[Ye Hann’s apartment – Early morning]
Ye Hann sat cross-legged on the floor of his tiny studio apartment, hands hovering over a warm cauldron. A subtle wisp of silver mist curled upward, carrying the bitter scent of frost lotus and soul-reed bark.
He’d just completed another pill batch when the door buzzed.
Ye Hann (grumbling):
Too early for bill collectors. Too early for assassins.
…Hopefully.
He opened the door to find a young man dressed in a high-collared jade green uniform, polished boots, and a face that screamed “servant with attitude.”
Messenger (stiffly):
Ye Hann. By order of Patriarch Hann Zhengyuan, you are requested to attend a formal family gathering this evening. Location enclosed.
Ye Hann (blinking):
Family gathering?
That’s funny. I thought I didn’t have a family.
Messenger (without emotion):
Attendance is… expected.
He handed Ye Hann a thin black envelope, turned, and walked off like nothing had happened.
Ye Hann (reading the letter):
“Return with honor.”
Hah. The hypocrisy smells stronger than spirit beast dung.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
[Hann Family Grand Hall – That Night]
The Hann residence was the same as he remembered: towering halls, stone dragons wrapped around pillars, and floors so polished you could see your soul (and everyone else’s judgment).
The main hall was filled with distant relatives and elders, dressed to impress but too prideful to act warm.
At the center sat Hann Zhengyuan, arms folded, face unreadable. To his right was Hann Jianxun, elegantly dressed, her gaze curious and sharp.
Ye Hann walked in like he owned the place.
Ye Hann (casually):
Hope I didn’t keep the banquet waiting.
Hann Zhengyuan:
You’ve grown bold.
Ye Hann:
Wasn’t boldness what you told me I lacked when you threw me out?
[Awkward pause. Someone coughed. Elder Xu looked like he bit his tongue.]
Hann Zhengyuan (ignoring the jab):
You’ve made… interesting waves. The Ruoqi clan speaks highly of you.
Your talents might finally be useful.
Ye Hann (brows raised):
Useful. That’s the word you chose?
Not “remarkable,” or “unexpected,” or even “we may have misjudged you”?
Hann Jianxun (lightly):
Come now, cousin. You didn’t expect an apology, did you?
Ye Hann:
No. Just making sure we all know where we stand.
[Offers and Underlying Threats]
Hann Zhengyuan:
The family is willing to support your cultivation again.
Resources, techniques, protection… you’ll want for nothing.
Ye Hann (smiling coldly):
And the price?
Elder Xu:
Loyalty to the clan.Silence on sensitive matters.
Control over who benefits from your… skills.
Ye Hann:
Ah. So I go back to being your dog—but a well-fed one.
Hann Jianxun (smirking):
A dog that bites is still better than a stray that starves.
Ye Hann (soft, firm):
Wrong.
A stray with teeth… learns to hunt alone.
[As Ye Hann Leaves]
He didn’t wait for dismissal. He turned and walked out, steps echoing through the hall.
Behind him, the elders whispered. Hann Zhengyuan watched in silence. Hann Jianxun, for the first time that night, didn’t smile.
Outside, under the moonlight, Ye Hann pulled the black invitation from his pocket. He lit it with a flick of spirit flame and let it burn to ash in his hand.
Ye Hann (quietly):
I don’t need a seat at their table.
I’ll build my own.
