Huaisang's brows lift in surprise, studying his captive for a moment. "He has access to those?" he asks after a pause. Then purses his lips, suspecting he knows the answer. "Ah. Perhaps through his Lan contacts. Depending on their corruption or his willingness to turn on them."

Huaisang's pen swipes across the page, noting down both titles. "That's very hypothetical payment. Still owed, as you said."

He waves his fingers dismissively at the soldiers who brought him in. "You may release him, thank you. I think our guest is ready to negotiate in a civilized manner."

The silvery ropes drop away and the soldiers all take a step back, giving Doul freedom of movement. "Did he explain to you the hypothetical delicacies of his being able to access the known copy of The Simple Man's Bright Mirror in the Lan archives?"