Meanwhile, outside the palace, Layla had her arm wrapped tightly around Atlas's neck, choking him with enough force to make him wheeze.
"WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU THREATEN THE EMPEROR HIMSELF?!"
Atlas, flailing slightly, coughed between gasps. "Relax, relax—!"
"RELAX?!" Layla tightened her grip, her face contorted in disbelief. "Do you have a death wish?!"
Atlas managed to pry her arm off just enough to talk, his usual playful grin creeping back.
"Come on, don't worry. I already knew which province he was talking about."
Layla, still fuming, lets go of him "Oh?"
Atlas dusted himself off "It's in the south. That place is loaded with wheat, but they can't transport it because of the bandits. Plus, the land is mostly wide dirt paths—less clearance needed for transport. All I have to do is send my workers and clear out the bandits. Easy. The emperor will hear about it within a month at most."
Layla stared at him, genuinely shocked.
He had already figured it all out. Before the bet was even made, before the challenge had even been issued—he had already accounted for every variable. How much did this man already know about the empire? And more importantly, when had he started planning all of this?
She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "Fine. But what about the Silver Lotus trade routes? You do realize Jinhai is going to send thousands to clear them."
Atlas smirked. "Oh, I know. And that's where you come in. You're going to convince them to convert to Silver Lotus. Hehe."
Layla blinked. Then she grabbed him by the collar again. "YOU'RE MAKING ME DO THE HARD PART?!"
Before Atlas could respond, a few passing guards and concubines glanced their way, some whispering and giggling amongst themselves. A few of the braver ones looked at Layla and Atlas rather fondly, their gazes lingering with playful curiosity.
Yan, sensing the shift in atmosphere, leaned in slightly, his voice low and amused. "We should leave. Now. Before you two end up being offered some… companionship."
Atlas smirked, tilting his head toward Layla. "Well, Meilin probably needs it."
Layla's fist connected with his stomach in an instant. Atlas dramatically staggered back, puffing out air as if mimicking coughing up blood.
"Gah—such violence!"
Still wheezing, he straightened and, in typical fashion, waggled his eyebrows.
"If you like girls, I have some—"
Layla's second punch was harder, sending him stumbling. "Shut. Up."
The ''normal'' morning Lin Wuye
Lin Wuye's mornings were simple. He kissed his wife on the forehead, got up, stretched his back, and descended the stairs to make tea. The warmth of the morning sun filtered through the windows, casting a golden glow over the quiet halls. Peaceful. Just how he liked it.
Then he stepped outside.
His courtyard, once a place of quiet meditation, was now filled with one hundred and fifty people. And not in any organized manner like Shrouded Peak's training sessions—no, these were people yelling, arguing, and trying to corral one another like lost sheep.
Elders barked orders in vain. Jiang and Bao were darting through the crowd, their attempts at discipline crumbling faster than a poorly built wall. Even Meyu, usually the voice of reason, looked exasperated as she tried and failed to keep a section of workers in line. Some were Ryl Trading workers, others disciples, but the overwhelming number of merchants, traders, and hired hands made it impossible to enforce order.
Lin Wuye calmly sipped his tea.
A chair toppled over. Someone tripped over a loose sandal. An elder nearly fainted from yelling too much. Still, Lin Wuye took another sip, letting the scene unfold before him.
Yuxe Wuye appeared behind him, eyebrow raised. "Aren't you going to do something?"
Lin Wuye sighed. "I'm debating whether to help or let nature take its course."
A barrel rolled across the courtyard, barely missing Jiang's foot. Meyu finally lost her patience and screamed
"EVERYONE, SHUT UP!"
Lin Wuye took another sip of tea.
This was going to be another long day.
Meyu stood before the chaotic mass of people, arms crossed, her expression unimpressed.
"Listen up!" she called out, her voice sharp enough to cut through the crowd.
"Most of you will be trained under Jiang and Bao. The training will last only one month—until March. After that, you will either prove yourselves worthy or be sent home. If you do not have the steel resolve for brutal training, step away now."
She let the words hang in the air, hoping to thin out the numbers. The logistics of handling one hundred and fifty people was a nightmare, and she needed some to leave willingly.
The crowd shuffled, uncertain, glancing at one another. Some looked hesitant, considering the weight of her words.
Then, before anyone could speak, a thunderous boom shook the ground.
An explosion erupted from the training grounds, sending a plume of dust into the sky. The force of it rumbled through the air, and all eyes turned toward the mountain ridge, where Kai was locked in a sparring session with Ying. His Qi-infused explosion had become stronger—controlled—but stronger. The mountain itself was shrinking, bits of rock and debris tumbling down the slopes.
Meyu didn't even blink. She simply sighed and motioned toward the destruction.
"This is the average day here. If you can't handle it, leave now. We will refund your travel expenses."
A noticeable portion of the crowd exchanged uneasy glances. Then, like dominos tipping over, one by one, people started stepping back—some murmuring excuses about old injuries that mysteriously resurfaced, others suddenly remembering their lucrative yet oh-so-boring desk jobs back home. A few brave ones stood firm, but their eyes carried the same regret as a gambler who had just bet his life savings on a losing hand.
"My wife will kill me if I die her," one man muttered before quietly sneaking away.
"You think the refund covers emotional trauma?" another whispered to his friend before both of them vanished into the dispersing crowd.
By the time the dust settled, a glorious 88 remained.
Inside her mind, mini Meyus were throwing confetti, hoisting banners that read 'Logistics Saved!' and dramatically sobbing tears of joy. One tiny Meyu even knelt in prayer, thanking the heavens for this mercy.
Logistics nightmare reduced! Brain can function again!
On the outside, the real Meyu simply exhaled and crossed her arms.
"Good choice. Now, for those of you who stayed—hope you survive."