Li Shen's muscles screamed in protest as he shifted in his bed. The neutral qi he had wielded against Shi Ming had exacted a terrible toll. Instead of healing, each day brought fresh waves of agony that radiated through his meridians like molten metal.
The usual bustle of Viper Manor had given way to an eerie silence. No servants scurried through the halls. No guards called out their rotations. The cold quiet sent shivers to his body, a stark reminder of how scattered his vassals had become in the aftermath of their victory at Crimson Moon City.
Lady Ying had spirited Yuan Xia away without explanation, while Xi Fang immersed herself in cataloging the treasures recovered from the ruined city's vaults. Meanwhile, Xie Mu worked alongside Lady Jiao and the Frostwind Clan, reorganizing the city's defensive formations against potential retaliation.
