Thirty minutes prior to the sky rending over Crimson Iron City...
Inside the grand, polished executive room of the Golden Cauldron Merchant Union, Bai Ruolan sat behind her massive wooden desk, silently reviewing the latest financial ledgers.
She was dressed in her pristine indigo robes, her posture faultlessly poised, but beneath the calm exterior, her heart was hammering against her ribs like a wild beast.
Today was the day
The day Shen Yu's grand orchestration would violently descend upon this stronghold.
As the key asset embedded within the union's core leadership, her role was of absolute importance.
A soft knock rattled the carved doors.
"Come in," Ruolan said, her tone smooth and measured.
A female attendant in light blue robes stepped into the office, bowing respectfully.
"Leader Bai, the high executive council meeting will commence in ten minutes."
Bai Ruolan gave a subtle nod, setting the scroll in her hands down without a single tremor in her fingers.
