Jiang Chen closed the door behind him, his sharp gaze never leaving the veiled woman standing in his modest room. The faint flicker of candlelight illuminated her features, though her expression remained unreadable. The weight of her presence suggested she was not an ordinary person.
He crossed his arms. "You haven't told me your name."
The woman inclined her head slightly. "Names have power. But for now, you may call me Lin Xue."
Jiang Chen studied her carefully. She spoke with confidence, but there was no arrogance in her voice—only certainty. It was a trait he had seen in apex predators before they struck.
"You're affiliated with the City Lord's faction, aren't you?" he asked, his voice neutral.
Lin Xue smiled faintly. "Observant. The City Lord's faction ensures Ironhollow remains balanced. Unlike the sects, we do not seek domination—only order. Your actions today disrupted that balance, whether you intended to or not."
Jiang Chen exhaled through his nose. "The Crimson Blade Sect tried to rob and intimidate innocent people in broad daylight. Was I supposed to let that happen?"
"No," Lin Xue admitted, "but your interference did not go unnoticed. The sects in Ironhollow are not merely bullies in the streets; they have ties to greater forces beyond this city. You humiliated them, and now they will respond. We are here to ensure they do not escalate to the point of open war."
Jiang Chen's expression remained impassive. "So what does that mean for me?"
Lin Xue stepped closer, lowering her voice. "It means you have a choice. You can continue walking alone, relying on brute force and instinct as you have in the wilderness. Or, you can play the game more intelligently. The City Lord's faction has eyes and ears everywhere. We can offer you information, protection—so long as your goals do not conflict with our own."
Jiang Chen remained silent for a moment. He was no fool—aligning himself with any faction could mean stepping into their conflicts. But the alternative was being a lone wolf in a city full of packs.
"And if I refuse?" he asked.
Lin Xue's gaze didn't waver. "Then you remain an unknown factor. Neither friend nor foe. But understand this—if you refuse us and continue disrupting the power balance, the Crimson Blade Sect will come for you in force. They have connections to the greater sects beyond Ironhollow. Alone, you will eventually be overwhelmed."
Jiang Chen smirked. "People have been telling me what I can and can't survive since I was a child. They were wrong."
Lin Xue didn't return the smile. "Surviving the wilderness is different from surviving civilization. Here, strength is only one form of power. I suggest you remember that."
For the first time since she entered, Jiang Chen felt a flicker of hesitation. She was right—this was not the wilderness. The beasts here wore robes instead of fur, but they were just as dangerous.
Finally, he exhaled. "I'll think about it."
Lin Xue nodded as though she had expected that answer. "Good. If you seek us, ask for the Jade Pavilion in the eastern quarter."
She turned to leave but hesitated at the door. "One last thing, Jiang Chen. Be careful of who watches you. The Crimson Blade Sect isn't the only one interested in your actions."
Before he could question her, she slipped out the door, her presence vanishing like a whisper.
Jiang Chen sat down, gripping his new spear. His instincts told him he was standing at a crossroads. One path led to an alliance with the City Lord's faction, a world of subtlety and careful maneuvering. The other—walking alone—would mean facing the full wrath of those he had already angered.
He exhaled slowly, thinking. Lin Xue had spoken with certainty, but how much of what she said could he trust? The City Lord's faction claimed neutrality, but in a place like Ironhollow, no one held power without ambition.
He turned his focus inward, meditating. His chaotic energy was stable, but its presence had drawn too much attention. He needed a plan, not just for the immediate conflict with the Crimson Blade Sect, but for his long-term survival. Power alone wouldn't keep him safe here.
Ironhollow thrived on politics and influence. If he wanted to survive, he would need allies—or at least useful tools. The merchants controlled the economy. The sects controlled the martial might. And the City Lord's faction controlled the law, the information, and the balance of power.
His fingers drummed against the spear. He could already feel the storm brewing. The Crimson Blade Sect wouldn't let his humiliation of their disciples go unanswered. He could expect retaliation, but from what direction, and when? Would it be through direct confrontation, or would they try to manipulate things from the shadows?
The uncertainty gnawed at him, but Jiang Chen was no stranger to adapting to his environment. He had survived the wilderness by watching, learning, and striking only when necessary. Perhaps the same rules applied here.
A knock on his door snapped him out of his thoughts. He stood, muscles coiling with tension. It was late—too late for casual visitors.
Hand tightening around his spear, Jiang Chen approached the door. "Who is it?"
A low voice answered from the other side. "A friend. If you want to live through the night, you should let me in."
Jiang Chen's eyes narrowed. He exhaled slowly, then unlatched the door.
As the door creaked open, a hooded figure stepped inside. The scent of damp streets and iron clung to him, and his presence carried the sharp edge of someone accustomed to danger. Jiang Chen's grip on his spear remained firm.
The figure pulled back his hood, revealing a scarred face and sharp eyes that gleamed with intent. "The Crimson Blade Sect is already moving. You don't have much time."
Jiang Chen studied him carefully. "Who are you?"
The man smirked. "A survivor—like you. And if you want to stay one, you'll listen to what I have to say."