Dawn of the Next Day
The sun was just beginning to crest the horizon. Wang Tao was already on his feet, his tent packed away neatly into his spatial pouch.
Wei Lian emerged from his own tent looking as if he hadn't slept a wink. He glanced at the still-sleeping Yan Li before approaching Wang Tao alone.
— Brother Tao — Wei Lian hesitated, his voice low — can you teach me?
— Teach you what?
Wei Lian looked around cautiously, then met Tao's gaze.
— How to be... — his voice dropped to a whisper — an assassin.
Wang Tao froze.
— Wei Lian...
— I have to — the boy cut him off. — In this war, I'm going to have to kill again. And if I hesitate... — He paused, his expression darkening. — I might die. Or worse... you might.
Wang Tao remained silent for a long time, searching his younger brother's face.
— Are you sure?
Wei Lian nodded firmly. — Yes.
— This will change you — Wang Tao warned. — There is no going back once you step into this shadow.
— I KNOW — Wei Lian insisted.
Wang Tao sighed and finally nodded.
— Very well. But... — He leaned in, his eyes piercing. — Do not tell Yan Li. She wouldn't understand.
— I won't — Wei Lian agreed.
And so it began: the training to become what he never wanted to be, but knew he had to become.
---
— Now that we are close to enemy territory — Wang Tao began, addressing both siblings — change your clothes. Wear common traveler's robes. If we encounter a larger group, I will lead the conversation, or Wei Lian will.
His gaze lingered on Yan Li for a second. The girl puffed her cheeks out in indignation at being excluded from the "leadership" role, but both siblings nodded in agreement.
The journey continued through mountain trails, taking a path far removed from the Spirit Mines to avoid early detection. Twelve hours later, they spotted it in the distance: a fortified camp.
A high wooden palisade surrounded the entire perimeter, and disciples in crimson robes patrolled the walls. It was larger than they had expected.
The three didn't dare get closer. Wang Tao observed with trained eyes, Wei Lian struggled to see the details, but Yan Li perceived the entire layout through her soul. They sat behind a large boulder as the afternoon wore on.
Wang Tao checked the sky.
— We have... three hours — he calculated. — Rest. Eat. When it gets dark... we begin.
Yan Li and Wei Lian nodded, waiting behind the rock for the night and the danger it would bring.
---
Night of the First Day
As the shadows lengthened, Yan Li picked up her brush.
— I'm sending scouts — she whispered.
She painted five small, delicate gray mice. The ink took shape and surged with life, the creatures scurrying toward the outpost. They were too small to be noticed and too fast to be caught. Yan Li closed her eyes, concentrating her Qi to see through their eyes.
---
POV: The Scouts
The first mouse entered through a small gap beneath the palisade. Inside: Tents, dozens of them. Cultivators in red robes were talking and laughing, their guard down. The count: ten, twenty... many.
The second mouse ran to the supply area: campfires, food being prepared, and large water barrels lined up.
The third mouse headed for the center: a larger, heavily guarded tent. Inside: Five older cultivators with denser, more powerful Qi—Elders.
The fourth mouse explored the structures: wood, all of it. Dry and highly flammable.
The fifth mouse climbed the watchtower: two Qi Absorption guards—alert and dangerous.
---
Yan Li opened her eyes, her breathing heavy from the mental strain.
— And? — Wang Tao asked.
She detailed everything: the numbers, the positions, and the layout. Wang Tao processed the information quickly.
— At least fifty in Body Refinement — he murmured. — Four in Qi Absorption. And flammable wood everywhere. — He looked at his siblings. — We can do this.
— How? — Wei Lian asked.
Wang Tao offered a small, dangerous smile.
— Fire and chaos.
They began to prepare. Wang Tao pulled several vials from his pouch—the poisons from their training.
— This will make them dizzy — he explained. — Slow, weak, and disoriented. — He looked at Yan Li. — Can your mice drop this into their water?
— I can try — Yan Li nodded.
— Good. Tomorrow night, we strike.
Wei Lian pulled a small block of wood and carving tools from his bag.
— What are you making? — Yan Li asked.
Wei Lian didn't look up, his hands already moving with newfound precision.
— Something... necessary.
Yan Li didn't understand his cold tone, but she let it be. The three remained in the shadows, preparing for the attack that would change the course of the border skirmish.