Chapter Twelve: Shadows in the Forest
Li Yan's pace slowed as he drew near the source of the cries he had followed deep into the forest. The abrupt silence that replaced the desperate shouts gnawed at him, filling his chest with an ominous dread. Slipping through dense underbrush, he heightened his senses, his movements cautious and silent. As he neared a small clearing partially obscured by a thick wall of trees and vines, he crept forward, positioning himself behind a broad tree trunk, and surveyed the scene.
In the clearing stood a group of men, their postures tense, eyes darting with wariness and irritation. Four children lay huddled together on the ground, bound with rough ropes, their small forms shivering in the cool night air. But it was the fifth figure that froze Li Yan's breath—the lifeless body of a young boy, his face pale, eyes wide and unseeing, a dark bruise circling his neck where he had been brutally silenced.
One of the children stifled a sob, shrinking away from the dead boy's form, while the men surrounding them exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of irritation and impatience. Li Yan's fists clenched as he took in the smug look on the face of a wiry man with a deep scar running across his cheek.
"That's what happens when you make too much noise," the scarred man muttered coldly, his voice low and chilling, carrying a finality that silenced the small whimpers of the remaining children. He cast a glare at them, his eyes narrowed in warning. "Anyone else feel like screaming?"
Satisfied with their fearful silence, the scarred man turned to his companions, speaking in a hushed but steady tone. "We're running behind schedule, and this part of the forest isn't exactly friendly. Let's wrap this up and get out before someone finds us."
A tall, gaunt man with a cloth mask covering his mouth let out a low, uneasy chuckle. "You mean 'anyone' like Kunlun's people, right? No… I think we've got something worse to worry about. We're in the Pavilion Master's territory now. And that's not the kind of place you linger without reason."
Li Yan's brow furrowed as he listened, straining to catch every word. The "Pavilion Master"? The tales had drifted around the village in whispers—of a shadowy figure in the deep forest, controlling his domain with eerie, unnatural means. Some claimed he was eccentric, while others spoke of him with fear, describing his unsettling presence and strange subordinates. The fear these men showed made it clear this was no local myth.
A younger, shifty-eyed man glanced nervously into the dark trees, his gaze lingering on each shadow. "I heard he doesn't even use real people as his guards… they're puppets. He moves them around like toys, watching everything that happens here. Gives me the creeps just thinking about it."
The group's leader, a tall figure with a patchwork of burn scars peeking out from beneath his hood, cast him a sharp look. "Enough with the stories. We're not here to chat about the Pavilion Master's hobbies. We're here to deliver our 'cargo' to the Shadow Assassin Guild, and this forest is the only way through. That's all we need to focus on."
The scarred man let out a scoff, his lip curling in disdain. "You think the guild's going to jump to help us? They only want proof that we're serious. That's why we need this offering."
Li Yan's heart pounded as he pieced together fragments of their plan. These men were more than mere traffickers—they were part of a larger operation, a dark network that exploited the vulnerable. They referred to themselves as the "Dark Silk Caravan," and their mission was to deliver these children as "human cauldrons," a twisted offering to secure favor with the Shadow Assassin Guild. But first, they needed safe passage through the forest without inciting the wrath of its elusive master.
The smallest man among them glanced around nervously, lowering his voice to a murmur. "So, what does the Pavilion Master want, exactly? I thought we were just dealing with the guild."
The leader gave a derisive snort. "The Pavilion Master doesn't care about money or goods. Rumor has it he accepts… human offerings. They say he's tied to some dark arts that we wouldn't understand. If giving him one of these brats lets us pass through safely, then so be it."
The children huddled closer, their faces pale with terror as they absorbed the men's casual talk of sacrifice. Li Yan's stomach twisted in revulsion, his fists clenching at his sides. These smugglers were willing to treat young lives as bargaining chips, trading human suffering for their own gain.
The wiry, scarred man cast another look around, his voice dropping as he muttered, "You know what else I heard? They say he doesn't show his real face. Just sends those creepy puppets to speak for him. Like they're his eyes and ears. One wrong move, and they turn on you before you even realize it. That's why no one dares to come here."
"Enough of that!" the leader growled, his voice edged with frustration. "We're leaving a child as an offering and moving on. The guild will get what they asked for, and we'll get what we came for."
Li Yan's heart thundered as he took in the scene, his resolve solidifying. He couldn't just stand by while these men condemned innocent children to such a horrific fate. He had faced threats before, but this was different—these men were willing to hand over lives as a currency, and he could not walk away from this.
Steadying his breath, Li Yan crouched lower, his gaze fixed on the clearing, each movement of the smugglers revealing their strengths and habits. They were seasoned, ruthless, skilled at using brutality to control their "cargo." Yet even with his newly achieved Foundation Establishment, he would need strategy and precision.
The leader—a man with burn scars partially hidden beneath his hood—exuded an aura of low-level Foundation Establishment. The others were slightly weaker but still experienced; they moved with the calculated efficiency of hardened criminals, each likely in various stages of Qi Condensation. Li Yan's gaze lingered on the scarred man, whose cold eyes held no hesitation in intimidating the remaining children.
Li Yan steadied his breathing, formulating a plan. He would need to strike down the leader first to destabilize their hierarchy, sowing enough confusion among the group to create an opening for the children to escape. Each step required precision—there could be no mistakes.
Inching forward, he positioned himself closer to the edge of the clearing. The smugglers' attention had drifted, some organizing supplies while others kept a watchful but unalert eye on the children. A brief lapse in their guard—their leader's back turned, the others scattered—was all Li Yan needed.
Just as he prepared to spring into action, he heard one of the smugglers, his tone low and anxious, speak. "This place gives me the creeps. We're deep in the Pavilion Master's territory now, and if even half the stories are true—"
"Shut it," the leader cut in, his voice sharp but barely more than a whisper, as if he, too, feared drawing attention. "We have a job to do, and the Shadow Assassin Guild expects us to deliver. Passing through this territory is the only way. Now focus."
One of the men, a gaunt figure with restless eyes, shifted uneasily. "But he… he's not someone you can reason with. They say he sees through those puppets, like they're alive. If he finds us, offering or not, who knows if we'll make it out alive."
The leader's expression darkened, a flicker of doubt in his eyes. "Then let's make this quick. If we show respect by leaving an offering, we might avoid his notice."
Li Yan's stomach twisted as he realized the horrific plan they intended to carry out. Sacrificing one of the children to appease a figure they called the Pavilion Master—a twisted bargain to ensure safe passage. These men were hiding their own fear behind cruelty, but he couldn't let them follow through.
The smallest child whimpered, catching the attention of the leader, who gazed at him with a calculating expression. The boy was barely more than seven, his fragile frame shaking as he tried to suppress his sobs, eyes round with fear.
Without hesitation, Li Yan moved, knowing the time to act had come. These men's cruelty had fostered their overconfidence, and he would turn that against them. With silent steps, he advanced, positioning himself for the opening strike.
In a burst of motion, Li Yan emerged from the shadows, his fist colliding with the leader's side in a precise, Qi-imbued strike. The leader staggered, clutching his side in pain, shock flickering across his face.
The wiry man with the scarred cheek shouted, reaching for his weapon as he lunged at Li Yan. Anticipating the move, Li Yan sidestepped and countered with a sharp kick, sending him sprawling to the ground.
Chaos erupted as the smugglers scattered, their confidence fractured by Li Yan's sudden assault. He moved swiftly, each strike calculated to disable rather than kill, focused on ending the fight as efficiently as possible. The leader regained his footing, his aura flaring in an attempt to reclaim control over the situation.
"You… you think you can just interfere? You have no idea who you're dealing with!" he snarled, his hands igniting with a faint, menacing glow as he gathered Qi in a last-ditch attempt to repel Li Yan.
But Li Yan's expression was unyielding. "I don't care who you answer to. These children are not your bargaining chips."
The leader lunged forward, but Li Yan met him head-on, deflecting his attack with a sharp, palm-focused counter that sent the man reeling back. Blood trickled from the leader's mouth as he staggered, rage twisting his features. Yet Li Yan's movements remained calm, his controlled ferocity ensuring he was ready for any further strikes.
The other smugglers, witnessing their leader's faltering stance, cast uneasy glances at each other, their bravado now thoroughly shattered. Just moments before, they had exuded ruthless confidence; now, that same arrogance had dissolved into fear.
One of the remaining men—a wiry, scarred figure with cold, calculating eyes—drew his dagger, aiming to use one of the children as a shield. His twisted grin as he reached for a small girl made Li Yan's blood boil.
Li Yan moved quickly, intercepting the man with a fierce strike to the chest. The man stumbled, his breath hitching as the force of Li Yan's attack reverberated through his ribs. "You lay a hand on them, and I'll show you the meaning of regret," Li Yan said, his voice cold and firm, eyes flashing with a fire that the smuggler had clearly underestimated.
But before Li Yan could press his advantage, a new tension spread across the clearing, one even he couldn't ignore.
A soft, hollow chuckle echoed from the treeline, low and unnerving, sending a shiver through the group. Shadows shifted at the forest's edge as if the clearing itself held its breath. Li Yan's gaze snapped toward the sound, every muscle in his body coiled with heightened alertness.
Then, a faint voice drifted through the trees, each word barely more than a whisper yet filling the clearing with an eerie authority. "Intruders… daring to disturb my domain…"
The smugglers froze, their faces paling with terror as they looked to their leader, who appeared equally rattled. "P-Pavilion Master…" one stammered, his voice barely audible as fear etched into his features.
From the shadows, a figure emerged, shrouded in darkness, his form indistinct and ghostly. He moved with a strange, unnatural stillness, a wide-brimmed hat casting his face in shadow, with only his faintly glowing eyes visible beneath its brim.
Li Yan's gaze narrowed, every instinct warning him that this was no ordinary cultivator. The Pavilion Master of Murmurs—a name spoken with both dread and reverence—stood before them, his very presence exuding an aura of dark, commanding control.
The Pavilion Master surveyed the scene with detached curiosity, his gaze drifting over the huddled children, the quivering smugglers, and finally resting on Li Yan. The clearing was cloaked in an oppressive silence, broken only by the muffled sobs of the children and the ragged breaths of the men. His eerie, pale eyes glinted beneath the brim of his wide hat, unreadable yet exuding a chilling amusement.
The gaunt smuggler dropped to his knees, voice barely more than a quivering whisper. "Pavilion Master… forgive us for intruding. W-We didn't mean to offend you." He cast a desperate look at the leader, who, despite his injury, scrambled upright, swallowing his pride as he bowed low before the shadowed figure.
"Esteemed Pavilion Master," the leader began, his tone reverent yet laced with desperation. "We bring offerings, humble tokens of respect, hoping only for safe passage. Our path through your forest is essential to our… mission. Please, grant us your mercy and allow us to proceed."
The Pavilion Master tilted his head, a faint smirk appearing on his shadowed face. His voice, smooth and mocking, drifted through the clearing. "An offering, you say? And yet… I find your presence here disruptive. Did you think that a handful of young lives would buy my favor?"
The leader paled, his confidence cracking as he stammered a response. "M-Master, we would never presume to insult you. These… these children are meant as tribute, honoring the sanctity of your forest. We meant no disrespect."
The scarred man shot an uneasy glare at Li Yan, his eyes filled with a mixture of frustration and fear. "It was him!" he blurted, pointing at Li Yan. "He interfered, attacked us while we were preparing the tribute! He's the one disrupting your domain!"
The Pavilion Master's gaze shifted to Li Yan, lingering with a curious, almost amused glint. For a tense moment, he said nothing, his expression unreadable. Li Yan's heart pounded, but he forced himself to remain calm, assessing his options. In a direct confrontation, he knew his strength was outmatched; even the deepest reserves of his own Qi wouldn't be enough against someone like this. He needed a way out, a means to turn the situation to his advantage.
Taking a calculated risk, Li Yan met the Pavilion Master's gaze and spoke, his tone steady. "Pavilion Master, I, too, came to make an offering—an offering that may better honor your presence." He cast a meaningful glance at the smugglers. "These men here… are my tribute to you."
The smugglers stared at him in disbelief, their faces twisted with outrage and terror. The leader's mouth opened to protest, but a subtle gesture from the Pavilion Master silenced him. Li Yan felt the weight of the Pavilion Master's gaze upon him, a flicker of intrigue brightening the pale eyes beneath the hat's shadow.
"Oh?" The Pavilion Master's voice held a note of interest, and he took a slow, deliberate step forward, hands clasped behind his back. "And tell me, young cultivator… what makes you believe that their lives—these pitiful souls who trespass on my land—hold any value to me?"
Li Yan suppressed a shiver, keeping his tone even. "They came here, dragging innocent children with them, hoping to trade lives for safety. Their lives—steeped in greed and cruelty—might be unworthy, but even they might serve a purpose in your hands. Think of them not as mortals but as raw material… disposable, yes, but perhaps useful."
The smugglers looked horrified, some scrambling back, their eyes wide with terror. The scarred man, unable to contain himself, spat, "You can't do this! You think you'll survive this forest alone? You're as good as dead!"
Ignoring him, Li Yan kept his gaze locked on the Pavilion Master, who seemed to be considering his words. After a moment, a low chuckle escaped from beneath the wide-brimmed hat, a sound that seemed to chill the air around them.
"How… amusing," murmured the Pavilion Master, his gaze never wavering. "You speak with conviction, yet I sense something else beneath your words. Perhaps fear… or perhaps, resolve?" His smile deepened, his voice soft and dangerously amused. "Very well, young one. Let us see if your tribute proves… entertaining."
With a wave of his hand, shadows began to stir at the edge of the clearing. From the darkened treeline, puppet-like figures began to emerge, their forms humanoid yet disturbingly mechanical. Each puppet moved with a smooth, unnatural grace, their joints creaking softly, their expressions blank but with a glint of eerie intelligence in their eyes.
The smugglers' bravado vanished, replaced by terror as the puppets advanced, encircling them with slow, deliberate movements. "No… please!" one of the men cried, his voice cracking. The gaunt man fell to his knees, his gaze darting between the advancing puppets and the Pavilion Master.
"Mercy, Pavilion Master… we only wished to pass through!" he pleaded, his voice quivering.
But the Pavilion Master's gaze remained cold, his amusement now gone, replaced by a disdainful indifference. "Mercy? In my forest, mercy is not a currency I accept." With a flick of his fingers, the puppets surged forward, their movements swift and unwavering.
The smugglers' cries echoed through the clearing, each one silenced in turn by the eerie precision of the puppets' attacks. Li Yan watched, his jaw clenched, as these men, who had so confidently wielded fear against defenseless children, now faced a terror of their own making. Within moments, the clearing fell silent once more, leaving only the still, ghostly figures of the puppets standing over their fallen forms.
With a subtle gesture, the Pavilion Master beckoned, and the puppets gathered the bodies, lifting them with mechanical efficiency before disappearing back into the shadows, leaving the clearing as empty and quiet as it had been.
The Pavilion Master turned to Li Yan, his expression inscrutable. "You have bought yourself a reprieve, young cultivator," he murmured, his voice soft. "But know this—should you choose to wander deeper into my territory, I may not be as… indulgent."
Li Yan inclined his head respectfully, masking his relief. "Thank you, Pavilion Master. I will remember your warning."
The Pavilion Master's eerie, pale eyes lingered on him a moment longer, the faint glimmer of amusement fading into something darker, more curious. Then, with a slight nod, he turned, disappearing back into the shadows as his presence dissipated like mist, leaving the clearing empty and silent once more.
Li Yan let out a slow, steadying breath, feeling the tension in his shoulders ease slightly. He glanced around at the remaining children, their faces still pale with fear, eyes wide and uncomprehending. Despite the unsettling nature of his encounter, he knew that the children's safety came first. Moving quickly, he knelt beside them, loosening their bindings and murmuring reassurances.
"It's alright now. You're safe," he said, his voice low and calm, trying to offer comfort as he worked to free each one.
As he untied the last child, the smallest among them—a boy with tear-streaked cheeks—looked up at him, eyes wide with a mixture of awe and fear. "Mister… are you going to take us somewhere safe?"
Li Yan hesitated, his mind racing. His encounter with the Pavilion Master had left him with more questions than answers, but one thing was clear: the Pavilion Master had allowed the children to live. Whatever dark purpose lay behind his actions, he wasn't someone who sought out innocent lives without cause. But where could he take the children?
Before he could answer, a faint rustling emerged from the trees, and his hand instinctively moved to his side, preparing for any potential threat. To his surprise, however, the shadows stirred once more, and several of the Pavilion Master's puppets reappeared, their movements eerily smooth, their expressions as blank as before. They approached in silence, halting just before the children and turning their empty gazes to Li Yan.
He felt his pulse quicken, uncertain of their intent. But then, with a soft, almost mechanical whir, one of the puppets lifted its arm, gesturing toward the children. It seemed as if they were… beckoning for them to follow.
Li Yan's brow furrowed as he glanced between the children and the puppets, weighing his options. Whatever misgivings he felt, he understood the Pavilion Master's influence in this territory was absolute. If these puppets had been sent to guide the children, it was likely their safest option, at least for now.
"Go with them," Li Yan said gently, urging the children to stand. "They'll take you somewhere safe." He gave them a reassuring nod, though he couldn't shake his own unease. The smallest child looked at him with wide, uncertain eyes but slowly took a step forward, encouraged by Li Yan's calm demeanor.
The children moved hesitantly toward the puppets, who began to lead them through the shadows of the forest, their steps soft and controlled. As the last child looked back at him, Li Yan felt a pang of doubt but held his ground, watching until they had disappeared from view.
With the clearing now empty and silent, Li Yan stood alone, processing the strange series of events. The Pavilion Master's actions defied explanation, his motives veiled in layers of intrigue and darkness. But if the puppets were truly leading the children to safety, then perhaps there was a sliver of honor—twisted though it might be—within the eccentric recluse.
A flicker of movement from the edge of the clearing caught his eye, and Li Yan turned, muscles tensed. A group of figures had appeared, moving purposefully through the undergrowth. His gaze narrowed as he recognized them—righteous cultivators, their robes bearing the insignias of various sects, all reputable and well-known for their moral codes and duties. They carried themselves with the ease of seasoned fighters, their postures alert as they approached.
Li Yan felt a surge of relief; the righteous cultivators were known for rescuing those in peril, and their arrival meant the children would be further protected. But his relief quickly gave way to a cold, prickling dread as he remembered the Pavilion Master's disdain for intruders, especially those aligned with the so-called "righteous" factions.
The cultivators spotted him, and the one leading the group—a tall man with a haughty expression and a gleaming sword strapped to his back—strode forward. His gaze swept over Li Yan, his lips curling with faint disdain as he took in Li Yan's simple appearance.
"You there," the cultivator said sharply. "Where are the children? We received word that this place was infested with outlaws who had abducted innocent lives. What part did you play in this?"
Li Yan felt a flicker of irritation but kept his expression neutral. "The children are safe," he replied evenly. "I helped free them from the smugglers. They've already been led to safety."
The cultivator's eyes narrowed, a glint of suspicion entering his gaze. "Led to safety? By whom?"
Before Li Yan could respond, a low chuckle echoed from the shadows, chilling and unmistakable. The righteous cultivators turned sharply, hands moving instinctively to their weapons. From the darkness, the Pavilion Master of Murmurs reappeared, his figure cloaked in shadow, a faint smile playing on his lips as he regarded the newcomers with a mixture of amusement and disdain.
"Ah… more intruders in my domain," he drawled, his voice smooth and mocking. "And here I thought I'd had enough entertainment for one night."
The leader of the righteous cultivators bristled, his posture rigid. "You must be the so-called Pavilion Master. We're here to ensure the safety of those children and to rid this forest of your… corrupt influence."
The Pavilion Master raised an eyebrow, his smile widening in a manner both condescending and unsettling. "Corrupt influence, you say? How bold." His gaze flicked toward Li Yan, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. "Young one, it seems we have company who deem themselves fit to judge the worthiness of my existence."
Li Yan, unsure how to respond, gave a slight nod, choosing to remain silent. He understood the Pavilion Master's unpredictability and sensed that the coming encounter would be best handled with caution.
The lead cultivator scoffed, his grip on his sword tightening. "Enough of your games. We'll put an end to this charade. Surrender peacefully, and you might be shown mercy."
The Pavilion Master let out a laugh, genuine yet edged with disdain. "Mercy? Oh, I do enjoy that word… especially coming from self-righteous fools who believe their titles make them untouchable."
The cultivator, unable to bear the taunt any longer, drew his sword in a swift, practiced motion. "Very well. You've chosen your fate."
In a blur of movement, he charged, his sword glowing faintly with a righteous Qi, a testament to his high-level training. But the Pavilion Master merely tilted his head, his amusement unshaken. As the sword descended, he lifted a single hand, and with an almost careless flick of his fingers, a burst of dark energy erupted, intercepting the blade mid-swing.
The righteous cultivator stumbled, his balance thrown by the unexpected resistance. Before he could recover, the Pavilion Master struck, a swift, precise motion that sent the man reeling backward, his robes singed from the force of the impact.
The other cultivators hesitated, their confidence wavering as they witnessed the effortless display of power. The Pavilion Master's gaze swept over them, his smile widening with a childlike delight. "Is that all you've got? And here I thought the so-called righteous sects would at least put up an entertaining fight."
Another cultivator, younger and visibly shaken, took a cautious step back. "This… this isn't what we were prepared for…"
But the leader, too proud to retreat, spat on the ground, his gaze seething with indignation. "Stand your ground! We don't back down from a mere puppet master!"
The Pavilion Master's expression darkened, his amusement replaced by a cold, predatory gaze. "Puppet master? You insult my craft. Very well… let me show you precisely how I handle those who trespass where they don't belong."
With a wave of his hand, his puppets emerged from the shadows, their mechanical forms eerily precise as they advanced upon the cultivators. Each puppet moved with the coordination and force of a seasoned warrior, their blank, expressionless faces hiding a lethal intent.
The cultivators clashed with the puppets, but it quickly became clear that they were outmatched. The Pavilion Master watched with a twisted satisfaction, his gaze gleaming as his creations forced the arrogant cultivators onto the defensive, every strike a calculated, merciless blow.
The lead cultivator, now bruised and battered, glared up at the Pavilion Master, his pride shattered. "Y-You… you can't do this… the Kunlun Sect will hear of this affront."
The Pavilion Master's lips curled into a smirk. "Let them come," he said softly, his voice dripping with contempt. "Let them know that the Pavilion Master of Murmurs does not tolerate unwelcome guests."
The cultivator, his defiance finally broken, stumbled back, his face pale with horror. He cast a desperate look at Li Yan, as if pleading for an ally, but Li Yan's expression remained impassive. He understood well enough by now that the Pavilion Master was not a figure to challenge recklessly.
With a final, ruthless command, the Pavilion Master sent his puppets forward, striking the leader down, leaving him battered and humiliated but alive. The remaining cultivators stood frozen, horror etched into their faces as they watched their leader sprawled on the forest floor, his defiance snuffed out in a matter of minutes. The Pavilion Master's puppets withdrew, their movements eerily precise as they returned to the shadows, leaving only silence in their wake.
The Pavilion Master turned his gaze on the group, his pale eyes glinting with dark satisfaction. "Consider yourselves fortunate," he murmured, his tone deceptively soft. "I am not in the habit of sparing those who trespass in my domain. However, today, I am… amused."
The lead cultivator struggled to his knees, his face twisted in a mixture of fury and humiliation. "This… this isn't over," he spat, each word laced with bitterness. "The righteous sects will hear of your arrogance, Pavilion Master. You won't be able to hide in the shadows forever."
A chuckle, low and condescending, escaped the Pavilion Master. "Hide? Oh, I think you misunderstand. I have no need to hide. The forest and all within it are mine to command, and I do as I please." He leaned forward slightly, his voice a whisper that carried a chilling promise. "Run along now, before I change my mind."
Without further protest, the righteous cultivators retreated, their once-confident postures reduced to stiff, humbled figures as they disappeared into the dense trees. The Pavilion Master's gaze lingered on their departure, a hint of amusement still playing across his lips.
Once the last of them was gone, the clearing fell into silence once more. Li Yan, who had remained still throughout the entire encounter, finally allowed himself a slow exhale. He hadn't missed the thrill in the Pavilion Master's expression as he toyed with his opponents, a strange mixture of cruelty and… perhaps even playfulness, though it was as unsettling as it was powerful.