The honorific was gone. The dismissal was deliberate.
He rose slowly to his feet, black robes falling around him like a tide of night.
His gaze never wavered as he added, each word carrying quiet finality, "You may return and tell your superiors this. The Fang Clan has no intention of joining hands in your so-called exploration. As for your 'offer'—you can keep it to yourself."
He turned, already walking away, his steps steady and unhurried.
"I won't see you out," he said over his shoulder, the words delivered with a warmth that stung worse than contempt.
The silence left behind was crushing.
Elder He sat frozen, staring down at the stone table as the weight of the encounter pressed down on him.
His jaw clenched, his hands trembled and then with a snarl, he slammed his palm against the tabletop.
The teacups rattled violently, one tipping over and spilling across the stone.
His face burned with humiliation. Today was the most shameful day of his long life.
