Chapter 111: Far Too Young

Chapter 111: Far Too Young

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Fire is light.

Light reveals that which is hidden.

The moon shines brightly as Liu Jin returns from the Apothecary. Elder Xues words keep echoing in his ears. It would be nice if that had been the end of that conversation, but it hadnt been. Not even close. Elder Xue had not wounded him or threatened him in any way. She had just...

It pleases me to see a disciple with such clear goals. However, Disciple Qing would be served well by not speaking of such things outside the Apothecary, certainly not near the Division of External Relations. Elder Fa and others like him would not appreciate seeing their work criticized.

...Implied things

Is that a problem?

Liu Jins first instinct is to say it is, but he refrains from doing so. It is a risk, certainly. However, thats not necessarily the same thing. A risk has the potential to become a problem. That doesnt mean it will be one. Elder Xue has not made any demands of him. Not yet.

Feng Shang and Feng Gui. The two sons of Patriarch Feng Zhang. That is what it all comes down to. Perhaps, everyone in the Eternal Flame Clan will have to pick a side eventually. Elder Xue has most certainly done so already. She may have even made the choice for Liu Jin as far back as the Selection Exam.

To think his way of killing would get him in trouble. Should he laugh or cry?

Chirp. Chirp.

Perhaps sensing his mood, his eagle chick flies down to his shoulder and gently pecks his ear. Liu Jin smiles and pets him.

It is okay. Im okay, Liu Jin says, and his words are not a lie.

After all, is this not what he came to the Eternal Flame Clan for?

Certainly, it is not good that Elder Xue has the upper hand on him, but does this situation not lend itself to his goals? From the beginning, Liu Jin had planned on becoming involved with the inner workings of the Eternal Flame Clan. He had not expected it to happen this way, but is there a single man out there who always manages to have everything go exactly the way he wishes? Is there a single person who can control all aspects of his life?

No. Such a person does not exist.

It is not how Liu Jin wanted it, but it is what he wanted.

Hes now one step closer to the Three Heavenly Generals of the Storm Dragon Empire.

You must understand, my lord, Lei Kong had told him a long time ago. The Empire fell into disorder once the Black Storm Dragon vanished. While many had been against him, it had been his power that kept the Empire whole. It had been through terror that the Empire had been united. The current Storm Dragon... He is a virtuous man, but he lacks the power to make others obey. He cannot wield terror as the Black Storm Dragon did. That is why it did not take long for the Empire to erupt into a brutal civil war. It was chaos, my lord. Complete and utter chaos.

And from that chaos had risen the Three Heavenly Generals.

General Murong Bang.

General Nie Dan.

General He Bin.

The three warlords had rampaged through the Storm Dragon Empire with their armies, conquering territory after territory. While the Emperor yet lives, his position has become largely ceremonial. Most Sects and Clans in the Storm Dragon Empire have pledged themselves to one of the three generals. Through brutal conquest, they brought some stability to the land.

Through brutal conquest, they trapped the Storm Dragon Empire in a never-ending civil war.

Three Heavenly Generals have been at a stalemate for years. There are constant skirmishes across their border territories. Worse still, since the generals are so focused on each other, many bands of bandits roam the land. Truthfully, the Storm Dragon Empire should have collapsed years ago. However

There are those who support the Three Heavenly Generals for their own ends, my lord. As you know, Murong Bang has had some dealings with the Endlessly Raging Valley. While not beholden to any faction, he will deal with whoever approaches him as long as he thinks he stands to benefit from it. As for General He Bin, it is rumored he truly is loyal to the Storm Dragon and obeys no one else, but I dont think I can believe that. Finally, General Nie Dan...

General Nie Dan is backed by the Eternal Flame Clan.

Chirp. Chirp.

I said I was fine, didnt I? Liu Jin rubs the spot where the eagle pecked him. You could stand to be a little more patient.

Another peck, this one more insistent.

Chirp. Chirp.

Liu Jin is left blinking as the young bird jumps twice on his shoulder and takes off.

One day, his eagle will soar through the skies at dizzying speeds, but today is not that day. Even though Liu Jin is still balancing a nest on top of his head, he has no problems catching up. He could easily grab the bird and put it back on his nest but decides to let him keep going instead.

The eagle keeps flying for several yards, showing he has grown remarkably in just a few days. He leads Liu Jin to one of the few green areas between the Apothecary and the Inner Disciples quarters.

You wanted to drink something? Liu Jin asks as the eagle approaches the pond and takes a few sips.

To his surprise, the eagle shakes his head no. Although with how small and round his body is, its more accurate to say he shakes his whole body from side to side.

What is it then?

The eagle jumps twice and gestures at a tree with one of his wings.

Chirp. Chirp.

Ah, so he had noticed. Smiling, Liu Jin turns around and looks up.

I believe he wants to meet you.

Liu Jin can almost feel the surprise radiating from the tree. There is a moment of silence. Then the leaves rustle as the person there jumps down. He is a young child with black hair and golden eyes that seem to shine in the darkness. Despite his youth, he is already wearing the red and black robes of a Core Disciple of the Eternal Flame Clan. Of course, that is only to be expected, considering how strong he is for his age.

Nascent Realm, Seventh Level.

He is the child he saw during the Selection Exam. Back then, he had been on the Third Level of the Nascent Realm. That had been mere weeks ago.

Just as Elder Xue said. A prodigy among prodigies.

I did not mean to hide, the young child says at last. His whole body is tense, as if he were about to run away at any moment. His gold eyes look dubiously at them.

Shall I do it for you? The round ball of feathers is rolling on Lu Meis palm as she pets it. I wonder perhaps White Feather?

Liu Jin shakes his head. I had thought about it, but his feathers will change color soo-

Out of my way!

Liu Jin and Lu Mei are both left blinking as an older Inner Disciple storms past them. There is something familiar about him. Liu Jin is left staring at the direction in which he went until it finally dawns on him.

Was that?

One of the disciples we fought in the Summer Forest? Lu Mei finishes for him. Yes.

Not just one of the disciples they fought in the Summer Forest. That one had been the disciples who tried to fight him over Lu Mei. Pan Qiu, if hes not mistaken.

They are often here for their punishment.

Liu Jin raises an eyebrow. Punishment?

He recalled Elder Cheung saying Pan Qiu and the others would be punished, but does Lu Mei mean to say their punishment is not yet finished?

Poison-testing, Lu Mei says with a smile that is far too cheerful and satisfied for such a dark subject. Elder Cheung is using them to test the effects of various poisons. They have been here almost every day since the fight. Sometimes, theyll have to stay several nights here to recover from the effects.

Liu Jins eyebrows go further up. That is quite a harsh punishment, even harsher than it sounds. It is not just the poison thats damaging. It is the time they lose recovering. Pan Qiu and the others like him have lost weeks they could have spent cultivating or earning points.

You did not mention this.

Should I have? Lu Mei shrugs. They are not worth talking about.

Liu Jin hums. I suppose youre right.

Callous as it may sound, they are not worth thinking about. Certainly not compared to what he has to deal with.

~~~

I am surprised.

Oh? Whatever for?

I did not think you actually wanted help with your duties.

Disappointed?

Since Liu Jin cannot instantly think of a comeback, he focuses on grinding the leaves instead.

The two are making ointment for light injuries. It may not sound all that important, yet it is a duty that always requires doing. Most of the disciples who come here do so exactly because they have been lightly wounded during a spar or training.

Merely curious, Liu Jin says once he has thought of something. I cannot imagine this is something youd need help with. If you did, well...

Liu Jin gestures to the one other occupant in the room. Hes an Inner Disciple with a dazed look on his face. He mindlessly places temporal seals on the jars of ointment they finish.

Clearly, you have no problems making people do things for you.

Oh, but I am making you do things for me, Lu Mei counters, shoulder bumping against his. Besides, Id rather not have too many like that one around.

Liu Jin sighs and rubs his forehead. Did he at least do something to deserve it?

Lu Mei places a hand over her heart, a look of mock outrage on her face. Do you truly think Id do something like that to someone for no reason?

Youd have a reason. Enjoyment.

True, Lu Mei admits shamelessly. However, you can rest easy. That one tried to overstep his boundaries with me. He overestimated his charm and did not take rejection well.

She grins as she looks at the Inner Disciples mindless expression.

He also vastly underestimated my ability.

How long have you kept him under your technique?

A few days. It will wear off eventually. Feel free to ignore him.

I will. He gives her a measuring look. You are quite dangerous.

You always say the sweetest things.

I meant it as an observation, Liu Jin says. And perhaps a question as well. Why is it that you limit yourself to working in the Medical Pavilion?

The Medical Pavilion is by no means an unimportant building, yet Liu Jin is sure someone with Lu Meis skills could easily aim higher.

And here I thought you were not the type to pry.

Is it so wrong that I am curious about you? Liu Jin asks as he rises to get more ingredients from the shelves. Would you feel more comfortable if I hold a blade to your neck while we talk?

Lu Mei flinches.

Point made, she says, huffing and crossing her arms. Fine. Ill answer. It is not really anything complicated. I just do not wish to be dragged into the politics of the Eternal Flame Clan. Due to its purpose, the Medical Pavilion never takes any sides. As one of the weaker Elders, Elder Cheung is completely neutral in any conflict.

It takes Liu Jin a long while to reply.

I see... Thats quite smart of you.

Far smarter than him, who may no longer have a choice.

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