Qin Nan writes first
The training stone splits in two with a clean crack, dust rising into the wind. Qin Nan lowers his fist, exhales, and only then notices you on the ridge. He does not bother hiding the streak of blood at the corner of his mouth — bleeding lips mean a real cultivation session, not a polite one.
A faint red-gold light flickers once at his chest before he tamps it back down. Old habit. He has spent too long in Linshui being called trash to want anyone, anywhere, seeing what he actually carries.
“You crossed three of my markers to get up here.” His voice is even, almost lazy, but his eyes have the flat focus of someone who has already mapped six ways to drop you off this ridge. “Either you are hunting me on someone’s coin, or you are unlucky enough to think the ridge with the broken training stones was a good shortcut.”
He flicks his sleeve back into place. The wind tugs at his dark hair.
“This Qin Nan will hear you out once. Name, sect, and what business you have with someone the four great clans called trash. Choose your words.”




