Mo Han returned to the Cold Night Inn with the same steady steps he always carried. Jia Kai, Chi Kai, and Fatty Lambu were waiting inside their room, tension visible in their faces.

"I was accepted," he said simply.

For a second, silence filled the room. The words didn't register.

Fatty Lambu blinked, looked at the token, then back at Mo Han, then back at the token again. Suddenly, the chicken leg slipped from his hand, rolling across the floor.

"W-What?! Accepted?! Inside the Eternal Night Mansion?!" Fatty's voice cracked as though he'd swallowed hot coals. "Brother Han, don't joke like that. That sect eats men alive—how can they accept you so easily?!"

Mo Han only smiled faintly. "One of the 13 elders, the Elder Mei herself approved it. I'm now her disciple."

Chi Kai's lips parted in surprise, her hands tightening on the edge of her robe. She had hoped, but she never imagined it would happen so fast. "Elder Mei… she is one of the strongest thirteen. Brother Han, this is… this is not just acceptance. It means you already carry her protection."

Jia Kai's usually steady face flickered with shock.

Mo Han chuckled softly, then looked at Jia Kai and Chi Kai. "From tomorrow, we'll live inside the sect. But keep your guard up. Someone doesn't want Pink Blossom Tree's recommendations inside this sect. We'll be watched, tested, maybe even provoked."

Jia Kai nodded firmly, her eyes clear. "Let them come. As long as we stand together, they won't crush us."

Chi Kai, quieter but filled with determination, added, "And if they dare humiliate Brother Han, I'll make them regret it."

Fatty Lambu groaned, collapsing back onto the bed. "Heaven help me… I'm surrounded by maniacs. But fine! If you're all charging into hell, I'll drag my fat body with you. At least hell must have good food."

The tension broke into faint laughter, even from Mo Han.

"Let's go... we need to buy some necessary things." Mo Han said as slapped fatty's back in a funny manner.

They set out into the glowing streets of Golden Silk City, the lanterns burning brighter as the night deepened. Eunuchs shouted for customers, painted courtesans leaned from balconies, while merchants barked out prices for their wares. The city was alive with decadence and hunger.

Mo Han separated from the group at one point, leaving them to buy essentials while he moved toward weapon stalls. His sharp gaze picked up fine iron, talismans, and herbs—his mind calculating silently.

It was then, turning into a side street, that fate collided with him.

A richly dressed youth swaggered into him, perfume and wine staining his robes. The man stumbled, then scowled, seizing Mo Han's collar with a jeweled hand.

"Dog servant!" the youth spat. "Do you know who I am?!"

Before Mo Han could speak, Fatty Lambu—arms full of food packets—gasped behind him. "B-Brother Mo Han! That… that's Bai Rui… of the Bai family!"

The Bai clan, one of the four ruling families of Golden Silk City. The watching crowd whispered quickly.

Mo Han's expression changed a bit. Not because opponent... he was surprised that Fatty already gathered some information instead of eating.

His hand then moved like lightning.

Shrrrk!

The crimson blade gleamed at Bai Rui's neck, so close it kissed skin. The arrogant young master froze, his breath halting as the cold edge pressed in.

Mo Han's voice was quiet, each word like a heavy stone. "Release me."

Bai Rui stammered, his eyes wide. "Y-you dare… point a sword at me? I am Bai Rui! If you touch me, my clan will—"

Mo Han's blade pushed closer, drawing a thin red line of blood. The whispers in the crowd stopped at once.

"You should have thought of your clan before grabbing my collar," Mo Han replied coldly. "Apologize."

Bai Rui's pride and fear warred in his trembling body. His hand shook, but he didn't dare move.

Behind Mo Han, Fatty Lambu hissed nervously. "Brother Han… maybe don't kill him here? The Bai family eats people like us for breakfast…"

Jia Kai's eyes sharpened, ready to intervene, but she said nothing—watching Mo Han's icy calm dominate the arrogant heir.

Finally, with sweat rolling down his temple, Bai Rui croaked: "S-sorry."

Mo Han lowered his blade, his gaze still like a predator watching prey. He flicked his sleeve, sheathing the sword. "Next time, remember: not every man you call a dog will tolerate the insult."

The street remained silent, the onlookers stunned—none dared laugh or whisper. The heir of one of the ruling families had just been forced to apologize… publicly.

Bai Rui staggered back, clutching his neck, his eyes burning with humiliation and hate. But he didn't say another word. He turned and stormed away, his guards following like shadows.

Fatty Lambu collapsed onto a stool nearby, sweat dripping from his forehead. "Brother Han… one day you'll be the death of me. Do you know what you just did?!"

Mo Han glanced at him calmly. "Yes. I taught a spoiled brat manners."

Jia Kai's lips curved faintly, though her eyes were still wary. "You've drawn the Bai family's eyes now, Mo Han. This city will soon know your name."

Mo Han only smirked, walking ahead. "Good. That's what I want."

---

Bai Rui stormed back into the sprawling Bai family mansion, his robes torn, his pride shattered, and a thin red cut across his neck. His guards followed behind in silence, afraid to breathe too loudly.

The great hall of the Bai estate was alive with music and laughter, but the moment Bai Rui entered, everything fell quiet. His elder cousin, Bai Zhen, noticed the blood at his throat and frowned.

"What happened? Who dared—"

"Shut up!" Bai Rui roared, throwing a jade cup against the wall, shattering it. His chest heaved with fury, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. "That bastard… that servant-looking brat… he held a sword to my neck! In the middle of the street!"

The room rippled with disbelief. "Who was he?" someone asked nervously.

Bai Rui spat the name like venom. "Mo Han! Remember it well. He humiliated me before half the city!"

Gasps filled the air. Bai Zhen's brows knitted tighter. "Mo Han… never heard of him. If he's in Golden Silk City, I'll have him dragged out of his hole by morning."

Bai Rui paced, his face twisting with hate. "No, cousin. I don't just want him dragged. I want to know who he is, where he came from, what filth spawned him. If he's backed by anyone, I want to rip them apart too." He whirled on his attendants, eyes blazing. "Send out spies. Shadow him. Learn everything about his background. If he's nothing, we'll crush him outright. If he's someone… we'll make him bleed slowly."

Two of the Bai clan's shadow guards bowed silently and vanished into the night, their footsteps echoing like whispers of doom.