The Life I Gained From Dying

Chapter 59 - The Rabbit and The Hare

"Her name is Yetu." Tuzi stated. "She's an intelligent, well-mannered, ambitious, and beautiful young lady. At sixteen years old, she has already convinced me that once the year of the rabbit returns, she will be leading this faction instead of me. She has a very reliable intuition that has helped me make many decisions over this past year. However, I fear it was my reliance on her that has placed her in this very situation."

"Was it... the Luminents?" Mai questioned.

"I believe not. Five weeks ago, I gave Yetu an important assignment, which involved her visiting all of the other faction leaders to converse about this year's Chūnjié."

"Chūnjié?" Aaron questioned.

"Our New Year's Festival, which we celebrate here on the air continent." Tuzi explained. "The celebration lasts fifteen days and signals the beginning of the spring season. That first day of spring also marks the day where the next faction in line cycles into leadership over Ventus. The festival itself consists of fifteen different events that transpire over that time. Each faction proposes an event they would like to be held on one of the days, then on the final three days, there are three traditional events that are held every year."

General Gao then returned with a metal tray carrying glasses of water. She quietly handed them out as Emperor Tuzi continued on.

"Preparations for the Chūnjié normally begins at the start of the winter season, so I wanted Yetu to return well before then."

"Winter began nine days ago." Mai exclaimed.

"Yet still no word from my daughter."

"Is that why you think she's been kidnapped?" Kaden asked, slightly confused. "What if she's just running late?"

"Of course I have more reasoning than that." Tuzi replied as he got up from his seat. "The day before I received that message from your elders, something sickening blew through my own bedroom window."

Tuzi retrieved a folded up piece of paper that was pinned to the wall and unfolded it as he brought it over to the others. He presented the paper to them, which contained the message...

"Terminate the Chūnjié." Mai read aloud.

"Someone doesn't want the festival to happen?" Aaron questioned.

"Not just that." Jayson replied. "They said "terminate." Whoever it is doesn't want the festival to happen ever again."

"That's strange." Mai commented.

"What is that?" Kaden asked, pointing at the paper.

"What is what?"

"The writing... That's not ink, is it?"

"It's blood." General Gao answered, standing away from anyone. "It's very much dried up now, but when the letter first arrived... there was no mistaking it."

Emperor Tuzi had a dejected expression on his face as Mai and the others took a closer look at the message.

"So whoever sent this message, you believe they have your daughter as well." Jayson concluded.

"Precisely." Tuzi replied.

"I have my doubts about that. If they do have her, why didn't they use her name in the message as blackmail. What's the point in holding a hostage if you're not going to use them as leverage?"

"Even so, it's still something that should be looked into." Mai stated.

"Hold on." Via exclaimed as she finally entered the conversation. "Why are you asking us to look into this? As the emperor, I'm sure there are ways for you to dig up the answers you're looking for. You have the Nŭ Zhànshì behind you to deal with any insubordination you might face from the other factions, so why go looking for help from another land?"