Chapter 77: Before the Throne

Chapter 77: Before the Throne

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This is unexpectedly hard.

Liu Jin looks at himself in the mirror with a furrowed brow. It is still not right. First, he tried making his features rounder, but that didnt work. Then he tried making them harder and squarish, yet that felt off as well. In the end, Liu Jin settled for making minor changes. His red eyes are now a light shade of brown. His eyebrows are more pronounced, and his skinwhich is usually quite pale and had remained that way even after days of walking under the sunnow possesses a healthy tan.

Beyond that, his face, which has started to lose the roundness of youth, is left mostly untouched. Some would say he is beginning to look like his father, but Liu Jin most definitely hasnt thought so.

Not at all.

It just so happens that disguise arts are far more difficult than Xiao Nan made them seem.

It should come as no surprise. Xiao Nan made everything look easy.

As soon as Liu Jin finishes that thought, he is assaulted by a sense of wrongness. It is as sudden as it is strong. It catches Liu Jin unprepared, and it takes him a while to realize why it is even there. It takes him time to understand what a foolish thought he just allowed to form in his head.

Makes.

Xiao Nan always makes everything look easy.

There is no need to think about him in past tense.

This will do. Liu Jin stands up, the motion tilting the chair off-balance, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. He moves away from the mirror, suddenly not interested in looking at his face. Now, as for you

Liu Jin looks at Lei Kong and points to the chair. Lei Kong obeys, resignation oozing from his every pore. It is a welcome change from the pale-faced fear he showed during the auction but still far from ideal.

Are you scared?

My lord, I would have to be a very foolish man not to be scared. The reputation of the Eternal Raging Valley is known even in the Storm Dragon Empire. Even Murong Bang must tread carefully when dealing with them.

Liu Jin, who is in the middle of committing Lei Kongs features to memory so that he can better change them, finds his thought process violently interrupted.

Must? he repeats, slowly and dangerously. Not would, but must?

That is so, my lord, Lei Kong replies, his face perfectly blank.

Liu Jin forces himself to take a deep breath.

Did it not occur to you to mention that before?

My lord implied he did not wish to know more about General Murong and the Storm Dragon Empire, so this Lei Kong kept his mouth shut.

He is serious.

There is no guilt on Lei Kongs face. No awareness of his blunder. There is nothing there but an idiotic compulsion to follow orders to the best of his ability.

I see. Liu Jin suddenly finds Lei Kongs neck to be very interesting to look at. His fingers twitch ever so slightly. There are a great many questions I suddenly want to ask.

Yet, would it be prudent to ask them now?

Liu Jin becomes keenly aware of the letter resting on his nightstand, an invitation from Branch Master Ruan. It was brought in by a servant earlier today. Tomorrow, Liu Jin is expected to show up at the Eternal Raging Valley.

Naturally, rejecting such a gracious invitation is not an option.

Let me ask you one question for now, Liu Jin says, quickly making up his mind. Murong Bangs dealings with the Eternal Raging Valley do you think they will, in any way, affect what will happen tomorrow?

Lei Kong thinks about it for a moment and shakes his head.

I doubt it, my lord. The Eternal Raging Valley was a distant

Enough. Liu Jin holds up his hand to stop Lei Kong from saying more. That is all I need to know.

No need to flee the city overnight. A good thing, he supposes.

The rest, I will ask you when this is done. Still, I suppose this explains why you are so scared of them.

My lord does not need to worry. No matter how afraid I am, this Lei Kong is resigned to this course of action.

He says it solemnly. Grimly. He is the very picture of a man about to march to his death with pride.

Frankly, it annoys Liu Jin.

I wonder. Are you trying to make me angry? Liu Jin clicks his tongue. We both know my emotions are muted, yet you seem to be making quite an effort.

Lei Kong has the gall to look puzzled.

My lord, I merely wish to be respectful.

Respect is appreciated. Sycophancy is not. I trust the line between the two is not that hard to grasp. If being useful is your aim then, by all means, speak your mind! I do not need the help of someone who will let me walk off a cliff while inwardly congratulating himself for how useful he is being! If you call yourself a tool, be useful!

Maybe some people would appreciate someone whod only follow orders blindly, but Liu Jin has no need for someone like that.

If it were Su An here, shed already be calling him a moron and

Liu Jin takes a deep breath.

No.

Branch Master Ruan is already waiting, the disciple who first greeted him says as Liu Jin and Lei Kong step out of the palanquin. Allow us to take you to him. Your servant will stay outside.

Liu Jin looks at Lei Kong and nods.

To the disciple, he says, Very well. Let us not keep Branch Master Ruan waiting then.

~~~

Spacious.

It is not the only word that comes to mind, yet it is the most fitting to describe the mansion. The ceilings are high, the halls are wide and almost empty, and light comes in from every window. It is as if the mansion is going out of its way to remind all who visit that in a place as cramped as Five Bats City, the Eternal Raging Valley can afford to have all this space to themselves.

Beautiful, green columns rise from the pure, white floor. Golden chimes near the windows ring softly whenever the wind comes in.

Without a doubt, it is a peaceful place.

Or at least, it would be if the fear in the air wasnt so readily apparent.

The way the disciples walk is stiff, not at all fitting for people in the True Realm. There is sweat on their faces, and their eyes are constantly darting around. Their nervousness is as obvious as it is surprising. Certainly, Branch Master Ruans actions have caused some trouble for the Five Blessings Auction House, but has it gone so far as to cause trouble in his own Sect?

Liu Jin fears the answer is yes.

They reach two large doors with golden handles. No one moves to open them. They do so on their own.

Enter.

Branch Master Ruans voice comes from inside. It is not as angry as it was in the auction house, yet Liu Jin would hesitate to call it pleased or calm. With measured steps, Liu Jin makes his way into Master Ruans

Throne room.

It is a throne room.

It is not at all like Patriarch Xiao Zhengs office, nor is it like the Xiao Sects banquet hall. The room is devoid of almost anything. It has beautiful gold columns and a floor so clean and smooth one could probably see their face reflected in it. There is no furniture of any kindnone except for the structure that waits on the other end of the room. There, a set of marble steps lead to a large golden throne.

Atop it sits the man who must be none other than Branch Master Ruan. From hearing his voice, Liu Jin had expected a tall, imposing person, yet that is not the case. Although he is sitting, Liu Jin can tell he is of average height and build. His features are not hard yet refined and aristocratic.

Had he not heard him in the auction hall, Liu Jin would have assumed him to be a calm, stoic person.

Kneel.

He says so, and they do. The disciples knees hit the floor almost instantly.

You have been invited into my home and been allowed to kneel before this Ruan Goutin. I shall allow you to say your thanks.

My lord, Liu Jin says with his head bowed low. I can only thank you for your hospitality and generosity, both so great thatd youd go as far as to allow this one to speak in your presence.

Liu Jin never imagined spending so much time around Lei Kong would be useful, yet the way Ruan Goutins eyes shine with delight tells him his words just now were the right ones.

Well said. It is good to speak with people who have manners. I am told you were the one who brought the Pill of Bliss to the Five Blessings Auction House.

That I am, my lord. I was quite happy to hear it attracted the attention of one so esteemed.

The pill was satisfactory. I will have you tell me the name of the one who made them so that I might bring them here.

My lord, there is no need for that.

Someone gasps. It comes from one of the disciples. He does his best to smother it, yet Liu Jin is close enough to hear it.

You dare question me? The tension in the room spikes. Ruan Goutins Qi simmers around him. It is the same Qi Liu Jin felt in the Auction House.

It is the Qi of someone in the Emperor Realm.

My lord, I wouldnt dream of doing such a thing, Liu Jin quickly replies. I clearly misspoke. I meant to say there is no need for such a thing because the one who made the pill already kneels before you.

You?

Ruan Goutin does not bother hiding his incredulity. It is plain to hear on his face and see on his face. It doesnt take him long to voice it.

I can believe that you are a merchant. You clearly know how to speak to your betters. However, do you really expect me to believe a young whelp like you is an accomplished enough alchemist to make that pill?

It is natural for my lord to be skeptical. However, I assure you that not only am I a capable alchemist but a capable doctor as well. If my lord wishes to test me, he is more than welcome to.

A doctor, you say. Ruan Goutin rubs his chin. He has no facial hair. His face is smooth, devoid of any imperfections as befits a high-level cultivator. Very well then, I shall test you as I have tested all doctors who have chosen to come here. Disciple, come forward!

The order is barked out without mercy, and it is with extreme resignation that one of the disciples stands up and walks until he is right in front of the steps.

You are ready to serve, Ruan Goutin states, looking at him with cold eyes. The disciple is deathly pale, yet he nods.

I am, my lord.

Ruan Goutin strikes.

The motion is so fast Liu Jin only knows it happened because the disciple is suddenly blown back, landing right next to him. His robes are torn, revealing an indentation in the shape of a fist on his chest. His eyes are wide, his pupils completely dilated, his face deathly pale.

Ruan Goutins face is without mercy.

You say you are a doctor? Fix him.

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