98 Mei Xues' Story

Completing another day of hard work, the Store of Fates closed its doors as it shooed all its reluctant customers away. Giving them no chance to rebut, Shou slammed everything shut and turned off the lights, right around midnight.

"..." The guest did not know how to reply to that. "He always does things his way, that's for sure."

One by one, they excused themselves, going their own way. Zhang Yong disappeared into the night—no one was sure where he actually lived (some think he might actually be homeless). The Li siblings moved sneakily, probably going their father would not notice. Ran Wei and Lin Zhuyue lived in the same direction, thus they bickered the whole way abck. As for the merchants, their home was in the white district, where all the expensive stuff was.

Thus, the ones that remained were Mei Xue and Lan Jiu. A rather awkward combo. Though the two of them did not feel it, as they were comfortable in their own space. The night drifted on, indicated by the moving moon and stars. Darkness hung over them, the blackest of nights, with no fire illuminating the streets. It felt mysterious, yet ephemeral.

"Where are you currently staying," Mei Xue asked the ex sect-member in a flat tone.

Lan Jiu glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, a bit surprised. "Are you flirting with me?"

"You'd certainly wish that, wouldn't you," the woman said, laughing. "I was just wondering how scum like you would fare within this city."

"There are many tricks you learn within the sect which help you blend in with the folks on the surface," Lan Jiu spoke. "This place also isn't as clean as you imagine."

"I was only joking, I don't have any particular feelings towards this place, nor any interest in debating what is good or bad." Mei Xue walked away, lightly waving her hands. "There's the distrustful Yangyi to watch over you after all. And though the others may seem to believe you, I will always be watching over your shoulders."

Lan Jiu watched her disappear within the shadows, but before her silhouette was completely masked by the endless expanse of the night, he asked, "Why do you hate the sects so much?"

Mei Xue turned around, her complexion even more mesmerizing under the pale moonlight. She may look beautiful during the day, but it is when the sun had fallen that she'd become otherworldly. It was beyond a mere mortal's appearance—the saying goes, even Gods, Demons, and Beasts must bow before the beauty of the Wang Familys' Jewel.

She spoke, her red lips parting, "I don't think we have enough time in the world for me to address the grievances between me and the Waning Principle with you."

Lan Jiu rummaged through his robe and took out a flask. "Uhm, I have alcohol."

Mei Xues' brows wrinkled. "Are you inviting a lady for a drink at such an untimely hour?"

"You have to forgive me, I know nothing of the customs in this pristine city, but I can promise you, the wine I brew is worth for even a lady to forget her charity vows."  Lan Jiu bowed, his long hair swaying from his movements.

Mei Xue squinted her eyes, as she clicked her tongue. "Disgusting." She lightly grabbed her dress and approached Lan Jiu. She stood before him, staring down, as she spoke. "Lead the way."

"What?"

"Don't tell me you expect me to take the bottle here? In such an unrefined street, where everyone can see us indulging in worldly pleasures? You are more of a brute than I imagined," Mei Xue hid her face behind her long sleeves. She had the face of utter contempt, but it suited her well, as all her expressions did.

"My master did it all the time though," Lan Jiu spoke. "She'd always have a flask around her waist, and even in meetings, she'd take a sip out of it."

Mei Xue sighed. "Forget it." She shook her head. "I know a place." After all, she shouldn't expect anyone from the sects and cults outside to know what proper etiquette was. They were no worse than bandits after all.

The two of them walked down the dark roads, only the light of the stars guiding the way. Two people, a man and a woman, strolling through the empty streets—yet, no one would mistake them for a couple, as the queer atmosphere and repressed negative emotions washed any romantic thoughts away.

It did not take long for the two of them to arrive. It was a small secluded spot, behind the many houses, overcast with a big plum tree. There were a few benches, though they appeared old and worn out as if forgotten.

"I wander here when I wish to be away from the family's eyes," Mei Xue explained. "You see, with my exquisite appearance, it is hard to find a break from the spotlight, and even harder not to gain attention."

If it were anyone else, Lan Jiu would have scoffed at their arrogance, no matter how stunning the person was, but when Mei Xue spoke, he felt nothing of that sort. It was as if it were only natural, and the words she spoke were the truth of the world, just like how the sun always rose, and leaves eventually fell. Truly, a frightening characteristic.

Mei Xue took a seat down. "Do not get me wrong. I still do not like you."

"Well, thanks for that."

"But I can tolerate you, as you aren't like the other disgusting members of the Waning Principle Sect," she spoke.

"You know more people from my sect?" Lan Jiu was inwardly surprised. They were a clan of assassins, trained to destroy and kill. That meant they usually left no trace or identity behind. Not even those from the same sect knew what most of them looked like.

Mei Xue stared at him, without any answer. It was only after a while that he realized she wished for a cup of wine. He quickly took out two cups—one for him, one for her—and filled them with his best drink. The young lady caught a whiff of the wine and smiled at the mellow aroma. She placed both her hands around the drink. "It's not strange. I am originally from that sect too, after all."

This time, Lan Jiu was stunned enough that he almost lost the grip on his drink. This was earth-shattering news to him. A woman from one of the three families, associated with the despicable sects! There was no need to mention how bizarre such information would be. Even if he leaked it out, he doubted anyone would believe him.

Mei Xue noticed his turmoil. "I was adopted by Family Head, Wang Yuhan. He originally took me in because of my beauty. If I am not of use to him, then I am gone too," she explained, "Oh, and I wasn't a completed assassin like you guys, but just one of the many children without parents, taken in by them through trafficking." She took a sip from her cup. "Good wine."

"You have a unique backstory," was all he gathered to say. He believed he himself was not ordinary, and he had his own fair share of struggles, but it seemed to pale in comparison to Mei Xues' life. It would make for an interesting tale, based on the premise alone.

"As you may know, the only way for a child to survive in the wilderness and away from that empire would be to associate themselves with the underground forces outside," Mei Xue spoke. "Well, if you want to try your chances, you can go wander the outskirts of the town, hoping to be adopted, or try crossing the seas for another empire. . . well, you get the gist."

"I've walked the same path, after all," Lan Jiu said, and at the same time, began believing her story.

"For me, my goal was to enter the Waning Principle Sect. Their sleazy and unruly behavior was well-known within the outskirts, such as their pillaging, robbery, and blackmail. They may pretend to be of higher class, but in the end, they were simply bandits with a bow wrapped around them." Mei Xue clenched her fists, the cup in her hand shaking. "But to a child like me, that was better than starving and dying."

Lan Jiu drank his homebrewed alcohol in one gulp. He thought he'd probably not be able to digest this story while sober. Even if she stopped here, he imagined he'd have heard more than he should have.

Mei Xue didn't care and continued to reveal her backstory. "But in the end, I did not. It was because of a friend—whom I consider my older brother and savior—that convinced me otherwise." Her expression softened. "You see, his family died under the hands of the Waning Principle Sect. And it wasn't due to some bounty. They were simply collateral. A stray arrow. Victims of the infinite chaos within the universe." She shrugged. "Whatever the case, he took care of me. He was Cheng Won, or as I referred to him, brother Cheng."

"Who?" Lan Jiu tilted his head.

"Oh, I suppose you know him by a different name," Mei Xue spoke. "To you, his name is Lan Wu."