Li Tian trusted numbers completely,
but humans… were never predictable.
The whispers moving through the Guild's corridors,
the hatred forming as profits fell—
none of it escaped his notice.
"After a market war," Li Tian thought,
"a survival war begins."
---
Shadow Market
At the east end of the city, there was a place—
no signboard,
no guards.
Only one mark:
the symbol of a broken dagger.
Li Tian arrived there during the third watch of the night.
Inside, it was dark.
Then a voice spoke—
"Name?"
"Client," Li Tian replied.
---
Negotiation with Assassins
Three figures emerged from the shadows.
Faces covered, presence lethal.
"You want protection?"
the leader asked.
Li Tian stated his terms plainly.
"Long-term hire.
No killing without my order.
Only shadow cover."
The leader was slightly surprised.
"You're an odd one."
Li Tian placed a pouch on the table.
Clink.
"Payment isn't odd."
The contract was written—
Shadow Veil.
Three elite assassins
24/7 surveillance
Emergency extraction
Silent elimination (conditional)
The price was high.
But Li Tian knew—
insurance is never cheap.
---
First Night
That night, Li Tian slept alone—
but not unprotected.
A shadow on the rooftop.
A pair of footsteps in the alley.
And one… behind him.
Nothing could be seen,
yet everything was under control.
---
Mu Qinglan Realizes
The next morning, Mu Qinglan noticed—
the guards were more alert,
and a few people had suddenly disappeared.
"You increased your protection?"
she asked.
Li Tian simply said,
"I'm just calculating risk."
---
End Panel
Clouds drifted across the night sky.
The moon was only half visible.
Standing by the window, Li Tian said—
"Business happens in the light.
In the darkness… security."
Caption:
"When the king steps onto the board,
the shadows move first."
Next Chapter: The Shadow Veil's first signal.