The cold wind of the Northern Plains cut through the air, carrying a veil of frost that settled on Hui Jian's cloak as he crouched behind a jagged outcrop of rocks. His sharp eyes scanned the caravan below, a small group of travelers winding through the barren landscape. They moved with a deliberate pace, their heavy load and the ever-present threat of the wilderness making them cautious. Hui Jian studied them like a predator watching its prey, calculating the best moment to strike.
The caravan had at least a dozen carts, most of them carrying supplies, but a few seemed to hold something more valuable. Surrounding them were fighters, their stances alert and ready. Leading the group was a sharp-featured man on horseback—Shen Wu—the caravan leader. Hui Jian observed his movements closely, recognizing him as a man of experience, someone used to surviving in the harsh wilderness. But even the most seasoned could make mistakes, and Hui Jian was waiting for just that.
The important cargo that the caravan supposedly carried was the prize Hui Jian sought. The caravan was well-guarded, and these people were hardened by the perils of the region. Hui Jian would need to play a careful game.
Hui Jian descended from his rocky perch as dusk began to settle, making his way toward the caravan. His appearance was calculated: he exaggerated his limp, playing up the injury sustained during his escape from the beastmen camp. He appeared haggard but not desperate, a man who had survived but was still dangerous. This would gain him the trust of the caravan without making him seem too weak.
A guard spotted him first, raising a spear in warning. "Stop! Who goes there?"
Hui Jian halted, his hands raised to show he meant no harm. "I'm a traveler," he said, his voice calm despite the apparent exhaustion. "A Gu Master from a destroyed camp. I've been wandering the wilderness for days."
The guard's eyes narrowed in suspicion, but before he could respond, more men arrived, including Shen Wu and his lieutenant, Lan Yue. Lan Yue was a sharp-eyed woman with a no-nonsense attitude. Her hand hovered near her blade, ready for trouble.
"What's your business here?" Shen Wu demanded, his tone hard but not unkind. His eyes lingered on the bloodstains on Hui Jian's cloak and the weary expression he wore.
"I offer my services," Hui Jian replied. "I'm a Rank 2 Gu Master, and I need passage. In exchange, I'll help defend the caravan."
Lan Yue's eyebrows rose slightly at the mention of his rank. In these desolate lands, Gu Masters were valuable, and even a Rank 2 had something to offer.
"Why should we trust you?" she asked, stepping forward. "For all we know, you could be a bandit or a scout, here to spy on us."
Hui Jian met her gaze evenly. "If I were a bandit, you wouldn't have seen me until it was too late. I'm just trying to survive."
Shen Wu considered this for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. But if you step out of line, I'll see to it that you regret it."
Hui Jian dipped his head in acknowledgment. "Understood."
Life in the caravan was harsh but organized. Each day was a test of endurance as they traversed the frozen wasteland of the Northern Plains. Hui Jian fell into the rhythm quickly, keeping a low profile while steadily integrating himself into the group. His injury, though healing, kept him from the more grueling tasks, but he made sure to be helpful enough to avoid suspicion. He knew how to walk the line between being useful and invisible.
The caravan was run with military precision under Shen Wu's command. Each morning, the guards scouted ahead while the caravan moved at a steady pace, the fighters on edge for any signs of danger. It was during these long stretches of travel that Hui Jian observed the internal dynamics. Lan Yue, the lieutenant, was ambitious. She had the ear of several of the caravan's key figures, and it was clear she was maneuvering to consolidate her own power. There were factions within the caravan, small groups loyal to either Shen Wu or Lan Yue, and tension simmered beneath the surface.
Hui Jian made sure to stay out of the factional politics, for now. He played the part of the weary traveler, focusing on his own recovery and quietly observing the group's movements. However, it wasn't long before one of the factions approached him.
It happened on the fifth day. A small group of fighters, led by a man named Zhou Li, approached him as they made camp for the night. Zhou Li was one of Lan Yue's men, and he had been watching Hui Jian ever since he arrived.
"You handled yourself well during the beastmen attack," Zhou Li said, his tone measured. "Lan Yue thinks you could be useful to us."
Hui Jian feigned modesty, giving a small nod. "I did what I had to survive. Nothing more."
Zhou Li smirked. "Don't be so humble. We all saw how you moved. Quick, precise. We need more men like you in our group."
Hui Jian hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm not looking to get involved in internal politics."
Zhou Li shrugged, though the offer clearly remained on the table. "Fair enough. Just know that it's safer to have friends out here."
With that, Zhou Li left him alone, and Hui Jian returned to his own thoughts. He wasn't interested in joining Lan Yue's faction, but the approach had confirmed what he already suspected: the caravan was teetering on the edge of internal conflict. If that conflict escalated, it could provide the perfect distraction for him to make his move.
The opportunity arrived sooner than expected.
On the eighth day of travel, scouts returned with grim news. A large bandit force had been tracking them for miles and would likely attack that night. The caravan was on high alert, fighters preparing for what would be their toughest battle yet.
"We hold our ground here," Shen Wu announced, gathering the caravan's leaders for a meeting. "The terrain works in our favor, and we have the high ground. We'll repel them."
Lan Yue, standing to his right, crossed her arms. "And if they overrun us? You know we're outnumbered."
Shen Wu's eyes flashed with irritation. "We've survived worse. We'll survive this."
Hui Jian listened in silence, already formulating his own plans. He could sense the tension between Shen Wu and Lan Yue reaching a breaking point. If the bandit attack was as large as the scouts reported, this caravan might not survive. And that meant Hui Jian would need to act quickly.
Night fell, and with it came the bandits. They struck under the cover of darkness, their war cries echoing through the cold air. The caravan fighters responded swiftly, but the sheer number of attackers threatened to overwhelm them.
Hui Jian moved through the chaos with the precision of a shadow. He fought when necessary, using his Beast Strength Gu to tear through the weaker bandits. But his focus wasn't on the battle—it was on Shen Wu's cart, the one he suspected held a powerful Gu.
The cart was heavily guarded, as expected, but the chaos of the battle provided him with the distraction he needed. As the fighters focused on repelling the bandits, Hui Jian slipped through the ranks, his movements quiet and deliberate. Reaching the cart, he quickly forced the lock and started searching around, as he was looking, a not-so-noticeable wooden plank was slightly ajar. Hui Jian made his way to it. He opened the hidden compartment inside.
There it was. An ornate box, finely carved and clearly valuable, lay nestled among the supplies. Hui Jian grabbed it without hesitation, but as he did, something strange caught his eye. Something was off, but there was no time to investigate.
He pocketed the box, turning to make his escape, but before he could leave, a shadow fell across him.
A bandit leader, a hulking brute of a man, stood before him, blade drawn. Hui Jian barely had time to react as the bandit swung his weapon, narrowly dodging the blow. The bandit snarled, swinging again, and this time, Hui Jian wasn't fast enough. The blade grazed his arm, drawing blood.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Hui Jian struck back, his Beast Strength Gu surging with power. He landed a solid hit, knocking the bandit off balance, but more were closing in. He couldn't stay here any longer.
Without another word, Hui Jian turned and fled, disappearing into the night as the battle raged on behind him.
Hui Jian moved swiftly through the wilderness, his breath coming in harsh gasps as he clutched the bleeding wound on his arm. The box containing something valuable was heavy in his pouch, but it might be his key to freedom. He pushed forward, leaving the caravan and the battle far behind.
As the dawn broke over the horizon, Hui Jian finally slowed his pace, exhaustion catching up to him. He found a small, sheltered cave and collapsed inside, his mind racing with thoughts of what was to come. He had the Gu, but at what cost?
In the distance, the battle at the caravan continued, but Hui Jian had already moved on. He would disappear once again, just as he had done before. But this time, the consequences of his actions were already in motion, and the path ahead would be even more treacherous than he realized.