"I'm his master."
"During seclusion, there's no distinction between master and student." Elena shifted slightly, blocking the courtyard gate. "Please come again in three days."
Talia's mouth twitched. She stood there for five seconds, then turned and left.
Her footsteps were noticeably heavier than when she had arrived.
That same afternoon, Barlow's deputy came to collect this month's order.
Elonore handed him a note at the gate. "This month's orders are suspended. Resumption time will be announced separately."
The deputy took the note and ran back.
An hour later, a small wooden box was delivered to the courtyard gate. The lid was unlocked. Inside were four pieces of fourth-tier crystal scraps, with a handwritten note from Barlow pressed beneath them.
"Master Su, please focus on your seclusion. This lowly one won't disturb you. The scraps are just a small token, worthless things—use them as you please."
Elena put the crystals into the cabinet and made an entry in the ledger.
"Another favor owed."
Saina picked up a crystal scrap and held it to the light.
"Can this feed chickens?"
"No."
"Then let it sit there."
Night fell.
Ginkgo Alley quieted down.
When the bolt on the woodshed door slid into place, people were still busy in the courtyard.
Su Li stood before the anvil, removed the bonded short blade from his waist, and laid it across his knees. The forging patterns on the blade shone a little brighter than they had last night, pulsing steadily like a heartbeat.
He turned to look at the supplies stacked by the door: three bottles of fourth-tier stabilizing fluid, six crystal scraps, two guiding needles, and three bowls of medicine broth gone cold beside the anvil.
"Let's assign duties."
Saina, Elena, and Elonore stood outside the woodshed.
Su Li's voice filtered through the