The Black Serpent Sect began climbing the mountain.
All wore identical robes.
On their backs — the emblem of a black serpent.
For ordinary people, climbing such a mountain would be nearly impossible.
But martial artists were different.
With Qi reinforcing their grip and multiplying their strength several times over, the ascent was difficult — but manageable.
Still…
They were human.
And humans grew tired.
One disciple paused to catch his breath.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Then—
He felt it.
A shadow.
His instincts screamed.
He looked up.
BOOM.
A massive boulder crushed down onto him.
There was no scream.
His body was smashed and hurled off the cliff like broken meat.
The surrounding disciples froze.
Then—
More shadows.
They looked up again.
This time—
Dozens of boulders thundered down the mountain.
Each one struck at least one person.
Bones shattered.
Screams echoed.
Bodies tumbled down the cliffs.
Panic exploded through the ranks.
"There's no cover!"
"Jump!"
Some disciples leapt off the cliff walls, using Qi to slow their descent.
Others clung desperately to the rock face.
A few brave ones grit their teeth and climbed faster.
"If we reach the top, we're safe!"
They pushed upward with desperation.
But they forgot something.
At the top of the mountain—
There was no safety.
Only death.
The moment one disciple pulled himself over the ridge—
A spear pierced through his skull.
Gluttony stood there calmly.
He pulled the spear free and kicked the corpse back down the mountain.
Pride stood beside him, eyes cold.
"Take anything valuable," Pride ordered.
"Then throw the bodies down."
The rebels obeyed without hesitation.
Headless corpses rolled down the slopes.
Blood stained the rocks.
Below, the Black Serpent Sect disciples watched the bodies of their comrades fall back toward them.
Morale shattered.
A disciple rushed toward the makeshift tent and knelt outside.
"Sect Master!"
Mo Xuan's voice came from inside.
"Enter."
The disciple stepped in.
Inside the tent, Mo Xuan sat at the head of the table. The ten elders were seated around him.
"Sect Master," the disciple reported, "climbing the mountain is not feasible. As we ascend, they drop massive boulders and crush our men."
Mo Xuan nodded slowly.
"I did not expect them to use such a method. They have a capable strategist."
His gaze shifted toward Shen Kai.
"Thanks to your advice, we sent the most useless disciples first. If we had not used them as meat shields, we might have lost our best warriors from the beginning."
Hearing this, Shen Kai clenched his fist slightly.
"Sect Master praises me too much."
Mo Xuan leaned forward.
"Now what should we do? We must end this quickly."
Shen Kai raised two fingers.
"There are two ways."
"First — we do nothing. We surround the mountain. In time, they will run out of supplies. They will either descend to fight… or starve."
He paused.
"But it may take weeks. Perhaps even months."
Mo Xuan narrowed his eyes.
"And the second?"
Shen Kai's voice became colder. The second option requires sacrifice. But I can guarantee the war will end in one day. Silence fell inside the tent.
"Explain," Mo Xuan said.
Shen Kai continued.
"I surveyed the mountain terrain. There is a narrow path behind the mountain. It is the shortest route to their stronghold. But for that to work…We must force them to focus entirely on the front."
Mo Xuan understood immediately.
"You want to send disciples to distract them."
"Yes."
"And they will most likely die."
An elder slammed the table.
"What are you saying?! You want to sacrifice our disciples?"
Another elder chimed in angrily.
"This is madness!"
An elderly woman spoke firmly.
"We understand strategy requires difficult decisions… but this—"
Shen Kai interrupted calmly.
"That is why I will lead the front assault. And three other elders will accompany me."
The tent went silent.
Mo Xuan looked at him.
"You intend to risk yourself?"
Before Shen Kai could answer—
An elderly woman stood.
Elder Yu.
Beside her rose two more elders — Junjie and Haoran.
"We will go to the front," Elder Yu said.
"These old bones still have some strength left. If we must die… then we die in battle."
Mo Xuan's expression shifted slightly.
"You don't have to—"
Elder Yu cut him off.
"We built this sect with blood and sweat. This is the turning point of our sect. If we win, we gain glory. But If we lose… the Black Serpent Sect will cease to exist."
She stepped closer and looked directly into Mo Xuan's eyes.
"So don't lose."
After confirming the plan, Shen Kai left the tent.
The camp was restless. Torches burned. Armor clinked. Low voices murmured in the dark.
He walked until he found Mori Jin standing alone.
"Mori Jin."
The young disciple turned immediately.
"Master."
Shen Kai looked at him for a moment before speaking.
"Tomorrow, I will lead the assault from the front."
Mori Jin's fists tightened instantly.
"Then I will come with you."
His voice was firm—
But his hands were trembling.
He had seen it.
The boulders.
The crushed bodies.
The brutal deaths.
Shen Kai noticed the trembling.
"There is no need," he said calmly.
"You will go with the Sect Leader through the rear path."
"I will inform him myself."
Mori Jin's eyes widened.
"Master—"
"This is my final decision."
There was no room for argument.
Shen Kai turned and walked away.
Mori Jin stood there, frozen.
After some distance, Shen Kai slowed his steps.
He exhaled.
"I never thought," he murmured to himself, "that I would go out of my way to save a disciple."
If Mori Jin followed him to the front—
His death would be guaranteed.
But with the Sect Leader…
He might survive.
Shen Kai looked down at his own hands.
They were trembling.
He stared at them quietly.
"So…"
"It seems I am afraid of death too."
He laughed softly.
Not bravely.
Not proudly.
Just honestly.