Chapter 177: Until You Are Ready

Chapter 177: Until You Are Ready

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Only a few of the disciples who went to the Dead Plains remain unaccounted for. While it is possible they might return in the coming weeks, it is far more likely those who havent done so yet wont ever come back to the Eternal Flame Clan. Either because they have chosen to abandon it, like Xun Huwen, or because they are dead.

Like Bu Jing.

Bu Jing was a follower of the now-disgraced Elder Cheung. The disciple once competed against Liu Jin in a pill-making contest and lost. Bu Jing then joined the Punishment Force and started the fight in the Sparring Hall that doomed several disciples to dying in the Dead Plains. According to the casualty report, one of the disciples who returned saw him die to a powerful Spirit Beast shortly after the transport.

Liu Jin is not sure how to feel about that.

The question of just how much Bu Jing knew is one that still eludes him. Logically, Bu Jing should have known about Elder Cheungs experiments. His skills were too sharp for him to miss them. On the other hand, Liu Jin had felt Bu Jings deep-rooted admiration for Elder Cheung when they clashed. He had felt the hurt and resentment in his soul.

Perhaps, Bu Jing was simply someone who admired the wrong person and became blind to his faults. From Bu Jings point of view, Liu Jin might have been the villain who framed Elder Cheung and took the Medical Pavilion from him.

Just like how, from Qu Rous perspective, Liu Jin was nothing more than the man who killed his brother by denying them medical supplies during the tournament.

It doesnt matter now, Liu Jin supposes. None of it does. Bu Jing. Qu Rou. Yuan Yi. Their circumstances and those of many others like them will remain lost. Just like their lives have been lost to the Dead Plains.

Dead without knowing anything.

Dead without understanding anything.

And isnt that just the height of unfairness? Liu Jin whispers.

Soaring Feather croons and rubs his head against him. Liu Jin smiles and pats the eagles soft feathers as he turns the page.

A short moment later, the door opens.

Do you know I can feel your depressing thoughts from all the way down the corridor? Lu Mei asks as she walks into his room. Liu Jin blinks a few times. He must still be out of sorts if he forgot to place talismans on his door to lock it.

It is not depression. It is meditation and deep thought, Liu Jin says as Soaring Feather abandons his side to go over Lu Mei.

It is depressing is what it is, Lu Mei says, patting Soaring Feather. Oh, dear. You grew a lot. How about it? You agree with me, dont you? Jin should not be reading depressing novels, right?

Soaring Feather croons and nods his head.

It is not a novel, Liu Jin says, glaring at the traitorous bird as he places the report on his desk. It is a report on all the disciples who went to the Dead Plains. Those who have returned and those who wont.

Lu Mei stops petting Soaring Feather.

Why would you have that?

I asked Elder Xue for it, and she gave it to me.

Lu Mei stares at him in incomprehension.

Why?

Because people died for stupid reasons, Liu Jin answers.

Thats how most people die! Lu Mei says, throwing her hands up.

They just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, Liu Jin continues as though he hadnt heard her. That was all it took for them to be thrown into the Dead Plains. It is pitiful. Not a single one of them wanted their stories to end that way. The least I can do is remember their names.

That is not the least you could do! It is not your responsibility! Not even remotely. Dont tell me you feel a misguided sense of guilt for winning!

Not guilt, Liu Jin says, his voice much quieter than Lu Meis. I just dont want to forget they lived. In the future, there will be other situations like this one where many people will die. When that happens, I might not have a convenient list of names ready. I might be so busy with other things, I wont even have time to spare a single thought for the dead.

Liu Jin frowns and looks down.

I might start thinking less of the value of each life lost in my path. I think that would be the first step toward a road I dont care for.

Something so convenient will never happen, Lu Mei tells him. Someone like you is hopelessly doomed to live a righteous life. Youre more likely to die by that annoying conscience of yours than to ever abandon it.

Liu Jin cocks his head. Are you encouraging me or insulting me?

Yes, Lu Mei answers with long-suffering certainty. Liu Jin chuckles.

How did things go with the Patriarch? He asks after a moment of silence.

I didnt think youd be the sort of person who has time for sweets, Lu Mei says. She takes one and eats it. Her face sours immediately. Too sweet! Far too sweet! How can you eat this?

Sweetness is a necessity, Liu Jin says, easily catching the bag when she tosses it to him. Life is too bitter.

Do not speak as though you were an old man defeated by life. Also, I do not detect a shred of cultivation value in those things. How did you even get them?

Not everything needs cultivation value. I had one of the disciples go to Ember City and buy them for me.

A disciple or that servant of yours? Lu Mei asks him.

A disciple, Liu Jin replies. Lei Kong has orders to never try to infiltrate the compound. Hed fail horribly, and Id rather not have him get into trouble. He attracts it far too often already.

Not that he is any better in that regard.

It would have been nice to know you had a servant in the True Realm who was coming to protect you, Lu Mei says as she makes herself comfortable on his bed. Not many people can rely on such things.

I was not sure he would go that far. He is or rather, he was a soldier of Murong Bangs army.

Lu Mei raises an eyebrow. The man who destroyed your hometown?

The same.

How did you gain the loyalty of one of his men?

He felt guilty for his actions and pledged himself to me, Liu Jin explains, shrugging.

Lu Mei sighs. Of course, he did.

I never imagined hed leap into the Dead Plains, let alone that hed encounter the Duke. It was

Impossible.

An unlikely outcome made possible only by overcoming Heavens Will and replacing it with his own.

That is probably what someone like Xun Huwen will say.

Fortunate, Liu Jin finishes. Hes back in Ember City now, though I wish he wasnt so close to us. Some people might try to argue that his presence in the contest counts as cheating.

I dont think you have to worry about that, Lu Mei tells him. The Patriarch has made his judgment. Anyone trying to object now would look like an idiot.

That doesnt mean people wont do it. Especially the idiots.

They are a numerous race, but on this occasion, fear of going against Patriarch Feng outweighs natural stupidity and bluster. The reaction to Lord Feng Guis victory has been surprisingly tame because of it. Theres going to be a banquet to celebrate his eventual ascension.

Liu Jin looks horrified. Please, tell me we dont have to go.

If you had to, Elder Xue would have already been preparing you for it, Lu Mei points out. I doubt either of us will have to go. We are being granted a rare moment of rest, it seems.

Thats good. Liu Jin sighs in relief and leans back into his chair. An idea crosses his mind. Do you wish to learn Ceaselessly Refining Breath now?

Now? Are you sure? Despite her words, theres no hiding Lu Meis eagerness.

There is no time like the present. Besides, the first step is not particularly demanding. He tosses a small pouch full of pills at her. Eat one of those.

What are they? Lu Mei looks at them dubiously. More sweets?

Poison.

Funny. What are they?

Poison.

Lu Mei stares at him.

He stares right back at her.

If it makes you feel better, they are just the right amount of sweet. We wont move onto the odorless ones until you are ready.

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