Hui Jian moved through Lanternrock like a shadow, his every step deliberate, blending into the chaotic bustle of the city's streets. The tension in the air was thick, and it fed his growing understanding of the game being played in the city's underworld. His Mind Flower Gu worked ceaselessly in the back of his mind, creating an intricate web of schemes and contingencies.
The markets bustled as always, but the undercurrent of conflict was unmistakable. Men whispered in corners, deals were made behind closed doors, and those with too much money or too much ambition walked too openly. Hui Jian observed it all, never drawing attention to himself. He knew better than to reveal his hand too early.
As he passed a vendor selling dried herbs and low-grade Gu worms, a familiar voice called to him from the shadows.
"Hui Jian," a voice whispered, smooth as oil. He didn't turn immediately, but a quick glance out of the corner of his eye revealed the speaker: Lian Shu, one of the Whispering Shade's informants.
Lian Shu had approached him days ago, offering a proposition. The Whispering Shade needed someone discreet, someone whose skills went beyond brute force. Hui Jian had remained noncommittal, but now it seemed they were ready to press the issue.
He turned slowly, his face an unreadable mask. "Lian Shu."
The man stepped forward from the shadows, his movements fluid. His eyes darted left and right, scanning the crowd, but his voice remained steady. "The Whispering Shade has a job for you. Something lucrative."
Hui Jian raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening."
Lian Shu glanced around once more, then lowered his voice. "There's a group coming into the city tonight. They're bringing in supplies—important supplies—for the Jade Fist Clan. Our masters want details. Where the supplies are being stored, how heavily they're guarded, and more importantly... if you can help us 'relieve' the Jade Fist of those supplies."
Hui Jian's mind churned. His options expanded with every word. Stealing from the Jade Fist Clan would certainly create tension between the factions, and he could potentially profit from selling the information or goods to other groups. It was dangerous, but the Whispering Shade wouldn't have chosen him if they thought it was beyond his capabilities.
"And the pay?" Hui Jian asked.
Lian Shu smiled, showing teeth that were too white in the dim light. "Generous. A cut of the supplies, plus primeval stones. Enough to keep you well-fed for a while."
The offer was tempting, but Hui Jian had learned that nothing came without strings attached. "And if I decline?"
Lian Shu's smile didn't falter, but his eyes turned cold. "That would be... unfortunate."
Hui Jian met his gaze, unblinking. He had no intention of declining, but it was useful to know how desperate the Whispering Shade was to secure his services. After a pause, he nodded. "Fine. I'll take the job."
Lian Shu's smile returned in full force. "Good. The shipment will arrive after midnight. Meet me at the Broken Fang Tavern just before then."
Hui Jian watched as Lian Shu slipped back into the shadows, disappearing into the maze of streets. The Whispering Shade's job would give him access to the materials he needed, but there was more at play here. He suspected the Jade Fist Clan wouldn't let such a theft go unpunished, which meant he would have to be careful not to leave any trace behind. And while working for the Whispering Shade seemed advantageous, he knew better than to trust them blindly.
He turned and began walking back toward his temporary hideout, already planning his next steps.
Before he could head back to his hideout, Hui Jian was approached by another figure. This one moved with less grace, but far more confidence. The man was stocky, with a scar running down one side of his face—a veteran of many battles. Hui Jian had seen him before, moving in the circles of the Iron Thorn Mercenaries, a rough but well-known group in Lanternrock.
"Hey," the man grunted as he stepped in front of Hui Jian, blocking his path. "You're Hui Jian, right?"
Hui Jian's eyes narrowed slightly. "Who's asking?"
"Name's Ku Fang," the man said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Captain of the Iron Thorn Mercenaries. We've been hearing some interesting things about you."
Hui Jian remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Ku Fang continued, clearly unfazed by Hui Jian's lack of response. "We could use someone like you. We're moving into a new line of work, and with things heating up between the Jade Fist Clan and Red River Sect, we need someone who can handle themselves in more... subtle ways. You in?"
The offer was less appealing than the one from the Whispering Shade, but Hui Jian wasn't about to burn any bridges just yet. "Depends on the job."
Ku Fang grinned. "Smart. We're not asking for much—just some muscle while we secure a deal. But there's more to come. You play your cards right, and there'll be a lot more in your pocket."
Hui Jian calculated the risks. He wasn't planning on becoming a simple hired sword, but the Iron Thorn Mercenaries could be useful. Information, materials, and potential for more jobs—things he needed. He gave Ku Fang a short nod.
"I'll think about it."
Ku Fang chuckled. "You do that. We'll be at the Rusted Coin if you want to talk more."
With that, the mercenary turned and walked away, leaving Hui Jian standing alone in the street. The offers were coming in from all sides now, and he would need to tread carefully.
Later that night, as the moon hung low in the sky, Hui Jian made his way to the Broken Fang Tavern. The streets were quiet, save for the occasional drunken shout or clatter of footsteps. He moved like a shadow, his senses alert.
Inside the tavern, the atmosphere was tense. Lian Shu was already there, waiting for him in a corner booth. The place was sparsely populated, but Hui Jian knew that most of the real business here happened in the back rooms.
"You're right on time," Lian Shu said as Hui Jian slid into the booth across from him.
Hui Jian nodded. "Let's get this over with."
Lian Shu smirked. "Eager, aren't we?"
Without further delay, the two men discussed the details of the job. The Jade Fist Clan's shipment would be heavily guarded, but not as well as it should be. The Whispering Shade had already weakened some of the defenses through bribes and intimidation, and they just needed someone to execute the plan.
The supplies were being stored in a warehouse on the outskirts of the city, near the river. Hui Jian would infiltrate, sabotage the guards, and secure the materials. Lian Shu and his men would handle the extraction, but Hui Jian knew better than to rely on them for anything beyond what they promised.
As the conversation ended, Hui Jian's mind was already at work, calculating the best way to accomplish the task. The Mind Flower Gu pulsed within his aperture, enhancing his thoughts, providing him with clarity. This was an opportunity to secure not just the supplies, but the materials he needed to further his own plans. If he played his cards right, no one would even know he had been involved.