Ye Hann sat cross-legged in the middle of his room, refining a new batch of pills. A faint, earthy aroma drifted around him—mildly sweet, then suddenly sharp, like burnt citrus.
Ye Hann (thoughtful):
The Zhen boy’s condition… that backlash sigil wasn’t amateur work.
It was old. Refined.
Someone from the Inner Circle—maybe even from the Forbidden Sect?
A crackle interrupted his thoughts. A seal on the wall—one of his warning talismans—sputtered with a red flash.
Ye Hann (quietly):
Uninvited guests?
[Rooftop Chase – Moments Later]
Ye Hann launched from the window, chasing a shadow slipping through the alleys. The figure moved fast—untrained, but nimble.
He caught up effortlessly, yanking the figure down into a side alley.
Ye Hann (coldly):
You’re not an assassin. Who sent you?
??? (trembling):
I… I was just told to follow you. That’s all! I’m just a runner!
Ye Hann:
A runner sent to track a pill refiner? Sounds more organized than you're letting on.
??? (panicked):
A masked man… he offered gold. Said if I saw you refining pills or treating someone, to pass word to the .
Ye Hann (eyes narrowing):
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
The Crow Pavilion…
[Ruoqi’s Estate – Early Morning]
Ruoqi (pouring tea):
The Crow Pavilion doesn’t just buy information. They in secrets. Assassins, spies, poison masters…
Ye Hann (sipping calmly):
Which means someone’s paying well to keep tabs on me.
It’s time I stopped reacting and started pulling strings.
Ruoqi (grinning):
I like this side of you. A little less “mysterious rogue,” a little more “scheming strategist.”
Ye Hann:
You flatter me.
But I need a base of operations. Somewhere neutral. Hidden.
[Abandoned Workshop – Southern Edge of the City]
With the gold earned from his earlier deals and the Zhen family’s quiet support, Ye Hann purchased an old spirit workshop once used by a fallen alchemist clan.
He walked through the dust-choked halls, runes faded on the walls, forgotten relics gathering cobwebs.
Ye Hann (to himself):
Let’s see if I can turn this graveyard into a fortress.
Over the next days, he restored the core formation, added multiple layers of concealment seals, and restructured the inner courtyard.
[Montage: Building the Network]
- Ye Hann begins quietly recruiting talented or desperate people
- He sets up an underground clinic disguised as a humble medicine hall, treating injuries and selling pills to locals for dirt-cheap prices.
- Word spreads:
But behind the scenes? Each favor, each healed life, adds one more person
[Secret Meeting – Crow Pavilion Hideout]
Masked Figure:
He’s moved into the Southern Quarter.
His movements are clean—but too clean. He’s us.
Unknown Voice in the Shadows:
Then it’s time to test him.
Send Hann Jinhai again.
Masked Figure:
He already failed once.
Unknown Voice (lowly):
Then send him .
[Cliffhanger Ending]
As Ye Hann organizes herbs in the newly reopened medicine hall, a young messenger runs in.
Messenger:
M-Master Ye! There’s a commotion near the riverside plaza.
A young man’s screaming your name—challenging you to a public duel!
Ye Hann (sighing):
They never learn.
He turns, tossing off his apron, and calmly grabs a jade ring from the drawer.
Ye Hann:
Guess it’s time for my debut.