Chapter 203: Guest, Escort Out! (Patreon)

No one knew how terrified Wei Yenwu was at that moment. He had assumed this was just another of Koschei's schemes, but the instant he heard Lin Kojui say the word Chi Xiao, every theory he'd built was torn apart.

Wei Yenwu, or rather Yan Wu, knew better than anyone what the Chi Xiao Sword meant. Its forging method and the swordsmanship that went with it had belonged to the Great Yan imperial house alone since ancient times, and in the whole world today only two people had mastered the Chi Xiao sword art.

One was himself. The other was the current True Lung of Great Yan, his jealous younger brother, Yan Li.

If Koschei was the greatest rival of his life, then Yan Li was the Sword of Damocles that had always hung over his head.

In all these years, plenty of officials had come to Lungmen, but his brother alone had never turned his gaze this way. Wei Yenwu had nearly believed the True Lung had forgotten him.

Only with the appearance of the Chi Xiao Sword did he realize, with a jolt, that he had never really left that court at all.

'Hiss... I didn't scare Old Wei stupid, did I?'

Seeing Wei Yenwu suddenly drift into a daze, Lin Kojui gripped his cane, at a loss. It seemed Wei Yenwu's fear of the True Lung ran far deeper than he'd imagined.

Then again, if Yan Wu had truly feared nothing, he never would have left back then.

Lin Kojui shook his head and walked slowly out of the pavilion. The moment he turned away, a flicker of pity crossed the old Zalak's eyes.

Old Wei, oh, Old Wei. Don't blame me for this. It's the seed you planted yourself.

…

…

"Tch…"

Looking at the screen in front of her, which read application failed, Ch'en Hui-chieh didn't need to think twice to know her dear uncle was behind it. Over the years, Wei Yenwu had seemed to give her free rein on the surface, but the control behind the scenes had never slackened for a single moment.

The news of her return to Lungmen had probably landed on his desk courtesy of the Shadow Guards at the first opportunity. Slipping past Wei Yenwu to reach Ursus was probably impossible now.

Ch'en Hui-chieh glanced left and right. She even felt as if a Shadow Guard were watching her from the dark this very second.

"Looks like I'll have a hard time leaving Lungmen on my own."

Her spirits sank. In that case, who in Lungmen might be able to help her get to Ursus?

"Actually… maybe there is someone?"

Ch'en Hui-chieh snapped out of it. Of course. Lin Yuhsia!

Lin Yuhsia's father ruled the underworld of Lungmen. If anyone in this city could help her hide things from Wei Yenwu, Lin Yuhsia's father was probably the only choice.

Besides, Lin Yuhsia had been close to her and Little Ta when they were kids. She would surely understand.

No sooner thought than done. Ch'en Hui-chieh had always been quick to act. She took out her phone at once and called Lin Yuhsia.

"Chen? You're back in Lungmen?"

Lin Yuhsia sounded very surprised on the other end. Being able to reach her by phone meant Ch'en Hui-chieh was inside Lungmen, but wasn't she supposed to be studying in Victoria?

"Something came up… I took leave and came back for a visit."

Ch'en Hui-chieh's voice was a little stiff. In truth, she hadn't contacted Lin Yuhsia in a very long time.

"Did you need something?"

Lin Yuhsia, on the other hand, sounded no different at all. Hearing that familiar voice over the phone, as always, gave Ch'en Hui-chieh a bit more confidence.

"It's been so long. Are you free to meet up?"

Lin Yuhsia had just dropped Saito and his companion off at their lodgings and was sitting in the driver's seat. The sudden invitation surprised her, but she figured it out right away: Ch'en Hui-chieh obviously needed a favor, and one she couldn't talk about over the phone.

Ch'en Hui-chieh was a little nervous. She was afraid Lin Yuhsia would turn her down, since the invitation was, admittedly, rather abrupt.

But she couldn't say much about the actual matter on the phone. Lungmen's inter-city network was also under Wei Yenwu's control, and speaking over it was no different from telling Wei Yenwu directly.

During her time studying in Victoria, she had grown quite a bit.

"That… I guess it's not impossible."

After some thought, Lin Yuhsia accepted. It wasn't only for old times' sake. She was also curious about whatever Ch'en Hui-chieh was being so secretive about.

"Name a time, but not today."

She still had to go back and report the follow-up to her father later.

"I'll come to your house tomorrow morning. Is that all right?"

This was the result of careful thought on Ch'en Hui-chieh's part. The Shadow Guards might still be watching Lin Yuhsia's home, but out of respect for Lin Kojui's standing, they ought to hold back a little and keep their distance.

"Fine."

Only after hearing Lin Yuhsia agree did Ch'en Hui-chieh breathe out.

"Then it's settled. Thank you."

Looking at the phone in her hand, now disconnected, Lin Yuhsia sat in the driver's seat, lost in thought.

…

…

The next morning, the sun had barely shown half its face above the horizon when Ch'en Hui-chieh was already standing at the gate of the Lin family courtyard.

Seeing the familiar threshold and decorations, a flicker of nostalgia crossed her eyes. She remembered coming here often as a child with Little Ta to play with Lin Yuhsia, but after Talulah was taken away, she had never come back.

She followed a servant of the Lin household into the courtyard and sat down in the same pavilion where Wei Yenwu and Lin Kojui had talked the day before.

About ten minutes later, a still bleary-eyed Lin Yuhsia finally arrived, fashionably late. Though could you really call it late? What decent person knocks on someone's door at this hour?!

"Chen, did you really have to come this early?"

She'd been busy until very late after getting home yesterday, and had finally gotten a rare chance to sleep in this morning, only to be dragged out of dreamland by Ch'en Hui-chieh.

"Sorry."

Ch'en Hui-chieh put on a guilty look.

"No, no, no, don't make that face."

Seeing her like that, Lin Yuhsia hugged her arms to her chest as goosebumps rose all over. Whatever sleepiness she had left vanished. A Ch'en Hui-chieh like this was just too creepy.

Ten thousand times creepier than the cheerful version she'd seen yesterday.

"Go on, what do you want from me?"

After calming herself a little, Lin Yuhsia sat upright on one side of the pavilion and skipped the pleasantries to ask directly. That way of dealing with each other put Ch'en Hui-chieh a bit more at ease.

So even after all this time, some people and some things hadn't changed much.

"Fair warning first: I can't promise I'll be able to help, so don't get your hopes up."

"Of course."

Ch'en Hui-chieh drew a deep breath. She'd long since steeled herself. She wouldn't have come to Lin Yuhsia if she'd had any other way.

Once she was mentally ready, Ch'en Hui-chieh slowly spoke:

"I want you to take me to Chernobog."

"Guards! See our guest out!"