Snow and money had one thing in common.
Both looked clean from a distance.
Both hid dangerous things underneath.
I stood on the eastern trade road outside the northern border outpost, watching a merchant caravan slowly approach through the snow.
Five waggons.
Twelve guards.
Three merchants.
And one man smiling far too much.
That last one was always the problem.
Beside me, Yue Lian stood in crimson armour, spear in hand, looking like she personally offended winter.
"The caravan claims to come from the eastern ice routes," she said.
I nodded.
"Which means either profit…"
I narrowed my eyes at the smiling merchant.
"…or betrayal."
Hu Mei leaned against the wall beside me, watching with visible excitement.
"Master, can I guess which one?"
"No."
"Can I stab him if I'm right?"
"Also no."
She sighed like life was unfair.
The lead merchant finally stepped down from the carriage.
Middle-aged.
Expensive fur coat.
Polite smile.
The kind of man who looked like he sold silk and secretly sold kingdoms.
Perfect.
He bowed deeply.
"This humble merchant greets the Fifth Prince."
His voice was smooth.
Too smooth.
I smiled.
"And I greet a man who practises smiling like sword cultivation."
That made him pause.
Good.
I enjoyed keeping people slightly uncomfortable.
He recovered quickly.
"My name is Merchant Sun Wei. I bring winter grain, iron tools, and medicinal herbs."
Useful.
Suspiciously useful.
I walked slowly around him.
His guards were disciplined.
Not merchant guards.
Soldier posture.
His waggons were heavy.
But the wheels were too clean for long-distance winter trade.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
This man was lying before he even introduced himself.
I stopped.
"And what does such generosity cost?"
Sun Wei smiled politely.
"Only fair trade and future friendship."
Ah.
The most expensive kind.
I nodded.
"Terrifying."
Hu Mei covered her mouth to hide her laughter.
Yue Lian did not blink.
Professional.
Very professional.
I gestured toward the outpost.
"Come. Let us discuss how much future friendship will ruin me."
Inside the command hall, tea was served.
Again, nobody trusted it.
Tradition mattered.
Sun Wei sat across from me with the confidence of a man who believed he understood every room he entered.
Unfortunate.
Because this room contained the following:
a Phoenix Goddess,
An Underworld Princess,
a Heavenly Monk,
a Demon Sovereign,
And Hu Mei.
No sane businessman should feel confident here.
He began smoothly.
"I have heard much of Your Highness's wisdom. Rebuilding villages, taming beasts, opening winter trade routes…"
He smiled.
"The north speaks highly of you."
Of course they did.
I was adorable.
Still—
Flattery from merchants was usually the opening move before robbery.
I poured tea.
"Continue."
Sun Wei placed a trade scroll on the table.
"I propose exclusive grain supply rights for the northern villages."
There it was.
I looked at the contract.
Too fast.
Too eager.
Too perfect.
Which meant—
poison.
Not literal poison.
Probably.
I glanced at Feng Yuehuang.
She said nothing.
But her golden eyes had already decided his funeral.
Helpful.
I smiled politely.
"And in return?"
Sun Wei folded his hands.
"Only a small percentage of future tax rights and mining profits."
Silence.
Hu Mei whispered,
"He said 'small' like a criminal."
Even Mo Jianli, who understood economics only slightly more than wolves did, looked offended.
I nodded slowly.
"So you bring me grain…"
I tapped the table.
"…and ask for my future kingdom."
Sun Wei smiled.
"A long-term partnership."
I leaned forward.
"No."
He blinked.
I smiled wider.
"No?"
"No."
His expression remained polite, but something colder appeared beneath it.
"May I ask why?"
Good.
Now the real conversation began.
I stood and walked toward the map table.
Then pointed towards Frostwood.
"My people need food."
Then toward the iron mine.
"My soldiers need weapons."
Then toward him.
"But I do not build kingdoms by renting my spine to merchants."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Fa Yun quietly nodded, as if enlightenment approved.
Sun Wei's smile finally weakened.
Interesting.
He had expected greed.
He found standards.
Very disappointing for him.
Then—
He made a mistake.
A small one.
His hand moved slightly toward his sleeve.
Not enough for most people to notice.
Enough for me.
Enough for Yue Lian.
Enough for Feng Yuehuang.
Enough for death.
I smiled.
"There it is."
Sun Wei froze.
I looked at him calmly.
"The betrayal."
His eyes sharpened.
Gone was the polite merchant.
Now there was only calculation.
Cold.
Professional.
He slowly pulled a small jade token from his sleeve.
Black wolf carving.
Third Prince.
Of course.
The room became very quiet.
Hu Mei looked delighted.
"Oh, good, I was getting bored."
Sun Wei sighed.
"His Highness the Third Prince said you were difficult."
I crossed my arms.
"And yet you still came."
He looked at me.
"Because starving rebels is cheaper than fighting them."
Reasonable.
Rude.
But reasonable.
He stood slowly.
His guards outside shifted.
Assassins.
Not merchants.
I almost felt insulted.
Did Chen Lie think I would lose to grain sales?
Actually—
That was exactly the kind of thing he would do.
I respected the pettiness.
Sun Wei's voice turned cold.
"Accept the contract, surrender the outpost, and perhaps Third Prince will allow you a quieter death."
I smiled.
Then laughed.
Actually laughed.
Poor man.
He had entered the wrong story.
I looked at Yue Lian.
"Kill the guards."
She bowed instantly.
"As commanded."
I looked at Hu Mei.
"Make sure no one escapes."
Her fox-like smile returned.
"My favourite sentence."
I looked at Feng Yuehuang.
She raised one elegant brow.
"Yes?"
I smiled.
"Try not to burn the building."
She looked genuinely offended.
"No promises."
Finally—
I looked back at Sun Wei.
He was already reaching for a hidden blade.
Good.
I drew my sword.
Steel sang.
"Merchant Sun."
My voice was calm.
"If you wanted my kingdom…"
I stepped forward.
"…you should have brought a bigger caravan."
The first scream came from outside.
Then fire.
Then fox-laughter.
Then absolute chaos.
Perfect.
Sun Wei attacked.
And I smiled.
Because betrayal was expensive.
And I was about to send him the bill.