Chapter 20: The Garden Parley – Alliances in Bloom, Shadows in Wait

Vermilion Palace Gardens – Late Afternoon

The sun dipped low, bleeding gold across the lotus ponds. A warm breeze drifted through the flowering willows, masking the tension crackling beneath the quiet.

Li Tianming waited beneath the Moonview Pavilion, alone except for the shadows that never left his side. His sleeves were plain, his crown absent. Today he was not king, but keeper of the kingdom's fate.

Soft footsteps whispered across the garden bridge.

The Holy Daughter of the Shadow Lotus Sect approached.

Mei Xueyan wore deep violet robes, her veil lifted just enough to reveal solemn amber eyes. She bowed low—more than custom required.

"Your Majesty," she said, her voice like dusk rain. "Thank you for granting this audience."

"Let's not flatter ourselves with titles today," Tianming replied. "Speak as one root to another. Why now?"

Mei Xueyan sat opposite him, folding her hands with practiced grace.

"Because even resentment can calcify into wisdom… if we let it."

Tianming said nothing, letting the silence test her.

She exhaled softly. "Tens of thousands of years ago, your ancestors slaughtered ours."

"I know," Tianming said. "They called it righteous conquest."

Her fingers curled slightly. "We called it betrayal. The Lotus Matriarchs were once guardians of Vermilion's ley lines—until the royal clans drove them into the wastelands."

"And so the survivors became shadows," Tianming murmured.

Mei Xueyan nodded. "Until now. I persuaded the Inner Blossom Council that perhaps… the soil has changed. That you may not be your fathers."

Tianming studied her closely. "And they agreed, just like that?"

She hesitated. "No. Many resisted. I argued that probing and sabotage only strengthened your kingdom's spine. I showed them what became of our infiltrators. This parley… it's a test. For me. For you."

Meanwhile – Eastern Pavilion Rooftops

Kisuke Urahara crouched atop the tiled roof, straw hat tilted low. Beside him, Yoruichi leaned with feline grace against a stone dragon carving.

"They brought no weapons," Kisuke muttered. "But they brought watchers."

"Three sect enforcers, likely Nascent Soul, hiding in the blossoms. Two more near the koi pond."

"Think they trust her?"

Yoruichi smirked. "They trust her to die honorably if this goes south."

Back in the Pavilion

Tianming poured tea into two small porcelain cups.

"Let me guess. While you seek peace, some of your elders want the war to continue."

Mei Xueyan lowered her gaze. "The Eclipsed Petal faction believes your throne is vulnerable. They seek to destabilize, not negotiate. The elite squad you captured—they were their gambit."

Tianming's tone turned razor-sharp. "So this meeting… is your rebellion."

"A risk, yes," she said calmly. "But not treason. If I fail, I return alone. If I succeed… I return with new soil for peace to take root."

He leaned back, thoughtful. "And what do you ask of me?"

Mei Xueyan raised her head, voice clear and steady. "A corridor of neutrality. No conflict for ninety days. You and I both know the Tiger Basin and the Central Sects stir restlessly. They are not watching us—they're watching what's buried beneath us."

Tianming's brow furrowed. "You've seen it too, then."

She nodded. "The leyline convergence. The immortal remnants. The old trade gate. They circle not for conquest… but for inheritance."

Tianming stood, sleeves falling like silent wings.

"This parley is your seed. Let's see if it blooms—or rots."

She bowed again, deeper this time. "And if it blooms, perhaps the Lotus will no longer grow in shadow."

Inside the Shadow Lotus Sect

Far across the border in the Crescent Grove Spire, Elder Magnolia narrowed her eyes.

"So… she went through with it," the crone said, watching through a memory orb.

Elder Orchid scoffed. "Youth thinks it can outroot pain."

"Let her try," Magnolia said coldly. "And when the kingdom opens its gates… we'll know exactly where to strike."