āOneās own home is always the most comfortable! Minding my own business when that old fox, Wu Junyi, snaps me up for this training. Just absolutely screwing with me.ā The stream of complaints tumbled from Lan Jue in groans. Keāer and Xiuxiu were surprised by the vocal displeasure. It was the first time theyād seen him like this.
Lin Guoguo humphed at him. āIt looked to me like you were enjoying yourself out there, boss! Itās not as bad as you say.ā
āItās so dull,ā he whined. āItās so much nicer here with you girls. A leisurely life is a comfortable life. Anyway, has there been any more news about the castles?ā
Xiuxiu shook her head. āNothing. The date theyāre arriving hasnāt changed, but the Barber did come by looking or you. He said he had something he wanted to discuss. The Driver came by as well, looking for a drinking partner. Strangely, we havenāt heard from either the Wine Master or the Gourmet in some time.ā
āGot it. Do me a favor and set a time for tonight with the Driver. Then get in contact with the Barber and see if heās in his shop. If he is, Iāll head over and see what he has to say. Ahh, I really am the absentee councilman arenāt I. Responsible for all this welcome party business and havenāt once gotten involved.ā
Keāer stuck out her bottom lip. āYouāve always been absent, boss, you know that.ā
āEhmā¦ā Lan Jueās easy smile froze on his face. After a quick moment, he recovered and snickered sheepishly. āYou guys are too good at your jobs, thatās why. With you all so good at your jobs, thereās no opportunity for me to boss anybody around. So whatās the point of having me here?ā
Xiuxiu quickly made contact with the gentlemen her boss had inquired over. āBoss, the Driver will come by and meet you tonight. He said heād like to take you to dinner. As for the Barber, he says heās in his shop. You can go find him there.ā
Leaving Zeusā Jewelry Shop, Ln Jueās heart was full of helplessness. When did my life get so fast paced, he complained to himself. Never enough hours in the day.
Lan Jue shook his head, and laughed at himself as he made his way to the Barberās shop.
The white storefront was attractive, with purple letters on the top to display its name.
This was the Barberās shop, where he not only did hairdressing but also make-up. Lan Jue faintly recalled that many famed and important people would come to the high-priced Barber for a ātreatment.ā Unfortunately, they were not members of the Avenue, and so were turned away.
The Barber was busy with a client when the Jewelry Master arrived. Much to Lan Jueās surprise, his client was none other than the Beautician.
The Beauticianās eyes followed Lan Jue as she followed his entrance in the mirror situated before her. She flashed him a sweet smile. Presumably, sheād forgotten about the rage-inducing beating she and her colleague had received so long ago.
Lan Jue waved at her in greeting. He didnāt trouble the Barber while he was working, and instead took up position upon a nearby sofa. Of course, the Barber was aware of his arrival.
āThe busy bee deigns to make an appearance. Such a rarity to see you out and about! So how can I help you today; a little cut and blow, perm, make-up?ā
Lan Jueās answer was delivered through a chuckle. āUnfortunately I donāt have the time. I have something in the afternoon that needs attending. What is being prepared for the big visit? Is there anything I can do to help?ā
At first he didnāt answer. The snip snip snip of his scissors filled the air as he finished off his work on the Beautician. Once the errant hairs and split ends were dealt with, he turned to Lan Jue.
āWeāre all aware of why the two castles are coming all the way out here. When they come, it wonāt only be the Wine Master but also the Clairvoyant who greets them. Iām aware of the history between the Pontiff and yourselfā¦ this is a matter that affects the whole of Skyfire Avenue. You mustnāt be impetuous.ā
Lan Jue nodded indifferently. āAlright.ā
The Barber went on. āIāve already done most of the preparation work. The actual reception is being handled by authorities with the Eastern Alliance. We need only wait here for them to arrive. The representatives of the Castle and Tower have been given lodgings in either the Skyfire Museum, or the Gothic Winery. Weāre asking that you remain in the Museum during this time.
Excitement flashed through Lan Jueās eyes. āIs that where Satanās party will be staying?ā
āVery well,ā Lan Jue said without pausing for thought.
āWeāll need to make sure we put this opportunity to good use,ā the Barber instructed. āWe have to face what comes, confront it. And we have their high technology to contend with. So far, the plan is to have five sparring competitions. Four will be one-on-one, and the final fight will be two groups of five. We need you to participate in at least two. Is this agreeable?ā
Lan Jue nodded. āSign me up for the one-on-one, and the group fight. So other than us here, who else is participating?ā
āThe Driver is back, and he took the initiative to join the group battle.ā The Barber watched Lan Jue closely as he spoke. āWe havenāt decided on the final one, yet. As for the one-on-ones, weāre also short-staffed. The Beautician and I wonāt be participating in that exchange.ā
Lan Jue nodded. He knew their combat abilities clearly, from the sparring exchange they had had. The Beautician was an expert in battlefield control, while the Barber was specialized in precise strikes. Together, they were a frightening team, but individually they werenāt up to snuff. As ninth-ranked first degree and second degree respectfully, fighting alone against the best the West had to offer was a gamble.
Of course the attending and resident Paragons would not be participating. With both Satan and the Pontiff in attendance, the entire exchange would have to be handled with special considerations. The Fallen Angel Lucifer, and the Archangel Metatron would be here, terrifying and contentious rivals.
āYouāre telling me Iām the only one whoās signed up for the one-on-one fights?ā Lan Jue balked.
āItās not that bad,ā the Barber assured. āThe Driver said heād also double-up. Weāre still missing three.ā
Lan Jue looked at him helplessly. āDo you think weād be able to convince the Wine Master to participate?ā
āAnd appear that incompetent? I have faith youāll find an answer,ā the Barber replied.
The Jewelry Master sighed at the prospect. āAlright, Iāll think on it. Iāll find some people for the job once Iāve come up with something.ā Already, a few faces were swimming through his mind.
The Driverās abilities were without question. Lan Jue was very familiar with his Talent. He shouldnāt have any trouble participating in two fights.
The missing member of their five-man team would also be a problem. With the Barber and Beautician among them, theyād need someone with pretty significant power to join in.
As for the individual battles, heād also need a powerful candidate.
āLeave the selection process up to me,ā he said. āAnd the rest will be your responsibility.ā As Lan Jue made his determination, he rose to his feet.
They watched him leave. The Beautician ā up until now silent as a mouse ā suddenly let out a gentle laugh. āYouāre so lazy. Guess, thoughā¦ who do you think heāll choose?ā
The Barber chortled. āHow can I know? The Avenue is too loosely organized. Weāre not even sure of how powerful our own council members are, much less anyone else. Let the Jewelry Master handle this. After all, heās had significant contact with almost all of the councilors, so he might know. Maybe heāll surprise us.ā
This caused the Beautician to shrug a lithe shoulder. āIām not so sure. He knows a few, perhaps, but only them. The Gourmet, the Seamstress, the Coffee Master, the Wine Masterā¦ who else?ā
āAt least the Mechanist and Accountant,ā he responded.
The Beautician frowned prettily. āThe Mechanist, that meat-head, he hardly counts. The Accountant is worse still. None of them are council members. As for the Gourmet, I heard heās never lifted a finger in violence, the whole time heās been part of the Avenue. How he even got a spot on the council, I canāt imagine. Other than cooking food, he doesnāt seem to be involved in anything else. He does have an excellent relationship with the Wine Master, but who knows his strength.ā
āWell, itās no longer any concern of ours,ā the Barber assured. āThe Wine Master has said that itāll be fine leaving it in the hands of the Jewelry Master. A pleasant surprise, I thought.ā
Leaving the Redbud Scultpury, Lan Jue stood on the side of the Avenue proper. He appeared to be lost in thought, but after a moment began walking.
He had a habit; when there were things to do, it was best to handle them quickly. There was no point in dragging oneās heels. Since heād agreed to handle it, what better time was there than the present?
āIām hungry.ā Lan Jue plopped himself before the Gourmetās prized table and threw his feet on to it. He regarded the Gourmet with a lopsided smile.
If his students could see him now, their Prince of Devils so relaxed and accessible, itād probably blow their minds.
The gourmet, sitting opposite him, stared blankly for a moment. He reached out, and shoved a plate of soda crackers towards his guest.
āI had no plans to cook this afternoon.ā
Lan Jue sighed. āSo I see. How about I cook you a meal, then?ā
āYou. Cook. For me?ā The Gourmet just looked at him in shock.
Lan Jue nodded emphatically. Without any further argument, he stood and made his way towards the kitchen situated in the back of the Gourmetās small shop.
The Gourmet looked as though he wanted to protest, but ultimately kept his mouth shut.
Before long, a hissing sound emerged from the kitchen. It was followed by a gust of aromatic steam, as though the ventilation system in the kitchen simply couldnāt contain it all.
There was a fresh, pleasant scent that followed. The steam caused him to sneeze, but his eyes lit up all the same. He replaced the soda biscuit in his hand upon the small tray before him. He leaned back against the back of his chair and waited, a small smile on his face.
Soon Lan Jue reappeared. He set the table with a trivet and a bowl of chili sauce. Then he placed the bowl before his friend.
The noodles within the steaming pot swam in boiled water and bean sprouts, with a dollop of chili sauce on top. The pungent scent quickly filled the whole room.
Lan Jue handed a pair of chopsticks to the Gourmet. He kept a pair for himself and, without any further courtesy, began stuffing his face.