"You're stubborn!" Xue Mo snapped, his voice tight with exasperation. He clenched his jaw, frustration flickering in his eyes. "I told you, I can't give you an answer. Don't waste your time asking!"
As those words slipped from his trembling lips, Xue Mo spun on his heel and stormed out of the cell.
The heavy door slammed behind him, leaving Gong Xie standing alone in the dim light.
Gong Xie's sharp gaze followed Xue Mo's retreating figure, his fists clenching at his sides in silent anger.
Every time Gong Xie tried to press him about his true identity, Xue Mo refused to answer—and this was no exception.
What made it worse was that this time, Gong Xie had revealed the description of the mysterious informant, expecting at least a reaction.
Instead, he was met with the same stubborn silence.
At the threshold of the cell, Xue Mo paused, casting a steely glance at the guards stationed nearby.
"Watch him closely. If anything unusual happens, report to me immediately," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.
The guard who had just locked the gate gave a curt nod.
Xue Mo leaned in, lowering his voice so only his trusted guard could hear.
"After today, transfer him to the Mortal Toil Valley. Make sure the informant can't reach him again," he murmured, giving the guard's shoulder a firm, meaningful pat before finally taking his leave.
Inside the cell, Gong Xie's mind raced with suspicion about his former master's intentions.
He hurried to the bars as the guard secured the lock.
"What is he planning? Tell me!" Gong Xie demanded, his voice edged with desperation.
But the guard simply averted his gaze, ignoring Gong Xie's plea.
Without a word, he turned and walked away, leaving Gong Xie alone with his unanswered questions and the echo of Xue Mo's command lingering in the air.
Your day will come, Xue Mo. When that day arrives, I won't let it pass quietly. I'll make sure you answer for everything you've done—no matter what it takes.
His mind churned with contempt.
Outside, way to Blood Shadow Sect.
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows through the tangled undergrowth of Wild Forest Valley.
Two figures moved steadily along the winding path, their robes brushing against the thick ferns and mossy stones.
One of the men appeared ancient—his presence exuded the weight of centuries, as if he had witnessed a thousand years pass by. His features were lined with wisdom and age, every step measured and deliberate.
Beside him walked a younger man, perhaps two or three hundred years old, his posture alert and purposeful.
The younger man bore the insignia of the Blood Shadow Sect, marking him as one of its loyal members.
The elder was no ordinary traveler.
He was a confidant of the legendary Liu Fang, the most courageous leader of the Dusk Venator Sect.
For countless years, Liu Fang and the Blood Shadow Sect Leader had shared a bond forged through countless trials—enduring triumphs and tragedies, will and woe alike.
Their friendship had weathered the storms of sect politics and the dangers of the martial world.
Now, with dusk approaching and the valley growing darker, these two men journeyed onward—carrying with them the weight of old alliances and secrets yet to be revealed.
The younger man broke the silence.
"Elder Hui Min, it won't be long before we reach the sect's base. Master Xue Mo is waiting for you."
Elder Hui Min smiled, a trace of longing in his eyes.
"I miss Xue Mo too. It's already been a year since I last visited him. I wonder how he's been." He glanced at his companion thoughtfully. "Ever since Liu Fang helped Xue Mo forge that cell cauldron, I was entrusted with handling some of the sect's affairs. It's been quite a responsibility."
"Master has indeed been busy these days, and he's been under pressure because of matters concerning Gong Xie."
At this revelation, Elder Hui Min stopped in his tracks and turned slowly to face his companion.
"Gong Xie? Is he causing trouble for Xue Mo again?"
The younger man nodded.
"He keeps pressing Master about his identity, but Master always refuses to answer him."
"Really?" Elder Hui Min murmured, his brows knitting with concern.
A heavy silence settled over them, the forest suddenly holding its breath.
In that instant, a faint rustle disturbed the tranquil air.
The young man tensed, instincts sharpening as his hand moved swiftly to grip the hilt of his sword.
Elder Hui Min's gaze flickered around their surroundings, his mind keenly analyzing every shadow and sound, searching for the source of the disturbance.
"Show yourself!" Hui Min called out, his voice echoing through the trees.
But there was no response—only the persistent rustling, low and elusive.
As the hush repeated, the two men exchanged wary glances.
They moved cautiously, stepping lightly over tangled roots and fallen leaves, scanning the dense foliage for any sign of movement.
Every sense sharpened, both prepared for whatever—and whoever—might be lurking in the shadows.
Behind a dense cluster of bushes, a figure emerged—clad in black, hood drawn low, and wrapped in a billowing cloak.
The young man reacted instantly, unsheathing his sword in a fluid motion and leveling the blade at the stranger, whose back was turned toward the north.
"Who are you?" he demanded, voice firm and unwavering. "This valley belongs to my sect. Anyone found here without the master's permission will face punishment."
The hooded figure turned slowly, her movements cautious yet unafraid.
When she spoke, her words were measured, as if she weighed each one before letting it pass her lips.
"Just a passerby," she replied coolly. "These bushes are rather impolite, wouldn't you say? They had no regard for a traveler and ruined my cloak."
She held up the edge of her robe, revealing a long, jagged tear running through the fabric.
The old man, Hui Min, narrowed his eyes, studying the stranger carefully.
He noted how she kept her head bowed, deliberately avoiding their gaze.
Sensing her wariness, he quickly swept his eyes over the darkening forest, alert to any hidden threats.
It was getting late—an odd hour for anyone to be wandering the valley, especially a lone woman.
Hui Min's concern deepened.
Infiltrating sect territory at dusk was dangerous, and for a woman, the risks were even greater.
He let out a quiet sigh before speaking in a gentle but firm tone.
"Young lady, you're courting misfortune lingering here. If I were you, I'd leave this place at once and return home while you still can," Hui Min advised.
The woman remained silent, offering no reply.
The young man's suspicion only grew.
He leaned forward, trying to catch a glimpse of her face, but she never lifted her gaze.
Her eyes remained fixed on the ground, her posture guarded and unyielding.
After a moment, the woman gave a slight nod and spoke softly, her voice tinged with gratitude.
"Thank you for your concern. I'm leaving."
She turned to go, but before she could take more than a few steps, the young man moved swiftly, stepping in front of her and blocking her path.
His stance was unwavering, eyes narrowed with suspicion.
The woman paused, watching him quietly, making no sudden moves.
"Wait!" he called out, his grip tightening on his sword. "This is the first time I've seen you here. If your visit truly isn't intentional and you mean no harm to our sect, then why won't you show us your face?"
The world seemed to still for a moment, the young man's challenge hanging in the thick air.
The woman remained motionless beneath her hood, which obscured her entire head and framed her delicate features.
A black veil mask covered the lower half of her face, leaving only her eyes visible—mesmerizing and alluring, though still partially shrouded by the deep shadows of her cloak.
To the two men, her concealed appearance was impenetrable.
All they could see was a silhouette veiled in darkness, mysterious as the mouth of an abandoned cave, her true identity hidden safely behind layers of cloth and shadow.
Faced with her silence, the young man smirked, a hint of contempt in his eyes.
"If you refuse to reveal yourself, you can't just walk away. We'll have to bring you to our sect and let our master decide how to handle your trespassing. What do you say?"
The veiled woman remained composed, offering no reply, her stillness only deepening the mystery.
Eager—and impatient—to unmask her, the young man stepped closer, his sword raised cautiously.
With a swift motion, he used the blade to lift her hood, pulling it back from her head.
As the hood slipped away, her face was exposed at last.
A pair of sharp, deadly eyes met theirs, her gaze unflinching and intense—so fierce that both men involuntarily took a step back, startled by the force of her presence.
"Who are you!" the young man demanded, voice rising in alarm.
Behind the young man, Elder Hui Min froze, his mind spinning.
That piercing gaze—he was certain he'd seen it before, somewhere in the distant past.
He glanced down, lost in thought, struggling to recall a memory that hovered just out of reach.
The young lady's eyes narrowed, her voice cutting through the tension, icy and contemptuous despite being muffled by her mask.
"I respected your concern for my safety, but you have crossed the line. How dare you remove my cloak without my consent?"
After the woman spoke, the young man's eyes drifted downward, catching sight of the token hanging at her waist.
Moonveil Saint Sect?
His breath caught in his throat, eyes widening in shock. He struggled to form words, a realization dawning on him.
Could it be… she—
Before he could finish, the young lady spoke, her voice laced with a murderous edge.
"I can hear you," she warned coldly.
The young man instinctively staggered back, thrusting an arm in front of Elder Hui Min as if to shield him.
"Elder Hui, you should go first—warn the sect! Tell them, the Supreme Warrior is invading our territory!"
Shock flashed across Hui Min's face.
"Supreme—?"
"Go! I'll handle this," the young man insisted, urgency in his voice.
Without hesitation, Hui Min turned and sprinted away to carry out the command.
But in a flash, the black-veiled woman—none other than Yue Chan, the Supreme Warrior and top disciple of the Moonveil Saint Sect—vanished from her spot.
In the blink of an eye, she reappeared directly in Hui Min's path.
With a swift motion, she unleashed a surge of internal force, striking him and sending him hurtling back to where they'd stood moments before.
After delivering the strike, Yue Chan stood motionless, her composure unshaken as she brought her hands together in a graceful, deliberate gesture.
The young man rushed to Elder Hui Min's side, helping him to sit up, worry etched across his face.
"Supreme Warrior, you're ruthless! Elder Hui is already advanced in years—using such a forceful technique could have seriously hurt him!"
Yue Chan's eyes glinted coldly above her veil.
"Ruthless? He's unharmed. Why would I do anything undeserved to him—unless it's you who wishes to put me at risk?" Her gaze sharpened, voice steady and unwavering. "I don't recall ever offending you, or your sect."
"You're unreasonable!" the young man spat, anger and frustration in his voice.
Yue Chan's eyes narrowed, her tone icy.
"Say what you like—it makes no difference to me. If insulting me gives you the courage to face your end here, then by all means, continue."
Elder Hui Min, still shaken, grabbed hold of the young man's robe, pulling him back urgently.
"Enough! You can't handle her," he warned, his voice strained.
Yue Chan began to approach, her steps calm and deliberate.
As she drew nearer, something on Elder Hui Min's wrist caught her attention—a mark she hadn't expected to see.
Her eyes fixed on it: a dark, crisscrossed symbol shaped like a death scythe.
For a fleeting moment, old memories surged in her mind.
That mark… She'd seen it before, long ago. It was tied to the tragedy that unfolded twenty years ago—an event that changed everything.
"Young lady, I beg you—spare us," Elder Hui Min pleaded, desperation in his voice. "Leave this place, and we'll promise to keep your presence a secret. Let's pretend we never met today."
"Elder Hui Min, what are you saying?" the young man protested, confusion and worry mingling in his tone.
Elder Hui Min remained silent, his lips pressed tightly together.
Yue Chan's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"That mark on your wrist… where did you get it?" she asked, her voice low and probing.
The old man didn't respond, clearly shaken by her question.
Suddenly, the young man stepped forward, his voice sharp.
"You heard Elder Hui's words—just leave already!"
Yue Chan fixed him with a cold, confident stare.
"Very well. I'll go. Remember your promise to keep quiet."
Inside, she knew their words were a mere performance.
It was safer to play along for now.
She turned her back to them and began to walk away, but her senses remained on high alert.
A split second later, the sound of hurried footsteps thundered behind her.
The corner of her lips curled into a knowing smirk.
Fool, she thought.
The young man lunged, attempting a stealthy attack.
But before he could strike, Yue Chan moved in a blur.
In an instant, crimson blood traced a line across the young man's neck. He collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath as life ebbed away.
Yue Chan calmly lowered her dagger, blood dripping from its blade.
She gazed down at the fallen young man and smirked coolly.
"Only the dead can keep secrets," she murmured.
Without hesitation, she turned her gaze to Elder Hui Min.
In a flash, she surged forward, reappearing directly in front of him—her intentions clear and deadly.
Watching Elder Hui Min tremble, Yue Chan reached up and, with deliberate confidence, removed her mask—revealing her face fully to him for the first time.
The old man's eyes widened in utter shock. His legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground, staring at her as if seeing a ghost.
"It—it's you!" he stammered, voice barely above a whisper.
Yue Chan's gaze bore into him.
"You know me?"
Hui Min's lips quivered, disbelief and fear mingling on his face.
"You're supposed to be dead… How can you still be alive?"