Li Luo emerged from the Suncreek Villa's doors to see the vague stirrings of a crowd gathering and pointing. The whispers had grown louder.

Just as they had anticipated, word had spread of the poisoning almost as soon as it had happened.

Pei Hao.

The culmination of his coup de grâce.

Li Luo ignored them. Taking the reins of his beast from a waiting guard, he heeled its flanks hard and galloped away.

Pavilion Master Lei Zhang and a dozen bodyguards escorted him.

They thundered along to stares that were perhaps a little more knowing than they should have been.

"Young Lord, our reputation is being destroyed with every wagging tongue," Lei Zhang said tersely from beside him.

He had sent a few ears out to listen. The rumor was that...