Liam, on the other end, had already seen through their intentions. It was as clear as the sun hovering in the sky.
Only a fool wouldn't notice.
Though, he didn't respond directly. There was no need for a direct response right away.
Everything took time, and everything will fall into places eventually.
Instead, he let things unfold.
The next "performance" he had prepared, the one involving Hero and Lucien would speak louder than any words.
It was a grand plan similar to the one Lucien experienced once before, but on an even grander scale.
An event that will surely increased the Pavilion's reputation no matter what. After all, strength speaks the loudest in this world.
If done right.
It would be enough.
Enough to remind everyone that the Purple Cloud Pavilion wasn't something to be taken lightly.
Elsewhere, within the black market.
The atmosphere here was dark with barely lit lamps all around. Building filling up the view, landed structures with no visible signs of mortal in sight.
All around, it was dark pathways with poorly lit lights. Cultivators walking in pairs or alone, cloaked of course as they strolled through the streets looking for whatever things they wanted.
Then, the scene panned ahead.
At the center stood a large dome-shaped structure.
Plain.
Unremarkable.
Most cultivators passed by it without a second glance, treating it as nothing more than decoration.
Few knew the building's true function but really, what's the point of reading ancient books talking about history of the world?
Cultivators pride themselves in the art of detachment from the secular world. As such, anything that connected themselves to the secular world was practically ignored except for some few useful things.
History?
Books?
One would laugh and go to a brothel instead to fulfil his or her desire.
The city had always been low-profile. Its history ran deep, but it was buried, like silt beneath still water, rarely stirred, rarely noticed.
Around the structure, faint auras could be felt.
Foundation Building guards that Ilya had stationed here. Even if one was to carefully look for their presence, it wouldn't work since they hid their breath most of the time.
Even within the black market, their existence was clear as the day. The crowd could sense their presence all the time but unable to see them directly.
But the rules here were different.
Looser under Ilya's careful attempt at a dark and yet light market.
The black market remained what it was, a place where things moved quietly, where even the most righteous forces would occasionally come when they needed something… less clean.
Then the scene shifted.
Inside the dome.
The space opened up.
Wide.
Tall.
Rows upon rows of ancient books filled towering shelves, spreading outward like the roots of a massive tree. The scent of old paper lingered in the air.
At the center stood a hexagonal arrangement of shelves.
Containing what was likely the most valuable collection within.
Hero stood within that space.
A book rested in his hand.
He had already found what he came for.
But before he could fully piece it together.
Lucien arrived.
Their exchange was brief.
Layered.
Words spoken lightly, but carrying deeper meanings.
Neither revealed much.
Neither intended to.
And before long.
The atmosphere shifted again.
They stood facing each other.
Not far apart.
Just enough distance.
Lucien remained still, his cloak blending into the dim surroundings, his hood casting a shadow over his face. Only the lower half was visible.
Hero, on the other hand, wore a smile.
There was no attempt to conceal it.
But beneath that smile. It was readiness.
Even if he didn't welcome the conflict, he wouldn't step back from it.
Silence lingered for a moment.
Then.
Lucien spoke.
"That book…"
His hand lifted slightly, pointing toward it.
"What is it for?"
Lucien's question came out plain.
Too plain.
Hero caught it immediately.
Something in the way it was asked felt off, enough to raise a flag. It didn't sound like casual curiosity.
It sounded… targeted.
As if Lucien was looking for the same answer.
Hero's grin widened slightly at that thought. Without hurry, he slid the book into his robe, pressing it neatly out of sight.
"Nothing important…"
His tone was dismissive.
Then he tilted his head a little, eyes narrowing just enough to carry a hint of amusement.
"But hey…"
His voice lifted.
"What a surprise to see you here."
He took a slow step forward, gaze fixed on Lucien.
"Almost feels like we're destined to keep running into each other."
"Destined?"
Lucien repeated the word, his chin lifting slightly.
A faint light filtered through the circular glass above, catching along the edge of his hood and reflecting briefly in his eyes.
"I don't believe in that."
His voice remained.
But his gaze had already shifted.
Lower.
Toward Hero's robe, toward where the book had just disappeared.
A faint crease formed between his brows.
I need that…
The thought surfaced quietly.
His intuition had been pointing him here, step by step, and now it sent even further.
The answer he was looking for.
Was tied to that book.
But that wasn't what unsettled him.
His gaze lingered.
Why was Hero here?
Why was he searching for the same thing?
Lucien's eyes narrowed slightly.
He wasn't the type to believe in coincidences.
Not this precise.
Not this convenient.
Things like this didn't just happen.
Not without a reason.
His mind raced.
In a split second, countless thoughts collided, overlapped, and aligned.
Then.
Clarity.
Lucien's eyes gleamed faintly.
He raised his head and, without hesitation, pushed his hood back. The shadows slid off his face, revealing sharp features, a face that would make countless women fall in love with him.
Hero caught the movement.
His smile curved slightly.
"What's this…?" he said lightly. "Trying to show off your pretty appearance to me?"
"I am sorry, I am not interested into it."
The tone was teasing, casual.
But nothing about him was relaxed.
Every muscle held tension beneath the surface, ready to move the moment something shifted.
Lucien didn't respond to the jab.
He simply stepped forward.
His tall figure cast a long shadow across the narrow space between the bookshelves, the dim light from above stretching his silhouette toward Hero.
"Say…"
He paused.
For a brief moment, something flickered in his expression, uncertainty, disbelief.
Then it settled.
"Are you… also a card holder?"
The question fell.
Like a stone dropped into still water.
Elsewhere.
In the courtyard.
The surface of the pond rippled.
Liam's gaze rested on it, his lips curving slightly.
"It's finally time…"
A soft snap followed.