Chapter Forty-Six: The Unseen Path
The bustling energy of Surat City buzzed ahead, yet Li Yan's mind lingered on a quieter, thornier question. He had only fragments of the purpose behind this journey: a target of importance, someone—or perhaps multiple individuals—they were here to intercept or gather information about them whereabouts and destinations alike. But his master's words had been sparse, as usual, offering just enough information to keep him moving forward but never enough to fully understand the scope of their mission.
And now, with this additional man—this Master of the Thousand Shadows—at his side, the puzzle had only grown more complex. Li Yan wondered why this figure had joined them at all. His presence suggested that the mission required more than his master's abilities alone. But was it for force? Stealth? Or perhaps simply an extra pair of eyes?
Every step closer to the city brought a weight to his thoughts, a sense of the unknown stretching before him. He knew enough to respect his master's methods, even if they were veiled, yet the secrecy surrounding this mission and the enigmatic man who had joined them left him with an uneasy anticipation.
As they approached the heart of Surat City, the steady hum of activity grew into a cacophony of voices, clattering wheels, and haggling merchants. Li Yan found himself glancing around with a mix of fascination and unease. This place was far removed from the simplicity of his village. Streets stretched before him, crowded with travelers, merchants, and townsfolk bustling through their routines, each immersed in their own lives. Buildings towered on either side, vibrant signs advertising wares he could only guess at, and stalls overflowed with items he had never even heard of.
The Pavilion Master and his fellow traveler walked ahead, moving seamlessly through the crowd as if this scene held no surprises for them. Li Yan, however, felt a thrill of excitement at each step deeper into the city. Every corner seemed to hold something new—a peculiar scent wafting from a food stall, the clink of precious stones at a jeweler's stand, or the bright, elaborate clothing worn by vendors trying to catch customers' eyes. He had heard stories of cities before but never imagined he'd be part of this level of life and energy, worlds apart from the quiet paths he'd known.
In his mind, Feiyan's voice echoed with faint amusement. Overwhelmed, are we?
Li Yan ignored her for once, focusing instead on the sights around him. It was hard to contain the awe bubbling up inside, but he knew he needed to keep his expression composed, not wanting to stand out. Yet, he couldn't help but absorb every detail, feeling that each experience here might be something he could learn from, even if just in passing.
As they wove through the bustling streets, Li Yan couldn't shake the awe building within him. He had never seen a city of this scale, with its towering buildings and seemingly endless maze of people, sounds, and colors. Back in his village, life was simple and small, confined to narrow dirt paths and familiar faces. Here, everything was vibrant and alive, with merchants calling out, children darting between stalls, and travelers from places he couldn't even name passing by. It was overwhelming yet exhilarating, and despite the stern presence of his master and their purpose here, he found himself captivated by the sheer vastness of it all. This place held a pulse he'd never felt, a rhythm that seemed to sweep him up with each step.
The Pavilion Master came to a stop amidst the bustling crowd, his gaze shifting to Li Yan with an unreadable look. After a moment's pause, he tossed a small pouch of coins to him, the weight of it landing in Li Yan's hands with a soft jingle.
"Find a suitable inn for us. We'll meet back here before sunset," the Pavilion Master instructed, his tone even but carrying an undertone of command that left little room for argument.
Li Yan blinked in surprise, glancing down at the pouch and back up at his master. Was he being trusted to go off on his own, even if just for a little while? It was unexpected. Normally, the Pavilion Master kept him close, never leaving him unwatched for long. But the brief glance the Pavilion Master exchanged with the Master of Thousand Shadows told him that they had matters to attend to—matters that he clearly wasn't meant to be part of.
It felt strange, a mix of independence and the weight of responsibility as he watched the two figures blend into the crowd. With a nod of acknowledgment, he turned his attention to the task at hand. He had some time to himself in this city, a chance to explore, even if just a bit. Finding an inn wouldn't take too long, and the bustling streets ahead beckoned him forward with the thrill of a place he'd never experienced before.
As the Pavilion Master of Murmurs, Yinmo, watched Li Yan disappear into the crowd, he allowed himself a rare moment of contemplation. Sending the boy off alone in a city as vast as Surat was a calculated decision. Li Yan was capable enough, yet his inexperience in a place like this would test his adaptability—a trait Yinmo valued above all else. If the boy was to survive in a world full of unseen threats and shifting allegiances, he'd need to learn to navigate cities as well as forests and mountains. Yinmo's gaze lingered on the crowd before he turned, his mind already shifting to the next phase of their mission.
Beside him, Luoying, the Master of Thousand Shadows, observed the exchange with quiet intrigue. Yinmo's decision to let his disciple venture off unsupervised struck him as both practical and deliberate. Luoying himself was a master of blending in and finding information amidst the unknown, but to Yinmo, this was an act of trust—perhaps too much. His own disciples, if he had any, would never be left to wander freely in a city filled with so many variables. It made him wonder again what Yinmo saw in the boy. Despite his inner curiosity, Luoying merely nodded, letting the matter rest.
As they stepped forward, side by side, the shadows of their mission loomed larger. The information they sought wasn't meant for open ears, and Yinmo knew well that even the walls in Surat City were said to have eyes and ears. Every moment mattered, and every step closer to finding their target came with its own risks. For Yinmo, there was only one objective: the elimination of Celestial Sage Qian. Anything that could lead to interference—from the Celestial Court or elsewhere—would need to be removed. As they navigated the maze of travelers and merchants, Yinmo's mind remained fixed on ensuring the shadows kept their secrets, at whatever cost.
The Pavilion Master of Murmurs and the Master of Thousand Shadows approached an unassuming building on the outskirts of the bustling main street. To any passerby, it appeared to be nothing more than a modest brothel, its facade adorned with faded lanterns and modest tapestries, a place frequented by travelers seeking fleeting pleasure or companionship. However, to those versed in the art of subterfuge, the building was a known hub—a local branch of the Shadow Assassin Guild.
Yinmo led the way, his posture relaxed yet purposeful. He'd been to similar establishments before, and each one, no matter how innocuous on the outside, served as a crucial nexus of intelligence and covert dealings. This particular branch, hidden behind the guise of a brothel, catered to the western territories, gathering information from travelers, merchants, and mercenaries alike. He had no doubts that any news on the Celestial Court envoy—or, indeed, any notable figures passing through the region—would be filtered and collected here.
Luoying, walking beside him, glanced around with an air of mild disinterest. Such establishments were common in cities like Surat, though he acknowledged their effectiveness. A brothel was the ideal cover, a place where whispered secrets flowed freely, unguarded by patrons lulled into a false sense of privacy. Despite his own preference for shadows and silence, Luoying respected the Guild's ingenuity in constructing layers of deception within an unsuspecting environment.
They entered discreetly, Yinmo nodding to the doorman, who offered a brief, knowing glance before stepping aside. The main hall was dimly lit, filled with murmurs and the faint scent of incense. Men and women lounged in various states of relaxation, attendants weaving through with practiced ease. Yinmo paid them no mind as he led Luoying to a concealed door in the back, hidden behind a tapestry depicting a scene of pastoral tranquility—a stark contrast to the establishment's true nature.
Once inside, the atmosphere shifted; the sounds from the main hall faded, replaced by the quiet, focused ambiance of the Guild's inner workings. Shadows seemed to thicken around them, and the soft flicker of lanterns cast distorted silhouettes against the walls, lending an almost spectral quality to the place. Yinmo and Luoying exchanged a brief glance, each man acknowledging the layers of secrecy at play.
A figure stepped forward, cloaked in darkness yet familiar to Yinmo—a liaison of the local Guild branch, his face obscured but his presence unmistakably one of authority within the Guild. Bowing slightly, he motioned them deeper into the chamber, indicating that he was ready to share whatever intelligence they sought.
Yinmo's voice was quiet yet firm, carrying the weight of command. "We're here for information," he said. "Specifically, on arrivals from the Celestial Court and Infernal Sect."
The liaison nodded, unfazed, and led them into an even deeper chamber, where the real web of information awaited. Both Yinmo and Luoying knew they were getting closer to what they came for—and that every word spoken here could alter the course of their mission.
Li Yan wandered through the bustling streets, his senses alive with the sights, sounds, and scents of the city. For someone who had spent nearly his entire life in a quiet village, the city was like a world of its own, teeming with activity and vibrancy. Vendors shouted from their stalls, hawking everything from fine silks to fragrant spices, while the mingling scents of grilled meats, fresh breads, and simmering broths filled the air, making his mouth water.
He found himself drawn to a food stall where skewers of glazed meat sizzled over an open flame. The vendor, an older woman with a wide smile, handed him a skewer after he handed over a coin from the pouch his master had given him. Li Yan took a bite, savoring the taste—a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and smoky that he'd never experienced before. He couldn't help but let out a small, appreciative sigh, feeling a sense of happiness that had been rare in his recent days. For a brief moment, he forgot about missions, masters, or the weight of cultivation.
As he continued exploring, his gaze fell on a stall decorated with intricate talismans and faintly glowing charms. Above it, a sign proclaimed: "Test Your Fate! Reading by the True Seer!" Beneath the sign, a bored-looking young man sat on a cushion, eyes half-closed as he drummed his fingers on the table.
Li Yan tilted his head, intrigued. Fate readings were things he had only heard about in passing—a vague art, often treated with skepticism by serious cultivators. But he couldn't deny the pull of curiosity. The idea of someone being able to read his fate, to see what lay ahead… it was strangely enticing, even if he didn't fully believe in it.
"Want to try your luck, young master?" the reader asked, his voice holding a casual confidence that made Li Yan pause.
He hesitated, glancing around. Was there truly anything that could be revealed about his path? For all the teachings he'd received, all the training, he had no real knowledge of what lay ahead for him. His life was a tangled path, one that had taken unexpected turns—from his quiet beginnings in the village to the intensity of his journey now. Maybe, just maybe, a glimpse into that unknown would give him clarity.
"What does it cost?" he asked, already reaching into the small pouch for another coin.
The reader gave a faint smile, motioning to the coins on the table. "Just a single piece. But it may cost more in spirit than you expect. Do you truly wish to see what fate holds for you?"
Li Yan's curiosity flared, his heart beating slightly faster. He took a deep breath, nodded, and set the coin down.
As the young seer reached out, preparing to activate his technique, a sudden change swept over his face. His eyes widened, his expression shifting from calm confidence to stark terror. He gasped, clutching his chest as if an unseen force had gripped him from within.
Before Li Yan could even register what was happening, the boy let out a strangled gasp, blood trickling from the corners of his mouth. His body convulsed once, then fell limp against the table, lifeless. The small crowd that had gathered gasped, a murmur of shock rippling through the onlookers.
Li Yan stumbled back, his mind racing. He stared in disbelief, unable to process the scene before him. All he'd wanted was a harmless reading, a glance into his fate. Instead, this stranger had died the moment he attempted to peer into his future.
An ominous chill crept down Li Yan's spine. The city's lively noise faded, leaving him in a tense silence, surrounded by hushed whispers and fearful glances cast his way. His stomach churned as he wondered just what kind of darkness lay upon his path — and why it seemed to repeled who dared to look into it.
As the young boy fell to the ground, his face pale and blood staining his lips, a murmur rippled through the gathered crowd. Whispers turned to gasps, and gasps into alarmed cries.
"He killed him!" a woman shrieked, pointing an accusing finger at Li Yan.
Others took up the call, fear and suspicion flashing in their eyes. "He did something to that boy!" "Murderer!" "Guards, stop him!"
Li Yan's heart pounded as the crowd pressed around him, their gazes filled with both fear and outrage. He took a step back, confusion mingling with his own rising alarm. He hadn't touched the boy; he had done nothing. And yet, in a matter of moments, the bustling market atmosphere had shifted, hostility closing in from all sides.
Before he could speak, a group of city guards forced their way through the gathering crowd. Each wore the distinct insignia marking their allegiance to the city and to the powerful forces who oversaw its peace: both the Emei Sect and the Three Pillars Temple held sway here, and neither tolerated disruptions.
"Hands up!" barked one of the guards, leveling a spear in his direction. "You're coming with us."
Li Yan's mind raced. If he resisted, he would risk drawing even more attention, exposing his identity and endangering his mission. With a reluctant nod, he raised his hands, allowing the guards to close in, their eyes wary and suspicious.
Just as the guards closed in, a calm yet commanding voice cut through the tension. "Hold your spears. This one is with me."
The guards paused, glancing toward the source of the voice. A young man stepped forward, his dark robes edged with a subtle, almost fiery crimson, his gaze sharp and unyielding. His presence radiated a quiet authority, and the crowd's murmurs stilled, sensing something powerful beneath the surface.
Li Yan turned, a mix of confusion and cautious curiosity flickering in his eyes. He didn't recognize the man, but there was an undeniable aura about him, one that seemed to quiet even the boldest of onlookers.
The young man's eyes swept over the guards, his expression turning slightly amused as they hesitated, torn between obedience and the potential danger this stranger posed. "You don't want trouble with me," he added, his tone soft yet carrying an edge that hinted at hidden strength.
After a brief silence, one of the guards, looking visibly reluctant, lowered his spear. "Understood, young master," he muttered, his eyes darting between Li Yan and the newcomer. With murmured instructions, the guards slowly backed away, dispersing the crowd but keeping their watchful gazes trained on the two.
Li Yan, still uncertain of the situation, looked at the young man who had intervened. He felt both gratitude and an edge of wariness. He didn't know this person, and yet, this stranger's interference had saved him from a difficult situation. But who was he, and why had he stepped in?
The young man turned his gaze to Li Yan, a faint, unreadable smile touching his lips. "Looks like you were causing quite the scene," he said, almost amused.