Iron Lake City called itself neutral.
Neutrality, I was learning, was just another commodity.
And like all commodities, it had a price.
The city council arrived at dawn.
Not together.
That would have implied unity.
Instead, they came in fragments—three elders through the main gate, two from the eastern wall, and one brave—or foolish—merchant lord who approached alone.
He bowed deeply. "Li Shen."
I nodded. "You're late."
His smile twitched. "Neutrality takes… discussion."
They didn't invite us inside.
They invited me.
Classic.
"Your companions may remain outside the walls," the lead elder said smoothly. "This is a negotiation between authorities."
I looked back at the camp.
At the survivors training quietly.
At Xueyi, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
Then back to the elders.
"No," I said.
The word landed heavier than any threat.
The elder frowned. "Iron Lake City offers protection, trade rights, and recognition—"
"In exchange for control," I finished. "Say it properly."
Silence.
Then honesty, forced by lack of options.
"We cannot remain neutral if you stay," another elder admitted. "Sects are pressuring us. Heaven is observing us."
I smiled faintly. "So neutrality costs you more with me than without me."
The merchant lord swallowed. "Yes."
Xueyi stepped forward.
"And what does neutrality buy us?" she asked.
The elders exchanged glances.
"Time," one said. "Access. Information."
"Restrictions," another added quickly. "No public teaching. No doctrine spread. No recruitment."
I laughed.
Not loudly.
Dangerously.
"You want us invisible," I said. "While benefiting from our existence."
The merchant lord forced a laugh. "That is… the art of neutrality."
I shook my head.
"That's cowardice with better branding."
The pressure returned.
Subtle.
Measured.
Not from the elders.
From above.
Heaven listening.
Waiting to see if compromise would succeed.
I felt the familiar itch.
Correction hovering.
I met the elders' gaze.
"Here's the price of neutrality," I said calmly.
"You open your gates. You trade with us like anyone else. You don't interfere."
"And?" the lead elder asked carefully.
"And when the sects come knocking," I continued, "you tell them the truth."
Xueyi smiled.
"That you were too slow to stop us," I finished.
Dead silence.
The elders paled.
"That will make us enemies."
I shrugged. "Only of people who think neutrality means obedience."
The merchant lord exhaled slowly.
Then bowed.
"Iron Lake City will open its gates," he said quietly. "On one condition."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Teach no one inside the walls."
I considered it.
Then nodded.
"Fine," I said. "Walls are for people afraid of ideas anyway."
The gates opened.
Not triumphantly.
Reluctantly.
As if the city itself wasn't sure it had chosen correctly.
Inside, whispers spread like wildfire.
Anomaly entered.
Unchained walked among them.
Nothing broke.
Nothing exploded.
Which somehow made it worse.
That night, Xueyi stood beside me on a rooftop.
"You gave them exactly what they wanted," she said.
"No," I replied. "I gave them what they could afford."
She looked at the city lights.
"And when they can't afford it anymore?"
I smiled at the sky.
"Then neutrality collapses."
Far above, a ledger closed.
A note was added.
Not approval.
Not correction.
Escalation.
[Urban Accord — TEMPORARY]
Stability Projection: Declining
Future Conflict Probability: High
I stretched.
"Well," I said lightly, "let's enjoy hospitality while it lasts."
Xueyi laughed softly.
And somewhere unseen—
Someone began planning the end of neutrality.