Cha Ming, hidden beneath a black cloak, pushed through the crowd. No maids or attendants came to ask him if he needed help getting a seat. Instead, he proceeded to the private rooms at the back, where he’d already detected the man he was going to meet. The door slid open as he approached, revealing the usually well-dressed man covered from head to toe in black robes and a black cloak. Cha Ming stepped in and closed the door behind him.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice,” Prince Shen said, taking down the hood of his cloak. “I realize it’s trying on your loyalties to come meet me. And let me be clear up front about this. I am about to ask you to work against your current employer, the Blackthorn Conglomerate.”
This was a test, of course. If Cha Ming hadn’t used the seal, as part of the “Protection of Client Interests” clause of his contract, he would be forced to immediately leave or face the consequences of his contract.
Cha Ming sat down calmly, his contract well insulated by the shadows surrounding it. He accepted a cup of wine and took a drink—a sign of trust and acceptance of the man’s superiority. “If my priorities are between the Ji Kingdom—my birthplace—and the Blackthorn Conglomerate—my employer—I will, of course, choose the former, assuming the damage I cause isn’t too great.”
“It seems I didn’t misjudge you,” Prince Shen said, lifting his glass in a toast. “You’re a patriot, but you’re also a man who values all his relationships. I’ll make sure you’re well compensated for the trouble.”
Cha Ming smiled and didn’t reject the man. They both knew how this game of self-interest and feigned loyalty was played. “What might you be needing this lowly one for?” Cha Ming asked.
“Far from lowly,” Prince Shen said. “From what I’ve been told by Director Yong, you’re effectively the linchpin and mastermind of the Breaker Project. The project can’t be finished on time without you, and you know every bit of the project as well as the back of your hand, all this despite your lack of knowledge in alchemy and general formation arts.”
“I’ve more than dabbled in many things I find interesting,” Cha Ming said. “But yes, you’re right. I am currently the best informed. You might also want to know that, in secret, I’m also skilled enough to replicate the entire project, alchemical portions and all.”
The crown prince’s glass paused midway to his mouth. He looked at Cha Ming intensely and lowered the glass to the table, then put both his hands together. “So you’re telling me that, should someone with priority over your contract wish for you to replicate the full Breaker prototype, you could do so? Unaided?”
“Yes,” Cha Ming answered simply. This way, he could keep the prince dependent on him and keep the others out of his scheme.
“That definitely changes things,” the prince said, tapping his fingers on the desk. “We’d thought we’d need to requisition your entire crew, but if it’s just you, then we need not introduce potential weak points in our plan.”
“And what, might I ask, is your plan?” Cha Ming said. “Clearly it’s not taking over the project, as you could have already used your royal authority to do that.”
“Taking over the project would demoralize the Blackthorn Conglomerate,” Prince Shen said. “Plus, they have the backing of the Spirit Temple, so without enough reason, I can’t take them over. Their work is important, however. My royal father and I are both responsible for the project, despite our lack of control. If anything should go wrong or should the Blackthorn Conglomerate grow too greedy and try to extort us, we’d have little recourse but to accept. Even at the end of the project, they will be the ones in sole possession of the blueprints and prototype for the Breaker. The knowledge will be in their hands and their hands only, despite our duty to oversee the project. I’m sure you can see how this puts us at a disadvantage.”
“Then do you want me to leave the Blackthorn Conglomerate and join you?” Cha Ming asked.
“Seven hells, no,” Prince Shen said. At the mention of hells, Cha Ming took note of the faint yellow aura surrounding him. Sinful, but not overly so. “I want you to remain where you are and not reveal your external loyalties. The timeline is more important than anything else. If you should have time, however, I wish for you to record both the construction method and blueprints pertaining to Project Breaker. I also want you to build me a prototype.”
“A full prototype,” Cha Ming said flatly. “Amount of time aside, the material cost would be astronomical. You’d need to secretly supply me with the requisite materials without alerting the Blackthorn Conglomerate.”
“You can’t just have them disappear in some sort of experimental mishap?” Prince Shen said, frowning. “A full prototype is required. With it, and the blueprints, we won’t be beholden to the Blackthorn Conglomerate should they choose to double-cross us. Their management is, after all, from the North. They’re not patriots like we are.”
“My reputation is impeccable,” Cha Ming said. “If I suddenly started doing something like stealing materials, they’d suspect me. I understand your need for a prototype, but it will need to be built from materials you supply.”
“I see,” Prince Shen said. “Very well. You’ll need to send me a list of what you need. But before we do anything, I’ll need you to sign a contract.”
“Naturally.” Cha Ming said. No one did business in the South without a contract. Such an act was seen both as stupid and suicidal.
The prince placed a sheaf of golden paper on the table, which Cha Ming read through in detail. Aside from his deliverables, it stated Prince Shen was responsible for materials and discretion on
