Su Yan awoke in complete comfort.
He had finally found the perfect sleeping position sometime during the night, with the blankets resting at just the right weight and the room neither too warm nor too cold.
He did not want to move.
Unfortunately, sunlight was streaming through the slightly open window and falling directly across his face. He turned away from it, which solved the problem of the brightness but did nothing about the steadily growing heat beneath the covers.
More importantly, he really did not want to deal with the aftermath of yesterday.
Eventually, however, remaining in bed became more uncomfortable than getting up.
With a reluctant groan, Su Yan kicked off the covers, changed his clothes, and opened the doors leading into the courtyard.
He was immediately greeted by a chorus of pained groans that had, surprisingly, failed to reach his room during the night.
The intruder, the hired thugs—and Landlord Fu—were all still there, tied together in a miserable heap near one corner of the courtyard.
Most of them had at least one broken limb. The rest were bruised black and blue, their clothes torn and their bodies twisted into whatever positions caused the least pain.
Taking a closer look, however, none of them appeared to be in immediate danger. They were undoubtedly in immense pain, but their injuries did not seem life-threatening.
Nihilister really must have been holding back.
Landlord Fu, however, was easily the most tragic sight among them.
His face must have offended Nihilister somehow, because she appeared to have focused most of her punches there.
It now resembled a pig's head—bruised, swollen, and streaked with dried blood. Su Yan honestly would not have recognised him if not for the clothes he was wearing.
Despite the sight, Su Yan could not summon even the smallest amount of sympathy for him.
Perhaps it was his lingering distaste for scammers from his previous life.
Perhaps it was because the man had nearly ruined what had otherwise been a perfectly good night.
In the end, Su Yan decided it did not matter.
He simply did not like Landlord Fu.
Judging from the rather targeted beating Nihilister had given him, she seemed to agree.
"Good morning, Landlord Fu," Su Yan said as he walked towards the group.
"I do hope you enjoyed our hospitality. If it was lacking, I hope you will forgive me. After all, having surprise guests appear was not part of my original plans."
Landlord Fu immediately tried to bow and beg for mercy, but the ropes binding him to the others prevented him from lowering himself properly.
Su Yan crouched in front of him.
"Alright, you can stop now. I'm done playing around. We have more serious matters to handle."
Landlord Fu froze beneath his gaze.
Then, apparently deciding Su Yan had not understood him, he began struggling even harder against the ropes in an attempt to force himself into a proper bow.
Reaching out, Su Yan gripped the man by the shoulders, stopping him from moving and eliciting a sharp hiss of pain.
"Stop trying to bow and listen."
Landlord Fu went still. He stared at Su Yan with his one open eye and swallowed hard.
Then, through his swollen lips, he forced out a muffled, trembling plea.
"Please… please don't kill me. I'm sorry. Forgive me."
Su Yan sighed.
Nihilister really had traumatised the poor man.
"I am not going to kill you."
A spark of hope appeared in Landlord Fu's eye.
"But you will have to do something for me."
His swollen head began nodding so quickly that Su Yan was instinctively reminded of the bobblehead toys from his previous life.
Pushing the thought aside, he continued.
"I'm glad you agree. I am going to bring the city guards here, and when they arrive, you will cooperate with them."
His grip tightened on the man's shoulder.
"You will tell them exactly why you came here, who you hired, and what you intended to do. You will confess properly, even if you have to beg them to take you away."
His lips curved into a faint smile.
"And if I discover that you lied, bribed your way free, or tried to cause trouble for us…"
He leaned slightly closer.
"I will send Nihilister after you."
The hope in Landlord Fu's eye vanished.
"What happened yesterday was your warning," Su Yan finished quietly. "There will not be another."
Landlord Fu suddenly began struggling desperately against the ropes, trying to retreat from something behind Su Yan.
Su Yan glanced over his shoulder.
Nihilister stood a short distance away, watching them with an enormous grin spread across her face.
"Do we have an understanding, Landlord Fu?" Su Yan asked.
Landlord Fu nodded frantically, desperate to make it clear that he would comply.
"Good. I'm glad we had this talk."
Rising to his feet, Su Yan brushed off his hands and walked over to Nihilister.
"So, did you sleep well?"
"Amazingly," Nihilister replied. "They weren't enough to make me break a sweat, but dinner and a show in the same night? I don't think you've ever spoiled me like that before."
"I mean, I didn't exactly plan any of this."
Nihilister's smile disappeared.
"That was supposed to be a hint. Try doing it intentionally next time."
He coughed lightly.
"Right. Well, if any opportunities for violence come up, you'll be my first pick."
She harrumphed.
"I'd better be."
With that, she turned and started walking back towards her room.
Su Yan left the courtyard to look for 2B.
He found her sitting at the dining table with Virtuous Treaty resting across her hands. She ran a cloth carefully along the blade, inspecting its surface as she worked, while Virtuous Contract lay upon another folded cloth beside her.
Pod floated on the opposite side of the table, surrounded by the assortment of books it had requested.
One thing Su Yan found strange, however, was how slowly Pod appeared to be reading.
It remained above each page for several seconds before turning it with deliberate care.
He had seen Pod scan entire pages almost instantly before. This was different.
It was almost as though Pod had deliberately chosen to read slowly.
He genuinely was not sure what to make of it.
Then again, he was hardly going to begrudge Pod a hobby, even if it continued insisting that this was merely data collection.
"2B, would you mind accompanying me to fetch the guards and some breakfast?" Su Yan called out.
2B stopped what she was doing and carefully placed Virtuous Treaty beside Virtuous Contract.
"Understood. I will accompany you."
She stood from the table.
Pod floated closer to the two swords. With a faint flash, both weapons dissolved into motes of light and disappeared into the dedicated weapon bay it carried.
Su Yan dearly wished the weapon bay could store more.
Unfortunately, Pod had already rejected that idea. It could only accommodate 2B's selected loadout.
He really needed to acquire a proper storage soul tool at some point.
His gaze drifted towards the windowsill, where Ah Yin's pot rested in the morning sunlight.
Preferably one capable of storing living things.
He turned to leave, only for Pod's voice to stop him.
"Commander, while you are away, this unit would like to request that additional books be acquired."
His gaze shifted towards the collection already covering part of the table.
"You know we're leaving soon, right? I don't think carrying your current collection will be easy, never mind adding even more."
There was a faint note of apology in his voice.
Pod hovered motionlessly for a moment, as though processing his words, before bobbing once in the air.
"Understood. However, this unit will maintain its request for additional books once we have reached a suitable location."
"Fair enough. I'm glad you understand."
He gestured towards the courtyard.
"Please keep watch over the house. We'll be back later with the guards to take that collection of morons away—and with breakfast."
Pod had already returned its attention to the open book.
At Su Yan's final words, however, it lifted one of its manipulators in a small wave before resuming its reading.
Su Yan left the rented property with 2B, who spared the bound group one final glance.
Every one of them immediately looked elsewhere.
The moment they stepped onto the streets of Stonegate City, they were swallowed by the morning rush.
People moved back and forth between stalls and shops. Some were already haggling loudly over prices, others hurriedly ate breakfast before beginning their work, while the rest simply went about their daily routines.
Su Yan quickly made his way towards a stall selling steamed buns and bought two paper bags full of them, making sure to ask for two filled with sweet paste.
Without a word, he handed one of the buns to 2B.
She accepted it and began eating in small bites as they continued towards the guard station, carrying the rest back for later.
When they reached the guard post, Su Yan found two young-looking guards standing on either side of the entrance.
Both appeared tired, as though neither had fully woken up yet.
One was leaning against his spear and letting out a wide yawn as they approached, though both guards quickly straightened when they noticed Su Yan and 2B.
"Good morning. I've come to report a crime."
The guards exchanged a confused glance.
"Er… this early in the morning?"
"I feel like crimes can happen at any time of day."
The guard seemed to hear his own question a moment too late, a faint blush spreading across his face.
Seeing his partner's embarrassment, the other guard quickly cut in.
"Right. Come with me and I'll take your statement."
Su Yan followed the guard through the gate and into a small wooden room.
The guard sat behind a desk and pulled out a sheet of paper, along with a brush and inkstone.
"Right, tell me what happened."
"Landlord Fu sent someone to steal from me. When the thief was caught and detained, Fu returned with a group of thugs and a Spirit Master to intimidate and extort me."
The guard lowered his brush towards the paper, only to freeze as Su Yan's words registered.
"Wait. Did you just say Landlord Fu?"
Su Yan gave him a questioning look.
"Yes."
The guard immediately stood.
"Stay here. I'm going to get my captain."
Su Yan exchanged a puzzled look with 2B before settling in to wait.
A few minutes later, the guard returned with a bear of a man following behind him. He had broad shoulders, a thick beard covering most of his face, and a weathered appearance.
Su Yan found himself briefly envying the beard. He had never been able to grow one properly in his previous life, though perhaps this body would prove luckier.
"I'm Captain Tie," the man said. "I heard you had something to report about Old Fu?"
"Yes. He tried to scam me, rob me, and extort me."
A smile spread across the captain's face.
"Tried, eh? That would imply he failed. Good. It's about time that bastard kicked an iron plate."
He crossed his arms, only for his expression to turn thoughtful a moment later.
"Though, thinking about it, this would be the second time."
Captain Tie studied Su Yan, then glanced towards 2B.
"You're not accompanied by a red-haired woman, but your name wouldn't happen to be Su Yan, would it?"
"It is, but how do you know that?" Su Yan asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Captain Tie barked out a laugh.
"Because Old Fu tried to report you last month. Claimed you and that red-haired woman intimidated him into lowering the rent."
His amusement faded slightly.
"We've had plenty of complaints about him, but Fu always made sure someone else did the dirty work."
The captain frowned.
"Even when we were certain he had sent someone to harass a tenant, there was never enough evidence tying it back to him."
Then his smile returned.
"So when his complaint came across our desk, it somehow managed to get lost before it went any further. Nice to see someone get one over on him for a change."
Captain Tie shrugged.
"Anyway, what makes you so certain Old Fu was behind the attempt to rob and extort you?"
"Shortly after I returned and caught the thief, Fu personally burst into the property with a group of thugs and a Spirit Master. He claimed the thief was his servant and that he had merely come by in the middle of the night to see how we were settling in."
He paused.
"Then he tried to claim that, because we had injured his servant, we were responsible for paying compensation."
Captain Tie's expression sharpened.
"And where are they now?"
"Still tied up in my courtyard."
Captain Tie stared at him in disbelief for a moment before bursting into uproarious laughter.
"I couldn't have asked for a better start to the morning. Let me gather some men, and we'll come with you to collect them."
With that, the captain left the room.
The young guard remained behind, standing awkwardly near the desk as he waited for Captain Tie to return.
Every so often, his gaze drifted towards 2B. He looked as though he wanted to strike up a conversation but had not yet worked up the courage.
The opportunity disappeared when Captain Tie appeared in the doorway, several more guards gathered behind him.
"Well, let's get moving. There's a nice warm cell waiting for Old Fu."
The captain sounded entirely too pleased about it.
Turning to the younger guard, he continued.
"You're back on gate duty. We'll be gone for a while, so I'm counting on you to hold down the fort."
The guard shot one final glance towards 2B before straightening his back and snapping off a salute.
"Yes, Captain!"
Captain Tie gave him a firm pat on the shoulder.
"Good lad."
Su Yan left the guard post with the bags of steamed buns still in hand. 2B walked on one side of him and Captain Tie on the other, while several guards followed behind them.
People gave the group a wide berth as they made their way back towards the rented property.
When they entered the courtyard, Landlord Fu and his men immediately brightened at the sight of the guards. Several of them began squirming eagerly against their bindings.
"Huh. I've never seen criminals so happy to see the guards."
"You must have scared them straight," Captain Tie said with a laugh.
The guards moved forward, cutting away the ropes before fastening manacles around the prisoners' wrists. Those still able to walk were linked together, while several guards helped the more badly injured to their feet.
They looked thoroughly despondent about their situation, yet the relief on their faces was unmistakable now that they were safely in the guards' custody.
Captain Tie walked over to Landlord Fu at the front of the line.
"Old Fu? Is that you? I almost didn't recognise you. You look rather different from the last time I saw you."
He studied the man's swollen face for a moment.
"All joking aside, we should probably get you to a doctor first."
Captain Tie looked towards Su Yan.
"A little heavy-handed, weren't you?"
"Couldn't be helped. Would you believe me if I told you this was the result of the person responsible holding back?"
The captain snorted.
"Considering none of them are dead despite all those injuries, I can believe it. I'd almost feel sorry for arresting them. Looks like they've already suffered plenty."
At those words, Landlord Fu shot a quick glance towards Su Yan, who stood motionlessly nearby, then lurched forward as far as his restraints allowed.
"Please, take me to jail! I deserve it! I wronged the young master, tried to steal from him, and attempted to extort him. I deserve to be punished!"
Captain Tie gave Su Yan another questioning look.
Su Yan merely shrugged.
"Right, then. If you're literally asking for it, who am I to refuse?"
The captain's smile widened.
"Though I'll need your full cooperation. Perhaps we can start with the last thirty or so complaints involving harassment and extortion?"
Old Fu nodded vigorously.
"I'll confess! I'll confess to everything! Just take me away from here!"
Captain Tie laughed.
"Good. That'll save me a great deal of trouble."
He turned towards the other guards.
"Men, move out. Take them to the nearest clinic before bringing them back to the station."
As the group departed, Captain Tie gave Su Yan one final nod before disappearing through the courtyard entrance.
Only once they were gone did Su Yan properly take in the state of the courtyard.
Fragments of broken stone and other debris lay scattered everywhere, while patches of dried blood gave the entire scene a distinctly macabre appearance.
He was suddenly very glad they would be leaving soon.
"2B, out of curiosity, do you think travelling by private carriage or joining a merchant caravan would be better?"
"I will follow whichever option you decide upon."
"That doesn't help me very much, 2B," Su Yan deadpanned.
"I do not possess enough information to provide an informed recommendation."
He frowned.
She had a point.
"Screw it. I'll think about it later. Let's find Nihilister and have breakfast. If she gets too hungry, she'll be irritable all day."
They moved deeper into the property.
Perhaps Nihilister would have an opinion.