The midday sun beat down on the tiled roof of the hidden courtyard, baking the air into a stifling heat. Inside his designated room at the safe house, Jin Hao sat cross legged on a woven straw mat.
He drew a deep breath, circulating the stolen energy of the Late Stage Foundation Establishment realm through his meridians. The power moved like a rushing river, responding to his every command.
He opened his eyes. The dim light of the room felt crystal clear. He could hear the scuttle of a beetle under the floorboards. He could feel the ambient Qi drifting through the air.
He glanced toward the sliding paper door that separated his room from the main living area. Beyond that lay the room where his father rested.
Jin Hao's expression darkened. He hated the Jin Family. The memory of his father hanging in chains over that stagnant water trench burned in his mind like a physical brand.
They chased him, beat him, starved him and when he finally took back a fraction of what they hoarded, they tortured his only family.
"Just a few stones and pills," Jin Hao muttered, clenching his fists until his knuckles popped. "What is the big deal? It is my right. For five years, they treated me worse than a stray dog. I took my compensation. And for that, Bolin nearly killed my father."
He let out a slow exhale. The time for vengeance would come. He had the Treasure Devourer System. He just needed to find more resources, break through to the Golden Core realm and then he would march through the front gates of the Jin Estate and flatten the main hall.
His enhanced hearing caught a sound.
It was muffled by the thick outer walls of the secluded property. The heavy wooden gate at the front of the courtyard creaked open.
Jin Hao stood up instantly. He pushed his Spiritual Sense outward, extending an invisible net over the courtyard.
Two auras stepped through the gate. One was weak, barely at the Tenth Layer of Qi Condensation. The other aura was at the Initial Stage of Foundation Establishment, but it felt remarkably pleasant, carrying a alluring charm that made his heart skip a beat.
"Su Lian," Jin Hao whispered.
Panic seized him.
He looked down at himself. He was wearing a set of plain gray robes he had purchased from a street vendor early this morning when he sneaked out to gather basic supplies. They were clean, but they were cheap. They lacked the fine silk embroidery of noble attire.
"System," Jin Hao hissed in his mind. "Do I smell like the slums?"
[Scanning... Host exhibits normal biological odors consistent with recent exertion and cheap cotton fabric.]
"That means yes," Jin Hao grumbled.
He frantically rushed to the small wooden table in the corner. He grabbed a small glass vial he had bought along with the clothes. It was a floral perfume, the kind common merchants used to mask the smell of the city streets.
He pulled the stopper and splashed a generous amount onto his neck and wrists. The overpowering scent of artificial lotus blossoms filled the small room.
He rushed to the bronze mirror hanging on the wall. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to tame the wild strands. He adjusted his collar. He checked his reflection from the left, then the right. He pulled his shoulders back, puffing out his chest to look more imposing.
"I am a Late Stage Foundation Establishment expert," he reminded his reflection. "I am a dragon among men."
He took a deep breath, composed his features into what he hoped was a look of quiet nobility and slid his door open.
He stepped out into the main living area just as the front doors slid apart.
Su Lian entered. She wore a elegant dress of pale yellow silk that clung perfectly to her curves. Her dark hair was pinned up with a single jade comb, leaving her slender neck exposed. She looked flawless.
Behind her walked Suyu, her personal maid, carrying a three tiered bamboo food container.
Jin Hao quickly crossed the room.
"Miss Su," Jin Hao said, offering a respectful bow. "You grace this humble place with your presence again."
Su Lian offered a soft smile that made Jin Hao's chest tighten. "Please, Jin Hao, there is no need for such formality between us. We are friends, are we not?"
"Of course," Jin Hao said quickly, his eyes lingering on her smile. "But you truly shouldn't have come. And carrying all this..." He gestured toward the heavy bamboo container Suyu was holding. "I am already eternally grateful for the sanctuary you provided. We have money now. I can easily go out and buy food for my father and myself."
Su Lian's smile turned slightly melancholic. She waved her hand dismissively. "Suyu, place the food on the table."
The maid bowed and carried the container to the low wooden table in the center of the room, beginning to unpack several plates of high grade spiritual dishes. Roast spirit duck, jade root soup and steamed lotus buns. The rich aroma easily overpowered Jin Hao's cheap perfume.
"You must not risk going out, Jin Hao," Su Lian said softly, stepping closer to him. Her enchanting eyes looked up into his. "The city is not safe for you. And besides..."
She looked away, a delicate sigh escaping her lips. "I was eating alone in my courtyard anyway. My father is busy. My sister is... occupied with her own life. It is quiet. Too quiet. I thought perhaps I could share a meal with someone who understands what it feels like to be isolated."
Jin Hao felt a massive surge of protective instinct. She was the jewel of her family, yet she felt so lonely. They were exactly the same. They were two misunderstood souls trapped in a world of arrogant fools.
"I understand completely," Jin Hao said, his voice dropping to a comforting tone. "They do not see your true worth. They only see what is useful to them. But I see you, Su Lian. I see how kind you are."
Su Lian looked back at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Thank you, Jin Hao. Your words mean more to me than you know."
She turned toward the table, gracefully wiping the corner of her eye with a silk handkerchief. "Let us not dwell on sad things. The food will get cold. Shall we call Uncle Jin? Suyu's medicine should have stabilized his meridians by now. He needs nourishment to rebuild his strength."
"Yes," Jin Hao agreed, eager to show off his recovering father. "The medicine worked wonders. He was awake briefly this morning. I will go get him."
Jin Hao took two steps toward the sliding paper door of the guest room.
Before his hand could touch the wooden frame, a sound tore through the quiet house.
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