Chapter 30: The Deal

Zen sat in lotus position in the waiting area of the inn. There was little in the way of mana in the environment because of how congested and far away from the environment down town was. He used the time to mostly think of events passed.

-

“You seem to hate the Red Dragon Sect,” Jiahai said. “Why?”

“What do you know about them?” Zen said.

“They are the best sect in the country,” Jiahai said. “The Overlord even calls on them for assistance.”

“They are also traitorous bastards,” Zen said and then hesitated. “They killed my elder brother.”

Jiahai’s eyes widened in surprise. “Wang Zen… I’m sorry…”

“If I could, I would destroy them but if I want to save Jun Nee, I have to work with him.”

Jiahai sighed sadly. “But why that man specifically?”

“I didn’t remember it then but I do now.” Zen said. “The first time I saw that man, he was asking for Ma Xinqi. I think the Red Dragon Sect may have something against him. So I’m going to ask him for help.”

“Do you need me to come along?”

Zen shook his head, “Maybe it would be best if I do this alone.”

-

Zen stopped his meditation as soon as he felt an oppressive power enter the inn. He opened his eyes to see the man from the Red Dragon Sect looking down at him.

“My fan has returned.” He said.

“May I speak with you?”

He smiled before looking upstairs, “To my room.”

A while later they were in the privacy of the man’s room.

“So what is it that you wanted to speak to me about, child?”

“When you first met me, I was not honest about what I had said.”

The man smiled, “I knew it.”

“A friend of mine works at the Emerald Snake,” Zen said.

“For Ma Xinqi,” he said.

Zen nodded. “I want to help her but I’m told she is bonded to Ma Xinqi by a blood contract.”

“Really? This Ma Xinqi really is despicable.”

“Are you hunting him?”

“Yes, the Red Dragon Sect has been tasked by the Overlord himself to hunt him down.”

“The Overlord?” Zen was taken aback.

“That’s right, so if you help me, I may put in a good word for you.”

“I mainly want to help my friend,” Zen said. “You’re one of the strongest people I’ve met, so can you help her? Can you free her of the blood contract?”

“Yes, I can but only if she tells me what I need to know.”

“I’m sure I can convince her to do that.”

“Tomorrow it will be the festival, it will be perfect cover for us. So bring your friend here and when she tells me everything she knows, I will free her of the blood contract.”

Zen nodded, “It’s a deal.”