The sun was already high by the time Su Yan made his way along the quiet village road, carrying several paper-wrapped parcels of food from the tavern.
A few farmers were working in the fields nearby, while an old cart rattled past in the opposite direction. Its driver gave him little more than a passing glance before continuing on.
Everything looked perfectly ordinary.
Su Yan glanced back down the road anyway.
He let out a slow breath and faced forward again, trying to ease some of the tension that had settled into his shoulders over the past two weeks.
Ever since the attack on the Ruan estate, he had been waiting for the consequences to catch up with them. A manhunt, a wanted notice, Spirit Hall squads searching the nearby towns—anything that would suggest Jade Spring had responded to what happened that night.
Instead, there had been nothing.
Somehow, the silence was beginning to worry him more than an open pursuit would have.
Were they taking their time gathering enough people before coming after them? Had the search already started quietly, with information being passed between Spirit Hall branches rather than announced publicly?
Su Yan frowned.
He had openly attacked the estate of a prominent family and killed its patriarch. Surely something that serious couldn't simply go unanswered.
Pushing the thought aside, he forced himself to keep moving, his gaze lingering on every unfamiliar face he passed as he headed towards the outskirts of the village.
Soon, a rather dilapidated cottage came into view.
A rickety fence surrounded the small yard, where several chickens wandered through the overgrown grass. The owners had been all too happy to rent the place to them for a couple of weeks after Su Yan offered several gold soul coins, and had taken the opportunity to stay with relatives while the three of them occupied the cottage.
Surprisingly, the constant clucking and rustling of the animals had actually helped settle his nerves over the past few days.
At the front door, Su Yan stopped.
He could already feel the oppressive atmosphere inside before he even opened it.
Nihilister had not been taking their current situation particularly well.
Going from luxurious hotel rooms to hiding out in a place like this had been a considerable shock, one that had only become worse the longer they stayed. The cottage was cramped and smelled faintly of animals, and no matter how much they cleaned, something always seemed dirty.
The kitchen was just as bare-bones. There was little food left behind to work with, and honestly, Su Yan had not been in the mood to cook anyway. That was why he had been making regular trips into the village to buy their meals directly.
Going into the village this regularly was a risk, but to Su Yan, it was a calculated one. He could pick up food while also checking whether any news from Jade Spring had reached the area.
Su Yan shook his head. He was stalling again.
Taking a fortifying breath, he pushed the door open.
Nihilister's crimson-red eyes immediately locked onto him, quiet fury radiating from them.
Su Yan flinched.
"I… I brought the food."
She continued to glare as Su Yan stood awkwardly in the doorway.
When she still said nothing, he forced himself forward and began opening the parcels of food on the table.
With 2B seated nearby, Su Yan finished setting everything out before taking a seat at the table.
He started eating, and after a moment the other two joined him.
The aroma of the food was pleasant enough, but Su Yan had already learned that it never lasted. Before long, the faint smell of animals and old wood always seemed to creep back in.
It did not take them long to finish, yet none of them moved immediately afterwards.
There simply wasn't much to do in the cramped cottage. Su Yan could at least lose a few hours to cultivation whenever he wanted, but neither Nihilister nor 2B had that option.
Today, however, the atmosphere inside the cottage felt heavier than usual, enough that even Su Yan was having trouble ignoring it.
Eventually, he looked up from his empty bowl at the two women sitting across from him.
He couldn't see 2B's eyes beneath her visor, but he could still feel her attention fixed on him. Nihilister made no effort to hide hers.
Su Yan gulped.
"...What?"
Nihilister's eye twitched.
"Did you seriously just ask me that?"
Su Yan wisely said nothing.
"You've had us hiding in this crappy shack for nearly two weeks while you jump at every shadow and stare at anyone who looks at you for too long."
Her chair scraped sharply against the floor as she stood.
"You wanted Ruan dead. You made that choice."
Nihilister jabbed a finger towards him.
"I didn't have a problem with it. Hell, I enjoyed it."
Her expression hardened.
"But you didn't hesitate then."
She leaned forward slightly.
"So why the hell are you doing it now?"
Su Yan's gaze drifted back to the table.
"It's different now. I've had time to think about everything I overlooked. How much trouble I might have brought down on our heads."
Nihilister's eyes narrowed.
"You regret it?"
Su Yan's head snapped up.
"Never."
Nihilister scoffed.
"Then what's the problem?"
She crossed her arms, a bloodthirsty smile slowly spreading across her face.
"If you're worried about someone coming after us, let them."
Her grin widened.
"If one comes, we kill one. If ten come, we kill ten."
Su Yan frowned.
"That's exactly the problem."
Nihilister's smile faded slightly.
"We don't even know what those consequences are yet. Spirit Hall, the city, the Ruan family, whoever else might decide they want to come after us because of what happened. I went in there thinking about Ruan. I wasn't thinking nearly enough about what came after."
"Then don't."
Su Yan blinked.
"What?"
"Don't think about it."
Nihilister walked around the table towards him.
"You already did it. You said you don't regret it, and even if you could go back, you wouldn't change what you did."
She stopped beside him and jabbed a finger against his forehead.
"So stop thinking so damn much."
She took a step back and straightened.
"I'm done with this. I'm going for a walk."
"But…"
She silenced Su Yan with a glare.
"Right, don't stay out too late."
Nihilister paused at the door and looked back.
"You'd better have pulled yourself together by the time I get back."
Her grin returned.
"Otherwise I'll knock some sense into that thick skull of yours."
Su Yan stared after her as the door swung shut.
For a moment, the cottage fell quiet again.
Then 2B spoke.
"I agree with her."
Su Yan's eyes widened.
"2B?!"
She gave a small nod.
"Remaining here at first was reasonable. We did not know what response our actions would cause."
She glanced briefly around the cramped cottage.
"But almost two weeks have passed. We have seen no pursuit, no search parties and nothing to suggest anyone is looking for us."
Su Yan frowned.
"That doesn't mean there won't be."
"No."
2B stood.
"But we cannot remain here indefinitely because something might happen."
She turned towards the door.
"If circumstances change, we can respond then."
After a brief pause, she added, "I would also like some air."
Su Yan was left sitting alone.
Or at least, he thought he was.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Pod hovering nearby, while Ah Yin rested on a small shelf against the wall.
Su Yan stared at them for a moment, almost waiting for the next round of admonishment.
Nearly a minute passed.
Pod said nothing.
"You don't have anything to say?"
"Negative. 2B and Nihilister have already said all that needed to be said. This unit does not believe further input is necessary."
As Pod finished, Ah Yin's leaves gently swayed despite the still air.
Su Yan stared at her.
"...You too?"
Su Yan sighed. Maybe they had a point.
But he still needed something more concrete.
If they were going to stop hiding, he wanted to know exactly what they were walking back into.
The next morning, they packed their meagre belongings and headed for the nearest town with a Spirit Hall branch.
After booking a room at an upscale hotel, they continued on to the branch, 2B and Nihilister at his side.
If Su Yan was going to test the situation, claiming his monthly stipend was probably the most direct way to do it, short of simply asking whether he was wanted.
And like Nihilister had said, if they really were hunting them, they could always fight their way out.
It was better than remaining trapped in uncertainty and jumping at shadows.
He stepped inside and found a decent number of people already gathered in the branch, many seemingly there to collect their own stipends. A few spared him a glance before quickly looking away, while those whose attention lingered were usually staring at 2B or Nihilister instead.
It did not take long before he reached the front desk, where a young clerk sat looking thoroughly bored.
"Monthly stipend?"
Su Yan nodded.
"Certificate. Place your hand on the crystal, please."
Su Yan set his certificate on the desk and placed his hand against the crystal.
The clerk glanced over Su Yan's certificate, then at the crystal.
"Rank twenty-three. Ten gold soul coins."
He passed the certificate back along with ten gleaming gold soul coins, which Su Yan collected before hesitating.
After a moment, the clerk looked at him in confusion.
"Was there something else you needed?"
Su Yan hesitated before deciding to just get it over with.
"I wanted to ask about something."
The clerk straightened, a flicker of interest crossing his face.
"Jade Spring City. I heard there was some sort of commotion there a little while back?"
The clerk's expression brightened.
"Oh, I heard about that. Nasty business. Turns out the patriarch of one of the city's leading families was actually a fugitive."
The clerk tapped his chin.
"Got killed by some Spirit Master out for revenge or something. Was a huge mess over there."
His eyes turned to Su Yan.
"You know anything about it yourself? If you're asking, I figure you might have some stake in the matter."
Su Yan scratched the back of his head.
"Not really. Had some friends there, and word eventually made its way over that something big had happened. I just wanted to find out a bit more."
The clerk's expression deflated.
"Seriously, and here I was thinking I was going to get some fresh gossip."
"So, what's going to happen with that case? Is the Spirit Master who did it going to get a bounty or something?"
The clerk rested his chin in one hand.
"Doesn't sound like it."
He shrugged.
"From what I heard, they're treating it as the patriarch's past finally catching up with him. Haven't heard anything about a bounty, anyway."
A faint grimace crossed his face.
"It's not exactly the first time one Spirit Master has killed another over some old grudge, and it certainly won't be the last. Can you imagine Spirit Hall trying to chase down every two-bit Spirit Master who decides to settle a score?"
He shuddered.
"The paperwork alone would kill me. That said, why are you so interested in the killer?"
The clerk narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
Su Yan's mind raced as he tried to think of an excuse, but before he could come up with one, realisation lit up the clerk's face.
"Ah, I see how it is."
Su Yan blinked.
The clerk leaned forward.
"You're thinking of tracking the killer down for the reputation, aren't you?"
"..."
"I'd advise against it. There's no bounty that I've heard of, and the fugitive they killed was a Spirit Emperor."
His eyes briefly swept over Su Yan.
"No offence, but if you went after someone capable of that, I don't think you'd last very long."
"Right, definitely not doing that. I didn't know the patriarch was a Spirit Emperor."
"Yeah, that part hasn't spread around as much."
The clerk lowered his voice.
"Which means whoever killed him was no small figure either. So unless you've got a death wish, I'd leave that one alone."
He gave Su Yan a knowing look.
"GET A MOVE ON ALREADY!"
A man at the back of the line suddenly shouted, startling both Su Yan and the clerk.
They looked back to find a red-faced Spirit Master glaring daggers at them.
The clerk sighed.
"Looks like I need to get back to work. Remember what I said—you're still young. There are plenty of ways to make a name for yourself. Don't go wasting your life chasing quick fame. Slow and steady wins the race."
The clerk's eyes drifted towards 2B and Nihilister.
"Though with these two around, I'd say you've already won."
He laughed.
Su Yan felt heat creep into his cheeks.
"That's not what—"
"NEXT!"
The clerk had already turned away.
Su Yan left the branch and stepped back into the sunlight. A cool breeze brushed across his face, and he drew in a deep breath before slowly letting it out.
Some heat still lingered in his cheeks, but after that conversation, he felt considerably lighter.
Suddenly, a weight settled against his back.
Nihilister had leaned over him from behind, wrapping her arms loosely around his neck.
"See? Nothing to worry about."
"Yeah, you guys were right, but…"
She pushed herself away.
A moment later, Su Yan realised something felt wrong.
His hand went to his waist.
Nothing.
He looked up.
His money pouch was dangling from Nihilister's hand.
"That's mine."
She scoffed.
"You owe us. We'll see you back at the hotel."
Before Su Yan could object, she grabbed 2B by the arm and started dragging her away.
2B turned her head towards Nihilister, visibly confused by the sudden contact, but offered no resistance.
Su Yan watched as the two disappeared around the corner.
He decided not to question it and headed straight back to the hotel.
After flagging down one of the servant girls, he asked for a bath to be prepared. A long soak later, Su Yan returned to their room and stretched out across the bed.
The mattress was soft, nothing like the straw bed he had endured for the past two weeks. The silky sheets felt cool against his skin, while the lingering warmth from the bath mixed pleasantly with the breeze drifting through the open window.
For the first time in what felt like far too long, Su Yan had nothing he needed to do.
His eyes slowly began to close.
Then his thoughts wandered.
Fire.
The burning estate.
A broken voice calling for his mother and father.
The boy standing alone amongst it all.
Su Yan's eyes opened again.
He sat up and pressed his fingers to his temples.
"Damn it all."
He needed a distraction, something to keep his hands and mind occupied.
He looked around the room before his gaze settled on the bag they normally used to carry their belongings.
Su Yan reached over and pulled it closer.
As he opened it, the necklace he had taken from Ruan immediately caught his eye.
He took it out and turned it over in his hand.
Honestly, he hadn't given much thought to why he had taken it at the time.
Now that he was looking at it properly, however, something seemed off.
What he had originally taken for solid gold had dulled in several places, while thin cracks had spread through the surface. Small sections had even begun to flake away entirely.
Su Yan glanced into the bag and, sure enough, spotted several tiny fragments of gold amongst their belongings.
Curious, he picked at one of the already damaged edges.
More of the gold covering came away beneath his fingers, revealing gunmetal-grey material underneath.
Su Yan paused.
So the gold had only ever been a thin decorative layer.
The flames must have weakened the covering, with the damage only becoming obvious over time.
Su Yan continued peeling away the gilding until the last of the gold came free, revealing a gunmetal-grey necklace set with five rhomboid sapphires.
A single deep-blue sapphire sat at the centre, larger than the rest. Two smaller, lighter sapphires sat on each side of it.
Su Yan studied the now considerably less gaudy necklace. He gathered the flakes of gold into a small pile anyway, though he thought the necklace looked much better without them.
Following a hunch, he channelled a thread of Spirit Power into it.
Almost immediately, five separate spaces appeared within his awareness.
The sensation was disorientating at first, but once he adjusted and began feeling out each space, he realised they were all surprisingly full.
Su Yan reached into the first one.
When Nihilister and 2B returned to the hotel room, they were met with a rather bizarre sight.
Several small boxes covered the table alongside herbs and plants of various shapes and sizes, with numerous porcelain bottles scattered amongst them.
More boxes sat open on the floor, revealing rows of porcelain bottles packed inside.
The bed, on the other hand, had almost disappeared behind a small wall of books and tomes. Pod hovered nearby, slowly working its way through one of them.
And finally, Su Yan sat on the floor staring at what could only be described as a small mountain of gold soul coins.
The two stepped inside, and 2B closed the door behind them as Nihilister slowly approached Su Yan.
Nihilister stared at the pile for a moment.
"Half."
Su Yan turned towards her.
"Half?"
She nodded.
"Half."
"Wait, what do you mean by half?"
Nihilister ignored him and flopped face-first onto the pile of gold soul coins as though it were a bed.
Su Yan opened his mouth to argue, then stopped when he heard a faint crunch.
He stared at her.
"...Are you eating the coins?"
Nihilister glanced over at him.
"Half of them are mine."
"That wasn't what I asked."
Another crunch.
Su Yan's expression slowly twisted.
"Does gold even do anything for you?"
"No."
He stared.
Nihilister picked up another coin.
"The taste grew on me."