"The Council decided that you will represent Shenchi for the Winchun competition, since fighting is your strong point. But it is not excluded that you might have to replace some of our Bushis in other disciplines if we deem it necessary."
Hupo tried to keep her attention focused on the explanations was giving her, but the arabesques that adorned the walls of the corridor were luring her attention to the side. Ever since they had exited the Training Hall, Hupo was walking on clouds. She was sincerely trying to put extra-effort to listen to her mentor, but her mind would hardly remain focused.
As if she could read her mind, Dana turned around and gave her a scrutinized look: "I guess you head everything I told you, and I don't have to remind you that you need to exit the building as soon as you're finished there."
"Yes Madam... ," Hupo replied while putting up her most serious expression. She hoped from the bottom of her heart that her eagle eyes wouldn't see through her. She couldn't risk getting on Dana's bad side anymore, at least until the Tournaments finished.
Dana maintained her impassible expression on her, and Hupo was wondering if the woman could read in her mind. She dropped the gaze only after a few seconds and Hupo felt her shoulders drop instantly. Somehow, Dana could anticipate her thoughts as if she looked throgh a glass of crystal, guessing what was going on inside her head was an impossible task. Hupo belatedly realized that the gap between them was already widening, so she trotted to catch up with her mentor as they entered a brighter and narrower corridor.
Peculiar shapes replaced the arabesques on the side walls where the atmosphere became suddenly very silent. Wiping willows appeared on each side, bordering the painting of a river and gardens and pagods where a festival of colors was taking place. Then, the paintings were showing white-skinned men and women with long noses and big eyes with their hands stretched to an Emperor. Hupo noticed briefly - as Dana was quickening her pace - that while the men's faces on the right wall were bright and smiling, while the left wall the same faces were painted in dark shades with an evil grin adorning their faces as their mouths were drooling as they were ripping apart something a pieace of land. The blue color of the sky from each side of the corridor was slowly replaced by red and black clouds. People dressed in black and other dressed in white met in a valley, one group harboring weapons she was well familiar with, but the other one was holding angular-shaped devices that threw balls of fire and green dust that went up the sky to transform clouds into black rain.
After that, she needed to keep pace, but the drawings were telling a story she knew all two well. The battle turned into chaos as the people in white started fighting each other. Then the Emperor above a group of nobles who had their heads down. Some men built a wall were the men dressed in black were confined. The sky was once again blue, and the old man was sleeping surrounded by seven fires.
"Hupo, I said pay attention!" The teenager was immediately stripped back to reality, but before she could take in her surroundings, a familiar snicker came to her right.
"I see the young sprout has not grown into a plant yet. Don't you think it's time you mature a little, Hupo?" The man's pitch voice was itching her ears, but it didn't feel as bothering as his very presence. Indeed, if she could banish a person out of the whole Land of Toumen, that would be him. Wang Hubu, an utterly irking man whose main role was supposed to be taking care of the city's finances but found an unhealthy pleasure in tormenting her. Yet, the day she had proved to the world that one should never give up had finally arrived, and she was determined to not give anyone the satisfaction of ruining her mood. After briefly closing her eyes to compose herself, Hupo looked at the man straight in the eyes offered him her brightest smile.
"I apologize for not noticing your presence, master Wang. I'll make sure to acknowledge your presence with all due respect next time," 'even if I sincerely wish to never see your devilish face ever again, you brute! I wish you...' Her train of thoughts stopped when Wang drew up an eyebrow with an amused expression, and she reminded herself how she was usually called an open book.
But then a friendly face appeared behind the other man's shoulder, and Hupo immediately relaxed.
"Come on Wang, you shouldn't be so harsh on her. We used to have our heads elsewhere at her age too. By the way Hupo, I was quite impressed. The letter you wrote to the Council was very well written. I'm really proud of you," Professor Liu said, adjusting his glasses that slid down his nose after greeting the three of them with a bowing of the head. Professor Liu was a nobleman and one of the handful of people that knew about her 'particular' situation and thus was being assigned a part of her education for some time. But contrary to many others, he never pestered her with the importance of her role or treated her as if she was a daredevil that needed to be handled.
"Thank you Professor, I just did what I thought was the best for the interest of the our country."
"Grown-ups had already taken care of that matter," replied Wang with a smirk. "Well, I guess we won't take up any more of your time, ladies. Have a good evening." Hupo watched as the two men passed by their side, Professor Zhang smiling at her before catching up with his companion. Everybody knew of these two men's close friendship, and despite its oddity - they were the opposite of each other in every aspect – Hupo was secretly feeling admiration and even a bit jealous.
It didn't take long for them to reach a huge door at the end of the corridor on which was carved a weeping wallow, the State of Shenchi's symbol. They finally reached his office. Her stomach was tickling in expectation as she hadn't seen in in long time since he ascended to the position of Dahun.
When Dana knocked at the door, a soft voice barely perceptible called them in, and the door opened to a space she knew very well. Eiichi was sitting behind his desk surrounded by piles of papers, books and parchments.
"Oh, good evening! I was wondering when you will be coming", he said as he walked around the desk with a parchment in his right hand.
"My Lord, we are here to retrieve the parchment," Dan said blankly, causing Hupo to raise an eyebrow. It was the first time she saw the two siblings interact after his nomination, and although Dana was known to strictly follow the rules no matter the circumstances, Hupo couldn't help but feel the situation was very awkward.
"I know, I know. I have just finished the paperwork to send to the Kingdom of Namian. Well, Hupo, congratulations! Although not necessary, it was quite convincing. Actually, that was my first time finding the Council gathering entertaining, you know?"
"Oh, you flatter me...," Hupo said with false modesty. Then, remembering her mentor was still standing next to her, she took in a more composed stance and cleared her voice, stretching her hand to take the parchment that was in Eiichi's hands. But Dana, as silently as took the parchment instead and put it inside the silk bag hanged on her sword belt.
"Still, many in the Great Council didn't appreciate her attitude. She was lucky that some were already considering making her participate to the Union Tournaments." Dana briefly glanced at the girl, then continued "I will hold it for you until we arrive at Namian. In the meantime, I will re-organize your training schedule as well, so meet me tomorrow at the West wing. We will talk in detail about your participation and what is expected from you."
"Yes Ma'am," Hupo nodded and Dana left shortly after, excusing herself for an urgent meeting she had to attend.
"You know, there was a time when my sister was a bit warmer..." Eiichi went to sit on the verge of the huge window and motioned to the teenager to come sit on the opposite side.
"With you, yes. With me, nothing has changed. Well, better no change that a change in worse... Do you have Baitu candies by the way? Because I'm staaarving..." she said as she laid her back against the window's frame.
Eiichi snickered at her peculiar request and took out a paper bag from the drawer. Upon recognition of the coveted bag, Hupo's expression changed from mild boredom to utter satisfaction, and Eiichi couldn't hold back his laughter at seeing her so delighted over a handful of candies.
"What's so funny, uh?" she grunted, throwing a couple of white balls in her mouth.
"Nothing, you didn't change at all and it's good to see that. Sometimes I feel that I don't know myself anymore. Same goes for Dana."
"Haf no idea watcha talkin' about" she swallowed the candy then continued, "as I can see, you're the same old Eiichi... But anyway, what's the big deal about the Dahun thing? She lectured me about how I should call you 'My Lord' and, other stuff. I mean, I understand that in front of the other I should drop formalities, but we're cousins! If you can't be informal with family, then with whom?" she said while fishing her hand in the bag for other candies.
Eiichi turned pensively his head outside and let out a small sigh.
"Go say that to my sister... Although I do understand her... We can't spend much time alone like we did. Especially since she became Second-in-command of the First Platoon. You see?"
Hupo looked thoughtfully to the side, then shook her head.
"No dear cousin, I don't see where's is the problem..."
"Mmh, I guess that's the point of vue of someone who never had to take great responsibilities. Hey, no need of glaring at me like this Hupo, it's not an insult. It's a compliment. Her superiors can use the bond we have to put pressure on her or even accuse her of getting priviledges. You see, in the countries of the Huang basin, this millennial hierarchy system is considered as sacred and important for peace; whoever defies it is considered a threat... That applies to everyone. Except you who only gets to clean the restrooms when you disobbey Dana!" Eiichi reached out for her head and tousled her hair before he stood up, leaving the other girl groan in annoyance.
"Don't remind me... It took me two weeks to forget about the smell, uh..." she said, her face distorted in disgust.
Eiichi chuckled as he put the last parchment in the drawer: "Fine, fine. I'll finish putting away these papers and I'll accompany you. You can take the candies if you want."
"What?! But I just got here... You have an 'urgent meeting' too, right?"
"Not a meeting, an official dinner with the head of the Shang clan. They are related to the Kingdom of Lu with another important clan and we're going to discuss the merchant road that bonds our two countries to smooth tensions."
"The only thing I understood is that you're job consist into giving food to people and have a talk. It's so thoughtful of you!"
Hupo sneer at his annoyed expression, but as she was about to take another candy, Eiichi snatched the bag.
"You're going to get sick if you eat so many candies. Take it as an act of mercy."
"Forget about what I said earlier, you're a tyrant!" Hupo jumped up, completely outraged.
"Sure, and you are the hero who will change the world," he replied with a mocking tone. "Now, don't take it personnally, you've been eating too much of them, you'll really get sick. But I promise I'll ask the cook to send you something tasty at your quarters to celebrate your participation. It will be just as if I was there with you," he said patting gently her head.
"Don't worry, Luxing is with me! I think he got some plans for tonight!"
"Sure, just be careful not to get caught. Sanbao might report you again to Dana and I think this time it will be more than some cleaning you'll have to do!"