THE SYSTEM IS NOT MINE

At that night, Yan waited for a certain someone.

But that someone never came and neither the green liquid.The night passed without interruption,

Yan slept well for the first time since he joined the sect.

Morning started with rays of sun falling on to the storehouse.The door was opened and Ren walked in. “You are already awake, and here I thought you were still sleeping "

Yan sat up from the wooden cot "I just feel good"

Ren grabbed Yan by hand “Let’s go out.”

They walked down the ridge path toward the Westbrook.

When they arrived at the familiar restaurant, it was already crowded.

Merchants filled the tables. Steam rose from iron pots. The owner recognized them as "Esteemed Guests"

Ren ordered "Bring us the best dish and wine"

The food came to their table in no time.

Ren glanced around the room before leaning slightly forward

“You haven’t eaten properly for days,” he said.

Yan continued eating.

Ren opened his mouth to speak again.

Yan noticed.

“Not here,” Yan said quietly.

Ren nodded immediately.

They finished their meal in silence.

After leaving the restaurant , Ren suddenly grabbed Yan’s sleeve.

“Come.”

He led Yan down the market street until they stopped in front of a small jewelry stall.

Inside the glass case hung several pendants.

Ren pointed to a pair.

Two identical pieces.

Plain metal discs engraved with a faint spiral.

“I’ll take both.”

The merchant wrapped them quickly.

Ren handed one to Yan.

“A token,” he said.

Yan looked at it briefly.

“Why?”

Ren shrugged.

“So when you disappear on some long mission, I can still say I have a friend somewhere.”

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Yan slipped the pendant into his tunic.

Later they left the market and walked toward the merchant district where large storehouses stood beside the road.

“This is my uncle’s place,” Ren said.

The compound gates opened as they approached, workers moved between livestock pens and grain sheds.

Ren’s uncle stood near the entrance.

“Uncle,” Ren said. “This is Yan.”

The merchant studied Yan calmly for a moment.

“So this is your friend.” he said.

Yan inclined his head slightly.

“You’re welcome here,” the merchant said.

They stayed the night as darkness settled slowly over the compound.

Lanterns dimmed.

Workers retired to their quarters, and eventually the courtyard became quiet.

Ren and Yan lay on the wooden bed inside the guest room.

For a while neither spoke.

"I still can’t believe it.”

Then Ren exhaled slowly,

Yan stayed silent.

Ren continued quietly.

“When the three sects formed that temporary alliance… my uncle, me and every merchant thought it was over.”

“Iron Marrow Sect.”

“Spring Autumn Sect.”

“Iron Hood Sect.”

“They pressured everyone to lower livestock prices.”

Ren stared at the wooden ceiling.

“And then you suggested something completely insane.” Ren said.

Yan waited.

“Sell everything to Iron Hood Sect,” Ren said.

“At almost no profit.”

“And demand their protection in return.”

Ren chuckled softly.

“You should have seen Chu Chin’s face.”

“That arrogant bastard and his faction followed the same strategy.”

“Selling only to the Iron Hood Sect.”

Ren shook his head.

“After that we refused to sell to the other two sects.”

“They thought the merchants were desperate.”

“The usual prices at that time were already high…”

Ren smiled faintly.

“So we raised them even higher.”

Yan remained silent.

“The Iron Marrow Sect kept buying,” Ren continued.

“They couldn’t stop. They had already committed.”

“The tension between the sects is worse than ever.”

“But the merchants…”

Ren’s voice softened.

“We’re stronger than we’ve been in years.” Ren laughed.

"Yan, you are the best"

The night wind moved quietly outside the window. After a moment Ren reached into his sleeve.

“There’s something else.”

"There was a peculiar boy by the river,” Ren said.

“He crushed a vial of green colored liquid and said that it took his brother away near Westbrook.”

Yan looked at Ren, "Don't worry about it, you focus on growth"

Ren looked at Yan "You too"

"Yan, Do you remember ? I talked about getting a sword from master blacksmith Hafia?"

"If I get the sword of Master Blacksmith Hafia..."

" I will give it to you if you become strong"

" So become stronger"

Ren promised..Then they fell asleep.

The Night felt longer than before, for the first time since last three years Yan slept peacefully.

And The soil will change tomorrow into something more familiar.

Yan will take the next step.

End of Arc 1