The stone house door closed with a faint creak, leaving Elder Park inside, trembling between rage and confusion. Her chest rose and fell sharply as if she had just survived a duel. She pressed her fingers against her temples, muttering, "Mo Han… say your name ten times? What kind of arrogance is this? What trick hides behind those eyes?"

Her nails dug into her palms until blood beaded, but she hardly noticed. The memory of his calm expression lingered in her mind like an itch she couldn't scratch. A low growl escaped her throat. "He dares mock me in my own sect… in front of disciples… while hiding under Elder Mei's wing. No… this can't continue."

She turned sharply, robes snapping in the wind as she strode into the night. Her disciple, Jumi, who had been standing in the shadows, quickly followed.

"Master…?" Jumi asked timidly. She had seen Mo Han's shadow leaving and felt the oppressive silence that followed. "What happened inside?"

Elder Park didn't answer at once. Her eyes glinted with venom as she muttered, "That boy is dangerous. He knows things he should not know. Healing, alchemy, fire control—things no seedling from the Pink Blossom Tree sect could grasp. He mocks me openly. If he gains more fame… if he gathers more followers… my authority in the Healing Division will crumble."

"Then… shall I try again?" Jumi asked hesitantly, her fingers twitching nervously at her side.

Elder Park whirled on her disciple, her gaze sharp as knives. "No. You already failed once. I will not risk you humiliating me further. This time… I will handle it myself."

"But Master, Elder Mei—"

"Enough!" Park snapped, silencing Jumi with a flick of her sleeve. "Elder Mei may protect him now, but even Mei cannot shield him from the rules of the Eternal Night Mansion. If he steps wrong once—just once—I will make sure that boy is cast out in disgrace."

She turned toward the distant towers where the Healing Division stood, the moonlight sharpening her silhouette into something cruel. "Tomorrow… we will see how much longer you can laugh, Mo Han."

Meanwhile, across Elder Mei's garden, Mo Han walked calmly along the stone path. His robes swayed with each step, his expression serene. Yet inside his mind, Leo Reynold's memories stirred like a thousand streams feeding into a great river.

She tried to pierce me with her words, but her heart wavered first. Fear… he thought, lips curling faintly. Good. Let her choke on it.

As he neared his stone house, lanterns glowed faintly, casting soft light over the courtyard. The sound of hurried footsteps rushed toward him. Fatty Lambu, face puffed and eyes wide with worry, stumbled out first. Behind him, Jia Kai and Chi Kai followed, their gazes sharp with questions.

"Brother Han!" Lambu exclaimed, voice shrill. "What happened? Why did Elder Mei come here? Why did Elder Park come here? Were you punished? Did they fight you? Did they—"

Mo Han raised a hand, silencing him with a calm smile. "Relax, Lambu. If I had been punished, do you think I'd be standing here?"

Jia Kai crossed her arms, eyes narrowed. "Elder Mei left abruptly, but Elder Park stayed inside for a long time. What did she want?"

Mo Han stepped into the courtyard, his boots clicking lightly on the stone tiles. He glanced back at her, his eyes calm yet carrying an edge. "She wanted to know who I am."

Chi Kai tilted her head, confused. "And what did you tell her?"

Mo Han smirked. "I told her to repeat my name ten times. Then she might know."

Lambu blinked, jaw dropping. "Eh? That's it? Brother Han, are you sure you didn't get smacked on the head? Who tells an elder something like that?!"

Jia Kai's lips twitched despite herself, a faint smile breaking her stern expression. "You… really are reckless. Do you realize Elder Park is not someone to toy with? She's venomous and narrow-hearted. Push her too much, and she'll use every rule in this sect to bury you."

Mo Han shrugged, settling down on the stone bench near the courtyard tree. The moonlight washed over his calm face. "Let her try. She can't measure me. Not now, not ever."

Chi Kai's eyes softened as she sat beside him. "Still… Elder Park is dangerous. If she sets her eyes on you, even small mistakes may become traps."

Mo Han chuckled lowly. "This isn't the first time someone wanted me gone. I've been targeted by foes stronger than her. And yet…" He looked at them, his gaze steady. "…I'm still here."

The silence that followed carried weight. For a moment, even Fatty Lambu quieted down.

Then, with sudden seriousness, Jia Kai leaned forward. "Mo Han… what if she tries something more extreme? What if she manipulates sect politics to trap you? Are you prepared?"

Mo Han's eyes glimmered. "I've handled more pressure than this. Titles, fame, popularity—I know when to ride the storm and when to cut it down. If Elder Park wants to play games… then I'll end the board itself."

Fatty Lambu scratched his head nervously. "Brother Han, your words are too big. But… I believe you. Still, please don't get me involved. I'm already shaking from all these women chasing us."

Mo Han laughed, the sound light, cutting through the tension. "Don't worry, Lambu. I've already given you a weapon, haven't I? Next time someone dares bully you, swing that mace and let them taste your storm."

Lambu grinned sheepishly, clutching the massive golden mace propped near the doorway. "That's true… though right now, the mace feels heavier than a mountain."

"Then train," Mo Han replied firmly. "A weapon that chooses you will never stay heavy forever. Once it accepts you, its power will flow naturally."

Jia Kai shook her head, but a faint smile touched her lips. "You're lecturing him again, Mo Han. But perhaps that's what he needs."

Mo Han rose, stretching lightly as though brushing away the weight of Elder Park's confrontation. "Enough talk. Rest for tonight. Tomorrow, Elder Park may come with sharper claws. Let her. I'll decide when to clip them."

As he turned toward his room, Jia Kai called softly, "Mo Han…"

He paused, glancing back.

"Just… don't underestimate the venom of a snake. Even a small one can kill if it finds your weak spot."

Mo Han's gaze softened for a moment before he replied, "Then I simply won't show any weakness."

With that, he entered his chamber, leaving the sisters and Lambu staring after him, a mix of admiration and worry in their eyes.

Inside, Mo Han sat cross-legged, the moonlight slipping through the lattice window. He closed his eyes, steadying his breath, letting Leo Reynold's memories surge through him like an endless tide.

Let them scheme. Let them rage. In the end, they will all learn one truth.

His aura flared faintly, like the whisper of a storm waiting to awaken.

The name Mo Han… will never bow.

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