“Then what’s the problem?” Wang Jun asked.
“The problem,” Hong Xin said. “Is that they’re cold-hearted psychopaths. And they’re training others to be the same.”
“It’s a common problem,” Wang Jun said. “At least a third of the high-ranking executives in Gold Leaf City have this trait. As do one in fifty normal people.”
“Fair enough,” Hong Xin said. “I’m just concerned. What if they do something terrible, like those sold to the Spirit Temple did? I know anyone could do it, but isn’t it much more likely in their case?”
“Then we should preemptively arrest every cultivator in the world,” Wang Jun said, sitting down on a chair beside her desk. “For I can hardly think of anyone better equipped to commit crimes.”
Hong Xin shot him an irritated glare. “Perhaps I just don’t approve of the way they’re training their new recruits. They’re helpless girls who don’t know any better. They take them and break them just like they did to us. They have them sign contracts that effectively make them indentured servants until their training is over. I’ve been through what those girls are going through, Wang Jun, and it’s not pretty. Many of us died back then. I’ll not have any more helpless women subjected to brutal torture.”
Wang Jun remained silent for a moment. “Is that a decision you can make for them? Can you deprive them of that choice?”
“I just don’t know,” Hong Xin moaned helplessly. “But heavens know I want to.”
He nodded in understanding. “Morality can be gray sometimes. In most cases, there is no right or wrong answer. What matters is whether you’re willing to do what it takes to get what you want.”
Hong Xin frowned. “That’s new. More teachings from your mysterious master?”
Wang Jun coughed lightly. “More something I heard in passing.”
Hong Xin shook her head. “I’d love to entertain you, but I should get back to work. I have many things to look over before the evening rush.”
The sky was dark, and it was just after dinnertime. There were still many hours left in the night.
“I’ll come to visit soon,” Wang Jun said into her ear. He moved to leave, then hesitated. “Why don’t you want Cha Ming to know about you? He’s worried sick, you know. He blames himself.”
Hong Xin pursed her lips. “I don’t think he needs to know what I’ve been through, or what I’ve become.”
“A powerful, independent woman?” Wang Jun asked.
“A frightened but dangerous lady, who lives on lies and playing with the hearts of men,” Hong Xin said. “He doesn’t need to know that or the dangers I’m facing. He’ll butt right into them and meddle in my affairs. Besides, you have no right to talk. You left out quite a few details yourself.” She sighed. “I may have had Mistress Huang report to me after your meeting.”
“He’s always been an idealist,” Wang Jun admitted. “Though, he’ll hardly be pure after he does what I’ve asked him to do.”
“Destroy a bunch of bad guys and upset them?” Hong Xin asked.
“Lie, hide, and instigate,” Wang Jun said. “These three things go against his character, and I’m truly not sure if he’ll follow through with them. If he can’t, such is life. I can’t do it myself, and none of my people are capable of accomplishing it.”
“Lying and hiding seem easy enough,” Hong Xin said. “But I have issues with instigation.”
“It’s not much different than blackmail,” Wang Jun said, standing up and walking beside her. “Except with instigation, you pull the trigger instead of threatening to.” He pulled her into an embrace and kissed her cherry-red lips. He didn’t know how long the moment lasted, only that it wasn’t long enough. She pulled away from him with a conflicted look in her eyes.
“Hiding is difficult too,” Hong Xin whispered. “I have to hide, I know that, but I wish I didn’t.” She rested her hand on his chest and felt its soft heaving as he breathed.
“When I sort out things with my family, and the Spirit Temple is dealt with, you won’t have to,” Wang Jun said softly. “I’ll marry you out in the open. I’ll take you back to your family and apologize to them. We’ll live a happy life together. I promise.”
“I hope so,” Hong Xin said. She looked at the clock on the wall, then winced. “I really need to get back to work. There’s much to do, and so little time.”
He planted a kiss on her cheek. Then, when her eyes were still closed, he walked into a shadow and vanished. Hong Xin continued trudging along until the sun disappeared behind the horizon.
In most cases, there is no right or wrong answer. What matters is whether you’re willing to do what it takes to get what you want, Wang Jun thought as he flitted through shadow after shadow, killing time as the sun set on Gold Leaf City. The many shops closed one after another, carefully ushering out needy customers who refused to leave at the stated closing time. Most people returned home from work, and a minority wandered between restaurants and taverns or engaged in more secretive activities. There was little you couldn’t buy in the capital of the Golden Kingdom.
“Oh, how the rich are careful,” Wang Jun said, watching one such transaction between an older man and a woman far too young for him. His voice didn’t carry far enough to reach anyone’s ear. As he walked, his footsteps echoed strangely, the sounds shooting back at him and no one else.
He took a step, and his surroundings shifted to that of a cleaner place. It was a wealthy residential area with rows of gated mansions. Every gate had a couple of guards, and even more cultivators patrolled the streets to chase miscreants out, redirecting them to less affluent areas.
Unlike the poorer districts in town, no garbage littered
