Lucas stood at the crossroads of his destiny.
Logan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Grace and Sophia should accompany Amelia," he said, referring to the young women by their Western names. "As for Henry," he gestured dismissively at the lingering young man, "you may leave now."
Henry stiffened. The last thing he wanted was to be separated from Amelia . "I'm merely traveling for leisure," he protested. "Our paths need not diverge."
Logan's face darkened, but Grace intervened. "Miss Amelia," she said gently, "he does possess some martial skills. Perhaps he could be of assistance?"
Amelia nodded her consent, leaving Logan no choice but to grudgingly accept the arrangement. Within the hour, the five travelers set forth together.
Meanwhile, outside Wuxi city, beneath the apricot trees, the Beggar's Sect congregated in growing numbers. Julian arrived with Ethan , having diverted from their original plan to meet Noah at the sect's headquarters.
Three days later, Julian sat masked in a teahouse, his black robes and twin weapons marking him as a martial artist. At a nearby table, a broad-shouldered man drank heavily while studying the enigmatic figure.
"Brother," the man called out, channeling a thread of internal energy into his words, "might I share your table?"
Julian poured wine into an empty cup and gestured. "After you."
As the stranger approached, he introduced himself: "I'm Lucas. Might I know your name?"
Julian had already guessed his identity. "After your sect's business concludes, Hero Lucas, I'll gladly drink with you."
Lucas's eyes narrowed. "You know of Noah 's movements?"
Julian laughed sharply. "Noah is nothing to me."
"Then you seek to disrupt our gathering?" Lucas challenged.
"Would the mighty Beggar's Sect crumble so easily?" Julian countered. "Unless... there's already dissent within your ranks."
His words struck a chord. Lucas had noticed the two watchers by the window earlier but dismissed them as inconsequential.
"Hero Lucas," Julian murmured, "those spies at the window have been tracking you since you arrived." Though blind, Julian's other senses were razor-sharp.
Lucas smirked. "I fear no petty observers."
But the seed of suspicion had been planted. As the two martial masters sized each other up, the wind carried whispers of impending turmoil through the apricot trees.