Chapter 288: The Timing

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“Absolutely not! You cannot possibly trust that man!” Big Sister Bai says, pointing at Feng Zhuo.

The three of them have returned to Storm Dragon Palace. Liu Jin has assimilated his soul fragment back into his body, and Lu Mei has joined them.

“Of course, we don’t,” Lu Mei says, crossing her arms. Her eyes are cold as she looks at Feng Zhuo, who kneels in the center of the throne room while wearing a guileless smile. “However, trust has little to do with this, Lady Bai.”

“How cruel of my own sister to say that,” Feng Zhuo laments, hanging his head. “Aren’t you all being a little too distrustful? I do not see why this is an issue. It is as I already explained to His Majesty. Everyone benefits.”

Liu Jin’s eyes narrow as he recalls what Feng Zhuo told him less than half an hour prior.

The reveal of Lu Mei’s parentage might have tarnished Lord Feng Shang’s reputation, and Lord Feng Gui might have derived some pleasure from that. However, though he had already known about it, it did place him in an awkward position. Allowing his brother’s daughter, illegitimate though she might be, to marry the Emperor of the Storm Dragon Empire is giving his brother an advantage.

Thus, Lord Feng Gui needs something to even the scales, even if only nominally. A victory in the Crimson Cloud Tournament will accomplish that. It does not matter that Liu Jin already planned to compete. All that the people of the Eternal Flame Clan need to know is that the Emperor of the Storm Dragon Empire decided to claim victory for Lord Feng Gui where Lord Feng Shang failed.

“My brother-in-law already planned to compete. We are simply making use of it to create an interesting story,” Feng Zhuo explains. “If the story you want to tell the people of this country is different, that is fine. You were probably going to have to do that anyway. All that matters is achieving the desired result, and that is where this Feng Zhuo, whose talent is like a tower that pierces the highest clouds, enters.”

Feng Zhuo opens his arms as if expecting to receive applause.

“Foolishness!”

He receives none.

“Who would trust you as their instructor?” Big Sister Bai says. “Who would trust you at all?! If guidance is required, then obviously…”

Big Sister Bai immediately stops herself from speaking further. They cannot see her face, but the annoyance radiating from her is palpable.

Feng Zhuo grins.

“Oh? Were you about to offer your services? You? A member of the Divine Frozen Palace?” His smile grows annoyingly smug. “A laudable sentiment, but foolish, Lady Bai. You cannot act to help a rival in the competition. That would go against your allegiance. However, as Emperor Qing Jin and my sister are both members of the Eternal Flame Clan, I can teach them anything I want without any conflict of interest. I can even instruct my sister in Eternal Flame. You lack the qualifications to do anything similar.”

The room is suddenly colder.

“Mind your words, Feng Zhuo,” Big Sister Bai says at the same time as Lu Mei moves next to Liu Jin and releases a burst of heat.

Feng Zhuo smiles fearlessly.

“Lady Bai, being beaten by a beautiful woman is the mark of a successful man. If you wish to impart guidance on me, this Feng Zhuo’s body will gladly receive it.”

Liu Jin cannot see Big Sister Bai’s expression due to the veil over her face.

Nevertheless, he senses disgust would be an apt word to describe it.

“Surely, you can see how keeping a man like him around is an exceedingly bad idea?” a frustrated Big Sister Bai asks them, pointedly ignoring Feng Zhuo. “His company is an offense to good taste.”

“This is not an issue of trust, Lady Bai,” Lu Mei says, choosing to speak first. “Anyone with eyes and ears can tell that Lady Bai’s character is superior. My brother is clearly a habitual liar, incapable of inspiring anything resembling trust, and whimsical to the detriment of everyone around him.”

“You called me brother!” Feng Zhuo says, beaming as he ignores every other part of Lu Mei’s statement.

“Nevertheless,” Lu Mei continues as though she had not heard him. “I do not think we are in a position to turn down his help.”

Lu Mei saying it means Liu Jin does not have to. It would be bad for him to be perceived as siding with Feng Zhuo over Big Sister Bai. Unfortunately, it is as Lu Mei says. Sending Feng Zhuo away is not something they can do. It would be interpreted poorly by the Eternal Flame Clan and remove the implicit protection his presence here provides from people such as Lady Feng and Lord Feng Shang.

“Big Sister Bai, regardless of what the Eternal Flame Clan wants, I already intended to participate and win the Crimson Cloud Tournament,” Liu Jin says. “Though it was not explicitly stated, I believe the agreement I made with the Wandering Wind requires me to do so.”

After all, how is he supposed to impress a Divine Realm cultivator with his growth if he does not even manage to win?

Feng Zhuo laughs at the same time as frost forms around Big Sister Bai.

“That is another thing!” she says. This time, her anger is aimed at Liu Jin. He can see her icy blue eyes glaring at him through her veil. “You are in no position to talk about the Wandering Wind! You might have become Emperor of a nation. You might be exceedingly talented, perhaps one of the greatest talents born over the past century.”

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Liu Jin blushes a little.

“However!” Big Sister Bai continues, “The Wandering Wind is the Wandering Wind! Even my master will not cross her without cause. You should not do it at all!”

“Ho, protective of him, aren’t you?” Feng Zhuo says.

“Justice demands good people be allowed to flourish,” Big Sister Bai replies. “Punishment is for the twisted and debauched.”

She stares very meaningfully at Feng Zhuo as she says the last part.

“Big Sister Bai, I am grateful for your concern,” Liu Jin says, “However, there are things I must do. There is someone I must get back even if that person no longer exists.”

Liu Jin pictures Su An in his mind, the image of Su Daji superimposed over it. Whatever she might be right now, Su An is someone he treasured deeply. It does not matter if the Wandering Wind has her. He will see her again.

No matter what it takes.

“You certainly aim high, brother-in-law,” Feng Zhuo says, rubbing his chin. “I cannot make you capable of facing someone like that. If I knew how, I’d have already made myself capable of it. However, if it is just winning the tournament, this Feng Zhou will be more useful than you expect.”

There is a gleam in Feng Zhuo’s eyes that Liu Jin does not like in the least. Neither does Big Sister Bai if the aura emanating from her is any indication.

“I cannot stop you from pursuing such a noble goal, Emperor Qing Jin,” Big Sister Bai says, sounding resigned. “As much as I’d like to offer my aid, our respective positions make it impossible for me to instruct you. Nevertheless, I will remain here for the time being.”