Chapter 22 - Shadows

The Azure Heaven delegation departed at dawn, banners rolling in the cold morning wind.Behind them, the Crimson Flame Sect gates closed with a thunderous finality, as though slamming shut on grudges yet to bloom. The disciples whispered among themselves, still dizzy from the spectacle of the trial.Jiang Hao walked at the back of the group, as always, his hands folded behind his head, eyes drifting half-shut. His steps were light, unhurried, as though strolling through a garden instead of enemy territory.Finally. Mission complete. Return trip. Back to my tea, my naps, and my nine-to-five peace.But fate, ever spiteful, had other ideas.The mountain road wound through misty pines, cliffs dropping into clouds on either side. Birds scattered overhead. The air was crisp, fresh.Yet Lin Xueyao's gaze swept the trees with a soldier's suspicion. She had been uneasy ever since they left the sect gates."Too quiet," she muttered under her breath.Jiang Hao cracked an eye open. "Too quiet? Isn't quiet what we want? No noise, no fights, no work?"She shot him a glare. "Quiet in enemy territory means ambush."Mei Ling walked between them, her basket of herbs bouncing lightly at her side. She tilted her head, her soft smile unshaken. "Or maybe the forest is simply peaceful today."Lin Xueyao groaned. "You're too trusting.""And you're too suspicious," Mei Ling countered sweetly.Jiang Hao smirked faintly. "Don't worry. If something happens, I'll take care of it before five.""Before five—?!" Lin Xueyao hissed. "Are you measuring danger in hours now?""Of course. Deadlines keep the world orderly."Her exasperated growl echoed through the mist.Hours passed. The delegation's chatter dulled into silence, nerves fraying in the oppressive quiet.Then it happened.A whistle sliced the air. A split second later, a rain of black arrows descended from the canopy above."Ambush!" Lin Xueyao shouted, her sword flashing free. She deflected the first wave, sparks scattering in the mist. Azure Heaven disciples scrambled, qi flaring to form barriers.Figures emerged from the fog—dark-clad, faces masked, their aura thick with malice. The stench of blood and shadow clung to them. Demon Sect assassins.Mei Ling's basket clattered to the ground as she pulled a jade talisman from her sleeve, activating a protective barrier around the juniors.The leader of the assassins stepped forward, voice like cold steel. "Which of you is Jiang Hao?"The disciples froze. Eyes darted toward the man at the back.Jiang Hao sighed, lowering his hands from behind his head. "…See? This is why I keep a low profile. Do one little thing, and suddenly everyone wants a piece of me.""Identify yourself!" the assassin barked.Jiang Hao waved vaguely. "I'm just a humble nine-to-five worker. Try the wrong address."Lin Xueyao spun on him, furious. "They're here for you! Stop joking!"The assassin's killing intent flared. "You dare mock us?" He raised a hand. "Kill them all."The assassins surged forward.Steel clashed. Flames of corrupted qi burst in the mist. Screams of battle filled the mountain pass.Lin Xueyao fought like a storm, her blade cutting through shadows, her aura sharp as lightning. Mei Ling held her ground, healing talismans flaring, her calm voice steadying panicked disciples.And Jiang Hao?He yawned."Fine," he muttered, rolling his shoulders as assassins rushed him. "But this counts as overtime."The first assassin lunged with twin daggers. Jiang Hao sidestepped lazily, tapping the man's wrist with two fingers. Bones cracked. The assassin dropped, unconscious before hitting the ground.Another came from behind. Without turning, Jiang Hao lifted his teacup—where had it come from?—and the attacker slammed face-first into its rim, collapsing instantly."Efficient," he said, sipping.Lin Xueyao, mid-strike, caught the absurd sight out of the corner of her eye. She nearly faltered. Is he… drinking tea during an ambush?!Mei Ling's lips curved faintly. "That's very like him."But the assassins kept coming.The leader snarled, unleashing a wave of dark qi that shook the ground. "Enough games! Jiang Hao—show me your true power!"Jiang Hao blinked. "True power?" He sighed. "Why does everyone keep asking that? Can't I just… not?"His hand rose slowly, almost reluctantly. The mist around him stirred, heavy with something vast and unseen.Even Lin Xueyao's breath caught. She felt it again—the sense of standing at the edge of a bottomless ocean, an abyss veiled beneath a smile.The assassins hesitated. Fear rippled through their ranks.Jiang Hao's eyes half-closed. "Clock's ticking. Let's finish this."He flicked his wrist.The mountain wind howled, and shadows scattered like leaves in a storm.The mist swirled like a living thing, curling around trees and boulders as though drawn to Jiang Hao's casual gesture. The assassins froze mid-step, their killing intent faltering, their eyes darting nervously at the sudden weight pressing on their chests."Wha… what is this pressure?" one whispered."Impossible—he's only an inner disciple!" another hissed.Jiang Hao scratched his chin, unimpressed. "You all really like shouting 'impossible.' Should I make a counter every time someone says it? That could be fun."The leader snarled, forcing his men forward. "Don't falter! He's just bluffing—kill him!"The assassins surged again.Jiang Hao sighed and lifted his teacup to his lips. A blade of shadow swept toward him, shimmering with corrupted qi. Without moving his body, he tilted the cup ever so slightly.Clang!The assassin's dagger bounced harmlessly off the porcelain rim. Jiang Hao blew across the surface of the tea, sending steam curling into his attacker's eyes. The man shrieked, stumbling back, blinded."Hot tea," Jiang Hao said solemnly, sipping again.Lin Xueyao's sword flashed, cutting down two more assassins who dared to approach the juniors. She gritted her teeth, sparing a glance at him. "You—! Are you fighting or performing tea tricks?!""Why not both?" he replied calmly."Because this isn't a game!"A chuckle slipped from Mei Ling despite herself. "Senior Sister, don't scold him too harshly. His tea tricks seem very effective."Lin Xueyao whirled on her. "Don't encourage him!""Too late," Jiang Hao said, snapping his fingers.A ripple spread outward. The mist around him hardened into invisible walls, blocking three assassins mid-dash. They smacked into the barrier with a sickening crunch and dropped like sacks of grain.The delegation disciples stared, wide-eyed."Is this… really the same Senior Brother Jiang Hao who spends all day napping under trees?""I—I think so?""He's terrifying…""No, he's… handsome."The last voice was whispered by one of the junior female disciples, cheeks burning. She quickly clamped a hand over her mouth, but the slip was noticed. Several others exchanged looks. Jiang Hao's casual dominance, his unruffled grace, his faint smirk—it wasn't just strength. It was charisma.Lin Xueyao heard the whispers and nearly choked on her own fury. Don't you dare start swooning over him, you fools! He's insufferable enough already!Mei Ling, however, only smiled more softly, her eyes lingering on Jiang Hao's calm face as though seeing something deeper in him.The leader, growing desperate, gathered his qi into one final strike. His dagger pulsed with black flame, the stench of corruption filling the pass."You think us fools?!" he shouted. "We were sent to kill you because you are dangerous—because the Demon Sect fears you!"At this, Lin Xueyao's head snapped toward Jiang Hao, shock breaking through her anger. The Demon Sect fears him? Already?Mei Ling's hands tightened around her talisman. So soon…Jiang Hao tilted his head, unimpressed. "If they fear me, they should've sent someone quieter. You're ruining the morning walk."The leader lunged, blade shrieking through the air.Jiang Hao caught it between two fingers.The corrupted flame sputtered and died instantly, as if snuffed by an ocean. The leader's eyes bulged in disbelief, his body trembling under the weight of Jiang Hao's grip."Too noisy," Jiang Hao murmured. He flicked his wrist.The man flew backward, smashing into a pine tree with such force the trunk splintered. He slid down in a heap, unconscious.And just like that… silence returned.The mist hung heavy. The assassins lay scattered, groaning or motionless. None dared rise again.Jiang Hao exhaled, brushing dust from his sleeve. "Finally. Break time."He sat on a nearby rock, pouring himself another cup of tea as though nothing had happened.The disciples erupted into cheers. Relief and admiration surged through the group."We won!""Senior Brother Jiang is incredible!""He didn't even break a sweat…"Lin Xueyao stomped over, jabbing a finger at his chest. "Do you realize what you've done? These weren't ordinary bandits—they were Demon Sect assassins! That means they know about you now! They'll send more, stronger ones, and—""—and you're welcome," Jiang Hao interrupted, sipping tea. "You're still alive. That's what matters."Her jaw clenched. "You're infuriating!"Mei Ling placed a gentle hand on Lin Xueyao's arm. "Senior Sister… it's true. Without him, many of us would be hurt. Shouldn't we be grateful, even if his… methods are unusual?"Lin Xueyao opened her mouth to argue, but Mei Ling's calm gaze and soft smile disarmed her. With a frustrated growl, she turned away, muttering under her breath.Jiang Hao tilted his head at Mei Ling. "You always smooth things over. Convenient."Her cheeks warmed faintly. "Perhaps. Or perhaps I just understand you better than others do."Jiang Hao blinked, caught off guard for once. His lips twitched upward in the faintest smile. "Maybe."Lin Xueyao, watching from the corner of her eye, felt her chest tighten.Far above, hidden among the trees, a single assassin who had escaped the skirmish bit his tongue, spilling blood on a jade slip. The message vanished into smoke, carried to the Demon Sect.The report was simple:"Target confirmed. Power beyond inner disciple rank. Jiang Hao. Must be eliminated."