Page 27 of The Wind Dancer
“In favor,” she said. Her voice was quiet, but full of confidence. “He is smart, cunning, and knows how to survive. The guild needs people like him. When we go to our ancestors, we must have worthy successors.”
Now my fate rested in Tang Fei’s hands.
He was leaning back in his chair, slowly stroking his chin, as if he was thinking carefully about it.
His eyes never moved from me, and I could feel his gaze digging into me, all the way down to my soul.
And then I noticed something strange.
His fingers, which just seemed to be tapping his jaw, were actually moving in a certain pattern, almost as though they were...
My heart skipped a beat.
I recognized that gesture.
I saw it last night.
It was a sign of the Secret Chancellery.
My throat went dry, and my blood ran cold.
I was screwed.
My eyes widened for a split second, but I quickly pulled myself together, trying not to show my surprise.
He had noticed my reaction. And there was a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. He knew I understood.
“Feng Lao,” he said, his voice calm, but the quiet threat beneath it was unmistakable. “You claim you are ready to serve the guild.”
He paused.
“But tell me, are you truly ready to serve its interests?”
The question carried a different meaning, and I caught on quickly. He was asking whether I was ready to serve the Secret Chancellery, an organization that I now realized had its tendrils in the guild as well. It might even have been puppeteering it from the shadows.
All eyes were on me, waiting.
But the most intriguing one was Tang Fei’s gaze. I saw this was more than just a question when I looked in his eyes.
This was a test.
My fate would be sealed if I gave the wrong answer.
I slowly bowed my head, choosing my words with extreme care.
“My mentor taught me that we serve the guild,” I began, my voice firm. I couldn’t let them know how taken aback I was. “I am ready to continue serving it as a master Shadow, paying my dues from each job.”
I paused.
“I am also aware that the guild’s true interests aren’t always obvious. I am ready to follow those who lead it to prosperity.”
My words hung in the air. Tang Fei smiled slightly. He stopped stroking his chin and nodded, as if satisfied with my answer.
“Then I vote in favor,” he said. His voice was calm, but I could feel the threat. “Remember, Feng Lao...” He paused, letting the words settle. “Your fate is in your hands now. Do not disappoint us.”
I nodded politely, but inside I was as tense as a bow string.
Were Mei Lin and Tang Fei working as a team?
