As Jin returned to the endless battlefield of the burning phoenix, he thought that he would immediately encounter a series of enemies to contend with. But as the Astral Panda Cultivator opened his eyes, Jin saw a lady waiting for him at the bench where Ming and he used to sit.
It was only then he realised it was because she was strikingly beautiful compared to the rest of the background which was littered with dead bodies and faceless soldiers staying their blades against Jin.
"Come, grandchild of Ming. Have a seat and have a short chat." Suzaku said as her burning bright red hair was the main allure of her physical features. Jin believed that this was one of the rare opportunities where he could converse with the Four Cardinals Lords, just as how he was given the chance to talk to Genbu before he took action against the examinee. Thus, Jin sheathed his blade and walked slowly to the bench as Suzaku looked at him with a peculiar stare.
As much as the Panda Cultivator tried to activate his inverse eyes, he was not able to discern anything from her, not even her power level. He did not know if it was her overwhelming ability or Suzaku had blocked his 'third' sight from even scanning her.
"Not very gentlemanly of you to do that," Suzaku said with much indifference that Jin did not know whether it was a threat or a casual remark.
"I apologise. After being backstabbed too many times, I tend to err at the cautious side." Jin said and he could see that Suzaku broke her stoic expression ever so slightly to accommodate his apology. As Jin sat beside her, he could feel that her hair was not much of a danger as he thought it would be. Sure, it was burning with sparks of fire flying out of it but there was nothing burning, especially the old wooden bench that they were sitting on.
"Tell me. What prompts you to return to this weary battlefield. What are you fighting for?" Suzaku asked without looking at the Astral Panda Cultivator and instead continued to stare at the broken endless battlefield that was right in front of her.
"I heard of the tales that my grandfather had said about you. How people wished to have a piece of you – erm a feather from you."
"You are not exactly answering that question." Suzaku interrupted Jin's explanation and he stumbled a little and sighs for a moment.
"I think without explanation, you will find my reason to do so to be ridiculously simple. It is to train myself up."
"By passing the trial that your grandfather imposed on you?" Suzaku questioned.
"You could say that. I have no other ill intentions against you nor I wished to harm you a single bit just for some rumoured feather."
"Even with the fact that you might die in the real world as compared to the others who have a chance of resurrecting back?"
"And then chase a goal for the rest of my life that might be intangible in its results?" Jin returned the question with his own.
"What do you exactly mean?" Suzaku still did not turn her head towards him.
"Your feathers, do they honestly have resurrective powers? And even if they do, can it really resurrect me when I am cursed by heaven's decree?"
"You are taunting me to show my ability to you so that you can have desires fulfilled?" Suzaku questioned once more and Jin shook his head.
"That is not what I meant." Jin was wondering whether Suzaku had been betrayed by many in the past for her to say such remarks. "I am saying I do not need your feathers at all. I am fine with my current life and I will accept the consequences should death befall me. Heck, sure I might invest some money and resources to find out if I could be resurrected but surely not at the expense of you if you are not willing to assist."
At that point, Suzaku turned her head slowly and gave a blank look at Jin, unsure of what he had said previously.
"In simple terms, I am training myself in your battlefield and wish to be just your friend. Not because I want your feather for my selfish purpose but it seems you have been trapped in your world for far too long, not trusting anyone. I would merely want to let you know, not all humans are like this. Although if you feel that I am worthy of your friendship and comradery, and you would like to gift me a feather of yours, I would not say no to it."
"Sounds like you are using me after I used you."
"If you wish to put it that way, then I am fine with it. After all, I am a businessman so bantering is my middle name." Jin shrugged off Suzaku's concerns as if it was not much of a big deal. "Besides, you are not the only phoenix like creature I know. I have a phoenix under my care too so you could be friends with her if you like. Oh, but that is assuming I am able to let you guys out of this hellhole."
At that point, Suzaku pondered for a moment before breaking a small smile out from her face. "That would indeed be nice. To have a friend similar to me."
"Yeah, better than friending some humans. Trust me, when you are this high up the ladder of power, the lesser friends you have. So, it's good to know that most of my minions take me as a friend rather than someone who they have to obey. In any case, I should get going. Got a trick in my sleeve I got to try. Thanks for the battlefield in advance!" Jin said as he gave a gentle pat on Suzaku's back before walking into the battlefield.
"As what Ming had said. He is different from the other people I meet.." Suzaku whispered as she continued to stay for a while longer to see Jin struggled against the faceless soldiers that were once her enemies.
