“So what are you thinking about with Yin Xue?” Wu Ying asked, his brow furrowing now that their little tiff had been set aside.
“I’m not sure. He’s his son. He should have insights about his father,” Li Yao said. “Personally, I think using him directly might be difficult. It will depend on how Yin Xue is received by his father. We might need to verify that first.”
“What do you mean?”
“Yin Xue was sent to the Sect to gain strength. Then he was abandoned after he lost to you. Maybe his father really meant to leave him in the Sect. Maybe he’s there to ensure his safety. Both of those are different facts, different motives. Both will affect how Lord Wen treats us.” Li Yao looked around and ensured that Yin Xue was nowhere near before she continued. “If he was left there to be safeguarded, his father will be angry with us for bringing him. But if we can tie him close to us, his father won’t dare send us on anything too dangerous. It will force him to contain his desires.”
“Dangerous?”
“Haven’t you realized it? The only reason he’d make use of you, of us, is to send us to do something his guards can’t do. Or aren’t willing to do.”
“I just thought…” Wu Ying had to admit his thoughts. “I thought he would force me to promise to guard his family or residence. Maybe move some of his things around or offer some herbs.”
“Maybe. But I don’t think will be that simple, do you?”
Wu Ying could only offer her a twisted half smile now that his vague hopes had been burst. Considering his experience thus far, ever since he left his village, smooth and easy was unlikely. He just hoped that whatever Lord Wen chose would not be that dangerous.
***
The remainder of the river journey was completed in relative peace. Yin Xue and Bao Cong spent the days over the side of the boat, Yin Xue being taught the finer points of fishing. When questioned, the blacksmith pointed out that it was impossible for him to work on his profession here. Neither of the nobles were as intense with their martial practice as Tou Hei and Li Yao, who spent their time either sparring, working forms, or cultivating. To punctuate the river trip, Wu Ying even managed to convince Tou Hei to join him on the oars on the opposite side at one point.
During the few moments of conversation Wu Ying had with Yin Xue, he learned that the noble had taken a secondary occupation as a Scholar. It was not the most glamorous of occupations, nor was it one that would earn a significant amount of spirit stones in the future, like a blacksmith or an apothecarist, but it was a safe and in-demand skill set.
Perhaps the one thing that Wu Ying was most grateful for was that the tension between himself and his girlfriend had faded. Some of it still lingered, a stain on a previously happy relationship, but overall, they were back to their happy selves. More than once, Wu Ying noted the jealous glances Yin Xue and Bao Cong shot them. Even the ship’s captain was overheard muttering about sickeningly sweet couples.
When the ship finally reached their destination city, Wu Ying thanked the captain and the crew for the pleasant journey before hustling the team off. He brought his enlarged team to the local Sect branch and used the stables there to acquire horses for them all. Together, the group rode out of the city, headed to their final destination. Now that they were on their feet once again, Wu Ying felt that same urgency overtake him.
As much as Wu Ying wanted to set a hard pace, he reined in his emotions and his horse, ensuring that they set off at a measured trot. As they traveled the paved road, signs of the upcoming war were all around, from the increased traffic between the city’s stores to the new, combined army bases dotted through the kingdom and the occasional sighting of deploying troops on the road itself. Wu Ying even spotted a familiar sight—a troop of conscript soldiers marching in roughshod formation, being yelled at by their platoon leader as they journeyed from one village to the next.
Only once did they run into any trouble, the Sect members forced into a confrontation with a group of bandits. By their dress, they were clearly deserters, their army uniforms dirty, ragged, and stained. The confrontation was over in the time required to take three breaths, so outclassed were the bandits that it could not even be considered a scuffle. Bao Cong strung, nocked, and fired his first arrow so quickly that he might as well have had his bow strung already. Li Yao charged the remaining members without hesitation, followed by the remaining cultivators. And while Wu Ying still worried about the morality of killing them off-hand, his companions—except Tou Hei—did not. None of the bandits lasted more than a single clash, and none of the cultivators bothered to use any higher-level techniques.
Whatever guilt Wu Ying felt was assuaged when they reported the bandits’ deaths at the next village. The village chieftain regaled them of the bandits’ most recent crimes, including the massacre at a nearby farm.
And the team continued on, under bright day and the occasional light spring rains that muddied the road and slowed travel. In the end, they arrived at their destination—a large mansion set a distance from the nearest city or village. This was the home of Lord Wen, and it was only a few hours from Wu Ying’s own house. He ached to return and speak with his family. But it was better for him to finish this now, rather than see his parents with no news. By now, they would have known that their plans had been learned of and dealt with. Better to have some good news, hopefully, than to bring false hope.
Drawing a deep breath, he kicked his horse in the sides and felt it speed up. Time to talk to Lord Wen and see what fate had in store for Wu Ying.
Chapter 10
Lord Wen’s residence was a large, sprawling estate protected by a single exterior wall ten feet high. Watchtowers on each corner of the wall allowed guards to track incoming guests, though from Wu Ying’s recollection, they were often left unmanned except for the one over the main gate. The countryside was relatively peaceful, especially for a well-protected location like the lord’s residence. No bandit leader would be stupid enough to launch an attack against the residence, for the eventual retaliation would guarantee their demise.
Through mostly empty fields, the group rode their horses toward the white-washed and ceramic-tiled walls of the estate. Unlike other times, Wu Ying noted the presence of multiple guards in the towers, watching the group’s approach. More than one guard had a crossbow in hand, already cocked and lowered toward the group. All in all, Wu Ying could not help but feel somewhat intimidated.
“Good evening, cultivators. Who comes to speak with Lord Wen?” one of the guards from above called, his hand resting on the pommel of his sword. Clad in a simple lamellar plate suit and a helmet with a red crest upon it, the guard stared at the cultivators sternly. Still, his greeting was polite.
Before Wu Ying could reply, Yin Xue raised his voice. “It’s me, Ah Chu. Open the gates. We’re here to speak with my father.”
“Master Wen?” The guard looked surprised, then snapped himself to attention and called commands to those below. “My apologies, Master Wen. We did not expect you to return!”
“That is fine. Just be quick about it. And tell my father my friends and I have come to speak with him,” Yin Xue said.
Wu Ying shook his head, watching as the Lord’s son stepped back into his role as the son of the master of the house. It suited him, Wu Ying had to admit, though there was also a change in the way Yin Xue carried himself. He lacked the arrogance of before, the edge of superiority that had set off the younger children in the village. His time in the Sect had done him some good, it seemed. Either that, or he had grown into his arrogance in the last two years.