Yuuto’s eyes lingered on him for a moment before turning his gaze out of the massive glass window behind him momentarily.
“That’s good to hear,” Yuuto said, leaning back slightly in his chair, trying to gauge the direction this conversation was about to take.
But he was already vaguely aware of how it would go, considering what took place in the wastelands, that is; Alister being the one responsible for his son’s disappearance.
“The Li family has always been strong. Our guild has long valued our relationship with your house—mutual benefits, longstanding trust. I’m sure we’ll continue to support each other in the days ahead.”
Jian shifted in his seat, the faintest flicker of anger crossing his face before it vanished under his usual mask of stoicism. His tapping fingers stopped. For a moment, he was silent, clearly choosing his next words carefully.
Yuuto raised an eyebrow, noting the change in atmosphere. Jian seemed to be bracing himself.
“Guild Master Yuuto,” Jian began, his voice firm but laced with something heavier, more ominous. “I’m afraid that the purpose of my visit today is not just to exchange pleasantries.” Yuuto remained quiet, his gaze locked on Jian, waiting for him to continue.
“The Li family has come to a decision.” Jian’s eyes met Yuuto’s, unflinching. “In light of recent events, we will be severing all ties with the White Comet Guild, effective immediately.”
The words hit like a thunderclap in the silent office. Yuuto’s relaxed demeanor vanished in an instant, the lighthearted warmth of their earlier conversation dissolving into a sharp, cutting stillness.
His silver eyes narrowed slightly, focusing on Jian with intensity. The guild master didn’t move, but the aura around him seemed to shift, filling the room.
“Oh really? Care to fill me in on what these ‘recent events’ are?” Yuuto’s voice was low as he spoke.
Jian remained silent for a moment, the weight of his words still settling between them. His gaze remained steady, locked with Yuuto’s, as if gauging how far he could push.
“The events in the wastelands,” Jian said, his voice a bit tense. “Your White Comet Guild, specifically Alister, is believed to have been involved in the events that led to my son’s disappearance.” His words were direct, no longer choosing to hide behind politeness.
Yuuto’s expression remained unreadable, though his fingers drummed lightly on the surface of his desk. “So this is about Alister,” he said slowly.
“And you ‘believe’ he’s responsible?”
“I don’t ‘believe,’ I’m sure of it,” Jian replied, his voice rising slightly, the calm facade he had put on cracking just enough to show a touch of the anger brewing beneath.
Yuuto chuckled slightly, amused. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, fingers interlaced as he looked at Jian with a glint of curiosity in his silver eyes.
“What makes you believe Alister had a hand in this?”
“I’m dying to know.”
Jian gritted his teeth, his jaw visibly tightening. He couldn’t reveal the truth-that it was his family’s plan that had backfired, leading to his son’s disappearance. Admitting that would be equivalent to confessing their own intention to harm a member of the White Comet Guild, something Yuuto would certainly not let slide, something he would gladly go to war for. No, he had to tread carefully.
Yuuto, noticing the hesitation, continued.
“When the sandworm attacked, Alister gave his all to save his teammates. His armor was seriously damaged in his efforts-I know because I saw it for myself. I believe it was after that time the Reapers were discovered to be missing.”
“How does that connect to the White Comet Guild? Alister, grievously wounded, gave everything to protect his comrades. He even flew them to safety. When exactly would he have had the time or the strength to meet your son? Better yet, how would he have managed to wipe out an entire team without a trace? And why would he even bother?”
Yuuto gazed at Jian with a touch of amusement as he spoke skeptically.
Jian shifted uncomfortably, his fingers tapping lightly on his knee as he listened, but he held
his tongue for now, feeling the weight of Yuuto’s questioning bear down on him.
Yuuto then pressed forward, his voice dropping lower, sounding more like a threat than a question.
“Tell me, young Jian…”
“Why and how did Alister make your son and his team disappear? And what makes you so sure he did it? Go on… I’m listening.”
“Who knows, we may just uncover a mystery here.”
The room fell into a heavy silence as Yuuto’s words echoed ominously, daring Jian to respond.
Jian suddenly rose to his feet, his face a mask of cold resolve. “We’re done here,” he declared, voice firm as he squared his shoulders. “I stand by what I said. The Li family will be pulling all of our support from the White Comet Guild.”
Without another word, he turned on his heel, prepared to walk out. But just as he reached the door, Yuuto’s voice cut through the tension, dangerously calm and sharp like a blade
unsheathed.
“I think not.”
Jian froze, his hand hovering near the door, his entire body stiffening at the words. Slowly, he turned back to face Yuuto, eyes narrowing as he replied in an intense voice. “What?” Yuuto’s gaze narrowed, and he raised a single finger, as if lecturing a student who had just failed to grasp a crucial lesson.
“Union Law, clause 89…”
“It pertains to partnerships between guilds, organizations, or influential families. Once such partnerships have been recognized by the Union, each party is expected to uphold their end of the contract until its conclusion.”
Jian’s expression softened slightly, his brows knitting together as Yuuto continued.
“If, for any reason, either party wished to terminate the contract prematurely, they are required to provide a valid reason backed by verifiable evidence. Moreover, compensation must be provided to the other party for failing to honor the contract until its end.” Yuuto leaned forward slightly, his tone taking on a dangerous edge. “Failure to comply— should a complaint be lodged-could result in either an extension of the contract… or the offended party being granted the right to adjust the terms of the agreement as they see fit.” The words seemed to make the air suffocating around Jian. The small threat was unmistakable.
Jian clenched his fists, glaring at Yuuto, but the guild master remained unflinching, waiting
for his next move.
Jian’s expression hardened as he stared at Yuuto, his hands clenching at his sides.
“Impossible…”
“Being allowed to adjust the contents of the contract? That’s absurd. You must have made that up. I’ve never even heard of such a law in the first place.”
Yuuto, remaining calm, leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. “Oh, it’s very real, I assure
you. The clause was created with the intention of making both parties respect their agreements and refrain from acting out.”
“It was meant to be more like a bluff, a silent leach on both parties.”
“But it’s there nonetheless.”
He tilted his head slightly then said. “But if you still doubt its authenticity, we can always
head to the Union office and find out. Or better yet,” Yuuto paused, pulling a small cube from his uniform and turning it into a phone with a tap, “I could contact the branch director and have him confirm for us.”