Danger! . . .
"Cha Eun Xiao remains safe as long as we live! Whoever wants to harm him must traverse our lifeless bodies!"
In unison, the three hundred and sixty individuals echoed this solemn vow.
Xiao Mufei drew a deep breath, raising his gaze. Tears welled in his eyes as he bellowed, "Forward!"
As a cohesive unit, they began their descent down the hill, their destination being the Dark Pine Forest.
Not one of them hesitated or wavered.
Cha Eun Xiao, who had always exuded a sense of composure and stability, was genuinely moved by their display of unity and unwavering loyalty. Despite his prior disdain for these men due to their actions in his past life, he couldn't help but acknowledge the steadfast spirit that had allowed the three factions to endure in Qing-Yun Realm for countless years. The dedication and unity displayed by these disciples was nothing short of remarkable.
Loyalty and unity were qualities he hadn't witnessed during his time in the Land of Han-Yang. It became clear to him that sustaining a sect for over ten thousand years was no small feat. He couldn't deny that if he had no history with the three factions and was simply a newcomer who had stumbled upon the Golden-scaled Dragon Fish, he would wholeheartedly pledge himself to Cold Moon Palace. He would have embraced the role of a loyal disciple, dedicating the remainder of his days to serving the sect without regret.
For personal example and demonstrated commitment carried more weight than mere words or exhortations. The sincerity of their actions was undeniable.
Even Cha Eun Xiao, who had every reason to harbor animosity, was genuinely moved by their dedication. The others in their midst were similarly affected.
Yet, making the right decision was an entirely different matter. Cha Eun Xiao found himself in a position diametrically opposed to these men. No matter how much he might be touched by their loyalty, it wouldn't sway his perspective. When the time came, he would not hesitate to eliminate them without mercy.
...
Upon entering the Dark Pine Forest, an impenetrable shroud of darkness enveloped them. The dense pine trees blotted out the sky, and their footsteps were the only sounds that echoed in the eerie stillness.
Suddenly, Xiao Mufei detected an unusual scent. His nostrils flared, and he moved with lightning speed, breaking through the canopy of pine trees, to grasp something. The sight of what he held in his hand drained the color from his face.
His hands trembled, and his fingers turned pallid. He made no further hesitations, springing upwards and then down again, the expression on his face growing even graver.
"Master, what's happened? What's going on?" Fang Dalong inquired anxiously, his voice laced with concern.
Others also gathered around, their eyes filled with worry and curiosity.
Xiao Mufei slowly uncurled his right hand, revealing a small dead bird within it. The bird was black, its feathers razor-sharp, resembling steel.
"Iron-winged Sparrow!" Fang Dalong exclaimed in alarm. He gazed at Xiao Mufei, terror etched across his face. "Master, did you..."
He left his sentence unfinished, the unspoken fear hanging in the air.
Xiao Mufei nodded solemnly, confirming Fang Dalong's apprehensions. His acknowledgment only served to heighten the sense of dread.
The Iron-winged Sparrow was a carrier bird exclusive to Cold Moon Palace, known to very few outside their ranks.
"I leaped up there..." Xiao Mufei's voice carried a somber tone. "And I discovered numerous lifeless birds perched in the trees."
Before he could complete his sentence, several disciples had already ascended to investigate.
Cha Eun Xiao, fueled by curiosity, joined them in their examination. High above, he found an abundance of small deceased birds resting on the branches. There were no larger avian creatures among them, with the most massive one barely comparable in size to a crow. The trees were laden with these lifeless forms, their number too great to tally.
Upon returning to the forest floor, the disciples' expressions mirrored the same gloom that had befallen Xiao Mufei.
"There's one thing we can be certain of now. The other sects are fully prepared for this. This time, they..." Xiao Mufei spoke solemnly, "...are ready to commit fully to their endeavor."
"They will fight to the death," he added, clenching his teeth.
"Master... Did they kill all those birds? Every one of them? But why?" Fang Dalong was bewildered.
"There's no need for surprise. They may not have recognized the Iron-winged Sparrow, but they're aware of our proficiency in beast training. Their only option was to eliminate every bird in this vicinity. I would have done the same if I were in their place."
"Our main concern is that the Iron-winged Sparrows we dispatched were slain alongside numerous other birds by them," Xiao Mufei revealed, his expression troubled. "In essence, the sect remains unaware of our current predicament."
"No assistance will be forthcoming from the sect. They have no knowledge of our whereabouts."
"From this point forward, we must rely on ourselves. Be vigilant. Let us proceed," Xiao Mufei declared, leading the way with a sense of foreboding etched on his face.
The three hundred and sixty disciples bore a heavy burden of distress in their hearts. The realization that these sects would go to such cruel lengths to prevent a young man from joining another sect weighed heavily on them. They seemed willing to take the lives of ten thousand innocents to ensure Cha Eun Xiao's demise.
The brutality of their actions was beyond comprehension.
"We mustn't cling to the hope of external aid. We comprehend our present circumstances. Exercise caution. Let's press forward!" Xiao Mufei shouted, taking the lead in their harrowing journey. Speaking any further seemed futile, for they were alone in their perilous situation.
In the throes of this intense danger, they had no one to rely on. With no external assistance forthcoming, their only recourse was to swiftly traverse the forest to avert further enemy encroachments. They moved with a sense of urgency, driven by the instinct for survival.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting the sky in hues of blood-red.
For a full day and night, they had scarcely slept, for the circumstances allowed them no reprieve. Xiao Mufei berated them for their fatigue. "What are you doing? What if we face a confrontation tomorrow? How do you intend to battle with weary bodies? Are you seeking a fearful death? Rest now! Those on guard, remain vigilant, or else we all meet our end!"
As the latter half of the night unfolded, an eerie sound gradually drew nearer, rousing them from their restless sleep.
At that moment, any sound served to send shivers of apprehension down their spines.
One of the men suddenly cried out, "Someone..."
Then, silence descended once more.
The once daunting Dark Pine Forest was now permeated with an even more unsettling terror.