The Snow Emperor and the Little Plum

Chapter 8

Yecao Cao sneezed as the cold air hit his face. The city of Dongzhou was filled with people constantly moving between the high and colorful buildings. Buzzing from the people hit Yecao Cao's ears and he instantly wanted to enter the carriage again if only to escape it. Seagulls flew over the grey sky towards the harbor, their sounds signaling the sea was close. Yecao Cao could see the port from where he stood and the unfamiliar, salty air reached his nose making him sneeze once again.

The sails of the ships of Tian was visible even from where they were. They might not be as large as those from Faraheim or Diamanas as the ships of Tiandi was not built to cross the deep sea but was made to go up the plentiful rivers of Tiandi. Not that crossing the sea was an easy feat for any ship as monsters lurked in the deep. Sea serpents was ready to attack any ship entering their territory and the large but gentle Leviathan always swam close to the surface to accidently knock over ships sailing too close to them.

"I can see a ship from Diamanas from here," said Wang Yu Jían and nodded towards the large frame of a ship at least three times as big as the ships from Tiandi.

"Yes, I wasn't aware that we expected a ship from the Vans."

"They arrive on their own schedule."

Yecao Cao understood his meaning. The Vans of Diamanas was civilized compared to the ruthless Titans of Faraheim but they were also arrogant. Tiandi traded with both countries but avoided them otherwise. Fortunately, both these races had no interest in the small continent of Tiandi. If the rumors are true, the two rivals are fighting for a larger continent southeast of Tiandi, across the eastern sea of Qinghai.

"Is this a coincidence that they are here during the attack," said the leader of the guard, a older man named Qia Hiu. He gave the ship a dark look at it was apparent that he did not like the foreigners.

"Don't be silly. What purpose would they have to attack us in such a small scale? It would only waste their resources," Yecao Cao replied with a snort.

"True, Tiandi might be rich but we don't have an abundance of any rare material making it worth attacking us. They would just waste resources they could easily and cheaply have gotten through trade," Wang Yu Jían concurred. "But they are neutral. If we want a reliable witness then they might be able to provide us with some information on the attack."

Yecao Cao lit up. "I would love to meet a Van!"

Wang Yu Jían chuckled cheerily, "I might give you the opportunity to do so but be wary. They are a people who keep secrets close to heart. They even have the ability to transform into other races. It is one of the reason's why they aren't trusted."

"I have never heard of such a skill. Is it alchemy?" Yecao Cao asked, thinking of the alchemist's pills that had a variety of uses from healing, cultivation, longevity and even certain transformation. Though he has never heard of a person being able to transform into another's race. That requires one to change one's Qi and meridians. "Or is it an illusion?"

Wang Yu Jían shook his head," We do not know. From what we can tell, it's a born given gift that even children have but where it comes from or how it is used is a mystery."

It was obvious why many races feared them if that was the case. If they could truly change into another race then it could be a useful skill to blend in and hide spies.

"I think it could be fruitful to speak with them," Yecao Cao finally said and Wang Yu Jían nodded before going into the estate of the main Shu family.

The estate was in no way humble but compared to the large estates of the capitals, this estate had a more rural feel to it. The only change was that the Shu family put all their foreign objects on display to showcase their trade with Faraheim and Diamanas. Barbaric spears of the Titans, strange and crude pottery from Diamanas. Compared to Tiandi who had a flair for beauty, a lot of the foreign trinkets were crude but sturdy. It was built to hold for hundreds of years but not to showcase ability.