White Crane Association Master

That night, as the lanterns first lit, their glow adorned all of Nanyan City, illuminating the skies above.

At that moment, a simply decorated, utterly unremarkable carriage rolled to a stop outside the Nanyan Prefecture Governor's Mansion.

On the steps, the soldiers on guard noticed the commotion and raised their heads. They looked over the carriage, which seemed cheap at a glance, inspecting it until they spotted what they were looking for.

It was an emblem carved into the left side of the carriage: a white background, with clusters of white clouds symbolizing the open sky, and above them a white crane soaring freely, its wings spread as if ready to take flight.

After a brief moment's thought, the soldier knew which faction the emblem represented—and who was inside the carriage.

The White Crane Merchant Association.

Li Jiyang.

The soldier snapped upright, his expression growing solemn as he fixed his gaze on the carriage, ready for anything.

"It's that old geezer, the White Crane Association Master. Treat him properly—don't give him the slightest reason to think we've been disrespectful."

The soldier gave himself a quick pep talk.

He had no choice. The man in the carriage might not be the most powerful person in Nanyan City, but he was the stingiest, cheapest, most vindictive, and most petty.

Ordinary leaders of major factions wouldn't pick on little people like them just to save face. But this one would.

"...I heard the White Crane Merchant Association pays its subordinates next to nothing, and the Association Master squeezes them mercilessly. They don't stay because they want to. They stay because they don't dare leave, afraid he'll take revenge."

The soldier descended the steps and came to the carriage. He bowed with his hands clasped and spoke respectfully.

"Greetings, Association Master Li. Have you