Chapter 37: Karma and Faith

Ji Moran watched as the maid poured her a cup of wine, the fragrant aroma rising to fill her nostrils with a sweet, enticing scent. She leaned forward, the delicate stem of the glass held firmly in her hand, and took a slow sip. Her eyes fluttered shut as she savored the flavors dancing across her tongue. There was a richness to the wine, a subtle blend of fruit and spice that made her relax further into her chair. Though the table before her was laden with an array of exotic dishes—roasted meats, colorful fruits, and steaming delicacies—her attention was fixed solely on the wine. It was clear to anyone watching that Ji Moran was a connoisseur of the finest vintages.

Seeing her appreciation brought a satisfied smile to Kai Mundi's face. He had done his research well. Knowing her affinity for wine, he had spared no expense, acquiring a rare vintage in anticipation of her visit. Ji Moran finished her glass with a blissful expression, her blue eyes sparkling as she looked up at him. She set the empty glass on the table and gestured for a refill, which the maid obliged without hesitation. Then, her expression shifted, turning sharp and businesslike as she addressed him.

"As you know, I've recently been assigned to handle my family's affairs with Poor Man's Corner," she began, her voice smooth but edged with authority. "Our initial investment of one million spirit stones was no small sum, yet so far, all we've seen is the renovation of this single street. My family hasn't received any returns on our investment, and frankly, I'm starting to question whether this venture is worth the effort."

Her words were calm, but the weight behind them was unmistakable. She took another sip of wine, her demeanor unchanging.

Kai Mundi's smile didn't falter, though a faint glimmer of tension flickered in his eyes. He leaned forward, folding his hands on the table as he spoke. "You are absolutely correct, Miss Moran. These buildings you see before you are indeed the result of your family's investment. But I've also allocated substantial resources to address the deeper issues that plague Poor Man's Corner. This is a city renowned for its commerce, yet equally infamous for its violence and lawlessness—a reputation that deters legitimate buyers from engaging openly in trade. If we are to ensure lasting success, we must address these problems at their root."

As he spoke, he reached into his spatial ring and retrieved a stack of documents. With a nod, he passed them to one of his maids, who carried them over to Ji Moran. She took the papers, her gaze shifting between the neat columns of figures and the contents of her wineglass. Her brows furrowed as she examined the details with the scrutiny of someone well-versed in business.

"Revenue has increased by six percent over the last two years," Kai Mundi continued, his tone turning serious. "With the full restoration of the city and the construction of a state-of-the-art auction house funded by the Ji family, we project an additional nine percent growth in revenue. The returns may not yet be visible, but they are on the horizon."

Ji Moran said nothing, but the flicker of interest in her eyes was enough for Kai Mundi to press on, his voice steady, confident. He was no stranger to negotiations, and he knew how to turn doubt into opportunity.

__________

Seven days had passed since the harrowing events in Poor Man's Corner. Lin Moyi and the remnants of his village now camped under the open sky, huddled around several dozen campfires. Night had fallen, and the crackling flames cast long shadows across their weary faces.

The loss of over five hundred villagers weighed heavily on Lin Moyi, no matter how much Lin Rou tried to counsel him. He sat by a fire, his staff resting across his lap, staring into the flickering flames as he chewed absently on a piece of roasted beast leg. His mind was burdened by the responsibilities of leadership. Even with their survival assured, the guilt of failing so many lives gnawed at him.

Lin Rou, seated beside him, broke the silence. "I've sent several scouts ahead to notify the Northern Moon Village of our situation. They've also assessed the path forward. If all goes well, we should reach the village by nightfall tomorrow." His words were precise and methodical, a reflection of his dependable nature.

Lin Moyi nodded, grateful for his son's diligence. "You've done well. Once we get everyone settled, I'll report to the council about the favor owed to Kai Mundi and the resurgence of the Celestial Shadow Church. Also that old man's breakthrough into the Nascent Soul realm after so many years... There has to be a reason behind it."

He passed another piece of meat to Lin Rou, who took it with a thoughtful expression. "It's a sobering thought," Lin Rou admitted. "I used to believe that Nascent Soul cultivators only appeared in capitals or major kingdoms. To encounter one here, in the wilderness of Poor Man's Corner, is... concerning."

Lin Moyi's gaze turned distant. "There's much at play here, far more than what we can see. A storm is coming, and I suspect Jiang Feng will find himself at its center."

Lin Rou followed his father's gaze to the young man sitting not far from them. Jiang Feng's eyes were closed, his posture rigid, as if he were meditating. "Why do you think that, Father?" Lin Rou asked.

Lin Moyi sighed, his voice heavy with the wisdom of hundreds of years. "When you've lived as long as I have, you come to recognize patterns. Faith and karma are intertwined. Ever since Jiang Feng appeared, the Celestial Shadow Church has risked exposing its existence. That's not something they would do lightly. He also possesses draconic spiritual energy—something that should not exist on this plane. And he came from nowhere, with no ties to this land so to speak."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "Because of him, we crossed paths with the chaos in Poor Man's Corner, with Jin Wu's reappearance, and with Kai Mundi's breakthrough into the Nascent Soul realm. One event after another. It's too much to be coincidence."

Lin Rou frowned, considering his father's words. He understood the significance of karma, the web of cause and effect that bound all things. Yet he couldn't fathom how such a young man could be tied to so many events of such magnitude.

"What should we do, Father?" he asked finally. He had grown fond of Jiang Feng in their short time together, admiring his courage and sense of duty.

Lin Moyi's expression softened. "He is one of us, now. We'll protect him as best we can, and let fate decide the rest." With that, he closed his eyes and fell into meditation.

Lin Rou followed suit, murmuring softly, "Karma and fate... I, Lin Rou, will face you with everything I have."

______

Not far from them, Jiang Feng sat cross-legged, his breaths slow and deliberate. Heat radiated from his body as he exhaled, causing the air around him to shimmer. His focus turned inward, examining the progress he had made. His blood purity had reached ninety-six percent. His muscles were eighty-five percent strengthened. Seventy percent of his bones were forged, and three meridians had been fully formed.

Yet something stirred within him—an unfamiliar power coiling in his chest. His eyes flew open, burning with alarm. "Senior!" he exclaimed internally, his voice filled with urgency. "There's... there's a dragon in my chest! It devoured more than half of the herbal spiritual essence I absorbed!"

A voice resonated in his mind, calm and unperturbed. "Hmm. I'm already watching."

And so, the storm continued to gather.