Night crept slowly over the sky of Longyuan.
A thin mist veiled the cobblestone streets, and the sound of crickets from afar whispered with the wind. In the distance, the Guangming Academy's evening bell chimed three times—a sign that the mandatory training had ended, and it was time for rest.
Yet, among the students returning to their dorms, only one walked alone down the silent corridor.
Zi Yueyan.
She carried a small, red-sealed scroll from Teacher Wei—an official message to be delivered to Lin Xuan.
"Tell him, he must not miss tomorrow morning's mandatory training.
If he disappears again, I will personally drag him from his house."
Initially, Zi Yueyan intended to send the letter through another student. But her steps instead led her directly to Lin Xuan's house in the western district.
Perhaps out of curiosity, or perhaps... something she couldn't explain.
Lin Xuan's house was simple—made of old wood, standing next to a large tree with a small bamboo garden. From there, the vast wilderness in front of the yard was clearly visible.
The evening wind rustled the leaves, carrying the distinctive scent of the forest.
But that night, the air around the house felt strange... quiet, yet heavy, as if concealing something.
Yueyan knocked gently.
"Lin Xuan, it's me. A message from Teacher Wei."
There was no answer.
She knocked again, louder—still silent.
The wooden gate was slightly ajar, as if waiting to be pushed. Zi Yueyan stepped inside slowly.
The yard was lit by the moonlight, and through a slightly open window, a dark red cloth was seen folded on a table. On top of it—a red mask with small horns, cold, gleaming, as if staring back.
Zi Yueyan froze.
That mask...
She recalled the rumors that had circulated throughout Longyuan over the past month—
about the "Imperial Shadow Hunter" who slaughtered corrupt officials in the night.
About the figure in the red mask who appeared and vanished without a trace.
"So... the mask really exists?"
she whispered almost inaudibly.
But before she could think further, something moved swiftly on the roof.
Swash!
Black shadows leaped down—six people, dressed in dark clothing, with a strange inverted symbol on their chests: the secret emblem of the Thousand Shadows Valley Group, the elite forces of Mo Cangwu's followers who had close ties to corrupt Xiyang royal officials… and agents of the Han Kingdom.
Their leader stared at Yueyan from behind a face covering.
"Not the person we're looking for, but... a Guangming student? Hmm. Too bad, you've seen too much."
His sword slowly emerged—a black blade gleaming under the moonlight.
"Kill her."
Yueyan immediately raised her sword, her spiritual aura igniting. Silver-white light enveloped her body, and cherry blossom petals scattered in the air.
"Qingguang Jianfa—Holy Light Sword Art!"
In an instant, two attackers were slashed back, but four others surrounded her from all directions. Yueyan rotated her body quickly, parrying attack after attack, but her opponents were no ordinary soldiers. They were assassins trained to kill silently—fast, cunning, and cruel.
A dagger blade pierced the side of her shoulder, blood dripping to the ground.
Yueyan gritted her teeth, her eyes burning.
She leaped back again and swung her sword—but her sword was blocked, and then one of the enemies kicked her, sending her body crashing hard to the ground.
"Ugh!" she gasped.
One of the assassins approached, his sword pointed directly at her neck.
"Finish her," their leader said coldly.
Yueyan gritted her teeth. She was still trying to get up, but the wound in her shoulder made her almost drop her sword. Her breath was ragged, and her vision began to blur.
One more step, and the black blade would pierce her chest.
But suddenly—CRASH!
An explosion of wind slammed toward them, shattering a section of Lin Xuan's wooden house wall. Zi Yueyan was thrown back by the wave, her body flying, almost hitting the stone wall of the yard. But just before her back could collide—
—two strong hands caught her from behind.
Yueyan's body stopped in mid-air, falling gently into someone's embrace.
Warm, but strangely... terrifying.
She looked up slowly.
Sharp black eyes stared at her from breath-close range—cold, deep, and glittering like almost-extinguished dark embers. The moonlight reflected on his face, revealing an unfamiliar silhouette.
Lin Xuan.
But... his aura was different.
Not the slacker she knew at the academy, not the man who always looked sleepy in the corner of the classroom.
The one standing before her tonight... was someone else entirely.
The air around him was heavy, almost suffocating.
Lin Xuan's face was as calm as a lake surface, but his eyes were sharp—like the eyes of a wild beast awakened from a long sleep.
Behind him, the wind spun slowly, carrying fragments of black mist from the direction of the forest.
He looked at the group without expression.
His voice was low, yet sharp as a steel blade.
"You dare cause trouble in my yard..."
The group members exchanged glances, one of them whispering, "It's him... the target! Lin Xuan!"
Their leader raised his sword, "Capture him alive! It's an order from Lord Mo Cangwu!"
Lin Xuan slowly lowered Yueyan from his embrace, glancing at the wound on her shoulder.
His cold voice was almost a hiss.
"You shouldn't have come tonight, Zi Yueyan."
Before Yueyan could answer, the ground around them began to tremble lightly.
From beneath their feet, the air suddenly changed—a dense spiritual pressure filled the yard.
SWOOOOSH.
Thick black mist erupted from Lin Xuan's body, writhing as if alive.
From behind the mist, a low roar was heard—heavy, echoing, and almost inhuman.
The moonlight dimmed.
Then from behind his back, the silhouette of a large-horned demon appeared, its eyes burning fiery red, its fangs clenched in a terrifying grin.
Zi Yueyan could only stare—her body trembling.
She didn't know whether to be afraid or fascinated.
Lin Xuan stared at the assassins without blinking.
"I warned you. But you still chose to attack."
A slight movement of his finger—and a black shadow shot out like lightning.
The first assassin was thrown through a bamboo stalk; his body stopped moving.
The second didn't even have time to scream—his heart stopped before his body hit the ground.
The others tried to attack, but their movements felt futile.
Lin Xuan's shadow moved like mist—sometimes in front, sometimes in back.
His sword had not left its sheath, but every swing of his hand was enough to claim a life.
It only took a few breaths... and the yard fell silent again.
The mist slowly disappeared.
The wet ground was now stained with blood, and the remnants of the night wind blew gently again, carrying a faint scent of iron.
Lin Xuan stood silently in the middle of the yard.
His back was to Yueyan, his shoulders covered by the moon's shadow.
He raised his hand—wiping the residue of blood from his fingers.
"No one is allowed to disturb the peace of my house," he said flatly.
Zi Yueyan stared at him, holding her breath.
Her heart pounded in her chest, not out of fear—but something else.
Something she shouldn't feel towards someone like Lin Xuan.
Slowly, she stood up, looking at the figure who now looked back at her.
The moonlight illuminated Lin Xuan's face; their eyes met.
For a moment, time seemed to stop.
"Who... who are you really?" Yueyan asked, her voice trembling.
"And... why did you help me?"
Lin Xuan stared at her for a long time, then walked slowly closer.
His smile was faint, but there was weariness in his gaze.
"I just don't like seeing someone die in front of my house."
Yueyan wanted to speak again, but her voice caught in her throat.
Lin Xuan looked at the wound on her shoulder, then said flatly,
"You need a bandage. I don't want to be accused of letting a Guangming sect student die here."
Before Yueyan could reply, Lin Xuan had turned and walked into the house.
The red mask on the table was still lying there—then put away somewhere else.
The moonlight pierced the window lattice, reflecting softly on the wooden floor, which was dusted with a little dirt.
In the room, there were only two people—Lin Xuan and Zi Yueyan—sitting opposite each other in silence.
The sound of crickets outside felt distant, as if time was also holding its breath.
Zi Yueyan watched Lin Xuan bandaging her shoulder. His touch was gentle, but there was a firmness in his every move.
Every time his fingers touched her skin, Yueyan could feel a warm sensation mixed with an extraordinarily strong spiritual aura pressure—a power she never imagined was possessed by the man she had always considered a slacker.
"Lin Xuan," her voice was soft yet firm, "so all this time... you were hiding your strength?"
"And that red mask... what does it mean? And... is it true that you—"
She couldn't finish the sentence.
But Lin Xuan stopped wrapping the bandage, staring at her in silence long enough for Yueyan to drop her gaze.
Finally, Lin Xuan sighed deeply.
He leaned against the wooden wall behind him, his gaze wandering towards the moonlit window.
"Yes," he said softly, "I've been hiding it all this time."
His tone was heavy, but not with regret—more like someone who had carried a secret for too long.
He turned his head slightly, looking at Zi Yueyan from the corner of his eye.
"The imperial world is dirty, Yueyan. Too many officials are selling out their own country to the Han Kingdom. What you've been hearing lately—about the assassinations of high-ranking officials, about the red-masked executioner—it's all true. But they don't know... who is doing it."
Yueyan was silent, her eyes widening.
"So... it's you?"
Lin Xuan looked at her without answering—a single cold glance was enough for Yueyan to know the answer.
Silence returned to the room.
Until finally Lin Xuan spoke again, this time his voice was softer but firm:
"I didn't do it for power, let alone pride. I'm just removing those who are destroying this country from within. It's a task that cannot be entrusted to anyone. Because if I don't do it, no one will dare."
He looked at her straight.
"And now, because you've seen everything... I want you to promise me one thing."
Yueyan straightened up, looking back with unstable breathing.
"What is it?"
"Don't tell anyone what you saw tonight. Not Feng Zhiren, not Han Jie, not even Teacher Wei. I don't want them to know who I really am. The world only needs to know me as the lazy student from Guangming Academy—not as the demon they speak of."
His tone was not pleading, nor was it threatening.
Just a simple statement carrying an immense burden.
Zi Yueyan stared at him for a long time. Inside, there was something strange—a collision of admiration, fear, and respect.
The man she had underestimated all this time was actually carrying a heavier burden than anyone at the academy.
Finally, she nodded slowly.
"I... understand. I won't say anything."
Lin Xuan looked at her for a moment, then smiled faintly.
A smile that wasn't arrogant, wasn't cynical, but warm—for the first time since Yueyan had known him.
"Good. I knew I could trust you."
He stood up, walked towards the table, and poured a glass of water, handing it to her.
"Now tell me," he said in a light tone, "what exactly was your purpose for coming here so late at night? Don't tell me you just wanted to see me sleep."
The usually cold Zi Yueyan nearly choked on his words.
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly looked away.
"Don't be ridiculous. I only brought a message from Teacher Wei. He said there's mandatory training tomorrow, and if you don't come, he'll drag you from this house himself."
Lin Xuan chuckled softly.
"Teacher Wei is still the same, huh. Alright... I'll come tomorrow. It wouldn't be nice to make you travel all this way just to deliver a letter."
Yueyan slowly stood up.
Her wound was no longer bleeding, but every time she looked at Lin Xuan, her heart beat irregularly.
Before leaving, she looked at him once more—this time longer than before.
"You know," she said softly, "I always thought you were just a burden on our team. But it turns out... I was wrong."
"Maybe... I never truly knew you, Lin Xuan."
Lin Xuan smiled slightly, but his eyes were a little dim.
"And perhaps it's best if no one knows me completely."
He looked out the window, at the moon hanging in the sky.
As Zi Yueyan stepped out, the night wind blew gently, carrying a deep silence.
But before leaving entirely, Yueyan managed to turn back one last time—
seeing Lin Xuan's silhouette standing in front of the window, his hair swaying in the wind, and the moonlight reflecting the faint shadow of the red mask that now hung on the wall.
And that night, for the first time, Zi Yueyan saw Lin Xuan not as a lazy student—but as a figure carrying the weight of the entire nation.
The next day...
In the main training grounds, the students were lined up neatly.
Swords, spears, and scrolls of light spells shimmered in the air.
Among the crowd, Lin Xuan stood relaxed with his typical lazy expression—yawning slightly while holding his waist, like someone not fully awake from a long sleep.
Some other students looked at him, whispering.
"He actually came this morning."
"He usually skips, right?"
"Look at his face, he looks like someone who was just forced back to life."
But Teacher Wei, who stood at the front of the line with his hands behind his back, looked at him with a sharp yet questioning gaze.
After a few seconds, his lips moved slowly.
"Remarkable, Lin Xuan. I thought I would really have to drag you this time."
Lin Xuan just smiled lazily.
"I just didn't want to make Teacher do morning exercises because of me, that's all."
A small laugh was heard from some students in the back row, including Han Jie who suppressed his amusement while patting his shoulder.
"You're really something, Xuan. You can make Teacher Wei laugh in the morning."
Lin Xuan glanced at Han Jie. "You talk as if that's a great achievement."
On the other side, Zi Yueyan stood in the same line, but her eyes kept quietly glancing towards Lin Xuan.
She still vividly remembered the events of last night—the blood, the mist, Lin Xuan's cold gaze, and the red mask that was now a secret between the two of them.
Yet now, the man stood as if nothing had happened: calm, relaxed, lazy... but with a subtle aura she could no longer ignore.
"He really can change faces in an instant," she murmured softly, unconsciously.
Feng Zhiren, standing next to her, turned in surprise.
"Hmm? Did you say something, Yueyan?"
"Ah, no." Yueyan quickly looked down, hiding her face.
But Zhiren briefly noticed a small change in her expression—something unusual for the cold girl.
The training began.
Spiritual light flickered, the sound of clashing swords filled the yard.
Lin Xuan moved slowly, without enthusiasm, but every time his sword lunged, his technique was too perfect—too clean for a "lazy" student.
Zi Yueyan watched in silence, increasingly convinced that what she had witnessed last night was not a dream.
When the training finished, all the students dispersed slowly.
Han Jie immediately approached Lin Xuan.
"Hey, Xuan! How about we eat by the lake again this afternoon? My treat this time!"
Lin Xuan yawned widely.
"I'll come if you're paying, but don't order too much. I don't like long queues."
Han Jie laughed satisfied, linking arms with him.
"That's the spirit. I like this relaxed side of you!"
Meanwhile, under the shade of a magnolia tree near the hall, Zi Yueyan and Feng Zhiren stood together.
Yueyan still seemed lost in thought; her gaze never left Lin Xuan as he walked away.
"You look distracted since morning," Zhiren said softly. "Is something bothering you?"
Zi Yueyan was momentarily startled, then smiled faintly.
"No... just can't stop thinking about something I saw last night."
Zhiren stared at her in silence.
There was something in the girl's gaze that made his heart tremble—something different than usual, as if Yueyan was hiding a great secret.
However, he didn't ask further.
"Alright," he said gently. "If you need someone to talk to, I'm always here."
"Thank you, Zhiren," she replied briefly.
But as she looked at Lin Xuan's receding back, a strange feeling grew in her chest—a feeling she couldn't yet define.
Admiration? Fear? Or... something deeper?
After dinner with Han Jie by the lake, Lin Xuan immediately headed to the secret meeting point beneath the west of Longyuan.
The place was quiet, only small torches lit the stone walls.
Xu Heng was already waiting there.
"Why did you summon me so late tonight?" Xu Heng asked, his tone flat but firm.
Lin Xuan placed a piece of cloth on the table—a fragment of a black uniform with an inverted star symbol.
"They attacked my house last night. Mentioning a name—Mo Cangwu."
Xu Heng frowned.
"Mo Cangwu... that's not an unfamiliar name. But he disappeared years ago."
"His group calls themselves the Thousand Shadows Valley. They don't act like ordinary assassins. They are trained and know their target."
"Who is the target?"
"Me," Lin Xuan replied calmly. "And perhaps... the empire."
Xu Heng was silent for a few seconds, then stood up.
"I must report this to Emperor Qin immediately."
The Next Day – Xiyang Palace
Morning light illuminated the main hall of the empire.
Emperor Qin sat on his throne, his face calm yet sharp like an old, unrusted sword.
Before him, Xu Heng knelt, while on the other side stood General Hwang—tall, burly, with a serious face.
"Mo Cangwu..." Emperor Qin murmured. "I thought that name had long vanished. Are you sure this report is true?"
Xu Heng bowed his head.
"The report came from the First Shadow, Your Majesty. He was directly attacked by people who mentioned Mo Cangwu's name."
Emperor Qin closed his eyes for a moment, then looked towards General Hwang.
"Have you heard of this?"
Hwang nodded slowly.
"Mo Cangwu was once a minor military advisor on the northern border. But after failing a major operation against Han, he fled and faked his death. We never found his body."
Emperor Qin tapped the arm of his throne.
"So where do you think he's hiding?"
"I don't know for sure, Your Majesty," Hwang answered honestly. "But if the old reports are true, it's highly likely he's operating from outside Xiyang territory. Perhaps in the ice mountains, or on the border shared with Han. A place inaccessible to ordinary troops."
Xu Heng interjected.
"If that's the case, then he has direct access to both sides—Han spies and corrupt Xiyang henchmen."
Emperor Qin stood up, his voice resolute.
"I don't care where he is. Find him. And if necessary, send the First Shadow. That person has proven himself enough."
Xu Heng bowed deeply. "Order received, Your Majesty."
A Few Days Later
The night sky of Longyuan was dark.
In the ruins of an old warehouse near the outskirts of the city, Lin Xuan stood before a man in black clothes who was bound by a spiritual chain around his neck.
The man was a member of the Thousand Shadows Valley, the only one captured alive.
"Tell me where your headquarters is," Lin Xuan said coldly.
The man spat, blood mixed with saliva dripping from his lips.
"You won't find it. Even your Emperor wouldn't dare go there."
Lin Xuan was silent for a moment, then placed two fingers on the captive's chest. A black aura crept from his skin—the aura of the ancient dragon hidden beneath his control.
The man's body trembled violently, his eyes rolled back, his voice turning into a shriek.
"North... ice mountains... a large cave with red lanterns! That's the place!" he cried out desperately. "But you won't come out alive from there!"
Lin Xuan withdrew his fingers, the aura receding.
"Thank you for the free information."
The captive went limp. Lin Xuan looked at him for one second before lowering his hand—and a moment later, the sound of a body falling was heard.
Forest Edge, The Same Night
A thin mist moved between the trees.
Lin Xuan stood there, looking at the faint moon. Then from behind the mist, a soft voice emerged.
"Did you summon me, Master?"
Bai Suyin stepped out of the darkness, her hair flowing long, her yellow eyes gleaming like a night beast.
"I have their headquarters location," Lin Xuan said. "The ice mountains, far north, near the Han border. I want you to go there. Observe their base, draw a map, and don't get caught."
Suyin smiled faintly.
"Am I allowed to kill if they find me?"
Lin Xuan looked at her coldly.
"Kill if necessary, but don't let them realize who sent you."
He pulled a black jade stone from his pouch and handed it to Suyin.
"Once you know the structure, activate this stone. And inform me immediately."
Bai Suyin grasped the stone tightly, then knelt respectfully.
"Yes, Master. I will meet them in their own lair."
She turned into a white mist and shot swiftly towards the northern sky, leaving a pale trail of light in the air.
Lin Xuan watched the direction of her departure, his eyes narrowed.
"Thousand Shadows Valley... you think you can hide from the shadows?"
The night wind passed slowly, and under its light, Lin Xuan's shadow looked darker than usual—
as if two worlds, human and demon, merged in his steps.
The air in the northern mountains was bone-chilling.
The wind spun wildly, carrying a thin snow that slapped the face, while the night sky was dark gray and starless. In a place like this, life seemed to cease—except for those who knew how to hide among the shadows.
Bai Suyin floated above a high cliff, her body half mist, half human.
Her yellow eyes reflected the faint light of red lanterns below.
In a valley wedged between two large mountains, a giant cave was visible with stone walls carved with blood symbols and black banners. Dozens of lanterns hung, not holding ordinary light—but caged human souls, swirling inside red glass.
"Thousand Shadows Valley..." she murmured softly. "A demon's lair with the scent of humans."
She lowered herself, moving like mist that seeped into every crack of the cave.
Through the stone walls, dozens of people were seen training under the red lantern light. The sounds of whips, clashing swords, and cries of loyalty echoed.
In the center of the main hall, a man sat on a stone throne—Mo Cangwu.
His gaze was sharp like a newly sharpened dagger blade.
Before him, his subordinates knelt, reporting one by one.
"The scout unit in Longyuan failed to return, My Lord," said one of the soldiers.
"We lost contact after they were sent to find the 'Emperor Qin's Shadow Hunter'."
Mo Cangwu slowly raised his head.
"The Emperor's Shadow Hunter... not an ordinary person. That Red Devil-Masked Man is indeed very, very strong..."
He stood up, his voice echoing against the stone walls.
"In that case, we can no longer hide. Prepare the troops. The time to move has come."
Suyin held her breath. The dark aura emanating from the man's body was so thick it almost swallowed the light.
She knew one wrong step could get her caught.
But she continued to step forward, infiltrating deeper—until she finally found a strategic room behind the main cave.
The stone walls there were inscribed with ancient symbols and red lines resembling a map. In the center, a large, closed-eye symbol was clearly carved—the symbol of Mo Cangwu's central command.
"So this is the core," she whispered as she scratched a small mark with her fingernail onto the stone floor, creating Lin Xuan's secret code—the coordinates of the headquarters location.
Footsteps approached. Two guards passed, carrying red glowing staffs.
Suyin completely transformed into mist, slipping past them silently. Once far enough, she opened her grasp—Lin Xuan's black jade stone glowed faintly, a sign that the message was ready to be sent.
"Master... I have found it."
The stone pulsed softly, and in an instant, the mist around her trembled—the message was instantly transmitted.
Longyuan – The Same Night
Lin Xuan stood on the roof of his house, the jade stone in his hand glowing faintly.
He closed his eyes, allowing the flow of information to pour directly into his mind—every corner of the cave, every symbol and position, now clearly imprinted in his memory.
"Well done, Suyin..." he murmured softly. "You truly are the best."
He immediately headed to the underground chamber where Xu Heng usually waited.
Quickly, he handed over a rough map and the coordinates he had redrawn on imperial paper.
Xu Heng scanned it, his face turning serious.
"Ice mountains... outside Xiyang territory. So it's true, they operate from outside the kingdom."
"Too far for a small operation," Lin Xuan said flatly. "The Emperor must send troops to attack them."
Xu Heng looked at him for a long time, then nodded.
"I will report it right now."
The Next Day – Xiyang Imperial Palace
Emperor Qin looked at the large map before him, his fingers tapping the stone table.
Xu Heng knelt on the right side, while General Hwang stood on the left side, wearing his battle armor.
"So their headquarters is truly outside Xiyang territory..." the Emperor said slowly. "Northern ice mountains, directly bordering Han. A place even eagles are reluctant to fly to."
General Hwang nodded.
"Indeed, Your Majesty. That region is harsh and wild. But if this report is accurate, then this is the root of all political chaos in the palace."
Emperor Qin rose from his throne.
"Hwang, I entrust the army to you. Prepare a thousand Longyuan elites and two heavy battalions."
General Hwang bowed respectfully.
"Order received, Your Majesty. We will move before the third sun."
Heavy snow fell in the northern mountains.
The sky looked gray, and in that steep valley, thousands of Xiyang soldiers moved silently under General Hwang's command.
Their armor was layered with cold black steel, the soldiers' breath turning into white mist in the air.
"Ensure the troops surround them from three sides. Don't give them an escape route,"
Hwang commanded flatly, his eyes sharp piercing through the fog.
The troops walked slowly, pushing through the thick snow.
In Hwang's hand, a small map scroll with red markings was grasped—a map made by Bai Suyin, sent by Lin Xuan through Xu Heng.
"Incredible..." Hwang murmured softly, "whoever you are, this information is too accurate for the work of an ordinary single person."
He lowered his metal helmet, then gave a hand signal.
"Holy arrows! Prepare!"
Hundreds of large bows were drawn simultaneously, the arrow tips glowing blue—the cold fire magic typical of the Longyuan troops.
Silence for a few seconds, then Hwang raised his right hand.
"Release!"
Hundreds of blue lights shot into the air.
The sound of explosions echoed as the arrows pierced the caves and stone walls.
The Thousand Shadows Valley immediately shook, the blood lanterns inside shattering one by one—emitting the screams of trapped spirits howling into the sky.
Panic screams were heard from inside the cave.
"We're under attack!!"
Dozens of Mo Cangwu's troops scrambled out with swords and spears.
But from the right side of the valley, the second force was waiting—a second rain of arrows hammered them without mercy.
From inside the cave, Mo Cangwu stepped out slowly.
His face was red, his eyes gleaming wildly.
"Xiyang... how dare you come to my lair!"
With a single shout, a dark energy exploded from his body, creating a storm of dark qi that knocked down many Xiyang soldiers on the front line.
But General Hwang stood firm on the hill, his eyes sharp looking down.
"Mo Cangwu... in the name of Emperor Qin of Xiyang, you are accused of treason and conspiring with the Han Kingdom.
Surrender yourself."
Mo Cangwu laughed madly.
"Surrender? To the world that once abandoned me? Hah! You are all just pawns on your Emperor's chessboard!"
He leaped, his body enveloped in a black mist that swallowed the surrounding air.
But General Hwang had been waiting for that moment.
With a single holy sword slash, he unleashed the "Golden Sky Without Shadow" technique—a wave of golden qi split the mist, piercing Mo Cangwu's body directly.
A thunderous sound shook the valley.
The ground trembled, the blood lanterns shattered simultaneously, and the remaining Mo Cangwu's troops fled in all directions.
A few hours later, the valley turned into a frozen graveyard—only black flags and blood frozen on the snow remained.
Longyuan – That Night
Xu Heng knelt before Emperor Qin, reading the report.
"Your Majesty, the operation was successful. The Thousand Shadows Valley headquarters has been destroyed.
Mo Cangwu—is dead."
Emperor Qin closed his eyes briefly, then spoke softly:
"Finally... one thorn has been removed."
Xu Heng bowed again.
"However, some of his men are still on the run. We suspect some have infiltrated back into Longyuan."
Emperor Qin opened his eyes, staring at Xu Heng with a sharp gaze.
"Ensure no remaining shadows are left behind. Use the First Shadow unit for the final cleanup."
Xu Heng bowed. "As ordered, Your Majesty."
A Few Days Later – Guangming Academy
The daytime sky was calm, but the atmosphere at the Academy was still bustling.
Students were discussing the royal army's victory over the rebel forces in the north.
"Did you hear? General Hwang destroyed the rebels' headquarters!" "True! They say they were a secret force conspiring with Han!"
Meanwhile, under a large tree near the training pond, Lin Xuan sat relaxed, chewing boiled peanuts, his face as lazy as usual.
Beside him, Han Jie was busy reading the news.
"You know, Lin Xuan? People say the attack succeeded because of a mysterious informant who provided a map of the enemy's location.
They say he works under the court's head shadow."
Lin Xuan just smiled slightly.
"Oh really? Sounds cool."
Han Jie sighed.
"If it were me, I'd want to be that person. The pay must be huge."
"Haha," Lin Xuan stood up, patting his shoulder. "Trust me, being a mysterious person isn't as fun as it sounds."
In the late afternoon... the backyard of Guangming Academy felt peaceful. The wind blew softly, making the bamboo leaves rustle gently. A few students practiced their moves in the distance, while the light of the setting sun pierced through the gaps in the trees, falling onto the ground like golden shards.
Lin Xuan sat leaning against the stone wall, as if enjoying his break time. In his hand was a piece of bread he chewed unhurriedly.
Someone then came up to him.
"Lin Xuan," a soft voice called out amid the rustling wind.
He turned slowly. Zi Yueyan stood there, wearing pink and white training clothes, her black hair partially loose. Her gaze was no longer as cold as before; there was something different—soft, yet firm.
"Hmm, you came looking for me again, huh?" Lin Xuan smiled slightly. "Don't tell me Teacher Wei sent you to make sure I don't sleep during training again."
Zi Yueyan sat beside him without answering. For a moment, there was only the sound of the bamboo swaying between them.
"I just wanted to talk," she finally said. "Since that night... I've been thinking a lot of things."
She looked at Lin Xuan, her eyes clear but full of questions. "I owe you my life."
Lin Xuan looked at her for a moment, then looked away. "Sigh, don't exaggerate. I just don't want my house to be messy with a corpse."
The remark made Zi Yueyan smile faintly. "You can still joke, huh."
Silence for a moment.
Then she continued in a soft tone, almost a whisper, "But I want to know, Lin Xuan... recently there was news that General Hwang attacked the rebel base suspected to be close to the Han kingdom. You know something, don't you?"
Lin Xuan stared at her for a long time. Behind his eyes, there was a faint red flicker, but it quickly faded.
He exhaled softly. "Yueyan, there are things in this world that are better left unknown. But if you're asking who the person you mean is, he was the one who ordered his men to attack my house that night."
He paused briefly, looking towards the twilight sky.
"Who is he?" Zi Yueyan asked curiously.
"An enemy in disguise, his name is Mo Cangwu," he replied shortly. "He and his group—the Thousand Shadows Valley—have long worked with the Han Kingdom. They want to see Xiyang collapse from within. But rest assured... for now, they can no longer move."
Zi Yueyan looked at him, surprised. "You say 'for now'? So they still exist?"
Lin Xuan smiled faintly, staring straight ahead. "This world is not as simple as black and white. Sometimes what seems dead, is only waiting for the time to rise again."
"And... you?" Yueyan asked softly. "What have you done?"
Lin Xuan turned, their eyes meeting. His gaze was sharp, but contained no threat—rather, there was a strange calmness in it.
"Me? I just did small tasks."
"You must have done great things," Zi Yueyan countered.
They both sat for a long time under the fading golden light.
There were no more grand words. Just two students—one with a dark secret in his chest, the other with a curiosity growing between respect and admiration.
"Are you free tonight?" Zi Yueyan continued, looking at Lin Xuan, who seemed surprised and turned towards her.
"I want to take you to the night market,"
"Huh??" Lin Xuan's tone was one of disbelief. "Y-you're asking me... on a date?"
Zi Yueyan immediately dismissed it.
"No, no, not a date, just to help me get to know you better."
Unbeknownst to her. The woman's cheeks flushed slightly.
"Hehehe, Zi Yueyan, won't Zhiren be jealous later?"
"Jealous of what? Do you think I have a relationship with him?"
"I don't know, I thought you liked each other,"
Lin Xuan said, standing up and contemplating the evening. Was there a Shadow Hunter mission? Probably not, but even if there was, he wanted a break first.
"Alright, I'm free tonight. What are we going to do at the night market?"
"Good, we'll talk at the coffee shop later."
The night sky over Longyuan glowed softly. Red and yellow lanterns hung along the street, casting a warm light on the calm flowing canal water. The night market was full of the sounds of life—vendors calling out their wares, children running with cotton candy, and the distant melody of a flute.
Among the crowd, two figures walked side by side.
Lin Xuan and Zi Yueyan.
They stopped in front of a simple coffee shop located by the river. The aroma of coffee and jasmine tea mixed with the scent of baked goods. Outside, people laughed; inside, the world seemed to slow down.
They sat in a corner near the window. Outside, lantern shadows swayed on the water's surface.
Lin Xuan looked at the view, slowly swirling his coffee glass. "It's been a long time since I've been to a place like this," he said flatly, but his voice held a soft tone rarely heard.
Zi Yueyan looked at him from across the table, her face illuminated by the red lantern light. "You seem accustomed to living in a quiet place."
"Yes," Lin Xuan smiled faintly. "A quiet life allows me to think more clearly... and makes me harder to recognize."
He was silent for a moment, then continued, "I used to live in Tianmen. The city up north... a place that was always cold and harsh. I didn't have many choices back then, so I became a bounty hunter. I worked for anyone who would pay, without caring about right or wrong."
His tone was calm, but there was a shadow of the past in his eyes—dark and cold.
"At first, everything was normal. Until one night, when the sky over Tianmen was filled with red banners and the Han army came to invade. Fifty thousand men, they said. I... I don't know why I stayed to defend the place. Maybe I was just too tired of running away."
Zi Yueyan fell silent, her eyes slowly widening.
"So…" she said softly. "That story... is true? The Red Devil-Masked Man... who fought fifty thousand Han soldiers alone... that was you?"
Lin Xuan stared at her for a long time. There was no answer, only a silence that solidified between them.
Then slowly, he nodded.
The lantern light flickered, highlighting his calm face. Zi Yueyan could barely believe it—the person sitting in front of her, who had always seemed lazy and useless, was the figure who became a legend.
"But... if that's true," Yueyan continued softly, "why is General Hwang the one who's famous? All the royal records say he led the defense of Tianmen."
Lin Xuan looked out the window, watching the lantern reflections on the water. "Because I disappeared after that night. I didn't want fame. I just wanted peace."
He took a slow sip of his coffee, the warm steam partially covering his face. "And because General Hwang's troops arrived after everything was over. They saw thousands of corpses in front of the fortress, but they didn't know who did it. So it's natural... the world chose the hero who was still alive."
Zi Yueyan bit her lip softly. "But that's... unfair."
Lin Xuan smiled slightly. "Justice is just a story made up by the powerful to soothe their conscience. I don't need recognition. I just need a good night's sleep without nightmares."
"And the reason you disappeared?" Yueyan asked softly.
Lin Xuan looked at her—a gaze so deep that the girl couldn't look away.
"I was tired of killing. After that night, I realized... every life I took left a shadow within me. If I kept fighting, I wouldn't have a human side left."
Silence for a moment.
The sound of bamboo music from outside was faint, as if filling the space between their words.
Zi Yueyan looked down. "But now you're killing again, right? As a shadow hunter."
Lin Xuan was silent for a long time, then answered softly, "This time... I'm killing for a greater reason. I am no longer fighting for myself."
Yueyan's eyes showed a gentle light. She looked at him in a different way—not as a lazy student, but as a man who carried the weight of the world without asking for anyone's acknowledgment.
"You know, Lin Xuan," she finally said, "I think I'm starting to understand why everyone misjudges you."
Lin Xuan looked at her with a faint smile. "Oh really? And why is that?"
"Because you are good at hiding who you really are."
Lin Xuan chuckled softly. "Maybe. But if everyone knew who I was, my life wouldn't be peaceful anymore."
They both sat in silence again, enjoying the coffee that was starting to cool.
However, behind that silence, something had changed—the distance between them felt closer than before.
And that night, under the swaying lantern light, an old legend that should have been buried looked alive again—in the form of a man sitting across from a woman who was beginning to understand the dark world he inhabited.