No More Tears
Wei Houran was at the Education center, teaching the new Foundation Establishment artisans and the artisans from the White Tiger alliance when his secretary, Su Yun, arrived.
"Boss Wei, we have a situation that requires your attention", Yun stated.
"I understand", he replied as he turned to the class, "Unfortunately a situation has arisen that I need to attend. Please continue to work on your fundamentals and I will resume in our next session."
He bowed as he left the classroom, and followed Su Yun back to his office. As they entered, five merfolk of high status that were sitting stood up.
"Please sit, no need for formality on my part", Huoran stated as he bowed.
"Daoist Wei Huoran, we apologize for our rude appearance suddenly", the head commander spoke, "Please do not let our actions offend you."
"May I ask what brings you to Sun & Moon island?", Huoran questioned the group, "If it's for business, you do not need to find me as our Ministry of Commerce is well versed in such things."
"Unfortunately, I wish it was for something joyous and beneficial like that. You may refer to me at Lin Jing", the head commander requested, "Due to past decisions, we fought with the Draco Serpentus empire and our King made the ultimate sacrifice but detonating the spiritual vein for our nation. So we humbly ask for two favors."
Huoran's eyes had narrowed upon hearing the news and decided to hear their requests, "I'll hear your requests, but anything that affects the island won't be decided by just myself. If it's reasonable, I'll bring your case to the ministers and decide together."
"Yes, we understand", Lin Jing continued to act as the voice of the group, "Our first request is to extend our agreement of housing our people here until we can find a new place to call home. Because the vein was destroyed, our home is no longer fit to support life and we would be easy prey for the other kingdoms."
"And the second request?", Huoran inquired.
"Please assist us in locating Princess Zeng Meirong. Due to the actions of the previous king, she suffered and ran from home. But she is the only living member of royalty, and we wish she would lead us now."
"Zeng Meirong?", Huoran eyes widen as he was shocked, "One moment please."
Huoran turned to his desktop computer, and after a minute looked back at the commanders.
"She is here on the island", Huoran reported, "She is attending school for a Talisman apprenticeship, in fact, she just recently qualified as a class 1 apprentice. But there is a problem commander."
"Thank Terreus, she is here", Lin Jing responded, "Please direct me to her Daoist Wei."
"Perhaps you didn't hear me, commander", Huoran had a displeased look on his face, "She became a citizen of my island claiming she had been exiled from home. I will discuss things with her first and let her decide if she wishes to see you. And I will provide maximum protection for her so that no coercion takes place."
The five merfolk frowned but Lin Jing spoke, "We understand. Please arrange a meeting for us."
"Now for the first request", Huoran added, "I will arrange a meeting with you and the ministers to handle any changes to the agreement. Understand that if you stay it won't be for free though."
The five merfolk nodded and Huoran had them escorted back to their hotel rooms.
"Su Yun, contact the Education Ministry, and asked them to arrange a meeting with Zeng Meirong", Huoran ordered.
The night before and this morning had left Zeng Meirong in confusion and turmoil. As she prepared to apply to a talisman workshop for an internship interview, she received a call requesting her presence. She was politely invited to meet with the leader of the island, Daoist Wei Huoran at 1700 today. She took out her best robes and made herself presentable before scheduling a taxi and arriving at the Sun & Moon island City Hall at 1600. She walked up to the terminal and scanned for Qphone and then sat down. Five minutes before her appointment, a clerk called her name, and escorted her to the top floor. The clerk knocked on the door, and hearing a response, opened the door and allowed Meirong to enter.
"Welcome Ms Zeng", Huoran pleasantly greeted her before adding, "Or should I say Princess Zeng Meirong of the Merfolk people."
Meirong immediately froze with a shocked expression on her face before becoming serious and went to leave the room. She quickly realized that she was unable to leave and after collecting herself, turned around to Huoran, "Why have you kept me here? What will happen now?"
"Please sit for a discussion princess, you might have noticed or heard about the merfolk that have arrived since yesterday", Huoran replied, "I also have some news for you, and a problem to figure out."
She decided that she wouldn't be able to escape so she sat on a couch in the room and Su Yun poured tea for both of them.
"Let's start with the news first, I already sent drones to verify what I was told, so I'm certain in its authenticity", Huoran spoke first, "Your homeland was attacked by the Draco Serpentus empire and all the citizens and survivors of that attack are now currently here in Sun & Moon island. Your uncle sacrificed himself and the spiritual vein of your nation to wipe out the attacking army but the area is now an inhabitable wasteland."
Meirong was devastated at what she had just heard and tears began to flow from her eyes. Huoran offered her a handkerchief, but she refused and pulled out her own.
"Now let's discuss the problem", Huoran said.
"What could you be referring to Daoist Wei?", Meirong said as she tried cleaning herself up.
"You were not truthful when you applied for citizenship of this island", Huoran responded, "This could end in several scenarios, princess."
"Then what do you intend to do?", Meirong asked nervously.
"I'm not sure yet, but it also depends on what you intend to do as well princess", Huoran replied, "We could simply revoke your citizenship and expel you based on your false identity when you applied."
"Please Daoist, I apologize for my actions. I beg you have mercy and allow me to stay", Meirong quickly bowed.
"I'm not finished", Huoran replied, "Your subjects have requested a meeting with you. Most likely about being granted to position of Queen. Should that happen, the ministry would negotiate terms with you and your people. Either way, you can't continue to live as you were and go to school on a citizen's tuition."
"I understand", Meirong said.
"Very well, Please invite our guests inside", Huoran called out.
The door opened and the five merfolk commanders walked in. Their faces lit up as they recognized the princess and they quickly walked over to her.
"Commander Lin, I will step out while you discuss your situation with the princess", Huoran told them as he walked out.
The five of them bowed and turned back to princess Meirong, "Your Highness, it's a re…"
"WHY?", Meirong screamed with red eyes, tears pouring down again, "WHY DO YOU COME TO RUIN MY LIFE AGAIN?"
The other four commanders were embarrassed and stayed silent while commander Lin answered, "Your highness, I'm terribly sorry about our shameful actions of the past. If I had the ability, I would travel back to the beginning of all this to stop it from happening."
"THAT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING NOW", Meirong continued to rage, "MY FAMILY IS DEAD BECAUSE OF THAT MAN, AND YOU HELPED."
"Princess, if I thought dying right now would fix all this, I would do it right now", Lin said regretfully.
Meirong stayed silent for five to ten minutes before cleaning her face, "They are really gone."
"Yes, I'm afraid so", Lin replied, "But there is no one to lead us now, and we no longer have a homeland. We humbly beg you become our Queen."
The five merfolk bowed with their heads on the ground and refused to move.
Meirong finished cleaning and fixing her face and then took out a mirror. She took out the hairpins, and slowly began the process of arranging her hair.
"Commanders", she said to bowing merfolk, "I have decided how to proceed. Please sit down and discuss with me."
"Yes, your majesty", the five answered.
At the bottom of the sea, east of the island, a grand dragon palace was on display for all the citizens of the empire. Prince Zikos, the third prince of the Dragon emperor, was entering the throne room just in time to see someone he knew being dragged towards the dungeons.
'Poor Nyzinth, always a failure and he proved it once again', he thought to himself as he approached the throne.
"Emperor-Father, I have arrived as ordered", Zikos announced as he knelt.
"Zikos, it's good that you came", the emperor said.
"Emperor-Father, it's my honor to serve", Zikos replied.
"Zikos, drop formalities and let's speak", the emperor told him.
"Yes, Father", Zikos stood up and faced his father.
"Zikos, there has been an incident. The silver dragon army that kept us safe from the Merfolk has fallen", the emperor explained, "The unworthy king destroyed their spiritual vein and their homeland but our army got caught in the blast."
"Do not worry, Father", Zikos responded angrily, "I will hunt down every surviving merfolk and make them wish they never been born."
"That's a valiant spirit, but I'm afraid it's not that simple", the emperor informed Zikos, "The survivors are rumored to have fled and made agreements with the island to the west of us. The human cultivator that stays there is someone even our grand ancestors can't deal with. Your mission is to approach the disciple that manages the island and negotiate on behalf of me. Hopefully they will be reasonable and willing to allow us to enact justice."