~~~

“I will join the expedition.”

It is not the first time Liu Jin hears those words this week. Surprising as it might be to believe, some people have volunteered to go with him. Not many, but a few. About four or five so far, not counting Lu Mei.

For example, Ten Zichun, a disciple from the Armory who helped him in the Dead Plains, came by the other day to offer his services. Since Liu Jin no longer needs him in the city to keep an eye on Yuan Tao, there was no reason to refuse him, something Ten had been deeply grateful for.

Liu Jin doubts Ten will remain grateful after a few days in Murong Bang’s territory.

Regardless, out of all the people that could have volunteered to come with him, either because of their loyalty or because they sought personal glory, the person in front of him is not one he ever imagined would do so.

“Are you sure, Lady Bai?”

Lady Bai Wen stands before him. Though her body remains completely covered in an old and dirty cloak, she somehow manages to look regal in her bearing.

“If I was not sure, we would not be talking,” she replies. “I will be going with you, and I believe I told you that you can call me big sister.”

Lady Bai is not asking for permission in the slightest. She is just informing him of what will happen regardless of how he feels about it. That’s just as well. Liu Jin has no intention of rejecting a cultivator of her caliber. With Bai Wen in the delegation, their safety from everyone except exactly Murong Bang is almost assured.

Nevertheless, he is curious.

“It is an honor and a great relief to welcome you, Lady Bai,” Liu Jin says, bowing his head.

“Big Sister,” she corrects him.

“However,” Liu Jin continues, “If I might ask, why have you decided on this?”

“You are someone the Divine Frozen Palace has some interest in keeping alive,” she replies. “My little sister would be sad otherwise.”

Liu Jin frowns. Certainly, his ties to Xiao Shuang could be the reason, but that does not ring entirely true.

“Wouldn’t the Divine Frozen Palace be better served if Lady Bai were to stay with General Dan?”

“Big Sister,” she corrects him once more. “Regardless, it was never my mission to negotiate with General Dan. My mission was to gather information about the Storm Dragon Empire. Going to Murong Bang serves that purpose better. With Duke Lai proven to be a traitor and the forces beyond the Dead Plains acting up, our strategy here must be rethought. That being the case, it would be foolish of me to negotiate with General Dan while lacking the authority to make any promises.”

That is… surprisingly well thought-out. Far more than Liu Jin’s initial impression of her suggested.

It makes him feel like apologizing.

“Additionally, the abomination begged rather shamelessly for my help. ‘Twas amusing.”

Liu Jin cannot see her face but knows she is smiling.

“Senior Sister Bai-”

“Big Sister,” she corrects him.

“Big Sister Bai,” Liu Jin says, “I wish you would not insult Senior Brother Mud like that. He has been good to me, and I respect him.”

Especially now that Lady Bai has revealed he tried to intercede for him. He probably didn’t beg, but for someone like him, a personal request might have the same degree of significance.

“There is no insult. I call him that because that is what he is,” Bai Wen replies. “You should have realized it by now. I do not understand how he exists, but it is impossible to deny he is wrong at a fundamental level.”

Liu Jin grimaces, unable to deny her point.

Cultivators are people who continuously refine themselves and, in the process of doing so, reach their Dao. A Dao is the manifestation of one’s way of life. It is deeply personal. Unique. Mud, whose Dao was imposed on him by Elder Xun, is an anathema. An affront to the proper way of doing things.

For someone like Bai Wen, who must have already reached her Dao, this affront must be more keenly felt.

“If you address Senior Brother Mud without calling him an abomination or other such names, there will no longer be any need to correct me on the proper way to address Big Sister Bai.”

Bai Wen thinks about it.

“That is acceptable.”

~~~

When the day of departure arrives, Liu Jin receives one last surprise.

“I was not expecting you to come bid me farewell, Young Master,” Liu Jin says as he steps down from one of the four Flame-Wheeled Wagons that will take him and a few others to the border. From there, an emissary of Murong Bang will guide them to Cloudburst City, his capital.

“I was not expecting to be here myself,” Feng Zhi replies.

The Young Master of the Eternal Flame Clan stands in his way with his arms crossed. The look on his face is of casual disdain. With the two standing face to face, one could be forgiven for thinking violence is about to ensue. However, there is no ill intent in Feng Zhi’s Qi. Lots of anger and annoyance, but that’s normal for him.

Feng Zhi has not come here to fight.

“However, recent events have convinced me that it is best if we… talk before you leave.”

Liu Jin sincerely marvels at how Feng Zhi makes talking sound like some terrible torture.

“Since there is a high chance you will die, we might never get another opportunity to do this,” Feng Zhi finishes.

Liu Jin stares at him.

“Did the Young Master really need to cheer up so much by the end?”

“Yes,” Feng Zhi replies with absolute confidence. Liu Jin’s face goes flat.

“How petty of you,” Liu Jin says. “However, if you have come to talk, can I take it to mean you do not believe me to be a traitor?”

Feng Zhi grimaces, and Liu Jin sincerely hopes that means he is right. It is no secret to anyone that Feng Zhi has always had doubts about him. Now that his connection to the Divine Frozen Palace is out in the open, those suspicions could become a very real threat, especially if Feng Zhi’s father, Lord Feng Gui, decides to believe his son.

“What I believe is…” Feng Zhi takes a deep breath. “I believe I have been vastly overestimating you.”

Rather than getting angry, Liu Jin merely nods. “In my experience, most people tend to do so.”

“See?” Feng Zhi says, scowling and pointing at him. “It’s that attitude of yours that makes this so hard. You do not even have the decency to be annoyed. What’s more, you actually seem to mean those words just now. That’s why it is so easy to think of you as an opportunistic schemer who wants to take advantage of my brother. When I found out you were connected to the Divine Frozen Palace, it was a relief. Everything made sense. You were just another fool charmed by them into doing their dirty work like hundreds of others.”

Liu Jin raises an eyebrow. That is a side of the Divine Frozen Palace he has not heard much about. Or rather, he has only heard about it in rumors, but Feng Zhi speaks of it as a fact.

“What has changed, Young Master?” Liu Jin asks. “That I am related to the Divine Frozen Palace is undeniable. I might have married her before she joined, but my wife is a member of that Sect. I am also being accompanied by a disciple of one of the Five Fairies, which, I imagine, cannot possibly look good. So why are you here? What has changed?”

Feng Zhi glares at one of the flame-wheeled wagons for a few seconds before answering him.

“This changed,” Feng Zhi says, pointing at him and the Flame-Wheeled Wagons. “You are going on what is, by all accounts, a suicide mission. Do you think the woman from the Divine Frozen Palace can protect you if an Emperor decides to kill you? No, you are not that naive. You know this is liable to get you killed. A real traitor would have fled by now instead of insisting he is not a traitor. For whatever reason, you truly want this mission to work. You want this to work so badly you’re willing to repeatedly throw yourself into danger.”

Feng Zhi sighs and shakes his head.

“In other words, you’re an idiot. Why have I been wasting my time with an idiot? It seems all so foolish now.”

“I wish for this country to change, Young Master. Call it foolish if you like, but that is a goal I am willing to risk my life for,” Liu Jin says. “If I wasn’t willing to go this far for it, any life I’d lead would be nothing but hollow.”

Feng Zhi snorts.

“So that’s what it takes to get you annoyed, huh? About time. Though I cannot help but notice your concern is this country and not the Eternal Flame Clan.”

“My city was ravaged by Murong Bang once upon a time. That’s what set me on this path,” Liu Jin admits. He sees a light go up in Feng Zhi’s eyes. “However, I do not intend to abandon my responsibilities to the Eternal Flame Can, Young Master. You can rest assured of that.”

“I am unfortunately starting to understand that,” Feng Zhi says. “Once upon a time, I thought I would have to kill you and explain to my brother that some people just seek to use others for their own gain, something that would have taught him to be a little more cynical.”

“And now?”

“Now, I believe I am more likely to be the one that will have to inform my brother of your untimely death, something that will teach him the fleetingness of life.” Feng Zhi meets his eyes. “For what it is worth, I hope I do not have to do that.”

It is probably the closest to an olive branch he will ever get from Feng Zhi.

Liu Jin receives it gratefully.

“I hope so too, Young Master.”

~~~

When they stop at Tiger Storm Fortress, Colonel Peng takes him to his office. Nominally, to share a drink.

In reality...

“This is a tremendously stupid thing you are doing,” Colonel Peng tells him.

“So I have been told,” Liu Jin replies.

“You are nowhere near naive or green enough to believe this is a matter of personal opinion,” Colonel Peng chides him. “This is stupid. You know it. I know it. Babies who haven’t uttered their first word know it.”

Liu Jin sighs.

“I know,” he says.

Colonel Peng narrows his eyes. “Say it.”

“This is stupid.”

“Damn right, it is,” Colonel Peng grumbles. “Why do it then? I have been briefed on those beyond the Dead Plains. As terrible a threat as they pose, this whole enterprise relies on Murong Bang being a reasonable man.”

And Murong Bang is not a reasonable man.

He is barely a man.

“I do it because I have reason to believe it is not impossible,” Liu Jin replies.

“A reason you will refuse to share, I assume?” Colonel Peng asks. Liu Jin nods.

“I believe it is for the best.”

The best for himself, at least. Liu Jin is not keen on more people discovering who his father is.

Colonel Peng glares at him in silence for a full minute before clicking his tongue and emptying a bottle of wine.

“What a pity,” Colonel Peng says, putting the bottle down. “If I had you under my command for one year or maybe even half of one, I’d feel more confident. You learn fast and have a knack for leadership. You are also not bad at improvising. That Duke Lai is no longer a threat attests to that. However, you are still far too green for something like this.”

“That may be so,” Liu Jin admits. “Regardless, I have already chosen this path. If there is any advice Colonel Peng might give me, it would be greatly appreciated.”

“Be cruel.”

Liu Jin blinks in surprise. He had not expected such a swift and decisive reply.

“There are times when it is wise to show mercy. This is not one of them.” Colonel Peng narrows his eyes. “Never forget you will be dealing with animals. They grew up in a horrible place and were turned into horrible people. It’s pitiful, but do not let that sway you. There is no room for sweetness where you are going. Be cruel.”

‘…Crueler than anyone…’

Once again, General Dan’s words flash through his mind. Liu Jin closes his eyes and bows his head.

“I thank you greatly for your wisdom, Colonel Peng.”

~~~

“I’ll go with you.”

“No.”

“Brother Qing!” Ni Cai shouts. “Why would you-”

Liu Jin raises his hand. Ni Cai immediately stops himself.

“Other people are coming with me, and you wish to know why I am not taking you. Is that it?” Liu Jin asks. He waits for Ni Cai to nod before continuing. “First of all, taking one or two more people will not increase the odds of success. While your loyalty is touching, your place is not there... nor is it here.”

“Brother Qing?”

“You are one of the few people that I know has enough skill to detect parasites,” Liu Jin tells Ni Cai.

“Only because Brother Qing showed me after that battle in the Dead Plains.”

“And now, those skills are in demand,” Liu Jin says. “I did my best to teach some of the healers at Rumbling Thunder City, but that will not be enough. More will need to be trained. I have already arranged for you to go to the capital to train their healers.”

Ni Cai stares dumbly at him. “I... don’t know what to say.”

Liu Jin smiles sadly. “It is fine if you say nothing. We are both healers, after all. This way, at least one of us gets to use his skills.”

Even as he says that, Liu Jin once again ponders on the wisdom of what he is doing. He is going to try to convince a madman to act against his nature, and the only thing that suggests this can possibly work is his resemblance to his father. Only that, and nothing more.

Colonel Peng is right. This is stupid.

And yet, he is doing it anyway. Why? Why is this so important? Does he truly have so much faith in this plan? Or is there something more?

Maybe…

Maybe, after all this time, he is little more than a child chasing after his father’s shadow.

~~~