Midnight.
The room was still.
I sat cross-legged on the floor, carefully wiping down the length of my sword. The lantern beside me flickered, casting shadows across the blade's silver surface. Each movement was deliberate, almost ceremonial.
Then—soft footsteps.
Liyu entered, dressed in traveling robes, her voice calm but edged with urgency.
> "Master, everything is ready. We can leave now."
I stood, sliding the sword back into its sheath with a soft click.
> "Good. Let's go."
One night and one day later...
We arrived at the city gates of Tianxia Guo.
The city sprawled before us—its skyline punctured by tiled rooftops, red lanterns swaying in the summer wind. But everything felt... different.
I pulled the curtain aside, staring out from the carriage.
> "It looks like this place has changed so much," I murmured, my voice distant.
Beside me, Liyu straightened.
> "Which place have you chosen for us to stay?" I asked, eyes still on the streets outside.
> "I found a good area for the shop. It's a quiet district," she said. "The building has a beautiful back garden with a pond. There's a large room upstairs where we can stay comfortably."
> "Good. What about workers?"
> "There's also a spacious room behind the shop for them, Master."
I nodded
> "Nice."
Suddenly, the carriage slowed. Voices rose outside—firm, demanding.
I parted the curtain again.
A group of soldiers had stopped us. Their uniforms bore the golden emblem of the emperor's crest.
One of them called out:
> "Where are you coming from? This road is reserved for imperial officers only!"
I leaned back in my seat.
> "Liyu," I said calmly. "Take care of it."
She jumped down and approached them without fear.
> "What's going on?" she asked. "Why are you blocking our path?"
A soldier stepped forward, smirking.
> "This road is restricted. You can't just barge through like commoners."
> "We just arrived," Liyu explained. "We didn't know about this rule. We're leaving now."
But another voice cut in—deeper, more commanding.
> "You can't leave like this. You need to pay for violating imperial roadways."
Liyu blinked, stunned.
> "What?! I told you we didn't know. Why should I pay?"
The man stepped forward.
He was young—broad-shouldered, sharp-jawed, with a confident smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
> "My name is Han Rui. If you've got a problem, take it up with the emperor. But I doubt he'll care."
Liyu was speechless.
I opened the carriage door and stepped down, slowly.
> "You're Han Rui?" I asked, my tone light.
He looked amused.
> "Yeah. You got a problem with that?"
Han Rui. The only son of the powerful Han family—textile tycoons of Tianxia Guo. The fact that he had chosen to join the military instead of lounging in wealth had surprised many.
> "No, I don't dare," I replied smoothly.
"I just heard… rumors."
His brow lifted.
> "Rumors? What kind?"
Even Liyu turned slightly, her curiosity piqued.
I smiled faintly.
> "That you're the only son of the great Han family. That Han Rui is—how do I say this—devastatingly handsome."
He blinked.
Then smirked.
> "Well, I can't argue with that."
His stance relaxed.
> "Alright. Since you're new here, I'll let it go. Just don't make the same mistake again."
I stepped back into the carriage as the soldiers parted ways, stunned into silence.
Liyu climbed in beside me, eyes wide.
> "Master… do you actually know him?"
I looked out the window.
> "Not personally. But yeah—I know him."
She frowned.
> "We have money. Why didn't you just pay the fine?"
> "Because our business isn't settled here yet. We can't afford to waste money—not until we're seen."
She nodded in understanding.
Later: Bao Lai – New Shop
Liyu gestured proudly toward the storefront.
> "This is it, Master. Let's take a look inside."
I stepped through the carved wooden doors.
The space opened before me like a breath of fresh air—high ceilings, lacquered shelves, beams polished to a soft shine. A row of paper lanterns hung from the rafters, casting a golden hue across the empty shop floor.
I let out a quiet breath.
> "It's perfect."
Room by room, we walked the space. Storage. Sleeping quarters. The back garden. A clear pond shimmered under the pale afternoon light—lotus blossoms blooming over still water.
Liyu turned to me.
> "I'll begin preparing for the opening. Give me two days, Master. I'll find workers and take care of everything."
I nodded.
> "Alright. Go ahead. I'm going to rest for a while."
As she left, I stood alone in the quiet of the shop.
This would be our new base.
The next step toward revenge.
And peace.