I staggered back, hands on my knees, gasping for breath. My whole body ached, muscles screaming in protest after the brutal session Elder Ming had just put me through. Punishment for beingte, of course. I wiped the sweat from my brow, trying to ignore the burning in my legs. Every step felt like I was walking on hot coals. It hadn’t helped that Lan-Yin and Wang Jun kept up a steady stream of snickers the entire time, making sure to remind me about my so-called "self-cultivation."


    I’d ignored them, or at least, I pretended to. It was hard enough staying focused with my muscles strained to their limits, let alone with everyone joking about what they thought I was doingst night. But I couldn’t let it bother me—not now.


    Because, despite everything, my thoughts kept drifting back to Tianyi.


    The thought gnawed at me. She couldn’t stay hidden forever, especially not in a vige as close-knit as this one. But perhaps… maybe I wouldn’t need to hide herpletely. I mulled over the idea, straightening up as it took shape in my mind. If I kept her presence low-key, only telling those I trusted—Wang Jun, Lan-Yin, and a few others who frequented my shop—then maybe we could manage without raising too many questions. She didn’t need to be seen by everyone, after all.


    I had just opened my mouth to mention the idea to the others when a small voice cut through the small courtyard.


    "Elder Ming!"


    I turned just in time to see Xiao Bao, one of the vige kids, sprinting across the courtyard toward us, his face flushed from the effort. His wide eyes flicked between us before settling on Elder Ming, who was calmly wiping down the training posts.


    "There’s someone asking for you. They said it’s important!"


    Elder Ming''s expression shifted, his brows furrowing as he exchanged a nce with me."Who is it, Xiao Bao?" He asked, his voice steady despite the sudden tension that seemed to fill the air.


    "I don''t know!" Xiao Bao shook his head, still catching his breath. "They didn’t say much, but… they look important. They look like cultivators!"


    He set down the towel he’d been using, his eyes sharpening slightly. "Alright. Let’s see what this is about."


    I shot a quick nce at Wang Jun and Lan-Yin, both of whom seemed to have dropped their teasing demeanor, watching Elder Ming carefully. I didn’t know what this was about, but a knot of unease was already twisting in my gut. Something told me this wasn’t just a casual visit.


    "Should wee with you?" I asked, stepping forward.


    Elder Ming looked at me for a moment before nodding slightly. "Yes. You three shoulde along."


    We followed Elder Ming out of the training grounds, my muscles still protesting with every step, but the knot of unease in my stomach had me pushing through the difort. I couldn’t shake the bad feeling that had settled over me since Xiao Bao’s arrival. There was something about the urgency in his voice that stirred a sense of foreboding.


    As we stepped out into the open courtyard, the sun was beginning to peak, casting long shadows over the vige. I scanned the faces of the vigers. Some were gathered in small clusters, their eyes wide with curiosity or concern, others standing back cautiously as they watched a group of unfamiliar men near the edge of the square.


    And then I saw them.


    Six men stood in a semi-circle, clearly the source of the disturbance. Five of them were strikingly simr. Large, muscr builds with shaved heads, their presence imposing and hard to ignore. They loomed over the vigers, their expressions nk but watchful. Their bodies exuded a quiet strength, but it wasn’t just their size that caught my attention. There was something oddly familiar about them.


    I narrowed my eyes, studying their faces, trying to ce where I’d seen them before. The recognition hovered just out of reach.


    At the front of the group, a sixth man stood, far shorter than the others, but no less intimidating. His receding hairline was tied into a tight bun at the back of his head, and despite the loose robes he wore, the outline of his broad, muscr figure was unmistakable. He was speaking animatedly with a group of vigers, his voice carrying a smooth, confident tone. Some of the vigers seemed drawn in by his words, but there was an air of caution around them, a reluctance to fully engage.


    As we approached, the shorter man’s gaze snapped toward Elder Ming. His face brightened immediately, and he gave a low bow, his voice oozing respect. "Vige Head! Thank you for taking the time to meet with me.”


    Elder Ming, alwaysposed, nodded. "Who are you, and what brings you to Gentle Wind Vige?"


    The man straightened, still smiling. "My name is Wei Long; a first-ss disciple of Narrow Stone Peak. We’vee to offer protection to your vige during these uncertain times."


    “Narrow Stone Peak...” Elder Ming echoed, his expression unreadable.


    Wei Long gestured toward the five men behind him. "And these are my subordinates, the Five Fists. They’ve made quite a name for themselves."


    That name—Five Fists of Narrow Stone Peak—hit me like a hammer to the chest. Suddenly, everything clicked into ce. Crescent Bay City. The fight. Duan Jian. These were the same five brutes that tried to cause a ruckus at Spirited Noodle until Feng Wu scared them off.


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    My hands clenched into fists at the memory.


    "You," I muttered under my breath, my pulse quickening. They were trouble, I knew that much.


    I narrowed my eyes, locking onto the familiar faces of the Five Fists of Narrow Stone Peak. These were the same men I had encountered in Crescent Bay City, the ones who had tried to throw their weight around at Spirited Noodle. That day, they had been loud, arrogant, and looking for trouble, but they’d backed off when things didn’t go their way.


    Before I could voice my thoughts, one of the men with a shaved head suddenly stiffened, his eyes widening in recognition. He pointed a thick finger directly at me.


    "You! It’s him!" he said, his voice cutting through the air like a de.


    The other members of the Five Fists nced at me, their expressions a mix of surprise and confusion, but I could see it. At least one of them had recognized me too.


    Elder Ming’s gaze slid toward me, a question in his eyes. “Kai,” he said, his tone calm but firm. “How do you know these men?”


    I hesitated for a moment, then exhaled sharply. “We crossed paths in Crescent Bay City. They were causing trouble at a noodle shop, trying to intimidate the waiter. I… may have gotten involved, and things escted.” I nced at the Five Fists, their expressions hardening as I continued. “Later, they cornered me in an alley while drunk. Let’s just say it didn’t end well for them.”


    Wei Long’s pleasant demeanor shifted almost imperceptibly. His smile tightened, and his eyes darkened. I braced myself, fully expecting him tosh out or reveal his true nature, especially after hearing what had happened between me and his subordinates.


    His fist trembled slightly, and I could feel the tension building in the air.


    But instead of an outburst, The first-ss disciple turned sharply on his heel and backhanded the nearest of his subordinates, sending him staggering back with a shocked grunt.


    "Idiots!" Wei Long’s voice was low and venomous. Without missing a beat, he proceeded to p each one of them upside the head, his movements swift and precise. “How dare you disgrace our name with such dishonorable behavior! Attacking someone in a drunken stupor? Have you no shame?”


    The Five Fists flinched under his blows but remained silent, their heads bowed as they endured the berating. To my surprise, they didn’t argue or retaliate. They just stood there, taking it.


    This wasn’t the reaction I had anticipated at all.


    Once Wei Long had finished his reprimand, he pointed toward me. “Line up in front of him. Now.”


    Without hesitation, the Five Fists scrambled to obey, forming a line directly in front of me. One by one, they bowed their heads in unison.


    “We’re sorry,” they muttered, their voices subdued.


    Wei Long turned back to me, offering a slight bow of his own. "I hope this is enough to put the matter behind us. They are still maturing, and it is clear they have much to learn. I ask that this incident not affect our current discussion."


    The weight of the moment pressed down on me. Everyone’s eyes were on me now; the vigers, Elder Ming, Lan-Yin, Wang Jun. It felt like the entire vige was waiting for my response, and the tension in the air was palpable. I could feel their gazes burning into me, expecting me to make a decision.


    I swallowed, my mouth dry. There was no reason to escte this further, especially not in front of Elder Ming and the rest of the vige. I forced myself to nod. "I... I won’t hold it against them. Let’s put it behind us."


    Wei Long smiled, the tension in his posture easing ever so slightly. He gave another respectful bow before turning his attention back to Elder Ming.


    "Now that this unpleasant business is behind us, Vige Head," he said smoothly, "we havee here with a genuine offer of protection for your vige. There has been a sharp rise in bandit activity in the region, and recent sightings of spirit beasts have only added to the danger. Narrow Stone Peak has already taken steps to safeguard nearby viges, and we would like to extend that same protection to Gentle Wind Vige."


    <em>Protection.</em> The word hung in the air, as smooth as Wei Long''s voice, but it grated against me like sandpaper. The Five Fists certainly hadn’t been offering protection back then, just throwing their weight around, preying on the weak. And here they were again, wearing the same false smiles, but with different words.


    I nced at the Five Fists. They stood there, silent and disciplined now, but I knew better than to trust appearances. I’d seen what they were like when no one was watching.


    And Narrow Stone Peak? They reminded me too much of the Iron w Sect—sect disciples showing up with grand offers of security, but always with a price. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this “protection” was just another way to control the vige. If we epted, we’d owe them. No matter how friendly Wei Long seemed, I could feel the strings being pulled behind the scenes.


    Elder Ming listened carefully, his expression thoughtful but unreadable. "Why offer protection now?"


    Wei Long inclined his head slightly, his tone smooth and diplomatic. "We have reason to believe the bandit activity will spread soon, and spirit beasts are drawn to areas of concentrated qi, such as this vige. Gentle Wind may be small, but it is not insignificant. Our sect wishes to maintain stability in the region, and it would be in everyone’s best interest to prevent trouble before it arrives at your doorstep."


    I watched Elder Ming closely, trying to gauge his reaction. He was cautious, as he should be, but I could tell he was considering Wei Long’s words carefully.


    "And what would this protection cost us?" Elder Ming asked.


    Wei Long’s smile remained steady, but there was a gleam in his eye, a subtle shift that spoke volumes about his calcted nature. "The cost would be fair, of course," he said smoothly. "We ask for nothing unreasonable, just an exchange of services. Perhaps your vige’s skilled craftsmen or herbalists could lend their aid when needed. A mutually beneficial arrangement, nothing more."


    His words were carefully chosen, neither overbearing nor too humble. It was a clever y, one that implied an offer of protection while hinting at future obligations without being explicit about what those obligations might entail.


    Elder Ming crossed his arms, his face still unreadable as he considered the proposal. Around us, the gathered vigers murmured amongst themselves, some nodding in agreement, others casting uncertain nces.


    Wei Long seemed to notice the mixed reactions. His smile widened slightly, as though anticipating this. "If it would put the good people of Gentle Wind Vige at ease," he continued, "I could arrange a demonstration of our capabilities. A simple show of strength, to prove that your vige would be in capable hands."


    I could see the mixed reactions in the vigers around me. Some looked intrigued, others unsure, but none of them knew what I knew. I’d seen what sects like this were capable of when they thought no one was looking. They weren''t here out of goodwill—they were here to expand their influence, and our vige was just another stepping stone, even if they had a more diplomatic approach than the Iron w.


    Elder Ming’s eyes narrowed just slightly, his gaze fixed on Wei Long. But after the odd happenings within the forest, the political unrest... a little protection didn''t sound too bad.


    My gaze shifted to the Five Fists. Thest time I’d run into them, they’d cornered me in an alley, drunk and full of bravado, thinking they had the upper hand. But when Xu Ziqing showed up, they scattered like frightened rats, unwilling to stand their ground. I remembered the way they’d tried to gang up on me, only to flee when faced with real opposition. These weren’t men willing to put their necks on the line for anyone, least of all this vige. No matter what their leader promised, I knew they’d cut and run the moment things turned dangerous, even if the vige had paid for their so-called protection.


    Still, something in me wanted to test them. To see how far I’de since ourst encounter. I’d trained hard under Elder Ming, pushed myself to the limit, and yet, a part of me still wondered how I’d fare against them now. I didn’t have Windy or Tianyi at my side this time, but maybe that was the point. It was time to see what I could do on my own.


    I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on everyone. And in that silence, a spark of an idea ignited in my mind.


    Before anyone else could speak, I stepped forward, the words leaving my mouth before I had fully thought them through.


    "If I may..." My voice sounded more confident than I felt, and all eyes turned to me. I kept my gaze steady, focusing on Wei Long. "Perhaps I could indulge in this demonstration. A sparring match, to see your strength firsthand."


    The tension in the air shifted immediately. A few gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd, and I could feel Elder Ming’s gaze on me, heavy with unspoken questions. I knew the dangers of challenging a sect. Especially one as ambitious as Narrow Stone Peak. But if we didn’t stand up now, this vige would end up like so many others, tied to the whims of a sect that didn’t truly care.


    I wasn’t about to let that happen.


    Wei Long’s smile didn’t falter, but his eyes flickered with something—amusement, perhaps. He nodded slowly, his voice low and measured. "A spar, you say? Well, I wouldn’t want to discourage your enthusiasm. But are you sure this is what you want?"


    I held his gaze, my heart pounding in my chest, but I couldn’t back down now. "I’m sure. I''ve had some experience with martial arts of my own."


    Elder Ming’s brow furrowed as I stepped forward. I could sense his unease, his gaze heavy. Perhaps he knew, just as I did, how quickly things could escte from a simple sparring match to something much worse.


    He ced a hand on my shoulder, his voice cutting through the moment. "Kai... you don’t have to do this. You haven''t recovered from the training."


    I met his eyes, appreciating the concern, but I gave a small shake of my head. "I know. But I think it’s the best way to see what we’re dealing with. I''m not doing this for a victory."


    Wei Long chuckled softly. "Very well," he said, his voice carrying a weight of finality. "Let’s give the vige something to watch."