The forest whispered around him, its shadows thick and shifting as Jin Wu moved silently through the underbrush. Each step was deliberate, his straw hat tilted low to obscure his face. The faint glow of firelight flickered ahead, illuminating the clearing through the dark lattice of branches. He paused behind a tree, his hand resting lightly on the gnarled bark.

The resonance of Shen brushed against him—distant ripples breaking against the shore. Jin Wu’s brow furrowed. Young cultivators—disciples?

But the strands of energy were faint at this distance. He couldn’t tell if the Ferrets were among them.

A subtle shift in the air drew his gaze to the clearing. The camp was disorderly, a rough semicircle of tents surrounding a central firepit. Beyond them, he could make out the silhouette of two dozen men guarding a group in chains.

Mercenaries milled about in the firelight; their movements relaxed but not careless. They weren’t expecting trouble, but they were ready for it. Jin Wu’s sharp eyes took in the details: swords and spears leaning by the tents, a stack of supplies near the edge of the camp, sentries circling its perimeter.

Jin Wu eased back into the shadows, his hand brushing the brim of his hat. He remained still for a long moment, letting the ripples of Shen wash over him.

His senses pushed further beyond the camp, where the fire cast long, uneven shadows over a cluster of huddled figures. Shackled. Exhausted. Silent. Jin Wu’s jaw tightened, though his face betrayed nothing. Yet, no matter how much he pushed, he couldn’t make out their features from this distance; only the aura of fear and resignation was clear.

He adjusted his hat and retreated—time for this wolf to don his sheep suit.

----------------------------------------

The forest edge loomed in the darkness of the predawn as Shadow and Lin Fen crouched low in the underbrush. The mercenary camp sprawled ahead, lit by flickering firelight. The soft sounds of men talking carried through the still predawn air, mingling with the faint clinking of armor and weapons.

Shadow’s pulse quickened as his eyes scanned the camp. Beyond the central fire, he could make out the familiar shapes of prisoners huddled in chains.

“They’re there,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Lin Fen shifted beside him, her bow drawn but lowered. “Not much cover,” she muttered, her green eyes narrowing as she studied the camp’s layout. “Too many of them.”

Shadow’s fingers tightened around the hilt of his knife. “We agreed!”

Lin Fen shot him a sharp look. “I didn’t say we wouldn't. But rushing in like a blind ox will just get us killed, Shadow boy.”

Shadow ignored the jab, his gaze fixed on the nearest tent. “I swear I'll help you get revenge after they're free,” he paused, formulating a plan, "Stick to the shadows. Quiet. Fast. Get the chains off and run before they know we’re here."

Lin Fen rolled her eyes. “Oh, brilliant plan, Shadow Boy. Just walk into the middle of the camp and hope no one notices.”

“I’m open to suggestions,” Shadow snapped, his voice harsh but quiet.

Lin Fen smirked, the faintest glint of amusement flickering in her expression. “Fine. Follow my lead. Just try not to trip over your own feet.”

Before Shadow could retort, Lin Fen was already moving, her footsteps as silent as falling leaves. Shadow gritted his teeth and followed, his heart hammering in his chest.

The chained figures were huddled together near the far edge of the camp, away from the firelight. Shadow’s stomach twisted as he drew closer, his eyes searching desperately for familiar faces.

“There,” he whispered, spotting Ears’ unmistakable mop of messy hair and Rabbit’s small, trembling frame. Relief surged through him, but it was short-lived.

The chains binding them were thick, the iron links glowing faintly with a Qi-infused sheen. Shadow’s heart sank. These weren’t the same restraints as before.

Lin Fen frowned, her voice barely above a whisper. “Those aren’t normal chains. Got any bright ideas, Shadow Boy?”

Shadow grimaced, his mind racing. “I can’t break them with my knife. We’ll need a key—or the guy who placed the seals.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Great,” Lin Fen muttered. “So, we need to find a drunk soldier, convince him to hand over the key, and not die in the process. Easy.”

Shadow ignored her sarcasm and crept closer to the prisoners, keeping low to the ground. Ears stirred, his head lifting slightly as Shadow reached out to shake his shoulder.

“Ears,” Shadow whispered urgently. “It’s me.”

Ears’ eyes fluttered open, dazed. It took a moment for recognition to dawn, but when it did, his expression twisted with a mix of relief and fear. “Shadow? What are you doing here? You shouldn’t—”

“Quiet,” Shadow hissed, glancing over his shoulder. “We’re getting you out.”

Rabbit stirred beside Ears, his face pale and drawn. Lin Fen crouched beside them, scanning the camp for any movement.

“We don’t have much time,” she whispered. “Get the key or break the seal, but do it fast.”

A loud voice shattered the stillness just as Shadow turned to argue.

“Who goes there?” A figure in the main camp shouted.

“Run,” Lin Fen hissed, grabbing Shadow’s arm and yanking him toward the trees.

“But —”

“We'll get caught!” she snapped. “Move!”

"Be ready," he whispered to the pair before they fled.

"They saw us,” Shadow thought, heart pounding as Lin Fen yanked him toward the trees.

Ears and Rabbit returned to their sleeping posture as a group of mercenaries greeted someone coming.

----------------------------------------

Just after dawn, the wagon rattled down the dirt road, its wooden frame creaking with every turn of the wheels. Jin Wu sat in the driver’s seat, his posture tense, his neck snaking as if looking for pursuers. Granny Xiu moved briskly, snorting, her ears flicking, mimicking her owner's demeanor. The talismans hanging from the wagon’s canopy jiggled, announcing their hurried pace.

The mercenaries by the fire looked up at the sound, their hands instinctively shifting to the weapons at their sides. Suspicion flared in their gazes as they exchanged glances. One of them, broad-shouldered and scarred, stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

“Who goes there?” the man barked, his voice rough and commanding.

"Are you the king's guards? Oh, I'm so glad to see all of you!" Jin Wu's face brightened. His voice was hoarse, a rasp with just the right amount of desperation. He stopped the wagon a small distance before the sentry.

“Peace, benefactor, peace!” he called, the words trembling with just enough sincerity to soften their edges. “An old man, that’s all. A humble peddler seeking refuge for my weary bones and my poor mule.”

Granny Xiu brayed softly as if on cue, her head bobbing tiredly. Jin Wu gave her a pat, his free hand clutching his cane as he climbed off the wagon.

“I’ve been on the road for days,” he continued, his voice gaining a slight tremor. “Bandits and wild beasts chasing in the night—why, if it weren’t for the charms I carry, I wouldn’t be standing here before you now!”

The mercenaries exchanged skeptical glances, their weapons still within reach, but the tension in the air began to ease. The broad-shouldered man frowned but didn’t draw his sword. Instead, he took a step closer, his eyes narrowing as he studied Jin Wu.

“Charms?” he echoed, his tone laced with doubt.

“Ah, indeed!” Jin Wu said, seizing the thread of interest. He adjusted his hat just enough to reveal his weathered face, lined with weariness and age. “Jade talismans for protection, sigils for safe travels, even tokens to ward off ill intentions!"

"Just two days ago, I'm sure it was a Pixiu that hunted me. If it weren't for this very charm," he held up a jade talisman, " I would have been his dinner."

He let the words hang, his expression shifting into one of quiet, resigned weariness, a picture of vulnerability. The old man's act was flawless.

"The last night, just as I was about to set up camp," he continued the harrowed tale," a group of bandits!" He paused, fishing a talisman from his sleeve.

"I used this evil ward talisman," he held up a stone with symbols inscribed on it, " and ran. Been running all night."

The broad-shouldered man glanced back at the others by the fire, his brow furrowed. “A peddler,” he muttered, almost to himself. Then, louder, “And what’s a peddler doing this deep in the forest? You don’t seem like the kind to wander so far from the towns.”

"Oh, these old bones," he said while rubbing his back, "and when I get home, Mei's just going to harp on me."

Jin Wu looked up at the mercenary. "What's that? You need to speak a little louder," he said, pointing at his left ear.

Before that mercenary could answer, he continued, " Back about… ten years ago, in Watercrest, I sold a love charm to this young man. I won't bore you with the details, but it worked on his family's cow instead of working on the girl. We got into a bit of a fight, and this ear hasn't worked since then," he finished, pointing at his left ear.

The mercenary yelled, "What are you doing here?"

Jin Wu chuckled weakly, answering the original question as if he had heard him all along. “Oh, honored sir, you sound just like my Mei! It’s true, I’m no adventurer. But trade has been poor in the villages, and I heard there was a gathering of good folk near the northern roads. I thought to ply my wares there, though I see now my foolishness. These woods are no place for an old man. Not that I'll ever tell her that.”

Another mercenary, a wiry man with a crooked nose, snorted. “Foolish is right. These woods are crawling with dangers. You’re lucky you weren’t torn apart.”

“You need luck, you say?” Jin Wu said, his voice lifting with excitement. His eyes sparkled, and a sly smile tugged at his lips—the thought of silver taels practically jingling in his mind. With a practiced flourish, he reached into his sleeve and produced a small jade talisman, its faint glow catching the firelight.

“This here—it’s what you need, young man. A charm of divine fortune, inscribed with care and precision," lifting it toward the mercenary that had spoken," I sold one like it for a gold tael just last week, but for you only five, no two silver!"

The talisman caught the light just enough to draw their eyes. Jin Wu held it up, his hand trembling slightly as though it weighed more than it did. “And not just this one! I’ve a few left, each with its own blessing. And for the king's soldiers at special prices!”

The broad-shouldered man crossed his arms, his gaze shifting between Jin Wu and the talisman. His skepticism hadn’t entirely faded, but curiosity was beginning to take root. “Luck, huh? And what’s your angle, old man? What do you want?”

Jin Wu spread his hands in a gesture of humility, his cane leaning precariously against his side. “Perhaps I could travel with your group. Just to the crossroads, mind you. Mei will worry if I get home too late.”

The mercenaries muttered among themselves, their voices low. Jin Wu remained where he was, his posture humble but his mind sharp, watching their reactions carefully. The broad-shouldered man seemed to consider it, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the talisman in Jin Wu’s hand.

Finally, he grunted. “Fine. You can follow along, old man. But keep up.”

Jin Wu bowed deeply, the motion slow and deliberate, as though his back might give out at any moment. “You have my deepest gratitude, honored benefactors.”

He shuffled forward, guiding Granny Xiu toward the edge of the camp. As the mercenaries returned to their posts, Jin Wu’s gaze flicked briefly to the chained figures beyond the camp. He kept his expression neutral, but his mind was already turning, the pieces of his plan falling into place.

“Just a harmless old peddler,” he murmured under his breath, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Let’s see what fortune has in store.”