Mu Mansion, Blazing Dawn Sect,

Wei moved slowly down the corridors of Mu Mansion, his steps shaky but improving with each passing moment. Lin, his sister, was by his side, guiding him with a steady hand. It had been two days since he had woken up after the violent qi outburst, Although Lin was known for her sharp tongue and teasing remarks, today she was different. There was no trace of the usual playful insults or lighthearted jabs. Instead, her face was serious, her concern for her brother evident. Seeing him in such a fragile state had shaken her, and she knew this was not the time to make light of the situation.

From her office overlooking the courtyard, Li Mei observed the siblings. Her lips curved into a soft smile as she watched Wei’s progress. It was a relief to see him up and moving again, supported by his sister. The image of both her children walking together, even in silence, gave her a sense of peace. With a quiet sigh, she returned to the stack of documents piled on her desk. There was much work to be done, as the affairs of the Blazing Dawn Sect never seemed to slow.

Among the many reports and letters, one document caught her attention more than the others. It was a report from Elder Qin, her father-in-law, who had just returned from a thorough investigation in the Dongu Region. His task had been to uncover the source of a leaked architectural plan of Mu Mansion—a serious breach of security. Though he had not yet identified the culprit, he had stumbled upon something far more intriguing.

According to the report, during his stay in Dongu Village, Elder Qin had met with Xiao Min, the former head maid of the Jinwei Mansion. Xiao Min had provided Elder Qin with unexpected information: she had seen Princess Huangshu and Edina in Dongu Village during her time there. This revelation immediately piqued Li Mei’s interest.

The timing of their visit aligned with what Li Mei already knew. Princess Huangshu and Edina had claimed they were taking a break from the Shining Blade Sect to go sightseeing for a few weeks during the ceremony. However, Elder Qin's report suggested something far more deliberate in their movements. Their presence in Dongu Village coincided suspiciously with the recent change in ownership of the Blazing Days Sect and its subsequent transformation into the Eternal Will Sect.

Li Mei’s eyes narrowed as she pieced together the information. The timing of these events—their visit, the shift in control of the sect, and the rise of the Eternal Will Sect—was too much to be a mere coincidence. It was becoming increasingly clear that the new owners of the Blazing Days Sect were none other than Princess Huangshu and Edina themselves.

The more Li Mei thought about it, the clearer the picture became. Her father, Sect Leader Liang Feng, had likely been aware of her intention to stage a heist to claim Edina’s inheritance. Rather than directly stopping her, he must have secretly collaborated with Edina, using the entire situation to manipulate Li Mei. The fake security breach had been a calculated move, tricking her into moving the inheritance to the Blazing Sun Mansion, where it would be more vulnerable to Edina’s plans. The Mu family had been outwitted, and all the while, it was Edina and her father pulling the strings behind the scenes, playing her into their hands.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Li Mei’s brow furrowed as she considered the larger implications. Why the Blazing Days Sect specifically? If Princess Huangshu and Edina merely needed a proxy to carry out their plan, they could have purchased control of any other sect with fewer resources and less scrutiny. But they had chosen Blazing Days. Why?

A chilling thought crossed her mind: Could they have known about the Red Black Steel Mine? The mine was one of the most closely guarded secrets of the region, its rich veins of rare metal making it an invaluable resource for weapons and construction. The Mu family had kept it hidden for so long. But if Edina and Princess Huangshu had somehow discovered its existence, then the acquisition of the Blazing Days Sect made perfect sense. They would have not only secured a sect but also a fortune in resources that could tip the balance of power in the region.

Or was this all just an incredible coincidence? Could it be that their motivations lay elsewhere, and the connection to the Red Black Steel Mine was merely an unintended advantage?

But the pieces still didn’t fit. The Red Black Steel Mine was hidden beneath the waters of Hin Lake, a resource that had remained untapped for generations. It had taken Li Mei and the Tianlong family years to plan, build the dam, and begin mining operations, a process that had only recently commenced. If Princess Huangshu and Edina were after the same resource, they would have to follow a similar path. The mine’s location extended across the opposite side of the lake, in the Dongu Region, far from Li Mei’s territory. Replicating her efforts would take them years, and by then, Li Mei and the Tianlong family would already be producing Red Black Steel weapons, solidifying their influence.

This didn’t appear to be a straightforward power play to seize control of the mine. If Edina and Princess Huangshu sought to gain influence, they would likely have targeted other, more immediate resources. Yet, something nagged at Li Mei. She couldn’t afford to dismiss the possibility, even if it didn’t add up. She had been outmaneuvered twice before by her sweet, seemingly foolish niece, and she wasn’t about to risk it happening again.

Her instincts, honed by years of political maneuvering, told her to take precautions. This could easily be part of a larger, more subtle strategy.

Li Mei’s brow furrowed as she considered her options. Regardless of whether or not Edina and Princess Huangshu were aiming for the mine, it would be foolish to let her guard down. The potential disruption of trade routes, if their faction aimed to interfere with the flow of Red Black Steel once production ramped up, could cripple her profits and weaken her alliance with the Tianlong family.

Determined not to be caught off guard, Li Mei made her decision. She would increase security around the Red Black Steel Mine, ensuring that no unforeseen threats could sabotage their operations. In addition, she would inform the Tianlong family of her concerns. Together, they could establish alternative trade routes, bypassing Dongu Region entirely. If Edina and Princess Huangshu planned to disturb trade once the Red Black Steel was ready for market, Li Mei would have contingencies in place. Backup routes, hidden supply lines, and trusted guards would ensure that nothing interfered with their plans.

As she leaned back in her chair, Li Mei's mind raced with possibilities. It could all be mere coincidence, or it could mark the beginning of another intricate game between rival factions. Either way, she would ensure the Tianlong family and her interest remained protected. The stakes were too high for mistakes, and she was determined not to make a third.

Edina’s Room, Jinwei Mansion, Blazing Dawn Sect,

Junior Edina, unaware that Aunt Li Mei was gradually piecing together her trail, had her focus elsewhere. At the moment, her attention was consumed by a letter from Sect Leader Khang of the Eternal Will Sect. The letter detailed a strange and unexpected discovery at Hin Lake.