The rain finally began to let up as Liang, Yuan, and the injured woman neared the outskirts of the village. The air smelled of wet earth and wood smoke, faint traces of civilization filtering through the forest. Liang felt his shoulders relax slightly, though the tension in his chest hadn't fully dissipated.
The fight with the bandits lingered in his mind. The system had guided him again, but each encounter seemed to chip away at his energy. He wondered how long he could keep this pace before his body gave out.
"Master Yuan," Liang said, breaking the silence, "are all journeys like this? Ambushes, fighting, running?"
Yuan glanced back at him, his expression unreadable as always. "A cultivator's path is never without conflict. But not all battles are fought with blades. The true struggle is maintaining your balance amid chaos."
Liang sighed, shifting his dagger in his hand. "Sounds exhausting."
"It is," Yuan said simply.
The woman groaned faintly, drawing their attention. She was barely conscious, her head lolling to one side as Yuan supported her.
"We're close," Yuan said. "Once we reach the village, we'll find her a healer and rest."
Liang nodded, though his unease persisted. The Azure Bloom pulsed softly, a gentle warmth in his chest that didn't quite reassure him.
The village came into view, nestled in a small clearing at the edge of the forest. It was modest, with simple wooden houses and narrow dirt roads. A few villagers bustled about, tending to livestock or carrying supplies despite the lingering drizzle.
As they entered, heads turned toward them, curious and wary gazes following their every step. Yuan's presence commanded respect, but the sight of the injured woman quickly turned curiosity into concern.
"Master Yuan," an older man called, stepping forward. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a graying beard and a sturdy staff in hand. "You've returned. What happened?"
"We encountered trouble in the forest," Yuan said. "This woman was attacked by bandits. She needs a healer."
The man nodded, gesturing for them to follow. "Come. We'll see to her injuries."
They were led to a modest hut near the village center, where an elderly healer greeted them with warm but tired eyes. Yuan and the man gently laid the woman onto a cot, and the healer immediately set to work, examining her wounds with practiced hands.
"She'll need rest," the healer said after a moment. "And proper food. The wounds aren't fatal, but her spirit is weak."
Yuan nodded. "Thank you. We'll ensure she recovers."
Liang stood awkwardly by the door, his gaze darting between the woman and Yuan. Something still didn't sit right with him. He opened his mouth to speak, but the older man from earlier clapped him on the shoulder.
"You look like you've seen a ghost," the man said with a chuckle. "Come. Let's get you something to eat. You can't fight on an empty stomach."
Liang hesitated, glancing at Yuan, who gave him a slight nod. Reluctantly, he followed the man out into the village.
The small inn was warm and welcoming, a stark contrast to the cold and damp forest. Liang sat by the fire, sipping a bowl of hot soup as the older man introduced himself as Elder Zhou, the village leader.
"So," Zhou said, leaning back in his chair, "you're training under Master Yuan. That explains the fire in your eyes."
Liang blinked. "Fire?"
Zhou chuckled. "A cultivator's aura is hard to miss, even for someone like me. You carry yourself like someone on the brink of discovery."
Liang smiled faintly, unsure how to respond. His thoughts drifted back to the bandits, the injured woman, and the system's warnings.
"Elder Zhou," he said hesitantly, "do you know anything about the bandits in the forest?"
Zhou's expression darkened, his jovial demeanor fading. "They've been a plague on this region for months. They strike without warning, taking supplies and killing anyone who resists. We've sent word to the nearest sect for help, but so far, none have come."
Liang frowned. "But why are they still here? If cultivators know about them—"
"Not all cultivators care about villages like ours," Zhou said bitterly. "We're too small, too insignificant. To them, it's not worth the effort."
Liang clenched his fists, anger bubbling in his chest. "That's wrong. Someone has to stop them."
Zhou's gaze softened. "Perhaps you will, one day. But remember, boy—strength alone isn't enough. The world is full of shadows, and not all enemies show their faces."
Liang's thoughts churned as he finished his meal. Shadows, unseen enemies… Zhou's words echoed in his mind, adding to the storm of doubts that had been building since they found the woman.
When he returned to the healer's hut, the woman was sitting up slightly, her face still pale but more composed. Yuan sat nearby, his arms crossed as he spoke to her in low tones.
Liang lingered by the door, watching them. The woman's story didn't change—she was a simple traveler, her family ambushed on the road. Yet the Azure Bloom pulsed faintly, a whisper at the edge of his consciousness.
Deception Detected: Inconsistencies in Testimony. Qi Fluctuations Observed.
Liang's heart sank. The system's warning confirmed what he had feared.
"Master Yuan," he said quietly, stepping forward.
Yuan turned, his expression calm but questioning. "What is it?"
Liang hesitated, his gaze flicking to the woman. "The Azure Bloom… it's telling me something's wrong. She's not being honest."
The woman's eyes widened, and she shook her head. "I-I don't know what you're talking about! I've told you everything!"
Liang stepped closer, his voice firm. "The system doesn't lie. There's more to your story, isn't there?"
Yuan's expression didn't change, but Liang could feel the shift in his aura. "Speak," Yuan said to the woman, his tone cold and unyielding. "The truth, this time."
The woman's hands trembled, and tears filled her eyes. "I… I didn't mean to deceive you," she said, her voice breaking. "But if I told you the truth, you wouldn't have helped me."
"Try us," Yuan said.
She swallowed hard, her gaze dropping to the floor. "The bandits… they're not just thieves. They're working for someone. A cultivator."
Liang's breath caught. "A cultivator? Who?"
"I don't know his name," the woman said. "But he's strong—far stronger than the bandits. He controls them, forces them to raid villages and travelers. I was supposed to…" Her voice trailed off, and she looked away.
"Supposed to what?" Yuan pressed.
She hesitated, her voice barely a whisper. "Lure you into a trap."
Liang felt his blood run cold.
"I didn't want to!" the woman cried. "But he said he'd kill me if I didn't. Please, you have to believe me!"
Yuan stood, his presence towering. "Where is this cultivator?"
"I don't know," she said, shaking her head. "He comes and goes, but the bandits… they'll be waiting. They know you're here."
Liang's fists clenched, anger and fear swirling in his chest. "So it was a trap."
Yuan placed a hand on Liang's shoulder, his gaze steady. "And now we're prepared."
Turning back to the woman, Yuan's expression softened slightly. "Rest. You've done the right thing by telling us. But know this—if you betray us again, there will be consequences."
The woman nodded tearfully, lying back down as the healer returned to tend to her.
Liang followed Yuan outside, the cool night air a stark contrast to the warmth of the hut.
"What now?" Liang asked, his voice tense.
"We wait for them to come," Yuan said simply. "And when they do, we'll deal with this cultivator."
Liang nodded, though his heart raced with anticipation. The shadows were closing in, but this time, he wouldn't be caught off guard.