The wooden splinters of the shattered freight wagon rained across the cobblestones, settling into a thick dust that smelled of pulverized herbs and crushed spirit stones.
Senior Brother Bai lowered his starry silver discipline ruler, stepping over the debris with deliberate, measured strides. He stopped directly before Han Ping, his white robes remaining spotless despite the powdery cloud hanging in the air.
"Three hundred spirit stones," Han Ping blubbered, clawing at his torn silk robes to pull out a velvet pouch, his hands shaking so violently that silver coins scattered across the wet stones. "Take the pouch, Senior Brother Bai! I have two properties on Riverbend Way, and five chests of mountain tea stored in the southern depot on Miller Creek Road! They are all yours if you let this
