The village's recovery was underway, but the scars of the Jade Serpent Sect's attack were still raw. Xiaojun could see it in the eyes of the villagers—a lingering fear that even their hard-fought victory could not fully erase. The Phantom Blade rested on his back as he moved through the square, helping wherever he could and offering words of encouragement. The weapon had already become a symbol of hope, a reminder that they were not powerless.
Lin Mei approached him as he directed the rebuilding of a collapsed barricade. Her expression was tense, though she moved with purpose.
"Xiaojun, we need to talk," she said, motioning him away from the busy square. Once they were out of earshot, she continued. "Scouts reported movement near the river to the west. It's not the Jade Serpent Sect this time—at least, not their colors."
Xiaojun frowned, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword. "Who is it, then?"
"A small group, no more than a dozen. They're armed but haven't approached the village yet. They're camping just beyond the treeline."
Xiaojun's mind raced. Another threat? Or an opportunity? The village couldn't afford another full-scale battle, not with their resources so depleted. But if this group had no ties to the Jade Serpent Sect, there might be room for negotiation.
"Get Liu Yan and Wei Lin. I want to approach them with a small team," Xiaojun said. "If they're hostile, we'll deal with them. If they're not…maybe they can help us."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Xiaojun and his team moved silently through the forest, their footsteps muffled by the undergrowth. Lin Mei scouted ahead, her bow at the ready, while Liu Yan carried a satchel of medical supplies in case things turned ugly. Wei Lin brought up the rear, his spear gleaming faintly in the dim light.
The camp came into view as they crested a small rise. A group of eleven figures sat around a modest fire, their weapons close at hand. They wore mismatched armor, suggesting they were mercenaries or a band of independent fighters. One of them, a tall woman with a scar running across her jaw, noticed their approach and stood, her hand resting on the hilt of a curved blade.
"That's far enough," she called, her voice steady but cautious. "State your business."
Xiaojun stepped forward, his hands raised to show he meant no harm. "We're from the village to the east. We've recently been attacked by the Jade Serpent Sect. I came to see if you're friend or foe."
The woman's eyes narrowed. She glanced at her companions, then back at Xiaojun. "The Jade Serpent Sect? So they're expanding their reach." She sighed, motioning for him to approach. "We're not with them, if that's what you're worried about. We've been hunting their scouts for weeks. Name's Kael. Leader of this sorry lot."
Xiaojun relaxed slightly and took a step closer. "I'm Xiaojun. Leader of the village defenders. If you're hunting the Jade Serpent Sect, we might be able to help each other."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Help? From a village? No offense, but you don't look like you've got much to offer."
Xiaojun unsheathed the Phantom Blade, letting its ethereal glow illuminate the clearing. The mercenaries murmured among themselves, their eyes widening at the sight.
"We have this," Xiaojun said, his voice calm but firm. "And we've already driven off one of their attacks. With your help, we can make sure they don't come back."
Kael studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Alright, Xiaojun. You've got my attention. Let's talk terms."
Back at the village, Kael and her group were introduced to the villagers. Though wary at first, the villagers warmed to the newcomers as they shared stories of their battles against the Jade Serpent Sect. Kael's group brought valuable information about the Sect's movements and weaknesses, as well as additional weapons and supplies.
Around a hastily assembled table in the village square, Xiaojun and Kael hammered out an alliance.
"We'll help you defend the village and train your fighters," Kael said. "In return, we get a share of your harvests and a place to rest while we're here."
Xiaojun nodded. "Agreed. But if you're going to stay, you follow the village's rules. We're not just soldiers here. This is our home."
Kael smirked. "Fair enough. Let's hope this works out for both of us."
With the alliance solidified, the village began to take on a new energy. Kael's fighters drilled the villagers daily, teaching them advanced tactics and how to fight as a cohesive unit. Lin Mei worked closely with Kael, exchanging scouting techniques, while Wei Lin eagerly absorbed everything the mercenaries had to teach.
As the days passed, Xiaojun found himself growing cautiously optimistic. The village was stronger than ever, and with the Phantom Blade in his hand and allies at his side, he felt ready to face whatever the Jade Serpent Sect threw at them next.
But in the quiet moments, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The Sect wouldn't stop until they crushed everything in their path. And somewhere, deep in their territory, the Sect's true leaders were surely preparing for war.
Xiaojun tightened his grip on the Phantom Blade. Whatever was coming, he would meet it head-on.
The alliance bore its first fruit in the form of a coordinated operation against a Jade Serpent Sect outpost. Intelligence from Kael's group revealed a small forward base in the forest, used to stage attacks on nearby settlements. With both villagers and mercenaries working together, they planned an ambush.
Xiaojun, Lin Mei, Kael, and Wei Lin led a strike team into the forest under the cover of darkness. The outpost, little more than a collection of tents and supply crates, was guarded by a dozen Sect soldiers.
Lin Mei dispatched two guards silently with her bow, her arrows finding their marks with deadly precision. The rest of the team moved swiftly, cutting down the remaining sentries before they could raise the alarm.
Kael and Xiaojun cleared the largest tent, where they found maps and documents detailing the Sect's plans. One map in particular caught Xiaojun's attention—it showed the Jade Serpent Sect's main stronghold, deep in the mountains.
"This is it," Xiaojun said, holding the map up to the flickering lantern light. "Their stronghold. If we can strike there…"
Kael placed a hand on his shoulder. "One step at a time, hero. We've won a small victory tonight, but taking on their stronghold will take more than guts and a glowing sword."
Xiaojun nodded, folding the map and tucking it into his belt. "Then we'll prepare. And when we're ready, we'll end this."
The strike team returned to the village with their spoils, greeted by cheers and a renewed sense of hope. For the first time in weeks, the villagers felt like they were on the offensive.
That night, as the village celebrated, Xiaojun sat by the fire with Kael, Lin Mei, and Wei Lin. The Phantom Blade rested against his leg, its glow faint but reassuring. They shared stories and laughter, the bonds between them growing stronger with each passing moment.
But even as he smiled, Xiaojun's mind was already turning toward the battles yet to come. The Jade Serpent Sect would not go down easily, but with allies like Kael and her mercenaries, he finally believed they had a fighting chance.
The war was far from over, but for the first time, the tide was beginning to turn.