The bamboo grove behind the Lin Clan's southern peak was always quiet at night.
Lin Tian walked calmly along the path, his steps slow, steady—deliberate. The moonlight filtered through the leaves, painting shadows like blades across the ground.
But he wasn't alone.
From both sides of the grove, two black-clad figures lunged out, silent as shadows.
Assassins.
"You should've stayed crippled," one whispered, his dagger glinting in the moonlight.
Lin Tian didn't flinch.
A pulse of blue lightning flashed from his fingertips.
The air exploded.
CRACK!
One assassin was thrown back, crashing into the bamboo with a grunt, his weapon falling from his hand.
The second came from behind, blade aimed at Lin Tian's neck. But the moment his foot touched the ground—
BOOM!
An invisible force erupted from Lin Tian's body, launching the man upward like a rag doll.
Both attackers hit the dirt. One unconscious. The other coughing blood.
Lin Tian stepped forward and looked down coldly.
"Tell your master—next time, send someone who understands fear."
The assassin trembled. "I-I don't know who—"
Lin Tian raised a hand.
Lightning surged, stopping just inches from the man's face.
"You reek of Lin Jade's spiritual scent. He gave you a tracking talisman, didn't he?"
The assassin's face turned pale.
Lin Tian turned and walked away.
Behind him, the bamboo grove burned with crackling arcs of blue flame.