The slaves were now fed properly, given space to rest, and no longer forced into exhausting labor. Even so, they had not questioned it openly.
They could not.
The seals ensured obedience.
Still, they understood something had changed.
They knew they had been taken from the mines.
They knew someone had intervened.
They simply did not know who.
Qing Luan had told them only what Han Yu had permitted.
That a benefactor had saved them.
That this benefactor shared their enemies.
That was enough.
For people who had lost everything, even that small piece of information was sufficient to hold onto.
Some of them had attempted to offer their help. They had asked, cautiously, if there was work they could do in return for their improved conditions.
They had been refused.
The risk was too great.
So they waited.
And now…
That waiting was about to end.
