The mist of the Thousand Layered Peaks swirled around Shiv (Yang Kai) as the last remnants of the ambush faded into the distance. The ground was littered with the bodies of his fallen attackers, but Shiv knew that the real danger had not yet revealed itself. Standing tall amidst the wreckage, he scanned the surrounding cliffs with sharp eyes, his mind calculating what lay ahead.
The quiet that followed the battle was unnerving, but Shiv had long since learned that silence often meant something far more dangerous in the making. He wiped the blood from his blade, his mind drifting toward the subtle presence of his brother, Yang Kang. His brother's schemes had always involved shadows, deception, and layers of manipulation. Shiv knew well enough that the battle he just faced was only the surface of a deeper trap.
Yang Kang had always preferred to strike from a distance, pulling strings rather than risking his life in open combat. Shiv suspected his brother had been watching the ambush from afar, waiting for the right moment to make his move.
---
Yang Kang's Web Tightens
Far from the scene of the battle, Yang Kang stood at the mouth of a hidden cave nestled high in the cliffs. From his vantage point, he had observed the ambush unfold and, despite his men's defeat, he was far from disappointed. The attack had never been meant to kill his brother—it had been a test.
"He's more powerful than I thought," Yang Kang muttered to himself, a smirk curling at the edges of his lips. "But that's fine. The stronger he gets, the more satisfying it will be to bring him down."
One of Yang Kang's subordinates approached cautiously, bowing his head in deference. "My lord, the ambush failed. Yang Kai fought off all of our men with little effort."
Yang Kang turned to the man, his expression unreadable. "I expected as much. The real plan isn't to kill him in a direct fight. It's to make him feel invincible. Let him think that each victory brings him closer to winning the Inheritance War."
His subordinate hesitated, clearly unsure. "But my lord, the other competitors are growing wary of him. They see his power…"
"And that's exactly what we want," Yang Kang interrupted, his voice cool and calculated. "If we let them believe that Yang Kai is too strong, they'll either turn on each other or seek desperate measures to bring him down. Either way, chaos will work in our favor."
The subordinate nodded, though his unease was evident. "So, what's the next step?"
Yang Kang glanced back toward the direction of the battle, his eyes gleaming with cold resolve. "We let him tire himself out. Let him fight, let him win. And then, when he least expects it, we strike."
He turned back to his men, his voice taking on a more commanding tone. "Prepare the next stage. We'll lure him deeper into the peaks, into territory he doesn't know. The terrain will work against him, and when he's most vulnerable, we'll make our move."
The men hurried to carry out his orders, leaving Yang Kang alone with his thoughts. He knew that his brother was no fool—Yang Kai would sense that something was wrong. But that didn't matter. The deeper Yang Kai was drawn into the heart of the peaks, the more isolated he would become.
And when the time came, Yang Kang would be there to ensure his brother's downfall.
---
Shiv's Growing Awareness
Back at the site of the ambush, Shiv stood alone, his thoughts sharp as he assessed the situation. The battle had been too easy, the attackers too predictable. He had felt it from the moment the first blow landed—this wasn't a real threat. It was a test.
His instincts told him that Yang Kang was watching, orchestrating events from the shadows. His brother had always been more comfortable scheming behind the scenes, relying on deception and manipulation to get what he wanted. And now, it seemed, Yang Kang was focused entirely on bringing Shiv down.
"Playing your usual games, brother?" Shiv muttered under his breath, his grip tightening around the hilt of his blade. He knew better than to underestimate Yang Kang. His brother might lack the raw power that Shiv possessed, but his mind was a weapon of its own, always calculating, always planning.
The wind howled through the peaks, the mist swirling in restless patterns. Shiv could sense other competitors nearby, their eyes on him as they watched from hidden vantage points. Everyone was waiting for their chance—waiting for the right moment to strike.
But Shiv had no intention of being caught off guard. He had learned from his earlier encounters that in the Inheritance War, every move had to be calculated, every step forward made with purpose. There were no accidents here, no coincidences. Every battle, every trap, was part of a larger game being played.
And Shiv was ready to play.
---
The Journey Continues
As Shiv continued deeper into the Thousand Layered Peaks, the terrain became increasingly hostile. The jagged cliffs loomed higher, the paths narrower and more treacherous. The mist thickened, curling around the rocks like tendrils, obscuring everything in its path. It was the perfect environment for ambushes and traps, a place where the unwary could easily meet their end.
But Shiv was not unwary. His senses were heightened, his reflexes sharp. Every step was measured, every breath controlled. He knew that Yang Kang's plan was still in motion, that the ambush he had just survived was only the beginning. The real trap was yet to come.
As he moved through the narrow passages, he could feel the presence of other competitors closing in. Their auras flickered in and out of his perception, hidden by the mist and the jagged cliffs. Some of them were strong—strong enough to pose a challenge. But Shiv didn't fear them.
He had faced far worse and survived.
The sounds of distant footsteps echoed through the peaks, and Shiv paused for a moment, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His eyes scanned the surrounding cliffs, searching for any sign of movement. He knew that Yang Kang was trying to lure him into a trap, but he also knew that his brother's overconfidence would be his downfall.
"You've been watching for too long," Shiv whispered to himself, his eyes narrowing. "Time to bring you out of the shadows."
---
Shiv's Resolve
As the path grew more treacherous, Shiv stopped and surveyed his surroundings, his mind focused and calculating. He knew that Yang Kang would strike again soon, but he wasn't afraid. If anything, the knowledge that his brother was scheming against him only fueled his determination.
This was what the Inheritance War had always been about—more than just strength, more than just power. It was about outsmarting your enemies, about knowing when to strike and when to hold back. And Shiv had mastered both.
He wouldn't let Yang Kang win. Not now. Not ever.
With a steady breath, Shiv continued forward, his senses attuned to the dangers around him. The Thousand Layered Peaks were unforgiving, but Shiv had faced worse before. He knew that the real battle was yet to come, but when it did, he would be ready.
Because no matter how many schemes his brother had, no matter how many traps were laid in his path, Shiv was determined to emerge victorious.
And when he did, Yang Kang would have nowhere left to hide.