0010.

"She may not be my mother…anymore," Wu Yan conceded, his voice tight with simmering anger, "but a part of her remains. A part that deserves respect and freedom."

Su Jin tapped his fingers on the armrest, his gaze steady, He studied Wu Yan, a glint of frustration clear in his eyes. It was clear Wu Yan wasn't truly understanding the facts. 

This human-serpent hybrid is not her mother except for her genome. Explaining genetics might be beyond the point. Su Jin sighed, running a hand through his hair. 

Should he reveal the truth? That only a bunch of cells from his mother were used to grow an entirely new person, so the one in front of him is not truly her? But would it really matter? It wouldn't bring back the mother Wu Yan knew and loved.

"Perhaps," Su Jin conceded, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "But freedom comes at a hefty price. There's a reason she obeys me. The procedure I used to bring her back...it was messy. Unstable. A constant tightrope walk. There's always the risk of the beast within taking over what's left of your mother." His voice softened to a sly whisper. "Who knows, maybe complete savagery is all that truly remains."

Su Jin decided to take advantage of Wu Yan's stubbornness. Honesty, it seemed, was a wasted effort. This is an opportunity – a way to exploit Wu Yan's emotional turmoil. 

A smirk played on Su Jin's lips as he crafted a plan in his mind. He wouldn't force honesty; he would manipulate. Wu Yan's misplaced attachment to this...creature...could be worthwhile. 

By playing on the boy's emotions and fears, Su Jin could steer him in the direction he desired, turning him into a pawn in a game with far greater stakes than Wu Yan could even begin to comprehend.

"This would be fun." Su Jin thought in his mind as he waited for Wu Yan's answer.

"Alright," Wu Yan conceded knowingly, seeing clearly that he was getting trapped in a web of schemes. However, he couldn't shake off the guilt he felt towards his mother. He resolved to ask his father about what happened after his exile, and to confront the exploitation of his mother's honor by the Holy Serpent Sect's Elder.

Taking a deep breath, Wu Yan locked eyes with Su Jin. "Do you know anything about the Holy Serpent Sect's Elder exploiting my mother's honor?" he asked, his voice tinged with a desire for revenge.

"I have no knowledge of that," Su Jin said casually, his voice disinterested. "Never explored that part of her memories. Maybe it's the truth, explains the way she lashed out at you at the first sight of you."

The answer did little to quash Wu Yan's suspicions. He narrowed his eyes. "Then tell me straight," he demanded, his voice firm, "what do you need me for?"

"I need you as a guard," Su Jin explained, "and for help finding your Soul Artifact – the Null-Point Core Reactor, as I call it."

"Guard you?" Wu Yan was surprised at first, but then he scoffed, glancing toward the imposing figure of the R1, Su Jin's stoic dark guard. "Seems you already have the best."

"Oh, R1? He is the best but do you know how costly he is?" Su Jin scoffed. "Also, he scares everyone away, it's bad for business. No offense, R1." Su Jin threw a quick, almost mocking glance at the stoic guard. 

"Also I can't bring him everywhere, there are some limitations, also his presence is not always appropriate, and frankly, some situations require a more…subtle touch because he is too…direct. " Su Jin made a finger-gun gesture, sending a shiver down Wu Yan's spine. He didn't want to witness that kind of carnage anytime soon.

Su Jin leaned forward, his gaze unwavering. "You, on the other hand, could be ideal."

"What if I fail?" Wu Yan asked, doubting himself as he compared himself with R1. In fact, he very well knows he is not even worth comparing, his entire pride of being genius and powerful has been shattered by R1 in a moment when R1 took down his whole Shadow Wolf Gang in mere moments.

Su Jin's lips stretched into a smile almost to his eyes. "Failure isn't an option," he countered, his voice smooth as silk. "I'll train you, myself. You'll become a force unlike any this world has ever seen. The best armor, the finest weapons – you'll have everything you need." 

He leaned forward, his gaze locked onto Wu Yan as if holding him down captive. "But your role will extend beyond mere protection. You'll be my assistant, confidant to secrets most wouldn't dare dream of. And yes," he added, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes, "you'll also be my mannequin, a living display for the wonders I possess."

Wu Yan's eyes widened, a spark of fascination igniting within them. Su Jin's charming words painted a picture of power and privilege, a world beyond anything Wu Yan had ever imagined. His dream of ambition, his childhood dream of power and glory, all was in Su Jin's words. Yet, a sliver of suspicion, cold and sharp, snaked its way through his fascination. Was Su Jin offering an opportunity, or was he dangling a gilded cage?

"Of course, if you promise unwavering loyalty," Su Jin added, his voice calm and charming, interrupting Wu Yan's internal thoughts.

Wu Yan looked directly into Su Jin's eyes, he could see everything clearly, as if Su Jin was letting him know that yes, this is a scheme, filled with lies and twists but also promises, do you dare or not? Su Jin's smirk widened, a silent challenge hanging in the air: Do you dare take the gamble, Wu Yan? 

Wu Yan's wounded pride stirred within him like a wounded beast, urging him to accept the challenge. Despite the turmoil within him, the remnants of his former arrogance still smoldered in the ashes of his burnt ego. 

He longed to rise up and outwit Su Jin at his own game, to reclaim his sense of superiority and control. Could he turn the tables, and outmaneuver Su Jin at his own game? Or would he simply become another pawn, another victim of his machinations?

"You don't have to answer yet," Su Jin interjected smoothly, his tone carrying an air of finality. "Not until Serene Jade City is safe. If the city survives, then you're free to reject my offer. But I'd appreciate it if you do accept. If the city falls, however, I'll be the only one who can offer you a secure shelter." He laid out his terms clearly, leaving no room for negotiation.

"Unless, of course, you decide now..." With a flick of his wrist, a long, curved, dark sword materialized in Su Jin's hand. It bore markings of countless battles, its ancient yet pristine appearance exuding an aura of danger. Wu Yan's desire for power flared at the sight of the weapon.

"This sword could be yours," Su Jin offered with a smile, his eyes glinting with the promise of power.

"What is this sword?" Wu Yan's voice trembled with excitement, his gaze fixed on the weapon before him. All thoughts of pride, guilt, and caution towards Su Jin's schemes vanished from his mind. 

All he could focus on was the temptation of power, beckoning him like a siren's song. The helplessness he had endured since his exile was too much to bear. This sword promised him the strength he craved, the power to reclaim what was lost.

"This is Yoruichimaru - the Conqueror of Thousand Nightmares," Su Jin explained, his tone filled with reverence as he conjured a scabbard out of darkness to sheathe the blade. With a sudden motion, he tossed the sword to Wu Yan, who caught it in a daze. His eyes widened in awe as he caressed the scabbard, admiring its beauty like a lover captivated by their beloved.

Slowly, Wu Yan reached for the hilt and gripped it with his right hand, ready to unsheathe the blade. But before he could act, Su Jin issued a warning.

"Beware," he cautioned. "If you draw that sword, it means you have accepted my offer."

Wu Yan ignored him, his eyes cold, a hint of hunger flickering within them. There was nothing left to decide. He had already chosen his path.

*CLANK* *KACHINK*

With a flick of his wrist, Wu Yan drew Yoruichimaru from its scabbard, a faint metallic hum echoing in the air. The sharp edge of the blade gleamed under the only lamp light with an ominous and menacing glow.

"Consider it done," Wu Yan declared, his voice devoid of emotion but laced with a dangerous undercurrent. A predator awakened, a hunger unleashed.

Su Jin smiled, as if everything was playing out exactly as he had planned. Wu Yan, blinded by ambition and the promise of power, didn't see the subtle gleam of triumph in Su Jin's eyes. A veil of ambition clouded his vision. He didn't see the trap, only the intoxicating promise of power shimmering within the blade.

*HORN*

Suddenly, a deafening longhorn shattered the eerie silence of the night. It was followed by a chorus of fierce war cries that echoed in the entire Serene Jade City. "For Serene Jade City!" the defending soldiers roared.