~~~

“Hmph! I knew that child would lose. The masses could not stop their pathetic prattling about his meaningless heroics, but look what that got him! He should have spent more time cultivating in isolation! The Infinite Mountain Sect must be furious!”

Ruan Chenshu watches as the pheasant statue laughs with Elder Ruan Haoran’s voice. Chen Guo’s defeat has put the usually cranky man in a good mood, but Ruan Chenshu cannot say he understands why. Chen Guo’s elimination cannot remove the stain left by their poor performance. Everyone might be talking about it, but that’s just proof of how impressive Chen Guo is. Anyone with eyes and ears can see he is leagues above their own young prodigies.

That Ruan Haoran can find any joy in Chen Guo’s defeat only shows his smallness.

“Clan Head,” Ruan Chenshu says, “though it pains me to say this, the Infinite Mountain Sect’s defeat does not change the fundamental issue. Emperor Qing Jin remains beyond our reach.”

The pheasant statue frowns. It is a curious thing to watch the likeness of an animal try to make human expressions.

“Unfortunately, you are right,” the statue says. “Things have not progressed in our favor. Your failure to make even one of those children reach the Round of Four has been noted by the Elders.”

Ruan Chenshu’s eyebrow twitches. He badly wants to ask what exactly he was supposed to do with the resources at his disposal in mere weeks that several years of training in the Endlessly Raging Valley hadn’t accomplished. He organized the matches as best as he could, satisfying the expectations placed on him as a member of the Ruan Clan. Expecting more was foolish from the start.

Of course, it’d be a poor idea to voice those thoughts.

“As you say, I have failed in my duties,” Ruan Chenshu says, lowering his head and casting his gaze down. “Because of it, the Divine Frozen Palace is now in position to secure the young Emperor.”

“Those wretched whores,” Ruan Haoran hisses. “It would not surprise me if they expected this from the start. Why else would they have so many important members in attendance?”

Ruan Chenshu does not believe that is the case, but he nods along regardless.

“It must be as you say, Clan Head,” he says. “According to my informants, Lady Dai Jie has begun to move. She might already be close to the city without us knowing about it. They clearly plan to take Emperor Qing Jin after their representative defeats him.”

“Damn them!” Ruan Haoran says. The pheasant statue tries to make a fist with its wing. “We cannot let them acquire Art of the Roaming Thief! If only the Wandering Wind could be relied on…”

For once, Ruan Chenshu sympathizes. The Wandering Wind should be their mightiest warrior, their strongest defender, but she cannot be relied on. For the Endlessly Raging Valley, it is an unspeakably sour truth.

On this one occasion, it is also an opportunity.

“Though the Wandering Wind cannot be counted on to defend our interests, I do not believe the situation is quite so bleak, Clan Head,” Ruan Chenshu says. “Her mere presence ensures more powerful people will not involve themselves. Otherwise, they might actually provoke her interest.”’

In that sense, one could argue the Wandering Wind is doing her duty. The other three Sects might have far more reliable Divinities, but not one of them will risk involving themselves in this affair. If they do, the Wandering Wind will go from a passive observer to an eager participant.

“I sense you have a point to make,” Ruan Haoran says. The old man does not like being contradicted, but Ruan Chenshu can tell he has his interest. “Get on with it.”

“When the tournament ends, the barrier around the ring will come down. At that moment, everyone will try to claim Emperor Qing Jin for themselves,” Ruan Chenshu says. “The Divine Frozen Palace has the advantage in this contest, but that doesn’t mean they cannot be outdone. They might have several powerful cultivators here, but so does the Eternal Flame Clan. No doubt, the Infinite Mountain Sect has already called on their Elders. If we do the same and reach out to the Elders of the Ding Clan, it will be us who are in a position to secure Qing Jin.”

“The Ding Clan?!” Ruan Haoran echoes, outraged. “Ruan Chenshu, you fool! We cannot possibly work with them! They will try to take Art of the Roaming Thief for themselves.”

“I understand how unreliable the Ding Clan is,” Ruan Chenshu says, bowing, “but, though I am not without strength, I do not believe I can tilt the balance without their aid. Their presence here is necessary. I do not believe the Elders of the Ruan Clan alone would be enough.”

“Foolishness, Ruan Chenshu! Foolishness!” Ruan Haoran says. “There is no need to involve the Ding Clan in this! I will ensure our victory myself!”

Ruan Chenshu lifts his head and blinks. “Clan Head, are you sure?”

“Naturally, I already foresaw the need to send reinforcements to Imperial Cloud City long before you opened your mouth,” the old man says. “However, now I see I have to be there in person. This matter cannot possibly be left in the hands of anyone else.”

“You humble me, Clan Head,” Ruan Chenshu says, bowing his head so low it is almost touching the floor. “It heartens me to know you will fight with us.”

“Enough sentimentality,” Ruan Haoran says, though the pheasant statue preens at the words. “Prepare yourself, Ruan Chenshu. Everything will end tomorrow.”

Without giving Ruan Chenshu time to answer, the peacock statue becomes immobile once more. Ruan Chenshu sighs in disgust and stands up.

“That was mildly interesting.”

Ruan Chenshu jumps in surprise. The dignified elder immediately turns around, almost knocking over one of the statues in the process.

The Wandering Wind is standing there with a bowl of strawberries in her hands.

“How? When did you…” Ruan Chenshu grimaces. “Forgive me. I believe that was a foolish question.”

After all, the Wind goes where it pleases.

“It was,” the Wandering Wind says. She pops one strawberry into her mouth. “Almost as foolish as Ruan Haoran. I can understand why you want to kill him.”

Ruan Chenshu does not say anything for several seconds.

“My lady, I have no idea what you are talking about.”

The Wandering Wind eats another strawberry. Her gaze never leaves Ruan Chenshu.

“Yes, you do,” she says.

Had Ruan Chenshu told Ruan Haoran his presence was needed in the city, the Clan Head would have refused to come, seeing no reason to risk himself. However, by raising the possibility of seeking support from the Ding Clan, Ruan Chenshu forced his hand. Too many things have been said and done between the two clans. The old man’s pride and embittered heart would never allow him to work with them. By leveraging that ancient enmity, Ruan Chenshu made himself unfit to handle the situation in Ruan Haoran’s eyes and secured his presence in the city.

However, he cannot possibly admit that to the Wandering Wind. Even if she has already made up her mind, there is value in denial.

As Ruan Chenshu is thinking of how to get out of this situation, the woman turns away.

“Do not misunderstand. I do not mind,” she says as she leaves. “I might even approve. Do be careful, though. If you end up being as boring as he is, your fate might be the same.”

Ruan Chenshu bows his head to her retreating back.

“I thank you for your wisdom.”

He means it.

~~~

“Don’t.”

Meng Yue turns to her sister with a petulant look on her face. Bai Lianshi meets it with stoic coldness. Mere yards away from them is the door to the isolation chamber being used by Xiao Shuang.

“Why not?” Meng Yue asks.

“It is not the time, and-”

“My disciple needs me,” Meng Yue cuts her off. “You felt it. We all felt it.”

Bai Lianshi grimaces. Unfortunately, she cannot deny it. It has been an issue since the first round ended, and contrary to her expectations, it has not gotten any better. The stress Xiao Shuang is under has had a negative effect on her Dao, or perhaps it would be more accurate to say it is the other way around. Xiao Shuang’s fight with the girl from the Eternal Flame Clan only exacerbated the issue. If things continue like this, something might actually break within her.

“I felt it,” Bai Lianshi admits.

“Then you understand,” Meng Yue says. “I cannot allow her to continue in the tournament.”

“And I cannot allow that,” Bai Lianshi says, regretful yet resolute. “There is too much at stake right now. Xiao Shuang must participate in the final round.”

Meng Yue’s Qi spikes slightly.

“Are you saying the stakes are more important than my disciple’s well-being?” Meng Yue asks in a deceptively calm voice.

A lone snowflake falls to the ground.

It falls again.

Bai Lianshi does not miss it. She raises her hands and lowers her guard, leaving herself open to any attack from Meng Yue.

“I will not deny that it is important for our goals that she fights tomorrow. We also severely underestimated the mental toll this would take on Little Shuang. That is our fault,” Bai Lianshi says. “However, tell me something, if you tell her not to fight, will she listen to you?”

Meng Yue snorts. “She doesn’t have to listen to me. I’ll take her away by force if she doesn’t want to.”

“She’ll hate you,” Bai Lianshi points out.

“I can live with that.”

“And can you live with the damage you’d be causing her?”

Meng Yue flinches.

“Her Dao is what is pushing her to this fight,” Bai Lianshi says. “You cannot possibly have missed that. She cannot ignore the call. If you force her to, there is no telling what will happen to her.”

“You don’t know that for sure!” Meng Yue says, pointing a finger at her. “I will…She will…”

Bai Lianshi watches with pity as Meng Yue tries to formulate an argument that can refute what she already knows to be true. Xiao Shuang's Dao demands that she fight against Emperor Qing Jin. Meng Yue can try to protect Xiao Shuang from everything, but she cannot protect Xiao Shuang from Xiao Shuang.

“I do not like this,” Meng Yue says, looking every bit as worried as she has made Bai Lianshi feel countless times. And yet, the situation is so critical that Bai Lianshi cannot take any joy in it.

What a troublesome sister she has.

“I understand more than you know,” Bai Lianshi says, smiling sadly. “I have gone through several ordeals with my disciple. We can guide them as best as we can, but there comes a time when we must watch them from afar and let them rise or fall by their own merit. Right now, the only thing you can do is trust the foundation you have laid on that girl is enough.”

Meng Yue sighs deeply. Her gaze is fixed on the door to the isolation chamber.

“Do you…Do you suppose Great Mother often felt like this about us?”

Bai Lianshi laughs.

“Sister, you know we were far worse.”

~~~

“Is there truly nothing that can be done?” Emperor Xiang asks, staring at the mass of power that is the Crimson Cloud.

“I am afraid not,” Granny Zhao says. Emperor Xiang can almost detect a note of regret in her voice, but that must obviously be his imagination. The old woman is not so sentimental that she’d ever show weakness in front of anyone.

“I see.” Emperor Xiang closes his eyes. “A pity.”

“Is that it? You’re just going to accept that, Father?” Xiang Rong asks. His son’s eyes alternate between him and Granny Zhao, waiting for one of them to tell him this is all a joke. It is only the three of them in the chamber in the Crimson Cloud. Wherever Qing Jin is, he must surely be having an easier evening than they are. “You are the Emperor! Surely, the Crimson Cloud will listen to-”

“The Crimson Cloud is an ancient mind of unspeakably profound wisdom and intellect that has guided our family for generations,” Emperor Xiang says, cutting off his son. “It is also opinionated, rude, and full of itself. The Crimson Cloud has been looking forward to being whole all this time. It will not stop just because I tell it to. I would have an easier time convincing a donkey.”

How annoying that the power that has guided them all this time might soon slip between their fingers, yet Emperor Xiang cannot call it a betrayal. The Crimson Cloud has never lied about its goal. Considering everything the Crimson Cloud has done for them, it has surely earned the right to this much.

“By the way,” he says, looking at his son. “I should not have to say this, but this is not information you should be sharing with that pink girl.”

His son glares at him.

“I know that,” his son says, having the gall to look offended. “I do not tell her everything. In fact, I know several things she doesn’t want me to know.”

Emperor Xiang raises an eyebrow. “Such as?”

“Their disciple will participate in the finals no matter what,” his son says. Granny Zhao laughs.

“As if that was a great secret,” she says, making his son flush. “Anyone who can feel her Qi knows that, child.”

Indeed, they do. Emperor Xiang sighs once more. No matter what happens, those two children will fight, and there is no telling what will happen when they do. Once again, the Four Great Sects send their children to battle in their place, and he can only watch. Just as he cannot do anything about the boy who will be chosen to bear the weight of the Crimson Cloud. It seems no matter what, his fate is to be a spectator.

He’s Emperor Xiang, ruler of the Crimson Cloud Empire.

He’s so very tired.

~~~

As the sun rises over the horizon of Imperial Cloud City, many people have already been up for hours. Some have been travelling all night and now watch the city from afar, waiting for the right moment. Others are already inside the city and doing their best to conceal their presence, little more than shadows hiding under the shades of buildings.

Then, there are the many ordinary people who have to get up early to work. They know the finals of the Crimson Cloud Tournament are happening today, but they lack the money to enter the Crimson Cloud Arena. They wave goodbye to their sleeping children and resolve to bring back memory jades for them to watch.

As for those who stand above others, the clan leaders and the elders, the rich and the mighty, they must all look their best today. They spend hours preparing themselves before leaving their residences. Experts from all over and even high-ranking people from the Four Great Sects enter the Crimson Cloud Arena until every single seat is filled. All of them have their eyes fixed on the ring.

The contestants come out.

On one side is Xiao Shuang, wearing the white and blue of the Divine Frozen Palace. Her aura cools the air as she walks and makes frost appear on the ground. Her cultivation, no longer disguised, is on the Third Level of the Heaven Realm. She is by far the strongest fighter in the tournament. Even Qing Jin is only in the Ninth Level of the Earth Realm. By all accounts, he should be inferior.

And yet, his Qi is not overwhelmed.

Dressed in the black and gold of the Eternal Flame Clan, Qing Jin’s Qi is wrapped around him like a cloak. It does not push back against Xiao Shuang’s Qi, but neither does it allow itself to be pushed back. The pressure in the ring increases with every silent second, and yet, unheard by all, a conversation is taking place in that silence. Sentences and arguments are exchanged with every brush of their Qi.

“Is there no way we can avoid this?” Liu Jin asks.

“Husband, I should be the one asking that,” Xiao Shuang replies. “Why have you waited until we are in the same ring to direct a single word at me?”

Liu Jin winces in guilt.

“I could not possibly contact you,” he says. “Any attempt would have risked my exposure. The Divine Frozen Palace would have found me.”

“And would that be so bad?” Xiao Shuang argues back. “Your actions have unleashed something that cannot be stopped, but the Divine Frozen Palace can keep you safe. I ask that you surrender.”

Beneath Xiao Shuang’s cold facade, Liu Jin can detect a hint of pleading. However, he hardens his heart.

“You know I cannot do that.”

“Even for me?” Xiao Shuang asks him.

“Even for you.”

“Then there is nothing else to discuss, is there?” Xiao Shuang asks.

Liu Jin smiles sadly. “I am afraid not.”

“Then, just as you have decided your goals matter more than me, I have decided you matter more to me than your goals, husband,” Xiao Shuang says, her Qi rising. “Do not think ill of me for crushing them.”

“Xiao Shuang of the Divine Frozen Palace vs. Qing Jin of the Eternal Flame Clan!”

~~~