As night fell over Qingping City, the first lanterns lit up.
Lin Qing and Zhang Shun did not return to the martial arts school.
Instead, they sat facing each other in a private room at a quiet teahouse.
On the table lay the silver notes Lin Qing had won with his second victory.
The lamplight glowed, but the atmosphere in the room was tense.
"Ah Qing."
Zhang Shun broke the silence, a rare trace of helplessness on his face.
He lowered his voice to a whisper. "Tomorrow, you're up against Liu Ying. The eldest brother sent word through someone from the Ge Pao Society."
Lin Qing tucked away the silver notes, his movements pausing slightly.
He looked up at Zhang Shun, waiting for him to continue.
Zhang Shun went on. "The eldest brother hopes you'll put the bigger picture first tomorrow, Junior Brother."
"Why?" Lin Qing asked with a frown.
"The Liu Family isn't someone we can afford to offend right now. Liu Ying's father, Liu Jiao, is a City Guard commander with real power in his hands. Here in Qingping County, he's practically a local warlord."
"The eldest brother said that if this goes well, you'll have earned the Society a merit. You'll be rewarded afterward, and it won't be less than this."
He held up one finger, indicating a hundred taels.
Lin Qing fell silent. His fingers unconsciously brushed the warm rim of his teacup.
He understood all too well what "putting the bigger picture first" meant.
He was being asked to deliberately lose the match, just when he was riding high and had a chance to claim an even higher place.
An indescribable frustration churned in his chest, as if invisible shackles were binding him.
He had overcome one powerful opponent after another, ready to rely on