My two brothers were an odd pair.
Both looked relatively thuggish, so I assumed they were serving as local guards. The spears they carried seemed to support this. Along with their armour. And the feather-plumed helms strapped to their heads.
They looked very much like the kinds of thugs who had tried to prevent me from seeing the Sect Master.
But I didn't take that personally. This was a demonic sect, which prided strength above all. And I knew they wouldn't hold it against me.
The guard on the right had a yellow plume. The one on the left had a red one. As far as I could tell, this is all that would differentiate them.
So, they were twins.
Very auspicious for them.
"I'm sorry, Brothers," I said, placing my fist into my palm and bowing slightly. "If I'd known you also wished to practice your fist, I would have waited for you to arrive. Lucky for me, though, this encounter was deeply insightful. I should return to cultivate on what I have learned."
"These are Fire Plum sect," one of the twins said. Then gulped. "And that's Merald Fing."
"He said he was the Arms Master's son," I said helpfully. "That should make it easy to return his remains to his father. Please convey my apologies for not returning his corpse intact. The boy had very little cultivation. Even though I used an open hand, it was too much for his weak body to endure."
The twins blinked.
"Brother, would you be the new Great Elder who killed Guard Captain Lurn Fim, and his brother, Arms Master Mox Fim?"
I scratched my head.
Those names meant nothing to me.
"Were they the two fellows near the Hall's front doors?"
"Yes, Brother."
"Hmm." I tapped my chin thoughtfully. "They gave me their names, but I forgot. My wife would know for sure. But it's possible that was me. My name is Ten Cent Wey."
"Brother, if the Fire Plum sect return for revenge on their fallen brother, would you, umm…"
"Why would they seek revenge?" I asked, genuinely puzzled. That wouldn't be smart. Or honourable. "The boy was weak and used the tongue of a man with much higher cultivation. He also molested little Metta Hern in my presence."
"Metta?" The twins looked around in shock, but she had already slunk away. The girl was smart. "Is she alright?"
"I stepped in," I said, pleased to see genuine care in their expressions. "If the Fire Plum sect wishes to discuss this with me, they may. But they should be warned. I am Black Feathered Goose sect, and I will protect every brother. And every sister. And all our people in our kingdom."
The twins bowed deeply. "Thank you, Great Elder," they said as one. "Our humble selves will not disturb you any longer. Let us dispose of the trashes from Fire Plum sect."
"I think Metta said they have an array which does it."
"We will do it for her," one of the twins said. "It is not fitting that the wretched blood of the Fire Plum sect contaminates the illustrious array of The Gilded Lotus."
"Very commendable," I said with a tight nod.
"Brother, my name is Fallen Cole, and this is my brother, Gallen Cole," Fallen said. "Please do not hesitate to inform us of any troubles you might encounter."
I smiled at them.
This is what I had always hoped a sect would be like. A nice cohesive unit which looked after their own.
Nodding approvingly, I returned to my seat just as Metta arrived with my frog legs and drink.
"Enjoy your food," she said softly. "My father insists that you not pay for it. I spoke to him by Greeting Stone, but he requested to speak to you personally when he returns. If it is convenient for you, of course, sir."
I rubbed my beard thoughtfully.
On one hand, it would be excellent to get to know a local tavern owner. It would help when I needed credit. But on the other, my wife would quickly learn where I was drinking and then I wouldn't be able to visit often.
Tricky.
However, the girl's wide doe-like eyes convinced me to give them a chance, and I promised to return to meet her father another time.
As I was leaving, a figure rushed down the street towards me. Waving his arms.
"Great Elder! Great Elder Wey!"
"Elder Brother Mez," I greeted him with a bow. "Is there a problem?"
"A problem?" He looked a bit frantic. "Umm, I'm not sure. My father and brother are in seclusion, and Guard Captain Tali just let me know some members of the Fire Plum sect were killed!"
"They were," I said sadly, shaking my head. "Their cultivation was seriously lacking."
"Ah." He took a deep breath. "The thing is, they're a big sect, Great Elder."
I couldn't see the problem. "Oh?"
"If they come here, it will be big trouble for my father. His cultivation isn't high enough to face them. Is it true the Arms Master's son, Merald Fing, was among them?"
"That's what he called himself."
"Ah." He bit his lip, his eyes growing so wide he began to resemble an owl. "What should we do?"
"Forgive me, Elder Brother," I said. "I am unused to the formalities of sects. What would be normal here?"
"Well," he said. "Either the Fire Plum sect would come and kill everyone, or we'd have to go there and bow down and apologise."
"Apologise?" I frowned. "For what?"
"For killing a member of their sect." He fidgeted with his fingers. "We couldn't ask that of you, of course. Maybe we could send some lowly disciples…"
"That doesn't sound right," I said. "I killed some bullies. I don't see why the Fire Plum sect would bother with this."
"They're a very big sect," he said. I could see his mind was racing. "If they choose to come here, there'd be big trouble. And with my father and brother in seclusion… I don't really know what to do. I'm ashamed to say, I don't think I was meant to lead, Great Elder Wey. I am too simple."
I patted him on the shoulder. "I understand. I prefer to sit in a cave and cultivate. But my wife wanted a proper house. She said she was sick of the bugs. I don't know why. There's nothing wrong with bugs."
He winced. "I'm not sure I want to live in a cave, either."
"Don't knock it until you try it, Elder Brother," I smiled. "It's very good for your cultivation."
"I will think on your wisdom, Great Elder." He gnawed his fingernails, his mind clearly on the Fire Plum sect.
That wouldn't do.
If he wanted to get stronger, he should have his mind solely on his cultivation.
"Hmm." I scratched my armpit. "Could I trouble you to please send a disciple to my wife, Elder Brother? Let her know I will be late coming home."
"What?"
"I will go talk to the Fire Plum sect," I told him kindly. That should ease his burden. "I'm sure after a quick chat with their Arms Master, this can all be sorted out."
"I'm not sure-"
"Elder Brother," I said sincerely. "I have caused you problems. Let me fix it for you."
"I don't think-"
"Forget it all, Elder Brother," I said, patting his shoulder. "Return to the sect. Cultivate peacefully. I will meet with the Fire Plum sect."
"Are you sure?"
"I am sure."
He bowed. "Thank you, Great Elder. I will return as you say. Would you like an escort to go with you?"
"No, thank you," I said, wincing. "I don't think my wife would understand."
He looked confused by my answer, so I patted him on the shoulder one more time and turned to leave.
"Thank you again, Great Elder Wey!"
I waved goodbye and trudged toward the front gates again.
My wife was going to be very irritated with me for not returning home early enough.
As such, it would be better if I left the area immediately.
At the front gates, I stood confused until a guard approached carefully. "Great Elder? Is there a problem?"
"Ah, brother. Excellent timing! Would you do me a favour and point the way to the Fire Plum sect?"
***
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