Huamu Ye was the troublemaker of the Birch Leaf Merchants.
The coward who relied on guards to act big.
The pest whose clan had ruined the Fen family through debt collectors and shady deals.
Han Yu watched him approach from the opposite side of the street. He felt the usual reaction ripple through the crowd.
Vendors lowered their voices.
Women pulled daughters behind them or closed doors.
Laborers stepped to the edges and pretended not to exist.
Huamu Ye loved it.
He grinned as if the entire street bowed before his greatness.
He walked with a swagger that looked unnatural, like a child mimicking a hero from plays he watched far too often. His hair was oiled neatly. His robe was embroidered richly. But his steps were clumsy and his balance poor. Every few strides he stumbled slightly as if not used to the height of his own shoes.
He passed a fruit stall. The vendor bowed deeply.
Huamu Ye smirked.
"So obedient today," he said loudly.
