The cold in Emerald Haven was no longer just winter's bite — it was the chill of doors closing. Li Fan noticed it in small ways first: the blacksmith who once greeted him warmly now kept his eyes down, the apothecary who used to give him credit now demanded full payment in advance.
Wen Rourou returned from the market with a tight expression. "Two suppliers refused to sell to us," she said. "Said they've heard you 'draw storms wherever you go.'"
Wei Shun slammed his fist on the table. "Cowards. They'd rather bow to rumor than stand by the truth."
"It's not cowardice," Rourou replied. "It's survival. Whoever's behind this is tightening their grip, cutting off our supplies one by one. If they succeed, we'll have to move… and moving now would make us look like we're running."
That night, a messenger arrived from the Azure Crane Sect. His robes were pristine, his bow respectful, but his words were lined with poison. "The Sect thanks Li Fan for past cooperation," he read from a scroll, "but in light of… unfortunate disturbances, the council deems it prudent to suspend all shared ventures. This decision will be revisited when… stability returns."
Wei Shun swore under his breath. "They mean when you're either dead or leashed."
Li Fan accepted the scroll without a word. Inside, he felt the slow tightening — the same tactic used in siege warfare. Starve the city, make its defenders doubt, then strike when the walls are weakest.
The worst blow came the next day.
Master Xu, an old friend of Li Fan's late teacher, came to their rented hall. His steps were slow, his eyes clouded with hesitation.
"I'm here to advise you," he said, lowering himself into a chair. "Disband your group. Leave Emerald Haven. Let this storm pass without you in its center."
Rourou stiffened. "You're telling him to abandon everything?"
"I'm telling him to live," Master Xu replied gravely. "There are whispers… that the Heavenly Court has taken interest. If they decide you are indeed walking the path of a wilden, no sect, no alliance, will protect you. And… I cannot be seen aiding you further."
Li Fan searched the old man's face. The regret there was genuine — but so was the fear. "You've already chosen," he said quietly.
Master Xu bowed his head and left without looking back.
That night, Wen Rourou found Li Fan standing on the rooftop, watching the lanterns in the distance. "We can't trust anyone," he said. "Even the ones who want to help will abandon us when the cost gets too high."
Far beyond the city, the true mastermind crossed another name off a list. The trap was almost ready to spring.
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