Chapter 88: Too Deep to Flee

The ink on the spiritual contract dried, glowing briefly before fading into the parchment. Cassius did not simply hand over a standard receipt to conclude their negotiations. He reached into a hidden compartment within his desk and tossed an object across the wood.

Theo caught it out of the air. It was a command medallion.

Standard bounty hunters carried iron or bronze tags. Regional elites held silver. This medallion, however, was forged from Violet-Gold, a rare alloy reserved exclusively for the top ten authorities within the province. Intricate runic arrays lined its edges, humming with stored qi.

Cassius leaned back, interlacing his fingers.

"That medallion serves as your identity, your bank ledger, and your master key," the Pavilion Master explained. "It grants you unrestricted entry to our underground array networks and classified intelligence archives. You can pull dossiers on any syndicate operation or rogue cultivator without requesting permission from the overseers."

He paused. "The privileges extend far beyond simple access. The medallion guarantees expedited processing at all guild-affiliated facilities across the province. If you need a rare weapon forged, you skip the waiting list. If you require an emergency extraction from a compromised ruin, a strike team will prioritize your beacon over all others."

"We also finalized your monthly stipend," Cassius continued. "The five hundred thousand spirit stones will route directly into that medallion’s spatial storage every thirty days. However, the Grand Bounty Pavilion is not a charity organization. We expect a return on our investment."

Theo gripped the metal.

"Name your price," Theo said simply.

"Three times a month, you must undertake a high-risk subjugation mandate. If a beast tide threatens the capital walls or the Shadow Syndicate launches a major offensive, you are required to mobilize immediately."

Theo smiled inwardly. He needed intense combat to temper his Inner Scenery energy anyway.

Furthermore, feeding the resource demands of an exiled princess and a reborn empress required a staggering amount of wealth. Fighting provided loot. It was a perfect arrangement...

He nodded his agreement.

Cassius signaled the end of the meeting. Sylvia escorted Theo to the door. Her demeanor had shifted entirely. She offered a bow. The guards lining the executive hallway snapped to attention as he passed. The medallion pinned to his sash commanded unquestioned respect.

Theo descended the jade staircase to the main lobby.

Before he could reach the exit, a man in the silken robes of the Provincial Magistrate blocked his path.

Two armored guards stood rigidly behind him, hands resting on their pommels.

"Young master Theo," the man said. He offered a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "I am Deacon Kael. The Magistrate sent me to intercept you."

Kael retrieved a small, intricately carved spatial ring and held it out.

"Inside are one hundred thousand spirit stones. Consider it an apology for the unfortunate security lapse at the courier station two nights ago. We hope you will not escalate the matter to your sect elders. The city guards were simply outmaneuvered by the Syndicate’s stealth tactics."

Theo raised a brow. He analyzed the man’s body language.

The tension in the guards’ shoulders. The slight bead of sweat on Kael’s neck.

This was hush money... The local government was desperate to avoid an investigation by the Silent Thunder Sect.

Theo knew the truth. The city guards hadn’t been outmaneuvered. They had been ordered to look the other way. He could have pressed the issue, demanded a formal inquiry, and ruined Kael’s career.

He didn’t hesitate. He took the ring.

Maintaining his Abyssal Forge required an astronomical amount of energy. The one hundred thousand spirit stones would immediately fund Elara’s foundation-building baths.

In the grand calculus of cultivation, extortion was far more profitable than vengeance.

"I accept your apology," Theo said. His voice was flat.

"Excellent," Kael’s smile widened, relief washing over his features. "The quartermaster is currently processing the weapons you scavenged from the dead assassins. Your cut will arrive by dawn. Given the quality of the gear, expect a handsome sum."

Theo offered a curt nod and strode out the double doors.

The moment Theo disappeared into the crowded street, Kael’s diplomatic smile vanished. He rounded on the two armored guards behind him.

"You incompetent fools," Kael hissed. "We paid a fortune to hire Zuo Qiuyang. How did an elite assassin fail to kill a single outer peak disciple?"

The guards looked away, terrified. Kael had orchestrated the hit to eliminate Theo before his provincial ranking disrupted the local power balance.

Now, the target was richer and more influential than ever.

...

Vespera waited near the pavilion’s grand archway. She sat comfortably on a railing, taking a slow sip from her wine gourd. She fell into step beside him the moment he approached.

"You got the Violet-Gold medallion," she stated. Her eyes locked onto his sash.

It wasn’t a question. She expected nothing less.

"I did."

"I figured you would squeeze them dry," Vespera chuckled. "Did they offer you the standard combat clauses?"

"Three high-risk subjugations a month," Theo confirmed.

They navigated through the bustling merchant district. The heat of the day was intense, but neither cultivator felt it.

"Let me fly you back to the estate," Vespera offered, stretching her arms. "Or at least summon a beast carriage. I am tired of walking."

Theo shook his head.

"I need to visit the alchemical district first. I promised to pick up some specific meridian-soothing herbs for Liana. The dual cultivation takes a toll on her. I also need to find a new training sword for Elara. She broke the last one on a boulder."

Vespera stopped walking. She looked at him. A playful glint sparked in her eyes.

"You really dote on those two, do you not?" she teased. Her lips curved into a smirk. "It almost makes a master jealous. Perhaps I should have joined you in those dual-cultivation sessions to monitor your progress."

Theo stared at her, deadpan. He knew his master enjoyed testing his composure. She thrived on making him uncomfortable.

"Thank you for waiting, Master," Theo said, ignoring the bait entirely. He offered a nod. "I will handle my errands and see you back at the estate."

The merchant district gradually gave way to the alchemical quarter.

Stalls lined the cobblestone streets, vendors shouting prices for low-grade monster cores and unrefined spirit grass.

Theo needed to find a specialized apothecary, one that sold the rare Ice-Vein Lotus required to stabilize Liana’s unruly energy.

He turned to leave.

Vespera reached out and grabbed his wrist. Her grip was light, but impossible to shake off without using force.

"You truly are no fun, my dear disciple."

She didn’t let go. Instead, she tilted her head, stepping slightly into his personal space.

"Tell me, Theo. Have you ever studied the mechanics of a Soft-Water array?"

Theo narrowed his eyes. The sudden shift in topic put him on edge. She was definitely plotting something.

"I am familiar with the concept," he answered.

Vespera smiled. A brilliant expression that showcased her teeth.

She lightly ran a pink tongue over her bottom lip, causing Theo’s heart to skip a singular beat.

"Then you should know," she whispered, her voice dropping an octave. "The harder you try to pull away..."