They arrived at noon, when the sun was highest and cast the shortest shadows.
I watched from the main hall's entrance as the Blood Serpent Gang made their approach—a calculated display of power designed to intimidate. Twelve men rode through our gates, all wearing the dark red leather that marked their affiliation. At their center rode Bai Wuchang, the gang's leader, whose reputation preceded him like a foul wind.
He was not what I expected. Instead of the brutish thug my imagination had conjured, Bai Wuchang appeared almost scholarly—thin, clean-shaven, perhaps forty years old, with the kind of sharp features that suggested intelligence rather than brute strength. He wore his dark hair bound in a simple tail, and his clothes, while bearing the gang colors, were of better quality than his men's.
It was his eyes that betrayed his nature. Cold, calculating, and utterly devoid of empathy. The eyes of someone who viewed people as resources to be exploited or obstacles to be removed.
Our family stood assembled in formal reception—Father at the center, Mother beside him, my siblings arranged by age and rank. I stood at the end of the line, supported by Liu Ruyan's discreet assistance. My body had improved enough to stand and walk short distances, but sustained effort still left me trembling.
Twenty of our remaining warriors lined the courtyard, a show of strength that wasn't particularly convincing given the gang's reputation. But Father had insisted on the display. We were no longer begging for mercy.
Bai Wuchang dismounted with fluid grace and approached with a slight smile that never reached his eyes. His men remained mounted, hands resting near weapons in a posture that managed to be simultaneously casual and threatening.
"Clan Lord Tie," Bai Wuchang said, his voice smooth as silk over steel. "It is always a pleasure to visit the Iron Lotus compound. Though I confess surprise at the... formality of our reception today. One might think you were expecting trouble."
"Merely showing proper respect to a visiting business partner," Father replied, his tone carefully neutral. "Though I note you've brought quite an escort for a simple collection visit."
"One can never be too careful in these dangerous times. Bandits on every road, ambitious warlords causing trouble. Why, just last week a merchant caravan was attacked not ten miles from here." Bai Wuchang's smile widened slightly. "Terrible business. They'd failed to arrange proper protection, you see."
The threat was barely veiled. 'Pay us or suffer the consequences of our protection being withdrawn.'
"Indeed," Father said. "Which is why we've prepared your payment in full. Fifty taels of silver, as agreed."
Bai Wuchang's expression flickered—just for an instant—with surprise. He'd expected excuses, delays, desperate negotiations. The fact that we had the full amount ready clearly unsettled his plans.
"How... efficient," he said, recovering quickly. "Though I confess, given your clan's recent difficulties, I'm curious how you managed to assemble such a sum. One hopes you haven't done anything... unwise. Borrowed from dangerous sources, perhaps?"
"We sold weapons," Father said simply. "Superior quality pieces that commanded premium prices. The Iron Lotus Sect's craftsmanship is not as diminished as some might believe."
Something dangerous flickered in Bai Wuchang's eyes. He'd wanted us desperate, helpless, ripe for further exploitation. Our recovery threatened that dynamic.
"Superior weapons," he repeated slowly. "How fascinating. One wonders who would pay such prices for work from a forge that has produced only adequate pieces for years."
"Merchants who can recognize quality," Huiyue stepped forward slightly, her voice carrying the confidence of someone who'd just pulled off an impressive sale. "The kind who value superior craftsmanship over reputation alone."
Bai Wuchang's gaze slid to her, and I saw something predatory in his expression that made my skin crawl. "Ah, the famous Tie Huiyue. Beautiful and clever. Your business acumen is becoming quite the legend in Frostfang Town. Several merchants mentioned your... persuasive demonstrations."
The way he said 'persuasive demonstrations' carried implications that made Liefeng's hand move toward his sword. Father's subtle gesture stopped him, but the tension in the courtyard ratcheted up noticeably.
"Sister's skill in business is indeed remarkable," I said, my voice carrying less strength than I'd hoped but sufficient to draw attention. "As is Master Han's skill in the forge. Together, they've proven that the Iron Lotus still has thorns."
Bai Wuchang's attention shifted to me, and I felt the full weight of his assessment. I could see him cataloging—the pale skin, the delicate features, the way Liu Ruyan supported me, the obvious weakness of my body. His expression shifted to something like amusement.
"And you must be the famous Tie Hanxing. The beautiful invalid. I'd heard stories, but they failed to do you justice." He took a step closer, studying me with the same expression one might use to examine an interesting insect. "They say you've been dying since birth. Yet here you stand. How... unexpected."
"People often survive longer than predicted," I said, meeting his gaze despite my instinct to look away. "Especially when they have reasons to live."
"How philosophical." His smile was sharp enough to cut. "Though I wonder—what use is a beautiful mind in a useless body? Can you wield a sword, Young Master Tie? Defend your family when real threats arrive?"
"There are many ways to defend one's family," I replied. "Not all of them require swinging a sword."
Something flickered in his expression—a flash of genuine interest mixed with calculation. "Indeed. Strategic thinking can be as valuable as martial prowess. Perhaps more so." He turned back to Father. "Speaking of strategy, Clan Lord Tie, I find myself reconsidering our arrangement."
The words fell like stones into still water, ripples of tension spreading through our assembled family.
"Reconsidering?" Father's voice remained level, but I heard the steel underneath.
"Your sudden recovery troubles me," Bai Wuchang said bluntly. "A month ago, you could barely meet half our requested tribute. Now you produce the full amount without apparent strain? Either you've been hiding resources—which would suggest you've been cheating us—or you've found new revenue sources. Either way, it changes our agreement."
"Our agreement was fifty taels," Father said. "We're providing fifty taels. That fulfills the contract."
"Contracts evolve with circumstances. If your income has increased, surely your protection costs should increase proportionally. After all, a profitable enterprise requires more... comprehensive security."
There it was. The real purpose of this visit. Not just to collect payment, but to assess whether we could be squeezed for more. Bai Wuchang had no intention of letting us recover—every sign of improvement would be met with escalating demands until we were bled dry again.
"We're barely profitable," Huiyue said. "Three weapon sales don't constitute long-term revenue. This payment depletes our reserves."
"Oh, I'm certain you'll find ways to replenish them. After all, if you can produce three superior weapons, you can produce more. And if merchants are willing to pay premium prices..." He smiled. "Then surely you can afford seventy-five taels next season. As a gesture of goodwill for our continued protection."
"Seventy-five taels is extortion, not protection," Liefeng growled, his patience clearly exhausted.
"Such strong words from the fierce wind," Bai Wuchang said, using my brother's name meaning mockingly. "But what will you do about it? Attack us? There are twelve of us here, yes, but our full gang numbers over a hundred. We have allies among several regional powers. You have..." He gestured dismissively at our warriors. "Twenty aging retainers and an invalid advisor."
He was right, of course. In a direct confrontation, we'd be destroyed. But strength came in forms other than numbers and violence.
"You're correct that we cannot match your martial power," I said, drawing his attention back to me. "But you're assuming that matters. Tell me, Gang Leader Bai, how much of your gang's revenue comes from protection rackets versus legitimate security contracts?"
His eyes narrowed. "What does that matter?"
"Because reputation matters. Right now, you're seen as a necessary evil. Expensive but effective protection against bandits and raiders. But if word spreads that you extort clans even when they pay in full, that you escalate demands arbitrarily, that you're just bandits in official colors..." I let the implication hang. "How long before merchants and clans decide they'd rather take their chances with actual bandits than pay for supposed protection that comes with ever-increasing costs?"
"Are you threatening to spread rumors, little invalid?"
"I'm observing market dynamics. Sister's recent sales have put our name in front of several influential merchants. They're interested in our superior weapons, yes, but also in our story. The fallen clan making a comeback. Rather romantic, actually. If that story becomes 'clan crushed by extortionate gang despite meeting all obligations,' it reflects poorly on everyone involved."
Bai Wuchang studied me with new intensity. I could see him reassessing, recognizing that the weak body housed a mind that understood leverage and public perception.
"You're suggesting we maintain our current arrangement?" he asked carefully.
"I'm suggesting that fifty taels per season is sustainable. It allows us to continue improving, which means we can continue paying reliably. Escalating to seventy-five taels would cripple our recovery, which means within a year we'd be back to begging for payment delays. Worse for us, certainly, but also worse for you. Stable income from a recovering client is better than squeezing a dying one until nothing remains."
It was a gamble—framing our survival in terms of his self-interest rather than appealing to mercy or fairness he clearly didn't possess. But Bai Wuchang was a businessman as much as a criminal. If I could make the case that keeping us alive was more profitable than bleeding us dry...
He was quiet for a long moment, his cold eyes moving from me to Father to Huiyue and back again. Calculating, weighing options, considering angles I couldn't see.
"Your youngest son has an interesting mind," he said finally, addressing Father. "One wonders what else he might accomplish if his health improves further. Such a waste, really, to see intelligence trapped in a failing body."
The words carried implications that made Liu Ruyan's grip on my arm tighten protectively. Bai Wuchang had just marked me as either an asset to be recruited or a threat to be eliminated.
"Hanxing's health is fragile but stable," Father said carefully. "He serves his family as he can, which is all any of us can do."
"Indeed." Bai Wuchang gestured to one of his men, who dismounted and brought forward a leather satchel. "Your fifty taels, Clan Lord Tie. I'll count it to verify the amount."
The counting took perhaps ten minutes, conducted with deliberate slowness. Bai Wuchang examined several of the silver pieces closely, checking for counterfeits or debased metal, clearly hoping to find fault. He found none. Our silver was genuine, our payment complete.
"Satisfactory," he said finally, returning the satchel to his man. "The Blood Serpent Gang acknowledges receipt of payment for this season's protection. We will... maintain our current arrangement. Fifty taels per season, as originally agreed."
Relief rippled through our family, though everyone was careful not to show it openly.
"However," Bai Wuchang continued, his smile returning, "I find myself personally interested in your clan's recovery. Young Master Tie's observations about reputation and market dynamics were quite insightful. I would like to... maintain awareness of your progress. Perhaps schedule more frequent visits, simply to ensure our protection remains adequate to your needs."
It was a clear threat wrapped in pleasant language. He'd be watching us, monitoring our recovery, looking for opportunities to exploit or control. But at least he wasn't demanding immediate escalation.
"We would welcome periodic visits to discuss security needs," Father said with diplomatic neutrality. "Provided adequate notice is given for proper hospitality."
"Of course. We are civilized people, after all." Bai Wuchang remounted his horse, his men following suit. "Until next season, Clan Lord Tie. Lady Huiyue. Young Master Hanxing."
The way he said my name felt like a promise and a warning. He'd marked me as someone to watch, which was both validating and terrifying.
They rode out through our gates with the same calculated intimidation they'd entered with, leaving behind a courtyard full of people too tense to immediately celebrate their departure.
Father waited until the gang was completely out of sight before turning to the family. His expression was complex—relief, pride, worry, and determination all mixed together.
"That was dangerously close to disaster," he said quietly. "If Hanxing hadn't redirected the conversation..."
"We'd be facing impossible demands or immediate violence," Huiyue finished. "Little brother bought us time."
"And marked himself as a target," Liefeng added, his warrior's instincts recognizing the danger. "Bai Wuchang doesn't like being outmaneuvered by anyone, much less a teenage invalid. He'll remember that conversation."
"Let him remember," I said, though my voice shook with exhaustion. The sustained standing and mental effort had drained what little energy I'd recovered. "We needed time, and we got it. One season to further improve our operations, build our reputation, and create enough value that destroying us becomes unprofitable."
"And if we can't?" Mother asked softly. "If one season isn't enough?"
"Then we buy another season after that. And another. Each time getting stronger, more established, more valuable alive than dead." I swayed slightly, and Liu Ruyan immediately supported more of my weight. "But right now, I need to sit down before I fall down."
Wenxuan was instantly at my other side, and together with Liu Ruyan they helped me back inside. Behind us, I could hear Father beginning to address the household, his voice carrying more confidence than it had before the gang's arrival.
They got me to my chambers and onto my bed, where I collapsed with what remained of my dignity. Liu Ruyan began checking me over with practiced efficiency while Wenxuan paced near the window.
"You took a huge risk out there," Wenxuan said. "Essentially lecturing a gang leader on economics and reputation management. If he'd taken offense..."
"He would have done what? Killed me in front of my entire family and clan retainers? That would have destroyed any claim to legitimacy his gang has. We're not bandits he can murder secretly in the wilderness—we're a recognized clan with connections, however weakened. Killing us openly would bring consequences even he can't ignore."
"You're assuming he thinks rationally."
"He does. That's what makes him dangerous. A mindless brute we could predict and avoid. Bai Wuchang is intelligent, calculating, and utterly ruthless. But intelligence means he can be reasoned with, given proper incentives."
"And the proper incentive is that we're more valuable alive," Wenxuan said slowly, working through the logic. "As long as we can keep demonstrating that, we survive."
"Exactly." I closed my eyes, feeling the Memory Treasure Vault flickering at the edge of my vision. It had finally returned to full functionality during the confrontation, but I'd deliberately chosen not to use it. This situation had required human intuition and social reading more than factual knowledge.
'MEMORY TREASURE VAULT'
'INTEGRATION STATUS: 80% COMPLETE'
'DAILY SEARCHES: 3/3 AVAILABLE'
'PHYSICAL CONDITION: DEPLETED BUT STABLE'
'SOCIAL INTERACTION ANALYSIS: USER DEMONSTRATING STRONG INTUITIVE SKILLS'
'NOTE: SUCCESSFUL NAVIGATION OF HIGH-STAKES NEGOTIATION WITHOUT SYSTEM ASSISTANCE'
'PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT: SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS'
"You should rest now," Liu Ruyan said firmly, having completed her assessment. "少主 pushed too hard again. This one can see the tremors in your hands."
She was right. My entire body was shaking with fine tremors, my breathing shallow, my heart racing from stress and exhaustion. But we'd survived. More than survived—we'd established boundaries and bought time.
"Did we win?" I asked quietly. "Or just delay losing?"
"Both," Wenxuan said. "Which is better than most people manage. Now rest, little brother. We have a season to prepare for whatever comes next."
After he left, Liu Ruyan settled into her usual vigil position. I could feel sleep pulling at me, but one question nagged.
"Liu Ruyan, what did you think of Bai Wuchang?"
She was quiet for a moment. "This one thinks he is like winter—cold, patient, and utterly indifferent to suffering. Today he chose not to crush us because it served his interests. Tomorrow, if crushing us serves his interests better, he will do so without hesitation."
"So we need to ensure crushing us never serves his interests."
"Yes. Which means growing stronger faster than his patience runs out." She paused. "少主 bought us time. But time is only valuable if we use it well."
"No pressure at all," I murmured, already drifting toward unconsciousness.
"This one has faith in 少主," she said softly. "You have already accomplished what seemed impossible. Perhaps impossibility is simply what you do best."
I wanted to respond, to say something profound or reassuring, but exhaustion claimed me first. My last conscious thought was that we'd survived the first major crisis of this new life.
How many more would come before I could rest?
---
'MEMORY TREASURE VAULT'
'USER ENTERING RECOVERY SLEEP'
'INTEGRATION MILESTONE ACHIEVED: 80%'
'NEW CAPABILITIES UNLOCKED'
'SOCIAL DYNAMICS ANALYSIS: ENHANCED'
'STRATEGIC PLANNING MODULES: OPTIMIZED'
'PHYSICAL RESTORATION: CONTINUING'
'NOTE: USER HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED FIRST MAJOR STORY ARC'
'SURVIVAL PROBABILITY FOR NEXT SEASON: 67% (PREVIOUSLY 12%)'
---