The Broken Paths

The winter air was still sharp, but the worst of the season had passed. Snow clung to the rooftops of the Silver Lotus Sect, but the once-starving disciples were now well-fed, clothed, and stronger than before. Trade had stabilized the sect. Wealth had begun to flow.

And today, it would be finalized.

Within the grand hall, Layla and Meyu sat across from each other, tables stacked with ledgers, trade records, and financial projections. Despite the fatigue of long nights spent in discussion, both wore expressions of sharp focus.

Meyu tapped her fingers against a stack of parchment, her usual smirk firmly in place. "You know, if someone told me months ago that a bunch of stubborn cultivators would be raking in wealth like a small merchant house, I'd have laughed in their face."

Layla, eyes scanning a report, replied dryly "If someone told me I'd be running a sect filled with warriors and an entire economic system, I would have considered throwing myself into the river with weights tied to my feet but here we are."

Meyu chuckled. "Oh please, you love it. The power, the control, the strategy. You're thriving."

Layla looked up, amusement flickering across her features. "I thrive because I plan for every possible failure. You, however, thrive on chaos."

"And yet," Meyu said smugly, flipping through the reports, "our chaos is going to make us rich."

Layla allowed herself a small smirk before returning to the documents. "Let's review the revenue streams before we finalize today's announcement."

Meyu rolled her shoulders. "Alright, let's break it down. First, there's the trade from Ryl Trading. Reliable, steady flow of funds. Second, winter provisions and resource management—we cut down on waste, and now we're self-sufficient. But the real jewel? The Silver Lotus Martial Arts Training Program."

She leaned forward. "This is what will push us beyond just survival. We're offering training, knowledge, and prestige. And they will pay handsomely for it."

Layla nodded. "Go through the tiers again."

Meyu's grin widened. "Oh, gladly."

The sect disciples, elders, and merchants gathered in the great hall, the atmosphere tense with anticipation. The once-struggling sect was now flourishing, and all knew the next steps would shape their future.

Layla stood before them, posture poised, gaze sharp. "As of today, Silver Lotus Sect will officially open its doors for training. However, this will not be a free service. What we offer is skill, knowledge, and power—things that hold value."

She paused, letting the words sink in. "To maintain structure, the training will be divided into three tiers. We have finalized this prices after long meetings."

Meyu stepped beside her, lifting a scroll. "For those who are new to business, allow me to introduce you to money."

A few chuckles rippled through the crowd, but Layla's expression remained firm. "Copper, Silver, and Gold. These will define our pricing."

Meyu unrolled the scroll dramatically. "Behold!"

Copper Tier: 1 silver per month

Basic self-defense, stances, discipline.

Accessible to commoners, travelers, and young recruits.

Silver Tier: 8 silver per month

Advanced combat techniques, endurance, footwork.

Designed for mercenaries, guards, and professional warriors.

Gold Tier: 20 silver per session or 1 gold per month

Personalized training from real sect disciples.

Exclusive to nobles, military officers, elite fighters or anyone with that much money.

Meyu lowered the scroll, smirking. "For those who struggle with numbers, I'll make it simple: If you're rich, you pay more. If you're broke, we'll still take your money."

Some disciples chuckled, but Layla's expression remained serious. "This is not simply about wealth. This is about building Silver Lotus' name. The stronger our sect becomes, the more influence we have. If we want to survive, we cannot remain an isolated relic of the past."

Elder Zhao Lihua, standing with Elder Jian Bo, crossed her arms. "And how do we ensure that those who pay do not use their money to exploit our teachings?"

Layla met her gaze. "Simple. We control the system."

Layla turned to the assembled group. "We are not selling out our techniques. We are selling training. No outsider will learn our core arts. The instructors will follow a strict curriculum, ensuring discipline and limits on what is taught."

She continued. "To maintain fairness, Elder Jian Bo and Elder Zhao Lihua will oversee all trade negotiations. They will ensure no noble or merchant attempts to manipulate us."

Meyu interjected "And for security, Jiang will accompany them to make sure negotiations go… smoothly."

Jiang, who had been standing in the crowd, gave an exasperated sigh. "Babysitting merchants. Wonderful."

Meyu grinned. "Think of it as a vacation."

Elder Jian Bo nodded approvingly. "This is a smart move. But… what of corruption? When money flows, so does greed."

Layla's gaze turned cold. "I have already planned for that."

As the hall quieted, Layla folded her hands. "Silver Lotus will never become a sect of greed. To prevent that, I have created several measures."

"The first being rotating council oversight. No single elder controls the funds. Financial records will be audited monthly by different members. If it doesn't add up, internal investigation will be held and punishment will even be as harsh as expelling from the sect. To maintain training integrity if an instructor is caught taking bribes or showing favouritism, they will be removed immediately and banned from teaching anyone. Our instructors earn wages based on skill and time, preventing bribery and favouritism. No noble or merchant will train with the same instructor indefinitely and finally only a few nobles will be accepted at a time—we choose our clients, not the other way around.''

The room remained silent as her words settled.

Bao whistled lowly. "Damn. You really thought of everything."

Layla's voice was calm but firm. "Power is built over time. And it is destroyed from within. I will not let that happen to Silver Lotus."

Lin Wuye stroked his chin, nodding. "This is a wise approach. We will see it through."

Meyu clapped her hands together. "Then it's settled! We begin immediately."

As the meeting adjourned, Zhao Lihua, Jian Bo, and Jiang prepared to leave for the main city.

Meyu, overseeing the merchants, gave a final instruction. "Remember, this isn't just about money. This is about power. Influence. The long game."

She grinned. "So go make us rich."

Layla watched them at records speed and hearing Zhao and Jian screaming their chest out.Silver Lotus was on the verge of something greater.

Three days later, a messenger arrived at Silver Lotus' gates, clad in the robes of Shrouded Peak Sect. He bowed deeply before speaking.

"I bring word for Lady Meilin and Merchant Meyu. Atlas Ryland has awakened."

The hall fell silent.

Meyu shot up from her seat immediately, her chair scraping against the floor. "I need a horse. Now."

Before she could take another step, Layla's voice cut through the tension, sharp and measured. "No."

Meyu whirled around, eyes blazing. "What do you mean, 'no'? Atlas is awake. I want to see him."

Layla met her gaze, unyielding. "And what will you do when you get there? Drop everything we've built? Leave this entire operation half-finished just because of emotions?"

Meyu's fists clenched. "This isn't about emotions! It's Atlas. He—"

"—is alive," Layla interrupted.

"And that means he can wait. But this? This cannot. We've spent too much time stabilizing Silver Lotus to let it falter now. Plus Ryl Trading is our personal merchant and you leaving in a rush will set a precedent—that we abandon duty when personal ties get in the way. That is a weakness we cannot afford."

Meyu gritted her teeth, frustration warring with reason. She knew Layla was right.

But damn, it hurt to admit it.

Layla's voice softened, just slightly. "Finish what we started here. Then go to him—without leaving behind a mess he'd have to fix. That's the logical choice, isn't it?"

Meyu exhaled sharply, tension bleeding from her shoulders. "I hate you but I hate it even more that makes sense."

Layla smirked. "I know. Now, let's make sure when you do go, you can tell Atlas he has nothing to worry about."

Lin Wuye sighed, shaking his head. "That's cold, Meilin."

Yuxe Wuye stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on Meyu's shoulder. "She only means to keep the sect stable, but I understand how you feel."

Bao, arms crossed, nodded. "Yeah, I get the logic, but still—kind of heartless."

Before the tension could settle, the Shrouded Peak messenger cleared his throat. "There is more news. The child—she has been healing well. And she has a name now. She is now Lianhua."

The shift in the room was immediate. Whatever frustration lingered in Meyu's expression was momentarily replaced by relief. Lin Wuye let out a thoughtful hum, and even Layla's hardened gaze softened at the news.

"They took care of them both" Yuxe Wuye murmured, a small smile gracing her lips.

Meyu sighed, running a hand through her hair, her shoulders sagging slightly. "Well… at least that much is good to hear. If he's awake, that means he's still Atlas." She exhaled, shaking her head.

"And knowing him, he's probably already causing chaos."

As dusk settled over the Silver Lotus Sect, the training grounds were alive with movement.

Bao and Layla sparred under the watchful eye of Lin Wuye, their footwork precise, each strike met with calculated precision. Lin Wuye gave small corrections, his tone calm but firm.

A short distance away, Yuxe Wuye and Meyu sat comfortably under a pavilion, sipping warm tea as they watched the younger generation wear themselves out.

"You know, if she wasn't so good at being terrifying, she'd make an excellent merchant," Meyu mused, watching Layla effortlessly evade Bao's heavier strikes.

Yuxe Wuye chuckled, shaking her head. "She gets that from her father. The stubbornness, though… that's all mine."

Before Meyu could respond, Jiayi, one of Ryl Trading's merchants, came running up to them, breathless with excitement.

"Lady Meyu! Lady Meilin! You need to see this!"

Meyu raised an eyebrow. "What is it now? If this is another scam attempt from a noble, I swear—"

"No! It's something new. Something called a chalkboard—and we are the first to get it!" Jiayi practically vibrated with excitement. 

"You have to see what it does!"

Curiosity piqued, both Layla and Lin Wuye exchanged a look before following the excitable merchant into the great hall, where a massive slate board had been set up.

The gathered disciples murmured in confusion as Jiayi picked up a piece of white chalk and effortlessly wrote across the surface. The text was clear, bold, and erasable.

Lin Wuye's eyes gleamed with understanding. "This… could revolutionize teaching."

Layla didn't respond immediately. Instead, she picked up a piece of chalk, running her fingers over it thoughtfully. A slow smirk crossed her lips.

"Oh, this is going to change everything."

She turned to Lin Wuye. "We need to draft something. Immediately."

Meyu, watching the excitement unfold, only laughed. "And here I thought we were done making history for the day. Where did you even get this?"

Jiayi grinned. "Underworld market. Europe."

Meyu's eyes lit up with intrigue. "Oh? Now that's interesting. Any more rumours with it?"

 Jiayi nodded eagerly. "There's talk of a weapon—a new kind, something that can pierce steel and carries the roar of heaven itself." The murmurs in the hall grew louder. 

Layla arched an eyebrow. "A sword that can do that?"

 Lin Wuye, ever the scholar, stroked his beard thoughtfully. 

If such a thing exists, it defies the craftsmanship of even the greatest blacksmiths.