Within the quiet chamber, sandalwood incense curled through the air, gathering without dispersing.
This was the Misty Cloud Sect's most heavily guarded forbidden area, hastily set aside for the occasion. Outside the door, eight sect stewards stood like iron-cast statues, their expressions stern and their auras foreboding, forming an invisible barrier against every prying eye and unwelcome disturbance.
Inside, Yun Yun had dismissed all her attendants.
The sect master who held sway over the Jia Ma Empire was now personally pouring a cup of steaming fragrant tea for the guest seated across from her, a figure in a dark robe. Her movements were graceful as a dance, smooth and flowing, with a charm that was a pleasure to behold.
A long, bony hand picked up the white porcelain teacup and brought it to his lips. He took a small sip, then stopped.
"You're so young, sir, yet you possess such insight into the workings of the world. May I ask who taught you?"
Yun Yun gently set down the white jade teapot. Her cool, dignified voice flowed slowly through the still air. She didn't beat around the bush; with a single question, she went straight to the heart of the matter.
It was a test, but also an interrogation befitting someone in power—one without a trace of anger. She wanted to know what kind of force stood behind this man, who had appeared out of nowhere and stirred the winds of change across the entire empire.
Su Chen did not answer.
He simply cradled the warm teacup in his palm, letting the rising steam blur the shadow cast by his bamboo hat. No one could see his expression.
His silence made the atmosphere in the quiet chamber grow more and more oppressive, tightening around them.
Yun Yun's phoenix eyes narrowed