Chapter 9: A Bad Feeling

The main road to the Palace was as smooth as a carpet, not once did the carriage veer off course due to cracks or potholes. Due to its frequent usage, the main road of the City of Chen was the most well-maintained road in the city. Or at least Wei thought so. Not even once were he and Lady jostled or startled by even the smallest bump. If he had brought his brush and pad Wei would’ve painted but since he had forgotten them in his room Wei occupied himself by looking out the side of the carriage – trying to estimate the time until arrival by looking at the landmarks.

The City of Chen was a city that very active – it was as busy in the middle of the night as it was in the day. Tonight, proved to be an exception. The usually bustling streets had become quiet and desolate save for the occasional small squad of soldiers from the imperial army who were on night patrol.

Ten minutes later they appeared at the entrance of the palace. The palace was extremely large, towering over everything near it and dwarfing even the guard towers which surrounded it in each of the cardinal directions. The architecture of the palace itself and the surrounding buildings was an exquisite style that was currently impossible to replicate by mortal means. Wei was personally very impressed by the magnificent work of art that was the royal palace. Apparently, there is actual truth to the rumors. This palace goes back many years.

Every time Wei saw the palace he always felt that the ancient and beautiful palace didn’t fit the royal family. Perhaps he was biased but after seeing the third prince in person and listening to the king weekly, what he saw only validated the other unsavory rumors he heard about the rest of the royal family. After passing a checkpoint – which didn’t actually check any of them. Wei and Lady Seer followed the third prince as he walked with easy familiarity through the maze-like corridors toward the throne room. Every single person Is being monitored by those hidden presences I can always feel watching me.

Entering through the wide doors with the name ‘Chen’ written in wonderful calligraphy, Wei heard a loud voice announcing the entrance of the third prince, Lady Seer and himself. Looking at the announcer in the corner who seemed to have a respectful look permanently etched onto his features made Wei even more certain that this meeting was immensely important. I wonder what kind of life he leads. Announcing names for a living. I hope he’s at least being paid well for it.

The Throne Room completely dwarfed the Court Hall. It would be more accurate to refer to it as the Throne Hall due to its immense size. Three hundred or so of the most elite nobles, merchants and officials gathered together in the middle of the night stopping whatever they may have been doing, however important it may be to attend this ‘meeting’.

All because of the King’s Decree. Not a single person dared be absent. Even old man Sen the oldest noble in the city at a hundred and twenty years of age had rushed over to the palace, being carried in his custom-made chair by his retainers. The throne room was buzzing with low conversation as the elite of the kingdom formed small cliques talking about whatever struck they’re fancy, most of them however inevitably veered of topic and found themselves guessing the purpose of the mysterious meeting they had been summoned to.

The king should be here any minute. But that could be a short wait or a long one and I’m bored, other than old man Cheng none of the people in this room really interest me. While I’m sure in a place as full of elites as this I could find someone worth interacting with. But hopefully I will not be a mortal much longer so it’s a moot point. May as well find old man Cheng and see if he’ll teach me any more tricks. Where is that old man?

His thoughts were interrupted by a particular shift in his mental qi that he knew meant danger. It was not as gradual as his bouts of intuition nor as wild as when he fought the spirit beast, it a kind of angry buzzing sound like a bee trapped in his skull. It was there all the same a feeling of danger, of violence and blood. He knew that this meeting was mandatory but he felt like leaving. Just as quickly as it came it was gone.

Is the danger gone? Delayed? Was it a single person or a group? Aimed at many people or only me?

Endless questions bubbled up in Weis mind. With no way to confirm his guesses Wei’s mind once again went back to the topic of Old Cheng.

Looking around the wide room Wei tried to pick Cheng Chao out of the mass of bodies but realized that such an attempt wouldn’t work due to the constantly shifting people. So, he started moving through them, politely nodding to the few people he recognized as Lady Seer’s clients. Brushing past many slightly familiar faces Wei kept a look out for the old man. Maybe he will teach me something even more impressive than reading people. Maybe it’s too much to ask for since I still haven’t completely mastered that yet but hopefully I’m good enough that he teaches me something new.

Old man Cheng was someone who left Wei more intrigued every time they met. A man of many skills, vast experience and of mysterious origin. All of them were great qualities for a person to have in Weis opinion but he was probably one of the only few who thought so.

Cheng Chao was not liked by the nobility. In fact, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say they wished him dead.

But there was nothing they could do to him without permission from the royal family. This irked the nobles even more so because they knew even their own businesses depended on continued dealings with the merchants all of who were bosom friends of Cheng Chao. A year ago, he had become the De facto head of the merchants who were rumored to be forming some sort of coalition.

Knowing that he would most likely find Cheng wherever the most merchants were Wei continued advancing through the throng of people towards the merchants ‘area’. Although both the nobles and merchants were gathered for their overall importance there was still a noticeable divide. An amicable interaction between a merchant and a noble who had no business relationship was an almost impossible site - and it showed. There were a few nobles and merchants who were conversing together but the rest of the room was clearly divided into two halves.

The moment Wei walked into the merchant’s side of the room there was a slight change that occurred in the room. Nobles and merchants alike adjusted their postures slightly to get a better look at him – all while seeming casual. Or at least some tried to. Wei clearly noticed, their movements not escaping his keen sight. Almost instinctively Wei sent more of his mental qi coursing through himself to increase his focus. Smiling pleasantly at any merchant who looked his way, Wei was could feel many burning gazes boring into his medallion. Why the hell did I wear it on the outside today?

Ignoring the gazes with a calm indifference Wei perked up when he saw a merchant who was old Cheng’s acquaintances. His name was Ah Hai, he was a fat man with a thin mustache. He wore a luxurious robe and an even more luxurious hat. Smoking from his pipe he looked like any other successful money grubbing merchant but Wei knew him for what he really was – a criminal who was involved with illegal smuggling and other unsavory acts. At this moment, however he was only someone who knew where old Cheng was, nothing more nothing less and Wei fully intended to get that information.

Just as he was about to start moving towards the fat merchant Wei felt a feather-light tap on his shoulder, he turned around to see Lady Seer looking past him with an expression that told him she was clearly distracted and in a hurry “I need to leave this gathering, someone very influential just gave me very important information that is very time sensitive I need to act on it now.” Lady Seer said. Wei saw that Lady Seer had barely been paying any attention while speaking to him.

“Ok,” Wei replied simply.

In truth Wei was touched, a few months ago when they started living together Lady Seer was very aloof to him and treated him like a stranger. That she told him beforehand instead of just vanishing without a word showed the regard she had for him. Very few people had Lady Seer’s regard and Wei didn’t intend to take it for granted. Out of idle curiosity Wei tracked Lady Seer and instantly noticed she wasn’t heading towards the exit. How interesting! So, Lady Seer can access a side exit? Or does she have another way to exit.

Leaving Lady Seer to her business Wei headed towards Ah Hai. However, the moment Wei started approaching, he saw Ah Hai signal the two muscular merchants next to him, they quickly formed a wall in between Wei and Ah Hai. I thought it was odd that those muscle men were merchants. Who would’ve thought Ah Hai has big enough balls to bring in disguised bodyguards. He really is brazen. Well, while ballsy it’s a useless move. In the palace, no matter how many weapons or bodyguards he brings a single wrong move and he’s dead.

Not worried that Ah Hai would try anything Wei continued forward until he was at a ‘polite’ distance. He probably doesn’t know me and has no interest in talking. I should be as straight-forward as possible-he won’t appreciate any small talk “Mister Ah Hai could you please let me know where old Cheng is?” Wei asked politely. To his surprise the two bodyguards moved out of the way and Ah Hai answered him in a dismissive tone “he left a little while back with a lady friend, said he had more important things to do than go to a meeting he was already told about, now please leave I am expecting someone to come to negotiate any mom—“.

Wei never even heard the end of the sentence, he was already heading towards the exit with hurried steps. His heart beat thundered and his breath was labored. Wei could feel his sickness acting up, to make things worse his mental qi was had started buzzing angrily again. He was having trouble staying on his feet, but Wei didn’t care stumbling like a drunk he tried to keep the exit in his sight. At this moment, he deeply felt the lack of his walking stick. How could I be so stupid. Lady Seer and old Cheng are the smartest and most cunning people I know and they both aren’t present. Something is off about this meeting. I have to get out of here!

Despite feeling like he would keel over at any moment Wei continued his rush toward the exit, ignoring the angry exclamations and outraged gasps that occurred when he bumped into someone with no apology or word of excuse. But his rudeness was paying off, he was almost at the exit. Seeing the exit in front of him was like a shining beacon, a miracle that Wei was glad to see, he was almost out of the throne room and whatever dangers it held.

Alas it was not to be.

A clear and loud voice rang out encompassing the entire room. “His royal highness Chen An ‘The Bold’ has arrived. Long live the king.” Repeating his chant, the entire room was filled with the exclamations of ‘long live the king’. The King entered from the main entrance, accompanied by his entourage looking majestic and commanding. His entrance heralded an increase in the chants.

The moment the king entered Wei’s mental qi started shifting and buzzing angrily. Chanting along with the rest of the room Wei felt regret for it was too late.

The danger was the king, and Wei had no way to leave now that the king had arrived.