Master of The Azure Palace Chapter 17: Rising Dragons (2)

Read chapter 17 of Master of The Azure Palace by AzulConVerde on NovelPedia.

Lán sat in the crystal clear lake inside his mind, deep in meditation. He felt as the calm lake shook around him as he focused. He was training the skill he had developed during the attack a month ago. It was not mentioned in the Tome of The Azure Palace, so he called it the Azure Eye. He could only keep the effect of slowed time for about five seconds before his head rang with pain. His focus shook for a second and he lost concentration, the lake trembled for a second before returning to its usual calm demeanor. “At least this month of training has paid off” he thought to himself, as he stared at the newly built third floor of the Azure Palace, its doors waiting in anticipation. Lán sighed as he looked out of his carriage's window at the long line ahead of him. The entrance to Huayin was extremely crowded as another dozen carriages flooded the gates to the city. Mount Hua could be seen in the distance, a white eagle circling the sky around it. He peered into the city, it was bustling with activity, all sorts of people with all kinds of shapes and sizes came and went, Lán could instantly tell apart the Martial Artists from the commonfolk, they wore swords, maces, lances and all sorts of weaponry as they spoke loudly and told stories of their heroism. Many traveled in groups, hoping to bring fame to their sect, clan or school. Even If one didn’t make it to the end of the Rising Dragon Tournament, success as a group could bring fame to all of them. Lán's eyes glossed over as he waited anxiously, he was still nervous about leaving Húchéng, even though he left it in the capable hands of Saman Pa and Su Youlan, he couldn't help but worry. What if he wasn't there when it mattered? What if something happened and he couldn't help, again? He pushed the thoughts out of his mind as the carriage passed the main gate. He filled the necessary paperwork and the carriage trundled forward through the busy streets, Shú had told him to meet her in an inn called The Lake Of Seven Immortals. Once he got there he understood why Shú had suggested the place. A gigantic, brownish-red horse stood in the stables outside, alongside many other fancy and well kept horses. Servants ran in and out of the inn fetching all kinds of belongings, from weapons to fancy robes. The Lake Of Seven Immortals was the inn where the most promising youths that would participate in the Rising Dragon tournament resided. All of them were of great renown, and as such many lords and ladies flocked to the inn hoping to recruit them. It had cost Lán a considerable sum of money to rent a room here, thankfully the Lúse Family would have no more money troubles for the considerable future. Lán struggled to get out of the carriage and into his wheelchair, the pain in his shoulder was still fresh and he couldn't put too much weight on it. He had considered traveling with guards but decided that traveling in anonymity was better, he would not put more people in danger until he had the power to defend them. Lán was suddenly lifted from behind and placed gently into his chair. “Here let me help you with that,” a man behind him said. Lán looked back embarrassed but thankful for the help, a solid slab of muscle stared back at him, the man was wearing a long white deel, a traditional mongolian garment that was somewhat uncommon around these parts. “Thank you” Lán replied as he straightened himself in his seat “I am called Lán, what may I call you” “I’m Batu. Are you staying here for the Rising Dragon Tournament?” he asked. “I am, I assume so are you. If you are staying here you must be a warrior of great renown. Please tell me, what brought you this far from Mongolia?” Lán asked. Batu looked surprised, he carried his mongolian heritage with pride, but Chinese people rarely knew where he came from, they usually just assumed he was some foreigner. “You honor me friend, I am but a humble wanderer of the Jianhu” Batu replied “My mother was Chinese and implored me to visit her homeland some years