The leader of the treasury branch was a strong-willed woman, a person even Baek Junghwa had a problem dealing with, mostly because of her negotiation skills.
Once she sets her sights on something, she will always get her way. She rarely needed to fight because her words alone could corner an opponent, leaving them no choice but to submit.
Junghwa respected her, not because she was strong in cultivation, but because she was irreplaceable. Even he had to be cautious when dealing with her, as she could cripple his sect financially if she wished.
The older woman sat in the inner chamber, the air thick with silence and tension. A lacquered table stretched between them, polished to a mirror finish. On one side sat Lady Dan Hye-rin, her robe a deep forest green, embroidery glinting with purple thread. She did not bother to bow when Baek Junghwa entered—she never did.
"You're late," she said, sipping her tea, gaze never lifting from the ledgers in front of her.
