They came at dawn.
Three elders of the Azure Cloud Sect, accompanied by twelve inner disciples in full ceremonial armor. Their leader was Elder Gu, a Core Formation cultivator known for rigid adherence to tradition and deep suspicion of anything new.
Xiao Hong woke me with the news. "They are at the warehouse entrance. Demanding access to all records. They have formal investigation warrant."
I dressed quickly, mind already calculating. This was the investigation your outline predicted. The sect's response to our growing influence, our partnership with Lin Feng, our acquisition of Wang Consortium shares.
"Delay them," I said. "Offer tea. Express confusion. Ask for clarification. Give me ten minutes."
She nodded and left.
I activated communication crystals. Wang Mei. Madame Lian. Doctor Chen. Brief messages only. "Sect investigation underway. Protect sensitive materials. Normal operations continue. I will handle."
Then I moved to my vault.
The Prime Fate Token was safe behind three layers of security. Our financial records were organized but not incriminating. The only true vulnerability was the System itself, visible only to me.
I composed myself and walked to meet them.
Elder Gu was exactly as reports described. Tall, severe, dressed in robes that had not changed style in fifty years. His eyes scanned my warehouse with obvious disapproval.
"Chen Wei." He did not offer greeting formalities. "You are under investigation by Azure Cloud Sect disciplinary committee. Charges include unauthorized commercial activities within sect territory, inappropriate influence over sect disciples, and possible violation of cultivation ethics codes."
"I see." I gestured to the seating area Xiao Hong had prepared. "Please, sit. Tea will be served. I am happy to cooperate fully."
Gu hesitated, clearly expecting resistance. Then he sat.
His disciples remained standing, hands on weapons, watching for threats that did not exist.
"How can I assist the committee?" I asked, pouring tea myself.
"Full access to all business records. Interviews with your employees. Inspection of your warehouse and inventory." Gu accepted the tea but did not drink. "And answers regarding your relationship with Lin Feng, outer disciple currently exceeding expected cultivation progress."
"Lin Feng is client. He purchases services. I provide them. The relationship is commercial, not coercive."
"Commercial relationships between sect disciples and external merchants are regulated. You have not registered this relationship."
"I was unaware registration was required. I will register immediately." I smiled pleasantly. "What else?"
Gu's eyes narrowed. He had expected defensiveness. Lies. Resistance. I was giving him cooperation. It confused him.
"The Wang Consortium acquisition. You now control significant voting shares in organization that does business with sect. This creates potential conflict of interest."
"The Consortium approached me. I accepted investment opportunity. If sect has concerns about Consortium's activities, I am happy to discuss them." I spread my hands. "Transparency is my policy, Elder Gu. Ask anything. I will answer."
For two hours, he tried to find something incriminating.
He reviewed our financial records, finding only legitimate transactions properly documented. He interviewed Xiao Hong, who answered every question with calm precision. He inspected our inventory, finding nothing forbidden or dangerous.
By noon, frustration was visible on his face.
"You are too cooperative," he said finally. "It is suspicious."
"I am businessman, Elder Gu. Suspicion is bad for business. Cooperation builds trust." I refilled his tea. "Tell me truth. Who requested this investigation?"
He hesitated. Then, unexpectedly, he answered.
"Elder Shen. He has concerns about your influence over younger disciples. He believes you are creating dependency that undermines sect loyalty."
Elder Shen. I knew the name. He was allied with families who had lost business to our network. Traditionalist who saw commerce as threat to cultivation values.
"I see. And what do you believe, Elder Gu?"
He studied me for long moment. "I believe you are clever. Too clever for someone your age. I believe you have built something unusual. I do not yet know whether it is threat or opportunity."
"Perhaps it is both. Many things are." I set down my cup. "May I offer suggestion?"
"Speak."
"Rather than investigation that consumes resources and creates hostility, consider partnership. The Merchant of Fates could provide services to sect at reduced rates. Intelligence gathering. Supply procurement. Discreet problem solving. In exchange, sect provides formal recognition and protection from harassment by competitors who hide behind tradition."
Gu stared at me. "You want to bribe the sect?"
"I want to transaction with the sect. Bribe implies corruption. Transaction implies mutual benefit." I met his eyes. "Your disciples need equipment. Your elders need information. Your sect needs resources to compete with rising powers like Endless Sky. I provide all these. You provide legitimacy. Everyone wins."
He was silent for long moment. Then, slowly, he laughed.
"You are remarkable, Chen Wei. Truly remarkable." He stood. "I will convey your proposal to Sect Master. No promises. But I will convey it."
"That is all I ask."
He gestured to his disciples. They filed out, confusion evident. They had come for confrontation. They left with negotiation.
At door, Gu paused. "Elder Shen will not stop. He sees you as threat to everything he believes."
"Elder Shen believes in world that no longer exists. The sooner he accepts this, the better for everyone."
Gu nodded slightly and departed.
Xiao Hong appeared at my side. "That was..."
"Expected. The investigation was always coming. We simply made it productive." I turned to her. "Monitor Elder Shen. His opposition will continue. He may become liability."
"And if he does?"
"Then we find his price. Everyone has one." I moved toward my office. "Now, contact Lin Feng. I need him to increase cultivation visibility. Public breakthroughs. Demonstrated progress. The more valuable he becomes to sect, the more they need us to maintain him."
She nodded and moved to her duties.
I sat at my desk, considering new development.
The investigation was resolved for now. But Elder Shen remained threat. Endless Sky remained hostile. The Pavilion remained watching.
Three years until final correction.
Every day, more pieces moved on board.
Every day, the game became more complex.
I smiled and began planning next move.
[TRANSACTION COMPLETED: INVESTIGATION NEUTRALIZED]
[Reputation +2000]
[Gold Rank Progress: 20,000/50,000]
[NEW CONTACT: ELDER GU]
[Relationship: Cautious respect]
[Potential: Ally within sect]
[NEW THREAT: ELDER SHEN]
[Hostility Level: ACTIVE]
[Recommended Action: Neutralize or convert]
The notifications flickered and faded.
Outside, Azure Cloud City continued its endless commerce.
Inside, Merchant of Fates prepared for next challenge.
They always came.
We were always ready.
If you like the novel give power stones and golden ticket.