Chapter 8: The Hidden Path
The journey through the Wildlands had taken its toll on both Kang Hojin and Chen Rong. The air was thick with the remnants of yesterday's rain, the ground beneath their feet soft and yielding. Despite the fatigue, there was an unspoken sense of urgency in the air, as if they were being driven toward something greater than themselves.
As they continued their path, the dense trees began to thin, revealing a sprawling valley below. The hills were lined with thick grasses that swayed gently in the wind, their tips brushing against the hem of the towering mountains in the distance. The landscape was tranquil, almost serene. But there was something unsettling about it—something that whispered of danger lurking just beyond the horizon.
Hojin had grown accustomed to the weight of his spear, the weapon now feeling like an extension of his body. His qi was flowing smoothly, and the Piercing River Strike had become almost second nature, though he knew he had barely scratched the surface of its true potential. His proficiency was still only at Initiate level, and he was far from mastering the technique.
As they walked, the conversation between him and Chen Rong had become more sporadic. The older man was always alert, scanning the surroundings with a practiced eye. He had been quiet for the most part, but his occasional warnings about the dangers ahead weighed on Hojin's mind. Despite his confidence, Hojin couldn't help but feel the growing sense of unease that seemed to hang over them like a storm cloud.
"There's something off about this place," Hojin muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Chen Rong glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "It's the Silent Hollow. It's a cursed place. Once, it was a thriving trade hub, a crossroads for merchants and travelers. But now…" He paused, his gaze sweeping over the valley ahead. "Now, it's abandoned. And that's the way it should stay."
Hojin felt a chill run down his spine. "Cursed?"
"Not in the way you think," Chen Rong said. "It's not that there are spirits or ghosts roaming the streets. But the people who lived here… something happened to them. No one knows the full story, but the town fell into ruin, and anyone who's come close has been… discouraged from staying."
"By what?" Hojin asked, his curiosity piqued.
Chen Rong's eyes hardened. "By whoever—or whatever—still haunts this place."
Entering the Silent Hollow
The first sign that something was wrong came as they descended into the valley. The temperature seemed to drop, and a thick fog began to roll in, winding its tendrils around the ruins that came into view. The Silent Hollow was just as its name suggested—silent. There were no birds, no insects, not even the faint rustle of leaves in the wind. The only sound was their footsteps, and the occasional groan of wood and stone shifting under the pressure of time.
The first structure they came across was an old stone gate, its entrance wide but imposing, as though the town itself were daring them to enter. Vines had overtaken much of the stone, their roots twisting and curling around the old architecture like a living thing.
"This is it," Chen Rong said, stopping in front of the gate. "The heart of the Silent Hollow. Keep your senses sharp."
Hojin nodded, his fingers tightening around his spear. His eyes were trained on every movement in the fog, every flicker of shadow between the ruins. The air was heavy with something indescribable—an energy that felt wrong, almost suffocating.
As they moved deeper into the town, Hojin couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The buildings around them were hollow shells, their interiors long looted or decayed beyond recognition. The occasional broken window or collapsed roof added to the eerie atmosphere. The wind howled through the empty streets, its voice carrying strange echoes that seemed to whisper in a language Hojin couldn't understand.
"There's something here," Hojin murmured, his senses on high alert. His Enhanced Senses were picking up faint sounds—footsteps, perhaps, or the sound of movement in the distance.
"You're not imagining things," Chen Rong replied. "This place has been quiet for years, but the remnants of the Silent Hollow Sect still linger. The town was their headquarters, and they haven't completely disappeared."
"Silent Hollow Sect…" Hojin muttered under his breath. He had heard rumors of such a sect—one that specialized in forbidden techniques and assassination arts. They were a group shrouded in mystery, and their name alone was enough to send shivers down anyone's spine.
But what did they have to do with the jade token?
Before he could ask another question, a faint noise broke through the silence. A figure emerged from the shadows, moving with a fluidity that belied the stillness of the environment. The figure was cloaked, their features hidden beneath the folds of their robe, but their presence was undeniable.
The Encounter with Zhao Ling
"Travelers," the figure said, her voice smooth and calm, but there was an undercurrent of danger to her words. "It's been a long time since anyone ventured into the Silent Hollow. What brings you here?"
Chen Rong's hand instinctively drifted toward his sword, his eyes narrowing. "Who are you? And what is it that you want from us?"
The woman stepped forward, her movements deliberate and graceful, as though she were gliding rather than walking. Despite the apparent age of her robe and the disrepair of the town, she radiated an aura of authority and danger that Hojin couldn't ignore.
"My name is Zhao Ling," she said, her eyes flicking between Hojin and Chen Rong. "I am a keeper of the secrets that this town holds. As for what I want…" Her gaze turned colder, more focused. "I want the jade token."
Hojin's heart skipped a beat. The jade token? How could she possibly know about it? Was it that important?
Chen Rong's hand moved to grip his sword tighter, his gaze locked on the woman. "You know of the token?"
Zhao Ling's lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "Of course I do. The jade token is not just any artifact—it is a key. A key to something far more powerful than you can imagine. And if you are carrying it, then I must have it."
"We don't know what it unlocks," Hojin said, his voice steady despite the fear creeping up inside him. "But I'm not giving it to you."
Zhao Ling's smile faded, replaced by a steely expression. "You misunderstand. It is not a matter of choice. If you refuse, then I will take it by force."
In a single, fluid motion, Zhao Ling drew a sword from beneath her robe. It was slender and delicate, but the blade shimmered with a strange, ethereal light, almost as if it existed outside of the natural world. Hojin's instincts screamed at him—this was no ordinary weapon. It radiated an energy that sent a chill through his bones.
Chen Rong was already stepping forward, his sword drawn in a flash. His movements were precise, calculated—he had faced opponents like Zhao Ling before. "I won't let you have it," he growled, his voice laced with determination.
Zhao Ling's gaze flickered to Chen Rong, then to Hojin. "You are both skilled. I will give you that. But it is not enough." She raised her sword, the air around her seeming to pulse with a dangerous energy. "Prepare yourselves."
The Battle Begins
Without further warning, Zhao Ling was on the move. Her sword sliced through the air with a speed that Hojin could barely track. Chen Rong reacted instantly, his sword meeting hers with a sharp clash. The sound of steel against steel rang out, echoing through the empty streets of the Silent Hollow.
Hojin was caught off guard. Despite his rapid improvement and the system's help, the sheer speed and ferocity of Zhao Ling's attacks were overwhelming. Her sword moved like a shadow, her strikes almost too fast for him to follow. He blocked one strike, then another, but each time her blade came for him, he felt the pressure mounting.
Chen Rong was locked in his own battle with Zhao Ling, their swords clashing in a blur of motion. Even though he was on the defensive, it was clear that he was a formidable opponent. But Zhao Ling was relentless. She danced around him with the grace of a skilled martial artist, her blade a blur of light.
"Impressive," Zhao Ling said, her voice almost casual as she dodged one of Chen Rong's strikes. "You are far better than I expected. But it still won't be enough."
Hojin's heart raced as he tried to make sense of the battle. He could feel the weight of his spear in his hands, its familiar weight offering him a small amount of comfort. He knew he wasn't at Chen Rong's level yet, but he had to do something. He couldn't just stand there.
He took a deep breath and focused on the technique that the system had helped him refine—the Piercing River Strike. It wasn't yet perfected, but he knew it was his best chance.
With a quick motion, Hojin thrust his spear forward, aiming directly at Zhao Ling's torso. The strike was fast, precise—his body moving almost instinctively.
Zhao Ling's smile turned into a smirk as she deflected the strike with a flick of her sword. The force behind her counterattack sent Hojin stumbling backward, his footing slipping on the uneven ground. She was toying with him, he realized.
He couldn't let that happen. Not again.
A Glimpse of Hope
The system chimed in Hojin's mind.
System Alert: Emergency Boost Available.
Unlock temporary proficiency boost in Piercing River Strike? Cost: 200 Qi Points.
Hojin didn't hesitate. He activated the boost, and his body flooded with a surge of energy. The world around him seemed to slow, his movements becoming more precise, more deliberate. He raised his spear, the tip now glowing with a faint, ethereal light.
With newfound speed and power, Hojin advanced, his spear dancing through the air. Zhao Ling's eyes widened slightly as she tried to intercept the strikes, but Hojin's movements were too fast, his strikes too fierce. The power of his spear surged forward, forcing her back.
But it wasn't enough. She countered with a quick, devastating strike, sending Hojin flying back.
He crashed into the ground, his body aching from the impact, but his will remained strong.
Not yet...