Lanternrock hummed with the energy of anticipation. The cold stone walls of the city seemed to pulse with the tension building between its two dominant factions, the Jade Fist Clan and the Red River Sect. People moved cautiously through the streets, casting nervous glances at the well-armed patrols and hooded figures slipping into the shadows. It was as if the city itself held its breath, waiting for the storm to break.
Hui Jian moved through the crowd like a specter, unnoticed, yet always observing. His Mind Flower Gu was at work, quietly feeding him insights, turning whispers into threads of opportunity. His steps were light, his path weaving seamlessly through the marketplace where merchants haggled over dried herbs and low-grade Gu worms, where mercenaries sharpened their blades, and where rumors spread like wildfire.
Rumors he had planted.
It was through these carefully placed whispers that he had set the Jade Fist Clan and Red River Sect on their collision course. A few words here, a suggestion there, and now both factions were teetering on the edge of open conflict. He could feel the shift in the city's energy, the growing unrest as each side grew more suspicious of the other. Tensions that once simmered were now bubbling dangerously close to the surface, ready to explode.
Hui Jian kept his hands hidden, but he was the one stoking the flames.
He moved with purpose toward the Rusted Coin tavern, a familiar haunt for low-tier Gu Masters and mercenaries who worked for either faction. It was here, in the dim light of the tavern, that he would hear the latest whispers of the streets—whispers that were already beginning to reflect the escalating tensions between the Jade Fist Clan and the Red River Sect.
As he entered, the thick scent of smoke and sweat assaulted his senses. The tavern was crowded, filled with men and women looking for work, or simply looking to drown their worries in cheap ale. Hui Jian scanned the room, his gaze lingering on a few familiar faces—informants, minor players in the city's underground network, the kinds of people who would know just enough to be useful but not enough to be dangerous.
He approached one such informant, a wiry man named Feng Li, who was nursing a half-empty tankard in the corner. Feng Li glanced up as Hui Jian took the seat across from him, his expression flickering with nervous recognition.
"Hui Jian," Feng Li muttered, lowering his voice. "You've been busy."
Hui Jian smiled slightly. "The city's always moving. I just follow the current."
Feng Li snorted. "If by current, you mean trouble, then yeah. People are saying the Jade Fist Clan's getting ready to hit back. They think the Red River Sect's behind that raid on their supply caravan last week."
Hui Jian raised an eyebrow, feigning mild surprise. "I thought that was just a coincidence."
Feng Li leaned in, his voice dropping further. "There's no such thing as coincidence in Lanternrock. Word is, Mu Xuan's getting restless. He's not one to take a hit without punching back twice as hard. They're already gathering their forces."
Hui Jian's mind worked quickly, processing the new information. If Mu Xuan was preparing for a counterattack, that meant the Jade Fist Clan's attention would be diverted. It was the perfect time to strike—or, better yet, to push the two factions further into conflict.
"And the Red River Sect?" Hui Jian asked, keeping his tone casual.
Feng Li shrugged, taking a long drink from his tankard. "Same as always. Moving in the shadows, laying low. But you know Luo Xi—she's too smart to make the first move. She'll wait until the Jade Fist Clan exposes a weakness. Then she'll strike."
Hui Jian nodded, his mind already working through the possibilities. If the Jade Fist Clan launched a preemptive strike, it would force the Red River Sect to retaliate. The resulting chaos would create all kinds of opportunities for someone like him—someone who thrived in the shadows.
Satisfied with the conversation, Hui Jian pushed a small pouch of primeval stones across the table toward Feng Li. "Keep me updated."
Feng Li pocketed the stones quickly, nodding in appreciation. "Always a pleasure doing business."
Hui Jian stood, leaving the tavern without another word. His wealth was running low, and even small payments like the one to Feng Li were starting to weigh on his dwindling reserves. He needed to find a way to replenish his funds—quickly.
As he made his way through the crowded streets, his thoughts turned to Zhao Rui, the wealthy merchant who had approached him with a proposition days ago. Zhao Rui was well connected to both the Jade Fist Clan and the Red River Sect, always playing both sides to ensure his own survival. His offer had been simple, but lucrative: raid a major shipment of Gu refinement materials destined for the Jade Fist Clan and make a tidy profit from the spoils.
Hui Jian had been cautious at first, unwilling to commit to such a dangerous job without considering all the angles. But now, with tensions rising and his own resources running low, the offer seemed too good to pass up. It was risky, but the rewards could set him up for months, maybe longer.
He turned down a narrow alley, his path leading him toward Zhao Rui's residence. The merchant lived in the wealthier part of the city, his home a testament to his success in navigating the treacherous waters of Lanternrock's power struggles. Hui Jian had no doubt that Zhao Rui had profited from both the Jade Fist Clan and the Red River Sect, selling weapons, supplies, and information to whoever offered the highest price.
As Hui Jian approached the merchant's house, a well-guarded, stone-walled estate, one of Zhao Rui's personal guards stepped forward to meet him. The man, a burly figure with a thick beard and a watchful eye, eyed Hui Jian warily before speaking.
"Business?" the guard grunted.
Hui Jian nodded. "I'm here to speak with Zhao Rui. He'll want to hear what I have to offer."
The guard hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside, motioning for Hui Jian to enter. "He's in the study. Don't cause any trouble."
Hui Jian moved through the opulent halls of Zhao Rui's home, his steps soft and measured. The merchant's wealth was apparent in every detail—the polished floors, the ornate tapestries, the carefully arranged displays of rare Gu artifacts. But Hui Jian wasn't here to admire Zhao Rui's taste in decor.
He entered the study to find Zhao Rui sitting behind a large wooden desk, sipping from a delicate porcelain cup. The merchant looked up as Hui Jian entered, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Hui Jian," Zhao Rui greeted him smoothly. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd reconsidered my offer."
Hui Jian took a seat across from Zhao Rui, his expression calm and calculating. "I've given it some thought. I'm interested."
Zhao Rui's smile widened. "Good. The shipment arrives in two days, heavily guarded, of course. But I trust that won't be a problem for someone of your... talents."
"I assume you have the details?" Hui Jian asked.
Zhao Rui nodded, sliding a rolled-up map across the desk. "The shipment will be stored in a warehouse near the river docks. My sources tell me the Jade Fist Clan will have a small contingent of guards posted there, but nothing you can't handle. If you're successful, we'll split the profits—fifty-fifty."
Hui Jian unrolled the map, studying the layout of the docks and the warehouse. His mind raced through the possibilities, the risks, and the rewards. He knew better than to trust Zhao Rui completely, but the opportunity was too valuable to pass up.
"I'll handle it," Hui Jian said finally, rolling the map back up and tucking it into his cloak. "But if anything goes wrong, I expect you to cover my tracks."
Zhao Rui chuckled. "Of course. Discretion is my specialty."
Hui Jian rose to leave, but before he could reach the door, Zhao Rui's voice stopped him.
"One more thing," the merchant said, his tone casual. "Be careful. There are whispers that the Red River Sect might have their eyes on that shipment as well. If they decide to make a move, things could get... complicated."
Hui Jian glanced over his shoulder, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I'll keep that in mind."
With that, he left the study, his mind already focused on the task ahead. The shipment was his ticket to replenishing his dwindling funds and securing his position in Lanternrock's underworld. But Zhao Rui's warning lingered in his mind. If the Red River Sect was involved, the job could quickly spiral out of control.
As Hui Jian disappeared into the shadows of the city once more, he knew one thing for certain: the storm was coming, and he would need every ounce of cunning and strategy the Mind Flower Gu could provide to survive it.
The pieces were in motion, and soon, Lanternrock would tremble under the weight of the coming conflict.