Chapter 15 #13
Rachel’s eyes positively lit up. “Oh yes, shopping! I would love to explore the markets here. It will be my first time!”
“Well then, you absolutely must let me share with you the best stores and stalls. I know, we should plan a shopping trip together! Do you know mapsign?”
Lisette and Rachel shared a glance at their men and immediately huddled together, whispering counsel.
“No doubt they’re planning on how best to spend all our coin, friend Tong,” the man said with a fond smile for his wife.
Alex shrugged and smiled, taking a sip from his goblet before looking up and catching Nili’s gaze. The slightest of nods and he understood.
He faked a pained grimace, gazing at his still-bloody forearm with a rueful chuckle.
A gentle nudge with his foot and Rachel began to tut and fuss over his supposed injuries. “Darling, you put on a brave front, but now it’s time to rest and recover. Come, let’s see if our hosts will give us the aid of a healer.”
“You do that,” Gongniu said with a gentle clap on Alex’s shoulder. His eyes were filled with brotherly warmth. “You did me a good turn, and I won’t soon forget it. If you ever need kung fu brothers by your side, the Silver Oxen have your back!”
Alex blinked, having so many questions with that one statement, but settled for bowing his head and smiling in thanks for his offer.
Then, seconds later, a concerned-looking healer who looked far too young for the role, in Alex’s opinion, before he instantly sensed why, made an appearance from a discreet side corridor.
“Come, brave warrior. Allow us to tend to your wounds. It is the least we can do after your valiant battle.”
Alex’s face froze in a grimace. He instantly recognized Lini’s twinkling eyes and mischievous smile.
But she didn’t break character and neither did he.
Alex gave his companions a final grunt and wave farewell with his uninjured right hand, still gripping his chalice, which he slugged back and put down before following the supposed young healer, Rachel Lu hopping to his side and grabbing his uninjured hand once more.
“Well done, hero,” Lini whispered with a Cheshire grin once they slipped into a side passage off the grandly appointed hallway, the thick shadows effortlessly hiding the transition from stoic, plain-faced cultivator to blond-haired, blue-eyed youth once more.
She gave a satisfied smile, eyes twinkling with mirth.
“You put on quite a show, Alex. Those fools have absolutely no idea what to make of our friend Tong. And best of all, any spy or agent who comes along to research you or, well, remove you, will find nothing but dead ends. Mother will spread the word. As far as the city’s concerned, you and your beautiful wife thought better of sticking around after such a showy battle and snuck out this very night, slipping right past any supposed ‘bandits.’ And we’ll be floating additional rumors that you’re now actually the prince’s sworn guardian, his hidden ace, which will hopefully make those assholes think twice before breaking their oaths and accepting harsh penalties to their cultivation, if they think they can take the prince out in one quick attack. ”
Alex’s eyes widened with concern. “Shit, how likely is that?”
“Hopefully not likely at all. Most cultivators at the upper end of Silver take their cultivation very, very seriously and aren’t about to let some secular ruler jeopardize their paths to ascension.
But considering how scarily focused and ruthless these people are…
” She shrugged. “Mother said better safe than sorry. And that being said…”
She turned to Rachel. “With your permission, we’ll change both your eyes and your hair. And here. A sun hat that will hide your jewel for so long as you wear it.”
Rachel’s mouth opened, her formerly excited smile turning sad and forlorn. “So… we won’t be going delving together? Are you sure? That might be just what we need to, um… ally suspicion. And help your cover.”
Lini chuckled before Alex could say anything.
“Oh, it’s fine. Because now Alex will look like a Ruidian, and with your jewel hidden, your mixed blood means you look like pretty much every other citizen, though an exceptionally pretty one.
And nothing says you can’t delve together when out of the public eye.
We just want to avoid assassins putting two and two together. ”
Rachel paled. “That’s, um… actually a good point.”
Lini nodded. “Now, if you’ll let me take you to the sect compound that serves as Wanshi’s cultivation academy, we’ll get you squared away.”
“But what about Alex?”
Lini grinned. “Of course he’s coming along. Where else would an exotic-looking Ruidian go? Ooh, before I forget… here’s a hat. Not your odd tricorn, Alex. We want you to blend in! And if your hair is covered, you can blend right in.”
“As a Ruidian,” he said.
“Right.”
“A six-foot-two-inch-tall Ruidian man as solidly put together as a powerful Bronze?” Rachel said with a smirk. “Even with the straw hat, he’s going to stand out.”
Lini sighed. “And that’s what I’m here for. It wouldn’t matter most of the time; no one would care. They’d just love you for coming here to delve to make your fortune while helping our city, like most Ruidian visitors do. But for today? Yeah. Just stand in my wake, and we should all blend in.”
She flushed at Alex’s pointed smile. “Don’t you dare say a word! It’s hard to blend into a wall right by a guard! No matter what I do, I’m going to stand out there. But out in public? Blending in with everyday expectations is sort of my specialty.”
“I wasn’t going to say anything,” Alex assured.
“Sure you weren’t. Come on, let’s go.”
Alex and Rachel nodded, though the latter’s eyes widened when Alex casually wiped off the blood he had deliberately left on his forearm, revealing smooth, flawless skin with no sign of injury, the shadows hiding him for a precious moment as he slid out of his elegant court-worthy attire and into comfortable slacks and a bone-button changshan shirt that no stain could set upon.
“Incredible.”
“Isn’t he talented?” Lini said jubilantly, happily claiming Alex’s other arm. “And Alex?”
“Umm. Somehow I don’t think that my holding the hands of two beautiful women counts as me blending in.”
“Shut up and let me handle that, okay?”
Alex smirked. “Sure.”
“Anyway… thank you for saving my life.” Lini’s wry, good-humored expression turned solemn. “The world needs more heroes like you.”
Rachel nodded. “I agree completely,” she said, her face a perfect expression of courteous grace. Yet the way she was squeezing Alex’s other hand and staring at a calmly smiling Lini made it clear that something was going on beneath the surface.
Alex cleared his throat. “Come on. The sooner we get to the academy, the better.”