A guard stopped the two just before they could go far. “This way.”

  He led them to the tallest building near the City wall. It towered above the others. Sturdy, cold, and laced with pulsing sigils that gave off a faint hum of restrained power. Its reinforced structure spoke clearly: this was built for War.

  Jin Yu’s gaze swept the looming watch posts nested behind the massive wall, then drifted beyond, to the far-off sprawl of civilization. Armed guards patrolled the perimeter, strict and orderly, overseeing the flow of people coming and going.

  “This City must have a deep love for war, don’t they?” he muttered.

  Seer smiled faintly. “Correct. Reason why I like it.”

  “Hmmm.”

  They dismounted and followed the enforcer inside. The building was austere and quiet, all stone and iron, no single attempt at decoration. The enforcer guided them through a plain corridor and opened a wooden door, revealing a modest room.

  Inside, a Man sat cross-legged on a futon, calmly sipping tea. There was no other furniture. Just bare floors, stone walls, and silence.

  The door shut behind them with a soft thud.

  Jin Yu studied the man now that he could see him properly. He looked young, not much older than them and undeniably handsome. He didn’t glance up.

  “Sit.” the man said flatly.

  “On the floor?” Jin Yu arched a brow.

  Seer nudged him gently and sat down without a word, posture neat, legs folded beneath him, hands resting on his knees in quiet respect.

  Jin Yu let out a quiet sigh, then dropped beside him, arms crossed. His gaze didn’t waver from the man’s face, as if trying to pierce through it with sheer will.

  But the man just kept sipping his tea, as if the world outside his cup didn’t matter. Not a flick of attention spared for either of them.

  Jin Yu’s eyes flicked between the teacup, the man, and then Seer.

  Seer gave him a glance and raised a single finger to his lips.

  Jin Yu rolled his eyes but kept quiet… for a while.

  A minute passed. Then two. Then five.

  At last, Jin Yu’s patience snapped.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “What’s wrong with you, pretty face?” he asked coldly, voice sharp. “I’ve got better things to do.”

  The man’s hand froze mid-air. At last, he lifted his gaze to Jin Yu, expression unreadable.

  He took another sip before speaking, voice calm and dry. “To heaven?”

  Jin Yu raised a brow.

  Is this boy toy wishing me dead?

  Setting the cup gently on the table, the man continued slowly, “I wonder who let a brat like you out. You clearly missed a few lessons in manners.”

  Jin Yu gave a mocking bow. “Thank you. I’ll be sure to pass your message along when next I return home. I’m certain they’ll treasure it.”

  He straightened, mischief dancing in his eyes.

  “Must be your manners, then, that earned you such a charming bounty.” The man’s smile was faint, but the edge behind it was unmistakable.

  Jin Yu’s gaze sharpened. His spine straightened slightly, posture alert now.

  Seer glanced between them but remained quiet.

  Jin Yu spoke first. “What do you want?”

  Immediately, the man’s smile faded, and the room that was once plain began to shift.

  Lines of glowing sigils slithered along the walls and floor, lighting up in a silent surge of power. A formation encircled them, tight and calculated.

  Jin Yu glanced around, his expression unreadable. Then his eyes returned to the man across from him.

  The air turned heavy. Unspoken tension bloomed as both men locked eyes, neither backing down.

  Seer didn’t look surprised. His eyes rested on the man, unreadable. Then, slowly, with voice stripped of its usual playfulness, he spoke:

  “Won’t you offer us tea?”

  The tension in the room snapped like a taut string. Both Jin Yu and the man turned to Seer, blinking as if he’d grown a second head.

  The Man stared at him for a beat… then chuckled. “Of course.”

  With a casual flick of his hand, two cups of steaming tea appeared before them. A faint fragrance drifted from the cups, subtle, yet dense with spiritual Qi.

  Jin Yu didn’t touch his. But Seer lifted his calmly.

  “That’s quite generous of you, Senior.” He took a sip, the rim of the cup briefly hiding the faint smile tugging at his lips.

  Then he looked down into the cup. Or rather, into the reflection.

  His eyes were no longer brown. For a moment, they turned entirely milky white, distant, as if scanning beyond the veil of reality, seeking out the secrets even light dared not reach.

  Moments passed. Then he blinked, eyes returning to normal.

  “I take it you’re not after the bounty,” he said lightly. “You’re aiming for something more.”

  The Man arched a brow. “You’re rather confident, kid.”

  Seer’s gaze drifted toward the sigils still glowing faintly across the room. “These aren’t confinement seals or attack formations.” He turned his gaze back to the man and smiled. “They’re strong, yes, but quite ordinary.”

  The Man looked amused. “Oh? You recognize them?”

  “Of course.” Seer replied with an even brighter smile. “They’re just sound concealment sigils.”

  The Man took another sip of tea, chuckling. “You’re quite sharp. Not like your friend here, he’s all sword and smoke. A perfect pair, really.”

  Jin Yu didn’t blink. He was still watching the man like a hawk sizing up its prey.

  “Thank you, Senior.” Seer replied calmly. “I don’t keep ordinary friends.” He placed the teacup down gently. “Now, would you kindly tell us what you want?”

  The man lowered his cup as well, tone turning serious.

  “It’s simple. You’ve already guessed it, haven’t you?”

  “I have a guess,” Seer said. “The Twin Moon?”

  “Correct.”

  Seer sighed, resting his hands on his knees. “We’d gladly help, Senior. If not for our… very long destination.” He paused. “I’m afraid we can’t afford to linger.”

  The man gave a soft chuckle. “I’m sure you’ll find the time.”

  “Oh? Then Senior must have an offer we can’t refuse.”

  “Sigil City is vast,” the man said smoothly. “It’ll take you three days to leave at best.” His eyes landed on Jin Yu again, calm and sharp. “And with your hunters… I’d say you’d be lucky to escape in a week. That is, if you manage to leave at all.”

  Seer tilted his head slightly. “So, they’ve caught up already?”

  The Man smiled but said nothing, never breaking eye contact with Jin Yu.

  Seer asked, “May we know how long your errand will delay us?”

  “Two days,” the man replied. “I’ll personally see to it you’re escorted out of the City on the third.”

  Seer rose to his feet with a slight bow. “Then we’ll accept your offer, Senior. Please excuse us.”

  The man hummed, lifting a hand. The sigils dimmed and faded until the room looked plain again.

  Seer glanced at Jin Yu, who was still staring at the man, as if trying to engrave every detail of the man’s face into his memory.

  Finally, Jin Yu shifted his gaze to the teacup before him.

  In its surface, for a fleeting second, the reflection wasn’t his face, but a pair of Cold, Red eyes.

  Without a word, he stood up and left the room. Seer gave one more polite bow before following.

  Outside, they mounted their horses and rode off toward the pulsing heart of Sigil City, hair rippling in the wind.

  For a while, they rode in silence.

  Then, Seer asked without looking at him, “What was that, friend?”

  Jin Yu’s eyes remained fixed ahead, face unreadable, but his voice carried a chill that sank into the air.

  “I’ll be the end of him… I promise.”

  Then–

  DING!

  Quest Initiated!

  Host MUST take back his Dominance!

  [Reward: ?????]

  [Penalty: ?????]

  Seer felt a cold shiver crawl through his chest. His eyes darted sideways toward Jin Yu… then back to the road.

  What was that…?