Chapter 347 - The Lord’s Invitation

“What was that?!” Yuzu demanded, scowling at Char Char, “Butting in the middle of a serious conversation to… to flirt?!”

Char Char’s smile faded as she turned away from where Renshu had disappeared. She looked directly into Yuzu’s eyes, as if checking for something within them.

Her cheeks were still slightly flushed, but the coy, effeminate attitude vanished, replaced by a look of concern for her friend. 

“You’re okay?” Char Char asked. She tried to keep her voice even and calm, but a tiny tremble escaped, betraying her true feelings.

Char Char’s flirting with the God of Pre-eminent Wisdom had been an act, Yuzu realized with a start. Since when had her friend been so crafty?

“Of course I’m okay.” Yuzu replied sharply, “You didn’t need to do anything, I had things under control.”

“Ah— I thought, since… The White Maiden…” Char Char paused, clearly making sure she didn’t give away Yuzu’s hidden identity, “…arranged for us to arrive here, then you needed help.”

“Why would you say that the White Maiden had anything to do with it?”

“Well— If the conversation were supposed to be private, I’d assume that the White Maiden would keep us out of it.”

Yuzu couldn’t argue with Char Char’s logic, especially because it was essentially the truth. Yuzu had kept the conversation private up to that point, and she had brought in Finn and Char Char and the others because she was worried she was going to be whisked away.

Finn took the momentary pause to interject with a question, “Who was that?” 

Yuzu glanced over at Finn out of the side of her eyes, saying cooly, “That was Renshu, the God of Pre-Eminent Wisdom.”

“God…” The title stunned the others in the room, though the name didn’t mean anything in particular to Finn, Char Char and Kai. 

Only Firuzeh sucked in a breath through her teeth, “Renshu has returned? And He was making a deal with you?”

“On behalf of the White Maiden.” Yuzu said, realizing that if she were to accept responsibility here, it would elevate her status far too high in the eyes of those present. “I’m just a messenger between them.”

Finn heard this and had to cough to hide his reaction. Just a messenger? Everyone here heard you call that god a ‘weasel’. How did you get the White Maiden to pick you for this job?

Even Firuzeh and Kai had heard Yuzu directly say that she and Renshu had a deal. But perhaps it was just the context of the conversation? Regardless, Yuzu didn’t back down from her statement and so everyone had to take it at face value.

Indeed, it made far more sense for the God of Pre-eminent Wisdom to be making a deal with the White Maiden, than with Yuzu who was merely a low level Exalted.

A messenger with the guts to insult a god to his face… Just what status did Yuzu have?

“I had it under control.” Yuzu said to Char Char, returning to her original topic.

 “It didn’t sound like things were under control.” Char Char said, “He looked angry, I was worried.” 

“So you decided to randomly flirt with a god? You’re lucky he didn’t find it offensive and get angry!”

“I didn’t know he was a god—“ Char Char actually looked somewhat embarrassed, “But he obviously put a lot of effort in his appearance. Even his fingernails were manicured. I figured, playing to his vanity a little might help prevent things from going off the rails.” 

“The Byranese God was indeed known for His vanity.” Firuzeh said, “It was said to be His largest flaw. Even to this day the Byranese people value appearances over other things. They see reputation, or ‘face’, as a tangible resource that can be gathered and spent.”

“To look a pauper is to be a pauper. To look a fool is to be a fool.” Char Char scrunched her face as she quoted from memory, “I think I learned that in school somewhere.”

“A popular Byranese proverb.” Firuzeh nodded.

Byran, the seat of the Byranese empire sat to the south of Nian Xing, past the Fuha Wastelands. It was connected to Fuha by a small landstrip, and was famous for its commerce and wealth. The Byranese King was one of the kings of the Five Kings War that fought against Lord Noga. After his defeat trade between the two nations was disrupted and replaced by the new trade routes to their new ally Banbajan across the sea. With the defeat and fall of Fuha, relations between Nian Xing and Byran eventually dwindled to practically nothing.

Their defeat in the Five King’s War led to a chain of other issues in the empire, causing the once mighty nation to shrink down to its original borders. Even so, their people still famously spent an inordinate sum of resources on the appearance of wealth and strength, leading to many caricatures and recurring tropes of their people in stories that Yuzu had read. 

A thought triggered in Yuzu’s mind as she thought more about the subject. The concept of ‘appearances’ extended beyond physical appearances and encompassed actions as well. 

“True wisdom is achieved when one’s actions and appearances reflect one’s inner qualities.” Yuzu whispered softly, surprising herself as she wondered where she’d heard that from.

“Another Byranese proverb.” Firuzeh nodded, “Although this one is much more difficult to follow.”

As they spoke, Yuzu’s spiritual intuition triggered. The tapestry was changing, twisting to accommodate a new future that had been triggered when Yuzu had brought her companions over to the chamber.

Several thick white threads at the immortal level were curling around the strings of everyone present.

Reading the tapestry, Yuzu understood that these entities were now attracted to her from the direct actions of Renshu. 

It appeared that even though he said he would hold up his end of the deal with her, he had no intention of leaving Yuzu alone. 

At this moment she also realized that the Byranese proverb that she had spoken had come to her with the knowledge that had been transferred when her mind had met with Renshu’s at his awakening.

Yuzu’s lips curled into a small smirk as she asked Firuzeh, “What do Byranese proverbs say about revenge?”

The elegant woman frowned as she thought for a moment, “It’s typically seen in a negative light. Byranese people see pure revenge as a waste. Except, I suppose, when the revenge is done in such a way to bring benefit to oneself.”

Hearing this, Yuzu had an idea of what Renshu had planned.

“I see.” She smiled, “Thank you.”

Char Char raised an eyebrow at Yuzu, seeing that her friend seemed to have come to some conclusion. “So what next?”

“Next…” Yuzu paused looking at each of her companions in turn, “We have a meeting to attend.”

The spiritual intuition of everyone present triggered, their eyes turning to the hallway outside the shrine chamber. The stone wall shimmered as a portal opened, revealing the archway of a door leading into an opulent chamber lit by colourful panes of stained glass. On the glass were depictions of many scenes, some of people, some of stars and constellations, others of nature and books.

In the center of the arch was a petite woman with shoulder length dark blue hair and blue eye shadow. She wore a top hat and a tailored double breasted men’s suit. In her right hand she carried an iron cane.

Her straight posture was serious and businesslike, she spoke with an even tone with no emotional inflection.

“Miss Yuzu Xing?”

“Yes.” Yuzu nodded.

“I am Robin Lang, Lord Noga’s secretary.” Robin introduced herself, “I am here to invite you and your companions to meet with Lord Noga. I understand you are expecting the invitation?”

“Yes.” Yuzu nodded, adding to herself internally, if by ‘expecting’ you mean I read on the strings a moment ago that this was going to happen.

She kept an even, calm tone throughout the conversation, noting with some satisfaction that the others in the room had a mixture of surprise, caution and awe. Char Char herself seemed fixated on Robin herself, unable to take her eyes off the blue-haired woman as if mesmerized or intimidated. 

The white strings of fate had a tight grip on the strings of everyone present. Yuzu pried at them gently, confirming that despite the polite tone of the invitation, it would be inconvenient to refuse it.

Renshu had told Lord Noga about Yuzu, though she wasn’t sure how much. Did Renshu tell Noga that she was the White Maiden? He would know that Yuzu wanted very much to hide this information. Surely, the ‘God of Pre-eminent Wisdom’ would have the restraint not to give up such important information.

“I have been told to assure you that this meeting place is neutral and not the domain of any singular god or power, but that we can arrange for a different location if it does not suit you.” Robin said.

Yuzu took a peek at the tapestry in the other room, cycling quickly through the most convenient futures to examine without taking too much time. Lord Noga would arrive soon after, and their conversation would be short but polite.

From the tone of the conversation and the questions asked, it seemed like Lord Noga viewed Yuzu as an agent of the White Maiden, meaning Renshu had preserved this secret of hers.

“It is fine.” Yuzu nodded, “I accept the invitation.”

Yuzu left the chamber first, stepping through the portal. Her shoes sunk into the plush carpet on the other side. Robin bowed politely, then turned and led the way into the hall. 

One by one, the others in the room walked through the portal, finally leaving the Walled City behind them.