Justice flows like water—it may be delayed, but it cannot be denied. Those who think themselves clever enough to trap others often find themselves caught in webs of their own making.
— Master Wu Zhi, Commander of Ten Thousand
Xiulan stared at the collection device overflowing with dawn serpent scales. The destroyed cargo harnesses left them with no choice but to carry it together. Scales spilled over the edges despite the hastily secured tarp, leaving a glowing trail that marked their descent from the valley.
"Careful with the next step." Feng Yu braced against the device’s weight.
Xiulan’s muscles burned as they coordinated their movements. "Ready." She slid the device to the ledge’s edge.
The metal groaned as Feng Yu supported the full weight. Xiulan leapt down to the next outcropping, raising her arms. "Now."
They repeated the exhausting dance down countless ledges. Each movement drained more qi from Xiulan’s meridians. The shorter ledges near the bottom proved easier to navigate, though one of them still needed to descend first each time.
When Fershere’s distant outline finally emerged through the morning haze, Xiulan’s legs trembled. "Let’s rest." She sank onto a boulder.
The quiet mountain air hummed with qi—different from the valley’s resonance. Xiulan closed her eyes, replenishing her depleted dantian while noting how the background energy had shifted.
Feng Yu had been right about the different regions having different frequencies. She had missed the hard dividing line, though. Lifting had taken too much concentration.
"We should move." Feng Yu stood, brushing dirt from her robes. "Others will want to see what we collected."
Xiulan nodded and pushed herself up. The dirt road leading to the abandoned gold mine beckoned ahead. "Should we retrieve the wagon at the gate?"
"One guards the scales while the other fetches it." Feng Yu adjusted her grip on the device. "We can’t leave these unattended."
"Agreed." Xiulan repositioned herself and they both lifted.
The descent proved less treacherous on the gentle slope, though Xiulan’s arms burned between every pulse of qi. Sweat dampened her robes as she matched Feng Yu’s careful steps.
A wagon rattled into view, kicking up dust as it approached. Xiulan squinted at the familiar figures—her two drivers waved from atop the bench. She stopped, signaling Feng Yu to set down their burden.
"How did you know to come?" Xiulan brushed dirt from her hands.
The lead driver straightened his worn leather vest. "We took shifts at the gate, Miss Lin. Soon as we spotted you, we readied everything and rode out."
"That’s remarkably helpful." Feng Yu stretched her shoulders.
Xiulan laughed. "Good initiative indeed."
"You’ve treated us well, Miss Lin." The driver scratched his stubbled chin. "The pay and tips have been generous. We considered hiring extra hands but weren’t certain you’d approve?"
"This is perfect." Xiulan moved to the wagon’s side. "We can manage the loading ourselves."
Together, they hoisted the device onto the wooden bed. Xiulan secured it with hemp ropes while Feng Yu tested the knots. After stowing their bulging travel packs, Xiulan sank onto the wide of the wagon and exhaled deeply. Feng Yu scaled the wagon with practiced grace, settling cross-legged atop the tarp-covered scales.
"Why do you always like the high perch?" Xiulan tilted her head.
"Height enhances qi sensing range." Feng Yu adjusted her position. "Gives a better view of potential threats."
"That makes sense." Xiulan nodded.
The drivers clicked their tongues, turning the horses toward Fershere. The wagon wheels creaked as they started the journey back to the city gates.
Light blue and white sashes fluttered in the breeze as city guards scrutinized their wagon. Xiulan counted at least a dozen more patrolling the walls and gates than she remembered from their departure. The heightened security pricked at her awareness as they rolled through the crowded streets.
The stable’s weathered wooden walls offered little protection for their precious cargo. Xiulan stepped down from the wagon, muscles protesting after the long ride. "We should visit the Treasure Pavilion once we’re presentable."
"I planned to suggest the same." Feng Yu jumped down beside her. "Valuables tend to sprout legs and walk away in places like this."
The innkeeper bowed as they entered, dispatching servants who returned with steaming food trays and two wooden barrels of water. Back in their room, Feng Yu dipped her fingers into each barrel. Steam curled up from the surface as the water heated.
Xiulan plucked at her mud-caked sleeve. "These clothes are beyond saving. We’ll need to visit a tailor."
"After the Pavilion." Feng Yu grabbed a clean cloth. "Safety first."
The soap’s herbal scent filled the air as Xiulan scrubbed away layers of grime and dust. Hot water relaxed her muscles, washing away the evidence of their mountain adventure. Clean and refreshed, she pulled on her last unworn outfit—simple but serviceable dark blue robes.
While Feng Yu finished, Xiulan sorted through their packs. She separated the gathered flowers and stuffed them into jars. The roots went in right behind them. Her second pack bulged with dawn serpent scales, their white surfaces catching the light.
How many spirit stones would all these fetch? Xiulan wondered as she tied the bags closed.
Feng Yu emerged wearing a pristine white martial robe that highlighted her amber eyes. The torn red sash still wrapped around her waist drew Xiulan’s attention.
"What about your sash?" Xiulan pointed at the frayed edges.
"I’ll keep it." Feng Yu touched the fabric with unusual gentleness. "It needs repair, but it’s important to me."
"Fair enough." Xiulan gestured to the organized packs on the floor. "I’ve sorted everything—flowers and roots in one, scales in the other. How do you want to handle the selling?"
"I already got what I needed." Feng Yu waved dismissively. "Handle it however you want."
"Huh... okay?" Xiulan blinked at the unexpected response. The responsibility for selling fell on her shoulders.
Yu Pei’s nose wrinkled. "Ninety-four spirit stones then. The flowers are clearly worth half a stone, not one. I made a mistake in your favor initially."
What? Xiulan’s jaw clenched at the merchant’s sudden shift. The negotiation spiraled away from any semblance of fairness.
Before Xiulan could protest, Yu Pei clicked her tongue. "Perhaps fifty spirit stones would be more appropriate? These water roots appear... substandard."
"They’re not—" Xiulan cut off as Yu Pei stared down her nose. "Fine. Ninety-six for those items." She gestured toward the pack. "But what about the scales?"
Yu Pei’s eyes narrowed. "Is the entire pack full? How many, exactly?"
"I haven’t counted precisely." Xiulan kept her voice steady. "But they’re all premium quality—harvested just yesterday from dawn serpents."
Yu Pei plucked one scale from the display, turning it under the spirit stone lights. The iridescent surface caught the glow, reflecting rainbow patterns across her face.
Xiulan forced her face to remain neutral despite the burning indignation at Yu Pei’s earlier lowball tactics. The scales would make up for it—they had to.
Yu Pei tapped the scale against the polished counter. "This is quite a collection to gather so quickly. Dawn serpent scales must be harvested while the beasts still live. How did you manage such a feat alone?"
"I had assistance." Xiulan shrugged. "Though I handled them personally. The serpents proved quite... vigorous." Not technically a lie—I did grab that one personally before throwing it in the trap.
"Ah." Yu Pei set the scale down. "With so many flooding the market at once, I cannot offer premium pricing. You should have been more careful—or your group less enthusiastic in their collection."
"Ha." Xiulan leaned forward. "And what exactly is this ’not so premium’ price?"
Yu Pei hummed, examining the bulging pack. "One spirit stone per hundred scales seems fair. This pack likely contains ten thousand or so. You could make approximately one hundred spirit stones for it." She smiled thinly. "Though anyone else hoping to sell scales will curse your name for months after this price drop."
"But how many will you purchase?" Xiulan asked carefully.
"What do you mean?" Yu Pei straightened. "I’m offering to buy all your scales today."
Lightning sparked through Xiulan’s meridians at those words. She fought to keep her expression neutral. "That deal sounds perfectly acceptable. I’m quite pleased you’ll buy all of my scales today."
Yu Pei frowned slightly but pulled out a sheet of parchment, carefully inking the agreement.
Xiulan read each line carefully when Yu Pei finished. She made sure the term she especially wanted was inked correctly. It was.
After confirming, Yu Pei placed her red stamp on the bottom and Xiulan sliced her thumb and sealed it with her blood.
"Congratulations. I’m sure you’re pleased with your newfound wealth." Yu Pei spread the scales across the counter, fingers blurring as she counted.
"You should get some help," Xiulan said. "This could take quite a while."
"I assure you my cultivation allows me to count with extreme precision and speed." Yu Pei’s hands continued their rapid movements. "I’ll have this pack done shortly."
"No, I mean you’ll need help counting all the rest of them."
Yu Pei’s hands froze. "The... rest?"
"Yes." Xiulan smiled sweetly. "I have the remainder waiting in the cargo area below."
Yu Pei’s face twitched. The merchant drew a sharp breath through her nose before yanking at the golden cord. Two outer disciples in grey robes appeared instantly.
"Go to the loading area," Yu Pei snapped. "Fetch Miss Lin’s cargo immediately."
The disciples bowed and hurried away while Yu Pei resumed counting with renewed intensity. Her fingers moved even faster now, practically invisible as she sorted through the massive pile.
Xiulan settled back against her chair, unable to suppress a satisfied smirk. The contract specified all her scales, today, at one spirit stone per hundred. Yu Pei couldn’t back out now.
"How are things progressing?" Feng Yu stepped through the curtain.
Xiulan passed her the agreement. "Very well!"
Feng Yu scanned the document and smiled. "That’s great!"
The double doors burst open as six outer disciples staggered in, muscles straining under the weight of the bronze collection device. Their grey robes darkened with sweat while they maneuvered the massive bell through the entrance.
Yu Pei shot up from her counting position, knocking over a neat pile of scales. Her sharp green eyes widened at the sight of the device. She lunged forward, yanking the tarp free.
Iridescent scales cascaded onto the polished floor in a glittering avalanche. The rainbow shimmer caught in the spirit stone lights, casting dancing patterns across the wooden walls. More scales spilled out as Yu Pei tipped the bell, creating a mountain of precious materials that spread across the selling floor.
"You...!" Yu Pei stabbed a finger toward Xiulan.
The accumulated wealth drew every eye from the open side of the hall. Merchants abandoned their negotiations. Cultivators stopped mid-transaction. Even the outer disciples froze in place, staring at the fortune scattered across the floor.
"Guards!" Yu Pei’s shriek pierced the stunned silence. "We have a scammer! Arrest her!"
Two burly guards materialized from the crowd. Their iron grip locked around Xiulan’s arms before she could react. They yanked her backward and toward a set of metal doors.
Feng Yu stood frozen, mouth agape, contract still in her hand.
What the fuck!
"Feng Yu! Hire a lawyer!" Xiulan shouted.