Bab 36: Bamboo Silk House Lays Claim (Part 2)

"Explain. You know I have little trust for the Hall Master's schemes when the scales aren't balanced between us," Wu Ningli said, still scowling darkly at the idea her delicate son would be forced into a Dark Mission. "Right now, she has too much strength and I have too little to offer her, that never makes for a good bargain."

"And here I thought that you and Hall Master Bian were friends," the other woman said. "You certainly killed enough people for her."

"We are friends," Wu Ningli acknowledged. "But she's still a Hall Master and I'm still just an Elder. She's always been clear that our friendship is limited by the roles we occupy and the responsibilities we both have. That's why I can't ever trust her the way I trust you. If it comes down to me or the sect, she'll choose the sect. Again," she said bitterly. "But tell me about this Dark Mission and why you think it's good that I allow her to assign it to my little man."