The sun was setting as Tang Xiu, Lei Xian, and Xu Liang moved further away from Yunhe City, their steps deliberate and cautious. The faint rustling of leaves in the breeze did little to ease the tension in the air. Tang Xiu walked ahead, his golden eyes scanning the path before them. Despite the quiet around them, his thoughts were filled with questions.
The Shadow Sect's attack was too calculated to be random. Someone powerful enough to command a sect like that clearly had a vendetta against him—or was it against this body's previous self? Either way, Tang Xiu needed answers.
"Boss," Lei Xian finally broke the silence, his voice low but worried, "where are we going now? Shouldn't we lay low for a while? The Shadow Sect won't give up after their failed attempt."
Tang Xiu stopped and turned to face his companions. His expression was calm but carried an undeniable authority. "Lei Xian, when have you ever seen me hide from trouble?"
Lei Xian scratched his head, sheepishly grinning. "Never, I guess…"
Tang Xiu crossed his arms, his gaze sharp. "Avoiding them isn't the solution. If we wait, they'll strike when we least expect it. Instead, we'll strike first. But to do that, we need information—information only one place can provide."
Xu Liang, who had been quiet until now, asked, "And where is this place?"
Tang Xiu's lips curled into a faint smile. "The Hidden Pavilion."
By nightfall, they arrived at a small, nondescript village nestled between two mountains. From a distance, the village seemed ordinary—wooden houses with thatched roofs, dimly lit streets, and a handful of villagers going about their evening routines. But as they walked through the village, Tang Xiu's sharp eyes caught the subtle signs of something unusual.
There were figures hidden in the shadows, their movements so precise they could easily be missed by untrained eyes. Symbols carved into the wooden gates seemed meaningless to most, but to Tang Xiu, they were markers of surveillance and hidden formations.
"This is the place," Tang Xiu murmured, leading his companions toward the edge of the village.
Lei Xian glanced around nervously. "Are you sure? This looks like any other backwater village. Nothing special."
Xu Liang nudged him. "Use your eyes for once. Can't you feel the tension in the air? This place is anything but ordinary."
Tang Xiu stopped in front of what appeared to be an abandoned shop. The wooden sign above the door was faded and illegible, the windows covered in layers of dust. Yet Tang Xiu pushed the door open without hesitation.
The interior was dimly lit, with shelves of old trinkets, scrolls, and strange objects covered in cobwebs. The air smelled of mildew, and a single lantern flickered on the far wall. Behind a creaky wooden counter sat an old man with sunken eyes and a long gray beard. His posture was relaxed, as though he were napping, but the moment Tang Xiu stepped inside, the old man's eyes snapped open.
"State your business," the old man rasped, his gaze sharp and probing.
Tang Xiu stepped forward, his movements unhurried. "I'm looking for information on the Shadow Sect. I know the Hidden Pavilion trades in secrets. I've come prepared to pay."
The old man leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard as he studied Tang Xiu. "The Shadow Sect, you say? Dangerous information to seek. And what makes you think we'd have it?"
Tang Xiu smirked and reached into his robe, pulling out a small jade bottle. He uncorked it, and a faint, fragrant aroma filled the room. The old man's eyes widened slightly, though he quickly masked his reaction.
"This is a Qi Restoration Pill," Tang Xiu said calmly. "One pill can replenish energy faster than anything in this region. It's worth more than gold to the right person. Consider it my payment."
The old man's gaze lingered on the bottle, but he didn't reach for it immediately. "A tempting offer, but the information you seek is not cheap. The Shadow Sect doesn't leave loose ends. Are you sure you're ready to deal with the consequences of knowing too much?"
Tang Xiu's eyes narrowed. "I've faced worse. Tell me what you know."
The old man sighed, his expression growing serious. "Very well. The Shadow Sect operates in the shadows, as their name suggests. They're not a traditional sect with disciples and elders. Instead, they function as mercenaries and assassins, taking contracts from those willing to pay their steep price. But they're no ordinary group—they're known to have connections with ancient clans and forgotten powers."
Tang Xiu leaned forward. "And who hired them to target me?"
The old man hesitated before continuing. "That's the dangerous part. The Shadow Sect only accepts contracts from those with considerable influence. Your name appearing on their list means someone powerful sees you as a threat. As for who… I can only give you a lead, not a name."
Tang Xiu's expression didn't change, but his voice carried a dangerous edge. "Speak."
The old man gestured toward a piece of parchment on the counter. "A shipment of rare artifacts passed through Yunhe City recently. The one who purchased them is rumored to have ties to the Shadow Sect. If you want answers, start there."
Tang Xiu took the parchment, glancing at the symbols and markings on it. It detailed the location of a hidden auction house operating out of an abandoned temple just outside Yunhe City.
Lei Xian frowned as he looked over Tang Xiu's shoulder. "An auction? Seems risky. What if it's a trap?"
Tang Xiu smirked. "It likely is. But it's a risk we'll take. If the Shadow Sect wants me dead, they've already failed once. I won't give them a second chance."
Xu Liang nodded, gripping the hilt of his sword. "Then we move at dawn. No point waiting for them to come to us."
Tang Xiu pocketed the parchment and turned to the old man. "If this information proves false, I'll be back. And I won't be as polite next time."
The old man chuckled dryly. "You'll find it's accurate. Good luck—you'll need it."
As they left the shop and stepped back into the cool night air, Tang Xiu's mind was already working through the possibilities. Whoever had hired the Shadow Sect clearly underestimated him.
"The Shadow Sect's employer," Tang Xiu thought, his golden eyes glinting in the moonlight, "will regret making me their enemy."
With the path ahead becoming clearer, Tang Xiu led his companions back to the inn. Tomorrow, they would delve into the auction house's secrets, and the next piece of the puzzle would fall into place.
For now, though, the night was quiet. But Tang Xiu knew better than to trust the calm before a storm