Lu Heng's sharp eyes darted from shadow to shadow, always calculating, always alert. Bai Fu trailed behind, his nerves on edge. Since their escape from the last monster they fought (he fought), he couldn't shake the feeling that something sinister clung to his companion and this was a feeling he dared not voice. Bai Fu knew Lu Heng to be callous and cruel but the level of cruelty the senior brother was exhibiting ever since they got into the forest was way more than he would have expected from anyone, especially this disciple.
Bai Fu had always looked up to Lu Heng. Seeing in him someone he could use to climb the ladder in the sect hierarchy. Lu Heng was not only talented, he was handsome and skilled in magic arts, martial arts and even sword arts. He was everyone's favourite and so hangers on like him and Xiao Chang hung around him like leashes. But since the entered Qinxu forest, Lu Heng had totally changed into a different person. He was like a fiend of hell. The sight of Lu Heng throwing Xiao Chang under the bus to be killed by that monster was the nail on the coffin for Bai Fu. He wishes there was a way to escape him as he wasn't sure they were on the sect mission anymore.
Senior brother Lu Heng appeared to be obsessed with Li as almost all his talks was centred on the orphan boy. He had become like a ferocious beast ever since they lost Li's group. Lu Heng had been shouting at him and hitting him at every opportunity. And it seemed to be getting worse as their time of exiting the forest approached. They had already spent ten days out of the fifteen. What baffled Bai Fu the most was that they had barely gotten much herbs as Lu Heng seemed less concerned about it but more concerned with getting Li.
The eerie stillness of the ancient forest seemed to deepen as Lu Heng and Bai Fu moved cautiously through the dense underbrush. The towering trees stood like silent sentinels, their twisted branches interlocking to form a canopy that blocked out the sun, casting the ground below in a perpetual twilight.
Suddenly, they heard voices up ahead and the voices sounded familiar, disciplined, and young. They were obviously disciples of the sect, also on the mission. Lu Heng's lips curled into a cold smile. "Stay close and don't say anything except I tell you to," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.
'Yes, senior brother' Bai Fu nervously answered.
They both crept closer until they spotted a group of four disciples in the sect battle gears, their sect emblems gleaming faintly under the filtered light. They were resting near a trickling stream, unaware that they were being watched.
The obvious leader of the new group was Tian Rong, obvious from his carriage and air of command around him. He carried a heavy iron-tipped staff across his back, and it was clear that he knew how to use it. Tian Rong's stern gaze lingered on Lu Heng, clearly wary as his group had experienced many nasty things since they got into the forest.
Beside him was Lian Mei, a sixteen-year-old with long black hair tightly braided, emphasizing her angular face and piercing green eyes. Lian Mei carried a pouch filled with various herbs, as she an affinity for healing. She studied Lu Heng and Bai Fu with thinly veiled suspicion, her calculating mind already dissecting the situation.
Xiao Ping looked to be the youngest of the group as shown by his wiry frame that was brimming with restless energy. His sandy hair was perpetually windswept, and his quick, darting eyes sparkled with curiosity—or mischief, depending on the moment. His twin daggers hung loosely from his belt, their edges keen and ready. Though impulsive, Xiao Ping was fiercely loyal and quick to defend his friends.
Lastly, Yu Yan, a fierce sixteen-year-old with steady brown eyes and an air of quiet determination, stood with her arms crossed. Her braided hair was adorned with silver threads, reflecting the last rays of sunlight filtering through the trees. She carried a heavy-bladed spear strapped to her back, her stance effortlessly balanced, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.
The air crackled with unspoken tension as the two groups exchanged wary greetings. Tian Rong spoke first, his tone guarded. "Lu Feng, Bai Fu… we didn't expect to see you this far from the main camp."
"We were chased by a mighty demonic beast deeper in the forest," Lu Heng lied smoothly, offering a disarming smile. "Didn't expect to run into familiar faces."
Bai Fu shifted uneasily but said nothing, casting a nervous glance at Lu Heng.
The four disciples exchanged uncertain glances but eventually accepted the explanation. Trust, after all, was a precious—and dangerous—commodity in the wilderness.
"We've encountered similar trouble," Tian Rong, replied. "You're welcome to share our fire."
"Many thanks," Lu Heng said smoothly, his dark eyes gleaming. He then motioned for Bai Fu to come forward as they joined the group, also crouching down by the fire.
As night crept over the forest, they set up a small camp, their guard only slightly lowered. Bai Fu could feel the weight of Lu Heng's calculating gaze lingering on their unsuspecting comrades. He clenched his fists, suppressing a shiver, wondering what Lu Heng had in store for the unsuspecting disciples.
They stayed there in companionable silence taking out provisions and eating until nightfall. The fire crackled softly as stories of battles and narrow escapes were shared by the two groups. Bai Fu remained unusually quiet, his gaze flicking uneasily between Lu Heng and the unsuspecting disciples. Although Yu Yan was participating in the discussion, she was faintly suspicious of Lu Feng.
A few days before the commencement of the sect mission and their journey into the forest, Yu Yan remembered a discussion she had heard from a group of outer sect disciples. A few of the newly admitted sect disciples had gone missing. Although there were speculations that they might have gotten weary of the sect regimen and returned to their homes, a few of the outer sect members had vouched that Lu Heng was the last person seen with the disappeared sect members. This claims could not be substantiated as nobody was willing to accuse Lu Heng directly. The elder in charge of the outer sect had also promised to investigate the matter. Until they get back to the sect, the truth cannot be known. But she was still weary of him. Something was not sitting right with him in her estimation.
Much later, when the others were fast asleep, Lu Feng stirred silently and gestured for Bai Fu to follow him. They slipped into the dark forest.
"What...what are we doing?" Bai Fu whispered.
Lu Feng's voice was low, almost a growl. "Hunting."
Before Bai Fu could respond, Lu Heng disappeared into the shadows, reappearing near Tian Rong, his palm shimmered with dark energy as he struck silently. The disciple gasped, waking for only a second before the dark energy surged into him, draining his essence with a faint, sickening glow that directly flowed into Lu Heng. His body crumpled, lifeless. Lu Heng exhaled slowly with an exhilarated expression like someone who had just eaten a delicious filling meal.
Bai Fu stumbled backward, his breath ragged. "You…you killed him!"
Lu Heng turned slowly, his expression turning cold and dangerous. "So?"
"Why? What are you doing?" Bai Fu hissed, horrified.
"Getting stronger, what do you think," Lu Heng replied icily. "Do you want to be next?"
Bai Fu shook his head frantically.
"Good." Lu Heng's voice turned low and menacing. "Now shut up. Obey me—and you may live."
He then motioned for Bai Fu to go back to sleep as he lay beside him. But Bai Fu couldn't sleep as he watched a faint glow of light play all over Lu Heng's body. Lu Heng had his eyes closed but there was a tiny cruel smile plastered on his face.
Bai Fu's heart pounded as he watched Lu Feng open his eyes, turn sideways and stare at him and then get up and slip away again. Against his better judgment, he followed silently.
This time, Lu Heng targeted one of the female disciples, Yu Yan. She stirred just as he pressed his hand to her chest, dark energy crackling between them. Her muffled cry was quickly stifled as her life essence drained into Lu Heng's body.
Frozen with fear, Bai Fu's eyes widened in horror. He stumbled backward, snapping a twig underfoot.
Lu Heng's head snapped toward the sound, his eyes gleaming dangerously. He advanced slowly, his aura oppressive.
"I warned you."
Bai Fu dropped to his knees, trembling. "I...I swear I won't tell anyone."
Lu Heng's lip curled. "I still need you to do something for me, if not, I would have finished you right away. But, if you even think of betraying me, you'll wish for a quicker end."
Bai Fu nodded frantically, his face pale. He knew now there was no turning back—only survival under the shadow of a growing monster.