"That will depend on my good fortune in the next six months," Wu Ling said with a smile. "Sister Xiang is close to becoming a Soldier. If she manages to break through and gain the qualifications to enter the Inner City along with me to compete then it's likely that we'll make an appearance."
"Oh? So you already have those qualifications yourself?" Fang Lin asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I am both the son of a sect elder and the nephew of a Master Alchemist," Wu Ling said with a wry smile as he gave up on concealing some of his background. It seemed like he couldn't escape using a bit of status when interacting with Fang Lin and his circle. It also felt like his performance had been a bit too stunning. Exposing his relations and their status wasn't necessarily a good thing but letting these people think he didn't have any backers would likely be worse.
"While my mother and I reside in the Outer City close to our branch of the sect, my Aunt relocated to the Inner City years ago," he explained. "I'm sure she'd be happy to host me during the festivities if I asked."
"I hadn't realized Brother Wu had such a deep background," Fang Lin said, mentally taking several steps back and changing his estimations of Wu Ling's capabilities yet again. Seeing how close the young man was to Su Xiang, and knowing that he'd painted a portrait at Su Yao's request, Fang Lin quickly assumed that the young lord had close ties with the Su family.
While Fang Lin and his father both desperately desired to possess Su Yao and her talents, they would have to be careful in their methods if they didn't want to provoke this powerful young Artist and the mysterious sect behind him. On the other hand, if they did rope in Su Yao successfully, that could give them access to a power that was established in the Inner City, and gaining the friendship of a Master Alchemist would be worth significant investment from their family. Risks abound but so did the potential for great rewards!
"It's not as deep as you might expect," Wu Ling demurred. "Truly, I'm only now getting started on the road of cultivation. It's been less than two full moons since I managed to awaken. Before that, I was just a mortal taking lessons from one of Sister Su Yao's teachers."
"It took you two months to become strong enough to best Brother Xiong?" Zhang Buyan said with a dumbfounded look. "That's it, I will not accept no for an answer. Brother Wu, will you join my next hunt for spirit beasts or not? I'd also welcome your Sister Su Xiang. Hearing of her skills, I have no doubt that she's as capable as she claims to be and I'd be honored to have both of you join in my next hunt!"
"If Brother Zhang insists, I won't refuse," Wu Ling said. "Sister Xiang and I have been looking for our next opportunities. Of course, this assumes that we're both free at the time of your next hunt, but please send word as soon as you have selected an auspicious date."
"It's a promise," the young lord declared, a wide grin splitting his bearded face from ear to ear. At first, he'd thought that it would be good to befriend Wu Ling to obtain his help in wooing Junior Sister Jin Wuya. Now, seeing not only the way he fought but the way he conducted himself, Zhang Buyan was starting to hope to gain Wu Ling as a genuine friend.
"Brother Wu," Xiong Dahuo called from the entrance to the banquet hall. "Brother Yu has told me how much mercy you showed in handling me. You have my apologies for doubting you," he said, bowing with cupped hands. "Just tell me the name of the person you wish to send a letter to and I'll take care of things."
"In that case, I'll have to trouble you," Wu Ling said, returning to his table and moving the dishes aside to unroll one of his best pieces of parchment. Taking out his best brush and finest ink he closed his eyes and drove all distractions from his mind.
In his mind's eye, he recalled every moment he'd watched his mother sacrifice for him in the years since the Shining Blade Hall cast them out. Those images were followed by his own memories of playing in tea houses, painting for wealthy young ladies, and every other large or small thing he'd done since they were cast out of the Bamboo Silk House to care for his crippled mother. Then, with great difficulty, he recalled his happiest moments at home in the Shining Blade Hall, before his father had died, when all three of them had lived together in a world that seemed as bright as his father's sword.
Wu Ling held all of those memories tightly as he opened his eyes and dipped his brush into the ink to begin writing the character for 'Family.' Each of the ten strokes contained his sincere desire to let Hong Xuefeng and Yun Xuejing know that they weren't alone, that they still had family outside the Sanguine Saber Sect, and that the blood of Yun Kong hadn't abandoned them even if he had only recently learned of their existence.
"Take this," Wu Ling said, rolling up the parchment as soon as the ink dried and passing it to Xiong Dahuo. "Give it to Hong Xuefeng and her daughter. Tell them it's from Wu Ningli's son."
"Hong… Hong Xuefeng?" Xiong Dahuo said, his jaw raising and lowering like a bucket bobbing in a well. "How do you even know that name?"
"It's not important," Wu Ling said, placing a hand on the other man's shoulder. "The only question is, can you keep your promise to me? Will you be able to deliver it, future Warden of the Sanguine Saber Sect?"
"Brother Wu, you're not asking a small favor of me," Xiong Dahuo said, his face pale. "But never let it be said that this Xiong lacks the courage to fulfill his promise. I'll do this thing, but if you provoke her with this action then I cannot possibly protect you from her wrath."
"That's for me to worry about Brother Xiong," Wu Ling said with a soft smile. "You just deliver the message."