"Hey, Scorpion, you snagged treasure and didn't even tell your brothers?"

Black Scorpion narrowed his eyes at the man who kicked open his room door.

"Greg, leader of the Assassins Union? What brings you here?"

Greg—the burly, buzz-cut man Black Scorpion called the Assassins Union leader—looked more like a bandit than a killer to Wenwu, with his powerful muscles and rugged frame.

"What’s this Assassins Union?" Wenwu whispered.

"Exactly what it sounds like," Silver explained. "They’re assassins for hire. Amia, whom we met earlier, is one of them."

"Don’t play dumb, Scorpion. I have solid intel you got the Elvenfolk’s treasure."

"What nonsense? What Elvenfolk treasure?"

*The Elvenfolk’s treasure? That’s the Divine Tree Seed. How do they know?* Wenwu listened silently, mind racing.

"Seems you’ll deny it to the end. Amia, step forward."

Hearing Amia’s name, Wenwu’s anger flared.

Amia entered the room. Seeing Wenwu alive, she didn’t flinch—just smiled faintly. *She expected this. Has she been scheming against me all along?* Wenwu’s fury deepened.

"You?"

Clearly, Black Scorpion and Amia had history.

"It’s me, Sister Black Scorpion. We meet again."

"Last time you tipped me off about this kid. What now?" Black Scorpion said, knife pointing at Wenwu.

Amia’s faint smile returned. "Naturally—the Elvenfolk’s treasure."

"You’ve yapped about this ‘treasure’ nonstop. I’ve no clue what it is. Wrong house, maybe?" Black Scorpion’s face darkened with displeasure.

"Sister Black Scorpion, you misunderstand. The treasure isn’t here—but its bearer is."

"Oh?" Curiosity flickered in Black Scorpion’s eyes. "Who?"

"Him!" Amia’s elegant hand jabbed toward Wenwu.

All eyes locked onto Wenwu, sending chills down his spine.

"Kid, show us this Elvenfolk treasure," Black Scorpion demanded, intrigued.

"The Elvenfolk’s treasure—the Divine Tree Seed. I’d love to see such a rarity too."

A new figure entered—elegant, noble-looking, utterly unlike Greg. Only his presence in Black Street ruined the aristocratic vibe.

"Gray Church? Auston, what’s your game?" Greg snapped, clearly displeased.

"To witness the Elven treasure, of course." Auston remained calm, unruffled by Greg’s tone.

"Hey, Silver—is Gray Church some cult?" Wenwu muttered.

"Just an intel-trading group. Things just got lively—three big Black Street factions in one room. Master, you’ve got quite the pull."

Wenwu felt no urge to smile.

"Brother Wu, won’t you show the treasure now?" Amia pressed.

*Suddenly, it clicked.* Amia hadn’t killed him outright because she knew she couldn’t. Her earlier search wasn’t for coins—it was for the Divine Tree Seed hidden on him. Finding nothing, she’d used Black Scorpion to force his hand. *Just as Silver said—assassins like her are scheming pests.*

"You all want the Elvenfolk’s treasure? Too bad. I’ve given it away."

Wenwu’s words drew frowns all around.

"Bullshit! You’d just hand over something priceless? Who’d believe that?" Greg bellowed, tearing into Wenwu’s "lie."

"What if I gave it to the Empire’s Princess Royal?"

Greg fell silent. Everyone knew Wenwu had been publicly rescued by the princess from the gallows. His ties to her made it plausible.

"Brother Wu, I know you. You understand how vital that treasure is to the Elvenfolk. You’re a delinquent, but not heartless. Your excuse won’t fly." Amia dismantled his "lie" smoothly.

Wenwu was cornered. *I don’t know my past self—but he’s dead now.* Just then, inspiration struck.

"Fine. If I summon the Princess Royal to testify, will that clear me?"

"If she confirms it herself, we’ll back off—provided she actually comes," Auston said, breaking his silence.

"Who died and made you boss?" Greg growled at Auston’s presumption.

"Planning to steal from the Princess Royal?"

Greg choked on his words.

Seeing no objections, Wenwu silently chanted *Desmona* three times, praying hard.

"Hey, can you even do this? Or are you bluffing, you—"

A glowing magic circle flared at Wenwu’s feet. *Thank gods—Desmona teleported in.*

She wore the same black dress, hair messy, faint dark circles under her eyes—clearly she’d been studying the Divine Tree Seed nonstop.

Desmona scanned the room. "You want to do this in front of everyone?"

*Ugh, must you be so blunt?* Wenwu thought desperately. "Princess Royal, could you confirm I gave you the Divine Tree Seed? It’s no longer with me."

Desmona met his hopeful gaze. "What Divine Tree Seed? I don’t know."