Chapter 20 – Shadows Beneath the Market Sky
The midday sun hung lazily over Luo River Market, its golden light filtered through drifting banners and merchant awnings. Ye Tianlan walked at an even pace, the weight of his purchases light compared to the quiet heaviness that settled in his chest.
That girl's reaction hadn't been normal.
Her eyes—sharp, startled, then cautious—weren't those of a mere street vendor's apprentice. She'd noticed something. Something he shouldn't have revealed.
> "Too fast," he muttered inwardly, recalling the moment he caught her pouch midair. "Even a small gesture can betray the truth."
He moved toward the crowded center of the market, where the noise was thick enough to blur any one person's actions. Vendors shouted, spiritual beasts roared in cages, and the scent of roasted spirit boar filled the air.
He needed to divert attention.
At a blacksmith's stall, he stopped and leaned casually over the counter.
The shopkeeper, a bald man with burn marks on his arms, was hammering at a glowing sword. Sparks danced around him.
"Good craftsmanship," Ye Tianlan said, voice calm and unhurried.
The man looked up, wiping sweat from his brow. "Ah, you've got a keen eye, traveler. Iron from the Northern Range, refined with two cycles of spirit flame. You buying or just admiring?"
Tianlan tapped his fingers on the counter, pretending to think. "Depends. Can it withstand the pressure of fifth-tier Qi compression?"
The blacksmith's eyes widened slightly. That was a question only a skilled cultivator—or a well-learned one—would ask.
But Tianlan's tone was light, almost careless, as if it were just curiosity.
"I see you know your craft," the blacksmith said, chuckling. "Not bad for someone who hides his face behind a mask."
Tianlan gave a faint smile beneath the cloth. "Some faces attract too much trouble."
Their brief exchange drew a few chuckles from nearby customers. The tension eased a little around him—exactly what he wanted. The best way to kill suspicion was to appear ordinary, maybe even a bit eccentric.
He paid a few spirit coins for a small dagger and turned to leave, but his instincts whispered again. A faint spiritual fluctuation behind him. That same girl's qi signature—weak, but following.
He didn't look back. Instead, he walked toward a fruit vendor, picking up a crimson Blaze Apple and tossing it lightly.
"How much for one?" he asked.
"Two spirit coins, young master."
"Too much. I'll take three for two coins," he said, slipping into the rhythm of bargaining like any local would.
The vendor laughed heartily. "Hah! You've got the tongue of a fox! Fine, take them. May your journey be sweet!"
Tianlan smiled and nodded, slipping the apples into his pouch. But the small reflection on a brass mirror behind the vendor showed him what he needed to see—
the girl again, pretending to examine talismans, her gaze never leaving him.
> "Persistent," he thought, "but inexperienced."
He moved toward a nearby inn called The Windy Lantern, where travelers often gathered. The scent of alcohol drifted through the air, mixing with laughter and clinking cups. As he entered, a few heads turned—mostly drunks and mercenaries sizing him up.
He sat near the back, ordered a cup of tea, and waited.
Minutes passed. The girl entered quietly, scanning the crowd before sitting two tables away. She was good at pretending to be casual—but not good enough.
Tianlan sipped his tea slowly. His aura remained perfectly restrained, like still water.
He decided to play along a little longer. Let her think she had him cornered. Let her report back false comfort.
> "A hunter grows careless when they think the prey is unaware."
After a while, he stood, placed a few coins on the table, and walked to the exit. Just before stepping outside, he turned ever so slightly—enough for his masked eyes to meet hers. A silent moment. Sharp. Intense.
Then he left.
The girl froze in place, her cup trembling slightly. That gaze—it was like a blade drawn across her thoughts. Cold. Precise. It wasn't fear she felt. It was realization.
> "He knows."
Outside, the streets buzzed again. Tianlan moved through them as if nothing had happened, blending effortlessly into the rhythm of trade and chatter. The mask concealed his face, but his mind was already working through possibilities.
> "If she's with a sect or one of the Seven Realms' agents, they'll move soon," he thought. "If not… she'll test me again."
Either way, he had time.
And Ye Tianlan knew exactly how to use time—to let fear grow on the other side, quietly, until his enemies doubted even their own eyes.
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Author note 📝
Thank you so much for reading Heavenly Dao: World of 7 Realms. Every view, comment, and little bit of support really means a lot to me — this is my first novel, and I'm learning as I go.
If you've made it this far, I'd love to hear from you!
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