Bait

Mingyao sat at her table, fingers idly tracing the rim of her teacup, her gaze lost in the horizon where the first golden hues of dawn kissed the rooftops of Xianyang City.

A soft breeze fluttered through the open window, rustling the silk curtains. The rising sun casting long, shifting shadows across the floor, but despite the beauty of the morning, her mind was elsewhere.

Su Haoron is here…

A flicker of unease crossed her face. If he was in the city, then her sister—

The door slammed open.

Mingyao barely flinched, only tilting her head slightly.

Yue Ying entered, her expression undiscernable, silver hair shimmering under the early light. She moved with grace, her footsteps barely disturbing the silence.

In her hands, she carried a bundle wrapped in cloth—dark, damp, and suspiciously heavy. The scent of iron curled in the air. Mingyao's gaze flickered to it, but she chose not to ask. Instead, she turned back to the window, watching the world awaken beyond the pavilion walls.

Outside hawkers were setting up their stalls, the rhythmic clang of a blacksmith's hammer, the distant chatter of early risers. Xianyang City was awake.

Yue Ying approached, the folds of her black robe swaying as she placed the bundle onto the table. A single crimson droplet seeped through the cloth and splattered onto the wood. The scent thickened.

Yue Ying bowed deeply. "Yue Ying greets Pavilion Master."

Mingyao exhaled, a ghost of a sigh. "I told you not to be so rigid," she said, finally meeting Yue Ying's gaze—cool, impassive, like winter steel. "How are the preparations?"

"Complete. The Hidden Golden Alliance's temporary bank is set up across from the local one. The plaque is boldly displayed, and we've replaced the Veiled Hands' notices with the bank's—boasting our low-interest loans and high returns."

A faint smirk touched Mingyao's lips. "Good. Let's see if the prey takes the bait."

She shifted slightly, the silk of her robes whispering against the chair. "And Su Haoron?"

Yue Ying's cold gaze met hers. "No word yet. But we should receive news soon."

She reached for her tea, but a familiar voice shattered the moment.

"Miss me?"

The air thickened. A presence entered the room, radiating amusement. Mo Yan strolled in, his fox-like grin resting lazily on his face. His robes, a deep shade of crimson, were speckled with something darker. His boots left faint, wet prints behind him.

Mingyao's gaze flicked to the cloth bundle on the table. More blood had pooled beneath it.

"Yue Ying," she murmured, setting her cup down. "What is this?"

"A token of sincerity, Pavilion Master," Yue Ying said smoothly, her voice calm as still water. "I wish to ask for your forgiveness."

Mingyao's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Yesterday, a grave offense was committed against you, Master. I hope this will allow all of Yin Lian to atone for our incompetence."

Yue Ying's fingers grasped the edge of the cloth and, without hesitation, she unwrapped the cloth.

A severed head tumbled onto the table.

Lifeless, slack-jawed, its pale skin already tinged with the first hints of decay. The dull, vacant eyes stared up at Mingyao, frozen forever in terror. The blood, dark and clotted, stuck to the cloth like ink seeping into parchment.

The scent of rot was suffocating.

Mo Yan chuckled. "As expected of you, Sect Master. Quick and efficient."

Mingyao studied the head for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then recognition. She waved a hand, her voice calm. "Get rid of it. It's stinking up the place."

Yue Ying obeyed without question. She rewrapped the head, lifted it and carried it to the door. An attendant outside took it, disappearing into the morning sprint without a word. When Yue Ying returned, she resumed her place at the table as if nothing had happened.

Mingyao turned her attention to Mo Yan. "Did you find out what I asked?"

Mo Yan leaned lazily against the wall, his smirk widening. "Do you even have to ask?"

"Then tell me—why is Haoron back? And is my sister with him?"

"He returned for a wedding. And yes, your sister is with him."

Mingyao's fingers tightened around her cup. The tea inside rippled.

"I thought so. But why return to the capital? They already eloped—what was the need to come back?"

Mo Yan shrugged. "An imperial edict has been drafted for the wedding. They have to receive it in person."

Mingyao exhaled slowly. "So my father has finally decided to support them." A humorless chuckle escaped her lips. "Good for them, I suppose."

"Will you attend?"

Mingyao's lips parted slightly, but she didn't answer immediately. She turned back toward the window, watching the distant rooftops. "Let's wait and see," she murmured.

Mo Yan let the silence hang for a beat before continuing. "I uncovered information about yesterday's assailants."

Mingyao's gaze sharpened. "Go on."

"There were two groups."

She set down her cup. "Two?"

"The first was the Ghost Shadow Sect. Their motives are unclear, but I doubt they were trying to kill you."

"And the other?"

Mo Yan's smirk deepened. "Guess who?"

Mingyao's patience wavering. "We don't have time for games, Mo Yan."

He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "It was our predecessor—the Black Lotus."

A chill ran through the room. Yue Ying, silent until now, shifted slightly, her silver hair catching the light like a blade.

"I thought they disbanded," Mingyao murmured.

Mo Yan tilted his head. "Apparently, not everyone got the notice."

Before she could process it, Yue Ying spoke, her voice calculated.

"Pavilion Master. I also have something to report."

Mingyao nodded. "Go on."

"Though progress has been slow, we found evidence linking the Black Lotus to the Li massacre."

A long silence stretched between them.

Mingyao's fingers stilled. "The Black Lotus again?"

"Yes," Yue Ying confirmed. "It seems they never truly vanished. They only went into hiding."

"And now, they're resurfacing," Mingyao muttered. She drummed her fingers against the table. "But why now?"

"Who knows?" Mo Yan said with a smirk. "They weren't that skilled to begin with."

Mingyao ignored his remark. Her thoughts were already elsewhere. "Does Xue She know about this?"

"No," Yue Ying said. "She's still reflecting on her mistakes."

"Don't be too hard on her," Mingyao murmured. "She had every right to react the way she did." Then, her sharp gaze flicked to Yue Ying. "Speaking of which, how are you adjusting to your new cultivation level?"

Yue Ying's eyes glowed faintly, the air around her subtly shifting. "I feel stronger. Faster. Thank you, Pavilion Master, for your guidance."

Mingyao smiled faintly. "I did nothing. Just make sure you master Oblivion before the tournament."

"Yes, Master."

"And another thing." Mingyao leaned forward, her voice quieter. "We need to protect Xue She and all former members of the Black Lotus. If their old sect is resurfacing, they'll come after their traitors."

Yue Ying bowed. "Of course, Pavillion master."

"Be careful while investigating them," Mingyao warned. "They're cunning. One wrong move could cost us."

Yue Ying's expression didn't change. "We'll proceed with caution."

"Good," Mingyao said. She rose from her seat. "Meeting adjourned." Her gaze slid to Mo Yan. "Come. Let's inspect the bank. We need to be ready for our guests."

Mo Yan grinned, rolling his shoulders. "Finally. This should be fun, Grandmaster."