Chapter 196: Cloud Empire (17)

Xue Yin immediately grabbed Mei Li’s arm, gently pulling her along.

“Come, come! I’ll show you my home!” she said, her excitement returning, although her eyes continued to search for Kyrian from the corner of her eye.

Mei Li exchanged a look with Kyrian. Her eyes questioned silently.

’Should we go?’

The implications of refusing were many. Kyrian saw it more as an opportunity. The duke was clearly not a man who extended invitations on a whim, especially after his daughter’s whisper.

Kyrian pondered for a moment. Having some kind of connection, however tenuous, with a figure of the rank of a duke of the Cloud Empire could open doors.

He gave a slight nod to Mei Li.

She understood and smiled at Xue Yin.

“It will be an honor.”

Kyrian, with fluid movements, climbed into the carriage after Mei Li. The interior was spacious, upholstered in dark velvet, and exuded a faint aroma of flowers and ink.

They sat side by side on a bench, while Duke Rong settled onto the opposite bench with Xue Yin at his side.

As soon as the door closed silently, isolating them from the outside world, the duke began the conversation.

“Allow me proper introductions. I am Rong Wei, duke of the great Cloud Empire. And you are…?”

“Mei Li,” she said with a polite smile.

“Kyrian,” he said, his voice flat.

“A pleasure. You are in the capital because of the Centennial Auction, I presume?” said Rong Wei.

Mei Li took the lead, her diplomatic skill coming into play.

“You are correct. It is a magnificent event, difficult to miss.”

The duke nodded, his fingers tapping lightly on his knee.

“Indeed. And which prestigious force do you belong to? Those clothes cannot deceive my vision.” His gaze landed specifically on Kyrian’s eyes. It was obvious he had already noticed something.

Mei Li hesitated for a fraction of a second, her gaze seeking permission from Kyrian.

He did not make her wait. He would speak directly. If the duke were an enemy, he would already know. If not, honesty might yield an ally.

“Bloody Court,” Kyrian said, his crimson eyes meeting the duke’s without wavering.

There was a momentary silence inside the carriage. The air did not grow tense, but it changed. Rong Wei did not seem surprised, nor alarmed.

He merely inclined his head, a slow and thoughtful movement.

“So, you are disciples of Dong Zhen?” he asked, his tone now laden with new interest.

Kyrian nodded once.

The duke let out a low laugh, a burst of genuine sound.

“I see, I see.” His brown eyes glinted.

“Boy, do you intend to participate in the reopening of the Coliseum?” he said, directing himself at Kyrian.

This time, it was Kyrian who showed a slight glimpse of surprise, a faint narrowing of his eyes.

“How do you know?”

Rong Wei smiled, a smile full of experience.

“Heh. It’s obvious. I would expect nothing less from that old man’s disciple.” He waved his hand, seeming amused by an old memory.

“This year, things promise to be entertaining in the Coliseum, I see. I hope you do something worthy of the spectacle that Dong Zhen presented to all of us so many years ago.”

Kyrian listened, filing the information away. Dong Zhen had made an impact in the Coliseum? It was a piece of Dong Zhen’s past he had not known about, but one that had clearly left an impression on powerful men like Rong Wei.

The carriage, which had been moving smoothly without jolts, began to slow. Kyrian looked out the window. They had left the commercial districts and entered an area of absolute exclusivity.

The walls were higher, the gates more imposing, and the silence deeper. The carriage passed through a monumental gate of black iron and white jade, entering the grounds of the Rong Mansion.

The estate was definitely one of the largest in the Empire. Wide avenues of white pebbles wound through meticulously designed gardens, where rare spiritual trees cast bluish and silvery shadows.

Elegant pavilions with curved roofs of glazed tiles dotted the landscape, connected by covered walkways.

At the center rose the main mansion. A broad and imposing structure of dark wood and light stone. Everything breathed order, ancient wealth, and immutable strength.

When the carriage stopped before the main staircase, a figure was already waiting for them. It was a woman of serene and timeless beauty, dressed in light-green silk robes.

Her face, which carried a trace of worry, lit up in a warm and relieved smile upon seeing the duke and, above all, Xue Yin step down.

“Yin’er!” she exclaimed, opening her arms.

The girl ran into her embrace. The mother’s relief was palpable, quickly followed by a gentle reprimand.

“How dare you run off again? I’ve already told you, the world out there is dangerous! If something were to happen to you…”

Xue Yin buried her face in her mother’s shoulder, then looked up with a mischievous smile.

“You don’t need to worry, Mommy. I know Dad always leaves an elder protecting me. I’ve already seen him once, when he let his guard down.”

At a respectful distance, hidden in the shadows of a gardener’s shed, a solidly built man with an impassive expression scratched his forehead, perplexed.

’How did the brat notice me?’

Kyrian had also already noticed the guardian’s presence. He had caught the man’s vigilant and assessing gaze, an attention laden with protective intent and slight concern when the guardian’s eyes landed on him while they were walking toward the clothing shop.

Xue Yin then pulled away and pointed at Kyrian and Mei Li.

“Mother, these are my new friends! Kyrian and Mei Li. They helped me, and I invited them to visit.”

The duchess turned to them. Her smile was genuine and welcoming, without the calculated severity of her husband.

“You are most welcome. Thank you for taking care of our Yin’er. Please, come in. We will offer tea to thank you.”

Following their hosts, Kyrian and Mei Li entered the mansion. The interior was as impressive as the exterior, with high ceilings, carved pillars, and tapestries that seemed to capture scenes of moving clouds.

They were led to a spacious sitting room, furnished with low sofas of exotic wood and silk cushions. They sat side by side on a wide sofa.

Duke Rong remained standing for a moment before his expression suddenly changed.

“My wife will take care of you. I have some urgent matters to resolve.”

He paused, and then, with a casual motion, took something from his pocket and tossed it to Kyrian.

Kyrian caught it in the air. It was a pendant the size of a coin, made of a dark and cold metallic alloy. On one face was engraved a complex symbol resembling a stylized mountain wrapped in a swirling vortex. Kyrian had seen it at the gate before, it was the symbol of House Rong.

On the other face, a single character was inscribed that meant.

“Favor.”

“This is the symbol of my house,” Rong Wei said, his voice casual, but his eyes were serious.

“In the capital, its authority is only below that of the Emperor himself and his children. Should you encounter any trouble or inconvenience, simply show it.”

“With it, it is also possible to enter as VIP guests in practically all establishments in the capital. Including restricted areas of the Coliseum and the Cloud Auction House.”

Kyrian looked at the pendant, then at the duke’s face.

The generosity was enormous, almost suspicious. Why offer such a thing to a stranger, a disciple of an external force, and on what basis?

On his daughter’s whisper? Or on the memory of something Dong Zhen had done in the past? Whatever the reason, refusing would be an insult and a stupidity.

He closed his hand around the symbol. It was cold and heavy.

“I am grateful,” Kyrian said, with a respectful nod. He said nothing more and asked no questions. He accepted the gift and the weight that came with it.

Rong Wei seemed satisfied with the reaction. He nodded to his wife and left the room, his footsteps echoing down the silent corridor.

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