Chapter 12: Shadows in the Tracks
The visit of the Tiger Sect had come to an end. With the first light of dawn, the delegation prepared to depart—silent yet magnificent. Horses, carriages, and belongings were arranged with care, and banners fluttered in the morning breeze.
Myung Moon left the sect hall and walked toward his horse without eating. He informed Leader Zhen that they would have a meal at an inn along the way.
Before leaving, Myung Moon turned to Yuan Yu and extended an invitation.
"I would like you to visit my sect," he said, his tone calm but firm. "Stay for six nights."
Yuan Yu felt a brief flicker of surprise, but he only smiled. Myung Moon was not the kind of man to miss an opportunity.
"I am certain the Emperor himself would welcome your visit," Myung Moon added.
After a brief exchange with Yuan Yu's parents, the Tiger Sect finally departed.
Yuan Yu did not wait. He turned and walked straight back to his residence without looking back.
When Myung Moon glanced behind him and saw that Yuan Yu was already gone, frustration tightened in his chest.
The pressure of the past two days finally lifted from Yuan Yu. Still, he had no desire to go outside. He withdrew to his room, needing a few days of rest. The unease in his body had not yet faded.
From a distance, Han Liang watched the Tiger Sect leave.
Yet his thoughts did not remain on them.
They returned instead to the young man he knew as Gu Feng—the one he had not seen in four days.
A quiet restlessness settled in his chest.
Where was he now?
Who was he speaking with?
Who was he smiling at?
Han Liang returned to the inn at the foot of Ying Mountain, where he had been staying in secret. He waited for the Second Commander, who was due to arrive at noon to exchange information.
Soon, a young servant from the Jewel Sect passed nearby, speaking in low, careless tones. Even from his room, Han Liang caught every word.
The servant spoke of what the people whispered—Myung Moon's interest, the exchange of gifts, subtle tensions, and quiet rivalries.
Han Liang listened without moving.
The leader of the Tiger Sect had set his sights on the heir of the Jewel Sect.
How will this turn out? Han Liang thought. What kind of tension will arise between the two sects? Will the Dragon Sect benefit from this?
At the same time, he felt an unexpected sorrow for Yuan Yu, knowing how cruel such gossip could become.
Han Liang's eyes narrowed slightly.
What kind of person could draw such attention… so openly?
He did not rush to judgment.
Instead, he observed.
Later, the Second Commander slipped in through the window like a shadow.
Silent. Precise.
Han Liang exchanged information with him in low voices. Their sect was known for such discipline—a silence that had helped them overcome countless enemies.
They spoke of movements between sects and the intentions of their leaders.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
These two days had been nothing but observation.
Gossip, small mistakes, and scattered clues—each one revealing the next move.
After delivering what he had learned, the Second Commander slipped away once more.
Han Liang lay back on his bed, unwilling to do anything further. Tonight, he only wanted rest.
Darkness settled.
The city grew quiet.
Han Liang drifted into deep sleep.
Yuan Yu, meanwhile, touched the bracelet on his wrist. He tried to rest as well, though discomfort lingered in his body as he slowly regained his strength.