Imperial Capital (Fanrong De Huangjin City):

Bo Fang was rarely used as a messenger for his Matriarch. But when he was, he served her without question, following every order she gave in exacting precision. He knew from experience and stories told by his fellows that even the smallest variances, something as simple as saying the wrong word at the wrong time, could lead to disaster.

Many years prior, another of his lady’s retainers once told him a story of how she was present when one of the messengers was forced to give a letter to the intended target a day earlier than directed. This was due to another member of the Matriarch’s clan giving the poor girl an order that forced her to leave a day early. Well, three days later, both the young man who gave the order, some arrogant great great grandcousin or something equally pompously self-important, was sent on a “critical mission” for the Matriarch. While he had never been seen or heard from again, Fang believed the messenger girl had had it worse. Her punishment had been met out in front of all the other messengers. They were assembled, told the outcome of the “failure” – a city was half-destroyed by an elder demonic beast – and watched as the girl was slowly burned and eaten alive by a grade 6 Steel-armored Scorching Armadillo, who the Matriarch had apparently compensated separately.

So, yes, Fang always followed his lady’s instructions exactly as given. He would do so anyway, having given his oath of honor in exchange for her saving his life – but he would never forget that reminder, or those like it. However, that did not mean he always enjoyed his assignments. Such was the case now as he sat across the table from two men who he knew believed themselves above the world’s concerns. The expensive restaurant they shared a table in was in the Empire’s capital, far from his home and normal duties. But his mistress entrusted him above all others with this delivery, and such he would do his duty.

“Administrator Bao Guozhi,” Fang said tiredly to the man on the left. He was a short overweight man appearing in his forties in mortal years, with a neatly trimmed blue beard that matched his straight blue hair up in a neat topknot. He was dressed in an obviously expensive enchanted ocean-blue hanfu with white waves, high-handedly demonstrating his and his family’s well known and equally appreciated and feared Water affinity.

“Listen, peasant,” Gouzhi said petulantly, “You’re masters were paid a great deal for the information we want. Anything else you have to say is a waste of our valuable time. Deliver what my clan bought and return to your hut in whatever backwater city you come from before I crush you and charge your employer for the annoyance.”

Bo Fang sighed. This was the third threat to his life since the meeting started and would, according to his mistress, be the last. “Administrator,” Bo Fang responded tiredly, “I am only following my orders. I am to provide you with what you purchased, as well as two additional pieces of information.”

“You’re trying to extort us, aren’t you, verger?“ spat Gouzhi as he jabbed his finger in Fang’s face. “Pay for more info, which will no doubt be useless, or you don’t get what we already paid for? Well listen here you—”

The man on the right – almost identical in every way to the man on the left except for being as thin as other was fat – interjected into the conversation and said the words Bo Fang had been waiting for since this infuriating conversation had started. “Now now,” he said calmly, raising his hand and placing on the shoulder of the man to his left. This appeared to calm the man on the left enough that his tirade stopped before another threat on Fang’s life passed his lips. He continued in his calm voice, “This messenger has not actually asked for any additional coin, has he? Let’s at least hear what he has to say before taking any action that could risk we are actually after. This young man would not put his illustrious organization’s reputation at risk, would he. Go ahead then.”

Fang mentally fumed at the insulting way the fop said “illustrious,” but he did not speak his mind at the insult to his Matriarch. These pompous administrators were nothing but messengers and managers themselves, and certainly not worth going off-script for. Fang knew his lady could crush their entire supposedly high-and-mighty clan any time she wanted to, but instead of telling them that, he did as was bid.

“Thank you, Administrator Bao Jingguo. Indeed, I neither I nor my employers are asking for additional coin for this supplementary information. It is an added bonus for your continued patronage, rather than any sort of exchange. However, I am to deliver it verbally and only once, so are you prepared to hear it?”

The man on the left huffed but said nothing, while the man on the right raised a blue eyebrow but nodded.

Fang pulled a tightly rolled parchment from his ring and placed it on the table between them but did not withdraw his hand. The two focused in on the scroll like it was the most precious object in their family’s treasury. Fang then recited what he has memorized over the days of preparation and travel. “First is a reminder. The contents of this parchment are complete and guaranteed accurate per your purchase, as is everything my organization delivers. If you follow this exactly, your clan will succeed in your… endeavor. However, if you deviate from the recommendations even slightly, our organization will not be responsible for the outcome.” The pair of administrators nodded silently, but could not pull their eyes the scroll. Their hungry looks were obvious for any to see and Fang knew they were only half paying attention. Which was both a shame for them and what he expected. After all, the most important information was about to be delivered. “Second, is warning. There is an individual mentioned in here,” and he tapped the parchment with a finger, “that may seem less important to your plans for your clan and the Empire. I assure you, she is not. Do not underestimate her.”

He pulled his hand back and the fat man grabbed the parchment quickly and without looked at him. Fang sighed again, confident they would ignore his warning. He stood and left without another word. He had one more delivery to make before returning to his lady, so he headed to the stables for flying beast rentals, purchased the time of a young man and his brown eagle, and headed northeast toward the Black Dragon Sect and the alchemist who would, according to his instructions, turn into the catalyst of his Mistress’s plan’s success.