Besides the room's size, what struck Lei as strange was how tidy and clean the room was.
'That definitely doesn't go with how I see Zhao. But though I suppose the Servants would have taken care of the room while he was gone. Mm... Even Ui Feng didn't step inside, so it's surprising that the Servants would be allowed to do so. But if that's what happened then it makes sense.'
Multiple couches, tables, a huge bed, and numerous bookcases filled the room. The walls were adorned by various banners that seemed to depict different Techniques of the Ravenous One-Eyed Sect.
Lei walked across the room. Somewhat timidly, despite being alone.
On the other side of the room were large windows, from which the training court was visible. Dozens of Martial Artists had now gathered. They were running along the rectangular edges of the training court. Some, dressed differently, remained standing at its center with their arms crossed.
'Teachers? Or Instructors, I should say. If they're warming up then...'
The Young Master looked away.
Witnessing and studying the way that the Martial Artists trained was definitely something that Lei wanted to do. It could give a definite clue as to what Qi and Cultivation are, as well as what they are.
'Since the others talked about booze and whorehouses, I didn't expect him to be the kind to read either...' Lei thought as he walked around the room, peeking at the different books that rested on the bookcases.
One of those books caught his eye. Its title, to be precise.
He reached forward and isolated that book.
"21 ways to prepare better Medicinal Tea?" Lei whispered, almost confused. "The others didn't talk about this, which means..." He tossed the book aside. "These are all here for show, aren't they?"
The more Lei peeked at different titles and books, the more ridiculous they got, and the more ridiculous their presence here seemed.
They weren't truly ridiculous, as many could have their uses. But they didn't fit with Lei's image of who "Zhao Laohu" was. It didn't fit at all.
'That doesn't mean that these books can't be useful. For now though what I want is...'
Lei looked around, walked towards one of the bookcases, and pulled the five rolled-up parchments that filled the bookcase's lowest tier.
"Useless." He commented after straightening them up.
They were tossed away right after.
It took a bit longer to find the right parchment.
"Aha!"
Lei walked towards the large desk, and placed four books over the edges of the parchment, fixing it to the desk.
'Stubborn edges.' They really were, as the edges wanted nothing more than to curl themselves up.
Lei took a deep breath in.
"Perfect."
His gaze moved towards the edge of the desk, and his eyes narrowed.
'A brush and ink. Do I really have to?'
He did. And he knew that, which is why he grabbed both.
"It really is shaped like an emerald... Or a Jade gemstone, I should say?"
In front of the Young Master lay a map of the Jade City.
He devoured it with his gaze, as it gave lots of important information.
The brush transported the ink over to the map, and a circle was drawn over different locations.
The map was detailed enough to show the locations and names of the different Sects inside the Jade City. Different colors were used to differentiate between the different territories.
'The authority of the Ravenous One-Eyed Tiger Sect goes beyond those walls. That's why more and more people greeted and bowed to us. This is perfect.'
The One-Eyed Tiger Sect's territory was circled around. So was the Earth Crouching Dragon Sect's territory, on the Eastern side of the Jade City.
'At the center, we're kind of surrounded. But the closer to the center, the richer. At least that's what it seemed like on our way here...'
The Flamboyant Vermilion Tiger Sect was just west of the One-Eyed Tiger Sect. A cross was drawn over the Flamboyant Vermilion Tiger Sect's territory.
'They sent assassins because they knew Zhao wasn't here. They also knew that Ui Feng left. So they must know that their attack has failed by now. Will they try something else, or...?' Lei brought a hand to his chin. 'The roads that cut the Jade City into four parts have the same color. So do some of the places between the different Sects... I suppose those are neutral territory. This...' Lei passed his finger along the map. 'Must be the path we took to get here. Following the neutral territories.'
Lei let out a sigh.
'I need to get a better idea of how Sects work. On the relationship between the different Sects... Tsk. I'm getting ahead of myself. I first need to make sure that everyone is on my side here. If someone doubts that Zhao has been taken over by some Evil Spirit, then I won't be able to do anything...'
The Young Master let his body fall over the chair behind.
'I need to make sure that I'm not doubted, and I need to make sure that I'm not killed... Should be simple enough.' Lei whispered as he stared at the ceiling. 'Mm... They think I should be sleeping now, but I'm doing fine. What to do...?'
Zhao Laohu's body suddenly shuddered.
A strange reddish shade painted the air that filled the room.
'Poison?!' Lei let go of the brush to cover his mouth and nose. 'What...?'
The brush he had just let go of didn't hit the desk, but floated in the air instead.
His ear twitched and he turned around.
A hole had appeared in the ceiling.
No, it wasn't really a hole, as Lei couldn't see through it.
It was more like a disk of darkness had suddenly-
"Hiyaaaa!" The shout almost made the Young Master jump back.
It originated from that darkness.
The next second, hands emerged. Arms emerged and,
"Did you miss me?" The red-haired Goddess asked with a smile once half her body had emerged from the darkness on the ceiling.