"How many carts left?" Huang asked the hostler.
"Senior, seventeen carts. Three unusable—being fixed."
Huang glanced at Selini. "Is Zarvis still sleeping?"
"Yes. Room locked two days. Seems recovering. But looking at your map, I've thought of better trade routes. I'll explain when we meet Granny Yin Huai and Haut wakes. He'll decide trading materials—what to trade, where, at what price."
She paused. "That huge lake—empty. Why not nurture fish?"
Huang's expression lightened. "Never done that. Your advice could be profitable."
She nodded.
Inside the room:
"After a whole day's sleep—I feel good." Haut sat cross-legged on the bed. "Yin Mei was right. Injuries gone."
He stared at nothing.
Why did the refinement fail? No other possibility except bad luck. I really hoped it would succeed. But this is the last time I'll regret. If I'd succeeded… could I have survived sect attacks? Too many enemies. Alone.
I need support.
If I help these people, it benefits me. They're in difficulty—easy to help.
Sun rose behind clouds. To the left—beautiful blue lake emitting soft glow. To the right—huge mountains, greenery, patches of snow. Village in the middle, surrounded by flat green grass and waving flowers—blue dominant.
With such a delightful dawn, how could a sinner wake up?
For two days, villagers tried to meet Selini. Haut kept his room locked, refused to come out. Selini helped Huang analyze maps, gave pointers on fish farming—separate areas, trading strategies.
In the hall:
"Grandma, what do you think of them?"
"Mysterious. Showed up nowhere. Don't know backgrounds. Common for merchants to be attacked, but that young man Zarvis—not from this area. Maybe far away."
"His skin burned. Body ruined. Fell in fire running from beasts at dinner. Could be why we misjudge his appearance."
"True. They're helping us now. Focus on village prosperity. Let them live. Everyone has secrets." Yin Huai's voice was calm, optimistic.
Yin Mei nodded.
Outside, Haut walked on the village bridge. Crystal clear water on both sides, white-purple flowers floating.
"Brother Zarvis." Huang approached with plain expression. Selini beside him.
Haut smiled warmly. "Hope brother Huang has been well. Looks like you've started discussing trade."
"Yes. I suggested fish farming. Lake's huge—they'd benefit greatly."
"Wise decision."
Sieyres joined them. "We're waiting for Brother Zarvis's suggestions—goods to trade, routes, market negotiations."
Haut felt amused internally. Sieyres was here too.
"Brother, I've thought it through. Let's join Elder Yin Huai, Lady Yin Mei, and villagers. Discuss trade and production. Add Cin Shi's ideas—we can gain huge benefits if we seize this opportunity."
What opportunity? He didn't explain. They didn't ask.
In the hall, aroma of dishes filled the air. Nothing special—but not commoner's fare. All important villagers present. Small population—at most thirty people, including Haut, Selini, and the four.
"Sister Cin Shi gave excellent advice." Yin Mei broke silence. "Lake's large—fishing extremely profitable."
A middle-aged villager: "Good time for fish farming. Many villagers available for work. Allocate properly—profits rise."
A young woman frowned: "Can we openly sell fish? Juniper Village sect pressured us so long—barely any freedom. If they find out we're profiting, they'll cause trouble."
Huang nodded grimly. "True. Beneficial, but risky."
Haut placed a hand on Huang's shoulder, smiling. "Don't worry, brother. Times change. Village safe now. Juniper faced disaster—still recovering. How can they cause problems when they're lacking in everything?"
Selini felt anxious but stayed composed. "Sure they won't cause trouble indirectly?"
Another villager: "What if they attack our caravan? Loot us out of desperation? Serious problem."
Haut paused, then smiled. "If we're not ready to take small risks, how achieve anything? If we can't benefit today, can we guarantee tomorrow? Step forward."
"Exploit Juniper's vulnerability?"
"If we don't build ourselves today, they'll pressure us again tomorrow." Calm voice. "Besides—we'd be helping them too. Selling resources improves future relations."
He continued: "Best time. Not just fish—control river resources. No point letting fish and insects flow downstream to Juniper. They'd die in poison anyway. Control river flow—increase water for crops. Raise more animals. Sell crops, meat, fish together."
"Their farmland is barren now. No competitors. We can charge reasonable prices. Increase trade carts—sell in Southern Colonies."
"I agree."
"Yes."
"Zarvis sounds reasonable."
"Besides—they exploited us for nearly a century after ancestor died. Why not work toward our prosperity now?" A teenage villager spoke with high spirits.
Yin Huai sighed softly, watching. Her gaze toward Haut changed—thinking more highly of him now.
Haut glanced at her, at Yin Mei, at Sieyres about to speak—and interrupted: "You're all right. Wishful thinking if we do nothing. But if we start today—speed progress, take advantage of time."
"Juniper's biggest resources—rivers, crops—useless for at least three years. Cin Shi already suggested trade route strategy."
Selini looked at him, unsure what he was doing now. She didn't like his approach.
Haut handed her the map. "Explain it."
She took it without hesitation and began. The map showed different routes for seasons, weather, resource deliveries.
Villagers liked it. Most approved. Yin Mei and Yin Huai agreed.
Sieyres remained silent. Huang smiled lightly.
Evening. "Brother Zarvis—how's your condition?" Yin Mei asked calmly.
"Some strength. Walking better. Still recovering from blood loss."
After the meeting, Haut planned to return to his room—stay two days without seeing anyone. But Yin Mei, with Sieyres, invited him for tea. Wanted to check his condition.
Sieyres spoke: "Brother Zarvis knows a lot about Juniper Village. Really… a lot. Amazing."
When I didn't respond to Sieyres' initial probes—sending villagers to my room—he didn't push. Came to meet me at the lake instead. Knows when to push, when to retreat.
"Isn't information the basis of all things? Don't worry, brother—I won't charge for it." Haut laughed.
Yin Mei: "Thank you, Zarvis. Hope we start tomorrow. Less time wasted, better."
Haut nodded. "I'll take my leave."
Back in his room, Selini waited.
"So you put my name on those trade routes. If something goes wrong, you stay safe." She sneered. "But I'm not here to argue. I want twenty percent of village profits after trade begins."
"These days you've been friendly with Huang. He's honorable and straightforward. If he recognizes you, he'll protect your share whether you stay or leave. Right?"
"Sharp. True." Calm. "But that depends on him. Not guaranteed. No other choice."
"Twenty percent for contributing nothing—bold."
"Nothing?" Selini's voice hardened. "We're partners in crime. Chained together in this. Without me—no rescue. No survival. No benefiting from this situation."
"Can't help it." Cold now. "If you want share—speak to the old lady. She manages revenue. Now go. Need sleep."
Selini's expression twisted—anger, frustration—but she left.