What About You?

5: proposition

“Let me get this straight,” Zi Xieren practically glared at Jiang Fengmian as he went over the facts. “You were friends with Wei Kuo and Wei Ying’s parents, so you want to take them in to the Jiang sect? What, are they your charity cases?”

“What’s up with leader’s attitude?” Wei Kuo asked as quietly as he could. After Cao Shuren had caught up with him, he’d immediately recognized the Jiang clan leader. Apparently he was a big fan or something, but that is anything but relevant.

A few minutes after Cao Shuren’s appearance, the other mercenaries showed up as well, and thus they got into their current formation of Zi Xieren in the front, Ren Guanyu and Cao Shuren behind him, and Wei Kuo in between Meng Tian and Bai Zhenya in the back—the furthest away from Jiang Fengmian.

“He was tossed out of a sect for being a heretic, so he’s not fond of any of the sects. I don’t think it was the Jiang sect, though,” Meng Tian mumbled back to him, looking thoughtful. “It was one of the bigger ones, but I don’t recall the name…”

“They are not charity cases,” The Jiang clan leader denied firmly. “I simply want them to live their best lives, and with what I can provide them, I can assure you that would be at Lotus Pier.”

“What could you give them that we can’t?” The mercenary troop leader scoffed, leading to the person he was arguing with to smile.

“Friends their age.”

“Pfft-“ Wei Kuo covered his mouth, but was shot a dirty look anyway.

“However,” Jiang Fengmian continued in the brief moment in silence. “I understand that you’ve grown attached, so I’d like to propose a solution to satisfy both parties.”

“Oh?” Zi Xieren raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. “Alright, let’s hear it.”

“They can spend half the year with me, and half the year with you,” He suggested, his smile still present. “That way, they can experience both ways of life. Your thoughts?”

“Hmph,” His eyes narrowed. “Give me a moment to talk with my crew.”

“Of course,” The clan leader nodded understandingly, still holding Wei Ying. Damn, I knew I was their favorite, but still, Wei Kuo thought to himself with a grimace. Not even trying to get him away from Jiang Fengmian? Geez.

Spacing out while the mercenaries talked amongst themselves to decide whether to take or oppose the suggestion, Wei Kuo was brought out of that state as Meng Tian hugged him while crying. “I’MMA MISS YOU SO MUCH BUDDY!”

“What the hell—”

“We’ll accept your deal,” Zi Xieren told Jiang Fengmian. “You can have them during the winter and spring, we’ll take ‘em during fall and summer.”

“Sounds good,” They shook hands. Thus, the pact was set and the Wei brothers went with the clan leader as the mercenaries watched, a few of them crying even as the tears froze on their faces.

“Looks like it’ll be a brutal winter. Come on, boys, let’s go.”

~*~

“Are you serious?” Madam Yu, known as Yu Ziyuan and/or Zi Zhizhu (Violet Spider), demanded as Jiang Fengmian stood in front of her, Wei Ying and Wei Kuo by his side. “You want to take in these brats?!”

“Yes, my lady,” He replied. “They are the sons of—”

“Are you that much of a pushover?” She scoffed, crossing her arms. Wei Kuo sighed, practically rolling his eyes, which caught both adults’ attention. “Do you have something to say?” The violet spider glared down at him.

He smiled. “Yes. I would introduce myself but this situation doesn’t particularly call for it. Could we please move to a more comfortable place? We can talk more tomorrow, after a good night’s rest,” Wei Kuo suggested, but it sounded more like he told them. Madam Yu’s glare harshened.

“Rude brat. Who are you to be telling me what to do?”

“If you want to find out,” His smile turned into a devious smirk, the change felt in the air as the two clan leaders felt a chill run up their spines. “Why don’t we have a match?”

“Wei Zexian!” Jiang Fengmian shouted, about to open his mouth again to continue reprimanding him, but he stopped dead in his tracks at the look he was given.

“I guess introductions are in order. My name is Wei Zexian,” His gaze hardened. “Courtesy name Kuo.”

“Courtesy name?!” The two clan leaders’ eyes widened at the introduction, since a child no older than 11 being given a courtesy name was practically unheard of. “Kuo?!”

“Yes,” His innocent smile returned. “So, do you agree, Madam Yu?”

“Don’t blame me if you get hurt,” She tutted, Zidian sparking to life. “Let’s go to the training grounds.”

“My lady—”

“Oh shush,” Madam Yu snapped. “He asked for it, so don’t you dare try to interfere.”

“Stay with uncle Jiang, okay?” Wei Kuo told his brother quietly, who nodded and let go of his hand, moving closer to the clan leader.

Soon, the two were standing in the training field, one wielding her whip and a sword and the other holding his sword lazily over his shoulder. “Begin,” Jiang Fengmian grimaced.

Wei Kuo took the first move, reducing the distance between them. Somehow managing to dodge all of her attacks, in mere minutes, he had his sword to her neck and the duel was called. Madam Yu sighed, Zidian receding into its ring as she sheathed her sword. “I understand why you were given a courtesy name now,” She said as Wei Kuo also put his sword away.

“You haven’t seen anything, but if that’s all it takes to convince you,” He shrugged, walking towards the two other males. “All the better for me.”

“Cheeky brat,” She huffed, but the next second, her lips upturned slightly. That battle had shown her much, and it seemed she needed to be thankful to an 11-year-old for that enlightenment. “What has our world come to?” She shook her head, following after him.