The morning sunlight in Red Cloud City didn't fall with a gentle welcome; it reflected sharply off the rows of red-tiled roofs that were the hallmark of this transit city, creating a dazzling glare for anyone unaccustomed to it. The morning air was thick and humid, carrying a mixture of aromas only found in a bustling trading center: the stench of horse manure from the public stables, the savory steam from the dumpling stalls that had just opened their doors, the scent of exotic spices from the West, and the scent of sweat from the thousands of people who had been working since dawn.
Namgung Shiri walked slowly across the cobblestone pavement, which still held the lingering chill of the night. She wore an elegant yet modest sky-blue silk robe, delicately embroidered with clouds along the edges. A pair of hands, clad in thin silk gloves, occasionally adjusted the transparent veil that covered half her face, but her clear eyes still radiated the sharpness of the daughter of a great trading clan. Behind her, two personal bodyguards from the Namgung Wei clan—one gray-haired and the younger Han—walked with utmost vigilance, their hands never far from the hilts of their clan's broadswords.
"Young Lady, I still don't think this is a wise idea,"
Wei whispered, his voice hoarse but full of protectiveness.
"Approaching the Demon Faction's representative office in a neutral city like this... if word of this reaches the Grand Master at clan headquarters, we will be punished for failing to uphold your reputation."
Shiri paused in front of a fabric shop, pretending to examine the quality of the silk on display, but keeping her eyes fixed on the street ahead.
"Uncle Wei, didn't Father always teach us that a merchant should be able to see the cracks before a building completely collapses?"
she replied in a soft yet firm voice.
"But this isn't about the building, Lady. This is about the Demons,"
Han interjected, frowning.
"That young man with the heavy sword who saved us in the Northern Valley... he was probably just passing by and wanted to show off his strength to the weak bandits."
Shiri turned her head slightly, giving Han a look that made him pause.
"No, Han. He didn't just 'happen' to pass by. He was moving with a very clear purpose. He spoke of 'Security SOPs' and 'logistical efficiency.' Those terms don't exist in the dictionary of a demon who only knows how to slaughter. If Evernight Gate truly transforms into an orderly structure, the economic power structure in this border region will completely change. I must confirm this myself before our Trade Alliance makes any wrong investment decisions."
Their steps took them to the eastern district of the city, a quieter but still elegant area, where many representative offices of major sects stood side by side. This is where the laws of commerce often prevailed over those of factions.
As they passed an intersection near a magnificent tea pavilion, Shiri suddenly took a step back. Wei and Han instinctively formed a protective line in front of their lady, their hands locked on the hilts of their weapons.
"What's wrong, lady?"
Wei whispered, his eyes sweeping around sharply.
Shiri didn't answer immediately. Her eyes fell on a group of warriors who had just emerged from the tea pavilion. There were about six of them, dressed in pristine white robes that contrasted sharply with the dust of the road. A logo beautifully embroidered on their chests was a symbol Shiri knew all too well: the Plum Blossom, the symbol of the Mount Hua Sect.
"Mount Hua Sect..." Shiri murmured, her voice low with surprise.
However, it wasn't just the logo that made her suspicious. Among the group, she recognized a young man with a stern face and a piercingly cold aura—Song Jin, the third senior disciple who was supposed to be on guard duty at the border. Song Jin was speaking in a solemn tone and his face flushed with anger to an older man, who was wearing a robe embroidered with golden plum blossoms—signifying his status as a sect Elder.
"Why are they here in such numbers?" Shiri whispered to herself.
"And why does Song Jin look so... humiliated?"
Shiri motioned for Wei to retreat behind a pillar in an antique shop filled with ancient urns. From a distance, he could hear their conversation, as the morning breeze carried the sounds toward him.
"Elder, that bastard son utterly humiliated us on the border bridge," Song Jin's voice trembled with suppressed anger.
"Not only did he refuse to hand over Elder Gong's 'Shadow Ledger,' but he also treated us as if we were lowly subcontractors who failed a field audit!"
The Mount Hua elder stroked his long beard angrily.
"Moen Kang Yo... that trash prince who should have died from the 'Nine Regrets' poison?"
"Yes, Elder! But he doesn't look like he's dying. He moves with terrifying precision and claims to be the 'New Manager' of Evernight Gate," Song Jin reported again, his fingers clenching until his knuckles turned white.
"If he truly recovers his strength and masters the asset management technique you described, then the threat is no longer the sword, but our financial stability in the southern region. We cannot allow his audit to continue."
The elder narrowed his eyes, his gaze as cold as ice.
"That means Elder Gong failed to keep our 'investment' there a secret. We must destroy the gate before he completes his physical 'renovations.' We must not allow the Demon faction to establish too strong a foothold near the main trade route."
Shiri remained rooted to the spot as the Mount Hua group walked away toward the west of the city. Her mind raced like an abacus calculating the risks.
"Audit? Shadow Ledger? And... gate renovations?" Shiri muttered, her fingers twisting nervously at the ends of her shawl.
"Uncle Wei, did you hear that? The Orthodox Faction, always speaking of honor and justice, is actually discussing a secret 'investment' with a corrupt elder at Evernight Gate. This is no longer a matter of good versus evil, as written in the history books. This is a struggle for assets and logistics routes."
Wei looked extremely agitated, cold sweat beginning to bead on his forehead.
"Young Lady, this is getting dangerous. If Mount Hua is planning to sabotage Evernight Gate, we shouldn't be standing between two opposing pillars. If they find out we're eavesdropping on their 'subcontractor's' secrets, the Namgung clan's reputation could be ruined."
"That's precisely why we must stay here, Wei," Shiri adjusted her veil with graceful yet determined movements.
"If Mount Hua, one of the pillars of the Orthodox Faction, feels threatened by the actions of a 'Foreman' from a nearly bankrupt Demon Sect, then that 'Foreman' is the most crucial variable in the current Jianghu economy. I can't just watch from afar while a new structure is being built."
Shiri gazed toward the end of the street, where an old building with high walls came into view. The building appeared to be undergoing intensive cleaning; dust was being swept away, weeds climbing the walls were being removed, and the black circle logo with dim moonlight above the gate was being repainted to make it look more imposing and dignified. It was the Evernight Gate representative office in Red Cloud City.
"Uncle Wei, Han, prepare yourselves," Shiri said, stepping forward again, her heart beating slightly faster than usual.
"We're going in there not as enemies, but as potential allies, eager to determine the strength of the 'foundation' Moen Kang Yo is building. If Mount Hua wants to demolish it, then I need to know if it's worth saving for the sake of our trade stability."
Shiri's journey, initially driven by curiosity and a desire to repay a favor, had now transformed into a serious economic intelligence mission. Under the shadow of impending conflict, the Namgung princess realized she had just stepped into a blueprint far larger than mere sectarian affairs.
She took in every detail as she approached the gate: the guards standing at the gate were now straighter, more disciplined, and no longer looked as haggard as in the old intelligence reports. The scent of cheap incense that had once lingered there had been replaced by the scent of fresh teakwood and high-quality polishing oil.
"The structure is truly changing..." Shiri thought before she finally reached the gate and tapped firmly on the cold metal knocker.