A Late Night Visit
A Late Night Visit
Wu Genji and Yuan Ning sat opposite of them.
To Wu Genji, Shi Yen's expression was blank, intimidating. She was also beautiful and graceful in a fatal type of way. She treated them professionally, unlike the warm regards she expressed shortly after their encounter with Shi Ma at the hospital.
The friendly part of Shi Yen was gone when it came to meetings such as this, but Wu Genji knew it was to maintain her guard.
"You two look a little rattled," Shi Yen said, darting between them with a small smile on her face.
Yuan Ning and Wu Genji kept a small distance from each other on the settee. Wu Genji shifted. "Yes, well, we almost got caught, so we had to leave early; otherwise, we would have compromised our positions." What Wu Genji kept from Shi Yen was the fact that it was already compromised when she made noise, and they were chased down the streets. Luckily, those people didn't catch a glimpse of what they looked like.
"How's that possible?" Shi Yen asked, narrowing her eyes. "I sent two of my best for a reason."
It was true. Yuan Ning was up to par with the Empress. He was a prodigy since his childhood—he was stealthy, skilful, sharp-minded, unfathomably strong, and it was for those reasons that Shi Ma picked Yuan Ning to use and manipulate. Wu Genji, on the other hand, had become queen when Shi Ma recruited her. He had known her secrets—secrets she would die to protect—which forced her to work for him because she was good.
Wu Genji could have killed Shi Ma. She could have placed a knife between his ribs, buried his body and call it a day. But again, he had known too much, and he used it as insurance against her. During that time, Wu Genji proved herself to be quite strong and powerful, so much so that she intimidated the other organizations.
When Shi Ma died in the hands of Yuan Ning, it was a relief, but she was still cautious about her past catching up to her.
Yuan Ning then seemed to notice her struggling to answer Shi Yen's question when she remained silent. He cleared his throat. "We were doing well unnoticed," he began, "until I came too close, trying to hear what they were saying. Miss Wu then pulled me back in time, and we ran out, but we might have an idea as to what their next move is."
Wu Genji looked at him, stunned. She didn't expect him to take responsibility for what she'd done.
Shi Yen faced both of them. "Well, I suppose there's no helping it," she said. "But, remember that there is no room for error. Now, tell me what you know."
Yuan Ning filled them in on what they overheard. The Dark Forces are back, and they're after each organization, knowing they can't directly touch the Empress and Emperor, without conquering the smaller domains.
Shi Yen didn't look surprised when she heard about them, but her eyes widened when she learned that the Dark Forces weren't going to hit her head-on; they were slowly and strategically slithering their way to find other openings to attack.
The Scorpion organization was already on the brink of collapse. The Scorpion King had put no effort into making a countermove; their first prince disappeared, and the second seemed not to know what he was doing.
"They've heard that the Scorpion Prince is not in the city. He's suspected to be alone, and without the support, it may be possible to corner him."
Shi Yen curled her fingers together. "I understand. I am going to warn him," she replied. "Thank you for reporting to me. If you know anything else, don't hesitate to tell me."
Wu Genji gulped. "Miss Shi—Lady Empress," she corrected herself. "If it's possible, I think I can work alone. I don't need a partner or someone to look after me. Mr. Yuan and I have our organizations to look after, and working together would only hinder our progress."
Shi Yen arched a brow.
"It's also a distraction," Wu Genji added.
Shi Yen narrowed her eyes. "Both of you haven't won my trust yet. Certain privileges come to those who are most loyal to me."
"But how can you trust us together?" Wu Genji countered.
Shi Yen smiled. "I don't," she said. "But Yuan Ning had desperately said he'd do anything to prove that he's changing. He's willing to prove it to the Emperor and I. You see, with both of you together, you two are obligated to report to me about the other's every move. If any of you betray me, the other person has to tell me, even if it breaks the mutual bond you two formed over the last two years."
"There is no bond," Wu Genji assured her.
Shi Yen's smile widened. "Excellent. Then it wouldn't be an issue to work together, am I right?"
"No, it wouldn't be, " she answered.
"Good. And I hope none of you betray me because I would hate to see anyone get hurt, and I'm not talking about the physical sense," Shi Yen glanced at both of them.
"Right," Wu Genji nodded and spoke softly.
Shi Yen stood up with Yuan Shun at her side, dismissing them.
Yuan Ning made haste to take Wu Genji home. When they arrived, Wu Genji was about to leave when Yuan Ning said, "Wait."
She paused, facing him. His eyes were dark and narrowed, everything about the intensity he gave her earlier that night had vanished, replaced with caution. "Why did you stumble when you saw those men at the factory?"
Her lips parted. "What do you mean?"
Yuan Ning set his jaw. "I've been on many missions with you during my time as the Emperor. You were at my side, and you've never made mistakes." He chuckled darkly. "In fact, I've always been envious of you of how good you were. It's hard to believe you'd stumble for no reason. You were rattled, but why?"
Wu Genji straightened. She lowered her eyes, biting her lower lip, "I was scared. I've heard of the Dark Forces before, and their network grows every day, and soon there's no telling what they'd do. They don't give a crap about the lives of others, and everything is a game to them."
"How do you know so much?" he asked.
"My mother," she answered.
He stared at her. "You're good," he said.
"At what?"
"Telling half-truths and lies."