Chapter 8 - Less than Ten

The waning moon glimmers through the hazy night sky. Its reflection rests peacefully atop a pond. Beside the pond, a young man stands beneath a pavilion, gazing intently at the reflection. The man had been standing in the same spot for hours, watching as the moon's reflection slowly traversed across the pond. The lanterns beneath the pavilion lights up his contemplative face. The Chancellor was in deep thought, thinking about the same thing since the previous night.

A sudden gust of wind shakes the lanterns around him, causing the light around the pavilion to dance.

"I wonder what the great Chancellor deems important enough to disrupt my retirement."

The voice came from behind. The Chancellor turns around and immediately kneels, lowering his head and cupping both hands. A barely discernible figure stands inside the shadows just past the point where the dancing lights could reach.

"Disciple Zhi greets Master!" The Chancellor, normally dignified by those around him, bows deeply towards the figure in front of him. "I apologize for taking up your time. It was simply not a matter that should be discussed with a paper trail."

"Well? Out with it then."

Chancellor Zhi lowers his head even further.

"Once again, disciple Zhi apologizes for disrupting Master. This matter is about the Sword of Song and Crown of Chu."

"What of it?"

"As you are aware, Master, there is only one record of an item with both the markings of Song and Chu. I have reason to believe that this item could be somewhere in New Hope City. I have my most trusted men investigating as we speak, but I can't help but worry about the implications of th-"

"Withdraw them." The figure commands nonchalantly, waving his sleeve as he turns around to leave.

Chancellor Zhi was dumbfounded by his master's attitude. The young Chancellor, a calculated master of words, suddenly lost his calm. He stands up, letting his concerns loose without thinking.

"Master! This is no simple matter! I apologize deeply for troubling you, but how can you be so indifferent to a matter as serious as this?! We are talking about the symbol of our ancestors! Even if it's unconfirmed hearsay, just the miniscule possibility of it being true is a serious matter! How can you act as such when something so important to our history sits in the wrong hands?!"

The figure, now almost completely immersed within the shadow of the courtyard's wall, pauses midstep. He turns his head around to reveal a pair of sharp glowing eyes. The figure glares at the Chancellor, unconsciously releasing his aura. The unbearable pressure sends the Chancellor back down on his knees. Realizing that he had disrespected his master in an uncharacteristically emotional appeal, the Chancellor slams his forehead onto the pavilion floor.

"Disciple Zhi apologizes for disrespecting Master!" He shouts, not daring to lift his head from the ground.

The figure in the shadows sighs as he withdraws his aura. He retracts his gaze and turns back towards the shadow.

"A slumbering dragon does not wish to be awoken. One careless action, regardless of intent, could lead to disastrous fallout. I, alone, will handle this matter. Do I make myself clear, boy?"

***

A few hours earlier, in the distant south, a blurry figure soars through the evening sky at blistering speeds.

"YAH-HOOOO!" Yuyu screams at the top of her lungs.

Sun holds Yuyu securely against his chest as she stretches her arms wide open, flapping them like a bird. In stark contrast, Lia's arms were wrapped tightly around Sun's chest the entire time, holding for dear life. They had been flying since noon, but Lia simply couldn't muster up the courage to open her eyes. Although she didn't voice any complaints, she had been screaming internally ever since she felt the ground disappear from beneath her feet. Sensing that Lia was nearing her limit, Sun slowly descends towards the mountains below.

The trio lands atop a small, flat, clearing on a mountainside. Yuyu jumps out of his arms. She runs in circles around the two, still flapping her imaginary wings. Lia, feeling the slight recoil from landing on solid ground, finally opens her eyes. Sun kneels down on one knee, making it easier for Lia to set her feet comfortably on the ground.

"Yuyu," he calls out. "Make sure you stay close to aunty Lia, okay? I'll be right back."

Seeing the color return to Lia's face, Sun felt more comfortable leaving them together. Just for extra peace of mind, he radiates his senses outwards to make sure that the area is safe. Sensing nothing in the vicinity, his body flickers before disappearing.

A few minutes later, Sun's figure flickers into existence in front of the girls.

"Wow! Yuyu is so smart!" Lia compliments. "How did you know when he would come back?"

"Ehehe," Yuyu giggles. "Yuyu knows because Mister promised."

Sun wasn't sure what sort of conversation he missed while he was away, but he knew exactly which promise Yuyu was referring to. With a soft smile on his face, he looks at the ground by Yuyu's feet.

Only eight lines.