The morning air had gone from cold to frigid during Liu Mei's presentation. Or maybe that was just Hunter's blood temperature dropping as he realized he still had actual crimes to answer for regardless of how nicely she'd reframed them.
Very plea bargain energy. Guilty but with mitigating circumstances.
Elder Feng studied him with eyes that had seen through better excuses over several centuries. The man's expression suggested he was calculating exactly how much trouble Hunter was worth.
"Lord Chen filed formal complaint with the sect," Elder Feng said. Official business tone. Not personal. Just procedural. "Northern Trade Coalition member. Established merchant with three decades of sect contracts. He claims you extorted one thousand silver through highway robbery disguised as toll collection."
"We charged passage fee for maintained roads," Hunter started.
"Silence." One word. Complete authority. Elder Feng didn't raise his voice. Didn't need to. "You'll speak when permitted."
