Qi Like Tar

Paike felt Father's voice settle behind his ear a moment later. There was clear amusement in it as he answered. "You are mine by blood and bone if that was what you were wondering."

It faded with a laugh, and Paike chose to take that as tacit approval to make the offer. Father would honor it, or he should have given a better answer. Even if he wasn't for it, Paike thought the odds were good he would take it as a hilarious prank and play along just because he thought it was funny.

"I actually think we can help you with this problem, even if it's not the way you want," Paike told the four cousins.

Sheng Yue opened her mouth, but apparently what he said wasn't what she expected, as she was already halfway through the first sentence of her rehearsed speech before she processed her words.

"We don't need much if you could just..." She trailed off before staring at Paike. "You can?"

"Yes, but as I said. It's not going to be how you want, and it's going to cost you," Paike said. He could read the confusion in Taka's face. That was mixed with an intense frustration that only Paike could probably see beneath his mask. Strangely, Paike didn't feel bad about leaving Taka in the dark. It felt like it was his turn.

The four cousins wore looks of trepidation openly on their faces. But they didn't stop him as he started to explain. "Your biggest threat is some of the neighbors you have, correct?"

None of them dared to speak, but he could see hope growing. He just had to stoke it a little, and then he could press the price. But they all nodded, so Paike continued.

"Is there one that is particularly bad?"

Again, a round of nods.