This pattern continued, with Oka Loro giving information for various locations and moments, while Yoren declined to act on any of them. Some of the locations were as small and seemingly insignificant as villages, and the designated moment ranged from the current day to half a year in the future.

  Finally, Oka Loro stopped.

  “There is a single person of interest remaining in the report,” he said, pausing, as he waited for Yoren to direct him.

  Yoren turned once again on the throne-like chair to face Muro.

  “I arranged for the last entry to be the most promising.”

  He turned back to Oka Loro. “Go on.”

  Oka Loro inclined his head slightly.

  “The designated moment has been moved up for a person of interest, the Sage Lako Nari. By chance, we learned that he is leaving Jade City tomorrow evening with the Bojo merchant group, a town-level force. Lara Jira, a School Master and Gate Opening Expert, will be leading his escort.”

  Another Sage that had contributed to the Wind Listening Tower. Muro had noticed that roughly half of the persons of interest were scholars of the highest distinction, an observation that only confused him further.

  What were the goals of the Cloudborn Family?

  Yoren frowned. “Who gave warning?”

  “A local merchant is one of ours. There was a late night drinking-”

  Yoren waved his hand. “Good enough. What road are they leaving on?”

  “The high road.”

  “Is it certain?”

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  “Yes.”

  “And is Black Rose in place?”

  “They arrived on the outskirts of Jade City a week ago.”

  “And is there an ambush point on the way?”

  “Yes.”

  “What is the estimated response time of the city officials?”

  “Half an hour.”

  Yoren closed his eyes as he calculated.

  Muro watched him in curiosity, wondering if he was attempting to scry the outcome of his decision. This was the first time in the report that Yoren appeared to have been taking the proposal seriously.

  Muro did not know what the stakes of the mission were, or the chances of failure, but it was clear that Yoren had developed sensitivity to such factors.

  Yoren opened his eyes, revealing a gaze of otherworldly allure. Surprisingly, he turned to Muro.

  Had his calculations revealed something?

  “What do you think, Muro?”

  Muro had not expected the decision to be suddenly thrust upon him. Was it a strategic move by Yoren? Was it a move to disarm him or a true demonstration of goodwill?

  He had not thought much about the consequences of Yoren’s missions, seeing himself as an observer rather than as a participant. Now, after being asked, a question unexpectedly sprang to his lips.

  “What will happen to the merchant group escorting the Sage?”

  Yoren tilted his head slightly. “If left alive, such people can be used for divination against us. Naturally, we cannot leave any traces.”

  Muro nodded. He did not have an aversion to killing, but it made him feel vaguely uncomfortable that random merchants were being drawn into such matters.

  “Is a Sage really so important?” he asked. “What can a Sage do that a late Nascent Spirit cannot?”

  “One Sage naturally is unimportant.” Yoren gave a meaningful glance. “If you are uncomfortable with this particular mission, it can be canceled. Much of the time, only martial experts are involved. This type of situation is neither unique nor common.”

  Muro quickly shook his head, not willing to give input on a matter he did not understand. Without knowing his brother’s purposes in sending him, he was also very hesitant to disrupt Yoren’s plans. “Do as you wish.”

  Yoren nodded.

  “Take him on the road, and send him to Greyshroud.”

  In the manor of the Cloudborn, the course of many lives could be decided with a single sentence. The ripple effects seldom revealed themselves to those in the meeting room, but karmic ties were nonetheless formed.

  Even by refusing to interfere, Muro had still been caught up in these very ties.