Chapter 63: The Taste of Victory

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Out of the many restaurants in Eastern Port City, The Jade Dragon is arguably the best. Indeed, many people planned on going there after the Eastern Port City Tournament was over and had made reservations several weeks in advance.

Unfortunately, The Jade Dragon has closed for the day. A large sign hangs outside its doors, turning away all would-be customers.

The Jade Dragon has the distinction of being one of the few establishments in Eastern Port City owned by both the Xiao Sect and the Yun Sect. Whenever the two Sects need to discuss something, The Jade Dragon is usually chosen as the meeting place. That doesn’t mean the restaurant closes every time there is a meeting. Negotiations between the two sects tend to be civil in nature and rarely call the attention of the people living nearby.

There is nothing civil about the Qi emanating from The Jade Dragon right now.

To say the Eastern Port City Tournament ended in an unusual way is putting it lightly. After a fantastic final match, the winner had been accused of cheating. This led to a series of events that had riveted the audience from start to finish.

Unfortunately, the discussion between the two sects has now moved to a private venue. The Xiao Sect and the Yun Sect are discussing things away from prying eyes. No doubt, the negotiations taking place there will change the landscape of Eastern Port City.

“They threw us out.”

Not for the first time, the words leave Xiao Fang’s lips. He and Liu Jin are sitting on the roof of The Jade Dragon. Every now and then, one of Xiao Fang’s eyebrows would twitch in annoyance as he angrily paced in circles.

“I can’t believe they threw us out!”

“You already said that.”

“You cannot tell me this doesn’t bother you!” Xiao Fang shouts, his hands moving all over the place. “We are the ones who uncovered the Yun Sect’s plot! We exposed them in front of everyone! Why are we now made to wait outside like children?!”

Liu Jin refrains from mentioning they are, in fact, children. That would just make Xiao Fang angrier.

Besides, Xiao Fang’s words are not without merit.

After realizing the Yun Sect and Wu Yan planned to sabotage Xiao Fang, Liu Jin and Xiao Fang devised a plan to counter the Yun Sect’s sabotage and expose them in front of everyone. Not everything went according to the plan, but the night has been a big success for the Xiao Sect so far.

That is, undoubtedly, their achievement.

However, Liu Jin doesn’t voice those thoughts.

“It is safer for us here,” Liu Jin points out instead. “Patriarch Yun Peng is… dangerous.”

Good manners stop Liu Jin from choosing a harsher word. He doesn’t like to admit it, but he and Xiao Fang ultimately failed to take into account the mentality of the Yun Sect’s Patriarch.

“Had Xiao Nan not shown up, things could have grown violent back there.”

Xiao Fang’s eyes flash with annoyance. One of his feet stomps on the tiled roof. Considering his strength, it would be natural for it to break, but not a single tile does. Either his control is that good, or he’s acting out for the sake of it.

Knowing Xiao Fang, it is probably both.

“Xiao Nan said he was leaving the city! He was supposed to be on a mission for my father! You understand what that means, don’t you?”

“That he lied to us?”

Liu Jin’s lips thin immediately after he says the words. The truth of Xiao Nan’s actions is… uncomfortable.

“Worse! We were bait!” Xiao Fang shouts, hands balled into fists. “Think about it. He left you in charge of keeping Wu Yan in check while knowing the Yun Sect would try to sabotage us. Since we acted to counter their plans, all the attention went to us while he was free to do as he wished!!”

“That… is unfortunately not inaccurate.”

Liu Jin isn’t surprised when Xiao Nan suddenly appears next to them. If anything, he was almost expecting it. The same goes for Xiao Fang, who snorts the moment he lays eyes on his cousin.

“Did they kick you out as well?” He asks, his voice harsh.

“Oh, how I wish that was the case.”

Xiao Nan laughs, but no one joins in.

“I left the moment I could. Meetings like that tend to be dreadfully boring. Trust me, cousin. You are lucky you do not yet need to be there.”

“Many things are apparently not needed of me, cousin. Knowing the truth, for example. Tell me: How many people knew you never left the city?”

The smile slips from Xiao Nan’s face. It is for the best, Liu Jin thinks.

It was too forced to be genuine.

“Very few,” Xiao Nan admits. “Even among the Elders, not many knew the truth. I am sure you can understand why that was the case.”

Xiao Fang frowns and looks away, not wanting to concede the point.

“It was all to trick Elder Hui, wasn’t it?

Xiao Nan nods. “Exactly. It was important for Elder Hui to focus only on the events of the tournament. In that sense, you two performed your part flawlessly.” Xiao Nan attempts another smile. It is weaker yet undoubtedly heartfelt. “I must admit you two far surpassed what Uncle and I were expecting of you.”

“Thank you, Elder Brother.”

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Xiao Fang immediately glares at Liu Jin.

“That you actually mean that is infuriating. Are you not bothered at all by this?”

“I am bothered,” Liu Jin admits. “I am also… confused.”

Liu Jin looks at his lap, his fingers softly drumming against the tiled roof. Something is stuck in his throat.

“Elder Brother, you came at just the right time. For that, I am thankful. However, there are still many things I do not understand about tonight. If Elder Brother feels like divulging everything now, then I wish to know…”

Why did he lie?

“I wish to know what role Elder Hui played in all this.”

It is the one thing Liu Jin still can’t make sense of.