The inside of the resting house was quieter than the street.
But not peaceful.
Voices were low.
Conversations careful.
No one spoke loudly.
Xu Tian sat in the corner, unmoving.
The children rested in his arms.
The boy remained asleep.
The girl watched the room.
As always.
Xu Tian's gaze moved slowly across the interior.
Several people sat at scattered tables.
Travelers.
Merchants.
And a few others.
Not all of them were ordinary.
He could feel it.
Faint presences.
Hidden beneath calm expressions.
"…So this place gathers them," he thought.
Not a sect.
Not organized.
But still-
A point where people like him would pass through.
Xu Tian lowered his gaze slightly.
Remaining still.
Observing.
Time passed.
No one approached him.
But that did not mean he was unnoticed.
He could feel it.
Eyes lingering.
Watching.
Waiting.
Then-
Footsteps.
Not hurried.
Not heavy.
But deliberate.
Xu Tian's eyes shifted slightly.
A man approached his table.
Young.
Well dressed.
Clean.
But not soft.
His presence was controlled.
Sharper than most inside the room.
He stopped a short distance away.
"You're new," the man said.
Xu Tian didn't answer immediately.
Then nodded once.
"Yes."
The man's gaze moved to the children.
Then back.
"…That's unusual."
Xu Tian remained calm.
"They're with me."
The man studied him for a moment.
Longer than necessary.
"…You came from the mountain," he said.
Xu Tian's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…News travels fast."
The man gave a faint smile.
"It always does."
Silence followed.
But the tension did not fade.
The man stepped closer.
Not aggressive.
But not respectful either.
"You caused trouble," he said quietly.
Xu Tian didn't deny it.
"They attacked first."
The man's smile faded slightly.
"That doesn't matter here."
Xu Tian met his gaze.
"…Then what does?"
The man didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he pulled out a chair and sat down across from him.
Calm.
Confident.
"In this town," he said, "strength decides what matters."
Xu Tian understood.
"…Then why are you talking instead of acting?"
The man paused.
Just for a moment.
Then his eyes sharpened.
"…Because I don't know your limit yet."
Xu Tian remained still.
The answer was honest.
And that made it more dangerous.
The man leaned back slightly.
Relaxed.
But focused.
"You're not from here," he continued. "And you're not weak."
Xu Tian said nothing.
"You injured people who belong to others," the man added.
Xu Tian's gaze didn't change.
"They made their choice."
The man watched him for a moment longer.
Then nodded slowly.
"…So did you."
Silence returned.
But this time, it felt heavier.
The man stood up.
"You can stay here," he said. "For now."
Xu Tian didn't respond.
The man looked down at him one last time.
"But don't get comfortable."
Xu Tian met his gaze.
"…I don't plan to."
The man held his gaze for a moment longer.
Then turned and walked away.
The room remained quiet.
But the tension lingered.
Xu Tian exhaled slowly.
"…So this is how it works here," he murmured.
Not open conflict.
Not yet.
But something else.
Something slower.
Watching.
Waiting.
Xu Tian adjusted the children in his arms.
Then leaned back slightly.
For now-
He would wait as well.
Because in this place-
Moving too soon could be more dangerous than doing nothing.