[ The Thousand Jade Pavilion? How did you know? ] Qing Yan asked, lifting an eyebrow in surprise.

[ The drug they used… after recovering a bit of my strength, I was able to purify it from my system and keep my senses alive. While doing that, I overheard them talking. They said the money they received from their headquarters is stored in the Thousand Jade Pavilion—around 1200 gold coins. ] Azrien replied, his voice respectful yet calm.

[ 1200 gold coins?! ] Qing Yan’s eyes widened. [ Judging from their strength and how incomplete their formation was, they didn’t even seem like a full, trained group… and still, someone invested 1200 gold coins in them?! ] he added, eyes narrowing in thought.

Azrien nodded silently.

[ Looks like we’ve got a new target now, ] Qing Yan muttered under his breath. [ By the way… what are you planning to do now? ]

[ I have nowhere else to go, ] Azrien said with a shrug. [ Not that I really need a place. But… you saved my life. And beyond that, I’ve vowed to follow you. I want to understand your powers. I want to know—how something like you even exists. ] His tone was filled with restrained pride.

[ Hm. Well, having someone powerful by my side isn’t bad. After all, I still don’t know how strong our enemies truly are. ] Qing Yan said thoughtfully, glancing at Azrien.

[ Let’s go. ] he added, turning toward the staircase from which they had entered. Azrien followed quietly, matching his steps.

The two ascended and soon emerged from the painting they had entered earlier. The scene outside hadn’t changed—everything was still. The guild’s manager had fallen asleep with his head resting on the counter.

[ Hey, manager. ] Qing Yan said casually, stepping forward and standing in front of the snoring man.

[ Who the f—dare— ] the manager started, lifting his head in irritation. But the moment his eyes locked onto Qing Yan, his entire body jolted.

[ S-Sir! You’re back?! How can I help you?! ] the manager stammered, breaking into a nervous sweat and rubbing his hands together quickly.

[ Hoo~ Did you just curse me? ] Qing Yan asked coldly, tilting his head slightly.

[ H-How could I possibly curse you, sir?! ] the manager replied in panic. His eyes flicked toward Azrien, who stood silently behind Qing Yan.

[ Hey, you bastard! Move and bring a chair! Can’t you see your master is standing?! ] the manager barked, pointing angrily at a nearby chair.

Azrien looked at him with an unreadable calmness. His expression didn’t change. Without a word, he walked to the chair, picked it up, and placed it behind Qing Yan.

[ Yeah, good boy. ] the manager sneered.

Qing Yan said nothing, choosing instead to sit quietly, eyes locked on the manager.

[ Did you bring this dirty slave with you? What—his family got wiped out or something? Hahahah! ] the manager laughed, unaware of the dangerous shift in atmosphere.

But as the laughter echoed through the room, Azrien slowly raised his head. His eyes, calm just moments ago, now burned with pure, unfiltered killing intent. The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

Fear instantly appeared on the manager’s face. His body moved on instinct. In a panic, he grabbed a flower vase from the counter. [ T-T-This bastard! He dares…?! ] he screamed and hurled the vase at Azrien.

Just before the vase made contact, Azrien was about to release his qi in retaliation—but before he could, Qing Yan’s qi pulsed sharply. It intercepted and shattered the vase mid-air.

[ Suppress your killing intent for now. ] Qing Yan said calmly, not even turning his head.

Azrien obeyed instantly, lowering his energy without protest.

[ S-Sir! I-I'm sorry! I reacted instinctively! I don't know why I—! ] the manager cried out, stumbling backward in fear. His face had gone pale.

[ Ah, no problem. ] Qing Yan said with a disarming smile.

The manager's expression brightened slightly—until Qing Yan’s eyes suddenly turned cold, face falling into a murderous stillness. Dark qi slowly began to leak from his body, oppressive and suffocating.

[ He is not my slave. ] Qing Yan said flatly. [ He is a comrade of mine. And make sure you never make the same mistake again. ]

Azrien, who had remained quiet the entire time, blinked slowly. His eyes widened just a little as he watched Qing Yan speak. He felt… something stir in his chest.

Respect.

[ Y-Y-Yes, sir! I-I’ll make sure of it! ] the manager stuttered in terror, already mentally kicking himself. [ I repeated the same mistake again! ] the thought screamed in his mind.

Qing Yan’s smile returned, friendly and relaxed, as if nothing had happened.

[ Yeah, yeah. No problem. So, shall we talk about the compensation now? ] he said cheerfully, his expression soft like a spring breeze.

Author's Note

Qing Yan is starting to gain his aura of command. Azrien’s respect is real—and so is the fear he inspires. The tension between Qing Yan’s kindness and sudden coldness shows just how unpredictable he can be.

In the next chapter, expect a mix of plotting, confrontation, and maybe… the first hints of the true enemy’s face. Stay tuned

— Nameless Quill