedom." Seeing their perplexed looks, he elaborated. "Do you think retiring is easy for an adventurer? By fighting with others in the woods, we accumulate both large fortunes and bad blood. The only way to retire properly is to pledge your allegiance to a noble or a merchant, the type that can protect you. They rope you in because they know that soon enough, you'll find someone to start a family with and be trapped there for life. You give up your freedom for stability and a place to settle down." Geng Jian spat. "I don't want a life like that. I'll live free until the day I die."

Suddenly, the sound of a gong interrupted their conversation. "Greetings, everyone, this is Prince Lei. I have an important announcement to make. It relates to an important event in our kingdom: my father's illness and the selection of his successor.

"I regret to inform you that I have recently discovered some startling news. My brother, Prince Tian, has conspired against my royal father by poisoning him with the venom of a qi-binding serpent. As such, my father is close to death, with little hope of recovery. I realize that many of you may doubt this accusation. That is why I demand a trial by inquisitor. Should my words prove to be false, I will commit suicide on the spot.

"Now that you have been informed, it is time for me to share with you some important details regarding our united resistance against Song Tian."

The voice continued, but Geng Jian was no longer listening. He thought of multiple scenarios before coming to a reasonable conclusion.

"We have to get out of here," Geng Jian said. "Now!" He swiftly stood up and threw a pile of silver on the table, not bothering to count it. The five men swiftly followed him out of the restaurant and into a street that was becoming increasingly full. In the middle of their city district, a golden image of Prince Lei was speaking and providing instructions to the populace.

"Why do we need to get out?" Tan Zhi asked. "Isn't this a great opportunity? The noble families will be bidding for us like mad."

"You know nothing," Geng Jian snapped. "If we don't get out now, we'll have no choice but to participate in the conflict. Ours services will be steeply discounted, and as common sellswords, we'll be the first ones to die." Then he noticed that Tan Zhi's footsteps and three others stopped. Only Liu Cai, the second oldest, was still following him.

"We're staying," Tan Zhi said. "This opportunity is exactly what we've been looking for. This is where we make our fortune."

"Suit yourself," Geng Jian said. "I hope things work out for you." Then he sped off with Liu Cai in tow, hoping they weren't too late.

***

Lian Zexian was sweating. He had opened his store early, just like any other day, but unlike most days, it was unusually busy. He was initially overjoyed and had spent a considerable amount of time fawning over each of his customers. His hopes came crashing down once Prince Lei started his announcement.

"It is likely that this city will become chaotic, but I urge you to maintain order," Prince Lei's voice continued. "Our faction headquarters are situated in the Jade Bamboo Pavilion, likely the most secure building in this city. I advise you to join my faction and take shelter there…"

Most of his customers had filed out of the store to witness Prince's Lei's golden apparition, but four of them remained. Unlike before, they now carried large bags in which they rapidly stuffed whatever they could lay their hands on. They soon walked up to the counter.

"That'll be one thousand mid-grade spirit stones," Lian Zexian said with a shaky voice. The "customer" raised his eyebrow. "I meant five hundred mid-grade spirit stones." Seeing that the cultivator remained unmoved, Lian Zexian finally gave up. "I meant one hundred mid-grade spirit stones."

"That's more like it," the man said, grinning. "Make sure you give me a receipt making the discount official."

The merchant nodded to his clerk, who had no idea what was happening. She swiftly wrote up a bill of sale, which the merchant officiated with his red stamp.

"Let's cut the crap," the merchant said after the first one left. "I'll give you all a ninety-percent discount, but you need to get the hell out of my store within sixty breaths. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal clear," one of the three men said.

Sixty breaths later, the owner flipped a sign and closed his iron shutters. Then he swept up the remaining items into his bag of holding, emptied the register, and turned to the young clerk. She was a nice girl, but far too pretty for her own good.

"I'm heading to my house in the Jiangmen district," he said. "This place will soon become lawless and chaotic. I suggest you find your family and come find me to weather the storm."

"What storm? And what about the shop? Who'll watch it?" she asked. She usually slept in the shop and opened it first thing in the morning.

"There may not be a shop tomorrow," Lian Zexian said dryly. "This isn't my first civil war, and I won't be caught with my pants down this time."

***

"Your Highness," a soldier said as he walked into the crown prince's study. "There are no signs of Prince Lei in the palace. However, some servants say they saw an inconspicuous carriage leave in the morning. It went to the Jade Bamboo Auction House."

"You're dismissed," Prince Tian said. He turned to Minister Sima. "It seems my dear brother has lit the fuse, and it won't be long before the city is in chaos. Quickly issue men to send word to the people in our faction—they are to consolidate their followers in their geographical areas. Anyone who refuses to join our faction is a traitor to the crown and should be treated as such. Also, mobilize the city guard and announce that Song Lei is a traitorous rebel who is slandering the rightful crown prince to obtain personal power."

"Right away, my prince," Minister Sima said. "And what of his demand for a trial by inquisition?"

The prince smirked. "Announce that I will not bend to the will of traitors or to the Church of Justice, and that everything will be made clear once we arrest him and obtain his confession. Also, direct our information network to start slandering Prince Lei in taverns and restaurants. My guess is these will be the only places that won't get ransacked within the day."

"Right," Minister Sima said. "A stable food supply and shelter is the only bit of freedom the neutral forces will have left once we seal the city. They'll lay their lives down to defend them. If either you or Prince Lei dare to move against them, they would immediately join the other side out of indignation."

"Cultivators have a sense of pride that runs deep in their bones," Prince Tian said. "You have your orders."

"Yes, Your Highness," Minister Sima said. He frowned once he reached the door. "Have you seen Advisor Zhou and Protector Song? I'm afraid I haven't seen them in court for a full week."

Prince Tian's expression turned grim. "They're out on a special mission. There's no need to worry about them."

Minister Sima seemed to accept this explanation and swiftly left to perform his duties. As soon as the door closed, Prince Tian smashed his gauntleted fist into a small marble table.

"Zhou Li, you bastard," he muttered. "How dare you abandon me when I'm at my weakest."

For the hundredth time this week, and the twentieth time in the past fifteen minutes, he used his core-transmission jade to try contacting him. As usual, there was no response. "Has he betrayed me, or is he working behind the scenes like he usually does?"

Zhou Li's behavior wasn't anything unusual, but he couldn't help but worry about the timing. He hoped that Zhou Li would swoop in and save the day. Just like he always did.

***

"As predicted, my brother has begun suppressing dissent and consolidating his forces and resources," Prince Lei said. "They seem to be gathering their strength within the Ma, Bing, and Tian businesses, with subsidiary forces stationed within the Leng and Dong family compounds."

"Just as planned," Wang Jun said. "Let's focus on recruiting as many forces and civilians as possible and keeping them where we can defend them. Feed them and maintain some modicum of stability in their daily lives. Give them shelter and give them jobs. Their fear will only subside once they are directly involved in the conflict."

"Right," Prince Lei said. "We'll station our forces within the Jin and Huo family businesses, as well as the Jade Bamboo Conglomerate. Subsidiary forces will remain within the Ting, Jian, Meng, and Wei family buildings. Meanwhile, we'll have the others stand ready with their slaughtering formations. We have the advantage of financial resources and formations while they have stronger fortifications and military forces."

"About those fortifications," Wang Jun said. "They aren't nearly as troublesome as you think they are."

"Oh?" Prince Lei said. "The damage was your doing? I take it you left some hidden surprises?"

Wang Jun nodded. "Now that the announcement has been made, I need to head off to a meeting." He struck himself on the chest with a closed fist. His face paled as he coughed up blood. His expression also changed. He now looked weary and bedeviled. "How do I look?"

Prince Lei looked at him quizzically. "Positively deranged and worn out. I take it there's a reason for keeping up appearances?"

Wang Jun chuckled. "I'm nothing more than a cursed second young master who's struggling at death's door. I don't even have the strength to truss a chicken, much less control my own family business."

"If you say so," Prince Lei said. "Enjoy yourself. By the way, I left a folder of evidence with my sister and the Church of Justice. Hopefully they'll see the light and give us a hand."

"Only time will tell," Wang Jun said. "I sent the same folder to the last remaining wildcard. We'll see if he takes the bait."

Then he summoned a shadowy door and left the well-defended auction house.

***

Wang Jun entered a familiar stone chamber. The Black King was seated at the table as usual, looking patient as always. "I take it you're responsible for the chaos upstairs?" the dark figure asked.

Wang Jun erupted into a coughing fit. "How could I possibly manage such a scene when I'm in such a state?"

"I received the troubling news that you've been haunted," the Black King said. "Are you sure you won't die before we close the deal on the immortal-jade core? I've almost secured a buyer."

"Relax," Wang Jun said, sitting down weakly. "I'm still more than capable. This is a temporary situation, nothing more. I've already asked the family to send a monk to cure my affliction. It should take no longer than a month and a half."

"So long?" the Black King asked.

"There are only three monks capable enough in the entire continent," Wang Jun said helplessly. "You know how monks are. Regardless, you need not concern yourself. I have an additional business deal I would like to propose."

The Black King nodded and tossed out two bags. "The profits from our last exchange. There is a ledger in each of the bags. Feel free to inspect them."

Wang Jun nodded and pulled out the ledgers, which he quickly memorized. Then, after thinking for a while, he pulled out another bag.

"Five hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones," Wang Jun said. "The fear in this city is at its peak. I want you offer a package deal to the citizens of Songjing: Anyone who wants out of the city can sell you their property at twenty-five percent of the market price one year prior, and you will help them out of the city with their remaining assets. I'll pay you a two-percent commission for each package deal. Of course, for every two percent you save in buying the properties, I'll give you an additional one percent in commission. Note that I don't care about the buildings, only the land they're built on."

"Deal," the Black King said, summoning another black contract. This time, he wrote golden words on the blank contract before signing it. Wang Jun followed up with his own signature.

"By the way," Wang Jun said. "Due to my poor health and the situation outside the city, I feel uncomfortable exchanging the immortal-jade core in these secretive conditions. I want to change the venue."

"Impossible," the Black King said. "It will be here or nowhere else."

"It must be at the Jade Bamboo Auction House, with some of my subordinates present," Wang Jun said. "Forgive me for being blunt, but I don't feel safe completing such a large exchange in your territory, not when I'm affected by this curse."

"We have a secrecy clause," the Black King said. "And I think you trust your subordinates far more than you should."

"Then we'll have to amend it," Wang Jun said. "That, or I'll pull out of the contract as per Section 4 Clause 12, which states that 'should a party's health greatly deteriorate to the point where the exchange cannot be completed safely, they may willingly withdraw from the contract with no penalty.'"

The Black King pondered for a moment before assenting. "Fine. But if you dare pull a fast one on me, remember that I've killed far more men than you realize. All of them powerful figures with great backgrounds."

"Noted," Wang Jun said. Then he pulled out a Spatial Transference Talisman and left the premises.