MatHaz
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Chapter 298: Bold
🕑 Added 2024-12-18 12:00:11 +0000 UTC~~~
The first stage of the Crimson Cloud Tournament does not take place in the Imperial Palace or even in one of the surrounding districts. Instead, four large warehouses near the city limits are repurposed for the occasion. All the merchandise is cleared out, and over a hundred fighting rings are moved in. This allows for multiple matches to take place simultaneously, but even at that pace, it will take many days for the first stage to reach completion.
Pushed against the walls of the warehouses are multiple rows of seats for the audience. The view they offer is by no means great, but people still pay money to sit on them and watch. Industrious citizens are already selling vision-enhancing items outside each warehouse. In the coming days, memory jades will be worth their weight in gold.
While the audience members vibrate with anticipation and try their best to spot the most famous fighters, the competitors all move in nearly perfect silence. Their minds are busy going over their preparations. For most, this will be a grueling test of endurance. The fate of certain Sects might be altered forever depending on the outcome of the matches.
Liu Jin cannot help but feel out of place.
His qualification to the next round is a forgone conclusion that requires only his attendance. If he had his way, he’d be watching the Blue and Green Groups. However, considering the caliber of competitors involved and their masters, sending a soul fragment to spy on them is unlikely to be successful.
“You could try to look a little less threatening. Your opponents might cry if you greet them with such a fearsome scowl.”
“It is a tournament, is it not?” Liu Jin replies, glancing back at Song Daiyu while he takes his place in the ring. “One would assume being threatening is the point.”
Song Daiyu merely smiles in reply, as though she knows something he doesn’t.
She probably does.
“Should you even be here?” Liu Jin asks. “This is hardly something you needed to make time for.”
“Small venue matches have their own charm,” Song Daiyu replies. “Besides, some people, such as Lu Mei, have offered to pay for a memory jade of this.”
“Does something like this really merit recording?”
“Oh, you’d be surprised,” Song Daiyu says as Liu Jin’s first opponent of the day enters the ring.
“I greet Emperor Qing Jin of the Storm Dragon Empire,” the man says, bowing before Liu Jin with his hands clasped together. He wears colorful robes and carries a long spear on his back. His age seems to be near the limit for competition in the tournament. “Your reputations and deeds are known far and wide. This one cannot compare, so there is no need for you to bother even hearing this one’s name.”
Liu Jin raises an eyebrow.
“Shall I take that to mean you surrender?” Liu Jin asks his opponent. He notes, not without some annoyance, that several people in the surrounding rings are not even pretending to fight. They have their attention focused exclusively on him instead of their opponents.
“In a moment, Your Majesty,” his foe replies. “While my name is not worth learning, I cannot say the same about the Hundred Flower Sect from which I come. We might be a mere hundred-year-old organization, but our affinity for textiles is unmatched! This robe I am wearing is one of our latest designs. I guarantee that I would die from your attacks long before these clothes began showing signs of damage. They are exceedingly comfortable and good for warm and cold weather alike.”
“...What are you doing?” Liu Jin asks.
“I am merely proclaiming the many good aspects of my Sect, Your Majesty,” his opponent replies, “Do not believe for a second that I am suggesting His Majesty’s clothes are in any way inferior to my own! I merely wish for His Majesty to know we are willing to offer our services to the Storm Dragon Empire. Please keep us in your consideration.”
The disciple of the Hundred Flower Sect keeps speaking like that for five more minutes before finally surrendering and removing himself from the ring. Liu Jin spares a look at Song Daiyu, who seems to be trying her hardest not to laugh while hiding her face behind her fan.
“You knew this would happen.”
“Did I know that people would think this is their best chance for an audience with the Emperor of the Storm Dragon Empire?” Song Daiyu asks, putting a hand over her heart. “It is a possibility.”
Liu Jin blinks. When she puts it like that…
“Don’t feel bad for not having realized it sooner. You have been occupied with other matters,” she says while taking out a thick binder from a spatial storage hidden within her fan. “By the way, your next match is against the heir of Swift Steel Valley. They have a decent enough reputation, but there’s no point humoring them. Your mines offer more than theirs ever could.”
“You have prepared for this,” Liu Jin notes. Song Daiyu smiles at him.
“The Storm Dragon Empire is a client of our Five Blessings Group. I could not possibly let you make an inferior deal.”
“Or allow too much competition for you,” Liu Jin points out. Song Daiyu’s eyes twinkle. “Fine. Let’s try to finish this quickly.”
“How optimistic of you.”
Unfortunately for Liu Jin, what follows is a thoroughly annoying experience.
“...We of the White Door are prepared to offer..”
“...so as you see, Our Thousand Vines produce much in the way of fruits and other delicacies.”
“...The Thundering Gallop merely seeks the opportunity to train under the storms of your country. To that end, we offer…”
The sheer number of people, as well as the diversity in their requests, soon makes Liu Jin very glad that he has Song Daiyu at his side. Her input allows him to quickly and efficiently sort through everyone.
“Those from the White Door are known debtors and only know how to peddle inferior products. There is no need to entertain them.”
“...You should consider their offer. The Thousand Vines produce great fruits. Your nobles will thank you. They also make fantastic wines.”
“... That one should be left to your judgment, Your Majesty.”
Despite that, some things remain far beyond Liu Jin’s expectations.
“...my womb is guaranteed to produce only male offspring. Should the Emperor wish it, I will gladly dedicate this body to-”
“No,” Liu Jin says, cutting the girl before she can finish.
“You shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss her,” Song Daiyu says. “You never know when a trait like that will be useful.”
Liu Jin glares at her, and Song Daiyu wisely drops the matter. Unfortunately, it is far from the only womb offered to Liu Jin that day. Several of his female opponents boast of the strength of their bloodlines before offering themselves to him as concubines. Even his male opponents talk to him about their sisters or cousins.
“You should give some of these a little more thought,” Song Daiyu advises, “A good womb is not the sort of thing that can be tossed aside carelessly. You might feel safe because you already have two wives, but you’d be surprised by how often one needs a good-”
“Do not say womb again,” Liu Jin says, his Qi rising slightly. “I know this must be greatly amusing for you, but I do not see the humor in it. I did not come here for people to peddle their daughters, sisters, and cousins to me.”
“Very well,” Song Daiyu says, raising her hands in surrender. “But do keep in mind that these people are not merely peddling their females to you. They are offering their females the best option available. Your approval can guarantee their future, and they know it. Do not think badly of them for pursuing a profitable partnership.”
Liu Jin says nothing. Unfortunately, he can see the logic. Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to pick their own partner.
“By the way, that is the heir of the Mysterious Peak you just made faint. They are a secretive bunch, so I was interested in learning what he offered.” Song Daiyu shrugs. “Oh well.”
Liu Jin blinks. Sure enough, his next opponent fainted before he got a chance to step into the ring. Sighing, Liu Jin pinches the bridge of his nose and waits for his next match to be called.
He feels it, then.
Everyone does.
It is like a sudden breeze. The weak do not think much of it, while the strong are left light-headed. A few tournament competitors fall unconscious, and whispers ensue across the room like a swarm of locusts. They have all heard the rumors. They understand what just happened.
The Wandering Wind has arrived.
“Even when she’s not trying to make an entrance, I suppose a Divinity cannot help herself,” Song Daiyu muses. “What do you… think?”
Liu Jin’s aura simmers around him with dangerous intensity. His red eyes glow as he looks in the direction of the Wandering Wind. However, unlike others in the city, it is not the Wandering Wind that Liu Jin is paying attention to.
It is the far smaller Qi at her side.
“I understand this has a great personal significance to you,” Song Daiyu hurries to say, desperately trying to catch Lu Mei’s gaze from among the hundreds of people in the warehouse. “However, you cannot possibly be thinking of-”
Liu Jin is not there anymore.
~~~
The warehouse where the Green Group matches are taking place is on the opposite end of the city. Considering many of Imperial Cloud City’s districts dwarf regular cities, it is a significant distance. Despite that, Liu Jin needs but a single breath to get within a hundred yards of the warehouse, and he would have gotten much closer were it not for the appearance of an obstacle in his path.
The Wandering Wind.
“I must admit,” the Wandering Wind says, “I did not expect you would be quite this bold.”
“Bold? Is that what you see concern as?” Liu Jin asks, his voice coming out harsher than he’d intended. “It has been years, and I still do not know whether Su An is alive or dead. I can finally find out. Please…Move.”
“I do not think I will.”
Liu Jin’s Qi spikes dangerously. Countless in the city shiver as the light dims and the city becomes colder. The air cracks and falls like glass, leaving behind holes from which inky blackness pours out.
However, the Wandering Wind is unphased.
“Your improvement is impressive,” the Wandering Wind says, easily driving back the blackness with the force of her Qi. “However, patience is a virtue that will serve you well right now. You have matches to attend, and so does she.”
Liu Jin growls. Countless all over the city shiver in fear, yet the Wandering Wind is not one of them. There is no point in continuing this. Liu Jin already knows that. His actions are only hurting those too weak to bear the weight of his presence. An uncontrolled display like this is not like him.
And yet…
And yet...
Liu Jin takes a deep breath. His aura disappears.
“Is she well?” He asks.
“She has undergone the necessary trials and forged herself anew. Whether she has become the person you wish her to be is not something I know,” the Wandering Wind replies. “If you wish for better answers, simply make your way to the second stage and seek her out.”
Liu Jin turns and walks away, his robes billowing as he does.
“I fully intend to have you answer all my questions once this tournament is over,” he promises.
“Satisfy my expectations, and you shall have any answer you wish.”
“I will surpass them.”
“Oh my, you truly have grown bold.”
~~~
Mini-Character List
Liu Jin: Our Protagonist. In demand. Bold.
Song Daiyu: Member of the Five Blessings Group. Knows a good deal when she hears one.
Wandering Wind: Divine Realm Cultivator. Ready to be amused.
AN:
Super short chapter. Unfortunately, I’m still not really at 100% yet. It’s really annoying.
Comments
Barrett
Plus one incident for Liu Jin rumors. I wonder if this will increase or decrease the number of prospective concubines... (On the one hand, survived mouthing off at the Wandering Wind, which Emperors decline to do. On the other, mouthed off at the Wandering Wind, which Emperors feel is a bad idea - and he's Earth Realm.)
Barrett
She didn't maul an Infinite Mountain Sect emperor - he was from Eternal Raging Valley (her Sect). Also, no one noticed he had fallen to the Renegade Realm, which Liu Jin interpreted as meaning that his actions (kidnapping doctors, and killing them if they failed to heal him) was in character for him (he didn't "go mad" because of what she did - she might have crippled him for being mad; we may eventually get her motivation for mauling him). Liu Jin didn't try to heal him - he conned him, and finished the job the Wandering Wind started. (They fought because Liu Jin wanted her off the field (her presence prevented his victory). Then he found out what Bright Sword had done, and then she took Su An/Daji.)
Blahful
Don't model this universe with ours.
Logan Teague
I just feel like Jin's too intelligent to ever be a socialist, or at least not for long.
Blahful
It's as elder Xun said, he has filed his life with things he needs but not with things he wants. His entire being rejects a world where the powerless are at the mercy of the stronger ones. Him being an Emperor is no different than him being a poison specialist. He's doing it so he can better reject the world he is in. He had no real choice here.
sapassde .
She seemed to have allowed it right after the fight so I don't think her mind would have changed about it.
sapassde .
"Not by choice" isn't quite right, he knows it can still be a choice in this world and he decided going along his father's path wasn't for him and instead took the path to the crown.
Justin McBurnett
RSGA, I think they fought because Jin wanted to kill the Sword Sect Cultivator that took Nan. Not sure if she was there because she thought the fight was interesting and was trying to protect Jin from retaliation from the other side or if she was actively working with the sword sect.
BelligerentGnu
By which I mean, may she have no fun at all. I don't like her, is my point.
Nicholas Williams Chamarro
Counter argument, she would leave it because it would be hilarious to see everyone panic
Gardor
Oh good call, missed that "Lu Mei wants to buy a memory jade" bit. I'm gonna blame it on a ninja edit, otherwise I'm the problem. Nag retracted.
Alex Wing
I'm imagining that with the matches going on, all the competitors are shuffling around. The fact that Lu Mei wanted to purchase a memory jade from Song Daiyu probably means Lu Mei is moving around for her matches and can't watch Liu Jin for most of the round.
Blahful
Crops in exchange of Qi rich foods for one. He's a monarch but not by choice. By choice he'll be a doctor who works for free. This universe is truly cut throat capitalist, though the primary currency is power and not barter.
C
Not sure i would call it snubbing. She's not offended at him, only amused.
RSGA's Patreon
She fought with Jin because she was undecided if she'd stay on the field after Nie Dan and He Bin's fight was over. Realizing that there wasn’t much else that could be done if the Wandering Wind stayed, Jin got his ancestor to dwell in him.
Mithril-blade
Augh, Liberal maybe, but he is a feudal monarch by default as the Emperor of a country. I don't know if has implemented any socialist policies, but he certainly isn't, and can't, be a communist.
C
I don't think she is as bad as you make her out. She is selfish and apathetic. I don't think she is all that different from any other person in power in this universe. She's a battle maniac looking for fun, but not as bad or cruel as the guy who killed liu jins dad, and she did save Su Ann.
Mark
Alternative mini-character-list entry for Wandering Wind: meddlesome sociopath who enjoys playing with other people's lives. 1) To be fair, sociopath is par for the course for cultivators - at least half fit the description. 2) She was the one who broke that Mountain Sect (one of the big 4, whatever the exact name is) Emperor cultivator which Jin attempted to cure in that early story arc after his home city was destroyed, right? She basically drove him insane. Now she is playing with An Su and we have seen that she treats members of her own sect like trash. 3) She was also there when Jin was posessed by the Strom Dragon, wasn't she? He fought against her... why? Was it about the Storm Dragon's heart? Can't really remember. I realize she is on the Divinity level (each of th big 4 has one on that stage, IIRC?) but I really hope she gets some kind of extremely painful, preferably fatal, comeuppance at some point in the future.
Robert Davidson
"Do not think badly of them for pursuing a profitable partnership.” She's doing the same thing, after all.
Kiwilord
This is what I've been waiting for. There is something about a main character snubbing the powerful that is always so satisfying.
Gardor
It happened 100 yards away from the giant warehouse they're holding these preliminary matches in, I'd say it'd make sense for everyone to notice it. Not sure there would even BE a back alley to such a high traffic area, plus its full of cultivators who would have noticed his soul splinter thingies. I woulda said that the WW did something to suppress qi senses, but Liu Jin's qi messing with the whole city kinda invalidates that.
Gardor
"Song Daiyu hurries to say, desperately trying to catch Lu Mei’s gaze from among the hundreds of people in the warehouse. “However, you cannot possibly be thinking of-” I liked this bit, Liu Jin's harem-ish looking to each other for support to help corral his protagonist tendencies. However, where else would Lu Mei be looking? Doesn't seem like it'd be hard to make eye contact with her, given Daiyu is next to Liu Jin, who is currently freaking the fuck out. A protagotantrum, if you will.
Andrew Do
WW has the same plan Patriarch Feng does, see how far Jin can go while having as much fun as they can.
MasterofNova
I highly doubt the wound would have lasted. Throughout the entire fight every wound that was made between them was immediately healed. The only reason the scar could remain is if she allowed it to and I don't see why she would.
MasterofNova
I don't believe it was really a public spectacle. It's just that confrontation between cultivators are always felt by the public even if it is behind doors. Or in this case most probably in a back alley.
MasterofNova
Plans? I thought her stated purpose is just to be entertained until she dies. Lowkey a more reasonable Sukuna
Robert Mullins
We've been tryinging to reach you about your flying sword's extended warranty.
Martin Toder
Seeing the body of a divinity marred must have caused one hell of a stir in ERV
Rehoboth Okorie
That’s the wifey there
BelligerentGnu
May WW find all her plans turn to dust.
Codered999
Daiyu is going to love teasing Jin when she eventually becomes one of his wives.
Paeng Villarosa
So like.. did people just see the Emperor of the Storm Dragon Empire confront and mouth off to the Wandering Wind and not get immediately flattened, and in fact got a response?
Martin Toder
At the end of Jin's fight with the wandering wind she had a scar on her neck
Catherine
What scar? Did I manage to completely miss something?
Nathan Ganesan
Yes, that's why the chapter was today and not monday
Blahful
Ha! I guessed this one. I meant free advertisement part. Though not the wombs. This universe is cut throat and old, so all opportunities are arbitraged out in standard play books. Like how rival conversations should be conducted ( scream, shout, insult and then proceed.) Also, how Jin is "Non-Standard". He's more like a left wing liberal socialist-communist. I really appreciate how you weigh possibilities Mat. This novel makes me think ♥️
eloi Boco
Ouuu angry Liu Jin is so cool lol
Haider Ali
Is author sick? Im confused?
Al
I really appreciate that this story can be 'cliche' while still adding new concepts that somehow make perfect sense. Sects and fighters with no chance of winning seeing a Tournament Arc as a way to advertise to high-status individuals is a great example of this.
Martin Toder
Is the scar still there? Does anybody else know its origin?
