Autumn Pavillion, one of the rare merchant groups acknowledged by the higher-ranked sects as having enough power to rival their own, was the benefactor behind Jiang Shiqin's stay at the Distant Lands.
As he stood before the entrance of one of its mansions, the vivid brushstrokes forming the word "Autumn" engraved in the sign above the mahogany gate, Jiang Shiqin felt a mixture of admiration and conflicting emotions. Even without stepping into the courtyard, he could spot elegant buildings with decorated pillars and jade bells in the shape of leaves clinking from far away. There was a natural sophistication in the design of the manor that clearly announced Autumn Pavillion as a distinguished power and not simply a vulgar merchant group.
"Young Master Jiang, Master Wu is waiting for you at the main courtyard," said a maid with her head bowed low.
He nodded in acknowledgement and proceeded to make way, his steps calm and unfettered. The afternoon rays shone on his long dark hair, the fine strands of which were kept together with a patterned silver hairpin, leaving the surrounding maids' hearts beating. Outwardly, however, their expressions remained unchanged and proper.
When he arrived at the main courtyard, he was led into the study, a place frequently visited for the past several days. The fragrance of charmonile tea permeated the air.
A middle-aged man with a powerful build glanced up at his approaching figure, smiling.
"Greetings to Master Wu." Jiang Shiqin cupped his hands together.
The older man gestured for him to sit down. "No need to be polite all the time. One would think we're strangers if they see your manners towards me."
A soft laugh escaped from Jiang Shiqin's throat. "My apologies, Master Wu. It's already rooted in my blood to keep such decorum afloat."
Shaking his head, the man who was the owner of the manor said. "As you insisted. Though, from your attention to manners, one would think you're a prince of a kingdom or a noble son from some illustrious families."
Ignoring the prodding attempt in Master Wu's acute gaze, Jiang Shiqin brought the steaming cup of tea to his lips. "Master Wu must be joking. Qin is merely a commoner who has chanced upon the immortal path."
Master Wu raised his eyebrows at the obvious lie but did not tear the fraudulent statement apart. Would any normal cultivator who had only reached middle Xiantian be treated as an honored guest by Autumn Pavillion, and furthermore, had a personal relationship with its head?
He still remembered meeting this young man two weeks ago and witnessed his conversation with the Head. Even though it had not descended into a casual and laid-back one, the appreciation in the Head's eyes was transparent. That gleam was akin to what what his superior had displayed in the past when he had been looking at priceless ancient scrolls and beautiful courtyards of the various nobles througout the land. Later that evening, the Head had delegated the responsibility of receiving the young man and "fulfilling all of his wishes if possible" to Master Wu, who led the pavillion's operations in the Distant Lands.
He shrugged mentally. Regardless of his true identity, Jiang Shiqin was his guest and would be treated with the expected amount of respect.
Changing the topic, Master Wu said, the interest in his tone evident. "So, have you met Sect Master Su's daughter yet?"
"Yes. She invited me to hang out with her after the tournament."
"That's some quick progress," said Master Wu with barely suppressed amusement.
Jiang Shiqin's expression remained unchanged. "My knowledge about the Distant Lands needed improvement, and I incorrectly predicted that outcome of the match. Knowing more about the locals would be of great help."
Master Wu nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it's best if you can learn the local customs and values soon. You predicted that Yu Wentian of Blazing Hawthorn Sect would win?"
Yu Wentian was the red-clothed fighter, the illusive cultivator that Su Dai had mentioned.
"He seemed quite experienced with the sword," Jiang Shiqin commented carelessly.
"You have quite a keen pair of eyes," replied Master Wu, impressed. "Yu Wentian had always been an outer disciple until a few years ago, when he broke through Xiantian and joined the inner disciples. Blazing Hawthorn Sect encouraged infighting, and the outer section is... highly competitive."
From his tone, the phrase "highly competitive" meant "lawless and brutal" , or if more concise, "a mess."
Jiang Shiqin was unsurprised. To the common people, the image of organizations of power, whether it was the imperial households, the great sects or even religious leaders, was of a perfect lofty mountain with absolute authority and flawless conduct. Power, however, was born from influence and suppression over others, and merely that fact showed that it was impossible for these organizations to wield such control without dirtying their hands. Survival of the fittest was a reflection of this principle.
After all, he had had personal experiences with this. The infighting in the outer court of Blazing Hawthorn Sect seemed mild in comparison to other more violent environments, since death was at the very least frowned upon by the masters there.
"Yu Wentian was an orphan and was constantly bullied when he was younger. The heavens blessed him with superb talent, however, and he became a shining star after winning first place in the internal competition for outer sect disciples for three consecutive years. He was the only outer disciple in recent decades to have been accepted under direct tutelage of one of the elders. It was said that among the younger generation, he had undergone the most incidents of real combat, even compared to that genius Yuan Jia."
Unintentionally, Jiang Shiqin's eyes lowered as they swept through the polished oak table, the surfact of which had obviously been smoothened with much care. His mind was digesting the new information.
"Yu Wentian lost to Yuan Jia in the end." He spoke, seemingly slightly perplexed.
A faint smile appeared on the older man's bronzed face. "Yuan Jia has already reached half-step to Jindan. Such a result was to be expected."
Jiang Shiqin did not refute his words.
"Though," Master Wu continued, "higher cultivation level did not always translate to victory. If it had been a real fight..." he trailed off.