Jian Vareth — The Forbidden Blood Emperor

Eps 3

It was Wei, an older handyman who usually kept his head down and his mouth shut. Today, however, Wei’s eyes held a strange, flickering light that Jian was too exhausted to decipher.

"I have to stand, Wei. If I don't, Xiao Feng will find a reason to use the whip before breakfast."

"You shouldn't be out here," Wei whispered, stepping closer. "The whole mountain is whispering about what Ling Tian did to you on the stairs. They say you're a dead man walking."

"Then I’m a very busy ghost," Jian replied, his voice cracking like dry parchment. "Is there water? My throat feels like I’ve swallowed glass."

Wei handed him a small, chipped ceramic cup. "Drink. But listen to me. I’ve heard something. There is a task at the Alchemy Hall. An urgent one."

Jian paused, the water halfway to his lips. "The Alchemy Hall? Handymen aren’t allowed near the inner furnaces. That’s for the outer disciples."

"Usually, yes," Wei agreed, looking around nervously. "But there was an explosion in the third chamber last night. Soot everywhere. The disciples refuse to clean it because the fumes are still lingering. They need someone... expendable. Someone who won't complain about a bit of lung-burn."

Expendable. At least he’s honest, Jian thought. He drained the cup, feeling the cool liquid soothe the fire in his chest. "And why are you telling me this? Is it another trap?"

Wei looked hurt, though the expression felt a fraction too practiced. "A trap? Jian, they’re offering three extra spirit stones and a week’s ration of medicinal gruel for anyone who finishes the job by noon. You need the stones. You need to fix your roots before they wither completely."

"Three stones?" Jian’s heart gave a treacherous thud. It was a fortune for someone in his position. "Who is in charge of the hall today?"

"Elder Han is overseeing the inventory, but the task was sent down through the head steward," Wei said. "Go now, before someone else gets desperate enough to take it. Just tell the guard at the gate that Wei sent you for the 'Black Soot' duty."

"I... thank you, Wei. I didn't think anyone cared."

"Just get moving, lad. The sun is climbing."

Jian limped away, his mind a whirlpool of caution and hope. He knew the Sky Cloud Sect was a nest of vipers, but the promise of spirit stones was a lure he couldn't ignore. If he could gather enough resources, perhaps he could flee. Perhaps he could find a way to heal.

The Alchemy Hall loomed ahead, a massive structure of white stone and jade, smelling of sulphur and ancient, dried herbs. The air here was heavy, vibrating with the latent heat of a dozen active furnaces.

"Halt," the guard at the entrance barked, his spear crossing Jian's path. "Handymen aren't permitted here. Be gone before I lose my patience."

"I'm here for the Black Soot duty," Jian said, forced to look up at the guard. "Wei sent me. For the third chamber."

The guard’s eyes narrowed, then a slow, mocking grin spread across his face. "Ah. The volunteer. I suppose you're the one who crawled for Ling Tian yesterday, aren't you?"

"I'm here to work," Jian said, his jaw tightening.

"Work, then," the guard laughed, pulling back his spear. "Enter. Third chamber is at the end of the hall. Don't touch anything that isn't black, or you'll leave here in a jar."

Jian hurried past, his pulse racing. The interior of the hall was a labyrinth of steam and shadow. He found the third chamber easily; the door was charred, and a thick, oily smoke billowed from the cracks. Inside, the room was a disaster. Ash covered the delicate instruments, and a shattered cauldron lay in the centre like a carcass.

"Are you the boy?"

Jian jumped. A young woman in the robes of a junior alchemist was standing in the shadows, her face covered with a silk veil.

"Yes, Senior Sister. I’m here for the cleaning."

"Good," she said, her voice muffled. "Use the lye in that bucket. Be thorough. The Elder will be here within the hour to inspect the remaining stock. If there is a single speck of dust on the shelves, I'll have your skin."

"I understand," Jian said, already grabbing a rag.

"And here," she added, stepping closer. She reached out and tucked a small, embroidered pouch into the waistband of his trousers. "A protective talisman. The fumes in here can be... distracting. It will help you keep your focus."

"I... thank you, Senior Sister. That’s very kind of you."

"Don't thank me. Just finish the work," she said, turning away quickly.

Jian watched her leave, a flicker of genuine gratitude warming his cold heart. Not everyone is like Ling Tian. Maybe there’s still hope.

He worked with a feverish intensity. The soot was stubborn, staining his hands and face until he looked like a creature of the earth. The fumes made his head swim, but the 'talisman' she had given him seemed to thrum with a faint energy, keeping him upright. Every time he felt his strength fail, he thought of the three spirit stones.

One more shelf. Just one more.

As he reached for a high ledge near the back of the room, his fingers brushed against a cold, metallic box. He paused, remembering the guard’s warning. Don’t touch anything that isn't black. He pulled his hand back, focusing instead on the thick layer of grime on the floor.

"Progress report!"

The voice boomed through the chamber, cold and authoritative. Jian dropped his rag, spinning around to see an elderly man with a long, silver beard and eyes like flint. Behind him stood Ling Tian, Xiao Feng, and the junior alchemist from earlier.

"Elder Han!" Jian stammered, dropping to one knee. "I’m almost finished, sir."

"Is this the one, Ling Tian?" Elder Han asked, ignoring Jian entirely.

"It is, Elder," Ling Tian said, his voice smooth and laden with a feigned sadness. "A shame, really. I had hoped my lesson yesterday would have instilled some humility in him. Instead, it seems it only drove him to desperation."

Lesson? Desperation? Jian felt a cold shiver run down his spine. "I don't understand, Senior Brother Ling. I was told to clean this chamber."

"Silence, trash!" Xiao Feng shouted. "You were seen entering the restricted vault area while the Senior Sister was fetching more lye."

"I never left this room!" Jian cried out, looking at the junior alchemist. "Senior Sister, tell them! I’ve been here the whole time!"

The girl looked at the floor, her voice trembling. "I... I saw him near the vault door. I thought he was just curious. I didn't think he would actually... oh, Elder, it’s my fault for being so trusting!"

Jian’s world began to tilt. "You’re lying! You gave me the talisman! You told me to work!"

"Talisman?" Elder Han’s eyes sharpened. "What talisman? We do not give handymen protective charms."

"In my waistband!" Jian reached for the pouch she had given him. "She gave it to me! She tucked it right—"

He froze. His fingers didn't find a soft silk pouch. Instead, they brushed against a hard, round object hidden within the folds of his coarse tunic. With a sinking heart, he pulled it out.

It wasn't a talisman. It was a jade vial, etched with the symbol of a golden dragon.

The silence that followed was suffocating.

"The Dragon Marrow Pill," Elder Han whispered, his face turning a terrifying shade of crimson. "The most valuable treasure in this hall. A pill meant for the Sect Leader’s own breakthrough."

"I... I didn't... she put it there!" Jian screamed, pointing at the girl. "She told me it was a talisman!"

"A handyman accusing an alchemist?" Ling Tian sighed, shaking his head. "How far you have fallen, Jian. To steal is one thing, but to lie with such pathetic cowardice? It’s beneath even you."

"I didn't steal it!" Jian’s voice rose to a shriek. "Xiao Feng, you know I didn't! Wei sent me here! He told me about the stones!"

"Wei?" Xiao Feng laughed, a harsh, jagged sound. "Old Wei has been in the infirmary with a broken leg for three days.