The camp loomed ahead like a dying ember in the snow, its flickering fires barely holding back the night's chill. Hui Jian and Tao Xun approached, the crude barricades of logs and stone offering little defense against the dangers lurking in the North Plains. As they passed the guards, Hui Jian noticed the hollow-eyed stares of the survivors—men and women too tired to feel anything but fear.
"We're on borrowed time here," Tao Xun muttered under his breath. "The supplies we raided last time helped, but we're running out again. People are scared."
Scared. It was a word that hung in the air, coloring every glance and whispered conversation in the camp. Hui Jian's sharp eyes swept over the survivors, each one huddled close to their fire, their expressions tight with uncertainty.
Inside the camp, tensions simmered just beneath the surface. The beastmen attacks had grown bolder, and the leaders of the camp were split between those wanting to flee and those who wanted to stay and fight. Hui Jian had left this place because he had seen it for what it was—a sinking ship. But Tao Xun had convinced him to return, and now he found himself wondering whether that had been a mistake.
Ren, the only man in the camp Hui Jian had ever respected, stood waiting for them near one of the larger fires. His face, lined with concern, was as grim as Hui Jian remembered.
"You're back," Ren said, his tone clipped. "We weren't sure if we'd see you again."
"I wasn't sure either," Hui Jian replied evenly, his eyes meeting Ren's. "But Tao Xun convinced me."
Ren's gaze flicked to Tao Xun, who gave a shrug. "Figured he was safer with us than out there alone."
Ren grunted in acknowledgment, his eyes scanning the camp. "Things have gotten worse since you left. The beastmen are circling closer, and the council can't agree on what to do."
Hui Jian didn't need to hear more. The tension in the camp was palpable, a weight pressing down on everything. His instincts told him that staying here was a mistake, but for now, he would bide his time. There was still an opportunity to exploit the situation, to turn things to his advantage.
As they discussed the camp's situation, Jian, one of the council leaders, approached. Her face was set in a grim frown, her eyes flicking between Hui Jian and the others.
"You're back," she said, her voice laced with suspicion. "What's your plan this time? Another raid?"
Hui Jian met her gaze without flinching. "The raids are the only reason you're still standing. If you stop, the beastmen will wipe you out."
Jian pressed her lips into a thin line, but she didn't argue. "People are scared. They think fleeing south is our only chance."
"If they run, they die," Hui Jian said bluntly. "The beastmen are everywhere. Your only chance is to fight."
Ren nodded, his face grim. "We need to hit them before they hit us. Keep them on the back foot."
"I agree," Tao Xun added. "But the camp isn't exactly a well-oiled machine. Getting everyone on board will be a challenge."
Hui Jian's eyes flickered with cold calculation. "Then we don't give them a choice."
Jian's expression darkened, but she said nothing. Hui Jian could see the doubt in her eyes, but it didn't matter. He wasn't here to gain her approval. He was here to survive.
Later That Night – The First Fire
The camp had settled into an uneasy silence, the night's cold seeping into every corner. Hui Jian sat by a small fire, his eyes half-closed as he listened to the crackling flames. Tao Xun had drifted off to sleep nearby, his body curled up under his cloak.
But Hui Jian remained alert. His instincts, honed by years of survival, told him that danger was near. The North Plains didn't tolerate rest for long.
A sudden sound—a crack in the distance, the unmistakable snap of a branch. Hui Jian's eyes snapped open, his body tensing as he listened. The wind howled, but underneath it, he could hear the faintest hint of movement.
He rose silently, slipping away from the fire and into the shadows. His hand moved instinctively to the hilt of his knife as he crouched behind a snow-covered boulder. His breath slowed, his senses sharp as he scanned the tree line.
Then he saw them—two figures moving through the trees, their silhouettes faint in the moonlight. They were careful, deliberate in their movements. Rival Gu Masters.
One carried a spear, the other had something glinting in his hand—a Gu worm. They were not of this camp. Their eyes, sharp and predatory, searched the ground as they approached, clearly tracking something.
Hui Jian's tracks.
His heart pounded as he considered his options. These weren't ordinary bandits—they were Gu Masters, just like him. And that meant they were dangerous. His mind raced, calculating the risks. If they found him, there would be no room for negotiation. But if he struck first…
Before he could act, Tao Xun's voice called from behind him. "Hui Jian?"
The two figures froze, their heads snapping in the direction of the voice.
Hui Jian's blood ran cold. Tao Xun had woken up and walked straight into the path of the hunters.
"Damn it," Hui Jian muttered under his breath, his grip on the knife tightening. He had no choice now. He had to act.
The two rival Gu Masters moved toward Tao Xun, their steps quickening. Hui Jian's mind raced, trying to find a way to take them down without drawing more attention. But as the first Gu Master raised his weapon, ready to strike at Tao Xun, Hui Jian knew he couldn't wait any longer.
He launched himself from the shadows, his knife flashing as it sliced through the cold air. The first Gu Master barely had time to react before Hui Jian's blade found its mark, cutting deep into the man's throat.
The second Gu Master spun around, his eyes wide with shock. But Hui Jian was already on him, his movements swift and precise. The man barely had time to raise his Gu worm before Hui Jian's knife drove into his chest.
The snow around them was stained red as Hui Jian pulled his knife free, his breath coming in short, sharp bursts.
Tao Xun stared at him, wide-eyed, his body frozen in place. "I… I didn't know…"
Hui Jian wiped the blood from his blade, his eyes cold as he met Tao Xun's gaze. "Next time, stay quiet."
Tao Xun nodded numbly, his face pale. Hui Jian glanced down at the bodies, his mind already calculating how to salvage the situation. There might be something of value on them—something they could use.
As Hui Jian crouched down to search the bodies, a thought flickered through his mind: Rival Gu Masters, hunters who had been tracking them. But why? There was more to this than chance.
Whatever it was, Hui Jian knew one thing: he couldn't afford to stay with Tao Xun for long. The North Plains had no mercy for the weak, and if Tao Xun slowed him down, he would have no choice but to leave him behind.