The door to the herbalist's shop creaked shut behind the old man.
Rain still trickled outside, but within the wooden walls, the air seemed to freeze.
Tian Shen didn't move from his seat, but his eyes narrowed.
Feng Yin's fingers flexed subtly, instinctively brushing against the dagger hidden in her sash.
The old man shuffled forward. His clothes were patched and soaked, the wide-brimmed hat slanted low over his eyes.
But the Qi around him was unmistakable—coiled, ancient, and dangerous.
Like a hibernating beast that had just cracked open a lid to survey the world once more.
The herbalist, an elderly woman with cloudy eyes, looked up with a mixture of reverence and fear.
"Master Gu... it's been a long time."
The man smiled thinly, revealing yellowed teeth.
"Are you the owner?"
The herbalist, ever polite, nodded. "Yes, Elder. May I help you?"
"I'm looking for two... assistants of yours. A man and a woman. Stayed here for about two weeks."
