Chapter 37: The Declaration

Still contemplating the tale that Lei Gong had recounted as he departed from the room near to enclosed courtyard. Shui Long persisted to turn over the facts of Jing Li's existence repeatedly, whilst he navigated his way through the dimly light corridors of the inner mansion. His mind, reluctant to relinquish thoughts of his bride, despite undoubtedly walking into a disagreeable meeting with the members of Lu Qi's clan. 

Shui Long emitted an aggravated sigh, before waving the doors at the end of the darkened hallway open with a shift flick of his wrist. The large doors, issuing a loud complaint as they swung heavily on their stiff metal hinges. The water god felt their annoyance resonate within him as he crossed over the threshold and into the cavernous room. The formal reception hall reserved mostly for grand banquets or the few times in a year when the god of Xilian Lake accepted public audiences. The stuffy room rarely received guests, aside from the odd occasion that warrant the use of this stringent setting. 

Peering between the somber shadows that the columns cast to observe the envoys, who had decided to embark on what could only be deemed an uncouth intrusion into his estate. Their figures slightly hunched as they mumbled to each other amidst the painted pillars of the hall, Shui Long was unsurprised to distinguish Lu Qi's father amidst their ranks. His arrival, inevitably disturbing their discontented murmurs, the envoys fell slight as soon as Shui Long began to cross the room towards them. 

Many of the group, donning the eye flamboyant makeup that was customary for the members of their clan. Shui Long could feel the judgement of their painted eyes follow him as he and his attendant made their way onto the prominent podium that had been erected at the furthest end of the room. The envoys, draped in their dark purple robes, continuing to scrutinize him silently as he mounted the steps of the platform. The water god did not allow his pace to be influenced by their seeming impatience, whilst assuming his place upon the lone throne that was elevated on the platform. 

Finally, turning his displeasure towards the braze group that presented themselves before him, as he settled onto the rigid seat. The envoys gazed between the god's malcontented glare and that of the enraged serpent portrayed on the tapestry behind him for a moment, before the clan leader at last felt the audacity to step forward. Evidently made uncomfortable by the overtly disgruntled mood of the water god and the imposing image of the snake, whose white fangs were clearly poised to strike down it enemies. The man bent his long torso into a bow as he said, "We thank you for accepting this impromptu audience with us, Lord Shui Long." 

The statement an obvious violation of the rules of formality, where it was decidedly up to the person of higher standing to speak first. The water god noted this disrespect with a degree of irritation held in his jaw as he replied, "To what do I owe this pleasure, Clan Leader Han?" Although, offering the man the opportunity to explain the reason for his unexpected intrusion into his estate. Shui Long's lips had already begun to press together out of sheer vexation as he anticipated the clan leader's answer. 

The long man, bending deeper into his bow, he replied, "My Lord, we have come to request your gracious forgiveness." The response, inspiring the water god's mouth to arch into a pronounced frown, he said, "Your clan has committed no crimes against me. Therefore, it is unnecessary that you come to demand my forgiveness. Unless, it is on the behalf of someone else that you have come to seek my pardon?"

The leader of the West Lake Clan straightening from his dignified bow in order to argue his case more effectively. Shui Long noticed the other envoys close in their ranks behind the man as he began, "My Lord, Lu Qi deeply regrets whatever it was that has offended you." Unsurprised that his former Consort had sought sanctuary in her family home since her banishment. The water god did not find it particularly out of character for Lu Qi to also omit the incriminating facts of her crimes from the stories that she had told to her clan upon her return. 

However, despite his lack of astonishment, Shui Long's curated brows pinched together. Forming a rigid crease between their lines as he discovered that his former Consort persisted to sow the unwanted seeds of discord in his life. The water god replied with unconcealed indifference, "Lu Qi only regrets the consequences of the crimes that she has committed against me and my bride." The severity of his placid tone, taking on a sense of further condemnation, he added, "I will not be forgiving of treason." 

However, unable to relinquish the argument that was founded mostly on the pride of his clan, rather than the defense of his daughter integrity. The man allowed himself to take another brazen step towards the podium before he spoke again.

"Lord Shui Long, please consider the long-standing support that our clan has provided you over the decades." he said. The conversation with the envoys, beginning to form a slight pang in Shui Long's temple. The water god attempted to ease the gradual throbbing in his head, by massaging it discreetly with his index and middle finder as he responded, "Yes, and it is due to this loyalty that I have chosen not rescind my protection over the West Lake territory." 

The statement, inspiring the clan leader to exchange an uneasy glance with the other members of his group that had once again accompanied his gradually advance towards the platform. Leader Han found enough reassurance in their presence to continue. The irregular indents of a few lines appearing in the margin above his brow, the man replied, "While that's a very generous offer from you, my Lord. There are many members of our clan that were offended by your decision to dismiss Lu Qi, simply to appease the capricious demands of your human mistress." 

Angered that his judgment should come into question or the absurd accusation that Lu Qi's dismissal was somehow the fault of Jing Li's fanciful whims. Shui Long's teeth ground together agitatedly as he answered, "Indeed, it was upon the request of my Bride that Lu Qi was dismissed from my estate." The glimmer of a threat appearing within his golden irises, Shui Long glowered down at the man as he went on to growl, "However, you should know, that if the decision had been left entirely up to me, your daughter would no longer be amongst the living." 

This remark seeming to spark further outrage, it provoked a sturdy woman to distinguished herself from amidst the group.

"How can we trust a Lord, who would betray those whose only wish to protect his best interests?" she said, thrusting her chest out proudly as she spoke. Evident from her stance that the woman was likely to remain immovable in her defense of Lu Qi. Shui Long rested a sharp an elbow on the arm of his chair, before proceeding to massage the now insistent pounding in his temple tiredly with his fingers. 

"You would have me believe that Lu Qi's repeated plots to endanger my Bride's life, were in my best interest?" He responded skeptically. 

However, keen to reestablish his perceived control over the meeting, Leader Han interrupted once more with a harsh clearing of his throat. Stepping in front of the athletic looking woman, the Head of the West Lake Clan sought to smooth over the outburst of his subordinate as he said, "We only fear that your position will be weakened as a result of Lu Qi's dismissal." 

"Your only fear is that you have lost your foothold in my residence, Leader Han." Shui Long rebuked. Obvious that a sting of truth was present in these words, another man stepped out from the group to argue with the god. 

Thrusting a beefy finger in the direction of the water god of Xilian Lake, he declared defiantly, "You should be afraid of having the immense force of the West Lake Clan turned against you, Lord Shui Long." However, finally exhausted by the threats of the West Lake Clan's retaliation, the water god rose from his seat. Signaling his reluctance to passively entertain conversations of rebellion against him, the water god reviewed the group under the weight of his imperious gaze for a moment. Before he addressed them once more, "The West Lake Clan has been my ally for long enough to know that I do not take rebellion lightly." 

Standing alongside the outspoken man, the muscular woman responded proudly, "And you have accepted our clan's aid for long enough to know that we do not back down easily." Imagining for a moment that he had transformed into the monstrous serpent that lurked below this polished exterior that he currently maintained, so as to squeeze the life out of envoys that stood before him. Shui Long was disappointingly forced to abandon this notion by the recollection of the exhaustive efforts he had made to distinguish himself from the villainous legacy of his father. 

Thus, after releasing an exasperated expulsion of hot air through his nose, the water god replied, "If you came here with the intention of having me rescind Lu Qi's banishment, then I must regrettably inform you that my stance on the matter is to remain unchanged." Pausing as the envoys' glanced between each other with a shared sense of outraged or otherwise indignance. Shui Long's bright yellow irises glared down at the group forebodingly as he continued, "However, if it is war that you seek, then I recommend that you take some more time to reflect before forging it in ink." 

Whilst, engaging in battle excited Shui Long very little in truth. The water god knew as he departed from the cluster of envoys, that he could not afford to surrender to whatever vain war that the West Lake Clan had decided to wage against him. The result of their deliberations confirmed late the very next day, when a formal proclamation of war was delivered to his desk. The god of Xilian Lake was left with little choice other than to commenced preparations for battle against his former allies. 

Constantly plagued with the dread for the potential consequences a prolonged war with the clan might bring. The water god contemplated the impact that this conflict would have upon his vaguely improved standing amongst his peers and other members of the Celestial Court many times over the coming days. However, as much as he considered the political and social implications of the impending battle, Shui Long thought more of Jing Li and his reluctance to depart from her sound presence.