Master Hei Dong sighed warily as the three cultivators entered through the gates of his family compound, each one clad in the orange and red robes of the Fire Bird Sect. Two inner disciples flanked a master who walked in the center, a tall man with a flowing, gray-streaked beard and hair to match. His slim features bordered on being gaunt, almost sickly in appearance, his age of someone in his seventies. His eyes shifted about the courtyard hungrily as Hei Dong approached, as if he were taking stock of Hei Dong’s wealth by counting the number of ornate statues adorning the front yard alone.

Hei Dong was flanked by his own entourage of skilled retainers. In this case it was two disciples from Fia’s cohort; the women dressed in dark robes as was the signature of the Silver Shadow Enclave. He came to a stop before the trio of Fire Bird members and plastered on a pleasant smile.

“Master Lo Feng, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit so early in the morning?”

Lo Feng, the local Sect Leader of Fire Birds, clasped his hands and performed a customary bow. “The pleasure is certainly all mine, Honorable Vice Warden. My thanks for entertaining me unannounced.”

Hei Dong noted he had referred to him by his imperial title rather than his sect position, a clear indicator of what this visit was about today. “I always have time for old friends.”

Lo Feng smiled, a predatory like gesture that barely concealed the contempt behind it. “I bring a gift.”

“Oh?”

At the snap of his fingers, one of his disciples stepped forward and unwrapped a piece of ornate cloth to reveal a glittering chunk of metal within it. The man held it towards him, head bent low. Hei Dong couldn’t contain the stirring of his Qi at the immense power exuding from the material.

“Aurorean Silver,” Lo Feng said with a wry smile. “I’m sure the old smith in you would find great use for such a thing.”

Hei Dong grimaced inwardly but yet smiled. The old bastard knew him well. He had forged Hein’s blade, the Silver Tear Talon from a similar material decades ago. This much Aurorean Silver was likely plucked from the corpse of some unsuspecting off-worlder and smelted down to conceal its origins. But Lo Feng’s reason for gifting him this was perhaps two-fold. One was clearly for a favor he still had yet to ask, but the other reason was to deliver a backhanded insult; a reminder that Hei Dong was not a Martial Artist, but an artisan crafter who got by upon the protection of his wife’s family.

Hei Dong accepted the gift regardless, the saving of face demanding it. “You are most considerate, Master Lo Feng. I’m sure I will find use for it indeed. Although these days my formal duties call me much farther away from the anvil than I would like.”

Hei Dong smirked, hinting that his power was seated in things far superior to either martial or artisan prowess now. He held the strength of office. Something that could cause even a High-Tier Core Realm Cultivator like Lo Feng to bow to him.

“Wouldn’t we all wish for more time in a day if we could,” Lo Feng said chucking. “And I know yours is limited, what with all the preparations for the tournament.”

“Indeed,” Hei Dong said, waiting patiently for the man’s request.

After a few seconds of silence, it inevitably came.

“I note that there have been no contracts for the tournament security issued as yet.”

“Why would you expect such, Master Lo Feng?” Hei Dong answered him quickly, leaving no room for negotiation. “It’s not a normal tournament this year. It’s sponsored exclusively by the Dynasty. Security will be imperial.”

Lo Feng snorted. “Even though it is to take place squarely in our territory?”

Hei Dong seethed inwardly. He’d expected this conversation as soon as he had selected the venue. Lady Silver Tear allowed the Fire Birds to control most of the surface city and the illicit trades that transpired therein, but during the tournaments their control was officiated through another form of appeasement—warranting them a security contract to keep peace and order over the less savory masses.

“The ruling comes from the princess herself.” Hei Dong merely shrugged. “There will be no security contract this year.”

“Is that so?” Lo Feng folded his arms slowly. “Does the Silver Leaf clan not hold favor with the princess? Surely, local sensitivities can be communicated and respected by the throne. I’m certain manpower alone will be an issue. Does the Warden even possess enough Enforcers to police such an event?”

“Any shortfalls will be filled by the Silver Leaf clan this year, Master Lo Feng.”

The cold, sharp words came from behind him.

Hei Dong didn’t need to look to see who it was. Stepping next to him was his wife, Rhi Dong, still a radiant beauty at over eighty years old, sharp features and flawless, pale skin, but she was nothing more than a right meddling woman at the moment. Her silver eyes glinted with delight as she leered at Lo Feng, their color matching her long hair which flowed to her mid-back in a warrior’s braid.

Lo Feng replied with practiced grace, performing a bow. “Ah, Lady Silver Moon, the true beauty…and strength of the Dong family.”

Hei Dong held his tongue at yet another backhanded insult, but his wife foolishly lapped up the false praise, smiling cockily. “This one is pleased at your recognition.”

Hei Dong matched Lo Feng’s obsequious tone. “My dearest wife, what a pleasure it is for you to come and see Master Lo Feng off.”

“Oh, is our conversation at a close already?” Lo Feng said.

“I can’t see much reason for it to continue.” Hei Dong smiled but his eyes remained fixed in a deathly stare.

Lo Feng chuckled. “Well, I suppose we should be thankful that security will fall into the hands of the most powerful Silver Leaf clan this year. As perhaps it should. Afterall, the more intolerant segments of our fine city may find much dissatisfaction with the grip the princess has placed on our tournament this year. Surely a much stronger security force will be needed to combat the inevitable unrest it will bring.”

Rhi Dong frowned, her tone then becoming grave. “What is it you speak of, Master Lo Feng? Is it a threat?”

Hei Dong sighed inwardly; the woman had foolishly taken his bait. At times he wondered if she was any better than Hein when it came to subtlety and tact. “No threats are being spoken here, my love.” Hei Dong smiled at her to save face. “Only dynasty matters.”

He emphasized the word and gave her a penetrating stare to convey she was overstepping her bounds. Miraculously she caught on and smiled back at him.

“Very well, dear husband. I will leave these small matters to you as the Vice Warden.”

“Thank you.”

As his wife turned to depart, Lo Feng, perhaps sensing an opportunity for discord, struck again. “Strange that dynasty matters would involve so much of the Silver Leaf clan’s involvement this year,” he said. “One would almost think the Lady Silver Tear is trying to push aside of long-standing agreements and traditions just to personally take advantage of the huge bounty to be had this year.”

Rhi Dong turned about sharply. “You dare to make such an accusation of my clan’s honor? Of the Lady Silver Tear herself?”

Lo Feng grinned. “A thousand apologies, Lady Silver Moon. If you mistook my words as an accusation, please forgive me. It was a mere observation from my own personal perspective. If I am wrong, please do correct me.”

“That will be enough,” Hei Dong said, sensing his wife’s Qi shifting violently inside of her. “These matters can not be discussed nor remedied here.”

“Indeed they can not,” Rhi Dong said, her eyes narrowing to slits. “But if Master Lo Feng feels aggrieved, then perhaps he should petition the courts for a Trial by Might. With the tournament approaching he would be sure to find a venue and we would most certainly entertain defending any claim he would bring against our house.”

Curse the woman, Hei Dong thought. He needed to deescalate this quickly. “I am sure Master Lo Feng would have no need to go through such troubles. Any losses this year can surely be recouped in the following—”

“No, no,” Lo Feng said. “Your honorable wife speaks wisely, Vice Warden. What better way to demonstrate to the princess herself, that the rules of imperial civility penetrate to even this far-flung region of her domain. After all, gone are the days of sectarian violence in the streets born of petty disputes and retribution. Are they not?”

His words were filled with venom, but Rhi Dong seemed to lap them up with a fervor. “I am certain your Sect is most grateful for those days to be behind us, for we know who would prevail if any such dispute. But the Silver Leaf clan stands ready to embrace the modern era. If you wish to put forth a champion for your claim, we will match it in a Trial by Might. My daughter Fia is competing within the Gold Bracket this year. I am certain she would relish the opportunity to put any one of your members to the test in a trial.”

“So be it,” Lo Feng said with a smirk. “We have members competing in the Gold Bracket as well. My very nephew, Chow Feng would certainly be a good match for your Fia.”

“Consider it settled then,” Rhi Dong said. “If you wish to push forth in this silly matter, we stand ready to contest it.”

Lo Feng looked to Hei Dong directly. “I will prepare a manifest of what we estimate we have lost this year in income. Expect a writ from the magistrates.”

The Fire Bird Sect leader performed a bow, which Hei Dong begrudgingly returned. Once he had departed, Hei Dong dismissed the two Silver Shadows before turning his full attention to his wife.

“What have you done, woman?” he said vexed.

She merely leered at him. “What you should have done ages ago, my dear husband. The Fire Birds grow more brazen with their demands each year. It is time we remind them who holds their leash.”

Hei Dong shook his head while releasing a sigh. “Do you have any idea how much we rely upon them to keep this city afloat? And I’m not talking about the tournament. I mean the rest of the year. There’s barely enough commerce to keep anything in working order. If not for the shadow economy within the Jianghu, we’d all be living like the damn Terrans.”

“You fret too much, my love,” Rhi Dong said, stroking his cheek softly. “The Fire Birds will be allowed to continue in their vocation. Only next year, Master Lo Feng will come groveling on his knees before you, begging to serve, instead of wearing that smug grin on his ugly face.”

“And Fia? Would you risk her life over this?”

Rhi Dong let out a sharp laugh. “I often forget these ways are still yet foreign to you, love. Our Fia is bristling at a chance to claim her own honor within the clan. Even more than placing in the Gold Bracket, I’m sure she would relish the opportunity to strike down the nephew of a rival sect leader to defend Lady Silver Tear’s honor.”

She was probably right, but it was a distraction he scarcely needed at the moment.

“Then I shall leave you to see to it, my love,” he said. “I have much yet to do to ensure this tournament is a success.”

“And it shall be.” She smiled at him before kissing his cheek. “No one is more clever than you, Vice Warden Hei Dong. And no one is stronger than our Fia.”