Chapter6. The White Lotus and A Murder

Out in the garden, the young men had found many places for their amusement. With no respite from rain, some were setting up places to compete in their archery skills in sprawling lawns. While other’s, in a quiet little pavilion standing tall beside a pond, with marble balustrades framing perimeters and with white marble steps constructed ingeniously to submerge underneath the shallow pond at pavilion’s feet– sat discussing today’s event. Not that much could be talked about without guard, hence, silence filled the air lingering around them.

They were some twelve young men –all dressed quite peculiarly from the rest who had come to visit Wei House. For one, none of them had taken off their fur lined cloaks or even made themselves comfortable by taking off their woolen mittens, caps and hanging weapons and accessories on their chest and their waists. Swords still clung to their waist belts sheathed inside their silver scabbards, while a few daggers could be spotted in plain view. A young man had even brought a spear, a golden bell tied to its shanks jingled whenever he moved with it. Altogether, they made quite an odd spectacle. In the midst of silken extravagance, they wore rougher fabrics – immaculate that its threads were, such clothing still appeared abrupt in a banquet full of color and light.

A round black headwear with raised crown a few inches long and with fur lined around its brims covered much of their foreheads and their hair that was braided in a single braid hung low down almost touching their hips. None of them wore a hair crown. Apart from their peculiar hairstyle, the insignia embroidered on top of their raised round head-wears looked strikingly noticeable. It was a magnolia shaped flower circumscribed within a violet circle. A few even had armbands with similar insignia.

The day was murky; its pitter -pattering showers and soft breezy caresses constantly chilled everyone’s faces. Such weather could hardly save their small talks. So many of them stood silently, touched a few topics, began talking and then watched the conversation simmering away. No one, however, looked too keen to address this loss. The occasion was such that no proper sentiment could be translated into words – the observations were broken, intermittent and scathingly bland.

Luo Chen took all this in and rubbed his hands to drive away the chill.

He looked over at the four tall marble pillars with vines of flowers entangling and embracing, winding upwards. A green-stone pathway led into a shrubbery full garden with all season roses now fully blooming there being gently washed under rain and another leaning willow stood in its poised elegance near ponds shore, while the pond water rippled at each falling raindrop...then there came under his view several puddles reflecting a gloomy piece of gray sky…his eyes took it all in and raised a warm cup of tea to his lips.

“It’s a beautiful place. Hundreds of enchanting hues are merging together in a swirling cup of nature's expressions. What a magnificent feast for our eyes!” He sighed in approval, eyes brightening to reflect his pleasure.

“Agreed. It's not all that bad - this place, Jinghai. Master Shen would have praised this "recluse voyage for imagination running within a tideless ocean" and then assigned us to work something more evocative than his own insights, as if someone could see the world through his eyes as he sees it! Ha-! He expects too much of us.” Yu Mingyang observed, drawing his sleeves closer together, in a derisive whisper. Luo Chen could only chase his eye to grasp his troubles.

“You’ve been assigned something before coming here, I think. Am I right?”

“He wouldn’t let me come otherwise. That old man even reached my father to accuse me of playing ‘truancy’.” Yu Mingyang replied, looking down at his wet boots. “I know some others in our year got similar works assigned, but can you imagine us performing well or writing poetry thousands of leagues away from home, while desperately clinging to horses' backs and fighting bandits and those vagrants who wouldn’t leave us be?”

Luo Chen nodded to show he understood as he watched the green pond, with blooming purple lilies and white lotuses. Each droplet of rain pierced through the water like needles, and endless round ripples merged – and then emerged like answering echoes from the bottom! The mist rising from the dark buildings surrounding the pond at faraway opposite shore seemed to be rolling over the water surface.

It was a poignant moment.

Luo Chen suddenly broke the long spell of silence. “Most definitely not; don’t worry he will be lenient this time, I think. But Master Shen usually does such things in good faith, you know. For me, if it weren’t for him that "Autumn Notes" would have been an impossible classic to tackle – I know, even my grandfather dares not to approach that book’s analysis easily, forget giving such great detailed explanations afterwards! I should’ve brought my brush and ink to bring something of this here. Master Shen would’ve been mighty pleased, don’t you think so?” He said and smiled slightly with a raised eyebrow as if he was hinting on something.

“Damn it! Annual exam credits –!” Yu Mingyang exclaimed frustratedly as if he picked up the hint. He took off his cap, fully showing his elegant forehead, and then after swinging it a few more times wore it right back in a slapping motion back over his head. “You’re right! I remember senior brother Ming used something like a scroll to please Master Shen and he really did great last year. Tsch, we forgot so many things back at school, though. If they had told us we would be gone for so long, I'd have brought back everything in my treasury right here if I could– I didn’t even bring my favorite set of knives, can you believe that?! I’ve been separated from my babies for almost fifteen days! And father still said we wouldn’t be able to go back this month.”

“Right now, we don’t even understand why we are even here. Doesn’t that bother you more?” Luo Chen amusedly asked, raising his languid body which was leaning against the nearby banister as he straightened up. “No, don’t tell me – I know what you think of that. You hardly care for it, Mingyang."

“What would you have me do then?” Yu Mingyang asked conceitedly. “Chase after my father day and night to make him explain to me his future plans, or run behind teacher Lin to make him so annoyed by me that he spills everything to just get rid of me?"

"Neither, but I would appreciate it very much if you could tell a story or two to lighten my mind of such inexplicable matters. I am getting bored and it's awful to be in such a state. Waiting patiently was never my forte." Luo Chen whispered back and then as if thinking of something, he suddenly raised his voice and addressed everyone collectively.

"Does anyone here have a fun anecdote they aren’t embarrassed to share? The rain is not going to let us go anywhere and I think we are almost stuck here – for better or worse – together for quite some while. What do you all think of talking freely without politeness? After all, everyone comes from the same Academy and is almost familiar with everyone else's name and expertise —some of us have definitely met before in one or two Academic meets or one’s organized by Jianghu no matter what. It shouldn't be inappropriate, am I right? An Jin, how about you–? Don't you have anything to say today? Or Sui Mo, you?”

Luo Chen’s voice instantly attracted everyone. An Jin and Sui Mo who were addressed looked over surprised. Yu Mingyang watched them being startled and forced speechless, as a playful smile captured his own lips.

“If you put it like this, wouldn’t they have to come entertain their senior brothers even if they don’t want to? Is this how you make requests to your juniors, Luo Chen? Have some shame!” Yu Mingyang chastised his friend and then instantly turned towards Sui Mo standing close to him and said, “Never mind him, Sui Mo. But if you want to, why don’t you finish what you told me this morning? I think that was quite interesting.”

“Senior brother Yu, please, no!” Sui Mo helplessly shook his head. “I was just telling you some random nonsense when we both could have done nothing worthwhile. You really wouldn't want me to share such drivel here, would you?”

“Talking about ‘Peony pavilions’ is never worthless.” Yu Mingyang replied and then looked at Luo Chen, explaining to him, “He told me that he thinks the book’s editor has changed. You still remember old man Li’s Book Pavilion had two Houses surnamed Ou claiming ownership, one being of Master Ou Chen who you must know has always been associated with the Temple of…Light and the other one Master Ou Mingli, the sixteenth head of Sword Pavilion in Waterfall Valley. Sui Mo thinks the new issue has a slightly different tone than its previous issues marking a real passing down of the store from the hands of Master Li to either one of them or, from the way he worded it he thinks it's most likely Master Ou Chen.”

Luo Chen heard this and immediately became serious. “That sounds rather important to me. Go on Sui Mo, I’d rather like to hear the reasons why you think this way.”

“Yes.” Another person came up to them and encouraged Sui Mo. “I did buy it to read like usual and then saw many new things being added inside – and there was not much mention of past Jianghu affairs. Does this mean the news that Sword-master Ou Mingli is dead is true? Or why else would such an important Pavilion change owner?”

“That’s too far-fetched, don’t you think?” One more person joined. “Sui Mo must have found something else to become doubtful. Hey, come on, tell us your reasons, Sui Mo!”

Sui Mo exasperatedly observed his two seniors giving him encouraging looks and then others who had joined in the fun.

“Okay, okay, I see. I will speak. It’s nothing much. I just found out that the editor of ‘Peony Pavilion the Tales of Strange Lands and Beasts’ seems to have changed recently. Firstly, the topics as mentioned by Senior brother Deng, have really changed significantly and there is hardly any detailed news from Jinghai like before. Another reason…is the style. I’ve read it for too long to miss the slight change in tone and wordings of the editorial notes. ‘Gentleman Bamboo’ always addresses his audience with a slight playfulness, and some of us, I don’t know if all of your senior brothers here are aware or not, but his message has always carried a puzzle and a key, which will be answered in his next addresses. I didn’t find the answer in the new edition.” He succinctly explained.

“You’re lucky. I’ve heard hardly anyone can keep track of the keys and puzzles because missing one issue is like losing the game.” Yu Mingyang said.

Luo Chen turned to Sui Mo. “I haven’t heard of this puzzle thing. But I’d recommend you should inform and confirm with our teachers and ask for more insight on this. For us in the Academy, that book is an essential reading and has been for ages. I might even say…this thing you discovered is quite an omen. Particularly when the circumstances are so dire in Daxia. I heard Princess Hunak and the Temple have seized yet another major port."

“Tsk. Temple of light is all sorrow, I say. A priestess has arrived in Dajin and claims she is to be the savior of the world’s women and woe begotten. But ‘Peony Pavilion’ has always been a matter of concern for Jianghu. Luo Chen, you know something?” Yu Mingyang asked, turning his head.

“Dajin just a decade ago saw the advent of the Seven Temples inside its boundaries, so we cannot know how many ‘Blood-oath Sister’s’ we have in our lands. The thing is, however, we previously believed Jianghu would never fall under the influence of Temples, or to say, the court of the lay-world and Jianghu and then later, the temple formed three corners of a balanced structure. If their previous neutrality isn’t maintained…It will become a big issue. It’s not trivial at all. But I’m hoping our teachers are already aware of this new development."

Everyone became quiet suddenly. Outside, it was raining again.

"Didn’t that journal just recently publish a story about a creature called ‘Shadow Beasts’ who dwells in the depths of the Boundless Ocean?” Hu Yanbin came closer to them and asked puzzledly. “That doesn’t sound like something the Temple would be keen to dwell on. Why include such writings then?”

“That is the issue here, you see– we never implied a complete takeover of the ‘Peony pavilion’. If it wasn’t for Sui Mo’s guesses, there is hardly any change. But why? What does the Pavilion want to achieve by carrying on the previous style into the next issues and keep working silently with no notice of takeover or handing down of Book Pavilion. Previous handovers of past centuries were serious, ceremonious affairs and everyone could find its news with little to no effort. More importantly, Jianghu is silent.” Yu Mingyang explained to Hu Yanbin.

“I see.”

With that the conversation died down again, but with a series of urging from Luo Chen, more and more people came together and joined in other simple conversations.

There was much to be dwelt upon; popular news in the capital or one related to academic sessions and debates where the current Minister of Learning and Imperial Teacher of the crown prince himself had held a meeting of scholars. Even things like small gossips of which angry teacher was beginning to get worse and which sword style suited them best at that moment wasn't left unattended! Perhaps owing to the fact that some embarrassment of a sudden meeting had wafted away, the air heated up and the topics were skillfully maneuvered towards more colorful alleys.

“…did it come out? I heard they were still printing a new issue of ‘Most Influential Beauties of Dajin’? Was there a mention of the capital city, and its several newly acclaimed accomplished women? Was there someone in it who was completely a surprise? Are they in a relationship, engaged or married?” Hu Yanbin asked.

“No, no, not yet.”

“They always lie nowadays, so be careful when you buy or read them – these books from the capital! You can hardly trust them anymore to relay any proper news. Now, most writers and their books are just pandering to the local families of the capital. And it's a well-known fact that capital people rarely acknowledge other beauties who come from elsewhere. They will have you believe that the rest of Dajin is just full of one-eyed maiden, who breath fire and eat men, ugly hags with bulging noses and flesh bursting out of their seams, if they could from the looks of it. It is their selling point at this point, I tell you – call everyone ugly enough and then highlight the local maidens to make every capital-dweller buy it more enthusiastically. What do you say happens when someone actually falls into their illusion because of that and starts to fear the maiden of Dajin from outside the capital? Does such an idiot even exist?”

“Who knows, the world is a weird place.”

“I say those titles and names are good at times… they did great justice to beauty Wei; the title White lotus certainly suits her.” Luo Chen smiled light heartedly, as he pulled his crimson cloak covering his broad shoulder together, and leaned closer towards the pillar, leaning backwards for support, folding his arms in front. He looked at the tall young man draped in a silver, white fur lined cloak, Yu Mingyang and said listlessly, “There is some strange innocence in her eyes - I cannot clearly explain what. But when we met today, she felt like that pristine bloom gently cradling morning dew in her heart.”

Yu Mingyang did catch the fleeting expression of loss reflected on his friend's face. No one noticed his shocked eyes as he hurriedly looked down. He frowned and continued in his previous careless tone as he said, "Tsk. His highness the second prince really appeared at the most opportune time. Before the flower could fully bloom in the spring, it was plucked off.”

“Alas! What can one do but raise a toast to a missed fate." Hu Yanbin added.

"Nothing unusual to me.” Someone quipped from the other side of the pavilion. “In fact, I had long expected something of this sort. Having such great abilities like those his highness has, only a beauty like ‘Western White lotus’ can match his stride and not fall short!”

"But I heard—this marriage between the second prince was arranged by the Queen herself? Is this true?" Deng Yanda took in a sip of his warm tea and asked.

“Whether it was, or it wasn’t hardly matters anymore, don’t you think?” Yu Mingyang kept studying his friend’s expression as he said this.

“It does –”

But suddenly another voice abruptly spoke, cutting Hu Yanbin’s words. “You talk of Miss Wei, I assume. When you all call her the lady White lotus it alludes to her...purity? I still don’t understand, what is this about those titles and why does everyone like to use it so much? Who keeps a record of these events, and who even decided to come up with them?”

Everyone looked at An Jin sitting with his ankles in the nearby pond, with the soft shower wetting his cloak's rims. His boots lay forgotten beside him.

Sui Mo immediately rolled his eyes at him and took a sip of his warm tea. A few others shook their heads likewise.

Deng Yanda replied helplessly, “The title was first given to Miss Wei after the high monk of Shuisheng Pagoda called her ‘a beauty of dawn, startling even the breath of holy western mountains’ and then it was recorded in other books.”

An Jin still looked unconvinced. “What about another one of these appellations – I don’t recall the other lady’s name in particular but it goes something like, “The Orchid of Lone Mountains”. Flowery titles. Although they sound poetic and quite emblematic in some senses, wouldn't seniors agree that they hardly serve any purpose other than confusing people who might've never read one of these books which happen to contain such titles? On another note, who has so much time on their hands to dwell on these things to choose all of them and ascertain that these titles did come from authentic sources? And if anyone can name anyone else, wouldn’t that make names such as these to become a rather very difficult thing to keep track of?”

“It’s not something to be understood by the likes of you, at least An Jin. All day long, all I see you doing is nothing but ploughing through those endless piles of texts of yours. But when a person keeps reading dry stuff all the time, they tend to not understand what is normal taste, you see? Forget allusions to aesthetics and sentiments – do they even write what is not something old, archaic, cryptic or about the search into mysteries and myths in those classics – ‘Ancient laws’, ‘Ancient seals’, ‘Thoughts on ancient script’ – have you even ever read something not attached with a word ‘ancient’ to its title? Just don’t talk as if you know what beauty, charm or such things even mean, An Jin. People who get it would rather spend some effort in praising and enjoying it. And people like you, who don’t have a shred of interest usually keep away. You cannot argue with this. We know what stuff you are made of.” Sui Mo’s reply left An Jin speechless for a while.

A few others listening on the side burst out laughing.

“You understand him the best, don’t you Sui Mo?”

“Oh- there is no doubt about that. They are almost twins from different mothers at this point.” Luo Chen shook his head as he agreed.

“I do actually come across such expressions more often than seniors would expect.” An Jin tried to defend himself weakly, coloring red. “My books which you all call dry are not that dry – they have a different sort of beauty to them! You just have to peel their layers before you can taste that spirit.”

“Right – only a drunkard can feel the essence of his drink, that exhilarating sip to his tongue.” Luo Chen interjected light heartedly from the side. Yu Mingyang laughed loudly.

“No, but in all seriousness Sui Mo.” An Jin asked, hastily changing the topic, “There must be a classic book you all refer to, right? Something that began this trend?"

An Jin dragged out his wet feet and started dragging Sui Mo standing next to him to sit down over the carpet, his arms reaching over his shoulder in a half-embrace.

Sui Mo found that he couldn't slip away, so he subconsciously used his fists to twist and wriggle away from An Jin's clutches, instead, as if An Jin had peered through his intentions he successfully stopped him by capturing Sui Mo's fist between his palms.

As if An Jin remembered something, he looked happily at Sui Mo and asked, “Now this reminded me – brother Sui Mo, didn’t you start learning a new practice called ‘Roaring Fist’? How about you show me its perks?” An Jin seriously observed the fine muscles of Sui Mo’s hands twitching for self-control as well as a seething young man who had grown red from exasperation.

“Not today, An Jin.” Sui Mo shook his head and spoke gritting through his words. "This wasn't an invitation for a fight by any stretch."

“Why not? I heard teacher Lin say you've perfected your "Roaring Fist" so, come on, let me judge the efforts of your practice these days, brother. Either way we are doing nothing worthwhile sitting here growing mushrooms on our heads, even senior brother Luo Chen has grown bored and listless. Wouldn’t a fight be the best entertainment we can provide for their pleasure?" An Jin said, his palms still clutching Sui Mo’s outstretched fist.

“Have you really learned it Sui Mo?” Hu Yanbin asked from the side.

“I agree, it would be a pleasure to watch Junior brother Sui show his fists.” Luo Chen chimed in, to which Yu Mingyang nodded as if he agreed wholeheartedly.

Sui Mo’s back grew tense as he felt the minute rhythm of internal energy surging in his fingers that was clutched, pulsing with the rigidness of an arrow ready to be released. An Jin on the other hand knew he had succeeded in reeling him in. He beamed with pleasure but felt dagger-like looks from Sui Mo who glared but then gritted his teeth in defeat, signaling him to take action.

"Just ten minutes is all I am giving you. Choose your skills well. And watch out for any damages. I don't want to be responsible for bringing this pavilion down with us, you heard me?" He growled.

An Jin nodded and watched many people clearing away to the periphery knowingly while chatting and observing them. Some even stood up on the top rail. A bell jingled and then An Jin felt the air brush on his face and flipped backwards dodging while at the same time turning upside down, trying to capture Sui Mo’s neck between his feet. Sui Mo backpedaled several steps, almost touching the railings. He flipped back, didn’t waste any time but immediately raced around and flashed behind Sui Mo in steps that looked like they were as quick as two flaps of a dragonfly wings!

Two figures broke into a flash retreating backwards. Sui Mo regained his rhythm and started dishing out his twisting punches, not giving An Jin any moment to think, as he started to pommel his fist hard towards An Jin’s face using his taut muscles which rippled underneath his clothes visibly. His lean figure seemed to have suddenly grown stiff and hard like stone, his eyes red with furious light as if he was waiting to roar like a tiger and swallow his prey.

Where An Jin flew fluidly like water, flexibly moving and hiding from all the fists aimed at his body and face, jumping over railing when required, twisting and swinging around pillars—Sui Mo was like a freed-up beast, propelling his hands against all forces, appropriately seeking and hitting, again and again, like hammer seeking to thaw a sheet of metal.

“This is good!” Luo Chen squatted down, opening his hand-held fan and swinging it over his face. He looked too amused, fully unravelling his cold features filling them with youthful air and energy.

Yu Mingyang stood beside him equally amused, shouting, "An Jin! You can also attack, you know that? Don't just escape, show us your moves!"

“Now, now – show him Sui Mo. Land a few hits, and we’ll take care of the rest even if you do break a few bones around here.” Hu Yanbin added.

“Come on Sui Mo – your ‘Tiger Palms’ are not a decoration, are they? Don’t bring shame to your seniors! Don’t you dare go easy on this slippery eel. Fight! Fight hard and show him what our Tiger Fists can do!” Deng Yanda was fully engrossed, hitting his own palms with his fist as he saw Sui Mo miss again. "Damn it! Is An Jin the reincarnation of a loach spirit or what?"

He asked, turning to Hu Yanbin.

“Doesn’t the whole Academy already agree with this fact?”

A few of the onlookers joined in the fun, laughing and falling out of the range of scuffle.

An Jin felt he hit some onlooker as he skidded backwards but was then thrown like being pushed towards Sui Mo to meet the oncoming fist headfirst. He had no time to think about dodging or defending, but used his own soft bones to create ripples in the air, his bones deftly followed his will easily bending in angles he willed, the wind surged surrounding the oncoming fist and then An Jin took the fastest time possible to hit a few acupoints to slow down Sui Mo’s fist. Again, he slipped away successfully.

“There he goes again – a kick, a kick. Get him!”

Sui Mo rounded a kick towards An Jin’s face. Before it could reach and break a few bones– An Jin propelled himself against the pillar, rose up in the air and climbed up a few steps into the invisible air to evade, and then fell back dragging his whole body to jump behind Sui Mo, his hand landing and twisting to grip Sui Mo's shoulder! He would have succeeded in his sudden attack by getting a chokehold, but suddenly Sui Mo twisted An Jin’s hand holding his shoulders, turned around and threw him off. An Jin immediately fell back, retreating a few steps away.

Finally, it was Sui Mo who exasperatedly lowered his hands and straightened up, saying, “That’s enough, it's already ten minutes. You are always so eager to pounce – don’t tell me you want to compare the swords next? I'm telling you, you are quite bullying at times.”

An Jin stood up laughing, rubbing his neck shyly, “No, I am not. And this is not bullying brother Mo– thank you for the guidance! I know you liked it too.”

They both proceeded to sit down huffing, over a thick carpet. A spread of platters full of desserts and small teacups and their refills lay together held in porcelain jars. A few silver coated braziers burned close by, started whispering between themselves.

The others, watching that there was nothing more to see, grouped again and started talking between themselves. Luo Chen and Yu Mingyang followed the others' precedent and sat over the carpet next, taking in a few more sips of tea.

“And this pair has successfully derailed our conversation. Just like always. At least the fight was entertaining.” Luo Chen whispered to his companion. “They are good – teacher Lin wasn’t lying when he complimented them. Their fists complement each other too well. We two cannot grow such in-depth understanding of one another.”

“Undoubtedly. If they can learn to balance each other’s edges they will form a good pair. This year’s Academy's Martial art competition has a group fight. What about inviting these two to form a group?” Yu Mingyang looked serious.

“It’s a good idea – I’ll ask them before we go back. Or you can do that too.”

“I’ll try.”

After some while, Luo Chen couldn’t help but shift the topic completely. “Second prince’s entourage hasn’t arrived yet. They would have reached before the ceremony began, but there is no sign.”

“Oh! Did I forget to tell you? There was a landslide in Shijiazhuang, a valley nearby. Just this morning my old man ran out looking flustered, and when I asked the steward why, he told me father was headed there specifically to join the prince. The second prince must have gone there first to survey the disaster-stricken area. He will arrive here, if he has time. Of course, official duties are more important than a brother-in-law’s coming of age ceremony.” Yu Mingyang explained. “I still think this Wei house has made too much out of a personal ceremony – even my sister’s wedding wasn’t this elaborate and mind you, she was marrying the newly titled number one scholar of that year! I just don’t know why our teacher’s thought of sending all of us here first. Accompanying the prince doesn’t seem to explain the right intention…” Yu Mingyang whispered.

Although the others around the two seemed to be engrossed in their own conversations, many ears were listening to them. A few even stopped their own conversations or lowered their voices to hear some more.

“Ha! Look at who’s talking here? As if Mingyang - as if that could ever be true. You know more than that. I know you. Tsk.” Luo Chen said, laughing a bit. “You cannot stay still till you have got your hands around those details, or some nice gossip before you let things rest. You don’t seem restless to me, right now. It can only be that your old man slipped something more in his drunken stupor last night, did he not?”

“Fine! I will tell you then. It's hardly any secret, alright -? Teacher Lin will most likely tell us this himself tomorrow afternoon.” Yu Mingyang bent down and took up a piece of dessert, completely unperturbed at being seen through. “There just happens to be a plan for us in store. But these plans are not for Jinghai. We are to catch up with another entourage and join them in the exploration of the ‘Mysterious Mountains’ of Jinghai down south. For whatever reasons, we are to tag along with them. I only know this much. You know my old man seems to talk a lot when he is drunk, but actually, he will never say more than he really can let others know. Even if I make him drunk like a drowning horse, he will still not talk of those official secrets with me!”

“At least you do know something.” Luo Chen tilted his head distractedly, while he drank some more warm tea to drive away the chills. “It’s a funny business, ha! Our grandfathers won’t talk, our fathers are silent. But they all treat us like some porcelain dolls, always fussing about something or the other. I haven’t talked to my father so much in eighteen years of my life as I did these past three months! And that says a lot about them, doesn’t it?”

For some while, they both stayed silent.

“It stinks of mystery. I don’t like it. But what were we talking about? That ‘White Lotus’ thing, right An Jin?”

Luo Chen raised his voice to an eavesdropping An Jin, taking him aback. Although a little startled, An Jin raised his drooping head, rubbing his nose in embarrassment.

“As you might have guessed already, it is indeed a book, called the ‘Three Thousand Blossoms’. Definitely a classic, mind you. The author has been running it for a century now and has remained anonymous for all this time. So, you know it's old. And mysterious.”

He chuckled a little and then continued, “It came out in a recent volume, the ‘White Lotus’ thing. Dajin, Daxia, Qi, Jing, Xia, Wu, Samhan, Oserthim… every known nation on our Tianxin continent, and their countless beauties were put together and then each ranked in a single list of some hundred people. Just imagine the difficulty of this job! Competition was brutal. That title was given to new faces, ranking the top ten beauties of Tianxin."

"Oh! That sounds lively, but is the author really anonymous? Shouldn't he be dead by now?"

"Who knows whether he’s dead or someone keeps writing it in his name? Two decades ago, someone did try to dig a little deeper into who the author was, but to no one's surprise found nothing – so, he went and wrote an article. Now some people think it’s a complete organization to be able to reach out into so many places, while others hold the opinion that the author must be a well-connected adventurer – a Jianghu person. But it’s really funny to guess what their original purpose would have been– that is if they are a powerful organization as in the rumors. What can you do by recounting names of beauties of a certain place and of a certain period— make a marriage brochure out of them? If someone does have so many resources at hand, why don’t they use it for something else?”

“How can Senior brother Luo be certain that they actually aren't involved in something bigger? They might as well be running a secret alliance with such a wide network in their hands.” An Jin asked, slightly intrigued.

“Or,” Sui Mo interrupted suddenly, “you are over-reading into it. They can just be a few merchants who travel all around and hear about ‘beauties’ from the people they come in contact with. Merchant teams and guilds are equally popular for their information channels as they are for their well-formed network, if you think about it. And it does sell, doesn’t it? People of all kinds buy into the fuss, and purchase the book. Just think about the profits. Many merchants will go to the farthest point of Samhan if needed, if they could be sure that something of this sort sells and sells fast. Let’s not let our imaginations run wild, shall we?”

“A good point.” Luo Chen said, looking ponderous. “I hope this settles your doubts sufficiently, An Jin? Yes, then why don’t we all talk about something else. We have been in Jinghai for some days now, almost a fortnight. Have any of you found something interesting? Heard any strange tales-?”

to be continued~