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Jin Guangshan stood outside of the Glamour Hall corridor, having no such intentions of leaving the upper garden gazebo. From here, he could see everything he needed to. A boy, who looked a bit younger than his eldest son, stood conversing with a Jin Palace Guard. Just the sight of him..... Jin Guangshan passively bit along his thumbnail; Madam Jin could not know this boy was here.
For extra measure, and to curb his own anxiety, Jin Guangshan hurriedly scanned the area for any such sight of her.
"And your mother's name? Speak with haste." The guard snapped.
Meng Yao tilted his chin up a bit more, and respectfully met the cultivator's unwelcoming gaze-- the boy at least had manners.
"My mother was Meng Shi…. She and Sect Leader Jin were together for quite some time. But during her final years, he stopped visiting as much.. I understand why… But--"
"Enough. Don't look me in the eyes while speaking of your mother's shameless affairs. Do you have any proof that you're related to Sect Leader Jin at all? If not, you're wasting people's time." The guard spat, effortlessly talking over Meng Yao. In turn, he clenched one of his fists, and brought it to his chest. He briefly shut his eyes and inhaled, before outstretching his arm to offer something to the guard. A decently-sized yellow pearl was placed into the older man's palm.
"It was a gift. My mother treasured it until the day she passed. It was originally a necklace, but I had to pawn the precious metal for food.. But I couldn't do the same with this. It's a pearl from Lianyunqang…" Meng Yao calmly explained, his fingers nearly shaking as they departed from the precious mineral. The guard studied it a moment, before shifting back on his heels. He gave Meng Yao a squint.
"Wait here. Don't move." He simply ordered, before he turned to head up the final set of steps that led to the corridor.
Having been watching from afar, Jin Guangshan waited tensely as the guard approached him.
"Well? What did he say?" Jin Guangshan tightly inquired, both of his arms crossed. His eyes were still flitting about, fearing the sudden appearance of his dreaded wife. Even if the brat wasn't his kin.. the insinuation would send her into a rage, he was sure of it!
"Sect Leader Jin." The guard bowed, before offering forth the pearl.
"He says he is Meng Yao. Son of a madam known as Meng Shi…. He claimed this pearl to be a gift from you, to his late mother." He stated.
Jin Guangshan inhaled through his nose and made a dismissive scoffing sound. He made no motion to reach for the pearl. He recognized it-- but it meant nothing to him. How bothersome… The spawn of he and a prostitute from years ago had traveled all this way to insert himself so readily. And on his eldest's birthday of all days!
"Meng Yao?" Jin Guangshan sneered.
"Forget it. The name isn't familiar on my ears in the slightest. I don't recall a woman called Meng Shi either. That street urchin probably stole that clan-exclusive pearl , anyhow. Grind it into dust."
Jin Guangshan flipped open his fan and turned to leave. He was no longer interested in this meeting. But he worried the boy may push to still meet him , even if he was informed he'd be escorted out of Koi Tower.. maybe if he was roughed up a bit, he wouldn't have the energy.
"Ah, and… So that he learns his lesson for lashing such a dishonest tongue… Give the boy a good push down the steps. Escort him out after this. And if he can't get up, carry him out and toss him outside."
There was a smooth, malicious drift in Jin Guangshan's tone; it sounded like a harmless sigh, but carried the edge of a sharpened dagger. He wouldn't give Meng Yao the time of day. He had far more pressing matters to attend to.
The Guard bowed once more as he departed the gazebo. He would carry out these instructions without any qualms.. After all, this brat had interrupted his drinking break.
When The Guard began descending the upper flight of steps, Meng Yao looked up hastily. He'd been digging his fingernail into the palm of his hand as he'd waited, and it pressed even deeper into the flesh when he saw no sign of Jin Guangshan….
The guard wasted no time.
"Lying bastard! You bear nothing but the surname of a prostitute! Sect Leader Jin knows nothing of a Meng Yao or Meng Shi-- what an act you've pulled!" He tossed the pearl into the brick, prompting Meng Yao to act quickly.
"What..?? I'm being honest! It was a gift! It's a pearl only Jin Clan nobles can obtain, there's no way-- wait, don't..!" Meng Yao moved towards the guard when he saw his boot hover over the discarded pearl, but it moved far too quickly. It was ground into the firm bricked path with a delicate 'crunching' sound.
Meng Yao stumbled to his knees before the guard's firmly planted boot, immediately feeling an unbearable knot well up in his throat. He threw his hands open the man's boot and tried shoving at it, his breaths etching out rigidly. His vision was starting to grow blurry with hot moisture..
"Stop it..! Don't step on it! Its mother's…. It's all I….!" He was cut off by a brutal hand, it grasped his light-colored locks and forcibly tugged Meng Yao to his feet. He cried out in discomfort and grabbed at the guard's wrist, but he was far smaller.
"Quiet! You dare make such a ruckus during The Young Master's birthday banquet?? You're just as shameless as your harlot mother!"
The Guard momentarily released Meng Yao, but before the boy could stabilize himself, the Jin guard slammed the sole of his boot directly into his midsection-- sending him well over the edge of the large flight of palace steps.
It all happened so quickly. Meng Yao knew he'd been kicked, the breath knocked out of him, he was falling… but only for a moment. The first time he made impact, he was on his back. A sharp, violent pain shook his lumber and right shoulder, reverberating through his body like unforgiving tidal waves. Then he landed on his side, his cheek was rubbed raw this time-- again, again, again.. until adrenalin numbed his nerves. He knew he'd reached the bottom when the momentum died, along with his stilled, throbbing body. Things looked darker… the salt of his tears stung the wound on his cheek, but it was the only external pain he felt in this moment.
He heard shouting… more guards…? His consciousness seemed to have slowed, like a damaged reel. The echoing words drifted over him, sounding far yet oh so close..
"A man kicking a child down the steps-- I wouldn't care if the Chief Cultivator ordered such a thing! Do not touch those weaker than you!"
"Young Master Nie, I was only doing as I was told…! Ah, please calm down.. it's not like I disfigured him or-- Kah..!"
Meng Yao blinked his dazed eyes when he heard the resounding impact of a punch, and a body stumbling to the ground. Ah.. someone had seen…? He didn't know who such a loud, booming voice belonged to… But he didn't want to move his neck to try and look.. It hurt.
However, in a matter of seconds, Meng Yao felt the sensation of careful palms moving in to sit him upright. He grunted as another wave of sharp pains seized his body, reaching out to tightly grip the person's robe sleeve. He found himself staring up at an unfamiliar face… The man had dark hair, and chiseled features. This wasn't someone from Lanling Jin… was it?
"Can you stand?"
He asked. His voice was far calmer now.. but still a force. It reminded Meng Yao of thunder.
"I… I'm not sure…" He nearly whispered, attempting to sit up straighter himself.
"You.. you don't have to help me up. I don't…"
The stranger abruptly placed two fingers over Meng Yao's chest, slipping his eyes shut. Meng Yao gasped softly when he felt the sudden heat of spiritual energy swim through his veins-- but immediately, his muscles relaxed.
"It's not much. Your cultivation level is low, so I'm only able to offer trace amounts. Don't force yourself to stand if you can't."
This man sounded so commanding.. Yet, here he was.. helping him. Even a stranger could do such a thing. But not his own father… not his own family. Meng Yao felt himself fall into another daze at the recollection. He didn't respond.
"Young Master Nie! Step away from him at once. Orders have been passed to ensure this outsider is escorted out promptly. You've already injured one Jin guard… let's handle things quietly."
Stated an encroaching voice. Another round of Jin Palace guards were closing in on the two. Meng Yao felt the stranger tense against his body-- what a scary amount of muscle he had…
"Back off!" He barked.
The Jin Guards paused in their advance, briefly looking to one another before the lead guard spoke again.
"Nie Mingjue… This is a private matter. No one needs to draw their weapon over such a thing, if you would please--"
"I said back off! If you want him off your turf so bad, then I'll take him with me!"
Nie Mingjue challenged. This statement gave Meng Yao enough rouse to blink his eyes wide and look up at the older teen. What was he saying??
Before things could potentially get out of hand, everyone's collective attention seemed to turn back towards the tower steps. Meng Yao followed suit. Another man was descending… he favored in looks with this Nie Mingjue that had come to his aid.. and he looked just as hostile. Once he reached the bottom platform, the guards collectively stepped back.
"Sect Leader Nie…"
"What seems to be the problem here? One of you. Speak at once." Nie Guiren sounded impatient.. but none of the guards looked comfortable with answering. Nie Mingjue immediately took advantage.
"Tch! Such cowardice. They had no such hesitation when sending this kid over the steps and watching him tumble to the bottom." He bitterly drew out. Nie Guiren gazed upon his son briefly, before his sharp gaze went back to the guards. There was a long moment of tense silence.
"Is this true, men?" Nie Guiren eventually inquired. His voice was just as intimidating as Nie Mingjue's, if not more… The lead guard cleared his throat.
"It was an order from Sect Leader Jin… That's really all I know."
Nie Guiren sighed gruffly, tracing his large fingers along the hilt of his saber. He seemed to be calculating something.. merely watching this made Meng Yao on edge.
"I'll speak with Sect Leader Jin about this. Go back to your patrolling duties." He ordered the guards, before turning to his son and Meng Yao.
"And you two-- come with me."