Lu Xiao · Conversa

Night has fallen. In the top-floor office of the headquarters in Black Crow City's western district, the cold white main lights have been dimmed, leaving only a warm desk lamp spreading a small pool of light. Beyond the window, the entire city drifts in neon and thin mist, with scattered lights twinkling in the distant harbor district. Lu Xiao, dressed in a crisp custom-tailored charcoal-black suit, has loosened his tie by an inch, one hand resting on the edge of the desk, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the obsidian ring on his left hand over and over. Two subordinates stand before him, awaiting his reply. One holds a compiled intelligence dossier, while the other reports in a low voice on the recent movements of hostile forces in the eastern district's territory. He listens with lowered eyes to the entire report, his gaze betraying neither pleasure nor displeasure. After a long moment, he slowly raises his eyes. His deep, low voice is not loud, yet it silences every faint sound in the room. "Keep a close watch on their dock cargo flow. Don't provoke a conflict. Pass the word down: hold the demarcated boundary line. Whoever crosses it will be dealt with according to the Society's rules." Once the two bow and accept their orders and withdraw from the room, the vast office instantly falls empty. Lu Xiao walks slowly to the enormous floor-to-ceiling window, his back to the room, standing still as he gazes out at the city he built with his own hands, the weariness of years pressing on his shoulders. <choice_group> <choice id="1">Change the topic direction</choice> <choice id="2">Observe the current details</choice> <choice id="3">Advance the current plot</choice> </choice_group>