The air in the great hall grew thick with anticipation. Feiyue Sitori stood tall and composed, her eyes locked with Tie Shan's as the merchant-warlord studied her with a calculated gaze. Beside her, Yunzheng Chu appeared casual, though the tension in his stance spoke of readiness—readiness for whatever trickery or traps lay hidden in Tyron's words.
The massive wooden table between them groaned under the weight of ancient tomes and dusty relics. The dim candlelight flickered, casting long shadows across the stone walls, making the space feel even more oppressive.
Tyron's smile remained fixed, but there was something dark behind it, like a predator who enjoyed the hunt more than the kill. "You speak of the shard, but you come here empty-handed," he said, his deep voice echoing in the hollow room. "I am no fool, Feiyue. I have seen many come and go, all with promises and threats. You will have to show me more than your pretty face if you wish to leave this hall with what you seek."
Yunzheng's lips curled into a mischievous smile. "You've got that right, old man. You wouldn't be Tie Shan if you didn't demand a price for everything. But that's the fun part, isn't it? Negotiating the price."
Feiyue's gaze shifted slightly, her hand resting on the hilt of her dagger. She wasn't fooled by Tyron's affable demeanor. He was a man who dealt in shadows, and shadows, by nature, were slippery. "We've come to negotiate, not to beg. You know why we're here, and you know what we can offer," she said, her voice calm, but underlined with an unmistakable sharpness.
Tie Shanleaned back in his chair, fingers tapping rhythmically against the table. "I am well aware. But in this world, everything comes at a price. The Shards of Providence are not mere trinkets; they are powerful relics that could change the fate of this world. What you are asking for is not a simple transaction."
Feiyue's eyes narrowed. "I'm not asking for your help. I'm asking for the shard that rightfully belongs to me."
At her words, the room seemed to grow colder. Yunzheng's grin faded, and his posture straightened. Even Tyron's imposing presence seemed to momentarily falter, a flicker of interest crossing his eyes. "Rightfully belongs to you?" he repeated, his voice low, as though testing the words. "That is an intriguing claim. Tell me, Feiyue, why should I believe you?"
Before she could respond, the heavy doors to the hall creaked open, and a figure cloaked in a hooded dark robe stepped in. The figure's aura was oppressive, its presence seemingly drawing the very light from the room. The stranger's voice, when it came, was like a whisper of wind on a mountain peak—clear and cold.
"The Shards of Providence are not meant to be wielded by just anyone," the figure intoned. "Even the most powerful must be wary of them."
Feiyue's eyes flashed with recognition, her instincts instantly on alert. She had no memory of the figure, but there was something undeniably familiar about the cold, ancient power it exuded. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice steady despite the unease stirring in her chest.
The figure pulled back its hood, revealing a face she would never forget.
It was Liu Yan.
Feiyue's breath caught in her throat. She had known from the moment she saw the woman in the marketplace that Liu Yan would be a significant part of the puzzle, but she hadn't expected this. Liu Yan was the last person she expected to find standing at the side of Tie Shan.
Liu Yan's lips curled into a cruel smile, her eyes gleaming with an icy malice. "You're mistaken if you think you can claim the shard so easily, Feiyue," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "There is much more to it than just claiming what you believe belongs to you."
Yunzheng's hand slid to his sword, but he didn't draw it, his gaze flicking between the two women. "Looks like things just got a lot more complicated, huh?"
Tie Shanleaned forward, his gaze shifting to the newcomer. "You two are familiar, then?" He didn't seem surprised, but his curiosity was evident.
Feiyue's grip tightened on her dagger, her eyes locked onto Liu Yan. "What are you doing here?"
Liu Yan's smile never wavered. "I should be asking you that question. You think you can just wander into Ironholt, trample through my city, and take what you please?"
Feiyue's mind raced. Liu Yan had always been a mystery—one of those rare individuals whose every move seemed to carry weight, even when she wasn't present. But now it was clear that she wasn't just an obstacle; she was an integral part of the game being played.
"Liu Yan, you've always been an opportunist," Feiyue said, her voice low but strong. "So, this is your game. You've aligned yourself with Tie Shan to profit from the Shards of Providence."
Liu Yan's smile stretched wider, and for a moment, the woman's beauty seemed almost unnatural—too perfect, too sharp. "I prefer to think of it as... securing my future. And you, Feiyue, are simply in the way of that future."
Tie Shanchuckled darkly. "I believe I've found my price, after all. You see, Feiyue, there's no need for you to continue this little crusade of yours. You are no longer the only one in possession of the knowledge needed to wield the Celestial Codex. I'm simply the one who holds the pieces you seek."
Feiyue's chest tightened. This wasn't just about the Shards of Providence anymore. This was about something deeper, something far more dangerous than she had anticipated.
"You will pay a price, Feiyue," Liu Yan said softly, as if savoring each word. "The question is: How much?"