The Whispering Hollow courtyard buzzed with activity. Villagers, noble guests, and the royal envoy gathered as Minister Cai Yao prepared to give a speech praising House Yuncao's "compliance" with royal decrees.
Qingsai stood in silence, flanked by Meiyan, Chunsi, and Lianhua, all dressed in soft ceremonial robes. His gaze was cold, unreadable.
Cai raised a cup of golden wine to the gathering.
> "Let us give thanks to the Soulkindled, whose cooperation ensures stability for Orilan and—"
> "Enough."
The voice cut through the air like a blade. All heads turned.
Qingsai stepped forward, flames flickering faintly at his heels, Lucentia pulsing in his eyes.
> "I am not your prize. I am not your puppet. I am Soulkindled—and you will speak to me as such."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. The village elder bowed his head reverently.
Cai forced a tight smile. "Lord Yuncao, I was merely offering praise—"
> "Praise laced with lies," Qingsai snapped. "You're here to measure my loyalty, to probe my castle for relics. And to remind me that my wives were once pawns placed beside me."
Silence.
Even Meiyan's breath caught.
Qingsai looked around at the crowd.
> "Let it be known: My name is not just Qingsai Yuncao. I am the fire that will cleanse old rot. I serve Myria, not a throne."
And with a sweep of Lucentia from his hand, the old Yuncao crest flared above the keep—burning brighter than ever before.