THE DEVIL IN THE DETAILS
Chapter Seventeen — Hidden Dragon Pavilion

The silence after humiliation always felt heavier than the humiliation itself.

The three of them walked out of the Cai estate under the weight of it.

Luo Yunshang and Commander Pang kept glancing back, nerves stretched thin, as if Cai Rong might change his mind at any moment and send men after them. Only Zhuo Fan walked with his face calm, though there was a cold anger buried deep in his eyes.

“My lady,” Zhuo Fan said suddenly, stopping only a few steps from the Cai estate. He did not turn around. “Do you have anywhere else to go?”

Luo Yunshang’s eyes misted before she could stop them.

She shook her head blankly.

Commander Pang sighed under his breath, grief passing across his face.

Zhuo Fan drew in a slow breath and bit down hard on the anger rising in his chest.

One day, he decided, the Cai family would be destroyed.

He had been one step away from settling the Luo siblings somewhere safe. One step. Then the Cai father and son, with their greed and shallow eyes, had ruined the entire arrangement.

If the Cai family were wiped out in the future and Cai Rong learned that this was the reason he had offended Zhuo Fan, he would regret it until his intestines turned green.

But that was for later.

Right now, Zhuo Fan’s plan had collapsed, and no matter how furious he was, the heart demon’s bond still forced him to keep the Luo siblings alive. Nothing could be allowed to happen to them.

After a moment, he said evenly, “My lady, do you know what the Seven Houses Under Imperial Decree are?”

“What?” Luo Yunshang looked sharply at him. “How do you know about that?”

She stared at Zhuo Fan as if he had just spoken some forbidden imperial secret. Then she remembered everything strange he had done over the past few days, and the shock in her eyes slowly settled into wary acceptance.

Commander Pang looked at Luo Yunshang as well, clearly hearing the name for the first time.

Luo Yunshang pressed her lips together. After a long silence, she looked at both of them and spoke with rare seriousness.

“When we were still at Cloudbound Villa, we had no dealings with them, so there was no reason to mention it. But now that we’re wandering outside with nowhere to stand, if we ever encounter anyone from the Seven Houses, we avoid them. No conflict. No argument.” Her voice lowered. “Even if it’s only one of their dogs.”

Commander Pang’s chest tightened.

He had never seen Luo Yunshang look so grave. She had always been proud. Even now, with the Luo family ruined and forced to bow before the strongest clan in Windforest City, she would never have said something like that about the Cai family.

But the Seven Houses were different.

Zhuo Fan ignored the warning in her tone. His face stayed calm as he listened.

“The Luo family, the Cai family — no matter how powerful we seem, we’re still secular clans,” Luo Yunshang continued. “At the founding of the Tianyu Empire, seven meritorious families received special imperial authority. They stand beside the court, hold their own territories, command their own forces, and exist above every ordinary clan.”

Her eyes hardened.

“To make enemies of them is to make enemies of the Empire itself. That is what the Seven Houses Under Imperial Decree are.”

“What?” Commander Pang drew a sharp breath. “There are families in this world that can stand beside the imperial family?”

Luo Yunshang nodded solemnly.

“The Seven Houses are forbidden ground. Every true family head knows this.” She looked at them both. “I’ll tell you their names. Remember them.”

“Is the Sun family one of them?” Zhuo Fan interrupted.

Luo Yunshang paused.

“Why would you ask that?”

“Right,” Commander Pang said with a nervous laugh. “Brother Zhuo, if that girl belonged to one of the Seven Houses, the young miss would have stopped you from hitting her.”

He glanced at Luo Yunshang as he spoke.

It was obvious. If Luo Yunshang had not stopped him, it meant she had silently approved.

As if her thoughts had been exposed, Luo Yunshang’s cheeks flushed, and she glared hard at Commander Pang.

The truth was, no one had enjoyed seeing Sun Yufei slapped more than Luo Yunshang.

Commander Pang could see that.

Zhuo Fan could see it even more clearly.

But Zhuo Fan was thinking further ahead. If a feud had already been made, he needed to know exactly what kind of enemy stood behind it.

“So the Sun family is connected to one of the Seven Houses,” Zhuo Fan said.

Luo Yunshang’s hand trembled.

“How do you know that?”

“That girl said we would taste the power of the Seven Houses Under Imperial Decree.”

Luo Yunshang’s face went white.

“So…” Her voice faltered. “So we offended someone tied to the Seven Houses without even knowing it?”

For a moment, her thoughts seemed to stop.

Commander Pang’s eyes widened, his heartbeat nearly freezing in his chest.

The whole world seemed to fall silent.

“Zhuo Fan,” Luo Yunshang said suddenly, grabbing his arm. “Quick. We’ll go back and apologize to Miss Sun.”

She tried to drag him toward the Cai estate.

Zhuo Fan stood rooted in place.

“Going now would only get us killed,” he said coldly.

Luo Yunshang froze.

Then all the strength seemed to leave her body. She sank weakly to the ground, helplessness filling her eyes.

Zhuo Fan’s words were harsh, but every word was true.

If offending the Seven Houses could be solved so easily, no one would fear them.

“Brother Zhuo,” a young voice said suddenly, “what do we do now?”

Everyone stilled.

They turned toward the sound and saw Luo Yunhai standing in front of Zhuo Fan. At some point, the boy had moved close. His bright eyes were fixed on Zhuo Fan with absolute trust.

Even Zhuo Fan had not expected it.

This spoiled child, who had never taken anyone seriously, was now looking at him with those clear eyes as if Zhuo Fan were the only person who could keep them alive.

“You’re not calling me dog servant anymore?” Zhuo Fan narrowed his eyes.

“Brother Zhuo saved my sister and me. You gave us our lives back.” Luo Yunhai’s voice was young, but earnest. “From now on, you’re my second parent, my real brother, my sister’s husband—please save us again.”

“Yunhai, shut up.” Luo Yunshang glared at him, her face flushed bright red. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

But even as she scolded him, her eyes drifted toward Zhuo Fan.

Everything that had happened over the past few days had ended the same way.

Danger came.

Zhuo Fan solved it.

He was arrogant, impossible, and showed almost no respect for anyone. But his ability had forced all of them to see him differently.

That was exactly why Luo Yunshang had already begun, in secret, to treat him as the Luo family’s steward.

If they wanted to rebuild the family, they needed someone like him.

Zhuo Fan looked at Luo Yunhai’s pleading face and laughed silently to himself.

The boy was still a noble-born child. Spoiled, overbearing, and used to getting his way. But when he chose to behave, he knew gratitude and manners well enough to be almost likable.

Besides, helping the Luo family was already something Zhuo Fan had to do.

He nodded.

“Is there anyone from the Seven Houses in Windforest City?”

“Yes,” Luo Yunshang said. “Hidden Dragon Pavilion. Among the Seven Houses, they’re the foremost appraisal family. Rich enough to rival an empire.”

“Good. Then we return to the inn tonight.”

Zhuo Fan patted Luo Yunhai on the head and started walking.

“At dawn, we go to Hidden Dragon Pavilion.”

Luo Yunshang hurried after him.

“What are we going to Hidden Dragon Pavilion for?”

Zhuo Fan did not look back.

“An alliance.”

Everyone stopped where they stood.

The Seven Houses Under Imperial Decree.

Hidden Dragon Pavilion.

How could one of them possibly form an alliance with a ruined clan like the Luo family?

It sounded like madness.

[End of Chapter Seventeen]

 

Chapter Eighteen — Long Kui

Hidden Dragon Pavilion did not need walls to keep people away.

It sat in the eastern quarter of Windforest City like something older than the city itself — an ancient structure of dark timber, carved stone, and quiet authority. Its gatehouse rose dozens of yards into the air, so tall and severe that anyone approaching it felt the pressure long before reaching the steps.

Within a hundred yards, the street was empty.

No vendors.

No idle pedestrians.

No curious children pretending not to stare.

Only two guards stood outside the entrance, both dressed in deep gold, their hands resting casually at their sides. They did not move. They did not speak. But the aura around them made the open space feel as if a hundred imperial soldiers were standing in perfect silence.

Their eyes passed over the street like drawn blades.

Then four figures entered that empty space.

“Peak Qi Gathering,” Zhuo Fan murmured.

He walked at the front, unhurried.

Behind him came Luo Yunshang, Luo Yunhai, and Commander Pang. The three of them did not share his composure. The moment the two guards looked their way, their bodies stiffened. Their steps turned mechanical, as if they were forcing themselves forward one joint at a time.

“Stop.”

The guards lifted their arms the instant Zhuo Fan reached the gate.

One of them looked him over coldly.

“This is Hidden Dragon Pavilion. You don’t wander in here.”

Zhuo Fan did not even glance at him.

“Announce us,” he said. “Luo Yunshang of Cloudbound Villa requests an audience with your steward.”

The two guards exchanged a look.

Strange.

Plenty of people came to Hidden Dragon Pavilion begging for an audience. Merchants, clan heads, city officials, desperate men carrying desperate gifts. Every one of them arrived smiling too much, bowing too low, terrified of offending the wrong person.

This one stood in front of the gate like he had come to collect a debt.

“Luo family?” one guard said. “Never heard of it. Our steward doesn’t meet nameless insects.”

Behind Zhuo Fan, Luo Yunshang lowered her head.

To a power like Hidden Dragon Pavilion, the Luo family was not even dust. Forget forming an alliance. They might not even be worth a conversation.

“Zhuo Fan…”

She reached for his sleeve.

Before she could finish, Zhuo Fan shook her hand off.

“Whether your steward meets us is your steward’s decision,” he said, voice cold. “Not something two servants decide at the gate.”

The air changed.

“What did you say?”

The guards’ faces darkened. Their pressure erupted without warning.

Luo Yunshang, Luo Yunhai, and Commander Pang staggered back as their breath caught in their throats. It felt as if invisible hands had locked around their chests.

Only Zhuo Fan remained where he was.

He forced one breath down and looked straight ahead.

“So this is how the Seven Houses Under Imperial Decree treat visitors.” His mouth curved slightly. “Impressive reputation. Disappointing manners.”

“Enough.”

A young woman’s voice cut through the pressure.

The guards immediately withdrew their aura and bowed.

“Miss.”

A girl in white stepped through the gate, moving with smooth, unhurried grace. Her face was delicate, almost untouched by the world, but her eyes were sharp enough to make that innocence feel deliberate.

One of the guards lowered his head.

“Miss, these people are causing trouble.”

“I heard enough from inside.” Her gaze swept over both guards. “You were the ones at fault. Anyone who comes to the Pavilion is a guest. Do not embarrass us.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Only then did she turn to Zhuo Fan.

A faint smile touched her lips.

“Sir, we meet again.”

Zhuo Fan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Commander Pang stared.

It was her.

The girl from the marketplace.

That made things easier.

Zhuo Fan smiled inwardly, though his face remained calm.

“I didn’t realize Miss was from Hidden Dragon Pavilion,” he said. “Forgive my ignorance.”

The girl dipped her chin.

“My name is Long Kui. I handle a few minor affairs here at the Pavilion.” Her smile did not quite reach her eyes. “May I ask why you came?”

“Nothing complicated,” Zhuo Fan said. “I am Zhuo Fan, steward of the Luo family. Our household has fallen on hard times. Since Hidden Dragon Pavilion is known as the finest treasure-appraisal house in the Tianyu Empire, we came to sell a family heirloom.”

“Oh?”

Interest flickered through Long Kui’s eyes.

She nodded politely to Luo Yunshang, then looked back at Zhuo Fan.

“If Mister Zhuo has brought a treasure, then I would be honored to see it. Please, come inside.”

She turned and led the way.

Zhuo Fan followed with the other three behind him, still tense and cautious.

At the gate, the two guards watched them disappear into the Pavilion.

After a long moment, one muttered, “Was that man… a friend of the young miss?”

“Impossible,” the other said. “Look at them. Since when does the young miss have friends dressed like beggars? She’s probably just amusing herself.”

His eyes narrowed.

“If whatever they brought disappoints her, they’ll be thrown out soon enough.”

The first guard’s mouth curled.

“Good. When that happens, we’ll teach them some manners. Especially that Zhuo Fan.”

“And if they actually brought something the young miss likes?”

The second guard laughed.

“With that appearance? If they can produce a single decent piece of ink jade, I’ll count it as a miracle.”

Both guards laughed openly.

Already, their hands were itching.

Inside, Long Kui brought the four of them into a richly furnished receiving chamber. Polished wood gleamed beneath soft lanternlight. Gold-threaded screens divided the room. Every object had been placed with the quiet arrogance of people who did not need to display wealth loudly because everyone already knew they possessed it.

Only after everyone sat did Long Kui smile again.

“So,” she said, “what treasure has Mister Zhuo brought? Let this little sister broaden her horizons.”

Zhuo Fan looked at her, and one corner of his mouth twitched.

This girl looked clean and untouched by worldly dust, but she was far from simple.

Everything outside the gate had happened under her watch. Zhuo Fan was certain of it. She had let the guards test them first, using their reaction to decide how this negotiation should begin.

If they had shown even the slightest weakness outside, her posture now would have been very different.

Clever.

But still young.

In front of an old demon like Zhuo Fan, clever was not enough.

With a flick of his wrist, he unfolded a sheet of paper across the table.

Dense, strange patterns covered it from edge to edge.

At first glance, it looked rough. Almost careless.

Then Long Kui saw it properly.

Her eyes fixed in place.

Slowly, she took the paper in both hands, her fingers careful now, almost reverent.

Luo Yunshang and Commander Pang exchanged a confused look.

Zhuo Fan had drawn that thing overnight. When they saw it, they had only one thought.

What is this supposed to be?

But Long Kui was looking at it as if she had just been handed something priceless.

“Mister Zhuo,” she said at last, carefully rolling the paper back up. When she looked at him again, the playfulness in her eyes had thinned. “How much are you asking for this?”

Zhuo Fan leaned back.

“Miss Long is the expert. I saw that much in the marketplace.” He smiled faintly. “You name the price.”

Long Kui bit lightly at her lower lip.

She studied Zhuo Fan’s eyes.

Too deep.

Too calm.

This man understood value. Bluffing him would not work.

“Two hundred thousand spirit stones,” she said. “How does that sound?”

“What?”

Luo Yunshang shot to her feet.

“Two hundred thousand?”

Even at Cloudbound Villa’s height, the Luo family had never held fifty thousand spirit stones in reserve. Yet this strange drawing Zhuo Fan had produced overnight had been valued at two hundred thousand in a single breath.

Commander Pang stared blankly, his mind short-circuiting.

Long Kui saw their reactions, and a trace of contempt passed through her eyes.

Damn it.

She had offered too high.

These country nobles had no idea what they were holding.

Then she looked back at Zhuo Fan.

He was still seated.

Still calm.

Not even surprised.

The contempt in Long Kui’s eyes vanished.

Her expression turned serious again.

The real appraiser here was not the young lady.

It was the steward.

[End of Chapter Eighteen]