Morning light flooded the Amber Corridor of the Seventh Ring, staining the mist with a faint golden-red hue.
Xue Yin pushed open the wooden window, and the morning breeze, carrying the characteristic warmth of the Furnace District, rushed in to meet her.
She stood in the dawn, her silver hair cascading down to her waist like a waterfall, shimmering with stardust-like glimmers in the light.
Her pointed ears were tinged with a thin flush of red, and a faint silver glow radiated from her cold, white skin.
She wore a high-collared tunic of plain white linen with morning mist patterns embroidered on the cuffs, and a ledger hung from the dark gray leather belt at her waist.
Beneath her clothes, the pink magic rose mark on her lower abdomen pulsed with a slight heat.
“You’ve been resting for a few days now,” a familiar voice came from behind her.
Jin approached and gently placed a bowl of steaming medicinal soup on the windowsill.
His body had recovered significantly since before; his black hair was slightly curled and loosely tied with a faded strip of cloth, with a few stray strands falling over his forehead.
The newly crafted dark brown leather armor fit his lean frame perfectly, and the soft scales at the shoulders and elbows gave off a matte finish in the morning light.
Beneath the black silk wrapped around his left wrist, golden-red patterns could be seen faintly lurking.
“If I lie down any longer, my bones will rust,” he paused, his gaze sweeping over the slightly pale tips of her ears.
Xue Yin turned and picked up the medicine bowl, feeling the warmth of the porcelain against her fingertips.
She said softly, “Laine has given us sanctuary, but I would feel uneasy accepting favors for nothing on someone else’s territory.”
She took a sip of the medicine, the bitterness spreading across her tongue, though her eyes grew increasingly clear.
“I intend to discuss opening an alchemy potion shop in the Amber Corridor with Laine. It will allow us to be self-sufficient and serve as a contribution to the territory.”
Jin was momentarily stunned, but then the corners of his mouth curled upward as a warmth rose in his eyes.
“Is Master planning to settle down here? You always keep things so strictly accounted for.”
“These are the rules of survival,” Xue Yin said, looking down and gently stirring the medicine in the bowl with a spoon.
Her voice was soft yet firm.
‘I am not used to accepting others’ kindness with a clear conscience while doing nothing in return.
Only by contributing can I sleep soundly.’
Jin watched her quietly.
The morning light fell on her lowered eyelashes, casting a gentle shadow.
He liked this Master — even in dire straits, even after just facing life and death, she still maintained that clear-headed independence and pride, refusing to become anyone’s subordinate.
This stubbornness was her most brilliant light.
“Very well,” Jin replied softly, his tone full of indulgence.
“Once the shop is open, I’ll be Master’s apprentice and bodyguard. I’ll be your assistant.”
***
At the same time, at the other end of the Lord’s Manor.
Arya Therne stood before a bronze mirror.
Her pale flaxen-gold hair was neatly gathered in a silver hairnet, with a few stray strands falling by her cheeks, making her skin look even more like porcelain.
However, the eyes that were once hollow had now cleared of mist, holding unextinguished embers and a budding hesitation.
“Beautiful.”
Laine’s voice rang out from outside the door.
He leaned against the doorframe, his wine-red hair flowing down like a waterfall, the tips shimmering with the dark-gold luster of furnace-refined gold.
His wine-red velvet robe accentuated his tall, slender figure, and his posture was lazy yet carried a natural noble majesty.
Most captivating of all were those eyes — both pupils were like congealed crimson blood, deep and ancient, currently reflecting her image and swirling with suppressed longing.
In his hand, he held a rose brooch — the petals were like blood, and the stem was twisted into a crown of thorns.
“Wear it.”
Laine approached and gently pinned it to her collar, his fingertips brushing against the skin of her collarbone as if by accident.
“In my territory, a nun does not need to hide her light.”
Arya lowered her head.
The rose’s thorn pricked her palm, but it was nothing compared to the swelling ache in her heart.
The scriptures said a nun should be modest, yet this brooch was so dazzling, as if declaring: *You are worthy of being loved.*
“Thank you,” she said, her voice choking up.
She instinctively tried to take a half-step back, but Laine gently yet firmly caught her wrist.
“No need for thanks.”
Laine gazed at her, his crimson pupils flickering slightly as his other hand naturally brushed a stray hair from her temple.
“Accompany me to the Furnace District at noon? A new batch of refined gold ingots is being released, and I want you to see it — a furnace without slaves can also burn with the brightest fire. I want to hear you tell me if this fire feels warm.”
Arya met his gaze and saw her own reflection in that crimson depths.
Her heart skipped a beat for no reason.
“All right,” she replied softly, her fingertips secretly squeezing his palm.
***
At noon, the four of them met at the central square.
Xue Yin was wrapped in a dark gray cloak with the hood pulled low, revealing only a pair of eyes like cold stars.
Jin remained silently half a step behind her side in a protective stance.
The rose on Arya’s chest swayed gently with her steps, while Laine wore his wine-red robe, the crimson eyes behind his glass monocle exuding a noble aura, yet his attention never wavered from the woman beside him.
“Let us go to the bakery first.”
Laine pointed to the south and naturally took Arya’s hand.
“The owner is an exiled human who created a ‘triple fermentation method’ — first using fungi, then mixing in green pearl moss, and finally sprinkling special spices for aroma. The hearth there is quite warm; you will like it.”
Arya’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she did not pull away, allowing him to lead her.
Inside the bakery, the scent of warmth was intoxicating.
Behind the counter, a fox-eared girl with a tail as fluffy as a cloud was placing dark red mushroom bread on the shelves.
“Welcome! Today’s ‘Amber Corridor’ special — the filling is honey-preserved fruit, sweet without being bitter!”
Xue Yin lifted a corner of her hood, her silver hair falling out.
The fox-eared girl’s eyes lit up.
“An Elf sister? Don’t worry, we don’t ask about backgrounds here!” She deftly wrapped the bread and tucked in two sugar-coated fruits.
“These are on the house!”
“Thank you.”
Xue Yin took the bread.
As her fingertips touched the girl’s warm palm, a long-lost surge of warmth rose in her heart.
This was the first time in 3 years that a stranger had shown her kindness out of pure goodwill rather than fear or a desire to use her.
The moment the girl turned around, Xue Yin’s gaze uncontrollably fell on the fluffy tail swaying happily with the girl’s movements.
‘It looks so soft… the texture must be amazing. It’s so fluffy; I really want to touch it.’
The thought grew wildly in her mind like weeds, even causing a phantom itch to rise in her fingertips.
Her hand, hidden beneath the dark gray cloak, clenched into a tight fist.
She dug her nails deep into her palm, using the sharp sting to forcibly suppress the urge to pounce and bury her face in that tail.
‘No, Xue Yin, you must be calm! There are people I know all around. If I expose this strange fetish, what will happen to my dignity as a Master?’
She retracted her gaze expressionlessly, her neck as stiff as a stone.
Forcing down the screaming in her heart, she tried to maintain her usual cool tone.
“Let’s go.”
Jin walked beside her.
From the corner of his eye, he caught the clenched fist beneath her cloak and the suspicious flush on the tips of her ears.
A smile instantly spread across his eyes.
He wordlessly shifted his position, his broad shoulders perfectly blocking the view from behind.
He covered her momentary embarrassment without saying a single word.
As they walked out of the bakery, Jin suddenly whispered, “Master, the third stall on the left.”
Xue Yin looked over — it was actually a shop for alchemical ingredients.
The shelves were neatly stacked with materials for brewing concealment powder.
“Should we buy some for backup?” Jin asked.
Xue Yin shook her head.
“I have enough Moonlight Frost.”
She paused, her voice very quiet but filled with an unprecedented sense of relief.
“Besides, there is no need to hide here.”
Jin smiled.
He knew how much weight those words carried.
It meant she was beginning to trust this land and its people.
***
In the afternoon, the group arrived at the northern Furnace District.
Steam pipes coiled like giant pythons, and Horned Demon craftsmen worked up a sweat, yet there were no shadows of whips or shackles.
Heat waves rolled through the air, causing it to warp and shimmer.
Laine stopped his pace and raised his right hand, tracing a gentle line in the air.
A layer of pale red transparent barrier instantly enveloped everyone, isolating them from the scorching heat outside.
Inside the barrier, it remained cool and pleasant.
“The fire is too intense here,” Laine said softly, his crimson eyes full of concern.
“Do you feel better?”
Arya felt the coolness on her cheeks and the magical barrier separating her from the sweltering world.
A surge of indescribable bitterness and sweetness rose in her heart.
In this place where even breathing felt scalding, he had held up a patch of cool heaven for her.
“Yes, much better,” she replied softly, her gaze involuntarily following the profile of his face.
Laine chuckled and took her hand again, leading her toward the massive furnace.
“Look, that is Xiao Qi.”
In front of the furnace, a small lesser demon was standing on tiptoe to check a thermometer.
His grayish-blue skin was flushed red from the heat, yet his face beamed with focus and pride.
“That is Xiao Qi,” Laine introduced.
“He was a scavenger 3 months ago, but now he is a Level 3 technician.”
He pointed to the furnace’s nameplate — *Malthas’s Furnace of Freedom*.
Below it, a line of small text was engraved: *Refining gold with fire, refining the soul with the heart.*
Arya stood still for a long time, watching the busy yet free craftsmen.
She suddenly asked, “Why did you abolish slavery? It harms your interests.”
Laine looked toward the furnace flames, the dancing light reflected in his crimson pupils, alongside her worried face.
He tightened his grip on her hand, his voice low and serious.
“Because I have seen too many ‘tools.’ They are stripped of their names, leaving only numbers; they are drained of their value and discarded like trash.”
He turned his head, his gaze locking onto Arya with burning intensity.
“Arya, sincerity is never tethered by chains. Just like you — if I used power to force you to stay, you would only be a cold icon. But I hope you can stand here smiling, because this is the home you chose.”
Arya gripped her crucifix, the light shimmering through the cracks as tears blurred her vision.
In that moment, she suddenly understood — his sincerity never required her to give up her faith; it only required her to believe she was worthy of being loved.
She squeezed Laine’s hand back and nodded vigorously.
***
After the tour, Xue Yin did not leave with the others immediately.
Instead, she called out to Laine, who was about to take Arya to rest.
“Lord Laine,” Xue Yin said with a serious expression, taking out the ledger filled with dense notes.
“Regarding what I mentioned before. I have surveyed the distribution of herbs and the foot traffic here. The Amber Corridor lacks a professional alchemy potion shop. I can provide the formulas and the technique, and I hope to rent a storefront.”
She opened the ledger and pointed to several pages, her speaking speed steady and confident.
“This is the preliminary budget and expected revenue. I do not wish to accept sanctuary for free. I hope to become a part of this place through my labor.”
Laine looked at the Elf before him, who kept her back straight even when discussing business.
A flash of admiration crossed his crimson eyes.
He did not decline; instead, he readily took the ledger.
His gaze quickly swept across the dense handwriting before he closed the ledger and handed it back to her with a slight smile and genuine respect.
“The variety of potions is complete, and the revenue is reasonable. It is approved. There is a vacant storefront at the corner of the East District with excellent lighting; I can hand it over to you tomorrow. However, I have one condition.”
Xue Yin raised an eyebrow warily. “What condition?”
“Thirty percent of the shop’s profits go to the public treasury for maintenance of public facilities, and the remaining 70% belongs to you.”
Laine shrugged, his tone relaxed yet brook no argument.
“After all, I also need to show my citizens that hard work leading to wealth is possible here. Welcome to the Amber Corridor, Manager Xue Yin.”
Xue Yin’s tense shoulders finally relaxed, and a very slight arc appeared at the corners of her mouth.
“Deal.”
Beside her, Jin watched his Master’s rare relaxed expression, his eyes full of smiles.
Laine, meanwhile, turned to look at Arya and gave her a gentle wink, as if to say: *See? This is the territory under my rule, our new home.*
Arya watched him, her eyes growing warm.
She suddenly took a step forward.
No longer passively waiting to be led, she reached out with both hands and firmly wrapped them around Laine’s waist, pressing her face against the cool but reassuring velvet of his robe.
“Laine…” Her voice trembled slightly, yet it was incredibly clear.
“I used to think that home was a bench in a church, or a cold confessional. But now I know…”
She lifted her head, a smile brighter than ever appearing amidst her tears — a sense of relief after completely casting off her shackles.
“Home is wherever you are. As long as you are here, anywhere can be a place where I can sleep in peace.”
Laine’s body stiffened for a moment, then his arms tightened, locking her firmly in his embrace.
At that moment, the roar of the furnace seemed to fade away, leaving only the synchronized heartbeat of two people.
Under the warm sun of the Amber Corridor, they played the movement of a new life.
In the shadows not far away, Xue Yin and Jin stopped their steps in a silent understanding.
Xue Yin’s gaze quickly swept over the sky as if she had suddenly developed a deep interest in the structure of the clouds.
Her tone was flat but intentionally raised.
“The air is good today, suitable for drying herbs. Jin, let us go back and study the sign design for the new shop.”
Hearing his Master’s illogical words, Jin cooperated perfectly.
He immediately turned his body and lowered his voice with a chuckle.
“Then we should leave quickly, lest we disturb the Lord’s ‘important official business’.”
Xue Yin walked away quickly.
Jin followed close behind, casting one last glance at the two figures embracing in the sunlight.
A flash of a blessing crossed his eyes, and then he strode forward to catch up with that figure pretending to be serious.