Chapter 102: Complications

Chapter 102: Complications

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There is a poison called Bliss of the Foolish. It has the unique effect of making the one who drinks it believe himself to be wise and knowledgeable. Some would say there is no merit to it as everyone is already suffering from this malady. Still, Old Jiang had made Liu Jin drink it, so that he might know its effects. This was back when Liu Jin was still developing his resistance to poisons, long before he received Nine-Headed Snake Gods test. The experience had left him with one of the worst headaches of his life.

This one might just be worse.

Hes been laid on a soft bed with an even softer pillow, but it is hard to focus on anything other than the pain. It is as if his head has been split open with a spiked mace. Liu Jin groans and tries opening his eyes, but the light punishes him for it. It is bright. Far too bright. Liu Jin snaps his eyes shut in an instant.

Careful, youre still recovering.

He recognizes the voice as Lu Meis. Though his eyes are closed, Liu Jin can feel her Qi, hear her breathing, and smell her perfume. Most likely, they are alone in one of the rooms of Patriarch Wongs mansion.

What happened?

As Young Master Feng Zhi suspected, Wong Shou was involved in the attacks.

She makes no effort to disguise the surprise in her voice, and really, why should she? Who could have suspected it would be Wong Shou whod been creating the shades?

All those shades

Bubbling. Festering. Screeching.

Careful, Lu Mei warns once more. She does something with her Qi. Not an attack. Liu Jin can feel her Qi reaching out to his and redirecting something outwards? Do not agitate yourself. The effects of Wong Shous attack still linger on you.

Attack? He barely touched me... As soon as Liu Jin says it, it dawns on him. The emotions.

Lu Mei hums her affirmative, gently massaging Liu Jins forehead.

Wong Shou used Yin Qi to project negative emotions onto you. Their intensity overwhelmed you and caused you to lose consciousness.

It is similar to your technique then, Liu Jin notes. Now that he knows what he is looking for, it is easy to locate the excess Yin Qin in his system and expel it. That is what he felt Lu Mei doing earlier. She has probably been helping him while he was unconscious.

The principle is the same, although my technique is far more subtle and elegant than his. Liu Jin can almost feel her eyes narrow. And yet, you fell to such brutish tactics despite expertly dealing with mine.

Liu Jin manages a smile. As you said, it was a brutish attack. I was caught off-guard.

There had been too many emotions all at once for him to deal with. So much doubt. So much fear. So much self-loathing. It had been too much, too fast. The emotions had been so intense Liu Jin had felt them as his own. How could anyone mount the will to defend themselves while feeling so wretched?

A weak excuse.

Not an excuse but the truth. I am an honest person.

I wonder. Are you?

The air in the room changes. Liu Jin opens his eyes and blinks to adjust his vision. His gaze flicks down before rising to meet Lu Meis amber eyes.

I must say. This does send some mixed signals.

Wind.

While one of Lu Meis hands massages his forehead, the other one is surrounded by sharpened wind, mere inches from Liu Jins neck.

Since Young Master Feng Zhi and the others have left to deal with the situation, I thought this would be a good opportunity for us to speak plainly.

I dont know if Id like that. The last time a person told me to speak plainly to him, it didnt end well.

What a pity. Youll just have to bear it. Lu Meis tone and expression are completely at odds with what she is doing. Just by listening to her, one would never think she is threatening Liu Jins life. Youre doing a remarkable job of it already. I expected you to be more nervous.

You have had me all alone for quite some time. Liu Jin points out. He wants to shrug but refrains from doing so out of caution. If you wanted to kill me, youd have done so by now. Instead, you helped me expel that foreign Qi. You have my thanks for that, by the way.

A trifle. Your body was already doing a fine job of getting rid of it. At best, I speeded things up by an hour or two.

Nevertheless, I thank you.

Lu Mei holds his gaze for several seconds before pouting. You are just determined to take all the fun out of this, arent you?

It is my nature. Liu Jin replies, keenly aware of the blade of wind pointed at his throat. I could pretend to be scared if you wish.

No, I hate my men who fake it. That is a womans prerogative.

I thought changing her mind was a womans prerogative.

We have many prerogatives. Lu Mei doesnt bother fighting her smile. Then again, neither does he. What does that say about him? We are unfair like that.

A lull falls over them. Lu Meis smile slowly fades away, replaced by a frown.

Why do you know [Ceaselessly Refining Breath]?

Liu Jin blinks.

What?

Do not take me for a fool! Lu Mei snaps at him, her golden eyes flaring with anger. It is the first time he has seen her angry with him. I might not have noticed it at first, but you have never once stopped using the technique. I began suspecting when I saw you deal with the alcohol back when we became Inner Disciples. Now that I have felt your body expelling Wong Shous Qi, I know for sure. You are using [Ceaselessly Refining Breath].

Lu Mei moves to straddle him, but there is nothing sensual about it. The wind in her hand does not allow his mind to wander.

Can you imagine my confusion? Why does someone like you know a technique that belongs to the Red Sky Pavilion? Did my father send you? Did my mother?

Liu Jin just keeps blinking.

I am afraid I do not understand.

Out of all the things Li Jin had expected Lu Mei to confront him about, this one hadnt even been on the list.

You are using a breathing technique known only by select members of the Red Sky Pavilion, Lu Mei explains, her voice deliberately slow, a sign of her thinning patience. You can even maintain it constantly, something few ever manage to achieve. You either thought I wouldnt notice, or you wanted me to notice. One is an insult. The other one is foolish. Which is it?

Breathing technique?

He doesnt use any breathing technique. The only thing Lu Mei could have sensed is the method to purge himself of poisons and impurities Old Jiang taught him. Was Lu Mei confusing it with a Red Sky Pavilion technique or was there a connection there?

Correct. Lu Mei glances at him. So? How is he related to this? Bei Hong was following you from a distance, so he could only tell Wong Shou suddenly created many shades. Do you believe hes the sole responsible party?

Or do we have to worry about yet another enemy? Liu Jin has no trouble reading the question in her eyes.

I am not sure, Liu Jin admits. A frown forms on his face. Wong Shou till the very end he claimed he was innocent.

Lu Mei gives a pointed glance to the dark tower.

Clearly, he was lying.

Was he? Liu Jin is not so sure. Wong Shou had seemed genuinely confused by it all. Even when the shades started swarming Liu Jin, there had been not a single moment when Wong Shous panic had faded. He had remained fearful until the very end.

Furthermore, all those emotions Liu Jin had felt

Well know for sure when we deal with that tower.

Thats right. There will be time to question Wong Shou about everything later.

Right now, it was time to finish this.

~~~

We can only open the barriers for an instant, Elder Wong tells them. They are standing at the gates of the Bright Phantasm Sects compound. The streets have been cleared. Their path to the Night Forest is a straight line. As I am sure you understand, it is not safe to keep them open for too long with all those things out there.

It isnt as though the Elders cannot deal with the shades, far from it. However, the collateral damage they would cause would be a little too much. Even now, Liu Jin can see hundreds of shades trying to push against the barrier, crawling around like maggots.

All of them are in the Nascent Realm.

It wouldnt be just the civilians whod get caught in the crossfire. Even the disciples of the Bright Phantasm Sect would have a hard time surviving against those numbers.

As soon as it opens, Ill clear the way. After that, youll have a small window to make it out of the city. Do not dally.

Useful as it would be to have someone of Elder Wongs level with them, he is needed to keep maintaining the barrier. Besides, he is still not fully clear of suspicion.

We wont, Liu Jin assures him as he and Lu Mei ready themselves.

Also Elder Wong hesitates. His mouth opens and closes before he bows to them. I will not deny what you saw, yet I believe there is more to this story. Wong Shou would never betray the Sect. This old man only asks that you keep that in mind when dealing with him.

He sounds sincere. He looks sincere.

Ill make sure to heed Elder Wongs wisdom, Liu Jin promises.

You have my deepest thanks.

The barriers open.

At that moment, the many shades surrounding the city see their chance and rush for the opening. Elder Wong roars and strikes. The sheer strength of his Qi kills the shades who try to enter and pushes the rest back.

Now!

Liu Jin and Lu Mei burst forward. Each one uses their own movement technique to clear the distance to the city gates and beyond in an instant.

The barriers close behind them, leaving them alone against the horde.

They tear through them by the dozen. For them, foes of this level are simply not a threat. One shade. Seven. Thirteen. Thirty. Fifty-eight. The shades keep coming, and Liu Jin and Lu Mei keep killing them as they make their way to the tower.

Above!

Liu Jin shouts just in time. He and Lu Mei jump to the sides to avoid the sudden hail of blue flames coming down from the skies.

We

Were

Waiting

For

You

Each word is spoken by a different mouth. Liu Jin leaps and runs as a new wave of shades comes after him. These ones are different. So far, most of the shades, save for the invisible one, have been in the mid-stages of the Nascent Realm. However, there are more than a few shades in the Spirit Realm among the ones chasing Liu Jin right now.

Stop!

Come back!

Get away!

Because!

I will!

I wont!

Kill You!

As the shades keep running after him, Liu Jin distantly realizes Lu Mei is nowhere near him. Blue fire rises from the forest in the distance. The attack just now has successfully separated them. Lu Mei is dealing with whoever cast that fire. That leaves him alone against this horde.

Very well, then.

Stop!

Dont!

K-Ack!

Liu Jins spear pierces right through the shades mouth.

No, I dont think I will.

~~~