Chapter 36: The Meeting

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At last, the promised day arrives. A week has passed, and it is time for Liu Jin and his father to meet Xiao Zheng. It is time for them to learn the truth.

To Liu Jin’s surprise, Xiao Nan shows up at their doorstep early in the morning. He has brought clothes for them to wear.

“Image, Little Brother,” Xiao Nan replies when Liu Jin asks him about it. “Uncle suggested it, and I agreed. It would not do for you to appear before Uncle dressed like common people.”

The clothes are of a deep crimson with some black in them, an unexpected choice considering the Xiao Sect’s colors are blue, white, and gold. Red seldom appears in their outfits except for the armbands worn by Inner Disciples. While the color is common enough at weddings, it is a bit too soon for that.

Perhaps Xiao Nan picked red because it matches the color of their eyes?

No matter. Liu Jin quickly changes into the clothes. They fit him perfectly, and whatever material they are made of is extremely comfortable.

Nevertheless, wearing something so obviously expensive leaves Liu Jin feeling somewhat awkward. Even his father doesn’t look like he is all that happy wearing the clothes Xiao Nan has brought. Then again, it may just be that his father does not like red. Liu Jin can scarcely recall him ever wearing that color.

Upon setting foot outside their house, father and son are greeted by a palanquin carried by four disciples of the Xiao Sect. Xiao Nan quickly explains it is there to take them to the main house.

As expected, the sight has attracted the attention of the entire neighborhood, and it is with hurried movements that Liu Jin and his father get in the palanquin, eager to leave the scene.

As the disciples lift the palanquin, it strikes Liu Jin that the whole thing is rather pointless. The disciples move at a moderate pace, so it’s no different from walking there. Is this also a matter of image? Probably. It is better if the groom is seen arriving in a palanquin and dressed in fine clothes, he supposes.

The trip to the Xiao Sect passes by in silence. Liu Jin is too nervous to try to start a conversation, and Liu Jianguo sees no need for it.

After what feels like hours to Liu Jin but is probably less, the palanquin stops. The disciples set it down, and one opens the door for them.

They have arrived.

The main house is as impressive as Liu Jin expected it to be. While the building can be seen even from outside the Xiao Sect, being in front of the large structure is an entirely different experience. It is not nearly as massive as Nine-Headed Snake God, but Liu Jin doubts anything is.

At least, Liu Jin hopes not.

It would be the height of unfairness if something like that existed.

The gates of the mansion open for them, and they are greeted by rows of servants who bow their heads to them. For a moment, Liu Jin feels compelled to return the greeting before remembering such a thing would be improper.

Standing in the center is an Elder. He does not look as old as Elder Hui, although his Qi is undoubtedly higher. The man smiles upon seeing them and, to Liu Jin’s surprise, greets his father by name.

The man introduces himself as Elder Gang. Liu Jin greets him back. At least, Liu Jin is pretty sure he does. His body feels like it is moving without any input from him. Liu Jin goes through the standard pleasantries in a manner that is almost stilted.

Is it because it is his first time in the main house?

Is he that nervous about meeting his betrothed?

Or perhaps, he fears what Xiao Zheng will say?

Liu Jin does not know the answer. All he knows is that there is something in his throat that he cannot swallow no matter how much saliva passes down his throat. It is a relief for him when Elder Gang takes them deeper into the house.

To Liu Jin’s surprise, Elder Gang does not take them to a great hall or a dining room. Instead, the Elder takes them to the upper floors.

“Patriarch Xiao Zheng is waiting for you here,” Elder Gang says as he opens a door for them. It is not a large door, but it is also not a small one. It looks sturdy, the type of door that is probably good at keeping sound in and out.

The room behind the door is smaller than Liu Jin expected. There is a large desk with many papers on it and a couple of chairs around it. There are rows of bookshelves lining the walls, and soft light illuminates the room.

Behind the desk sits a large man. Out of all the people Liu Jin has seen, this man is without a doubt the tallest. His body is powerfully built, something evident even with the flowing robes he wears. He has the trademark blue eyes and brown hair of the Xiao Sect. His face reminds Liu Jin a little bit of Xiao Nan, though obviously older.

It is a person Liu Jin has met no more than fifteen times throughout his life. Though their time together has not been much, the impact this person has had over his life cannot be denied.

He is Xiao Zheng.

The Patriarch of the Xiao Sect.

“Welcome,” Xiao Zheng says once Elder Gang closes the door, leaving the three alone in the room. He waves a hand to motion at the chairs. “I’d have preferred to welcome you with a banquet, but that can be done at a later date. I’d rather not have more ears around here than necessary. Please, sit down.”

Father and son take a seat. They look at Xiao Zheng, waiting for him to speak. Five breaths go by before he does.

“I must thank you,” Xiao Zheng says, his hands clasped together over the desk. “I must thank you… and I must apologize as well. I have put quite a bit of pressure on you these past few days.”

It takes a moment for Liu Jin to realize Xiao Zheng is speaking specifically to him.

“Ah, there is no need for Patriarch Xiao Zheng to apologize to this one,” Liu Jin says, suddenly feeling the chair is too big for him. “This one has benefited greatly from the Xiao Sect’s kindness, so there is no need for Patriarch Xiao Zheng to feel troubled.”

Xiao Zheng chuckles.

“I see you have grown up to be much like your father. Xiao Nan told me about that.” Liu Jin preens a little. For him, there is no higher praise. “However, there is a reason why it is only the three of us here. There is no need for pleasantries in this room. I will speak freely, and I expect you to reply in kind. This is not a kindness, but rather a necessity considering our circumstances.”

“That is agreeable, old friend,” Liu Jianguo says, his hands resting over his lap. “If we are to speak freely, then please explain what is it that forced your hand like this? Certainly, the matter of our children’s engagement was discussed a few times by us. However, we never once considered marrying our children at such a young age.”

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Xiao Zheng sighs. His gaze dips down for an instant.

“You really do like getting right to the heart of things. Very well, I suppose it would be unfair of me if I did not answer. No, from the beginning, I planned on telling you everything. I only ask that you listen to my tale until the end.”

He is bothered by something, Liu Jin realizes. The way he sits, the slight tension in his muscles. It is an odd sight for Liu Jin, and it is one that leaves the young child with a sense of unease. If a powerful man like Xiao Zheng is like this, then how serious is the situation?

“I assume you have told your son about my daughter’s condition.” Seeing father and son nod, Xiao Zheng relaxes a little. “Good. That makes things easier. As you know, I have done my best to keep my daughter safe ever since that day. Although it pains me to have forced her to grow so isolated, the alternative was simply too horrible to contemplate.”

Even someone like Liu Jin can understand that. If Xiao Zheng’s daughter had been discovered by the wrong Sect, the outcome would have been tragic.