"Hold it, kid. We meet again."

Wenwu had just landed when a vaguely familiar voice sounded behind him.

"You?"

"Kid, you’re way out of line in this game. Not only did you go back on your word, but you also snatched back that elf and kept my six hundred gold coins. Time to settle this debt."

Sure enough, the figure under the window was Crocodile—the same guy Wenwu had met outside the elf village. But this time, it wasn’t his old crew. These were Hunters Guild members, and their status clearly outranked Crocodile’s.

Truth was, Wenwu would’ve returned the coins if Crocodile had asked personally. But it didn’t matter now—he didn’t have them anyway.

"Boss Tiger, this kid ruined our deal," Crocodile said.

The man Crocodile called Boss Tiger was a wiry old man. He sneered, "Heh heh heh. So you’re the one who messed with our business?"

"That elf was mine to begin with."

"But Crocodile told me you set the price. We paid. Don’t you know the biggest taboo in this line is breaking your word?"

Wenwu had never lived this life, but he knew merchants hated untrustworthy folks—legal market or black market.

"I… didn’t know…" Wenwu played dumb, wide-eyed and innocent.

"Then you admit you wrecked our deal?"

"Well… I guess so."

"Heh heh heh. Good. Come on, Boss Tiger’ll treat you to tea. We’ll discuss compensation."

"Where to?"

"Just follow me. You don’t need to know."

Wenwu knew it wasn’t that simple. Real compensation wouldn’t require moving—just pay up here if he had the coin.

"What if I refuse?"

"You’ve got no choice."

"Choices are made, not given."

Seeing Wenwu’s defiance, Boss Tiger shot a glance at his men. They instantly surrounded Wenwu.

"Master, they outnumber us. Better to escape when we can," Silver whispered.

"Escape? That was the old me. Now—formless wind, cling to my form, shadow my steps, move as Jade Star."

Boss Tiger frowned at Wenwu’s chant, narrowing his eyes to see what trick would unfold.

Seconds passed. Nothing happened. No Jade Star. No gale. Not even a breeze.

Huh? What went wrong? Did I mess up the words?

"Still playing games, kid?" Boss Tiger snapped, impatient with the empty show.

"No… let’s have that tea," Wenwu smiled.

His surrender made the men lower their guard. They escorted him after Boss Tiger.

"Tch. I thought he was tough—wanted to stretch my legs. Turns out he’s just a stuffed pillow. Crocodile, you’re useless. Can’t even handle a softie. Fail your quota again, and don’t expect my protection."

"Yes, yes, Boss Tiger! Your might is unmatched—he crumbled before you. I’m nothing compared to you," Crocodile groveled.

"Silver, what happened back there? Why’d it fail?" Wenwu muttered.

"Dunno. Maybe your faith’s weak. Or danger hasn’t hit yet."

"Joking now? Seriously?"

Wenwu’s heart sank, but Silver stayed relaxed.

"Worrying won’t help. One step at a time. Real danger might make it work."

"Why all these back alleys? Where are we headed?"

"Probably Black Street."

"Black Street? What is it?"

"The empire’s darkest zone—law means nothing there."

"Huh? The empire allows that?"

"Black Street has its own rules. They don’t threaten imperial stability. Rumor says their big shots cozy up to high-ups, so the empire turns a blind eye."

Wenwu sighed. Darkness and corruption truly existed everywhere.

"Little fox, you know your stuff. I like folks with brains—fun to chat with, unlike flatterers." Boss Tiger praised them, then shot Crocodile a look. "Kid, hand me this fox. I’ll lighten your debt. We’ll even be friends. Deal?"

Silver tensed, gripping Wenwu’s sleeve hard, eyes screaming *no*.

"Silver’s mine. I give him to no one," Wenwu stated firmly, no hesitation.

"Hmph. Pity. But when your life’s on the line, you might rethink it."

Wenwu followed Boss Tiger into Black Street. Though it should’ve been dead of night, the place blazed with lights. Drunken shouts, curses, and moans filled the air.

"Kid, we’re here. Welcome to Black Street. Welcome to the Hunters Guild."