Yi Yang pushed open the door to a side chamber of the Judgment Hall.
Three people were seated inside.
Ji Yunzhang and Wen Shiheng were drinking tea on either side of the desk. When they saw him enter, both rose to greet him.
"Lord Yi, you're finally out of seclusion."
Wen Shiheng smiled and beckoned him over.
Yi Yang swept his gaze around the side chamber.
Besides the two of them, someone else occupied the guest seat directly opposite the desk.
The man looked to be in his forties. He wore a sandalwood-colored robe with subtle woven patterns. The fabric was understated, but the stitching at his cuffs used a gold-locking needlework technique found only in the Qing Province prefectural capital. A white jade clasp of superb quality hung at his waist.
His hair was neatly bound and his chin clean-shaven. Everything about him said, "I have money, but I don't want you to realize it at first glance."
Yi Yang swept his divine sense over the man without alerting him.
His cultivation was at late true astral.
His cultivation methods belonged neither to the Heaven Patrol Office nor to the Three Great Sects.
His aura was steady and composed. He seemed less like a martial artist accustomed to bloodshed and more like someone who had spent years dealing with merchants and officials.
With strength like that, he certainly counted as a major figure in Suining Prefecture today.
Seeing Yi Yang's gaze settle on the guest, Wen Shiheng offered an introduction. "Lord Yi, let me introduce President Lin, Lin He of the Suiyuan Merchant Guild."
Wen Shiheng paused, then added, "President Lin has been away from the Prefectural City for over a year, so you may not have met before."
Lin He hurriedly stood and cupped his fists toward Yi