The silence in the Council chamber was thicker than the mountain's permafrost.
Elder Boran stared at the glittering dust that had been Feng Jian's arm, his own face pale as fresh snow. He looked from the broken man to Lin Tian, then to Elder Shen Ruoyi. His jaw worked, but no sound came out.
Lin Tian didn't move. He let the silence stretch, let the weight of what just happened settle on the old man's shoulders. He knows, Lin Tian thought. He knows his name is in those ledgers. He knows I hold his fate in my hands.
Elder Shen Ruoyi broke the quiet. Her voice was crisp, cutting through the tension like a honed blade. "The Council's business is concluded. Special Investigator Lin, you are dismissed."
Lin Tian gave a slight, respectful nod to her. He didn't bow. He turned to leave, his boots whispering on the polished stone.
"Wait."
