For the rest of the week, Yan Jin stayed in his manor, methodically planning his next steps. The news of Island 99 had put things into perspective for him. His strength was negligible in the scale of this vast world. If he wanted to carve a path for himself, "Calm, Cool, and Collected" became his daily mantra.
The influence of the Gwi bloodline was more palpable as the days went by. His cunningness and methodic planning had risen tenfold. Poor Lan Zhan was the unwitting victim of his master's tests. During this week, Yan Jin had gotten more comfortable with the changes brought by his new realm and, more importantly, with "Omen," his new bow. He ate, slept, and trained with the bow by his side, getting used to its weight, balance, and presence. He treated it like an extension of himself; he knew its limits and strengths intimately.
Today, Yan Jin was out with Xiao Xiao, having promised the little girl to accompany her shopping. Followed by Lan Zhan, they walked the bustling streets of Pine City while the considerate little girl described everything she saw. "There is a jewelry store here…this is a bookstore 'Luminous Scholar'…"
"Brother Jin, there is a clothing store here. Let's go look," she said, dragging Yan Jin towards the entrance. As soon as they stepped in, the little girl exclaimed, "Brother, it's Sister Meng."
"Don't disturb people," he gently berated her.
"Sir, can we help you?" One attendant approached them, questioning.
"Bring out a batch of your silk for my sister here and some tea for me," Yan Jin requested.
"Yes, sir," the attendant replied, urging other workers to assist. They had heard rumors of the blind nouveau riche who had moved into town, and today was the day they would finally meet this money god.
The commotion attracted the attention of other shoppers, notably Meng Xiao. When she saw the figure, she was unsure if it was the Jin she knew. He was cleaner, sharper, and more handsome than the beggar she remembered. The young man in the store was dressed in a luxurious black robe with elegant embroideries. His skin was flawlessly pale, and he wore a ribbon binding his eyes, while his luxurious black hair was tied up in a high ponytail. This was clearly an enigmatic being. What was the need for a man to be this handsome?
"Meng Xiao, do you know him?" a young lady asked, dragging her out of her reverie.
"Don't tease me, Fu Shang. He looks like a friend of mine. I'm not sure if it's him," she turned to her childhood friend. Used to her domineering ways, Fu Shang said, "Let's just ask him," and walked toward Yan Jin and Xiao Xiao.
As they came closer, Meng Xiao had no more doubt that this was the blind beggar she knew. "Xiao Xiao, Jin, what are you doing here?" she asked, drawing a frown from Lan Zhan.
"Good day to you too, Lady Meng," Yan Jin replied, noting her lack of propriety.
"Is he the blind beggar you said helped you?" Fu Shang interjected.
"Fu Shang! How can you speak like this?"
"It's just a beggar, why are you so…" Before she could finish, she was interrupted by the attendants bringing in a batch of silk. Over hundreds of rolls were displayed before them.
"Pack them all up and send them to my mansion. Xiao Xiao, let's go. We have other things to purchase," Yan Jin said. "Lan Zhan, pay them handsomely," he instructed as he left.
A similar scene played out in multiple stores across Pine City. In a day, his reputation as "Money Lord" spread throughout the city. "If the blind man visits your store, you will soar to the sky." "Spend money like you have no eyes." Quotes like these echoed all over the city.
The first step of his plan was set in motion; the bait had been thrown, and the next step was to wait for the fish to bite.
Like clockwork, three days later, Lan Zhan walked in. "Young Master, you have received an invitation for a banquet at the City Lord's mansion."
"Does it say what it is for?" Yan Jin asked, despite knowing the answer.
"It's the welcoming of the new captain of the Golden Warriors."
"Take some funds and prepare a gift for our host," Yan Jin instructed.
Yan Jin spent the rest of the day polishing his arrowheads.
By the time he was done, the sun had already set. A cold air had settled over Pine City after the departure of the sun, and a thin mist carried an even thinner layer of dust and a morbid feeling. All respectable establishments had closed their doors, leaving the streets to the debauchery that emerged with the night.
"I am going for a walk…" Yan Jin notified the young attendant as he left the house.
--
In the red light district, a one-armed middle-aged man was being thrown out of a bar, bottles clinking as he hit the ground. From the stacks of empty bottles around him, it was clear he had been there for days. "Don't come back here again…" the barkeep shouted.
The bandage on his missing arm was still bleeding, showing how recent the injury was. The man was Yan Shao. Just a month ago, he had been a captain in the Yan family's expedition troupe. People used to curry favors from him; he had fame and glory. Now, he was starting to regret his past actions. "I regret... I regret..." he mumbled, rolling in the dirt.
Everyone avoided him like the plague. Disfigured by an explosion, his face was a grotesque mask of scars. Yan Fei was dead, and so was Yan Xu. They had committed heinous acts for a treasure, and now, karma was catching up to them.
"Retribution is here, Yan Shao. Are you afraid?" a voice whispered directly into his ear. Startled, he leapt into a defensive position. "Who is it?" he yelled, his eyes wild, drawing the attention of passersby.
He spun around like a madman, trying to identify the source of the whisper. The crowd slowly grew, drawn by the commotion. "You know what you did," the voice continued. "Murderer! Coward! Backstabber!" The words echoed in his ears, stoking the fires of his paranoia.
"I didn't do it! Leave me alone, it wasn't me!" Yan Shao screamed, swatting his hands around as if fending off invisible attackers. The whispers, combined with the murmurs of the crowd, played into his psychosis. He saw the floating faces of Yan Fei, Yan Xu, and Yan Bei Shang, Yan Jin's uncle, haunting him.
"Leave me alone! It was Yan Li, Yan Li is guilty!" he yelled, running through the crowd. "Yan Li did it! It was Yan Li! Yan Li killed you..." His voice grew more frantic as he made his way toward the Yan Clan residence. The spectacle drew the attention of every passerby. Like magic, no obstacles came in his way.
"Save me, he is back! Yan Li, treacherous thing, save me!" His voice pierced the night, disrupting its calm and drawing the interest of anyone nearby. Right before he reached the gate, the Yan family guards intercepted him, but he kept screaming, spasming, and chanting Yan Li's name until he saw Yang Yi and Yan Yang, his accomplices.
They had been alarmed by the screams, just like everyone in the residence. When they saw Yan Shao, they knew exactly what was going on. With a burst of adrenaline, Yan Shao freed himself from the guards. "Yan Yi, Yan Yang, you know! Tell them I didn't do it! Tell them to leave me alone!" he pleaded, crawling on the ground.The faces of his accomplices sank. Their names, yelled out in public, would bring unwanted attention.
"Shut this bastard up!" a voice resonated, drawing the attention of all onlookers. It was a middle-aged man with a sharp gaze and long dark hair, dressed in sleepwear. Despite his casual attire, his presence was commanding. He was Yan Li, the Eldest son of the patriarch.
"You want to kill me, Yan Li? It's too late. Retribution is here... ha ha ha ha ha!" Yan Shao's laughter turned maniacal.
"Yan Shao, you've lost your mind. Drag him inside and find a doctor," Yan Li ordered, flicking his arm dismissively. But before anyone could move, a sudden killing intent filled the air. An arrow lodged itself into Yan Shao's abdomen, silencing him forever.
"Everybody, step back!" Yan Li instructed, echoed by Yan Yang and Yan Yi. They had seen this before.
Just like in their memories, an ice-cold air spread from the wound, engulfing Yan Shao's body. It began to freeze bit by bit, lifting him slowly into the air before blooming into a rose. It was Yan Bei Shang's Death Flourish. The connection was undeniable, and the culprits were clear.
--
Two kilometers away, Yan Jin tucked away his bow. "Another one down," he said, gazing toward the Yan Clan. He would give anything to see the expression on Yan Li's face, but that would have to wait. "Get ready, Yan Clan. Retribution is coming," he muttered, disappearing into the dark.