They continued the tour, passing a few classrooms until they found one where inner members were learning. These students used instruments and performing arts in their duels. The elite students in the bunch would often be pitted against several lesser students. It was just like the Red Dust Pavilion. The parallels shouldn’t have surprised Hong Xin, since their origins were the same, but it did anyway. Ice and fire were opposites. Her own core, a combined core of dousing and kindling power, was still an amalgamation of forces that were kept separate, lest they fight against each other. It was a miracle she’d succeeded, and anyone who’d succeeded after her had done so because of her direct intervention.
“It seems we’re not so different after all,” Hong Xin said as they walked into a small room near the main audience chamber. Two attendants poured them tea. Cold tea, but it was still better than no tea. For a moment, she was tempted to warm it with a wisp of fire qi but thought better of it. The Icy Heart Pavilion hadn’t chilled their tea when they’d visited, so she would show them the same respect.
“The same seeds sprout different trees, but they’ll always share the same origins,” Headmistress Lan said, taking a sip of her chilled beverage. Tiny ice crystals floated atop it, refusing to either melt or expand.
“Trees that share the same origins often grow in the same locations,” Hong Xin said. “Not only is there safety from the wind in numbers, but both male and female trees are needed to expand a forest.”
Headmistress Lan raised an eyebrow. “You’re proposing that we mate?”
Bai Ling spat out some of her tea. She tapped her chest as she coughed, expelling some of the liquid that had gone down the wrong way.
“I propose that we work together,” Hong Xin said, ignoring Bai Ling. “Merge. Since our training methods are so similar, and our roots are the same, it makes perfect sense to share a household.”
“Ah,” Headmistress Lan said. She looked to her two attendants, who left in a hurry. Only the four of them remained. “I suppose I should have expected you to say such a thing. The heiress of the household always seeks to take prosperous branch families back into the fold. Forgive me, but I’ll have to decline.”
“Why so quick to decide?” Hong Xin asked. “There are advantages to sharing a united front. We even have members who dual cultivate kindling and dousing. Your members could gain the same opportunities.”
Headmistress Lan shook her head. “Our philosophies are completely different. We are cold and uncaring, and proudly so. Emotions are nothing but a distraction in this cold and ruthless world. To survive, to thrive, we must numb ourselves.
“On the other hand, the Red Dust Pavilion believes that passion is required to grow. Without it, no one can achieve anything. Those who repress their emotions are doomed to mediocrity and failure. Am I right?”
Hong Xin frowned. “With all due respect, I’m living proof that these two don’t contradict each other,” she said, summoning a ball of ice and a ball of flame in each hand.”
“A wonderful point,” Ling Fei said. “And it only makes sense that a talented cultivator in both our arts could lead us. Only someone like Headmistress Hong could lead us to greatness.”
“Yes, indeed,” Headmistress Lan said. “We would be blessed for such an opportunity. Let’s fetch the paperwork right now and get ready to move in.” Their sarcasm wasn’t lost on Hong Xin.
“I said nothing about leadership,” Hong Xin said.
“It is implied,” Headmistress Lan said sharply. “Which is all the more reason why this is impossible. If we join the Red Dust Pavilion under your leadership, our members will be relegated to the lower ranks.” Her eyes widened, and she put her hand to her mouth. “Unless, are you willing to accept our leadership? I promise we wouldn’t do anything like that. Really.”
“You’re taking our proposal a little lightly,” Bai Ling interjected. “I didn’t think jesting was what the Icy Heart Pavilion did.”
“Sarcasm is completely consistent with our arts,” Headmistress Lan said. “And your lack of understanding on the subject is one more reason why this is bad idea.”
“Perhaps we should have this discussion another time,” Hong Xin said. “We should continue to get to know one another.”
Headmistress Lan shook her head. A rare smile touched her lips. “Any such meetings would be tainted by your intent. They wouldn’t be about mutual understanding, but conversion.” Before Hong Xin could object, Headmistress Lan continued. “Leadership is only the first of many problems. I’m fully aware of what’s in your possession. With the Icy Heart Oath Stone, who would dare move into the same house? You possess our ultimate weakness. We would be mice in a cat’s playhouse, free until the cat decides it’s hungry. Even if you say that’s not your intent, how can a woman like me believe you? Don’t you have a few dozen enslaved members in the Red Dust Pavilion?”
“We were forced to do it,” Hong Xin said with clenched teeth. “They broke us in that school. They trapped us and killed many of our friends. They deserve every bit of their punishment.” Noticing her emotions boiling over, Hong Xin doused her feelings and returned to a calmer state of mind. Headmistress Lan waited for her to finish cooling down before serving her another cup of tea.
“Perhaps,” Headmistress Lan said. “I, too, despise them. But what of the other few dozen members
