26. Preparation for Chaos

(A few hours later, Southern part of the Slums outside Golden Prosperity City.)

The city's southern slums were a maze of ruined buildings and forgotten streets. The abandoned house stood among them, its walls cracked and overtaken by creeping vines. Once a merchants store, it now served a different purpose, hidden in plain sight, a perfect den for those who thrived in the undercurrents of power.

Inside, the air was thick with the scent of old wood and damp earth. A single lantern flickered on a rickety table, casting long shadows against the walls.

Seated in the dim glow was Mo Tian, a man whose name was whispered in the alleys and underworld dens of the city. His broad shoulders and quiet demeanor concealed a mind as sharp as a drawn blade. His gaze lifted as the familiar scarred Beggar Leader entered, the door creaking behind him.

"You're late," Mo Tian said, his voice smooth but carrying an edge of expectation.

The scarred Beggar Leader smirked. "You try making good time while carrying a severed head through the streets." He pulled the sealed letter from his robes and tossed it onto the table. "From the Jian Family."

Mo Tian picked up the scroll, his thumb brushing over the Jian emblem pressed into the wax. He broke the seal with a flick of his wrist, unfolding the parchment. His eyes scanned the contents, his expression betraying nothing.

After a moment, he let out a low chuckle. "Interesting."

The scarred Beggar Leader raised an eyebrow. "Good news?"

Mo Tian set the letter down, tapping his fingers against the table. "A proposal. The Jian Family wishes to secure an arms deal. They want swords, spears, blades. They want our help in smuggling weapons into the city without attracting attention."

The scarred Beggar Leader leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Arming their forces or preparing for something bigger?"

Mo Tian's lips curled into a faint smile. "Both. They wouldn't risk dealing with us unless they were preparing for war." He tapped the letter. "They're offering gold, but they also hint at something more, a future alliance."

The scarred Beggar Leader let out a short laugh. "Jian Shuren? Making alliances with beggars and smugglers? That's rich."

Mo Tian shrugged. "War doesn't care for status. It cares for steel and blood. If the Jian Family is arming themselves, then they're either planning an attack… or expecting one."

A silence settled between them as the implications sank in.

The scarred Beggar Leader tilted his head. "So? Will you accept?"

Mo Tian exhaled slowly, his fingers drumming against the wood. "Not yet. First, I need to know what they're really after. A deal like this is never just about weapons."

The scarred Beggar Leader nodded, pushing away from the wall. "Then we keep them waiting." He grinned. "Let's see how desperate Jian Shuren really is."

Mo Tian smirked, rolling up the letter. "Exactly."

The lantern flickered, casting their shadows against the wall, two men standing at the crossroads of war and opportunity, where deals were written not just in ink, but in blood.

…

(3 Days later, Somewhere in the slums outside Golden Prosperity City)

The slums never truly slept. Even under the cloak of night, its underbelly pulsed with unseen movements whispers in the tea houses, silent exchanges in the alleyways, and figures slipping through the streets unnoticed.

Mo Tian was no stranger to these shadows. He thrived in them.

The Jian Family's request for weapons wasn't just about arming soldiers. There was something deeper at play, and he intended to find out what. If the Jian Family was preparing for war, the question remained against whom?

(1 hour later, The Silk Pavilion in the Slums outside Golden Prosperity City)

The Silk Pavilion was no ordinary brothel. Nestled within wealthier part of the slums, it catered to those who held power, their secrets sold as easily as fine wine. It was an ally Mo Tian made in the past.

Mo Tian entered with practiced ease, his dark robes blending into the dimly lit corridors. The scent of burning incense curled in the air as soft laughter and murmured conversations filled the rooms beyond.

He was here for one man, Wei Lan, a low-ranking officer in the Jian Family's army and a man with a loose tongue when plied with enough drink.

He found Wei Lan in a corner room, sprawled over silk cushions, a half-empty flask of wine dangling from his fingers. A courtesan sat beside him, tracing idle patterns on his arm as he chuckled at his own drunken ramblings.

Mo Tian moved like a shadow, slipping into the seat across from them. The courtesan glanced at him once, recognizing his presence as something not to be questioned, before excusing herself with a knowing smile.

Wei Lan blinked blearily at him. "Who…?"

Mo Tian poured himself a cup of wine, speaking calmly. "Tell me, Wei Lan, why is your master preparing for war?"

The officer tensed, his drunken haze lifting slightly. "W-what?"

Mo Tian's smile was pleasant, but his eyes were sharp. "The Jian Family is amassing weapons. That means soldiers. That means war. But against whom?"

Wei Lan swallowed hard. "I…, I don't know what you're talking about."

Mo Tian took a slow sip of wine. "Come now. A man like you, serving under Jian Shuren, must hear things."

He placed a small, jingling pouch on the table. Gold. A temptation. But Wei Lan wasn't just a simple soldier, he was cautious. And caution required a different kind of persuasion.

Mo Tian leaned in, lowering his voice. "I imagine it would be unfortunate if certain… indiscretions of yours became known."

Wei Lan's face paled. "You wouldn't!"

"I would." Mo Tian smiled. "But I don't need to. Just tell me what I want to know, and I leave this place with nothing but a little harmless gossip."

Wei Lan hesitated, then exhaled shakily. "It's not what you think," he muttered. "The weapons… they're not just for soldiers."

Mo Tian's eyes narrowed. "Then who?"

Wei Lan wiped his forehead. "Mercenaries. Jian Shuren is hiring outside forces, wandering swordsmen, exiled warriors, even bandits willing to sell their blades. He's preparing for something big."

Mo Tian leaned back, considering this. "And the enemy?"

Wei Lan hesitated, then muttered, "Rumors say he's moving against the Zheng Family."

Mo Tian's expression remained unreadable. "Is that so?"

Having collected the information he needed, Mo Tian smirked at Wei Lan and left the establishment.

…

(The next morning, )

Back at the abandoned house, the flickering lantern cast restless shadows against the cracked walls. Mo Tian sat at the worn wooden table, his fingers drumming rhythmically as he considered the information before him. Across from him, the Beggar leaders were leaned back against the creaking chair, arms crossed, thinking about what their leader Mo Tian plans to do.

"So," the Scarred Beggar leader drawled, "Jian Shuren plans to strike the Jing Family while his hired blades carve up the Zheng Family in the chaos." He chuckled, shaking his head. "That's bold… even for him."

Mo Tian exhaled, his expression unreadable. "It's a calculated move. The Zhengs and Jings have always been at odds. If Jian Shuren plays this right, he'll weaken both families without making himself the primary enemy. By the time the dust settles, he'll have carved out more power for himself."

The Wiry Beggar leader smirked. "And all without dirtying his own hands too much. Clever." His fingers tapped idly on the table. "But the real question is… what do we do with this?"

Mo Tian leaned forward, his voice quiet but firm. "We have options."

The Cold-Eyed Femine looking Beggar leader raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

Mo Tian's eyes gleamed in the dim light. "Option one: We sell this information. The Zhengs or the Jings, whichever side pays more."

The Cold-Eyed Femine looking Beggar leader let out a short laugh. "Profitable, but risky. If we sell it to the Zhengs, they might panic and act too soon. If we sell it to the Jings, they might decide to retaliate preemptively, and then the whole city turns into a battlefield."

Mo Tian nodded. "Option two: We let things play out, but we position ourselves to benefit."

The Scarred Beggar leader's grin widened. "Now that sounds interesting. Keep talking."

Mo Tian leaned back. "We make sure neither the Jian Family nor their mercenaries walk away from this completely intact. We spread whispers, stir paranoia. Maybe even tip off a few key individuals—not enough to stop the plan, but enough to ensure Jian Shuren's forces take heavier losses than expected."

The Wiry Beggar leader rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Create chaos within the chaos, huh? If we do this right, we could weaken all three families and leave ourselves in a stronger position."

Mo Tian nodded. "Exactly. A war like this won't just be fought with swords, it'll be fought with information, deception, and timing."

The Wiry Beggar leader exhaled, shaking his head with a chuckle. "It's a gamble."

Mo Tian smirked. "Everything is."

The room fell silent for a moment, both men lost in thought. Then, the Scarred Beggar leader pushed himself up from the chair. "Alright. Let's make some arrangements."

Mo Tian's eyes glinted. The game was set. Now, all that remained was to see who would bleed the most before it was over.