Wu Ying followed his father into the banquet hall temporarily set up for their sect sponsor like a man being punished to eat live coals. He ached to unleash the lightning gifted by his qi on the smug faces of the guards of the Thunder Palace but knew that his clan would bear the wrath of his betrayal. The threat to them was the only thing keeping him from lashing out wantonly.

Sensing his son's distress, Wu Bao leaned close and reminded gently, 'It is only a week until the emperor is officially acknowledged. Bear with it.'

Wu Ying nodded tightly, his eyes taking in the smiling faces of various sect members, some wearing the light blue of the lower ranks, some the brilliant gold of the leaders. It was a display of personnel meant to overpower thoughts of rebellion, as the clans were only allowed to send their leaders and the heirs. The sects had not been so limited in choice.

Outnumbered and underpowered, they descended the steps into the glittering field of expensive silks. As they entered the line of sight of the steadily filling room, subtle glances aimed at the pair and raised brows drew their attention. Something had happened, but Wu Ying had not been informed. His tension raised a notch, and he leaned toward his father.

'What's happened?' He asked softly, his gaze taking in the smirks and soft chuckles as they walked to their assigned seats.

Wu Bao looked just as confused as he subtly shook his head, 'I do not know. Keep your head up for now, and your ears open.'

Wu Ying nodded and let his eyes drift suspiciously around the room. A flash of dark silk drew his attention to the entrance, and he caught sight of Lu Chan with his eldest son and heir Lu Sun entering the banquet. The black silken robes of the Lu Clan stood out amongst the lighter colors of the gathered throng. Lu Chan's eyes darted around the room until he caught sight of them standing near their seats. When their eyes met, Wu Ying sensed that answers would be forthcoming, and he gave the leader a nod to encourage their approach.

Lu Chan made his way toward them, Lu Sun in tow. Their faces were dark, and their eyes held dangerous secrets. Wu Ying knew before they ever reached them that whatever news they had to impart would not be good. He prepared himself mentally for whatever they would share.

As the two dark robed men reached their silver clad counterparts, a booming voice interrupted the meeting before any words could be exchanged.

'There you are! I am happy to see you each had a successful journey and were able to join us tonight.'

Sect Leader Chung Leiming approached them along with several golden clad elders, a wide smile on his face. His arms were opened wide in seeming approval, and his dark eyes flitted between the four tense men now frozen by his overly dramatic welcome.

The four clansmen faced the Thunder Palace leader, and each gave a respectful hand to fist bow.

'Thank you for the invitation, Sect Leader.' Wu Bao stated politely for the four of them.

'Of course you should be invited. With so many upheavals in such a short span of time, we should stand together. Do you not agree?' The jovial man inquired with a hint of something dangerous in his eyes.

Wu Ying raised a brow and glanced at the mixed reactions from the elders surrounding the muscular leader. Some cast uncomfortable glances between their leader and Wu Bao, while a few tried to hide smirks behind polite smiles. What did they know, and why were they so focused on his father?

'Of...of course.' His father agreed hesitatingly, his eyes also taking in the strange behavior of the Thunder Palace elders.

Chung Leiming gave Wu Bao a long, knowing look, 'Am I right in guessing you have yet to be informed as to the latest news surrounding your son Wu Chen's quest and its outcome?' The leader asked with a gentle smile. A smile that seemed more like sharpened blades wrapped in silken cloth.

Sensing danger, Wu Ying stepped forward to partially shield his father, 'What news, Sect Leader?' He asked, his voice lowered with the need to suppress the sudden worry for both his father and his brother.

The large man pulled his eyes from Wu Bao and regarded the young heir with a look of disdain, 'At the moment, I am speaking to the current leader of the Wu Clan. Step back, young man.' He ordered stiffly.

His face flushed, but unable to defend himself against the might of the sect leader, Wu Ying stepped back, his anger smoldering.

'I wasn't aware that becoming our sect sponsor meant that rules of etiquette and kindness were no longer important. Even if it is just for show.' Lu Chan challenged with a disapproving frown.

The sect leader had the grace to flush slightly as he turned to the gutsy Lu Clan leader, 'Ah! You are right to reprimand me, Clan Leader Lu Chan. Forgive my impertinence. I was merely caught off guard by the young Wu Clan heir when my thoughts were elsewhere.' He turned to Wu Ying, his eyes no warmer than before, 'Forgive my brusque treatment, Wu Ying. It has been a long night, and I was not aware that neither of you had been updated on Wu Chen's status before you arrived. That was my oversight. My concern is naturally for your father's reaction, and so my attention was too focused.'

'Perhaps the news would be better shared away from the eyes of the public.' Advised Lu Chan, his frown growing deeper at the leader's obnoxious behavior. Several of the golden clad elders had the grace to blush at their treatment of the Wu Clan leader and his heir. The tension amongst the group was palpable.

Wu Ying was about to demand answers when the feel of his father's hand patting his back reined in his temper. How many years would it take before he had the calm composure of his father, Wu Ying wondered as his eyes darted to his father's placid face.

With a self-deprecating chuckle, Wu Bao stared directly into the eyes of the sect leader with neither weakness nor fear in his gaze, 'Considering the not so subtle glances and rude stares, it would appear that the public is already well aware of the news the sect leader is so eager to share. Speak, Sect Leader. What news have you of my youngest son?'

Under that steady stare, Chung Leiming suddenly felt a bit guilty, and he didn't appreciate that the feeling had been caused by someone who was of much lower status than himself. Determined to regain his importance and standing, he stated bluntly, 'You will be proud to hear that Wu Chen was successful in his quest. He now wears Shandian on his sword belt, as he should. However, the general public will probably never see its might.'

Wu Bao breathed a sigh of relief that his son had successfully retrieved the fabled sword, but he waited for the rest of the sect leader's words with his heart pounding.

Knowing Chung Leiming was waiting for his question to continue, Wu Bao nodded, his concern evident, 'Why would they not? He is mandated to enter the Thunder Palace upon his quest completion, and many would witness the strength of his sword there. Did you intend to prevent such a thing, Sect Leader?'

'Not me.' Chuckled the large man, 'The emperor-to-be has taken Wu Chen into his harem and has given him the title of Madame. He is proposing to make your son the empress upon his ascension. With news such as this, you can understand why I was surprised you had not been informed.'

'Malicious gossip and jealous mouths tell tales of such ridiculous slander, and you believed it?!' Wu Ying demanded, his entire body shaking with fury at the thought of Wu Chen being trapped in the palace against his will. Wu Bao merely collapsed into the chair behind him, his face suddenly devoid of color and his breathing ragged with shock.

Chung Leiming shook his head with a blatant smirk on his face, 'No gossip and tales, young Wu Ying. This was announced with great fanfare weeks ago when he was first granted the title by the emperor-to-be himself. I am sure you and your father will receive an invitation to enter the presence of His Majesty soon concerning his appointment. He has been a bit busy with the ascension, so I am sure it has just slipped his mind in the excitement. After all, you will soon be the in-laws to the emperor, will you not? He will naturally wish to speak with you both.'

Satisfied that he had gotten the reaction he had wanted, Chung Leiming gave a polite bow and, with a soft chuckle, left them to their misery. The elders following, though not with as much lightness as before. Some even cast pitying glances back at the proud Wu Clan leader's slumped figure.

Wu Ying spun around and dropped to one knee before his father's devastated look, 'We can't leave him there, father!' He begged, 'You know Wu Chen would never have agreed to this. He is being held against his will!'

Lu Chan's hand patted the emotional man's shoulder softly in solidarity, 'I am sorry you were both subjected to this humiliating farce by our controlling sponsor. One with such power should be more understanding and humble to those he claims to protect, not glory in their loss. As for Wu Chen,' The older man sighed, looking tired and defeated, 'I'm afraid there is not much anyone can do to save him from his fate.'

Wu Ying leapt up, his eyes burning and his body thrumming with the need to fight, 'So we just leave him there to be, what, used as a plaything despite his denials by the sects' chosen puppet?'

'Perhaps all is not as dark as it seems, although you do your father no favors by adding to the spectacle the leader gifted his guests.' A deep voice reprimanded quietly from behind Wu Ying's furious form.

'By what right do you lecture me?' Wu Ying growled as he whipped his head around, his temper cooling slightly at the sight of Master Lao and his four able disciples. The master's face was drawn, his disapproval at Wu Ying's outburst glaringly obvious. Suddenly feeling embarrassed by his outburst before a man of such bearing and prestige, Wu Ying took a deep breath and gave a polite hand to fist bow to the elder man.

Seeing that the young man was once again under control, at least for now, he turned and leveled a supportive look at Wu Bao. Placing a reassuring hand on the old man's shoulder, he spoke softly, 'Come with me, Wu Bao. We have much to discuss.'

Wu Bao's reddened eyes glanced up into the understanding and hopeful look of the wise master, 'En.' Was the only response his tight throat could manage as he rose on unsteady legs to follow the man in blue.