A Drop of Blood and A Crystal Tear

Ch-5

"Master, we have been looking after the Qing Yun courtyard to the best of our abilities. We have made sure that guests lack nothing. However, while the second lady's master was practicing, a few tiles fell down." A man dressed in the robes of servant reported. 

"How many?" The patriarch of the Bei household, Bei Jing Yan asked. 

"One plain tile and all of the painted tiles fell and broke, despite being rather sturdy. It seems that the adhesives were not strong enough. " The man said.  

"Oh? Indeed, nothing less should be expected from the painted rose whose fragrance empowered even the San Hua. " Bei Jing Yan replied. 

"I am afraid that the thorns may harm the admirer." The guard said. 

"Heaven and Hell are not a field behind haze. No matter how experienced, a thief is, the castle defenses are impenetrable." 

"But the palace walls are still visible. The wanderer has seen the borders of the capital. If he is determined, he can reach the capital, if not determined enough, he can at the very least reach a flourishing city." 

Now, fret not my readers, the characters are perfectly sane. As your narrator, it is my duty to help explain situations like this one- mirages. Bei Jing Yan is the leader of the Tian Yan palace, one of the most powerful forces in the entire Di Huang continent. Naturally, with great power comes a  great number of enemies. (I bet my salary for this chapter that you wanted me to say 'great responsibility') Anyone would want to hold such power in their hands. For many this is nothing more a dream, but for some, this is the desire they must fulfill. Hence, in order to protect themselves, the Bei family hid any connections between the Tian Yan palace and them. 

Now that the traditional home of the Bei family is hosting a stranger who has walked into their house and their second miss' life rather abruptly, Bei Jing Yan and his subordinates must talk in codes. Now, let me decode this conversation and further ones for you all. 

"Master, we are spying on Qing Yin as per your orders. Second lady's master is indeed a strong martial artist and a few others have joined him in the courtyard." The servant said. 

"How many?" Bei Jing Yan asked. 

"Just one, but he is very strong as well. He must have detected us, as all the spying talismans discovered and destroyed. Nobody saw him enter the manor." 

"Oh? As expected from someone who impressed the most important members of the San Hua sect alliance." 

"But I am worried he may harbor harmful intentions." 

"Tian Yan palace is not that weak. It is not so easy to break into." 

(Bei Jing Yan is using homophobes. Tian & Yan mean Heaven and Hell, different characters with similar phonetics mean field and haze.)

"But your connections with the San Hua alliance have been revealed to him. He has been exposed to the periphery of your connections. Even if he does not find out about Tian Yan palace, he can still learn about the imperial court." The guard said.

"Worry not, Xie Daozhang seems to be hiding a secret of his own that he was worried about yesterday. He will most likely come out with the truth soon." Bei Jing Yan said nonchalantly. "Also, tell everyone to leave the Qing Yin courtyard and disable the talismans installed there."

"As you say, Master. " The servant bowed and returned to his post.

*-*-*

The next day, Xie Lian was a few minutes late for Weiwei's lessons, as expected.

"Weiwei, practice what we learnt yesterday, but for fifty percent more time as compared to the past day. " 

"Mn. Disciple shall obey." Weiwei said and nodded with vigor. She then rushed to sit at her spot and start meditating.