Chapter 188: Fake Peace

    ~~~

    You!

    As soon as he leaves the courthouse, Liu Jin is yelled at by Chu Jiayue, the daughter of City Lord Chu. The young woman angrily stomps her way to him. There are numerous servants trailing behind her, carrying clothing, jewelry, and other luxurious goods.

    Why is it you again? She asks, one finger raised and pointed

    Soft laughter reaches his ears.

    Oh, Sister Chu. If we knew, our lives would be so much simpler. Best as I can tell, he was born under a bad star. Some people are cursed to suffer such fates.

    Liu Jin glares at Lu Mei as she walks up to them. Unlike the angry young woman, Lu Mei wears a casual, almost amused, smirk.

    You know this man, Sister Mei? Chu Jiayue asks, making Liu Jin raise an eyebrow, not just at the use of Lu Meis name but at how at ease the daughter of the City Lord seems to be in her presence.

    Lu Mei has been hard at work, it seems.

    We are both disciples of the Eternal Flame Clan. It is natural for us to know each other, Lu Mei points out. She walks over to Liu Jin and grabs hold of his arm. But yes, we are close. I understand your first meeting was not the best-

    Not the best?! He made a spectacle out of me! Chu Jiayue shouts, angrily shaking her finger at Liu Jin.

    Technically, you made a spectacle out of yourself, Young Miss. I merely joined the performance, and not even out of my own volition, Liu Jin points out.

    For some reason, that just makes her glare harder at him.

    Dont tease her, Jin, Lu Mei chides, though he can tell she finds it funny too.

    My apologies, he says more seriously. I truly did not mean to insult the Young Miss. It was a difficult situation, and I tried to handle it as best I could. I could no more defy Young Masters orders than the Young Miss could stop herself from standing up for Rumbling Thunder City.

    Not that Liu Jin doesnt stand by his initial statement, but he does not need City Lord Chus daughter angry at him. If an apology can somewhat mend fences between them, he will gladly do it.

    Indeed, it seems to work. Chu Jiayues glare softens but, alas, only for a moment.

    Never mind that! She snaps at him even though she obviously minds it. What is this I hear about you starting a fight with our soldiers?

    One of her servants told her about it. Lu Mei transmits through her Qi. He was there when her father received the news and rushed to let her know.

    In other words, Yuan Tao hadnt been the one to tell her. Not directly, at least.

    Peace, sister, Lu Mei says. I am sure there is more to this story than what we know, though this may not be the best place to discuss it.

    She finishes with a pointed glance at their surroundings. The sight of multiple servants standing outside the courthouse has not failed to draw a crowd. As the people realize the daughter of the City Lord is in front of them, they start pointing and whispering.

    Chu Jiayue grimaces.

    You are right. Let us take this someplace else.

    Lu Mei smiles. Wonderful. Shall we continue this at your house? I do believe you promised me some good tea.

    ~~~

    ...Thats what happened, Liu Jin says, finishing his story. They have moved the conversation to City Lord Chus house, his gardens, to be precise. There is a stone table and chairs for people to relax while surrounded by flowers of all colors.

    I see. Chu Jiayue is no longer glaring at him but looking down at her lap. The look on her face is dark and contemplative. Her tea has gone cold. It seems you have seen something unsightly. As the daughter of the City Lord, I apologize for the behavior of our soldiers. It was inexcusable.

    Liu Jin blinks as she bows her head to him. He had expected her to deny what he saw and argue against him fiercely, not to immediately accept his words as truth.

    Please, do not look so surprised, she says as she lifts her gaze. I love this city. That does not mean I am blind to any flaws it might have.

    Something like this has happened before, Lu Mei guesses.

    It has, Chu Jiayue admits. She quickly adds, Do not get the wrong idea! Our soldiers are not brutes that terrify the populace. Not here, and not in the outer territories.

    And how would she know that? Liu Jin thinks the question but doesnt voice it. That would just cause her to become defensive.

    Those soldiers returned from defending the border territories just a few days before your delegation arrived, Chu Jiayue continues. They have had several encounters with Murong Bangs men over the past few months. What you saw was the result of that.

    She pauses to take a sip of her now cold tea.

    You must think this is a poor excuse but understand that fighting Murong Bangs army will rattle even the stoutest of hearts. What you saw wouldnt have happened if those men had been fighting General Hes armies on the eastern front. He is a powerful foe, but we can trust his men to act like men.

    Her teacup trembles lightly as she sets it down.

    Murong Bang is not a man, and neither are those under him. They do not wage war. They spread carnage. I have seen it once. An entire town gone. Wiped to the last. Men and women. Young and elderly. None were spared. It wasnt even an important town. They held no riches or powerful fighters. No strategic secrets. They just attacked it to hurt us. To show us they could.

    I know it is a little late, but since I interrupted your fun today, would you like to walk around the gardens with me?

    She takes his hand and smiles.

    Id love to.

    ~~~

    I thank you for coming here today, Mud says.

    It is the fifth day of their stay in Rumbling Thunder City, yet it is the first time Liu Jin has been able to see Mud since the meeting with General Dan during the first night. That is how long the negotiations have been going on. Even Liu Jin has had to deal with some of it.

    Yesterday, he spent half a day arguing with the commander of the city guard over how their forces would be implemented into the watch schedule. Finding the right balance shouldnt have taken so many hours, but it did. If Liu Jin tried to help too much, the commander took it as an insult to the city guard, and if he had the disciples help too little, it looked like they werent pulling their weight.

    It had been very tedious. The only positives to come out of it are that Liu Jin placed disciples he trusted in the city guard, and he now has the watch schedule memorized.

    It was no trouble at all, Senior Brother Mud, Liu Jin replies.

    Truly? Mud asks, tilting his head to the side. I was sure your girlfriend would be angry at me for taking you away. No doubt, shed have preferred to be in my place.

    Mud and Liu Jin are traveling along one of the citys waterways in a small boat. The waterways are arranged so that one can travel up and down the city by boat. Some channels even take scenic routes, passing through the best-looking mansions and parks. That is the route Liu Jin and Mud are taking today. Despite being out in the open, Liu Jin can detect nothing they say will be overheard.

    You have little need to worry about that, Liu Jin says. We have had plenty of time to ourselves. She was going to spend some time with the City Lords daughter today.

    He is halfway sure Fan Bingbing would be joining them as well, though he is not exactly sure how that would end. Lu Mei and Fan Bingbing are not exactly the best of friends.

    Ah, yes. I heard you had made contact with the City Lords daughter. Wise. Noteworthy due to how your first meeting went.

    Things happened. We were able to talk, Liu Jin says.

    I also heard about that, Mud says. It seems you had quite a bit of fun.

    On the contrary, I caused trouble for you, Liu Jin says. I can not imagine how that unsettled the negotiations.

    If a few rowdy soldiers were enough to undermine it all, then this alliance was never much to speak of, Mud says, waving his hand dismissively. It all proceeds as planned. Perhaps better than expected.

    Liu Jin frowns. We are heading out then.

    Mud nods. General Nie wants us to help bolster his forces on the frontlines while he gathers his armies. A ploy to test our resolve, no doubt, yet we are not in a position to refuse.

    You want me to go, Liu Jin guesses. Mud nods.

    I do. I have spoken to the Young Master about it. Though he is not exactly happy, you are the one most suited to be in charge.

    When exactly did he gain the qualifications for that?

    I will do as you command. How long do I have?

    At least two weeks. Perhaps more. There will be a banquet before that. City Lord Chu seems to love them and wants to invite important people to this one.

    It sounds like negotiations have gone exceedingly well then. Senior Brother Mud should be proud of himself.

    Should I?

    Liu Jin blinks. The usually blank Mud looks uncharacteristically bothered.

    Senior Brother?

    Do you think this becomes me? Mud asks. Negotiation. Compromise. Acting as a steward of the Eternal Flame Clan. I have tried my hand at it, and I seem to be successful. Yet this way of acting does not feel like myself.

    Liu Jin stays silent. Unsure of how to reply.

    My master told me I might find myself here, and I have been looking for myself in the role given to me. He looks at him with unblinking, unmoving eyes. You knew me before coming here, and you have seen how I have acted here. What do you think?

    I think your question goes beyond the scope of whatever I have that passes for wisdom, Senior Brother.

    Perhaps, Mud admits, nodding. Nevertheless, I ask it.

    In that case, I think... Liu Jin frowns. What does he think? What can he think when he still knows and understands so little? I think if finding oneself was as easy as trying something new for a few days, people wouldnt find it so difficult.

    I see. How long does it usually take then?

    Perhaps a lifetime?

    A lifetime. How sad.

    ~~~