The rumor arrived before Tao Wen did.
Not as clear words, but as a strange tension in Huo'an's air—something the Eye of the Threshold recognized without needing to look: too many gazes aimed at the same point, too many small decisions aligning without any obvious coordination.
Lin Ye felt it the moment he woke.
Not pain—that was routine now—but a faint difficulty completing certain movements. As if the world took a fraction of a second longer to accept that he'd shifted position. It wasn't severe.
But it was new.
—That wasn't there yesterday —he murmured.
Su Yanlin looked up from the table.
—What wasn't?
—The environment feels more… rigid —he replied. —Like someone started anticipating me.
She frowned.
—That means the rumors aren't just rumors anymore.
They didn't take long to prove it.
Tao Wen appeared shortly after noon, paler than usual, breathing fast in a tightly contained way. This time he wasn't carrying a tablet.
He was carrying fear.
—Lin Ye —he said as soon as he saw him—. I shouldn't have come… but if I don't do it now, someone else is going to decide for you.
Yan Mo tensed immediately.
—Speak —he ordered, calm.
Tao Wen swallowed.
—The Shen House didn't stop —he said—. Not directly. They're using intermediaries. Minor houses. Mercenaries. Even… false rumors.
—About me? —Lin Ye asked.
—About what you are —Tao Wen corrected—. They're saying your existence destabilizes the city's seals. That if you keep using your techniques, Huo'an could suffer a structural collapse.
Su Yanlin pressed her lips together.
—That's a dangerous exaggeration.
—It works —Tao Wen shot back—. Some local councils are already discussing preventive restrictions.
Lin Ye closed his eyes for a second.
—Restrictions… —he repeated. —A nice word for "elegant confinement."
Tao Wen nodded.
—There's a meeting tonight —he added—. Not official. Representatives from three minor houses and a covert imperial supervisor. They won't attack you… yet.
—They'll decide whether it's worth doing later —Lin Ye concluded.
Silence grew heavy.
Yan Mo looked at Lin Ye seriously.
—You can't show up —he said—. Your condition won't allow it.
—If I don't —Lin Ye replied— they'll decide without me.
Su Yanlin stepped in.
—And if you go, you draw direct attention. It's a delicate balance.
Lin Ye stayed still, listening to the rhythm of his own breathing, measuring each heartbeat like a limited resource.
—Tao Wen —he said at last—. Do you know where the meeting will be?
The boy hesitated.
—Yes —he admitted—. But if I tell you and something happens…
—I won't ask you to come with me —Lin Ye said. —Just tell me where.
Tao Wen met his eyes and nodded slowly.
—The Old Western Registry Pavilion —he said—. Midnight.
After he left, Su Yanlin turned to Lin Ye.
—You can't use the Threshold in there —she warned—. Too many people. Too many eyes.
—I know —he replied. —That's why… I won't go as an anomaly.
Yan Mo watched him closely.
—Then how?
—Then I'll go as someone irrelevant —Lin Ye said—. Someone who listens. Someone who doesn't look like a threat.
Su Yanlin shook her head.
—That's dangerous in a different way.
—Everything is now —Lin Ye countered—. The difference is whether I let them define me… or I start positioning myself.
Night fell slowly over Huo'an.
At the agreed time, Lin Ye walked alone toward the Western Pavilion, steps measured, his body protesting in silent increments. He carried no visible weapons. He didn't activate any technique. Even the Eye of the Threshold remained dormant, like an animal ordered not to move.
The Pavilion was dimly lit. Inside, several figures spoke in low voices. Lin Ye stayed at the edges, listening to fragments.
"…if a seal collapses…""…the Empire won't tolerate…""…better to prevent…"
No one looked at him directly.
Until someone did.
—And you? —a dry voice asked—. I haven't seen you before.
Lin Ye lifted his gaze.
An older man—sharp-featured, plainly dressed. He didn't look powerful, but his posture belonged to someone used to deciding.
—I'm just listening —Lin Ye replied—. Sometimes it's the only thing a person can afford.
The man studied him for a few seconds.
—Listening is also a way of choosing a side.
Lin Ye nodded.
—Then I suppose I'm already in.
The conversation continued, but something had shifted. Lin Ye didn't speak again. There was no need. He had planted his presence.
That was enough for now.
When he left the Pavilion, his body trembled with exhaustion. Every step back was a negotiation with pain.
He didn't know that from a distant rooftop, someone was watching him with renewed interest.
Or that in another district, Shen Kuang smiled as he received a report.
—So he went —he murmured. —Perfect.
That same night, Tao Wen did not return to his usual lodging.