The midday sun flooded the campus of Han University, illuminating the pathways where students hurried between classes. Liang Wei sat at a table in the bustling cafeteria, textbooks strewn around him, but his mind was far from the lecture notes. The events at the Midnight Pawnshop weighed heavily on him, and the presence of the Shadow Sect loomed like a dark cloud. He had later found out Mei lan attempted the same university as him and they were in the same year but different faculties and they met up some days with his friend Lian.
"Hey, Wei! You okay?" his friend Lian asked, sliding into the seat across from him. She looked concerned, her eyes searching his face for signs of distress.
"Yeah, just a lot on my mind," Wei replied, forcing a smile. "You know, finals are coming up."
"Right, finals." Lian raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "You've been acting strange lately. It's not just school, is it?"
Before he could respond, Mei Lan entered the cafeteria, her presence immediately drawing Wei's attention. She spotted him and walked over, a determined look on her face. "Wei, can we talk?"
"Sure," he said, standing up and motioning for Lian to excuse them. They stepped aside, away from the din of students chatting and laughing.
"What's going on?" Mei asked, her voice low but urgent. "I've been thinking about our plan to investigate the Shadow Sect."
Wei nodded, glancing back at their table to ensure Lian wouldn't overhear. "I've been digging through the campus library for information. There might be something in the archives about the sect's history."
Mei's eyes widened. "Really? I didn't think the university would have anything like that."
"Neither did I," Wei admitted. "But there are whispers about old organizations that used to operate in this area. If we can find a connection to the Shadow Sect, it could help us understand what they want with the Midnight Pawnshop."
"Let's go after classes," Mei suggested, her determination evident. "We need to find out more about this Heart of the Abyss, too. It sounds dangerous."
"Agreed," Wei said, feeling a rush of adrenaline. "But we have to be careful. If they're as secretive as Mr. Shen says, we don't want to draw attention to ourselves."
Just then, the cafeteria door swung open, and a group of students entered, laughing loudly. Among them, Wei spotted a familiar face—Jin, a fellow student known for his questionable alliances. Jin was rumored to have connections with the underground world, and Wei's heart raced at the thought.
"Mei," Wei whispered, nodding toward Jin. "Do you think he knows anything about the Shadow Sect?"
Mei frowned, her brow furrowed in thought. "It's risky. If he does, he might not want to share."
"We should approach him carefully," Wei suggested. "I can ask him about his recent trades. If he knows about the Shadow Sect, it might lead us to more information."
Mei nodded, her expression resolute. "Let's do it. We can't let fear stop us now."
As they made their way back to their table, Wei felt a mix of excitement and dread. Confronting Jin could uncover vital information, but it also posed a significant risk. He glanced back at Mei, who met his gaze with unwavering determination.
After class, they approached Jin, who was chatting with his friends. Wei took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation ahead. "Hey, Jin! Got a minute?"
Jin turned, a smirk spreading across his face. "Liang Wei! What's up? Didn't expect to see you here."
Wei forced a smile, trying to keep his tone casual. "Just curious about some of the trades you've been involved in lately. Heard you might have connections to some interesting people."
Jin raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Interesting people, huh? Depends on what you mean by interesting."
"Rumors are swirling about some shady organizations," Wei said, keeping his voice steady. "Like the Shadow Sect. You wouldn't happen to know anything about them, would you?"
Jin's demeanor shifted slightly, the smirk fading as he considered Wei's words. "Why are you asking about them?"
"Just doing some research for a project," Wei replied, his heart racing. "You know how it is. College life and all that."
Jin leaned back, crossing his arms. "Be careful, Wei. The Shadow Sect isn't a game. You don't want to get mixed up with them."
"Why not? What do you know?" Mei interjected, stepping forward.
Jin glanced at her, surprised by her boldness. "Let's just say they have a way of making things disappear—people included. If you're looking for them, you might find more than you bargained for."
A chill ran down Wei's spine. "What do you mean?"
"I'm just saying—stay out of their way. You're not prepared for what they're capable of," Jin warned, a hint of seriousness creeping into his tone. "Trust me."
As he turned back to his friends, Wei and Mei exchanged worried glances. The threat of the Shadow Sect felt more real than ever.
"I don't like this," Mei whispered, her voice barely audible over the chatter around them.
"Neither do I," Wei admitted, his mind racing. "But we can't stop now. We need to find out more, for Mr. Shen's sake and for our own safety."
With their resolve renewed, they left the cafeteria, determined to delve deeper into the secrets surrounding the Shadow Sect. Little did they know that their quest for answers would only draw them closer to the darkness lurking in the shadows.