Li Yuan’s faction trained in the Martial Lodge, while the Blood Blade Sect was eager for support from the Sacred Fire Palace. When trouble came knocking from the outside, they deferred to the Blood Blade Patriarch. But if they could connect to the Sacred Fire Palace, Yu Chaojin saw no reason to waver in his loyalties.3

Some things could only be done, not spoken of.0

So, Yu Chaojin added, “Chengbao, some things can’t be accomplished by one person alone. Your brother married the daughter of a Sacred Fire Palace elder. We have to rely on him.”0

Lowering his head, Fang Chengbao sighed. “I just don’t want to get my hopes up again.”0

Yu Chaojin smiled faintly. “There’s plenty more disappointment to come.”0

After a pause, he said, “I heard you sent some people into various merchant guilds, some even joined the Purejade Merchant Association… all to look for your brother on the outside. Any news at all?”0

Fang Chengbao shook his head. “He disappeared on his wedding day. From the looks of things, the Red Lotus Cult probably took him…”  0

With that, he fell silent, and Yu Chaojin didn’t press further.  0

Once upon a time, Yu Chaojin had been desperate to seize the position...0