Qinshe's office was spacious and richly furnished.
Maps and trophies adorned the walls; along one of them stretched a tall shelf filled with books and scrolls. At the center, behind a massive desk, sat the mistress of the office herself.
Her hair was slicked back, a light smile played on her lips — without the usual veil of severity. Noticing the guest, she lifted her gaze.
— Ah, here comes my savior, — she said warmly. — Come in, Anna.
Qinxuan closed the door, approached, and offered a slight nod.
— I hope I'm not interrupting.
— No, no, — Qinshe waved her hand dismissively. — I was actually planning to visit you today.
— M-m-m… I see you've broken into the Earth Rank. Congratulations.
— Yes, and all thanks to you and Delia. By the way, where is she? — Qinshe glanced past Qinxuan's shoulder as if expecting a third person. — I thought she was glued to you after that day.
— She's having fun in the forest right now.
— Ah-h-h… meaning she's taking part in the tournament?
— Yep.
— I see, — Qinshe drawled, shifting her gaze back to the guest. — Then what brings you here? Repaying the favor?
— Yes. But not only that. I also want to form an alliance.
— An alliance? — Qinshe raised her brows even higher. — I don't want to sound rude, Anna, but alliances are usually formed… between equals.
— Very well, — Qinxuan replied calmly. — Let's set the alliance aside for now and proceed to the favor.
— All right, — Qinshe nodded. — What do you want? What must I do?
— Before I tell you my request, — Qinxuan said, — I want us to form a Heart Contract. So that we can speak openly.
— U-m-m… sorry, but what is that, a Heart Contract?
(Right… I forgot this isn't Llatem. Perhaps the ritual doesn't exist here, or goes by another name.)
— In short: we both give an oath imprinted on our hearts. It won't allow us to betray each other. But if you're against it, — she offered a gentle smile, — I'll rephrase my request and won't demand anything so troublesome.
— I see… — Qinshe drawled thoughtfully, tapping her fingers on the table. — You're talking about a Blood Pact.
She frowned.
— You know, Anna… that's a serious request. A Blood Pact doesn't just bind two people. If one side breaks the oath, the consequences will be… let's say, unpleasant.
Qinxuan nodded, her gaze turning firm.
— I understand. That's precisely why I insist. I need complete trust.
Qinshe sighed and leaned back in her chair.
— If I agree… — she narrowed her eyes slightly. — It will only be because you saved my life. But under one condition: my brother will be a witness.
— Of course. That's only proper, — Qinxuan confirmed. — And I'll need a fine brush and a clean knife or scalpel.
— I'll prepare everything.
Qinshe stood and left the room. Left alone, Qinxuan sank into a chair and closed her eyes for a moment, allowing herself to sink into the flow of energy. She was close to breaking through to the second Mortal Rank — she could feel it clearly.
Twenty minutes later the door swung open — Qinshe returned with the merchant whom Qinxuan had seen downstairs.
— Have you two met? — she asked.
— Well, I learned Miss Anna's name, — the man chuckled, — but I never introduced myself. I am Qinshan.
— A pleasure, — Qinxuan stood and offered a polite nod.
— Qinshe told me about the ritual, — he continued. — I've seen it a couple of times. It's fine, you don't mind my presence?
— Not at all.
— Excellent, — Qinshe said. — Then let's begin.
Qinxuan took the brush and the knife, invited the mistress of the office to sit opposite her, and spoke gently:
— Extend your left hand.
When Qinshe offered her palm, Qinxuan carefully cut her own — just enough for a few drops of blood. Dipping the brush, she began painting symbols across Qinshe's fingers: thin lines, curls, intricate patterns.
They shimmered softly, growing brighter as the design neared completion.
— The other hand.
After a second cut, she applied the symbols to her own fingers.
— Now press your palms together, — Qinxuan said. — Lace your fingers, but don't bend them.
When their hands joined, the glow surged, threads of light weaving between their palms.
— Repeat after me. And guide the energy from your heart to each finger in turn — and back to the little finger.
Bound are our hearts, and weight carry my words,
My oath I uphold, I shall not betray.
Through light and through darkness I bear this accord,
By blood and by heart, to you I now swear.
With each line, the symbols glowed brighter, then gradually dimmed. When the last traces vanished, the patterns were gone — imprinted deep within, upon the heart.
— Is it done? — Qinshe asked quietly.
Qinxuan nodded.
— A bond now exists between us. Break it — you won't die, but the pain… will follow you all your life. And cultivation will become impossible.
Qinshe lifted her gaze — a mixture of respect and faint unease flickered there.
Releasing Qinxuan's hand, she unconsciously brushed her fingers across her palm, as if trying to feel symbols that were no longer visible.
— Very well, — she said softly. — Now I'm ready to hear your request.
Qinxuan leaned back in the chair.
— Then let's have some privacy, — she glanced at Qinshan.
He gave a curt nod and stepped out.
Sensing with her spiritual perception that no one was nearby, Qinxuan smiled lightly and dropped her disguise.
— Well then… let's get acquainted properly.
Twenty minutes later.
— That's about it, — she finished calmly.
Qinshe studied her intently, her lips curling into a mocking smirk.
— So the one who saved me was the young lady of the Xue clan. Ironic, considering some of my people are still searching for you.
Qinxuan tilted her head slightly, not voicing the question.
— Your precious sister Meili issued a task: find you, — Qinshe said with a hint of mockery. — If one didn't know the truth, one might even think she worries.
No reaction.
Qinxuan's face remained blank and serene. Seeing that, Qinshe dropped the mockery and changed her tone:
— So… the purpose of the Blood Pact and all these revelations is that you want my help in taking revenge? — she asked sharply. And without waiting for an answer, added firmly: — I'm ready to risk myself, but I won't risk my people for a war with the Xue clan.
Qinxuan smiled slightly — as if she had been expecting exactly that response.
— You assume too much, sister Qinshe, — she said softly but confidently. The word sister was deliberate — and it closed the distance between them. — I'm not planning to take revenge on anyone.
— Really? — the surprise was genuine.
— Really, — she nodded. — I don't care about the Xue clan. And Meili… she can wait. A couple of years won't change anything. If she's still alive by then. There are more important matters right now.
Qinshe crossed her arms.
— If not revenge, then what do you want from me?
Qinxuan raised two fingers.
— Two things. First, you must investigate my mother's disappearance. Whether she's alive or dead — I want to know.
She paused slightly — the word dead was hard to say.
— Second, I'm beginning business with the Merchant Hall. I need your protection. Naturally, not for free.
Qinshe leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, studying her guest intently. For several moments the office filled with tense silence.
At last she spoke.
— The first task is not an issue. Investigation is within my capabilities. As for the second… let's hear the details.