As soon as Gu Jin and Wen Xue stepped in, all four elders turned their eyes to the masked girl.
One of the women narrowed her eyes. "Wen Xue," she said, voice sharp and clear. "Why is she wearing a mask?"
The other elder, the man with gold-rimmed eyes, frowned.
"You promised to bring Gu Jin. Are you trying to trick us by hiring someone to take her place?"
Wen Xue stepped forward and bowed with both hands.
"She is Gu Jin," he said calmly. "I assure you, there is no trick. She simply preferred not to reveal her face."
"Preferred?" the silver-haired woman echoed, clearly displeased.
"This is not some petty gathering. We called for Gu Jin, not a masked pretender."
Gu Jin stepped forward then, her voice clear and cold through the mask.
"You called for me, and I came. My face is not what gives me value. If you doubt who I am, then test me."
The room went quiet for a moment.
The four elders looked at each other, silent communication passing between them.
