The scent of sandalwood and ink hung heavy in the Moon Shadow Academy's library as I traced a finger along the bamboo scroll's edge. Three months had passed since my arrival in this unassuming town, three months of playing the diligent scholar with ink-stained fingers and lowered lashes.
Master Zhu's gaze weighed upon my back like a physical touch. He thought me unaware of his scrutiny, this learned man who collected secrets like others collected rare texts. Let him watch. The brush in my hand moved with practiced ease, copying classic verses while my mind plotted less scholarly pursuits.
The rumors of Merchant Liu's influence had proven true. His web stretched from the silk markets to the magistrate's private chambers, all woven from shadow and silver. A man who understood power's true currency - not bloodline, but information.
Tonight, the autumn moon hung low when I slipped past the academy gates. My scholar's robes whispered against my thighs, the bindings beneath tighter than usual. A dagger's cool weight rested against my ribs - not for use, but for show. Some conversations required punctuation.
Liu's estate walls were laughably easy to scale. I landed soundlessly in a courtyard of black peonies, their petals like drops of ink in the moonlight.
"One doesn't enter the tiger's den bearing poetry scrolls."
The voice came from nowhere and everywhere. Merchant Liu emerged from shadow as if conjured, his silver-threaded robe catching the moonlight. Up close, he was younger than expected, with the careless grace of a man who'd never feared anything.
I met his gaze without flinching. "Nor does one build an empire trading only in spices and silk."
His laughter was a soft, dangerous thing. "What does a little scholar know of empires?"
The dagger appeared in my hand as if by magic, its edge kissing his throat before he could blink. "That they're best built by those who understand both books and blades."
For the first time, surprise flickered across his features. Then something far more interesting - recognition.
"Ah." His smile widened. "Not a scholar at all."
The game had begun.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v63E3E5Bd
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