As Sun Jiao returned home for dinner two familiar faces stood in a quiet office room. A third man sat at a desk engrossed in his work.

The Third man was Shen Duzi, Fang Shaofan’s second in command. Fang Shaofan was still attempting a breakthrough, but that didn’t mean Shen Duzi could slack off. In fact, Fang Shaofan had just this morning been promoted to Minister of Defense causing quite a bit of work for Shen Duzi who had to fill in for Fang Shaofan’s absence.

The promotion came as quite a sudden surprise and caused Shen Duzi a headache. The first prince had said the promotion was for Fang Shaofan’s breakthrough, but it was customary to wait for the breakthrough to actually happen before a promotion.

That coupled with the fact that other more promising candidates were skipped over caused several people to wonder if it was some kind of hidden move. Fang Shaofan did have many accomplishments and a good reputation and with the first prince’s backing it was enough to secure the position.

Shen Duzi hadn’t put much thought into it as he was much too busy. After reaching the bottom of the stack of papers he moved them to the side and set his pen down before raising his head and finally looking at the two in front of him with a sigh.

One was a tall and lanky man while the other was a bit shorter and slightly pudgy. The tall lanky man had wandered from in front of the desk and was reaching towards an ornate blade on the wall.

“Don’t touch that. Not only is it incredibly sharp but it is a Bloodthirting Blade. A single cut will continue to bleed until you leave it’s presence. So unless you plan on leaving I would rather you not bleed all over my floor.”

The tall lanky man’s extended hand returned to his side like a bolt of lightning and he returned to the pudgy man’s side.

“Sorry about that brother Shen! Haha I don’t want to bleed all over your floor too!”

A look of consternation passed over Shen Duzi’s face before he returned with a solemn reply.

“No I don’t suppose you do. And it’s Secretary General Shen. You may be dating my wife’s sister, but until you are married we have no relation.”

“I-”

The tall lanky man went to speak but was quickly interrupted by the pudgy man.

“Of course Secretary General Shen. What he means to say is that we’re very happy for your previous assistance in getting us our last job and that we appreciate the favor greatly.”

“A job which you lost.”

“Through no fault of our own. Those two-”

Shen Duzi let out sigh, waved his left hand, and with the other removed his glasses. He then began to rub the bridge of his nose with his free hand before dropping his hand and returning the glasses to his face with his right hand.

“Yes, those two are akin to a natural disaster. If not for them I expect neither of you would have the face to show up in my office. I’m actually quite surprised you managed to survive, so much so I’m willing to give you quite a good opportunity.”

The tall lanky man replied without thought.

“Of course we’ll do anything you need. You can count on us.”

The pudgy man was a bit more reluctant but had no other choice.

“We’ll be happy to help.”

“Good. There is a girl I need information on. She’s the niece of General Fang. I want you to check up on her and see how she’s doing.”

“That’s it? No problem, no problem brother Shen. We can do this for you right brother Bao.”

“Right. Brother Je and I can certainly help.”

Bao Bo followed up with ease, but a drip of sweat poured down his forehead. He knew the job wasn’t going to be something simple.

A grin appeared on Shen Duzi’s face and he adjusted his glasses with his right hand.

“Excellent. I knew I could count on you two. In fact you have experience that should come in handy for this particular job. The girl’s name is Fang Yuehai and she’s staying at the Second Prince’s palace so you can find her there.”

Je Ya’s mind went blank. A sharp ringing sound filled his ears as Shen Duzi continued to talk, but Je Ya didn’t hear any of it. Bao Bo’s reply also went unheard, his nudge ignored, and even as Je Ya was pulled along out of the office the ringing sound continued to drive all thoughts out of his mind.

SLAM

The door slammed closed behind Je Ya and with it the ringing stopped. Je Ya returned to his senses and before Bao Bo could say anything...

“Fuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh”

Je Ya paused to take a breath.

Bao Bo interjected with his thoughts.

“It won’t be that bad we just have to show up and ask nicely right?”

Je Ya’s head turned slowly to face Bao Bo who rolled his eyes and replied.

“Sorry, continue.”

“CCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK”

~~~

The next morning Sun Jiao woke up, got ready for the day, and then sat down on his bed to discuss with Xiaobo the next part of the plan.

Sun Jiao stood and began to pace in order to help him think. From Xiaobo’s tone things were quite urgent and he had to come up with an idea quickly.

At this moment a knock came on the door and Sun Qing’s voice rang out.

“Brother there’s a message here for you.”

“Not now I’m trying to think. Bring it to me later.”

Sun Qing opened the door and walked in

“Mmmm. Brother. It...it says you should go immediately.”

“It can wait can’t it? Set it down and help me think. I need to go to the Liangqiu wedding.”

Sun Qing smiled at that and as if she had a great idea asked in a knowing manner.

“Ahhh you mean the wedding for Liangqiu Wei?”

“Yes that one.”

“The one in a few days that would need you to leave immediately?”

“Yes.”

Sun Qing bit her lower lip and her hair changed to an orangish color for excitement.

“Here!”

She stuck out the paper she was holding with both hands.

Sun Jiao took it from her and read.

Heaven Council Summons

Time: Immediately

Reason: Envoy to represent the Sun Family for the Liangqiu Wei Wedding Competition

Sun Jiao wanting to recover a bit of face snorted and spoke.

“Hmph. I need merely wish it and the heavens bless me.”

“Truly blessed by the heavens brother!”

Sun Qing quickly agreed with stars in her eyes.

“Stay here and watch the boy. I need to set out.”

As Sun Jiao left he patted Sun Qing’s head as he passed before leaving out the door.

Sun Qing who was happy to have helped was stunned for a moment, but quickly recovered. Looking around the room she noticed the bed that was still in disarray. Peeking her head out the door and looking both ways she turned back and jumped into the bed while rubbing her face on the pillows.

Sun Jiao, not knowing any of this, was on his way out when he suddenly found Fang Yuehai on his arm.

“Going shopping again? I’m bored. Take me with you.”

Without slowing down Sun Jiao replied and handed over the paper.

“Not going shopping.”

After reading it Fang Yuehai returned it.

“Even better. I need to go to the Sanctum and see why my uncle hasn’t found me a place.”

As the two reached the gate Sun Jiao entered the horseless carriage. He’d actually forgotten to retrieve it, but had returned on it’s own once Sun Qing left closed door cultivation.

The carriage quickly reached the gate, but Sun Jiao inside the carriage didn’t notice the gate’s peculiarities.

As the carriage passed through the gate Sun Jiao was hit by a wave of vertigo that soon faded.

After he recovered he turned to look out the window and couldn’t believe his eyes.