Chapter 144: The Mask and the Mantle
The moment Wei Long stepped inside, I felt an uneasy shift in the air. His eyes scanned the room, lingering just a beat too long on every corner and shadow. It wasn’t the casual glance of a visitor; he was looking for something—or someone. I tensed, keeping my expression neutral as I gestured toward a seat near the counter.
I resisted the urge to confront him then and there. Even if I did, what could I do? He was a first-class disciple; that wasn’t someone I could attack on a whim.
If he was in cahoots with the bandit that attacked my garden, then it was fair to assume he knew of Tianyi. And I had to be as cautious as possible.
“What brings you by this early, Wei Long?” I asked, careful to keep my tone light.
He smiled, but it was tight and controlled, his eyes never quite warming. “I thought it best to continue our previous conversation, especially after last night’s… incident.” His gaze was intense, unwavering. “Kai, it’s time to reconsider our offer to protect the village. Gentle Wind needs real defenses. Our sect can provide that.”
I kept my face neutral, though my mind raced with several emotions.
Why was he so insistent? And… why come to me?
“I appreciate that, Wei Long, really,” I said slowly, “but… wouldn’t it make more sense to approach the Village Head directly?” I raised an eyebrow, trying to sound as casual as possible. “I’m just the village herbalist, after all.”
He held my gaze, leaning forward just slightly. “I could speak with the Village Head, yes. But it’s clear that the village listens to you, Kai. They trust you. They look to you.” His smile grew faintly, as though he enjoyed letting this realization settle over me. “Even the Village Head defers to you in matters of security.”