Chapter 12: Quiet Meeting (4)

"I was going to speak about certain advice that all cultivators with a physique should follow." Ao Jīn spoke softly. "Specifically, I was going to advise that you choose your martial arts wisely; choosing martial arts that mesh properly with your physique is important."

Tao Cai quietly listened as Ao Jīn explained himself. "Why didn't want to tell me this on the training field?"

"You seemed a little more than uneasy about... a great many things at the time I was about to tell you. I thought it would be better to not burden you at that time." Ao Jīn bowed his head as he explained.

"Why would such information burden me?" Tao Cai seemed a little confused as he questioned Ao Jīn.

"Well... to put it simply, martial arts that mesh with your physique will be... darker." Ao Jīn spoke gently as he attempted to explain himself. "Martial arts that best mesh with your physique will be arts of necromancy or death, and other dark and terrible things." Ao Jīn continued, looking up at Tao Cai for a moment, examining his face. The boy seemed fearful, though his face was also filled with a subtle courage. With a half-hearted smile, Ao Jīn bowed his head once more, unsure of how Tao Cai would react upon opening his mouth.

"I see." Tao Cai spoke with a slightly trembling voice. "I understand why you didn't bring this up on the training field." Tao Cai let out a shaken chuckle.

"I apologize if I have upset you, young lord." Ao Jīn kowtowed before the boy, putting his head to the stone path of the garden.

"No... no, it's okay." Tao Cai quickly responded, attempting to assure Ao Jīn that he felt no harsh feelings for his words. "I asked you, after all." Tao Cai continued, clarifying further as he stared quietly down at the ground for a moment. "While I don't wish to speak more of this now, would you... tell more in the coming days?"

Ao Jīn raised his head, looking up at Tao Cai as he looked into his eyes and examined his face. While they were fearful, they were also filled with a hint of courage and determination. "If that is what you desire, young lord, then I shall guide you through what it means to select a proper martial art for your physique."

"Not just that, though." Tao Cai immediately spoke up. "I... I want to know more about the... darker arts... that you spoke of." Tao Cai stuttered a bit as spoke, sounding rather unsure.

"Young lord, I..." Ao Jīn spoke up with a noticeable hesitation in his voice. He stopped himself, however, as he quietly pondered to himself for a moment. "If you truly wish to know more, than perhaps it would be best to speak with someone that is well ingrained in the greater world of cultivation."

"Do you know someone from one of the sects? Or from the royal academy?" Tao Cai immediately spoke up, questioning who it was that Ao Jīn might seek to recommend.

"I do not, young lord." Ao Jīn shook his head as he responded. "But perhaps, with Agent Piao's interest in you, it would be possible to arrange a moment for the two of you to... speak in private." Ao Jīn bowed his head.

"If you think it's possible, then please ask if he would meet with me at the central library tomorrow. My lord father has already granted his permission for me to head out into the city." Tao Cai nodded to himself as he spoke. Though Ao Jīn was unsure if such a thing would be possible, he would certainly try his damnedest to make it happen.

"I shall speak to Agent Piao as soon as he is available." Ao Jīn began to bow his head, stopping halfway down.

"W-what was that." Tao Cai began to look around, a perplexed expression on his face.

'Why has Wu Yin come to the gardens?' Ao Jīn quietly thought to himself. After a moment he looked up at Tao Cai. "You've never been to the secluded gardens before, but that... odd feeling in the back of your head means someone has entered the gardens."

"Oh..." Tao Cai seemed even more confused for a moment before he turned his attention toward the entrance of their courtyard.

"Young lord." Wu Yin stood in the entrance as he saluted Tao Cai. "I've come to report that your betrothed, lady Shi Qing Xiu, has come to meet with you." He bowed his head as he finished speaking. Staring at Wu Yin, Tao Cai couldn't help but blush as a gentle, nervous smile crossed his face.

"P-please escort lady Qing to the drawing room as usual." Tao Cai spoke with a slight stutter as his face grew more red. Wu Yin smiled, bowing his head.

"Of course, young lord." Wu Yin smiled, bowing his head before turning about as he left back toward the manor. Tao Cai stared off for a moment as Wu Yin left, a larger and larger smile creeping across his face.

"Shall I escort you inside, young lord?" Ao Jīn spoke up with a questioning voice. Tao Cai jumped a little as Ao Jīn spoke up, chuckling to himself in slight embarrassment.

"I wouldn't want to interrupt your meditation and cultivation." Tao Cai responded while shaking his head. "Please continue as you had been."

"Of course, young lord, I thank you for your consideration." Ao Jīn bowed his head.

"I want to come with me tomorrow," Tao Cai spoke as he rose to his feet. "Regardless of if Agent Piao agrees to meet with me, I'd like you to come with me."

Ao Jīn smiled as he nodded his head, returning to his seated position. "As you command."

"And thank you for your help." Tao Cai hesitantly smiled.

"I only do my duty as your aide, young lord." Ao Jīn spoke with warm, gentle voice as he bowed his head. Though Tao Cai's current condition worried him greatly, he couldn't help but be proud to serve and assist his young lord.

As Tao Cai approached the entrance, he stopped for a moment. Turning back toward Ao Jīn, his eyes were filled with a certain clarity. "I deeply apologize for anything I may have done on the training fields, and hope that you'll bring me along again some time."

"I assure you, young lord, that we shall bring you with us again." Ao Jīn smiled; his eyes were filled with a subtle, questioning sadness. Tao Cai half-heartedly smiled back before running off into the maze. As Tao Cai disappeared, Ao Jīn's smiled faded.

"Does he remember, or not..."