City protection sounded absolute only to those who had never relied on it.
Li Fan knew better.
The moment the evaluation grounds were cleared, escorts formed around him. Two city enforcers at Qi Condensation Peak walked at his sides. Another followed behind. Their expressions were stiff, professional, and detached.
Protection was not loyalty.
Yan Ruo stayed close, clutching her sleeves tightly.
"They will not attack now," Li Fan said quietly as they walked.
She whispered back, "How do you know?"
"Because this is when eyes are watching."
As if on cue, Li Fan felt several spiritual senses brush against him. Some were hidden. Some were blatant. City elders. Independent cultivators. Even a few sect scouts who had not revealed themselves earlier.
Li Fan's name had spread.
That was the cost of refusing Black Ridge Sect publicly.
They reached a secured courtyard reserved for high evaluation candidates. The enforcers stopped at the gate.
"This is as far as we go," one said.
Li Fan nodded. "Understood."
The gates closed behind them.
Silence followed.
Yan Ruo exhaled shakily. "I thought they would follow us inside."
"They are not allowed," Li Fan replied. "But rules bend when incentives are high."
She looked at him. "You speak like this is all normal."
Li Fan sat down calmly. "It is predictable."
Yan Ruo hesitated, then asked, "Why did you refuse them?"
Li Fan did not answer immediately.
He poured tea from the pot on the table, slow and precise.
"Because joining them makes me disposable," he said finally.
"They offered inner disciple status."
"And inner disciples die quietly," Li Fan replied. "Black Ridge Sect consumes talent. It does not cultivate it."
Yan Ruo frowned. "You sound certain."
"I watched it happen once."
She wanted to ask more, but Li Fan stood.
"Stay here tonight," he said. "Do not leave the courtyard."
"What about you?"
"I will meet someone."
Her eyes widened. "Alone?"
"Yes."
"That is dangerous."
Li Fan looked at her calmly. "So is staying ignorant."
---
The meeting place was not official.
A small pavilion near the outer wall, lit by spirit lamps that barely held their glow.
Elder Qin arrived first.
"You are reckless," he said without greeting.
Li Fan sat across from him. "You summoned me."
Elder Qin's jaw tightened. "Black Ridge Sect lodged a formal complaint."
"For what?"
"For refusing them and embarrassing their envoy."
Li Fan nodded. "Expected."
"They demand compensation."
Li Fan raised an eyebrow. "From whom?"
"From the city," Elder Qin said. "Or from you."
Silence stretched.
"You plan to trade me," Li Fan said.
Elder Qin sighed. "I plan to protect the city."
"Then say it plainly."
Elder Qin stared at him. "You have two options. Join a city affiliated sect under our oversight, or leave city territory within seven days."
Li Fan leaned back.
"So protection has conditions."
"Yes."
"And if I refuse both?"
Elder Qin's voice lowered. "Then the city will not interfere."
Li Fan nodded slowly.
"Fair."
Elder Qin frowned. "You are not angry?"
"Anger clouds judgment."
"This is not a game, Li Fan."
"No," Li Fan agreed. "It is negotiation."
Elder Qin studied him carefully. "You are Qi Condensation Level 3. You have offended a major sect. Why do you think you can survive outside the city?"
Li Fan met his gaze.
"Because they want me alive."
Elder Qin scoffed. "You overestimate your value."
Li Fan smiled faintly. "Then why are we talking?"
Silence.
Elder Qin stood abruptly. "Think carefully. Seven days."
He left without another word.
---
That night, Yan Ruo paced the courtyard.
"You are leaving," she said when Li Fan returned.
"Yes."
"They will hunt you."
"Yes."
She clenched her fists. "Then take me with you."
Li Fan stopped.
"That is not wise."
"I do not care," she said. "If I stay, I will be watched. If I leave, I at least choose."
Li Fan studied her carefully.
This was the moment where dependency could become liability.
"You understand what that means," he said. "No protection. No backing. No safety net."
"I already have none," she replied quietly.
Li Fan nodded.
"Then you will follow my rules."
She did not hesitate. "I will."
"Absolute obedience in critical moments."
"Yes."
"No questioning in combat."
"Yes."
"No emotional decisions."
She hesitated.
Li Fan waited.
"…Yes," she said finally.
"Good," Li Fan said. "Then you are useful."
Her lips twitched. "You are terrible at comfort."
"I am excellent at survival."
---
Three days later, rumors spread.
Li Fan had refused city affiliation.
Black Ridge Sect scouts were seen near the outer roads.
Independent cultivators began to test boundaries.
On the fourth night, the attack came.
No announcement.
No challenge.
Three masked figures breached the courtyard barrier simultaneously.
Qi Condensation Level 6.
Assassins.
Li Fan reacted instantly.
"Behind me," he said.
Yan Ruo moved without hesitation.
The first attacker struck fast. A killing thrust aimed at Li Fan's throat.
Li Fan sidestepped, redirected the blade, and slammed his palm into the attacker's ribs. Bone cracked. The man flew back.
The second assassin activated a binding talisman.
Li Fan cut it mid activation.
"You are sloppy," Li Fan said coldly.
The third attacker hesitated.
That hesitation killed him.
Li Fan's strike was clean, precise, and lethal.
Blood soaked into the stone.
Yan Ruo stared.
"You killed them."
"Yes."
"They were sent by Black Ridge Sect."
"Likely," Li Fan replied. "Or someone who wants their favor."
He wiped his hands calmly.
"This was inevitable."
Yan Ruo swallowed. "And now?"
Li Fan looked toward the broken gate.
"Now they escalate."
---
By morning, the city was buzzing.
Assassins dead within city grounds.
Evidence removed.
Protection officially withdrawn.
Li Fan and Yan Ruo stood at the city gate with packs prepared.
A familiar figure waited.
Xu Kai.
He smiled faintly.
"You should have accepted," Xu Kai said.
Li Fan replied calmly, "You should have sent better men."
Xu Kai's eyes narrowed.
"This will not end well for you."
Li Fan met his gaze.
"It already has."
Xu Kai laughed. "You think you are ahead?"
Li Fan stepped past him.
"I know I am."
As the city gates closed behind them, Li Fan did not look back.
The board had expanded.
The pieces were moving.
And for the first time, the world was no longer safe enough to ignore him.
Which was exactly what Li Fan wanted.
(Chapter Ended)