Five months had passed since the Winter Festival.
The snow that once covered Longyuan's roofs was now beginning to melt, leaving the scent of damp earth and a bone-chilling cold in the air.
Yet, beneath that tranquility, a quiet rumor began to circulate among the court—
the Han forces were reportedly rebuilding their strength in the north, near the Tianmen region.
The news had not yet reached the common people, but Lin Xuan knew it before anyone else.
He never believed in peace that lasted too long—for him, every calm was merely a pause before the blood would flow again.
That morning, in the back courtyard of the Guangming Academy, he sat leaning against a bamboo tree.
His eyes were half-closed, as if enjoying the nascent spring wind.
But in reality, his thoughts had already drifted far north... to the place where everything began.
"Tianmen..."
he murmured. "It's been five years."
Light footsteps sounded from the direction of the courtyard gate.
Zi Yueyan appeared—wearing a pink and white training robe, with a white sash tied around her waist.
She carried several scrolls in her hands, but her eyes immediately focused on Lin Xuan, who was lost in thought under the tree.
"Daydreaming again?" she asked, her tone flat but gentle.
"You're really going to make Master Wei lose his patience."
Lin Xuan opened his eyes slightly and gave a small smile.
"I'm just thinking, Yueyan. About a place I once left behind."
"A place you once left behind...?"
Yueyan's gaze softened—she knew the place he meant.
Tianmen Fortress.
The place where the legend of the Red Demon Masked Man was born, and the place where Lin Xuan vanished from history.
But before she could ask further, the sound of other footsteps was heard in the distance—heavy, calm, and authoritative steps.
Xu Heng, the Head of the Imperial Shadows, emerged from behind the bamboo mist. His black robe billowed slowly, and his cold eyes immediately fixed on Lin Xuan.
"First Shadow," he said without preamble.
"His Majesty has a new order."
Lin Xuan stood up.
His face remained unchanged, but there was a faint glint in his eyes. "Another new mission?"
Xu Heng handed him a scroll sealed with a silver dragon. "To the north.
Tianmen Fortress."
The air around them instantly fell silent.
The passing wind felt colder.
Yueyan stared intently at Lin Xuan, as if to make sure she hadn't misheard.
"Tianmen...?" her voice was barely a whisper.
Lin Xuan did not answer. He stared at the letter for a long time, then tucked it into his robe.
Xu Heng bowed slightly. "The Emperor wants you to inspect the border. There are reports of suspicious movements from the Han direction.
And... something greater may be brewing there."
"In that case, I will depart tonight," Lin Xuan replied flatly.
Xu Heng looked at him once more. "You know that place better than anyone.
Be careful, First Shadow."
Then he left, disappearing behind the mist without looking back.
Yueyan remained standing in her spot, silent for a long time.
Only when Xu Heng was out of sight did she step closer.
"Are you... really going to Tianmen?" she asked softly.
Lin Xuan looked at her. "Yes.
That place is waiting for me."
"And you don't intend to tell anyone at the academy?"
Lin Xuan offered a faint smile. "You know I don't like goodbyes."
Yueyan took a breath, then said in a voice that was nearly trembling,
"You know I once told you that the world still needs to know who you are. Now I'll add this—I need to know you'll come back from there."
Lin Xuan was silent for a few seconds.
His eyes stared straight into Yueyan's face—deep, honest, but not entirely readable.
"If fate permits, I will return. But if not..." he smiled thinly, "...you know where to find me. In the shadows of the world."
Yueyan looked down slightly, hiding something in her eyes.
"This world is unfair," she murmured softly.
"True heroes hide in the dark, while those who shout under the light... merely enjoy the results."
Lin Xuan looked at her for a long time, then stepped closer and patted her shoulder gently.
"And for that, I'm grateful that there is still someone who knows the truth."
Silence.
Only the sound of the wind through the bamboo.
"You're leaving tonight?" Yueyan finally asked.
Lin Xuan nodded. "Yes. There's someone I need to call first."
"Who?"
Lin Xuan just smiled vaguely, then turned around.
"Someone. But tonight, I need her again."
As he walked away, Yueyan called out softly,
"Lin Xuan... be careful."
The man's steps paused for a moment.
He turned, smiling. "If the world tries to hurt me, I'll hurt it back."
Then he walked away—slowly disappearing behind the bamboo mist, heading north.
That night, on the edge of the dark forest, white mist circled around the tree trunks.
Lin Xuan stood silently under the moonlight, holding a black jade stone in his hand.
"Bai Suyin," he called softly.
The mist slowly swirled, transforming into the figure of a long-haired woman with gentle yellow eyes, enveloped in a white aura.
"My Lord calls for me?" her voice was faintly trembling, yet full of respect.
Lin Xuan looked at her. "I'm returning to Tianmen, you will come with me."
Bai Suyin bowed deeply. "Finally, My Lord's old home..."
Then she smiled faintly. "I will prepare the way."
Lin Xuan stared north.
In the distance, snow-capped mountain peaks reflected the moonlight.
In his voice, coldness and nostalgia were mixed into one tone.
"Tianmen... five years ago, I left blood on your soil.
Now I come not to repeat the past, but to ensure no one dares to desecrate it again."
Lin Xuan walked ahead, his pace calm.
Beside him, Bai Suyin wore a long white robe with a hood that covered part of her face. From beneath the hood, her yellow eyes occasionally flashed—hinting at something not entirely human.
Half a day had passed since they left Longyuan.
And so far, their journey had never truly been lonely.
That afternoon, they passed through Yuancheng Village, a small settlement on the edge of the trade route heading north.
The village looked grim—several houses were half-burned, and people stared warily at every passing newcomer.
Bai Suyin looked around. "This place smells of blood. There's just been a murder."
Lin Xuan nodded slowly. "True. I've felt it since the entrance gate."
They stopped in front of the village announcement board.
Several wanted posters were tacked there—some torn, some new.
Lin Xuan looked at one of them: a rough sketch of a man in a black robe with a lightning symbol on his neck.
"Zhou Kang," he murmured. "Former mercenary, now kills for money. A hundred taels of gold reward if captured alive, fifty if dead."
Bai Suyin smirked. "We need meal money, don't we?"
"And perhaps a little entertainment, too," Lin Xuan replied flatly.
They tracked Zhou Kang's trail to the edge of the forest.
As soon as they arrived, the pungent smell of blood pierced the air.
Suddenly, someone leaped from behind a tree—his body massive, eyes red, and skin beginning to turn gray.
He was no longer fully human.
"Blood Demon," Bai Suyin hissed. "So he has sold his soul for power."
Zhou Kang growled. "Leave, if you don't want to die like those villagers!"
Lin Xuan did not answer.
His sword was already out of its sheath—a thin black blade reflecting cold light.
In three steps, the world paused.
One subtle slash—there was no scream.
Zhou Kang's body fell to its knees before he could realize he was dead.
Bai Suyin watched the remnants of blood mist evaporating from the victim's body.
"Still as fast as before, My Lord."
Lin Xuan sheathed his sword. "Old habits die hard."
They handed over Zhou Kang's head at the village guard post before night fell.
The old post guard counted the silver coins, his hands trembling from the cold—or perhaps fear.
"A hundred taels, as promised," he stammered.
Lin Xuan nodded, taking the pouch without speaking.
Bai Suyin smiled gently at the guard—a smile that for some reason made the old man take two steps back.
As they stepped out of the post, night began to fall, and a crescent moon appeared in the sky.
On the cobbled path, Bai Suyin looked at the sky, her voice soft.
"My Lord," she said, "every time we move, someone always dies behind us. Isn't it tiring?"
Lin Xuan paused briefly, looking at the same moon.
"If the world is filled with corruption, our duty isn't to stop smelling it—but to eliminate the source."
Bai Suyin chuckled softly. "You are indeed human, yet your mind is darker than a demon's."
Lin Xuan glanced at her. "Perhaps because I have a demon companion."
Suyin looked back at him, her smile gentle yet sharp. "And I have a human lord who is colder than the northern mist."
Over the next period, they crossed several other villages—
in Fengliu Village, they hunted down an evil-turned guardian spirit;
in Xueyuan Valley, they silenced a horde of bandits who extorted caravans;
and in Shanhe Plains, they eliminated demon hunters who were actually trading spiritual creatures' body parts.
From every place, Lin Xuan only took enough gold for the journey, never leaving a name.
Yet from every place, rumors began to spread—
about two mysterious figures:
a man with a black sword and no name, and a snake-eyed woman who accompanied him under the moonlight.
People began calling them "Shadows from the South."
The sun was dim over the cobbled road, indicating they had completed more than half their journey.
In the distance, the silhouette of a small town began to appear—Qingye, a border region known as the last rest stop before the northern route ascended toward Tianmen.
Bai Suyin walked behind, concealing her demon aura beneath the long white robe.
Meanwhile, Lin Xuan walked casually, his eyes fixed on a large wooden board near the city gate—a bounty board filled with faces and names.
He stopped, reading them one by one.
"He Jian... mountain bandit, killer of seven tax guards."
"Zhou Ping... army traitor, fled eastward."
"Liang Feihu — The Thousand Tael Head."
The last name made Lin Xuan pause for a long time.
He pulled the announcement paper slightly from the wooden nail and read it.
"Liang Feihu, former Han forces soldier. Betrayed peace treaty, stole secret border documents.
> Hunted by the empire for three years.
> Reward: 1,000 taels of gold for the head, dead or alive."
Bai Suyin approached, her eyes narrowing. "Is My Lord interested in the value?"
Her tone was teasing, but Lin Xuan only stared at the writing for a long time before answering softly,
"No. His name appeared in Xu Heng's notes back then. He's not just a bandit."
"Then?"
"Then we capture him."
That night, they followed the edge of the western Qingye forest.
The wind carried the smell of iron and ash—a sign that a campfire had just been extinguished.
Not far away, rough laughter was heard.
Behind a bush, Lin Xuan saw four armed men sitting around a fire.
One of them, long-haired and with a face full of scars—was wearing a tattered black robe with a Han sword at his waist.
"Liang Feihu," Lin Xuan whispered softly.
Bai Suyin looked down. "Should I go down?"
Lin Xuan shook his head. "I'll do it."
He stepped out of the darkness—calm, but his steps echoed sharply on the frozen ground.
The four bandits immediately stood up. "Who are you!?" one of them snapped.
Lin Xuan held up the announcement paper in his hand.
"Just someone who wants to exchange this paper for a few taels of gold."
Liang Feihu laughed loudly. "Hah! A kid like you wants to capture me?"
"Of course not," Lin Xuan replied flatly. "I'm just going to bury you."
Before Liang could move, a black shadow flashed.
The sound of wind cut through the night—and in an instant, two of his subordinates fell without managing to scream.
Liang Feihu drew his sword. "Your technique is fast... who are you, really!?"
"Someone you shouldn't know," Lin Xuan retorted coldly.
Then they clashed.
The fight was fast—too fast for ordinary human eyes. Liang attacked with full force, but Lin Xuan was like mist—every slash only touched a shadow.
One second later, blood splattered.
Liang's sword was split in two.
Lin Xuan held the man's body, which was about to fall. "You were from the Han forces, weren't you?" Liang gasped, his eyes wide. "You... you know about—"
"Silence."
One subtle jolt, and Liang Feihu fainted. Lin Xuan tied his hands with spiritual energy ropes, then looked at Bai Suyin.
"Take him to the city."
Suyin smiled faintly. "My Lord capturing a fugitive without excessive bloodshed, that's rare."
"Sometimes blood is more expensive than gold," Lin Xuan replied softly.
The next morning, the Qingye yamen office was already crowded. Officials clustered around as Lin Xuan and Bai Suyin dragged the tied-up Liang Feihu.
The head of the yamen, a thick-mustached plump man, immediately stood up.
"Who are you?!"
Lin Xuan placed a small black seal on the desk.
A dragon silhouette was carved on it.
Everyone fell silent. The head of the yamen immediately bowed. "T-The Imperial Shadow Seal... my apologies, My Lord!"
"No need," Lin Xuan replied casually. "I only want to claim the reward. This head is still alive."
The guards took Liang Feihu to a cell. The head of the yamen counted the money from an iron chest, handing over a heavy pouch filled with gold taels.
"My Lord has saved us from a great burden. This... is as stipulated."
Lin Xuan looked at the pouch, then placed it back on the desk. "Half for the victims' families. Half for the border village."
The head of the yamen was stunned. "B-but... My Lord—"
"Gold cannot redeem time," Lin Xuan said as he turned around.
Bai Suyin followed him out, a soft mist trailing his steps.
"My Lord, last night you said you didn't want to shed blood. Now you don't even want to touch the gold."
Lin Xuan only smiled faintly.
"Because sometimes, killing is far easier than surviving with a calm heart."
One day after leaving Qingye, Lin Xuan and Bai Suyin's journey took them across a vast, desolate plain, where the northern wind always carried the scent of cold and the sound of raven flocks.
In every small town they passed, the bounty board was always full of grim faces—but one paper they found at a trading post caught Lin Xuan's attention.
The paper was black, not the usual brown. It was printed with the imperial dragon emblem in the corner.
The writing on it read:
LIST OF TEN NORTHERN SHADOWS
(Issued — Ministry of Internal Affairs, Silver Dragon Seal)
1. Kang Wei — "The River Butcher"
* Last known location: Nanshui Bridge, eastern river district
* Crimes: Serial killings of night travelers, small boat pillaging; suspected of taking blood rituals for dark power.
* Reward: Alive 120 taels / Dead 60 taels
* Notes: Great physical strength, uses a heavy axe wrapped in spells. Avoid the current's barrel on misty nights.
2. Yue San — "Mist Grandmother"
* Last known location: Lianmu Village, cedar forest edge
* Crimes: Mass poisoning, summoning poisonous mist to cover robberies; involved in cross-border poison trade.
* Reward: Alive 200 taels / Dead 100 taels
* Notes: Specialist in poison crafting & mist illusions; requires a spiritual antidote to neutralize attacks.
3. Huo Liang — "The Black Monk"
* Last known location: Ruined monastery on the western hill
* Crimes: Dark spell peddler, ritual sacrifice, forming a small sect; inciting villagers.
* Reward: Alive 300 taels / Dead 150 taels
* Notes: Former monk; often hides in the monastery's basement. Advised to bring a holy burner.
4. The Qiu Twins (Qiu Er & Qiu San) — "Night Market Daggers"
* Last known location: Hengbei Night Market
* Crimes: Contract killers, professional road cutters, involved in stolen goods trade.
* Reward: Alive (both) 400 taels / Dead 200 taels (each)
* Notes: Team attack; traps in the night market. Do not trust the crowd.
5. Lan Yu — "Full Moon Fox"
* Last known location: Li'an desert-edge village
* Crimes: Holy deception, spirit rape, kidnapping wealthy men; suspected fox demon.
* Reward: Alive 500 taels / Dead 250 taels
* Notes: Beware of her beguiling power; requires an exorcism seal to hold her form.
6. Han Zhe — "Former Han Officer"
* Last known location: Western route towards Tianluo mountains
* Crimes: Desertion, murder of village officials, smuggling information to Han.
* Reward: Alive 450 taels / Dead 225 taels
* Notes: Militarily trained, tactical; has contacts on inland routes.
7. Mei Shu — "The Bounty Hunter"
* Last known location: Northern shepherd camp
* Crimes: High-level contract killing, relies on traps and poison.
* Reward: Alive 350 taels / Dead 175 taels
* Notes: Concealed weapons, easily blends in; requires night reconnaissance.
8. Zhao Ling — "Curse Guardian"
* Last known location: Old Heishan Temple
* Crimes: Controller of cursed spirits, imprisoning souls to form dark spirit allies.
* Reward: Alive 600 taels / Dead 300 taels
* Notes: High spiritual power—priority caution; frontal approach is dangerous.
9. Yan Luo — "Gray Wolf"
* Last known location: Western trade route (linked to Mo Cangwu group)
* Crimes: Former officer who massacred village officials, suspected of being a henchman for the Mo Cangwu network before its fall.
* Reward: Alive 600 taels / Dead 300 taels
* Notes: Trained, cunning. Sensitive information—link live capture to efforts to uncover the network.
10."The Old Shadow" — estimated real name: Qi Yan
* Last known location: Northern caves, ice mountains (hidden)
* Crimes: Coordination of secret assassinations, carrying out a series of sabotages and massacres to weaken the border.
* Reward: Alive 1,000 taels / Dead 500 taels
* Notes: Priority target. Suspected leader of the minor shadows (coordinator), connection to Han agents. Extremely dangerous—requires a team, intel, and support.
The northern wind rolled across the plains, carrying the last flakes of snow that refused to leave the rooftops. Lin Xuan rolled the list paper back up, his eyes glancing once more at the first name—Kang Wei, "The River Butcher". In the dimly lit announcement place, the smell of lamp oil and salted fish still lingered. Bai Suyin stood slightly away, her movements slow as usual, her yellow eyes locking onto every passing face's detail.
"Kang Wei," Lin Xuan muttered. "Axe wrapped in spells. Last known location—Nanshui Bridge. We pass that way if we head north via the river route."
Bai Suyin nodded. "Understood, My Lord. I will track his night scent—he usually leaves traces of blood and specialized oil. Easy to find."
They moved that morning. The cobbled road took them through small villages, each break punctuated by brief stops: washing blood by the river's edge, buying bait, asking for news. At every trading post, another list paper was tacked up; faces stared at them from the paper, promises of reward hanging like temptation. Lin Xuan only kept one thing—target by target in his head, the route refined down to the details.
The journey to Nanshui Bridge took two days. The road descended into a valley, and the river widened into a mirror. By the edge, locals informed them that fishing boats had been attacked last month; bodies were found entangled with ritual marks—five circular scratches like rings. The same description as the note on the paper: The River Butcher was not just an ordinary robber.
The night before the attack, Lin Xuan chose an inn by the bridge. He positioned himself on the roof, Bai Suyin merged with the mist—her white snake eyes sniffing every current. Lin Xuan looked at the river surface below; the dark water held the sounds of oar wheels and screams that hadn't finished. Something pulsed lightly in his chest—an aura he didn't broadcast to the world, but enough to make the surrounding air feel heavier to those sensitive.
Exactly at midnight, from the distance came the sound of steel grating among the waves. Two figures appeared on the deck of a docking boat: a pair of robbers trying to drag their catch. They didn't realize that under the bridge were two other shadows. Bai Suyin rolled the mist, enveloping the back of the boat; the two men were startled when ropes wrapped around their feet. In silence, one was thrown overboard. The River Butcher—Kang Wei—emerged from the side mist with a large, glowing axe, laughing hoarsely.
Bai Suyin attacked first: her form solidified, her hand swung like a mist whip, but Kang Wei parried with the spell-laden axe, black sparks flying to the edge of the boat. The man's body was not only strong; the spell on his axe repelled the normally lethal forms of Suyin's mist. He struck hard at Suyin—an attack that would have shattered bone if it landed.
Bai Suyin retreated, a thin cut on her arm starting to blacken. Her eyes widened: this was heavier than usual. She knew there was old ritual energy clinging to the axe—a spell that absorbed spiritual aura. In her heart, something like a warning trembled—Kang Wei had touched a source that should never be touched.
Lin Xuan descended from the roof at the same moment. He didn't run forward like most, he walked calmly along the bridge planks, observing. Bai Suyin held her breath. This was his business. She accelerated again, spreading sharp mist, slashing from the side; Kang Wei's axe clashed with the mist, then caused a small explosion—water splashed, the smell of iron rose.
The fight turned into a display of raw power. Kang Wei bent his back, spun the axe like a giant, forcing Bai Suyin to back away. The snake demon moved agilely, but every time she tried to attack a vital point, the axe stung with a restraining spell, making her body feel stuck. White demon blood dripped onto the planks. Her face hardened—she had never lost so easily.
At the edge of the bridge, fishermen fled their boats. Screams. Lantern lights swayed wildly. Lin Xuan observed, calm, but his eyes narrowed. He allowed Bai Suyin to tire the opponent and lower his tempo—that was his plan. Seeing an opening, Lin Xuan finally moved: not to fight, but to break Kang Wei's concentration.
He pulled a thin chain from his robe, giving one measured throw toward the axe. The chain wrapped around it, not the body, but the axe head, dampening the swing with a subtle joint-locking technique. The provoked Kang Wei briefly turned; at that moment, Lin Xuan lunged forward, not slashing, but pressing the wrist holding the axe—a joint lock that made the axe drop.
Kang Wei roared in anger, but his body was frozen. Bai Suyin seized the moment: she infiltrated, the mist covering, and with one swift motion, she squeezed Kang Wei's neck—not to break it, but to press a point that made the opponent faint without fatal injury. The axe slipped, rolling onto the bridge planks, causing a small spark.
Kang Wei finally slumped, his breath trembling. The fishermen watching bowed deeply from afar, afraid to approach because of the ritual mark on the man's body. Lin Xuan stared at the fallen man coldly. There was no winning smile. He ordered Bai Suyin to seal him: she placed a small seal of white mist on Kang Wei's chest, locking the ritual and making him lose the influence of the clinging spells.
"Give him time," Lin Xuan said softly. "We'll take him alive. There's someone we need to question."
Bai Suyin looked at him—her sleeves were wet with white blood, her breathing heavy. For the first time that night, she looked at Lin Xuan as a leader: exhausted, proud, and—somehow—trusting.
They tied Kang Wei, covered his body with a cloth, and took him to the next town. The journey back to the yamen felt long; Lin Xuan sat in the cart, his eyes blankly fixed forward, yet deep—there was a plan. Beside him, Bai Suyin closed her eyes, feeling the blackening scar on her arm.
At the yamen office, the Head Administrator looked at the evidence with sparkling eyes. The reward for Kang Wei was set as stipulated: 120 taels alive. The official words were stamped, officials asked who made the arrest. Lin Xuan only gave a vague name. They did not disclose who suppressed the ritual on the criminal's chest or how he was successfully restrained; only the evidence, only the head which was now tied up, and the two figures who passed without much questioning.
That night, after the money was divided—a small portion for the fishermen, more slipped into Suyin's secure pouch—they returned to their stop. Lin Xuan tucked a small seal into his pocket, checking the list again. One target was down; the network would not know that night, under the river-washed bridge, a small shadow had restrained an old fire.
Bai Suyin looked at Lin Xuan, her voice hoarse, "My Lord, there's a wound—"
"I know," Lin Xuan replied briefly. "Rest. We still have a long way to go."
Under the brightening northern sky, the two shadows continued their journey—a little blood on the sword tip, a little dust on the path—heading towards the next name.
The next dawn arrived with a pale gray sky. The smell of iron from the river still lingered in the air. Lin Xuan stood in the yamen courtyard, leaning against a wooden pillar, watching the small town slowly come back to life—merchants began opening stalls, children ran carrying warm bread. No one knew that the previous night, something like a nightmare had been purged from their region.
Bai Suyin walked closer from behind, her left arm wrapped in black cloth. The wound from Kang Wei's spell still looked faintly black, but her eyes shone steadily. In her hand, a new sheet of paper.
"Look at this, My Lord," she said softly. "I found it on the announcement board behind the yamen."
Lin Xuan turned and accepted the paper.
The writing on it was clear, just like before—black paper with the silver dragon seal in the top right corner.
> Name: Yue San
> Alias: Mist Grandmother
> Last known location: Lianmu Village, cedar forest edge.
> Crimes: Poisoning eight villages with toxic mist, killing merchant caravans and selling their organs for poison rituals.
> Reward: Alive 200 taels / Dead 100 taels.
> Notes: Use spiritual antidote. Avoid battle in misty areas. Suspected of being aided by summoned mist spirits.
Lin Xuan read slowly, then smiled faintly. "Cedar forest... that means two days from here to the northeast. A small path."
"Are we going after her too?" asked Bai Suyin, her voice calm but sounding cautious.
Lin Xuan tucked the paper into his robe. "We've already started clearing the list, haven't we? There's no reason to stop at number one."
Two days later, they arrived at the border of Lianmu village. The place was not like an ordinary village. The cedar forest covered it with a bitter, damp scent; every step among the trees created a rustling sound like whispers.
The midday sky looked dim, as if the sun did not want to touch that place.
The remaining residents lived in houses with windows covered in wet cloth. As Lin Xuan passed, they only stared from curtain gaps, seemingly afraid that speaking would attract something's attention.
"It seems true, the mist is still lingering," Bai Suyin said softly.
She stretched out her hand, the air in front of her trembling gently. "There's spiritual poison in the air—a mixture of black jade powder and forest root essence. It's not ordinary human poison."
"Poison made to obscure the eyes of spirits," Lin Xuan countered. "She wants people to misjudge illusion as reality."
Towards evening, they set up a small camp on the edge of the forest. Bai Suyin sat cross-legged, taking out a bowl of water and dripping liquid into it. The water turned into a mist map showing the airflow around.
In the middle of the forest, there was one spot thicker than the others—pulsing slowly like a breath.
"That's her location," Bai Suyin said. "The source of the mist."
Lin Xuan stood up. "In that case, we start now."
The cedar forest at night was like a world that rejected logic. Mist hung waist-high, silvery under the moonlight. Their steps were nearly silent, but every time a twig snapped, a faint echo felt like a distant call.
After thirty minutes of walking, they arrived at a small open plain—in the center, stood the figure of an old woman in a gray robe. Her face was covered with cloth, but her hands were full of black spots, and around her, mist danced like small snakes.
"Mist Grandmother," Lin Xuan said flatly.
The woman laughed—her hoarse voice echoed strangely among the trees. "Ohh... has the palace delivery finally arrived? I thought they had forgotten about Yue San."
"No one forgets a poison like you," Lin Xuan replied.
His sword was not yet drawn, but the air around him was already tense.
Yue San raised both her hands. From the mist, two blurry figures emerged, like human shadows made of smoke.
"My poison and spirits are hungry, young man," she said softly. "You bring sweet blood."
Bai Suyin stepped forward, white mist enveloping her body. "You will not touch my Lord."
The battle began.
White and gray mist collided in the air—two similar elements but different souls.
Bai Suyin formed a snake-shaped mist vortex, but Yue San broke it with a whip of toxic smoke.
Each collision produced a burst of pale purple color that stung the skin. Lin Xuan stepped back slightly, assessing. The spiritual aura in this place was chaotic; if he interfered carelessly, the mist could explode and swallow the entire village.
Suyin began to be pushed back. One of the mist spirits attacked from behind, its claws piercing her left shoulder, but she suppressed a scream. With one swing of her arm, she summoned white essence from the ground, partially freezing the spirit. Yue San laughed again.
"A white snake demon summoned by a human," she said viciously. "You don't know, my mist is created from poison that even dragons are reluctant to breathe."
Lin Xuan finally moved. He took out a small knife from his wrist—a black jade blade layered with a dampening symbol.
One throw. The knife flew through the mist, splitting the toxic vortex between Yue San and Suyin.
The dampening spell immediately took effect—the air around the old woman shook violently, the mist lost its form, as if forcibly pulled to the ground.
Yue San staggered back. "You... what are you—!"
Lin Xuan was in front of her before the sentence finished.
His left hand pressed the old woman's chest, channeling a bit of spiritual energy that locked her airways. Yue San fell to the ground, unconscious, while the surrounding mist began to dissipate.
Suyin knelt on the ground, breathless. "Forgive me, My Lord... I—"
Lin Xuan raised his hand, gesturing calmly. "You've done enough. I only wanted to see the limit of your power."
His tone was flat, but his eyes looked calm—not cold, but as if judging with respect.
They carried Yue San's body out of the forest as morning came. The mist had disappeared, and the villagers began to dare to come out. When Lin Xuan handed the woman's body to the village chief, no one dared to ask how he managed to capture the "Mist Grandmother" alive.
A few hours later, at the eastern district yamen office, they received another heavy envelope—200 taels of gold.
The official who wrote the receipt looked at them with admiration, but Lin Xuan only glanced briefly, then left the desk.
Outside, Bai Suyin asked softly, "Will My Lord continue chasing the others?"
Lin Xuan opened the list, looking at the third name—
Huo Liang, "The Black Monk".
Then he looked west, toward the towering line of hills.
"Yes," he said flatly. "If we want to reach Tianmen peacefully, everyone on this list must be gone first."
The wind blew from the north, carrying the distant scent of snow. Bai Suyin only bowed and followed his steps.
The next hunt was waiting.
The western sky turned red as the sun slowly descended behind the Tianluo mountains.
Two figures walked along the cobbled dirt road—Lin Xuan in front, his steps calm and steady, while Bai Suyin followed behind, slightly lagging because her shoulder was still wounded by Yue San's poison.
In Lin Xuan's hand, a black sheet of paper containing the next name fluttered in the afternoon breeze.
The writing on it was clear and concise:
No. 3 — Huo Liang, "The Black Monk"
Last known location: Ruined monastery on the western hill, Qingshan district.
Crimes: Leader of a small blood-worshiping sect. Killed holy monks and sold their relics.
Reward: Alive 300 taels / Dead 150 taels
Notes: Former disciple of Tianyi Monastery. Uses high-level dark spells. Frontal approach is high-risk.
Lin Xuan rolled the paper back up and tucked it into his robe.
"The Black Monk, huh… This world is indeed good at making demons out of those who failed to become holy."
Bai Suyin looked towards the darkening horizon. "Are we going there straight tonight, My Lord?"
"No," Lin Xuan answered. "We'll wait until the sun rises. If he's still a monk, he'll favor the darkness."
The next morning, a thin mist enveloped the Qingshan hill.
The monastery mentioned in the report stood at the summit—its roof half-collapsed, its bell split in two, and the Buddha statue in front of the gate cracked at the eyes, making it look as if it were weeping blood.
The sound of dead insects, no birds were heard.
As soon as they stepped past the gate, Bai Suyin felt an unnatural coldness. "The negative energy is so dense," she murmured softly. "It's like thousands of cursed prayers are in this place."
"Not thousands," Lin Xuan replied calmly, "but enough to drive an ordinary spirit insane."
They walked down the main hall. The walls were covered with altered prayer paintings—black ink overlaid the sacred calligraphy, replacing verses of virtue with blood summoning spells.
Red candles flickered in every corner, but their flames did not waver. No wind. No time.
And at the main altar, sat a man in a black monk's robe.
His face was pale, his eyes blood-red, and in his hand—a rosary made of human fingers.
"Welcome to the new holy place," he said, his voice deep and hoarse. "Did you come to pray… or to die?"
Lin Xuan stepped forward, looking at him coldly. "Huo Liang."
The man smiled crookedly. "That name has long died with my old body."
"In that case, I've come to bury what's left," Lin Xuan replied flatly.
The battle instantly erupted.
The stone floor cracked when Huo Liang raised his hand, creating a blood seal in the air.
From the altar, dozens of dead monks' spirits rose with empty eyes, attacking silently.
Bai Suyin summoned her white aura, her body shimmering, then forming thousands of spiritual scales in the air. "Holy spirits, go home!"
One explosion of white light repelled the spirits, but Huo Liang did not stop.
He channeled blood from his finger, forming a red whip that lashed the air like a snake. "You think you can challenge a prayer that God has reversed?"
The whip struck the wall, and each impact grew blood thorns around it.
Lin Xuan leaped forward, slashing one straight line. His sword cut the whip into fragments, but the blood dripped onto the floor—and immediately formed a symbolic net.
Huo Liang laughed cruelly. "You've walked into my trap, young man."
But the smile vanished in an instant—because Lin Xuan did not step back; instead, he stood calmly in the middle of the blood circle.
"Mid-level blood trap spell," he said softly. "Interesting… but too slow."
In an instant, the circle broke, the blood turning to ash. Lin Xuan raised his sword slightly, his eyes glowing faintly red.
"If you claim to be a monk," he said softly, "you should know how a prayer ends."
One step.
One slash.
Silence.
Huo Liang's body fell with a clean wound on his chest. His gaze was empty, but his lips still trembled. "Are… you… a demon…?"
Lin Xuan did not answer. He only looked at the body for a moment before sheathing his sword and saying flatly,
"No. I'm just a human shadow."
A few hours later, at the Qingshan district yamen, they handed over Huo Liang's head.
The recording official looked pale seeing the spell marks still lingering on the victim's skin, but he still handed over a pouch containing 300 taels of gold.
Lin Xuan weighed it in his hand, then gave it to Bai Suyin.
"Keep it. We might need it at the border later."
Suyin received it respectfully. "It seems the further north we go, the more people like him there are."
"And the closer we get to the darkness," Lin Xuan replied.
He paused briefly, looking towards the mountainous road that rose to the north—the direction of Tianmen.
"You know, Suyin," he said softly. "Tianmen is not just a fortress… it's also a grave of the past."
Suyin bowed her head. "And My Lord will return there… as a human, or as a shadow?"
Lin Xuan smiled faintly, looking at the reddening sky.
"I don't know. Perhaps as both."
That night, they resumed their journey—heading towards the next name on the list:
The Qiu Twins, two night market assassins in Hengbei.
And this time, even Bai Suyin could sense something in the air.
The shadows they were chasing... were beginning to feel more alive than they should.
The night sky in the north looked heavy—thick clouds rolled behind the moon, hiding the light that should have guided the steps of the two figures on the cobbled road.
Lin Xuan and Bai Suyin had now arrived at Hengbei city, a night market town known for always being lively even at midnight.
In a place like this, the Qiu Twins usually operated—two contract killers famous for being able to disappear in the crowd without leaving a trace.
The night market was crowded. Lanterns hung in every corner, merchants shouted offering fabrics, jewelry, and games.
Bai Suyin stood beside Lin Xuan, surveying the surroundings, her eyes shining softly under the lantern light.
"It doesn't feel like a place for murderers," she said softly.
Lin Xuan looked at the crowd. "Precisely in a place like this, murder is easiest."
He slipped his hand into his robe, pulling out a slightly crumpled piece of paper—
the next target's name was written there in thick black ink.
No. 4 – The Qiu Twins (Qiu Er & Qiu San)
Alias: "Night Market Daggers"
Last known location: Hengbei Market
Crimes: Contract killings of nobles and major merchants, theft of rare goods.
Reward: Alive (both) 400 taels / Dead 200 taels (each)
Notes: Both are identical, one with a fast right hand, one with a cunning left hand. They always operate together and are known to disguise themselves as shopkeepers or street entertainers.
Bai Suyin read quickly, then murmured, "So we're looking for two people who could be anyone."
Lin Xuan smiled faintly. "Correct. That's why we let them find us."
He then walked casually into the middle of the market, stopping in front of a jewelry seller's stall.
"If I'm right," he said softly, "professional assassins always recognize someone by the way they carry themselves.
And I've already let them observe us for the last ten minutes."
Suyin turned sharply. "From where?"
Lin Xuan did not answer. He just said, "Right behind you."
A flash of metal came as fast as lightning.
A small knife flew toward Bai Suyin—but before it could hit, Lin Xuan turned his body and deflected it with two fingers.
The knife stopped in mid-air, trembling.
From behind the crowd, two figures leaped out.
Both were dressed identically, their faces similar, and they moved like shadows mirroring each other.
One smiled crookedly. "The First Shadow of the Empire, huh? We've been waiting for this honor for a long time."
The other added in a low voice. "But we don't want to live with a 400 tael bounty on our heads. We want your name."
Lin Xuan took a light breath. "In that case, you will die with your own names."
The fight erupted in the middle of the crowd.
Merchants and spectators ran in panic as the two twin figures attacked from two directions.
Qiu Er with a silver dagger in his right hand, Qiu San with a steel chain in his left. Their movements were fast, synchronized, like two reflections covering each other's weaknesses.
Bai Suyin jumped back, creating distance while summoning her spiritual power.
White aura ignited on her body, transforming into thousands of glowing scale fragments.
She spread white mist, blurring the surrounding view—but the two assassins used the mist to hide.
"Bad," Bai Suyin muttered, "they are used to fighting in places like this!"
From the right side, a steel chain spun quickly through the mist, narrowly missing her face.
But at the same time, Lin Xuan had appeared in front of Qiu San.
His movement was so fast that the surrounding mist was split.
One slash—light, but deadly.
Qiu San staggered, blood flowing from his shoulder.
"He's... faster than the reports," Qiu Er hissed, his eyes wide.
Lin Xuan looked flatly. "You talk too much."
He kicked the ground, leaping into the air—his sword formed a silver arc that swept both directions.
A brief flash of lightning blinded everyone in the market.
When the dust settled, only Lin Xuan and Bai Suyin were still standing.
The two twin assassins lay on the ground, one still alive but unable to move, the other no longer breathing.
Lin Xuan crouched in front of Qiu Er, who was still breathing.
"Who hired you?" he asked calmly.
Qiu Er tried to smile, blood flowing from his lips. "A Shadow... older than yours."
"The Old Shadow?" Lin Xuan murmured.
But before he could speak again, Qiu Er bit something in his mouth—a poison pill.
His body convulsed briefly, then went still.
Bai Suyin knelt beside him, checking his pulse. "He's dead. Both of them chose the fast way out."
Lin Xuan stood up, looking north.
"The Old Shadow..." he muttered again. "It seems this journey will be longer than I thought."
That night they returned to the city guard post.
The head of the yamen in Hengbei who received the report looked surprised when Lin Xuan placed two heads on the table, wrapped in black cloth.
He swallowed before handing over a bag of gold—a full 400 taels, according to the list.
"Two people in one night?" he said, trembling. "Even professional hunters rarely manage that..."
Lin Xuan did not answer. He only looked at another piece of paper on the announcement board, which was fluttering in the wind and almost coming loose.
He took it, reading quickly.
The next name appeared there, written in darker ink than the others.
No. 5 — Lan Yu, "Full Moon Fox."
Reward: Alive 500 taels / Dead 250 taels.
Last known location: Li'an desert-edge village.
Notes: Suspected fox demon. Beautiful, deadly, and hungry for human souls.
Lin Xuan folded the paper slowly, tucking it into his robe pocket.
He looked at Bai Suyin and said flatly, "This time, perhaps you are better suited to deal with an opponent like this."
Suyin smiled vaguely, her eyes glinting. "A fox demon? It's been a long time since I hunted a fellow demon, My Lord."
"Good," Lin Xuan said lightly as he turned away. "But don't lose. I don't like killing twice in the same night."
Bai Suyin looked at him and chuckled softly, her voice echoing under the rising moonlight.
"Don't worry, My Lord. I won't lose to a creature that sells its charm for a living."
And under that moonlight, they stepped out again—
heading towards the Li'an desert, the place where cunning and beauty mingled in their most dangerous form: the full moon fox.
The wind of the Li'an desert blew dry and cold.
Sand rolled under the moonlight, forming soft waves like a dead ocean.
In the distance, a faint glow of lanterns was visible—a sign of a settlement.
Lin Xuan and Bai Suyin walked slowly among the rocks, their steps leaving long traces in the sand.
There was no sound other than the rustling wind and the occasional distant howl of a night beast.
"It feels different from the other towns," Bai Suyin murmured, her eyes on the horizon.
"The air here… smells of magic."
Lin Xuan looked at the sky. "True. Fox demons live off human emotions.
A place like this—isolated but close to a trade route—is the perfect place to hunt prey."
A few hours later, they arrived at Li'an Village, a small settlement on the edge of the desert.
From the outside, it looked calm, but a strange atmosphere enveloped it.
Passing residents bowed their heads, not daring to look at the faces of strangers.
Even the dogs in the street barked softly, then ran away.
An inn stood at the end of the main street, a red lantern hanging in front.
Lin Xuan stepped inside, while Bai Suyin remained outside, observing the surroundings alertly.
The inn owner—an old woman with a stiff smile—greeted him.
"Looking for a place to rest, My Lord?" her voice was hoarse.
"Yes," Lin Xuan replied calmly. "And a bit of information. There's a rumor about a beautiful woman living in this village. You know something?"
The old woman swallowed. "You… are talking about Lady Lan?"
"Lan Yu," Lin Xuan corrected softly. "I heard she likes to appear on a full moon night."
The woman trembled. "She lives in the big house in the north of the village. But don't go there tonight, My Lord… many never return after trying."
Lin Xuan smiled faintly. "I never believe in superstition."
He placed a few taels on the table and left without looking back.
Bai Suyin was waiting for him outside.
"Do you know the location now?" she asked.
Lin Xuan nodded. "The big house north of the village. And as usual, we'll arrive uninvited."
The house stood gracefully in the middle of the sand field.
Its walls were white, its roof curved, pink lanterns hung all around it.
From a distance, it looked like a nobleman's residence, but in Lin Xuan's eyes... its spiritual aura was inhuman.
"She already knows we're coming," Bai Suyin said softly. "There's a barrier around the house."
Lin Xuan smiled faintly. "In that case, let's knock on her door politely."
He raised his hand, then released a light attack.
Crack!
Spiritual energy pierced the air, shattering the barrier layer around the house like broken glass.
From inside, a soft laugh was heard.
"Oh… I didn't expect the imperial hunters to come straight to my house."
The door slowly opened.
A young woman appeared—wearing a thin, pale blue robe, her long hair wavy, her eyes shimmering silver.
Her face was unnaturally beautiful, too perfect for a human.
Every movement of hers was like a melody.
"Lan Yu," Lin Xuan said calmly. "Or more accurately—the Li'an fox demon."
The woman looked at Lin Xuan and smiled sweetly.
"If I surrender now, will you treat me gently?"
Bai Suyin stood beside him, her white aura beginning to tremble.
"You steal human souls to prolong your life. There is no mercy for a creature like that."
Lan Yu glanced at her, then chuckled softly.
"Ah, white snake. I can smell ancient blood in your body. Interesting… even demons now become human hunting dogs."
The remark made Bai Suyin's eyes glow yellow.
"I'll make sure you don't get a chance to speak again."
She raised her hand—white wind spun, forming a spiritual energy vortex.
Lan Yu laughed softly, then her body slowly faded into a silver shadow.
"Let's dance, Miss Snake."
The battle commenced.
Bai Suyin leaped high, her white aura exploding in the form of a small dragon circling her body.
Meanwhile, Lan Yu moved quickly in the air, leaving a trail of silvery light like moon petals.
The two clashed in the middle of the courtyard—spiritual attacks collided, creating bursts of light that broke the desert night.
Wind swirled, sand flew everywhere.
Lin Xuan stood on the side, his hands folded across his chest.
His eyes observed the fight coldly, with no intention of interfering.
Lan Yu looked at him while dodging Bai Suyin's strike.
"You let your pet fight alone? Tsk, not very chivalrous."
Lin Xuan looked at her flatly. "If she can't defeat a fox like you, I don't need her by my side."
Hearing that, Bai Suyin clenched her teeth—not out of anger, but her spirit was ignited.
Her white aura grew stronger, her body beginning to show subtle scales on her skin.
"Enough!" she cried out, then clapped her hands together.
From the ground, thousands of spiritual snakes emerged, wrapping around Lan Yu's legs, trapping her in a vortex of light.
Lan Yu screamed, trying to free herself—but her strength was increasingly depleted.
From behind her long hair, a silver fox tail emerged, trembling violently.
One last burst of energy exploded, then—BOOM!
White light spread across the entire courtyard.
When the dust and sand settled, Lan Yu had fallen to the ground, her body reverting to its true form—a large white fox with silvery fur, covered in blood.
Bai Suyin stood over her, breathless.
Her eyes returned to their soft yellow color, but her aura was still trembling.
Lin Xuan stepped closer and drew his sword.
He looked at the creature without emotion.
"A demon that forgot how to live like a human… doesn't deserve mercy."
One slash.
The fox was silent forever.
That night, at the Li'an city guard post, the head of the yamen once again trembled upon receiving a report from two mysterious hunters who handed over the head of the fox demon.
"T-that full moon fox… has been hunted for years! How could you—"
"Hurry with the payment," Lin Xuan cut in flatly.
500 taels changed hands.
Without further ado, he and Bai Suyin left the post and returned to the main road.
"How many are left on the list, My Lord?" asked Bai Suyin.
Lin Xuan took out the wanted paper from his robe, reading it under the moonlight.
"Still five."
Then a faint smile appeared on his lips. "But one name catches my attention."
His eyes stopped at number nine.
Yan Luo — Gray Wolf.
"If my guess is right," he murmured softly, "this person isn't just a fugitive. He has ties to the remnants of Mo Cangwu."
Bai Suyin looked at her lord with shining eyes.
"So… we will hunt a wolf?"
Lin Xuan sheathed his sword, staring north into the darkness.
"Yes," he said softly, "and tonight, a shadow will hunt a shadow."
The northern sky looked gray, thick clouds moving slowly over the Heiyan plains.
The air there was heavier, damp and smelling of metal. Along the cobbled road, the tracks of carts and horseshoes were still fresh—a sign the route was frequently used.
But for Lin Xuan, the path felt like a passage between two worlds: human and shadow.
He walked ahead, his black coat fluttering in the northern wind.
Bai Suyin followed behind, this time in her human form—a simple white robe, her yellow eyes hidden beneath a hood.
"This route leads to the Wolf Plains," Bai Suyin said slowly.
"Gray territory, filled with wild tribes and bandit remnants from the war era. Are you sure the fugitive is there?"
Lin Xuan pulled the black paper from his robe.
"Yan Luo—a former officer who massacred a village after the Tianmen war," he said softly.
"The strongest suspicion is that he works for the remnants of Mo Cangwu.
And if that's true…" He looked toward the north enveloped in mist.
"…he could be the key to uncovering who is moving the Han forces behind the scenes."
Bai Suyin bowed her head slightly, then asked softly, "Do you want to capture him alive, My Lord?"
Lin Xuan replied flatly, "If he can still speak, yes."
Then his smile appeared faintly, "If not… he will still speak, just in my way."
Towards dusk, they arrived at Lubu Village, a small village standing in the middle of a stretch of gray rocks.
Its residents rarely left their homes; only a few stared from behind windows as they passed.
An old inn post was the only building that looked alive.
Lin Xuan stepped inside and was greeted by a nervous-faced owner.
"G-guests from the south? Not many people pass through here lately."
"That's precisely why I came," Lin Xuan replied lightly.
"Listen, I'm looking for someone—a former officer named Yan Luo."
The owner's eyes widened, then he hastily looked down.
"No, My Lord… there's no one like that here."
Lin Xuan slid a few taels toward the table.
"Try to think again."
The clinking sound of coins broke the silence.
The owner swallowed. "If My Lord insists… just hear this rumor.
A few days ago, a small force passed toward the northwest—they carried a torn flag, without any kingdom's emblem.
They were led by a gray-haired man, with eyes like a wolf. People call him Captain Yan."
Lin Xuan nodded, then turned around. "Enough."
Bai Suyin followed him out.
As they walked down the main road, Suyin asked, "Do you believe that man's words?"
Lin Xuan sighed. "Human words can deceive, but their fear never lies."
That night, they reached the edge of a ravine, where a campfire glowed in the distance.
Behind the rocks, Lin Xuan crouched, peering down: about twenty armed men gathered around a large fire, laughing and drinking wine.
In the center of them, sat a sturdy man with silver-gray hair.
His eyes were sharp, and in his hand was a large dagger full of war scars.
"Yan Luo," Lin Xuan muttered softly.
Bai Suyin observed from the side. "Many guards."
Lin Xuan smiled coldly. "If I needed a crowd, I would have stayed in the city."
He looked down and took a deep breath. "But tonight, all I need is silence."
There was no signal.
One second later, two shadows descended from the sky.
Lin Xuan's sword flashed under the moonlight—one quick slash split the wind.
Three bandits fell without managing to scream.
Bai Suyin moved like white mist; her body darted among the guards, silencing them with subtle cuts.
The first scream only erupted after half the force was down.
"Attack!" someone yelled, but it was too late.
Yan Luo stood up, kicking the embers forward, then leaping back, his sword drawn.
His gaze was wild, but trained.
"Who are you!?"
Lin Xuan walked out of the darkness, his robe fluttering.
"Someone who wants to test if the legend of the Gray Wolf is true."
"So you've come looking for death."
Yan Luo raised his sword high, gray energy emitting from the blade.
"That will be your last mistake."
Two forces clashed.
The first impact made the ground tremble—Lin Xuan's sword easily parried the opponent's attack, but Yan Luo's black aura circled his body, igniting a spiritual fire from an old battlefield.
They both moved fast—slashes, jolts, step by step retreat.
Bai Suyin tried to approach, but Lin Xuan raised his hand.
"Don't interfere," he said coldly. "This is between him and me."
Yan Luo laughed at the words.
"You think you can match the power that killed hundreds at Tianmen back then?"
Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed. "Tianmen, huh? So you were there too?"
"Of course. I saw it with my own eyes… that black dragon! The red fire that burned the Han forces alive!"
Yan Luo laughed loudly. "That wasn't the work of a human. That was a monster!"
Lin Xuan was silent for a moment.
Then he said calmly, "True. And now, you are standing in front of him."
Before Yan Luo could react, a deep red aura erupted from Lin Xuan's body.
The wind stopped, the campfire went out.
Behind the moonlight, a red-horned shadow briefly appeared behind him—eyes like hellfire.
Yan Luo paled. "You… you—"
The next sound was drowned out by a scream.
One movement—and the world returned to silence.
A few hours later, only one small fire burned in the middle of the camp.
Bai Suyin cleaned the blood on her sword, while Lin Xuan sat silently, staring at Yan Luo's body, which was now tied to the ground.
"He's still alive," Bai Suyin said. "Will he talk?"
Lin Xuan stared sharply. "He will."
He pressed his finger to the enemy's temple, channeling dark spiritual energy.
A high-pitched scream broke the silent night.
When it stopped, Lin Xuan opened his eyes again.
"Interesting," he said flatly. "He's not just a fugitive. He's a link between the remnants of Mo Cangwu and Han secret agents."
"So they are really building a new network?" asked Bai Suyin.
"Yes," Lin Xuan replied slowly. "And the gathering point… is at the Tianmen border."
He stood up, looking at the brightening sky.
"It seems I'm finally going home, Suyin."
Bai Suyin bowed respectfully, her voice soft yet trembling.
"Five years have passed… the world may have changed, but Tianmen still calls My Lord's name."
Lin Xuan looked north, his red eyes flashing under the dawn light.
"In that case," he said slowly,
"let me answer that call."