Jin Xian stood on the edge of a towering pagoda, gazing at the city below. The night breeze brushed against his face, carrying the scent of rain. His latest mission was complete, but something unsettled him.
The dying words of Zhao Han echoed in his mind:
"You are not just an assassin... They are watching you."
Who were "they"? Was it the Black Order? The same mysterious force that had erased his past?
Jin Xian clenched his fists. He needed answers.
The Secret Meeting
By dawn, he arrived at Iron Serpent Tavern, a hidden gathering place for informants. The dimly lit room smelled of strong liquor and damp wood. He sat in the darkest corner, waiting.
A few minutes later, a cloaked figure approached. It was Old Bai, an ex-assassin who now sold information.
"I heard you killed Zhao Han," Bai whispered, sliding into the seat across from Jin Xian.
Jin Xian remained silent, his crimson mask hiding his expression.
Bai chuckled. "You're just like your father."
Jin Xian's eyes narrowed. "My father?"
Bai exhaled, rubbing his hands together. "I don't know much, but there's a temple outside the city—The Hollow Shrine. The monks there hold records of forbidden bloodlines. If you really want to know who you are, that's where you should go."
Jin Xian leaned forward. "And the Black Order?"
Bai's face darkened. "They already know you're searching for the truth. Be careful, boy. The past is buried for a reason."
The Road to the Shrine
Jin Xian left the tavern without another word. The journey to the Hollow Shrine was dangerous—through bandit territory and cursed forests—but he had no choice.
As he walked along the empty road, a strange feeling crept over him. The air felt heavy, as if something unseen was watching him.
Then, suddenly—
A black arrow shot past him, piercing a tree.
Jin Xian spun around, drawing his blade. Shadows moved between the trees, silent and deadly. He wasn't alone.
The Black Order had found him.
This was no longer just a journey for truth.
This was a fight for survival.
To be continued…