The nights of Gù Tianháo were now a cycle of self-imposed agony and tiny progress. The Tyrannical Art of Body Refinement of the Demonic Dragon was as brutal as its name suggested. Each session left him on the brink of collapse, with his meridians on fire and muscles screaming. But each morning, after a few hours of restless sleep and meditation to consolidate the minimum gains, he felt an almost imperceptible difference. A slight decrease in chronic pain that had always plagued him, a spark of heat where before there was only cold, a slightly deeper breath. During the day, he kept the facade. He ate the simple meals brought by Aunt Liu, answered occasional questions with monosyllables or head gestures, and spent hours sitting by the window, looking at the courtyard with an empty expression - a perfect imitation of the old Ti?nháo lost in his despair. Nobody paid attention to him, and that's exactly what he wanted. This routine of nighttime pain and daytime concealment lasted almost a week. Progress was slow, like trying to fill an ocean with a dropper, but it was real. He felt the Qi, still weak and difficult to control, begin to respond a little more readily to his will. The blockages on his meridians were still massive, like impassable mountains, but he had managed to erode the base of one of them, creating a small channel. However, he knew that he could not remain isolated forever. I needed information on how to get the ingredients for the Meridian Opening Pill. He needed to better understand the functioning of the Maplewood City market and the finances (or lack thereof) of his own position. That meant getting out of your safe yard. He chose a day when, according to the memories of the ancient Tianháo, most of the younger members of the family would be busy with their own training routines or classes with the elders. He hoped to minimize the chances of unpleasant encounters, especially with his siblings. He dressed in the same discreet clothes and went out into the corridors of the Gu Mansion. He kept his posture slightly curved and his gaze low, a disguise that had become almost second nature. But his senses were alert, absorbing the sounds, the smells, the flows of people. His destiny was the administrative wing, a place that the ancient Tianháo avoided at all costs, as it was often the site of humiliation related to his lack of progress and his insignificant allowance. He hoped to find some smaller record, perhaps a book of overhead bills or a catalog of items available through family channels, that could give him an idea of the prices of medicinal herbs. While navigating the familiar corridors, but now seen with a new analytical perspective, he turned a corner and almost collided with a group of three young men dressed in the grey clothes of the upper-level servants. He immediately recognized them by memories: they were lackeys who often orbited Gù Tianf?ng, his second brother, and who had fun tormenting the ancient Ti?nháo whenever they had the opportunity. The trio's leader, a thin young man with cunning eyes named Ah San, smiled maliciously upon seeing him.
Look at the one who decided to crawl out of his hole! The Third Young Master in Person. Did you miss the sunlight, or did you just come looking for scraps of food? The other two laughed, a servile sound, but full of contempt. The ancient Tiannháo would have paled, perhaps stuttered an excuse and tried to flee, which would only incite more provocations. Ti?nháo (Alex) stopped. He didn't pale. He didn't stutter. He just looked up slowly, his eyes calmly meeting those of Ah San. The unexpected intensity in his gaze made the servant's smile falter for a microsecond. Ah San," said Ti?nháo, his voice still low, but without the trembling of fear they expected. I am on my way to the administrative wing. Get out of the front. The direct order, devoid of submission or anger, took Ah San by surprise. He was used to a game of intimidation, not a calm instruction. Has the garbage learned to give orders? He mocked Ah San, trying to regain control of the situation. He took a step forward, invading the personal space of Ti?nháo, a classic tactic of intimidation. Perhaps we should teach the Third Young Master some ways. The Second Young Master Tianf?ng would not like to know that his useless brother is being disrespectful to his loyal servants. The mention of Tianf?ng was the veiled threat. The ancient Tiannáo would have retreated immediately. But Ti?nháo (Alex) did not move. He looked at Ah San, then briefly at the other two, who seemed a little less confident now. He knew he couldn't win a physical fight. Three against one, even if they were only servants, and he in his weakened state? No way. He needed to use intelligence. Disrespectful? Ti?nháo bowed his head slightly, an expression of false confusion on his face. I am just going to deal with family matters in the administration. To prevent a Young Master from doing this... wouldn't that be considered disrespectful to you? Or maybe," he lowered his voice conspiratorily, "do you have anything to hide in the administration? It was a complete bluff, based on nothing but his earthly experience that petty corruption was common in any hierarchy. But the seed of doubt has been planted. Ah San's eyes narrowed. The accusation, even if veiled and without evidence, was dangerous. Being accused of stealing from the family, even by a useless Young Master, could bring problems. What are you talking about, garbage? We didn't do anything! The denial was too fast, a little too defensive. Ti?nháo gave a minimal smile, almost imperceptible. Of course not. So if you excuse me... He made mention of passing. Ah San hesitated. The opportunity to torment the garbage was tempting, but the insinuation about the bills had made him uncomfortable. And there was something different about Ti?nháo today. The calm, the lack of fear... it was disturbing. One of the other, less intelligent servants decided to intervene. Chief San, let's not let him pass like this! Ah San cast an angry look at his subordinate. Hesitation was a sign of weakness. He needed to reaffirm his dominance. Do you think you can just leave after insulting us? Ah San snarled, taking another step forward, his hand moving as if to push Ti?nháo. At that very moment, steps sounded in the corridor behind Ti?nháo. A feminine voice, clear and cold, cut through the air. What's going on here?"Everyone turned around. Standing there was a young woman in light green silk robes, with a beautiful but severe face, and a discreet emblem on her shoulder that indicated her position as an inner disciple of one of the elders in charge of discipline. Ah San and his companions instantly paled. To be caught intimidating a young Master, even a useless one, by a disciple of the discipline was much more serious than they anticipated. Miss Qing," stuttered Ah San, bowing hastily. Nothing... nothing too much. Just talking to the Third Young Master. The young woman, Miss Qing, cast a cold eye on the servants, then on Ti?nháo, who had remained quiet, watching. His eyes lingered on him for a moment, perhaps noticing the unusual calmness in his posture, before returning to Ah San. Talking? It seemed more like you were obstructing the path and making threats. Go back to your posts. If I hear any more complaints about you pestering others, I will report directly to Elder Lian. Immediately! The three servants bowed again and practically fled down the hallway, casting resentful looks at Ti?nháo over their shoulders. Tiannháo gave a slight reverence to the disciple. I am grateful for Miss Qing's intervention. She evaluated him for a moment, her eyes sweeping away his fragile appearance. Third young master. It is unusual to see him around here. If you have problems again, do not hesitate to report to the Hall of Discipline. His voice was formal, without warmth, but also without the open contempt he expected. Understood. Excuse me. He made another slight reverence and continued his path towards the administrative wing, leaving Miss Qing watching his back for a moment before going on her own path. Ti?nháo's heart was still beating hard, but this time it was a mixture of adrenaline and relief. He had navigated the situation without physical confrontation and without revealing anything. She wore a psychological bluff and, luckily, the timely intervention of the disciple saved her from a possible beating. More importantly, he had not reacted like the ancient Tiannháo. He had faced the aggressors calmly and intelligently. Ah San and his cronies would be angry, but also a little confused and perhaps more cautious in the future. Miss Qing, a minor figure in the hierarchy but with specific authority, had noticed him, albeit neutrally. Small ripples were beginning to form in the still water of its existence. He knew that luck would not always be on his side. He needed to get stronger, faster. But for now, he had passed his first real social test. Garbage was no longer such an easy target. And this perception alone was a small victory on the long road ahead.