Minho wandered around the village, peering through the small piece of red glass she had claimed earlier. The world looked strange and distorted through it, like everything was slightly zoomed in. She marveled at how clear the glass was—this was the first time she'd seen something so intricately crafted. Though the glass was tinted red, it only seemed to enhance its beauty in her eyes, adding a magical hue to everything she looked at.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow across the mountains, Minho made her way to a small hut where Sister Yang sat, tying sticks together to make a broom. Minho, ever energetic, bounded inside and jumped into Sister Yang’s lap.

"Sister Yang!" she chirped. "Let's play something!"

Sister Yang chuckled softly, though a hint of exasperation crossed her face. "You little brat, now you've gone and spoiled the broom," she sighed, shaking her head with a smile. "Alright, alright, we'll play something—but let me finish this first."

Without much ceremony, Sister Yang lifted Minho up with ease, hoisting her like a kitten, and set her down just outside the hut. "Go ask Brother Gu or Sister Tao to play with you. I’m sure their lazy hands have nothing better to do."

Minho pouted, her lips forming a small frown. She knew Brother Gu was busy in the fields, helping the others with the farming, and Sister Tao had gone foraging in the woods, hunting for mushrooms to add to tonight's stew. There was no point in bothering them; they were both preoccupied.

With a soft sigh, she wandered over to a nearby tree, climbing up onto a low-hanging branch. Settling herself down, she gazed out over the mountains. The wind was gentle, carrying the earthy scent of the forest with it. From here, she could see the entire village, the small huts nestled into the mountainside, the bandits going about their work, and beyond them, the seemingly endless expanse of green that stretched out to the horizon.

Her legs dangled from the branch as she rested her chin in her hands, a frustrated pout still on her face. "Everyone’s busy," she muttered to herself. "I guess I’ll just sit here and watch the sky."

As the sun dipped lower, the sky shifted from gold to pink, and she thought about how much her life had changed since coming up with her shadow trick. The idea had struck her one night when Sister Tao had scared her by casting the shadow of a bear on the wall, making her believe a beast was lurking in the dark. It had frightened her then, but it gave her an idea—what if they used shadows and tricks to frighten the travelers they raided? It would confuse their enemies, make them think they were facing a much larger force.

Since then, everything had gone smoothly. No one in the Thunder Sky Brotherhood had suffered a major injury during their raids, and they no longer had to fight head-on unless absolutely necessary. Their clever tricks allowed them to gain the upper hand without risking their lives. The raids had become more successful, and the loot more abundant. The older members didn’t have to go hungry anymore just to make sure she had enough to eat.

A soft smile tugged at Minho’s lips as she leaned back against the tree trunk. The days when the adults had starved themselves for her sake were over. Now, thanks to her plan, the brotherhood could raid with ease, and everyone had full bellies. She was no longer a burden—she had helped the brotherhood in her own way.

But still, she thought, watching the last of the sun’s rays disappear behind the mountains, it would be nice if everyone wasn’t so busy all the time.

As the night fully settled over the mountain village, Minho’s sharp eyes caught a sudden, strange flash in the forest below. For a brief moment, a weird green light burst out from what seemed like a cave, glowing brightly before vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. It was as if a massive, eerie fire had erupted and then calmed in an instant.

She blinked, rubbing her eyes. The forest was now just shadows and silence. She had never seen anything like that before. Weird... she thought, wondering if she should tell the adults about it. But first, the rumbling in her stomach reminded her of something more pressing: she was starving.

Climbing down from her perch in the tree with nimble ease, she hopped to the ground and made her way toward the center of the village. The comforting, rich aroma of stew filled the air, and her stomach growled in response. It smelled like Sister Tao’s famous mushroom and root stew, a recipe she'd perfected through years of trial and error in the mountains. The scent was thick and savory, mingling with the crackling sound of fire from the cooking area.

In the center of the village, the members of the Thunder Sky Brotherhood had gathered, forming a large circle around the firepit. Minho could see everyone there, from the grizzled, hardened Senior Brother Minfe to the youngest initiates who had recently joined the group. They sat together, their tired faces softened by the warmth of the flames, patiently waiting as Sister Tao, a woman in her early 30s with her dark black hair tied in a neat bun, ladled generous portions of stew into wooden bowls. She was dressed like the others in the brotherhood, wearing a simple martial artist’s uniform, though her kind smile set her apart.

Beside her, Brother Yuan helped her serve the food. His face was flushed with the satisfaction of a successful day’s raid, and he occasionally teased Sister Tao as they worked, making her laugh quietly. The warmth of camaraderie filled the air, a stark contrast to the rough lives they all led.

Minho slipped into the circle, finding her spot between two of the younger brothers who gave her playful nudges. She waited her turn patiently, her mouth watering as the bowls of stew made their way down the line. Finally, a steaming bowl was placed into her small hands, the rich broth sloshing gently inside. She inhaled the earthy aroma deeply and couldn't help but smile.

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As everyone finally received their food, the group began to eat together, savoring the meal in the peaceful stillness of the mountain night. The sound of clinking bowls and quiet murmurs of conversation filled the air, creating a sense of unity among the rough bandits who, at the end of the day, were more like family.

Meanwhile, Senior Brother Dao, stood up alongside Brother Qin, whose muscular build matched Dao’s but whose demeanor was far more stoic. The two men picked up bowls of stew and quietly excused themselves from the group. Dao nodded toward the rest of the brotherhood as he and Qin made their way toward the small hut where the hostages were being kept.

Minho watched them leave, her curiosity piqued. She wondered what would become of the captives—the son of a wealthy merchant group and his companion. Negotiations, maybe? She wasn’t sure, but she had learned that nothing in the brotherhood was ever straightforward.

The strange green light from earlier flickered in her memory. Should she tell them about it? As the stew warmed her from the inside, she decided she’d mention it after the meal. First, there was food to enjoy.

Inside the dimly lit hut, Master Cha sat on the cold, hard ground, his hands and legs tightly bound. A rough sack covered his head, preventing him from seeing anything around him. Just a few meters away, Liu Bei was in the same predicament—tied up and blindfolded, enduring the discomfort in silence.

“These bandit bastards!” Master Cha spat out in frustration, shifting uncomfortably against his restraints. “They don’t even have the decency to clean up the place where they keep their hostages!”

Liu Bei nodded silently in agreement, though, of course, Master Cha couldn’t see it. The place reeked of dirt and old wood, with the faint scent of dampness hanging in the air.

Suddenly, the creaky door to the hut swung open, letting in a sliver of moonlight. Senior Brother Dao and Brother Qin stepped in, their large frames casting long shadows across the small, dingy room. Dao's face was expressionless, but there was a glint of amusement in his eyes.

“Well, well, it’s time for your meal,” Dao said, his voice deep and mocking.

“Finally!” Liu Bei groaned as the sack was yanked from his head. He blinked as his eyes adjusted to the dim light. “I was starting to think you mountain bandits were too poor to afford food for your hostages.”

Brother Qin chuckled darkly, his rough hands untying the sack on Master Cha’s head. “Oh, we’re doing quite well financially, thanks to your little caravan’s loot.” He grinned, spooning stew into Master Cha’s mouth, making the whole situation seem more like a twisted game.

Master Cha scowled, but with his hands tied, he had little choice but to accept the food, grumbling under his breath between spoonfuls.

Liu Bei, always the more pragmatic of the two, decided to ask the real question. “So, what’s your plan with us?” His tone was casual, but his eyes were sharp, trying to gauge their intentions. “You’re obviously not going to kill us—yet. So, you want something.”

Dao, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, raised an eyebrow at Liu Bei’s directness. “Smart man.” He took a step forward, his boots thudding against the wooden floor. “You will be released near the village at the mountain base tomorrow. But,” Dao paused for effect, his eyes narrowing, “the young master stays here.”

Liu Bei’s heart sank as he realized where this was going. Dao continued, “You’ll take a message to the Cloud Dragon Merchant Group. If they want their precious young master back, they’ll need to pay us fifty gold coins. You’ve got two weeks.”

Liu Bei scoffed, trying to maintain his composure. “Fifty gold coins? That’s quite the demand for a band of mountain thieves. Don’t you think that’s a bit much?”

Brother Qin chuckled, stepping closer with a smug grin. “We’ve heard that the Cloud Dragon Merchant Group has been doing quite well lately. Surely fifty gold coins is a small price to pay for their young master’s safe return?”

Liu Bei forced a thin smile, hiding the frustration boiling inside him. “Alright, fifty it is,” he said, his voice tense. “I’ll relay your message to the merchant group. I’m sure they’ll be willing to pay up.”

Master Cha remained silent, though his jaw clenched at the thought of being left behind. The bandits had them cornered, and negotiating with these men was the only way out.

Dao smirked, satisfied with the arrangement. “Good. Now, enjoy your meal.”

The two bandits left the hut, the door creaking shut behind them, leaving the captives in silence. Only the occasional sound of crickets broke the stillness of the dim room. Outside, the mountain air grew cooler as the night settled in, the village beginning to quiet down after a long day.

At the center of the village stood Senior Brother Minfe’s hut, its weathered wooden walls illuminated by the soft glow of lantern light. Inside, three figures sat around a rough-hewn table—Brother Yuan, Brother Gu, and Senior Brother Minfe—each holding a cup of booze in hand. This was a familiar routine in the Thunder Sky Brotherhood’s village. Every now and then, after a long day, the three would gather to drink and unwind.

Minfe, his eyes slightly glazed from the alcohol, took a deep swig from his cup before turning to Gu with a grin. "Brother Gu, I hear you've been helping with the farming. Finally starting to pull your weight, huh?" His voice had a playful tone, but there was genuine surprise behind his words. It was true—Gu had a reputation for lounging around after raids, contributing little until the next morning.

Gu shrugged, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he raised his cup. "Figured it was time I stopped being a burden," he said, downing the rest of his drink. Yuan, always quick with a laugh, clapped him on the back.

"My, my, I never thought I’d see the day!” Yuan chuckled, tipping his own drink back. The camaraderie was easy, the mood light, but it didn’t last long.

Minfe’s face suddenly shifted, growing more serious as he set his cup down with a thud. He leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "Brother Yuan, this stays between us three," he began, his words slurring slightly from the alcohol, "but I think Senior Brother Dao is planning something."

Yuan and Gu exchanged wary glances, their attention now fully on Minfe. What could he mean?

"You know how Dao never approved of us taking Minho in?" Minfe continued, his voice quieter now, as if afraid someone might overhear. "He changed his stance as she grew up, sure, but... his men haven’t. They still hold a grudge against her. And recently, that resentment has only been growing." He paused, taking another shaky breath. “Dao does nothing to stop it. I’ve got a feeling—just an inkling—but I think he’s planning to kick her out.”

A hiccup interrupted his words, and before Yuan or Gu could ask more, Minfe slumped back in his chair, passed out from the drink. Gu sighed, shaking his head as he stood up, lifting the unconscious Minfe to carry him to his bed.

Yuan remained seated for a moment, his mind swirling with Minfe’s words. Minho had been with the Thunder Sky Brotherhood for as long as he could remember. She was a vital part of their family now, and the idea that Dao might be plotting against her left a bitter taste in his mouth.

After Gu had taken Minfe to his cottage, Yuan decided to step outside. The cool night air hit him as he took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind. The village was quiet now, save for the distant sounds of crackling fires and the occasional murmur of voices. He spotted Senior Brother Dao and Brother Qin walking back from the direction of the hut where they had just finished feeding the hostages. They gave him a brief nod as they passed by, but Yuan’s thoughts were elsewhere.

He couldn’t shake what Minfe had said. Dao had always been a complex figure—strong, respected, but with a sharp edge to him. And Minfe was right about one thing: some of Dao’s men had never fully accepted Minho. Their disdain, once subtle, had started becoming more visible in recent months. Dao, usually quick to discipline his men, had said nothing. If anything, he seemed to be ignoring the tension entirely.

Yuan frowned, glancing up at the starry sky as he mulled over the situation. He trusted Minfe’s instincts, even if the man had been drinking. If Dao really was planning something, Yuan needed to stay vigilant.

"I’d better keep an eye on them," Yuan muttered to himself, watching the silhouettes of Dao and Qin disappear into the darkness of the village. The weight of responsibility settled on his shoulders, the peaceful night now tainted with suspicion.

As the wind rustled the trees and the crickets continued their song, Yuan stood alone under the vast, star-filled sky, knowing that the quiet of the night might only be the calm before the storm.