v4c40: The Inquisition

Yun Ren had to admit, it never got less nerve-wracking being called into the Inquisition’s offices. Going down into the dark rooms and into the underground tunnels always made his hair stand on end.

Lady Mist was escorting him as always, the woman walking slightly in front of him and gliding gracefully across the ground on soundless footsteps. Yun Ren copied her technique, leaving no trace behind him. It was pretty much how he was used to moving anyways when he was hunting—just altered for walking on stone floors rather than leaf litter.

Not exactly the hardest thing to pick up, but Lady Mist had been impressed… though a bit too free with her praise, he felt. Like she was flattering him, rather than praising his ability.

He was still leery of the woman.

Yun Ren did his best to remember where they were going as they wound through the maze-like interior of the Shrouded Mountain. It wasn’t too difficult, remembering the left and right turns, but they were confusing as hell in how many there were and the nonsensical pattern that was leading deeper than he’d ever gone before. They passed by what had to be hundreds of wooden doors and entrances, most of them indistinguishable from one another, not including a few sets of large, fancy-looking double doors, before they eventually stopped. This door was a simple-looking wooden thing. A person’s eyes would glance over and dismiss it, as it was one of hundreds. Lady Mist opened it for them both and ushered Yun Ren in.

Yun Ren kept his eyes forwards and stopped himself from fidgeting as he marched into the surprisingly big room. It had three other people in it, three cushions, and a low table for them to sit at. A single light crystal provided illumination. Yun Ren found his eyes drawn to the only person not wearing a veil. An old looking man with refined features, but not really anything truly stood out about him.

The atmosphere was rather serious though, so he steadied his breathing like he did before he loosened an arrow at his prey, the world becoming calm and placid.

“Gen Biren. Sit, please. We have much to discuss,” the old man said in a friendly voice. Yun Ren did as he was told. “Do you know who I am?” the old man continued.

“I’m guessing the Head Inquisitor?” Yun Ren asked, shooting in the dark.

The old man smiled. “Indeed I am. Now. This meeting is to discuss your progress with your training. Do you have any questions before we begin?”

“No, Sir,” Yun Ren replied, shifting in his seat.

“Excellent. Be at peace, for there is nothing about this meeting that should concern you,” the man said, accompanied by a toothy smile that never reached his eyes. Yun Ren couldn’t stop his shoulders from tensing, and the old man seemed amused. “We are very pleased with your performance thus far. Your decision making, your speed at learning our techniques, and your ability to remain discreet are all impressive. An aspect we are very impressed with is the capabilities you have shown with your self-imposed information gathering mission. Excellent work for a junior. Lady Mist in particular has issued a commendation for you.”

Yun Ren felt the woman’s hand land on his shoulder, and he could tell she was smiling underneath her veil.

“She has taught me well,” Yun Ren said honestly. The annoying part was that she was a fantastic teacher. Probably the best he had ever had, not that he would ever say it to Meimei. She had recognised his troubles learning without doing anything instantly, then adjusted her lessons. Really, if she hadn’t been constantly flirting with him he would have gotten her a thank you gift!

The Head Inquisitor nodded. “You have performed admirably… and now, we shall unveil to you the reason why we were moving so quickly with you, and hopefully reduce some of your skepticism. Your Qi, please.”

Three vials were placed on the desk. Like all the last times, they were filled with mist, but these looked… darker than normal. They were grey, and some parts looked to be shifting to black.

Yun Ren shrugged and covered them in flashes of light.

The mist-filled vials were once more clear, and the Head Inquisitor nodded. “Do you know what was in those vials?”

“Fox illusions?”

Again, the man appeared pleased. “Indeed. Not just fox illusions, however. There was something else—some Demonic Qi we added. Both are now gone.”

Yun Ren’s eyebrows raised at the revelation. He didn’t know he could do that.

“You see now the reason for our interest? In addition to your more mundane skills, this is what we are interested in. This is why we are prepared to offer you wealth and women…” Yun Ren felt Lady Mist’s fingers slightly stroke his shoulder. He felt the world twist slightly at the rather blatant offer. If he hadn’t met Biyu, and if he hadn’t heard all the stories from the foxes about the Inquisitors, he may have felt tempted. “We would nurture your skills and in return, you would be nurtured. We know of your companion’s statement that he shall only stay a while… but just because a man leaves the Mountain does not mean he has to leave the Sect.”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Yun Ren nodded carefully. From what he knew they were offering him a very good deal.

“That is… extremely generous, Head Inquisitor,” he ventured.

The Head Inquisitor nodded. “I’m glad you understand, disciple. Of course, there is another reason why we wish for haste—A reason that will not leave this room.”

The man smiled.

There was no sudden feeling of intent, or furious Qi… Yet Yun Ren’s hair stood on end and he started sweating. He swallowed thickly and nodded. “I understand.”

“Good. I am sure by now you have heard the rumors— demonic infiltration within the Sect. Sadly, those rumours are in part true. A single demon was able to find its way past our defenses for a time, though he was soon forced to flee and doubtlessly fearing discovery. It has, of course, been dealt with. Slain by a member of the Cloudy Sword Sect, who then entrusted us with the corpse so that we may continue to root the vile taint out.”

Yun Ren’s jaw dropped open at the man’s words. They were talking about Jin. Jin had killed the guy. But he had just told Yun Ren that he had used the threat of the Cloudy Sword Sect to get them to back off. Now this guy was saying that they were trusted by the sect, and had received a mission from them?

Then he remembered Jin mentioning he had gotten a poem that he couldn’t understand from the sect. Was… was that them thinking they were accepting a mission or something?

Either they were lying… or they were telling the truth, and Yun Ren didn’t know which was worse.

Especially when Shen Yu came calling, though he had a feeling the old man would just find the entire misunderstanding hilarious.

The Head Inquisitor looked amused at Yun Ren’s reaction. “Indeed, it is something shocking, but it is proof of our might. The only way the demons could hope to harm us was through infiltration, rather than combat, and we have been entrusted with the defense of the north by the Cloudy Sword Sect.”

“I-I see,” Yun Ren got out, his voice a rasp.