Andrew's Invitation

The next day at noon, the handsome coachman brought news to Lee that Steven had headed towards Luzac after leaving Cactus. 

Lee wasn't surprised, but he was concerned about Steven's abilities. What could he possibly get from those cunning monks? 

Four days later, Vic conveyed told Lee that Locke's men had returned, and Locke was waiting for them. Lee and Tang then set off once more for the palace. 

This time, there was no one waiting to be summoned in the side hall. Lee had barely sat down when he heard Vic calling him; apparently, Locke was really waiting for them. 

Upon entering the main hall, Lee saw Quinn and Steven, father and son, with Locke still seated on the throne, his expression nearly identical to last time. 

Lee and Tang bowed to Locke. 

"Now you're here, Steven, go ahead," Locke commanded. 

Steven bowed slightly and said, "The Regent, after arriving in Luzac, I found the abbot of Jia-yeh Temple, Horace, and talked with him for a long time. He clearly said Danny's body was cremated three days after being brought back to Luzac, and nothing was left behind. I also asked over a dozen elderly monks who were present at Danny's cremation, and they all confirmed that Danny did not leave any Buddhist relics."

"You heard him," Locke said. "It seems your king's wish cannot be fulfilled; the Buddhist relics don't exist."

"What a pity," Lee said. "But this news about Danny's Buddhist relics is likely already known throughout the City of Victory. I can hardly imagine our king's fury."

"Are you threatening me?" Locke stood up from the throne, looking down at Lee.

"Please calm down, the Regent. I'm merely expressing my concern," Lee responded calmly. For some reason, Lee found Locke less dangerous than Andrew.

"Do you expect me to make Buddhist relics for you?" Locke said darkly.

"Lee," Quinn, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "I remember Danny saying before his death, 'I came with nothing and shall leave nothing.' Danny did not leave his Buddhist relics because he had promised not to leave anything behind. Thus, Danny took his Buddhist relics to the Pure Land."

Seeing Quinn speak this way, Lee decided not to press further, as he had no idea what Danny had said before his death.

"We will report back truthfully," Lee said. He knew Quinn's explanation was merely to save face for Danny, but there was nothing more he could do here. He didn't even dare to go to Luzac.

"Everything is clear. Leave as soon as possible, within the next two days," Locke said unhappily, feeling insulted by an envoy. The people of the True Kingdom clearly had no regard for the Falling-Moon Kingdom.

After Lee and Tang left, Locke's face grew even darker. He paced back and forth in front of the throne, muttering to Quinn and Steven, "Look at them, so arrogant. A mere envoy dares to threaten me. Is he not afraid of death?!"

"Would you dare kill them?" Quinn thought but instead said, "They are indeed arrogant and should be punished. However, killing envoys is against the treaties between kingdoms. The Regent, don't let this affect your."

"Yes, Regent," Steven echoed. "You are of noble status; there's no need to stoop to their level."

Locke's expression softened slightly. He returned to his throne, taking a deep breath and looking at Quinn and Steven. They are right, he had many things to do, Locke thought.

After getting into the carriage, Lee no longer cared about the coachman in front and spoke first, "Let's pack up and leave tomorrow. Staying here is not safe."

Tang nodded heavily.

"Don't be in such a hurry to leave," the coachman suddenly spoke up. "Andrew has invited you to his house."

It was the first time Lee and Tang had heard the coachman speak. He had been silent on previous trips to the palace.

"Are you Andrew's man?" Lee asked. "Tell Andrew we appreciate his kindness, but we need to hurry back and report to the king."

The coachman continued driving, not turning back to look at them.

"Really? That's a pity. Andrew has some information about Danny's Buddhist relics and he wants to share with you," the coachman said in a voice low enough only Lee and Tang could hear, drowned out by the carriage's noise.

"What?" Tang exclaimed. "Danny left Buddhist relics? Why did Steven say there were nothing? Is Andrew trying to trick us into meeting him?"

"I don't know. I'm just a coachman, merely passing on a message," the coachman said.

"How do we get there?" Lee asked, having decided to meet this imposing Andrew.

"After you return to the Guesthouse, come to this jewelry store at dusk," the coachman said, slowing down slightly. "Someone will come to get you."

Lee memorized the jewelry store they had just passed and asked, "Why not let us off here?"

"That's impossible," the coachman replied. "My task is to get you back to the Guesthouse safely."

After that, he returned to his usual silence, not responding to any of Lee's questions.

"General, are we really going?" Tang asked as soon as they returned to their room.

"What are you afraid of? Would Andrew dare to harm us?" Lee replied. "If he's seeking us out, he must need something from us. As long as we don't push him too far, he won't hurt us."

"But didn't you say we should avoid contact with him?" Tang questioned.

"Things are different now. He claims to have information about the Buddhist relics. We might as well take a chance," Lee explained. "Besides, we're leaving tomorrow morning. What do we have to fear?"

Tang knew Lee's decision was unwise. He didn't believe Locke would lie to them; if there were Buddhist relics, it would be an opportunity for Locke to regain dominance in the Big Desert. Andrew claimed to have information about the Buddhist relics, likely to deceive Lee.

But Tang understood Lee's unwillingness to just go. They had lost many guards along the way, and Lee was struggling to accept that. Andrew's lie was like a lifeline to a drowning man.

Since Lee was determined, Tang would accompany him, risking his life for the cause. He was also curious about Andrew's true intentions.

At dusk, the two of them, dressed in plain clothes, arrived at the jewelry store as agreed. They found the owner to be the lady adorned with jewelry from the banquet. She was still shining with every movement.

Seeing Lee and Tang, she greeted them warmly, "Finally, you're here. Would you like to take some jewels back to the True Kingdom? I just received a batch of crystals and agates from Rakshasa."

"Are they free?" Tang asked.

"That depends on your performance. If you do well, I could give you everything here," the lady replied with a big smile.

"What do you mean by 'do well'?" Lee asked.

A young boy ran in from the back yard, nodded to the lady, and then ran out.

The lady stopped smiling and said, "The carriage is in the back. You can set off now."

"Riding carriages every day since we came to Cactus," Lee sighed.

Andrew's mansion was in the northeast of Cactus, not far from the palace. Lee and Tang arrived before it was completely dark.

As usual, they entered through the back door. They were led to the reception hall, where Andrew was eating grapes and humming a tune, seemingly in high spirits. Seeing Lee and Tang, he didn't get up but said, "Come, Lee, Tang, try these grapes from Luzac. They're incredibly sweet."

Lee and Tang didn't eat. They sat down and stared at Andrew.

"You sent people to Luzac."

"Yes."

"Did you meet Horace?"

"Yes."

"Did he say Danny left Buddhist relics?"

"Yes."

"Where are the Buddhist relics?"

This time, Andrew didn't answer. He continued eating grapes.

Lee picked a grape from the fruit plate and put it in his mouth.

"Good, indeed sweet," Lee remarked.

Andrew laughed, "Lee, I like doing business with smart people."

"What do you want?" Lee asked.

Andrew ate another grape and said calmly, "The promise of the True Kingdom."

"I don't have that authority," Lee said.

"I know," Andrew continued. "As long as your words carry weight in Cactus."

"What words?" Tang couldn't stand Andrew's roundabout way.

"You only need to say that the True Kingdom recognizes me as the new king of the Falling-Moon Kingdom," Andrew said, his sharp gaze revealing his ambitions.

"Are you crazy?!" Tang exclaimed.

"And then?" Lee asked calmly.

"Once I become the new king, you can take troops to Luzac and force Horace to hand over the Buddhist relics. If he refuses, I don't mind you wiping out Luzac," Andrew's eyes gleamed with malice.

"You bring back the Buddhist relics, and I become the new king. Isn't that a mutual benefit?" he continued.

"Why should we believe you?" Lee asked.

Andrew suddenly burst into laughter, almost to the point of tears, and then said viciously, "You have no choice but to believe!"

Lee remained silent for a long time, realizing that Andrew was right. After hearing Andrew's ambitions, he had no other options.