The journey back to the stronghold was quiet, but tension clung to us like a second skin. Ming Lian and I sat in silence as the cart trundled along the uneven dirt road, the dense forest looming on either side. Every creak of the wheels, every rustle of leaves set my nerves on edge. My hand rested on the hilt of my sword, my senses attuned to the slightest sign of danger.
The hooded man from Silverlake was still fresh in my mind, and Mira’s earlier warnings only added to the unease.
[Mira]: "Do not assume safety until you are within the stronghold’s defenses. The man’s actions suggest he has vested interest in tracking you. His connections to the Crimson Veil Sect, though unconfirmed, are highly probable."
Ming Lian finally broke the silence, his voice low but firm. “If that man follows us, we’ll have a fight on our hands. Are you prepared for that?”
“I’m always prepared,” I replied, keeping my tone steady. “But if it comes to that, we can’t let him escape. If he’s connected to the Crimson Veil Sect, he’ll be back with reinforcements.”
Ming Lian nodded, his expression grim. “We need to assume the worst. The sect doesn’t move without purpose.”
The cart creaked as it rolled over a small rock, the steady rhythm of its wheels doing little to soothe the unease in my chest. We spoke no more for the next hour, but the sense of being watched never left me.
----------------------------------------
AN AMBUSH IN WAITING
As we rounded a bend in the road, Mira’s voice cut through my thoughts like a blade.
[Mira]: "Stop. I sense faint Chi signatures ahead, concealed but present. This is an ambush."
I raised a hand, signaling for Ming Lian to halt the cart. “We’re not alone,” I said quietly, scanning the forest ahead. “Mira’s picked up on something—a group lying in wait.”
Ming Lian’s hand instinctively went to his glaive. “How many?”
[Mira]: "At least four. Their Chi signatures are scattered and poorly concealed, but there’s enough to suggest some level of training. They’re positioned along the trees just beyond the next turn."
I dismounted the cart, my hand tightening on the hilt of my sword. “Four isn’t much, but we can’t let them get the jump on us. Ming, stay back and cover me. If they try to flank, take them out.”
Ming Lian nodded, slipping off the cart and melting into the shadows of the forest with practiced ease. I stepped forward, my sword drawn but held low, my steps deliberate.
[Mira]: "Jayson, their positions are fixed, but they are watching closely. Be prepared for a ranged attack before engaging."
As I approached the bend, I felt it—the slight shift in the air, the faint vibration that could only mean one thing. The twang of a bowstring confirmed my suspicion. I ducked, narrowly avoiding an arrow as it embedded itself in the tree behind me.
“Nice try,” I muttered, a grim smile playing on my lips as I stepped into the fray.
----------------------------------------
THE FIRST ENGAGEMENT
The first attacker burst from the cover of the trees, his blade swinging in a wide arc. His movements were uncoordinated, his technique sloppy. I sidestepped easily, my sword flashing as I countered. The strike was clean and decisive, cutting through his weapon and sending him crumpling to the ground.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Another assailant charged toward me, his expression wild with desperation. He swung clumsily, and I parried with ease, spinning to deliver a blow that left him sprawled in the dirt.
Behind me, I heard the familiar sound of Ming Lian’s glaive slicing through the air. I turned just in time to see him cut down a third attacker with a clean, sweeping strike.
[Mira]: "Three down. The fourth is retreating—likely to report your presence."
“He’s running!” Ming Lian shouted, already moving to intercept.
“Don’t let him get away!” I called back, my Chi surging as I activated Burst Step, a technique that allowed me to close the distance in an instant.
----------------------------------------
A PURSUIT IN THE SHADOWS
The fleeing attacker darted through the forest, weaving between trees with surprising agility. Mira’s voice guided me, calm and precise, helping me anticipate his movements.
[Mira]: "He’s veering left, aiming for a concealed trail. Cut him off by moving straight ahead and striking from above."
Adjusting my course, I leapt over a fallen log, taking the high ground as the man’s path brought him directly beneath me. Timing my strike perfectly, I dropped down, my blade slashing through the air to block his escape.
The man skidded to a stop, his eyes wide with fear as he raised his hands. “Wait! Don’t kill me!”
Ming Lian appeared moments later, his glaive poised and ready. “He’s no scout,” Ming muttered, his tone disdainful. “Look at him—barely knows how to hold a weapon.”
I grabbed the man by his collar, shoving him against a nearby tree. “Who sent you?” I demanded, my voice sharp.
The man stammered, his eyes darting between me and Ming Lian. “W-we were just paid to watch the road! I swear! A man in a hood told us to wait for travelers matching your description!”
My grip tightened. “What else did he say?”
“That’s all I know!” he cried. “He paid us a bag of silver and left. He didn’t tell us why!”
[Mira]: "He’s telling the truth. He lacks the focus and discipline of a Crimson Veil scout. He’s nothing more than a hired hand."
I released him with a shove, and he collapsed to the ground. “Get out of here,” I said coldly. “And if I ever see you again, you won’t get another chance.”
The man scrambled to his feet, stumbling as he disappeared into the shadows of the forest.
----------------------------------------
A LARGER THREAT
As we returned to the cart, Ming Lian’s expression was dark, his steps heavy with thought. “This confirms it,” he said finally. “The hooded man from Silverlake is watching us. He knew we’d take this road, and he’s probing for information.”
I nodded, my mind racing. “He’s not acting alone. If he’s connected to the Crimson Veil Sect, this is just the start. They’re testing us, trying to gauge our strength.”
[Mira]: "Jayson, your assessment is likely correct. The sect rarely moves without calculated intent. This encounter was a message—and a warning."
I exhaled slowly, my grip tightening on the hilt of my sword. “If it’s a warning, we’ll answer it. But not here. We need to get back to the stronghold and prepare.”
----------------------------------------
A SAFE RETURN
The sight of the stronghold’s walls brought a wave of relief as we emerged from the forest. The villagers were hard at work reinforcing the breaches from the last attack, their resolve evident in the sweat and determination on their faces.
Wang Jian and Bao were waiting near the gates, their expressions shifting to concern as they saw us approach.
“You ran into trouble,” Wang Jian said, his voice calm but tinged with worry.
“An ambush,” I replied. “Hired thugs, sent by someone in Silverlake. Probably the hooded man.”
Bao crossed his arms, his usual smirk replaced by a scowl. “Looks like we’re making enemies faster than we’re making friends.”
Ming Lian stepped forward, his tone measured. “This isn’t just about enemies. It’s about strategy. Whoever this man is, he’s testing us. We need to prepare for a larger threat.”
Wang Jian nodded, his gaze steady. “Then let’s not waste time. We’ll strengthen the defenses and double the patrols. If they come, we’ll be ready.”
----------------------------------------
A SHARED RESOLVE
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the stronghold, I gathered my team in the central hall. Wang Jian, Bao, and Ming Lian stood before me, their expressions mirroring my own resolve.
[Mira]: "Your team’s unity is your greatest strength, Jayson. Use it wisely. The threats ahead will test not just your power, but your bond as a group."
I met each of their eyes in turn, my voice steady. “We’ve faced worse,” I said. “And we’ll face worse still. But together, there’s nothing we can’t overcome.”
Their responses were silent but powerful—a nod from Wang Jian, a determined grin from Bao, and a quiet, thoughtful acknowledgment from Ming Lian.
The path ahead was uncertain, but with Mira’s guidance and the strength of my team, I knew we were ready for whatever came next.