The entire harbour and the streets around it were restricted entry; only cultivators were allowed past the barricades.<\/p>\n
A few guards and junior disciples of the allied clans patrolled the area, making sure every person who entered the restricted area was accounted for.<\/p>\n
Di Mie was easily recognised and let through, with one of the Rong Clan\u2019s disciples showing him to the quarters reserved for the Border Mountains Sect at the Juxian Inn\u2014the largest, grandest inn in the city. Rather than an inn, it was more like a series of guest houses, with some shared common areas for mingling and private ones for dining.<\/p>\n
The inn spanned a few buildings along the lake. He could see the gates of the Phoenix Manor from here\u2014an atrociously extravagant building across the street with pavilions extending into the lake itself.<\/p>\n
\u201cValley Lord Di!\u201d called out a Border Mountains\u2019 disciple sporting the blue accents of Crystal Peak. \u201cIf you\u2019re looking for Sect Leader Qing, he should be around the Phoenix Manor. Shall I go tell him you\u2019re here?\u201d
\n\u201cIt\u2019s fine. I have my own things to do. Carry on,\u201d said Di Mie as he crossed the courtyard into the guest quarters for the Border Mountains Sect.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, sir,\u201d saluted the disciple, confused but wise enough to not question the Fallen Leaves Valley Lord, especially when said Lord was carrying what looked like a questionable coffin on his back.<\/p>\n
There were a couple of empty rooms for him to choose from, so he picked the room with the largest bed he could find.<\/p>\n
Which, from the looks of some clothes hanging on a rack, wasn\u2019t exactly an empty room, but he didn\u2019t sweat the details.<\/p>\n
He set the coffin down on the large bed, sealed the bedroom with a barrier, and decided to go get some dinner.<\/p>\n
The disciples of the Rong Clan who busied about the common areas gave him a wide berth. Some of the female disciples watched him from a distance and whispered to each other excitedly but shuffled away when he got closer. A senior Rong Clan disciple passed by and scolded them for loitering.<\/p>\n
He made sure to give a little fan service for their trouble because it never hurt to increase his fanbase.<\/p>\n
Rather than trying to flag down one of the scurrying Rong Clan\u2019s junior disciples to run his errands, he figured it was better to get things done himself.<\/p>\n
*<\/p>\n
The lord of the Border Mountains\u2019 Crystal Peak, dressed in black and blue, gave a long sigh as he doubled checked the barriers and talismans he\u2019d put up.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019d think they could spare more manpower but no, they\u2019re all busy sorting out \u2018internal affairs\u2019,\u201d he mumbled to himself. \u201cLook at this nice empty street all to myself\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSect Leader Qing,\u201d greeted a man coming out from the Manor\u2019s gates. His robes bore the golden accents of the Rong Clan. \u201cThank you for your continued efforts in keeping our city safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMister Zhu,\u201d said Qing Lingfeng, returning the greeting. \u201cI\u2019m only doing what should be done. You have been very busy yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s with your support that we\u2019ve been able to control the situation,\u201d said Zhu Yinghe.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it about the dead harming the living, we are glad to help,\u201d said Qing Lingfeng.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour help is appreciated, but this is an internal affair of the Rong Clan, so we can\u2019t bother the Border Mountains Sect any further,\u201d said Zhu Yinghe, sounding apologetic. What he meant was that no outsiders were allowed into the Manor at this point.<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso, second young master Rong Zhong hopes you\u2019ll be able to attend the conference of the clans at the end of the month so he may thank you in person.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIsn\u2019t the Rong Clan\u2019s eldest son, Rong Jing, hosting this meeting?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is correct. The second young master is in charge of the manor\u2019s situation at present, but he plans to attend the conference,\u201d said Zhu Yinghe.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see,\u201d said Qing Lingfeng. \u201cTell your master I cannot promise him, but I shall try.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCertainly,\u201d greeted Zhu Yinghe. He motioned for the disciples behind him to help. \u201cI\u2019ll take over from here, so please go ahead and rest.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI shall take you up your kind offer,\u201d said Qing Lingfeng.<\/p>\n
As Qing Lingfeng stretched and walked away from the Manor after a long day of work, he saw a familiar figure approach him.<\/p>\n
\u201dHey, Spirit Emperor,\u201d grinned Di Mie.<\/p>\n
\u201cValley Lord Di,\u201d sighed Qing Lingfeng. \u201cLet me guess, you\u2019re not here to help me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was thinking you could help me instead,\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy is my life so hard,\u201d sighed Qing Lingfeng.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho\u2019s that guy?\u201d said Di Mie, raising a brow at Zhu Yinghe from a distance.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s Zhu Yinghe, steward of the Phoenix Manor. He works for the Rong Clan\u2019s second son, Rong Zhong,\u201d said Qing Lingfeng. \u201cSeems like he\u2019s in charge of the cleanup.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, so that\u2019s the famous Zhu Yinghe\u2026\u201d said Di Mie. \u201cAnyway, speaking of Rong Zhong, I had a few drinks with him some years back. He\u2019s a pretty easy-going guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyway, what do you want?\u201d said Qing Lingfeng.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m looking for dinner,\u201d grinned Di Mie under his veil.<\/p>\n
\u201dShizun!\u201d called out two figures as they made their way out of the street.<\/p>\n
\u201cGouzi, Yatou*,\u201d said Qing Lingfeng.<\/p>\n
*Gouzi = dog, Yatou = servant girl<\/p>\n
\u201cYour two disciples still haven\u2019t changed their names?\u201d said Di Mie, turning to judge Qing Lingfeng.<\/p>\n
\u201cValley Lord Di,\u201d greeted both the Crystal Peak disciples.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not Shizun\u2019s fault,\u201d said Yatou. \u201cWe didn\u2019t want him to bestow us names until we became senior disciples.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour Crystal Peak brats sure are ambitious,\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere do you want to go for dinner?\u201d said Qing Lingfeng, sighing yet again.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome back to the inn and help me cook up some vegetarian dishes,\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n
Qing Lingfeng closed his eyes and massaged his brow as he realised what was going on.<\/p>\n
He took a deep breath, then opened his eyes and levelled his gaze at Di Mie\u2019s.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst of all, you and I are canteen regulars. What makes you think I know how to cook?\u201d<\/p>\n
Di Mie shrugged and said, \u201cI was hoping you learnt it in your free time or something.\u201d<\/p>\n
Qing Lingfeng turned to his disciples.<\/p>\n
\u201cGouzi, Yatou, can either of you cook?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can,\u201d said Gouzi. \u201cI was a kitchen servant before I joined the Border Mountains Sect.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cValley Lord Di, is there no vegetarian food available at Juxian Inn?\u201d asked Yatou, confused.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur meals are catered from the main kitchen of the inn. I don\u2019t think they serve customised dishes,\u201d said Qing Lingfeng.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan\u2019t we order from a restaurant somewhere?\u201d asked Yatou.<\/p>\n
\u201cI assume this is your first time in Bainiao Lake City,\u201d said Di Mie. \u201cThere are no vegetarian restaurants here in this city of excess.\u201d<\/p>\n
Qing Lingfeng frowned in thought. \u201cWe could arrange for a private cook, but it would take time and approval.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t have time for that,\u201d continued Di Mie. \u201cI need the food ready by dinnertime.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t know the Valley Lord is vegetarian,\u201d whispered Yatou.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s not,\u201d said Qing Lingfeng, rolling his eyes. \u201cHe probably just felt like it today. Isn\u2019t that so, our Fallen Leaves Valley Lord?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know me so well, Big Bro Lingfeng,\u201d grinned Di Mie.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease don\u2019t call me that, I\u2019m getting goosebumps.\u201d<\/p>\n
*<\/p>\n
After bumbling about the kitchen for over an hour, the four of them managed to come up with a bowl of vegetable dumplings and some grilled radish cakes. There were two more side dishes Di Mie whipped up himself that looked dubiously charred.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I\u2019m sure it\u2019ll work out fine if you serve this with some tea,\u201d said Qing Lingfeng, renowned Spirit Emperor, leader of the Border Mountains Sect. He couldn\u2019t wait to tear off his apron and be done with this.<\/p>\n
\u201cI suppose. He\u2019s not picky with his food if he\u2019s got some tea to wash it down,\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2018He\u2019?\u201d asked Yatou.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, nothing,\u201d said Qing Lingfeng.<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess it\u2019s no harm introducing him to them,\u201d said Di Mie. \u201cI\u2019ll need to, sooner or later, if he\u2019s to move about freely with me. Also\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Qing Lingfeng took a deep breath and then let out a long sigh.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll get the paperwork done.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re as understanding as usual, Big Bro Lingfeng.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know I\u2019m a \u2018pushover\u2019. Now stop smirking under that veil of yours,\u201d said Qing Lingfeng. He turned to his disciples. \u201cGouzi, Yatou, go get some wine. We\u2019ll need it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMake sure to get \u2018Dream-Wandering Immortal\u2019, some quality osmanthus tea, and\u2014\u201d Di Mie dug out an invoice from his sash and handed it to them together with a pouch of silver\u2014\u201dhelp me collect something.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re going with Dream-Wandering Immortal?\u201d said Qing Lingfeng. \u201cThat\u2019s for the best.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYep,\u201d said Di Mie. \u201cThat\u2019s for the best in this situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks for not stirring shit.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShit will most likely be stirred at the clan alliance meeting, whether you like it or not. I\u2019m just saving it for later.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease let me be far away from this place when it happens,\u201d muttered Qing Lingfeng.<\/p>\n
\u201cDream-Wandering Immortal? I saw those being sold at the restaurant just outside the restricted area,\u201d said Yatou. \u201cI\u2019ll go with Gouzi.\u201d<\/p>\n
Qing Lingfeng sighed once more for good measure and looked at the food they prepared. Seeing the ominous side dishes from Di Mie\u2019s own hand, he knew his plate of hardships was just beginning.<\/p>\n
When they both arrived outside Di Mie\u2019s chosen room, Qing Lingfeng stared at the door and said, \u201cI\u2019m pretty sure this is my room\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t sweat the details,\u201d said Di Mie, taking down the protective barrier and opening the door.<\/p>\n
A gush of hot, humid air hit their faces as they went in and set the dishes down on the dining table. The floor of this inn was heated, but it wasn\u2019t anywhere close to this level of heat.<\/p>\n
Covered pots of hot water were placed around the bed, followed by a barrier to keep out the wind from the room.<\/p>\n
It felt like a warm summer night in here.<\/p>\n
Qing Lingfeng wasn\u2019t concerned about that. Instead, he stared at the large bamboo casket in front of him.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou put a coffin on my bed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry, it\u2019s brand new and clean. I wouldn\u2019t put my Shizun in a dirty box.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis looks more like a wake than a dinner. Did you finally commit magistricide?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI love your reaction,\u201d said Di Mie, taking off his veiled hat and hanging it over a chair.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan we get rid of the coffin before my disciples come back? They\u2019re still young and impressionable. I don\u2019t want them thinking it\u2019s fine to randomly put coffins on people\u2019s beds,\u201d said Qing Lingfeng.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really love your reaction,\u201d chuckled Di Mie as he opened the coffin, revealing balls of wool stuffed in the gaps around the person lying within. Said person was wearing a young woman\u2019s style of dress with a man\u2019s robe tucked around him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not going to comment on what he\u2019s wearing or where all this wool came from. I\u2019m just going to pray for his soul to rest in peace,\u201d muttered Qing Lingfeng, adding a prayer chant at the end of his comment.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt should be warm enough, but he\u2019s still not waking up yet,\u201d said Di Mie, pulling out the limp body out of the coffin onto the bed, tucking him in with a blanket and stuffing the balls of wool underneath to keep him warm.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened?\u201d asked Qing Lingfeng.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe dropped into hibernation on the way here,\u201d said Di Mie, checking Xie Li\u2019s pulse and frowning. \u201cHis internal organs are still not warmed up. I probably need to try circulating aura through his meridians.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf he\u2019s this weak, his body might not be able to withstand it if you forced your aura into his circulation,\u201d warned Qing Lingfeng.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll just channel it through his jade bangle since it\u2019s attuned to his aura,\u201d said Di Mie, watching Qing Lingfeng\u2019s reaction. \u201cSomehow this useful bangle disappeared from my room and is right here on his wrist.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHaaa,\u201d sighed Qing Lingfeng, knowing he was caught.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew you two were in cahoots once I saw him with the jade bangle,\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can ask him yourself if you want to know more. I was sworn to secrecy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI respect your decision, but I\u2019m still going to get back at you for not telling me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt really wasn\u2019t my decision to make, so please don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
*<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re back,\u201d came Gouzi and Yatou\u2019s voices outside the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome in,\u201d said Di Mie, putting his veiled hat back on in a practised, swift motion.<\/p>\n
\u201cWow, this room is really warm,\u201d said Gouzi, feeling sweat already beginning to bead on his forehead.<\/p>\n
\u201cHm? Who\u2019s this?\u201d asked Yatou, spotting a figure sleeping on the bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cHave you collected my package?\u201d asked Di Mie.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere it is,\u201d said Gouzi. \u201cAre these new clothes?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d said Di Mie. \u201cI ordered these months ago but they\u2019ve only recently finished sewing them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not going to ask how much it costs,\u201d said Qing Lingfeng.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry, it\u2019s not coming out of the Border Mountains\u2019 coffers,\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Valley Lord is rich?\u201d asked Gouzi, ears perking up at the mention of money.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s quite the businessman, like Resting Cloud Peak\u2019s Bai Yunhe,\u201d pointed out Qing Lingfeng.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to learn how to do business,\u201d said Gouzi, his eyes filled with money signs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI could transfer you to the Fallen Leaves Valley for a few months if you want to study with Valley Lord Di.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, no,\u201d said Gouzi, quickly recalling the horror stories of the Mad Tiger disciples who were \u2018taught\u2019 by Di Mie. \u201cI\u2019m happy at Crystal Peak!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, don\u2019t you go pawning your brats off me. My hands are already full with Big Sister Ye\u2019s Mad Tiger brats.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite his personality, he\u2019s still a Valley Lord of our Border Mountains,\u201d said Qing Lingfeng. \u201cYou\u2019re sure to learn a lot from him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean \u2018despite my personality\u2019?\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n
\u201cNooo,\u201d begged Gouzi. \u201cI\u2019ll be good and obedient, please don\u2019t send me there!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow about you, Yatou?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be good and obedient too!\u201d begged Yatou.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy are you both so scared? It\u2019s not like he\u2019s going to eat you up. He\u2019s a proper lord, you know,\u201d said Qing Lingfeng, slightly taken aback at their dramatic reactions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the Mad Tiger brats have been exaggerating their tales,\u201d said Di Mie. \u201cBut if it means I have to do less overtime, I\u2019m totally fine with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou do get paid for overtime, you know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat money can\u2019t even buy me a hat.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you didn\u2019t wear so much branded stuff\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got an image to uphold,\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll leave the meeting to you. In the meantime, I\u2019ll go check in with the Resting Clouds out-of-town disciples stationed here, since you seem pretty sure trouble\u2019s a-brewing,\u201d said Qing Lingfeng.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou do that,\u201d said Di Mie, pointing at him and clicking his tongue.<\/p>\n
\u201cGouzi, Yatou, grab your stuff and let\u2019s move out,\u201d said Qing Lingfeng, taking his belongings from this room.<\/p>\n
\u201cWait, Shizun, isn\u2019t this our room?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s our Fallen Leaves Valley Lord\u2019s room now,\u201d sighed Qing Lingfeng.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2018Pushover\u2019,\u201d mouthed Yatou to Gouzi, who nodded back.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll come and visit you with my Shizun when we are ready, Sect Leader Qing,\u201d said Di Mie, clasping his hands together in greeting, finally mindful of decorum for once.<\/p>\n
All Qing Lingfeng heard from the smirk in Di Mie\u2019s voice was \u2018Heheh, I\u2019m looking forward to your reaction\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cValley Lord Di\u2019s Shizun\u2026??\u201d said the two disciples, alarmed. \u201cIsn\u2019t that, uh\u2026.he-should-not-be-named?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it, you two,\u201d said Qing Lingfeng, glancing at the jars of Dream Wandering Immortal on the table and taking one with him. \u201cGive me one of these jars. I\u2019ll need a drink if I\u2019m to sleep tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also made a note to himself to teach these two not to ask so many questions when dealing with the Fallen Leaves Valley Lord if they wanted to avoid trouble.<\/p>\n
*<\/p>\n
Xie Li lay on the bed, drowsy, his back pressed against something warm. His wrist felt almost scorching as the jade bangle he wore glowed gently, spreading tendrils of spirit aura to warm him up.<\/p>\n
\u201cFinally awake?\u201d came a soft baritone next to his ear.<\/p>\n
He saw one hand holding his wrist and the other slung over his stomach, both almost scaldingly warm. Tucked around them both were a thick blanket and big chunks of wool.<\/p>\n
The room\u2019s air was hot and slightly humid, like a warm summer night.<\/p>\n
Xie Li sat up and let the blanket fall off him as he surveyed the surroundings, his eyes scanning for the doors and windows.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re at an inn near the Phoenix Manor in Bainiao Lake City,\u201d explained Di Mie.<\/p>\n
Satisfied with the observation, he moved on to take stock of what was around him. He picked at the wool beside him, pulling and stretching the material, and then sniffing it. Then he turned around and grabbed a lock of Di Mie\u2019s hair, rubbing the strands between his fingers.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you awake yet?\u201d asked Di Mie.<\/p>\n
\u201cMn,\u201d said Xie Li. He pulled at the thin fabric he was wearing. He had been stripped down to his undertunic but he didn\u2019t feel cold.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s warm,\u201d he commented.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad you like it,\u201d said Di Mie. He wrapped both his arms around Xie Li\u2019s waist to stop him from moving off. \u201cLook at me, I\u2019m all hot and sweaty from all this heat.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xie Li huffed and squirmed, trying to get away from the sticky sensation of Di Mie\u2019s sweat soaking through his tunic. He grabbed at Di Mie\u2019s hands, trying to pry them off his waist, and then he stopped.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
Xie Li narrowed his eyes as he ran his fingers over the many small barely visible scars all over Di Mie\u2019s hands.
\nDi Mie sighed and let go.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s eat some dinner and wash up,\u201d he said, getting out of bed, not bothering to put on a tunic in this heat.<\/p>\n
He grabbed a plate of dumplings over and held a piece of it with his chopsticks in front of Xie Li\u2019s lips. \u201cI\u2019ll feed you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xie Li shook his head and got out of bed to sit at the table. Di Mie passed him a pair of chopsticks, which he held it crossed, then corrected it, then frowned in concentration as he picked up the food.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust stab it,\u201d chuckled Di Mie. \u201cNo one\u2019s watching anyway. You can even eat with your hands if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before Xie Li took a bite, he narrowed his eyes at the dishes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese aren\u2019t your dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine, I already ate,\u201d said Di Mie, knowing exactly what Xie Li meant.<\/p>\n
Xie Li spotted some side dishes behind the other dishes, plates filled with food that looked very different from the other dishes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d he pointed to the first plate of what looked like pieces of charcoal.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrilled bamboo shoots,\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGrilled mushroom skewers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou cooked them?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow did you know?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh,\u201d said Xie Li. He put down his chopsticks and picked up the skewer with his fingers.<\/p>\n
The mushroom crumbled into pieces upon his first nibble, having already ascended to charcoal nirvana. He did manage to get one edible nibble out of the bottom mushroom that was burnt outside but raw inside.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a bit bitter,\u201d said Xie Li as he swallowed a mouthful of grit and coughed.<\/p>\n
He took a piece of the \u2018bamboo shoot\u2019 with his hand and took a bite as well, then put it down as he swallowed, grimacing just a little. He looked at his black fingers, then wiped it on his tunic. He\u2019d be doing laundry later anyway.<\/p>\n
Di Mie quickly poured some osmanthus tea into a cup and served it.<\/p>\n
\u201cShizun, stop eating coal and drink some tea.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMn,\u201d said Xie Li, taking a sip. He didn\u2019t seem all that interested in food anymore after tasting the first two black dishes. Tea was good. Tea was warm. He cradled the cup in his hands and just continued sipping at it.<\/p>\n
Di Mie sat down next to him, popped an edible dumpling into his mouth and started explaining the situation with his mouth full.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a while and many things have changed around here at Bainiao Lake City. The Rong Clan\u2019s long-time patriarch, Rong Yaozhu, passed away a year ago. The eldest son, Rong Jing, is currently leading the clan, but the ancestral sword to be worn by every generation\u2019s head of the clan has gone missing, so his position is not official,\u201d said Di Mie.<\/p>\n
Following Di Mie\u2019s example, Xie Li popped a dumpling in his mouth and started chewing as he listened.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are rumours that the second son, Rong Zhong, is the one Rong Yaozhu wanted to be the clan\u2019s successor. According to the Resting Cloud Peak\u2019s intel, this hypothesis isn\u2019t unfounded.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the intel about?\u201d said Xie Li, following Di Mie\u2019s bad example of talking with his mouth full.<\/p>\n
\u201cZhu Yinghe. This guy\u2019s the steward of the Phoenix Manor and also the personal servant of the previous patriarch. Zhu Yinghe was given as a servant to Rong Zhong a few years before the patriarch died. It seems that the shrewd patriarch, Rong Yaozu, may be sending a message to his first son by giving Zhu Yinghe to his second son.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI see,\u201d said Xie Li. \u201cIs the outbreak in their manor related to this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d said Di Mie. \u201cIt could be infighting between the two brothers, but it could also be sabotage. The Rong Clan aren\u2019t short of enemies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember the Rong patriarch had more children.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rest were either banished or dead, so all that\u2019s left are these two sons and a daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about the daughter?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe daughter, Rong Ci, was widowed shortly after her marriage into the Yang Clan in Fanhua City a few years ago. She said she has returned to Bainiao Lake City to take care of her mother after her father\u2019s passing and will not partake in any politics.<\/p>\n
\u201cWidowed?\u201d said Xie Li.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe head of the clan and most of his family were killed during a botched exorcism. That happened about three years ago,\u201d said Di Mie, eating a piece of radish cake with his hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cSounds complicated,\u201d said Xie Li, mirroring Di Mie and picking up a piece of radish cake himself with his fingers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll remind you if you forget,\u201d said Di Mie. \u201cJust know that there\u2019ll probably be drama happening at the allied clans meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHm? I\u2019m attending?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYep.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not a senior disciple or anything,\u201d said Xie Li. \u201cI don\u2019t have the rank to attend.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re my Shizun. That\u2019s senior enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think people are going to misunderstand.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a plan. I will also have the paperwork,\u201d grinned Di Mie.<\/p>\n
*<\/p>\n
In the room next door, Qing Lingfeng shuddered.<\/p>\n
Not long after, Di Mie invited himself into his room to use his bathtub since the tub in his room was occupied.<\/p>\n
It was then Qing Lingfeng decided he was better off at work than resting at the inn.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Juxian Lou \u805a\u4ed9\u697c Qing Lingfeng \u6e05\u5cad\u67ab Clear Ridge Maple His two disciples\u2019 names are: The Phoenix Manor\u2019s Rong Clan:<\/p>\n Rong Yaozu \u8363\u8000\u7956 – the deceased patriarch of the Rong Clan Rong Jing \u8363\u656c – the eldest son Rong Zhong \u8363\u5fe0 – the second son Rong Ci \u8363\u6148 – daughter Zhu Yinghe \u6731\u8fce\u8377 – servant of Rong Zhong
\nTranslator\u2019s Notes<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nImmortal-Gathering Inn (\u2018Lou\u2019 means building, but refers to an inn in this case)<\/p>\n
\nHe’s the Sect Leader of the Border Mountains and has the title of \u2018Lingdi\u2019 \u7075\u5e1d (Spirit Emperor).
\nCrystal Peak \u6e05\u51cc\u5cf0 is \u2018Qingling Feng\u2019 in Chinese (meaning ‘clear-cool\/crystal-clear Peak’), hence the pun of his name sometimes.<\/p>\n
\nGouzi \u72d7\u5b50: name just means \u2018Dog\u2019.
\nYatou \u4e2b\u5934: her name just means \u2018girl\u2019, or \u2018maid(servant)\u2019.<\/p>\n
\nIt\u2019s a common surname, meaning \u2018Glory\u2019 or \u2018Honour\u2019. His name Yaozu means \u2018shine (upon) ancestors\u2019<\/p>\n
\nJing means \u2018respect\u2019<\/p>\n
\nZong means \u2018loyalty\u2019<\/p>\n
\nCi means \u2018charity\u2019<\/p>\n
\nZhu is a common surname, meaning \u2018crimson\u2019, Yinghe means \u2018welcome lotus\u2019.<\/p>\n