dark descendent lurking fate

1. A Bold Counteroffer

Lin Yue's breath caught as Ash stood in the quiet hall, eyes unwavering, voice like steel wrapped in calm fire.

> "Your offer is good," he said, "but I need one hundred and twenty of the same high-grade elixirs."

She blinked.

> "One hundred and twenty? That's… that's months of production."

Ash didn't flinch.

> "In return," he said, "you'll get more than just a blade."

She crossed her arms, wary now.

> "And what exactly do you mean by more?"

Ash stepped forward, the dim lamplight glinting off his pupils.

> "I'll give your grandfather the terms directly."

---

2. Meeting the Grand Elder Again

Back in the jade meeting chamber, Grand Elder Lin was already waiting when Ash arrived, flanked by two silent guards. The air was thick with incense and anticipation.

> "Boy," he said without greeting, "I assume Lin Yue has brought my message."

Ash nodded.

> "She did. I came to give mine."

The Grand Elder smiled.

> "Go ahead."

Ash stood tall, eyes cold and confident.

> "I need one hundred and twenty of those high-grade elixirs. Fully refined. Within two weeks."

The old man didn't speak, but his brow arched.

> "In return," Ash continued, "I offer one more sword—equal to or greater than the one Lin Yue showed you."

Gasps came from a corner. A scribe nearly dropped his brush.

> "Not just that," Ash added. "I will also act as your family's protector for one year. No harm will come to your estate, from bandits or rogue sects."

Silence. The elder leaned forward slightly, but Ash wasn't done.

> "And finally," Ash said, "select one of your most talented younger generation members. I will personally guide them to Core Vein Formation—if they have the potential."

---

3. The Turning Tide

The room was dead silent. Grand Elder Lin's hand trembled as he tapped the armrest.

> "These are... incredible terms. Almost too incredible. Why offer so much?"

Ash's gaze didn't shift.

> "Because I need power. Fast. And I'm not here to play political games. This is a transaction. One that benefits us both."

The old man looked deep into Ash's calm expression. There was no arrogance. No desperation. Just certainty.

After a long pause, Grand Elder Lin exhaled slowly.

> "You'll have your elixirs. Sixty within ten days. The remaining within another ten."

> "Good."

> "And the person to be trained?"

Ash shrugged.

> "Choose wisely. It's on you if they fail."

---

4. Lin Yue's Conflicted Thoughts

After the meeting, Lin Yue walked Ash out.

> "Do you mean it?" she asked quietly. "All of it?"

Ash looked at her, face unreadable.

> "I don't say things I don't mean."

> "You could've asked for so much more."

Ash smiled faintly.

> "I already did."

She wanted to say more—but his silence silenced her. She realized something that day:

He wasn't just powerful.

He was dangerous. Not to them, but to anyone who stood in his way.

---

5. A Name Given in Shadow

That night, in the Lin family's private quarters, Grand Elder Lin stood beside the sword Ash had given them.

He whispered:

> "We must never let this slip outside. That boy may be the answer to our clan's stagnation... or the start of a storm."

But outside, beyond the quiet walls, a messenger hawk flew. A hidden eye had seen Ash enter the Lin estate—and word was already spreading:

> "The Ghost Forger is in the mortal realm."