Chapter 15 – The Pavilion's Hidden Ledger
The night air hung heavy over the Xueyin Commerce Pavilion. Lanterns burned low, casting long trembling shadows along the wooden corridors as Jason Wu followed Ayla Xueyin deeper into the restricted wing. Behind them, Liu Shan and Quin Yu trailed cautiously, hands close to their weapons but eyes scanning every corner with muted curiosity.
Jason Wu remained silent at first, focusing on the faint aura fluctuations seeping from the sealed room ahead. Something dangerous—yet purposefully concealed—was inside. Ayla glanced over her shoulder, trying to read his expression.
"Jason… are you sure you want to see this?" she asked softly.
He offered her a faint smirk. "You brought me here, didn't you? If you trust me enough for that, I can handle whatever you show."
Ayla's slightly flushed expression made Quin Yu nudge Liu Shan with an elbow. "Look at that. Miss Ayla is blushing. Should we give them some privacy?"
Liu Shan whispered dramatically, "Idiot, this is a crime scene, not a date."
Jason Wu pretended not to hear them, though a tiny twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed his amusement. The friendly banter was strangely comforting—something he'd forgotten he could enjoy.
Ayla stopped before a heavy blackwood door reinforced with thin strips of spirit-forged silver. The symbols etched into the frame pulsed faintly like living veins.
"This room used to hold the Pavilion's core financial ledgers," she explained. "But last night, it was breached from the inside. And… this was left behind."
She placed her palm on the seal. With a soft hum, the lock disengaged.
When the door swung open, a cold rush of energy surged out—sharp, metallic, laced with killing intent. Quin Yu instantly drew his blade. Liu Shan stepped forward with a defensive stance.
Jason Wu entered first.
The room was dim but neat, except for a single object lying in the center: an old ledger bound in dark-red hide. Strange runic burns scorched the floor beneath it.
Jason crouched beside the ledger. "This isn't normal book damage. Someone tried to destroy it using a soul-erasing flame… but the flame recoiled. The ledger is protected by a powerful formation."
Ayla nodded nervously. "This ledger recorded all major transactions, contracts, and connections of the Pavilion. Someone risking this much means one thing: whoever targeted us is afraid of the information inside."
Jason flipped the cover open.
Inside, the early pages were standard financial entries. But halfway through, the ink changed—slanted handwriting, sharper strokes, as though written in haste. Then a single phrase caught everyone's attention.
"The Wu Clan's Shadow Division — active in the Northern Territories."
A chill ran through Ayla. "Jason… is this related to your family?"
Jason Wu's eyes hardened, though his voice remained calm. "My family has many factions. Some are honorable. Some… not so much. But one thing is certain: I've never heard of a 'Shadow Division.'"
Liu Shan swallowed. "If this is linked to Jason Wu's family, then we're dealing with something huge. Maybe too huge."
Quin Yu, ever the mood lifter, muttered, "Well, at least we're all going to die together. Brotherhood!"
Jason shot him a glare, but Ayla giggled softly despite herself. "Relax, Quin Yu. Jason won't let anything happen to us."
Quin Yu pointed at Jason. "See? She didn't say you would save her. She said us. Equal importance. Progress!"
"Shut up," Ayla and Liu Shan said simultaneously.
Jason gently lifted more pages. As he turned toward the final section of the ledger, his expression darkened.
The last page contained a list of names—merchant leaders, city officials, clan representatives. Many were crossed out with violent strokes of ink. Assassinated. Silenced.
At the bottom, one name remained uncrossed.
"Ayla Xueyin."
She froze.
Jason immediately placed a calming hand on her shoulder—surprisingly gentle. "Don't panic. This means they haven't reached you yet. And now that I know you're a target, I won't let them."
Ayla stared at him, her breath trembling. "Jason… thank you."
Quin Yu leaned close to Liu Shan and whispered, "Okay, that one was definitely romantic."
Liu Shan nodded sagely. "Ten points."
Jason pretended not to hear them—but this time his ears turned slightly red.
He continued examining the bottom corner of the page. A faint ink symbol glimmered when touched by his finger: a crescent moon piercing through clouds.
Jason's eyes narrowed. "This emblem… it belongs to the Cloud-Piercing Syndicate. They operate in secrecy across the region. If they're involved, then the Pavilion attack wasn't random—it was coordinated."
Alya's strength wavered. "So the Pavilion, my people… they're in danger?"
Jason Wu stood straight, his gaze firm, voice steady with confidence that made her heart skip.
"They're in danger only if I do nothing. But I will stop this. You're not facing this alone."
Alya blinked, overwhelmed. "Jason… why go this far for me?"
He hesitated for a heartbeat.
"…Because I don't want to see another innocent person dragged into a war they never chose. And because—"He paused."—I owe your Pavilion more than you know."
Before she could question him, Liu Shan suddenly stiffened.
"Someone's approaching," he whispered.
Jason snapped the ledger shut.
A violent surge of killing intent slammed against the outer barrier of the room—dark, oppressive, unmistakably hostile.
A voice seeped through the corridor like venom.
"Hand over the ledger… and maybe I'll let you die quickly."
Jason Wu stepped forward, eyes blazing.
"Stay behind me."
Ayla's heart pounded. The battle she feared was coming—and it was coming for her.