The morning sun barely managed to pierce the thick fog of Mist City, but the gates of the Han manor were already vibrating under a rhythmic, heavy pounding.
"Han Seo-jun! Open these gates by order of the City Prefecture!"
I was in the garden, finishing a light breakfast with Jo. The tea was cheap, but the air felt different today. My Level 2 cultivation core hummed with a steady warmth, a stark contrast to the brittle weakness I had felt just twenty-four hours ago.
"The guest of honor has arrived," I said, setting my cup down. "Jo, let the Magistrate in. And please, try to look as 'oppressed' as possible."
Jo gave a stiff nod and hurried to the gates. A moment later, Magistrate Lu entered the courtyard. He was a man whose belly preceded his reputation, draped in silks that cost more than my manor's remaining furniture. Behind him stood four guards, their hands resting on the pommels of their dao blades.
"Magistrate Lu," I said, not rising from my chair. "To what do I owe this loud and rather unrefined visit?"
Lu's face reddened. "Don't play the fool with me, Han. You conducted an unauthorized auction of a restricted artifact—the Snow Fang sword. Not only that, but you caused a disturbance that left the heir of the Lin family wounded. As Magistrate, I am here to seize your 'illegal' earnings and place you under administrative arrest."
I tilted my head, looking at the blue screen floating in my peripheral vision.
> [SYSTEM PROMPT]
> Target Detected: Magistrate Lu.
> Status: Corrupt Official.
> Hidden Debt Found: The Magistrate owes the Imperial Treasury 1,200,000 Soul Stones in 'Unaccounted Taxes.'
> Artifact Detected: He is wearing the [Jade of Eternal Breath]—an heirloom stolen from the Han Family's military inventory ten years ago.
>
A cold rage flickered in my chest, but I suppressed it behind a mask of bored arrogance.
"Seize my earnings? You mean the stones I used to pay the System... I mean, my creditors?" I smiled thinly. "I'm afraid those are long gone. But I'm more interested in that jade pendant on your belt, Lu. It looks remarkably familiar."
Lu's hand instinctively covered the green jade hanging from his sash. "This is a gift from the Provincial Governor! How dare a debt-ridden rat even look at it?"
"A gift?" I stood up, the spiritual pressure of a Level 2 Cultivator flaring just enough to make the guards hesitate. "My father, the Commander, mentioned a jade pendant just like that in his logs. It was supposed to be used to regulate the breathing of soldiers in the northern mines. It went missing the same week you were appointed tax collector."
"Nonsense! Guards, seize him!" Lu screamed.
"Wait," I raised a hand, and something in my voice—perhaps the weight of my [Infamy]—made the guards stop. "Magistrate, let's talk business. You have a massive debt to the Treasury. If I send a small tip to the Imperial Censors about your 'hidden' accounts, that pendant will be the least of your worries."
> [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
> Skill Activated: [Extortionist's Logic].
> Success Probability: 85%.
> Infamy gained: +200.
>
Lu blanched. "You... you have no proof."
"I have enough to start an audit. And in this Empire, an audit is a death sentence," I walked closer, leaning in so only he could hear. "But I'm a reasonable villain. I don't want your head. I want a VIP pass to the Moon Festival's inner circle. And I want that jade back. Consider it a 'down payment' for my silence."
Lu trembled. He knew the Han family still had old loyalists in the capital. He couldn't risk it. With shaking fingers, he untied the Jade of Eternal Breath and threw it on the table. He then reached into his robe and pulled out a gold-trimmed invitation.
"Take it," he spat, his voice trembling. "But stay away from the Prefecture. If I see you after the festival, I'll have you hanged."
"Of course, Magistrate. It's been a pleasure doing business," I watched him retreat with his guards in a panicked hurry.
As soon as they left, I picked up the jade.
> [LEGACY ITEM RECOVERED]
> Item: Jade of Eternal Breath (Grade 4).
> Effect: Increases spiritual energy recovery by 15%.
> Special Action: Sell to System for 50,000 Soul Stones?
>
'No,' I thought, gripping the jade tightly. 'This belongs to my father's memory. Some things are worth more than stones.'
I looked at the VIP invitation. It was the key to meeting Kim Da-hye on my own terms.
"Jo," I called out. "Pack a bag. We're going to the festival in style. And buy a new robe—something that screams 'dangerous wealth' even if we're technically broke."
I looked at my balance.
> Current Balance: -999,740,000 Soul Stones.
> Days until Soul Extraction: 362.
>
"The game is changing," I whispered. "I'm not just a debtor anymore. I'm a predator."