Four days had passed since Bo Jian's last encounter with Yun Xiang at Yùqīng Hú, and his days had settled back into their usual rhythm. But on this particular evening, his return to the Bo family estate was delayed. The quiet streets of Huǒmáng Chéng were unusually empty, and a strange sense of unease prickled at his senses as he walked under the cover of darkness, clutching his book close.
The silence was thick, too heavy for this part of the city, where lights normally glowed from nearby houses and late-night travelers frequented the pathways. Tonight, however, the street was cloaked in an unnatural stillness. Jian's steps slowed, and his instincts sharpened, sensing something out of place. His heart beat a little faster as shadows moved within the dim alleyways surrounding him.
Suddenly, twenty figures dressed in black and masked to hide their identities appeared, stepping into the faint light from all sides and surrounding him. Each carried a weapon—swords, daggers, and staffs—all pointed in his direction. The air around them felt dense and dangerous, the weight of their combined presence pressing down on him. Even though he lacked the ability to cultivate and didn't possess a fighter's strength, Jian could sense the power emanating from each of them, a cold, controlled force that spoke of seasoned fighters. Their level was clear: at least Level 3, Bo Wántǐ (Complete Body Stage).
Jian's mind raced. He was no match for these assailants, and he knew it. The black-clad figures stood silent, their expressions hidden behind masks, but their intent was unmistakable. They moved with a quiet efficiency, each taking calculated steps closer to him, closing the circle until his only escape was blocked.
"So this is the Bo family's second son," one of the masked men finally spoke, his voice low and tainted with mockery. "For someone who can't cultivate, you sure have a knack for meddling in things beyond your reach."
Jian clenched his jaw, trying to keep his composure. He was no fool; he knew that his actions in defending Yun Xiang had likely stirred resentment in the Huǒ and Shé families. And now it seemed they were making their first move—a show of intimidation, if not something more sinister.
"Does the Bo family's reputation truly frighten you so much that you'd send twenty men to corner someone who can't even cultivate?" Jian replied, his voice calm but sharp, meeting their taunts with defiance.Another of the masked men chuckled, lifting his sword slightly. "Arrogant, aren't we? Perhaps we'll help you understand what happens to those who interfere with the wrong families."
Despite his calm words, Jian felt the tension building, his mind quickly assessing any options for escape. He had no combat skills, and while he could likely evade one or two, twenty skilled fighters of Level 3, Bo Wántǐ, were beyond any ordinary means of escape.
Just as the figures closed in, a sudden flash of movement from the rooftops caught his eye. Shadows darted swiftly across the buildings above, too quick for the masked men to notice. Before Jian could even react, a figure leaped down with precision, landing silently between him and the masked attackers. Another followed, and another, until several figures, each dressed in Bo family colors, stood around Jian protectively. They were the guards his father and the family elders had quietly assigned to shadow him.
One of the Bo guards, a woman with a fierce gaze and steady stance, addressed the attackers coldly. "Did you truly think the Bo family would leave their young master unprotected?"
The masked men shifted, clearly caught off guard by the sudden reinforcements. They hadn't expected Jian to have a hidden escort. The Bo guards, each at Level 3, peak star, stood unwavering, their presence calm but formidable.
"Leave now," another Bo guard commanded, his voice laced with authority. "You've made your point. Any further and you're declaring war on the Bo family."But the masked men showed no intention of retreating. Instead, they raised their weapons, eyes glinting with ruthless determination. The leader of the attackers sneered, brandishing his sword. "We've waited for this opportunity. A few guards won't save him tonight."
With that, the street erupted into chaos as both sides clashed. The Bo guards fought fiercely, each blow calculated and precise as they defended Jian against overwhelming numbers. Blades clashed, sparks flying, and the sound of grunts and clashing metal filled the air. Despite their skill, the sheer number of assailants began to overwhelm the Bo guards, and they soon found themselves struggling to hold their ground.
One of the guards managed to block an incoming attack and shouted over his shoulder, "Master Jian, you need to run! Now!"
Jian hesitated, his instincts telling him to stay and help, though he knew there was little he could do against fighters of this caliber. The Bo guards, loyal to the end, continued to protect him with everything they had, but it was clear they were taking heavy injuries. Blood stained their uniforms as they parried blows and blocked attacks, each movement slower than the last.
The lead guard, a woman with fierce resolve despite the exhaustion in her eyes, turned to Jian, desperation flashing across her face. "Master Jian, go! We'll hold them off as long as we can!"
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Jian nodded reluctantly, clutching his book tightly as he turned and ran, his heart pounding as he navigated the darkened streets. Behind him, he could still hear the sounds of battle, the loyal guards fighting against overwhelming odds to buy him time. He felt a surge of guilt and helplessness, each step heavy with the knowledge that they were risking their lives for his safety.
As he ran, Jian vowed silently that he wouldn't forget this night or the sacrifices his guards had made. He knew now that the rivalry with the Huǒ and Shé families was no longer a matter of pride or territory; it was a true and deadly threat. The weight of his family's complex world pressed down on him harder than ever, and he understood that he was not only a target but a symbol of the Bo family's strength—and, to their enemies, a weakness to exploit.
The Mysterious Abductor
As Bo Jian hurried toward the Bo family estate, the towering gates within sight, a sudden chill ran down his spine. His instincts flared as he sensed a presence nearby—a power unlike anything he'd felt before. Turning, he caught sight of a man dressed in an elegant purple robe, his clothes bearing intricate designs that shimmered subtly in the moonlight. The man's aura radiated a pressure far beyond what Bo Jian could comprehend, even stronger than his father's formidable energy.
Before he could react, the man vanished from his view and reappeared instantly behind him, moving faster than Jian's eyes could track. With a slight tap on Jian's neck, everything went dark, his body collapsing into unconsciousness as the mysterious figure took him and vanished into the night.
When Jian's eyes opened, he found himself lying on the cool, uneven floor of a cave. The walls around him were rugged, thick vines and moss covering the stone, casting the cave in shadows that danced with faint light. The scent of wet earth and greenery filled the air, and the dense forest surrounding the cave seemed to obscure it from the outside world, making it impossible to guess his location. He quickly pushed himself to his feet, his mind racing as he took in his surroundings, assessing the situation.
Despite the suddenness of his abduction, Jian forced himself to remain calm. He clenched his fists and steadied his breathing as he faced the entrance, where the purple-robed man leaned casually against a wall, watching him with an unsettling smile.
"Who are you?" Jian asked, his voice firm. "I've never met you or had any conflict with someone like you. Why did you bring me here?"
The man chuckled, his laughter echoing through the cave. His gaze was piercing, his expression a mixture of amusement and cruelty. "Who am I?" he repeated, mockingly. "You wouldn't know my name, even if I told you. But perhaps you've heard of me." He straightened, crossing his arms as he looked down at Jian. "In this city, I am the strongest. There is no one—Bo, Lóng, Huǒ, or Shé—who can match my power."
Jian narrowed his eyes, a mixture of curiosity and unease settling over him. "Strongest…?" he echoed, trying to process the implications. The Bo family knew of every notable cultivator in the city, yet he'd never heard of this man. And if he was truly as powerful as he claimed, then his existence had been carefully concealed.
The man's smirk deepened. "Ah, what a pity," he sneered. "You won't live long enough to know more about me. The only thing you need to understand," he continued, his voice dropping to a cold, menacing tone, "is that tonight, you're going to die."
With a flick of his hand, the man unleashed a torrent of energy that swept through the cave, causing the ground to tremble and stones to crack under the force. The air thickened with a suffocating pressure, the raw power evident in the dark aura that pulsed around him. Jian's heart pounded, but he forced himself to stand his ground, defiance sparking in his eyes.
"If you're so strong, why target someone who can't even cultivate?" Jian asked, a bitter edge to his tone. "Is this the only way you can prove your strength?"
The man's eyes flashed with amusement. "Oh, you've got spirit. A rare thing for someone so powerless." He took a step closer, the air around him growing colder. "But let's make one thing clear, Bo Jian. This isn't about you. It's about the Bo family. Your very existence is a thorn that certain… allies of mine would rather see removed."
With a swift movement, the man's hand shot out, gathering dark, swirling energy in his palm. The force was palpable, and Jian could feel the raw intensity of it vibrating through the cave, the pressure bearing down on him like a weight he couldn't escape.
Jian took a deep breath, his mind racing as he calculated his options. Though he lacked any fighting abilities, he was still a Bo, and he would not back down without a fight. He locked eyes with the man, standing tall despite the overwhelming energy pressing down on him, his resolve unshaken.
"You might be able to kill me," Jian said, voice steady, "but you'll never break the Bo family."
The man sneered, dismissing Jian's words with a flick of his fingers as the dark energy intensified around him. "Let's see if your family's name protects you now, Bo Jian."
With that, he raised his hand, the deadly energy coiling and surging toward Jian with ruthless intent.