The Price of Survival and the Weight of Status

“Fifth Madam—”

Seeing Bai Yuan approach, the green-clad woman hesitantly called out. She had no idea what this Fifth Madam of Tianhe Gate was planning, lacking even the courage to step forward and offer pleasantries, fearing she might inadvertently offend her.

Tianhe Gate was an enormous power, a titan presiding over the northwest provinces. It was led by Yang Xuan, the youngest Grandmaster in the entire world, with influence spanning both the righteous and unrighteous paths.

Even the least favored Fifth Madam was not someone their Tieyang Gate could afford to offend. In fact, it was precisely because she was out of favor, and also hailed from Longyou, that they had sought her out, finding an opportunity to forge a connection.

Had it been any of the other madams, they wouldn’t have even been qualified to approach.

“I can approve the acquisition of your blades,”

Bai Yuan walked slowly, stopping beside the green-clad woman. She stood silently for a moment, lost in thought, before suddenly speaking. “However, the price must increase by ten percent.”

They would take the blades, but the price would increase by ten percent?

The green-clad woman, Cheng Rui, was momentarily stunned, then immediately understood. A flicker of joy crossed her face, quickly replaced by a troubled expression. “Madam, if the price increases by ten percent, Steward Zhao might—”

Having long navigated the complexities of commerce, she knew precisely what an additional ten percent implied. Yet, this came with considerable risk.

Tianhe Gate was immensely wealthy; even a single strand of their hair was thicker than Tieyang Gate’s thigh. If the deal went well, it would bring a steady stream of riches. But if something went awry and angered that Grandmaster… While this Fifth Madam had once been renowned, times had changed. She had humbled herself to serve another and was never favored. She likely couldn’t even get a few words in.

“This is the price: one hundred blades per month, crafted from the same materials as that last blade. Frankly, your craftsmanship is quite ordinary; it’s only the material that holds some interest and might earn my lord’s approval.”

Bai Yuan paid no mind to the green-clad woman’s churning thoughts. She simply rubbed a token hanging from her waist, speaking to herself. “If you agree, I’ll speak to my lord tomorrow. If not, then so be it.”

The green-clad woman’s gaze was immediately drawn to the token.

The token appeared dark and was forged from refined iron, with cloud patterns carved around its edge. In its center, a single character was etched.

“Command.”

The calligraphy was bold and unrestrained, as if someone had forcefully written it with a finger directly onto the hundred-forged refined iron!

The ability to mold iron like clay belonged solely to Grandmaster Yang within Tianhe Gate.

The green-clad woman gasped, holding her breath.

After a moment, she slowly exhaled, no longer daring to haggle. “Fifth Madam’s grace, Cheng Rui humbly accepts.”

“It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement; hardly a matter of grace,”

Bai Yuan replied indifferently. She was about to say more when an excited voice echoed from the alley entrance.

“Oh? Isn’t that Concubine Bai?”

Before the words had faded, a fiery red figure darted from the main street, flashing twice before landing beside her.

The newcomer was a maidservant, about sixteen or seventeen years old. With willow brows and phoenix eyes, she was quite pretty, but her gaze held a hint of arrogance.

“Concubine Bai, Miss Tong is in a dispute. Please come immediately to assist her.”

The maidservant merely bowed hastily. Without waiting for Bai Yuan to speak, she blurted out the words loudly, her tone rather impolite.

Bai Yuan narrowed her eyes. She didn’t erupt in anger, nor did she immediately move. Instead, she stared thoughtfully at the maidservant for a moment before calmly asking, “Hong Xiao, speak slowly. What exactly happened? Why would Miss Tong suddenly get into a conflict with someone?”

“There’s no time for details! They were just about to come to blows! Concubine Bai, we must go now!”

The maidservant seemed quite anxious. As she spoke, she reached out to pull Bai Yuan.

A glint flashed in Bai Yuan’s eyes. She subtly stepped back, causing the maidservant, Hong Xiao, to grasp at empty air. She even stumbled, nearly falling, due to misjudging her force.

Hong Xiao froze, looking up at Bai Yuan’s expressionless face. A shiver ran through her, and she finally reacted, quickly bowing her head in apology. “This servant was too eager. Please forgive me, Concubine Bai.”

However, the hint of disapproval, even annoyance, that flashed across her face as she lowered her head could not escape Bai Yuan or the green-clad woman beside them.

Bai Yuan felt no anger. Such matters could no longer stir any emotion within her.

After all, she knew very well that at this moment, as a defeated dog who had surrendered, and a sacrificial offering from the losing side, she held no status in the eyes of Tianhe Gate’s elders.

“There’s no question of sin or forgiveness,”

She stated calmly. “Miss Tong’s matter is important. Since it’s so urgent, let’s go quickly. You lead the way.”

Staring at Bai Yuan’s retreating figure, the green-clad woman, Cheng Rui, remained silent.

After a long while, until the figure had completely vanished, the middle-aged man beside her cautiously approached.

“Miss—”

“Did you see?”

Cheng Rui withdrew her gaze, letting out a long sigh.

“See what?”

The middle-aged man was bewildered by his young mistress’s abrupt question.

“I’m talking about this Fifth Madam,”

Cheng Rui’s eyes flickered, her face holding a strange light. “How mighty was this Ruthless Rakshasa back in Longyou? Hailed as the foremost of the younger generation, ruthless and arrogant, with countless souls having fallen to her palms. Our sect wouldn’t even dare to look at her directly. But what was the outcome? She angered Grandmaster Yang, was defeated in a single battle, had her cultivation crippled, and was reduced to a concubine. She’ll have to grovel for the rest of her life, yet she’s not even favored. Even a servant dares to shout at her, and she has to resort to underhanded means to secretly earn some private money.”

The middle-aged man clamped his mouth shut. As a trusted confidant of Cheng Rui, the daughter of Tieyang Gate’s leader, he naturally understood his mistress’s true intentions.

However, reality was cruel. What good was looking down on her in secret? Even for this least favored concubine, their Tieyang Gate had to bend over backward to find a way to establish some connection, hoping to secure a deal.

This was the disparity in status.

“Therefore, temporary glory is useless. What we truly need to do is solidify our foundation so that we can control our own destiny. Don’t rely on others.”

Cheng Rui spoke, clenching her fingers tightly. After a long moment, she finally relaxed her grip.

Then, as if remembering something else, she looked across the street.

There, the boy had just picked himself up, cautiously watching them while slowly moving towards the main street. He still clutched the silver and the porcelain bottle tightly in his hand.

“Right, that boy.”

She subtly nodded towards him.

The middle-aged man’s expression grew serious. “Miss, the one she valued, should we take him in now?”

“No,”

Cheng Rui mused, slowly shaking her head. “No one knows what the Fifth Madam is thinking, and there’s no need for us to be too obvious. He said he wanted to learn martial arts anyway. First, send someone to quietly keep an eye on him, guide him slightly, and let him voluntarily join our sect. Then, have Old Qian take him in and secretly observe him closely to see if there’s anything special about him.”

“Understood!”

The middle-aged man bowed and accepted the order.