As they stepped outside, the cool air washed over Kai, a refreshing contrast to the oppressive atmosphere within the tent. He could feel the weight of Sato’s gaze on his back, but he refused to let it deter him.

  Once they were a safe distance away, Kai knelt down to Lu Bu’s level, concern etched on his face. “Are you alright?” he asked gently, brushing a stray hair from the child’s forehead. Lu Bu nodded, though his eyes still held a flicker of fear.

  “I don’t want to go back in there,” Lu Bu whispered, glancing nervously toward the tent.

  “I know,” Kai replied, his voice steady and reassuring. “But we won’t let him take you. So, just put up with it a little longer.”

  Kai scanned the area, searching for a place where he could remain unseen. His eyes landed on a secluded spot behind an abandoned makeshift shack, its weathered walls leaning precariously to one side. It seemed the perfect hideaway, far from prying eyes. He quickly made his way behind the shack, glancing over his shoulder one last time to ensure no one was watching.

  Once he was certain he was alone, with a flicker of qi, Kai reached into his storage ring. He began to pull out leather, piece after piece, until a sizable pile began to form at his feet. The hides were of high quality, each one carefully prepared and preserved, enough to easily make more than twenty coats.

  Ever since he had begun traveling with the spirit beasts from the Ember Sword Sect, Kai had spent nearly a year in the wilds, forging a unique bond with his beastly companions. Together, they roamed the untamed landscapes, relying on their instincts and skills to hunt for sustenance. And, they often brought him their catches as gifts, a gesture of their affection and respect.

  These creatures were adept hunters, capable of taking down prey much larger than themselves. After a successful hunt, they would bring it back for Kai to skin and process the animals, storing the hides and meat in his storage ring. They would even share portions of the meat with other spirit beasts in their group, creating a sense of community among them. This symbiotic relationship had not only kept Kai and everyone well-fed but had also resulted in an impressive accumulation of leather.

  As he stood behind the makeshift shack, in front of the pile of hides he had just summoned, Kai realized the extent of his resources. The amount of leather still left in his spatial ring could easily make over a hundred coats, perhaps even more. While Sato’s demand for twenty coats was still an absurd amount, it was a price Kai could actually afford to pay.

  Lu Bu watched in wide-eyed amazement as the pile of leather grew larger. “Wow, Uncle Kai! Where did you get all that leather?” he exclaimed, his voice a delightful mix of surprise and admiration.

  Kai smiled, feeling a swell of pride in his resourcefulness. “I’ve been collecting these hides for a while now,” he replied, glancing down at the impressive stack. “But I have to ask—when did you start calling me ‘uncle’?”

  “Um, am I not allowed to?” Lu Bu asked, his brow furrowing slightly in confusion.

  “No, that’s actually fine,” Kai said, a genuine smile spreading across his face. He realized he liked being called “uncle” far more than the countless derogatory nicknames his former sect had used to belittle him. “In fact, I actually like it. So feel free to call me Uncle Kai.”

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  “OK! Uncle Kai!” Lu Bu said excitedly, his face lighting up with joy.

  “Heh,” Kai chuckled at the child’s enthusiasm, feeling a warmth in his heart. It was a stark contrast to the coldness he had often experienced in the past. “Now, come on, help me carry some of these hides.”

  With renewed energy, Lu Bu eagerly jumped in to assist, grabbing a few of the lighter pieces and struggling a bit under their weight. Kai couldn’t help but laugh at the sight. “Careful there! You don’t want to trip and fall.”

  “I got it! I got it!” Lu Bu insisted, determination etched on his small face as he waddled alongside Kai, doing his best to keep up.

  As they made their way back toward the merchant’s tent, Kai felt a sense of camaraderie growing between them. This child, who had once been so frightened and alone, was now a source of joy and motivation for him. He was no longer just a protector; he was becoming a mentor, a figure of stability in Lu Bu’s life.

  “Uncle Kai, do you think we’ll really get the map?” Lu Bu asked, glancing up at him with wide, hopeful eyes.

  Kai nodded, his expression serious but encouraging. “We will. I have a plan, and I won’t let Sato intimidate us.”

  Lu Bu beamed at his words, his confidence bolstered by Kai’s assurance. “I believe in you, Uncle Kai!”

  As they approached the tent, Kai and Lu Bu did their best to appear inconspicuous. The large bundles of leather they carried were cumbersome, but they pressed on, determined to fulfill Sato’s outrageous demand.

  They walked past the guard in the tent, who raised an eyebrow in surprise at the sheer volume of leather they were hauling. Kai offered a nod, trying to maintain an air of nonchalance, while Lu Bu focused intently on balancing his load.

  Once inside the tent, Kai made his way to the central table, its surface cluttered with various goods and wares. He carefully laid the bundles of leather on top, the weight settling heavily on it.

  Sato, who had been seated at a nearby table, looked up in disbelief as the leather piled higher and higher. His mouth fell open, eyes wide with astonishment. “Where in the world…” he began, trailing off as he struggled to comprehend the sheer amount of leather Kai had brought him.

  The merchant’s expression shifted from surprise to a mix of intrigue and suspicion. “You actually managed to gather this much?” he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. “You were only gone a few minutes?”

  Kai met Sato’s gaze, a confident smile playing on his lips. “I told you I would bring what you asked for.”

  Sato’s eyes narrowed as he scrutinized the leather, his mind racing with possibilities. “This is… i need to examine it first,” he admitted, though his tone remained guarded.

  Sato got up and walked over to the table, his boots making soft thuds against the carpet floor as he approached the array of leathers spread out before him. The rich, earthy scents of the hides filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of the dried spices in the tent. He leaned in closer, scrutinizing the texture and sheen of each piece, his discerning eye quickly assessing their quality. It was clear to him that these leathers were exceptional—far beyond what he had expected to find in this refugee camp.

  Kai had poured a great deal of effort into skinning and processing the hides from the creatures his spirit beast had hunted. Each piece was a testament to his skill, the result of countless hours spent perfecting his craft. As Sato examined the leather, a glint of greed sparked in his eyes, and Kai could practically see gold coins shimmering in the depths of his gaze. The way Sato's fingers traced the contours of the leather sent a chill down Kai's spine, and he felt a sudden unease settle in the pit of his stomach.

  The smile that crept across Sato's face was anything but reassuring. It reminded Kai of a time back at the Ember Sword sect when he had been trading spirit herbs at the alchemy pavilion. He had been naive then, trusting the wrong people and getting swindled out of valuable medicine. That same predatory glint was now present in Sato's expression, and it filled Kai with dread.

  “These leathers are of the finest quality,” Sato said, his voice smooth yet laced with a sinister undertone. “But they’re too fine…who did you steal this from?” His malevolent smile widened, revealing a hint of malice.

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