Xuan Chen suddenly looked up, his gaze sweeping toward the light beyond the cave.
"It's time to go."
Xiao Chen was sealing the final segment of spirit wood. He glanced up.
"What is it?"
"Starseizing Palace's next move is coming," Xuan Chen replied.
Xiao Chen's expression darkened.
"Of course… someone like Yue Yunzhao vanishing without a trace? That's bound to raise suspicion."
Xuan Chen nodded.
"We need a new route."
They exchanged a glance—both knowing that peace was now out of reach. This battle had merely been the prelude to a rising storm.
—
Starseizing Palace – Starbound Hall
Within a chamber adorned with golden patterns, Shen Daoheng sat with furrowed brows. Several jade slips floated before him, each bearing reports of recent disappearances.
"Three days… and still no word." His voice was low.
He sent his soul sense into one of the slips—and saw a scorched map. The marked location: a remote corner of the Northern Xuan Mountains.
"Even Yunzhao hasn't returned? Who did he encounter…"
Beside him stood the Vice Hall Master of Starbound Hall, bowed respectfully.
"Master, the body has been recovered. No survivors. But… there was a strange mark left on his palm."
Shen Daoheng's eyes narrowed. He flipped his hand, summoning a talisman. Its runes flickered faintly.
"So it was him…"
"Send word. Search the surrounding three regions. If nothing turns up…"
He turned, a glint of killing intent flashing in his eyes.
"Activate the Star-Return Mirror. I'll conduct the divination myself."
—
Far north of Xuan Mountains – a ruined village
Ruins and broken walls filled their view. The houses were old and crumbling. In the village, only children and the elderly wandered slowly—no young men, no women in sight.
Xiao Chen stood at the village entrance, his gaze heavy.
"This mountain village is falling apart… and inside, only kids and old folks. Not a single man or young woman. Xuan Chen, what's going on here?"
Xuan Chen narrowed his eyes, scanning the surroundings. His voice turned cold.
"This isn't war. Someone cleared this place out… likely bandits."
"What?!" Xiao Chen burst out, furious.
"This is the northern border of the Central Plains—territory under the Redflame Sect's jurisdiction. And they let these bastards run wild?"
He paused, eyes dimming.
"Those poor widows and orphans…"
He turned to Xuan Chen.
"Should we do something? Find out why these bandits are so bold. If they've got sect backing… could it be Redflame?"
Xuan Chen replied evenly.
"If Redflame is involved… then the cleaner the kill, the better. If the world's already in chaos, then we'll be the ones to restore order."
They quickly found a ruined house and entered to recover. Xuan Chen set up a spiritual array around them. Xiao Chen sat in meditation, his breath gradually stabilizing.
By dusk, the sound of galloping hooves echoed through the village.
Both halted their cultivation, holding their breath and hiding behind the broken wall. Through the cracks, they saw several vicious-looking bandits ride in, each armed with blades and wild expressions. The leader tossed several burlap sacks into the village square, eyes gleaming with malice.
He drew his sword and slashed one open, laughing coldly.
"This is what happens when you hide men from us."
From the sack rolled a lifeless man, his body covered in wounds—some deep enough to expose bone. In the distance, an old woman cried out and rushed forward, clutching the corpse and wailing.
The leader shouted again.
"Anyone dares hide people again—we'll burn this village to the ground!"
Xiao Chen's rage surged. He reached for his sword—but Xuan Chen's hand stopped him.
Xiao Chen glared.
"Why are you holding me back?!"
"Not the time," Xuan Chen said, eyes cold.
"If we don't go all in… we'll just throw our lives away."
Xiao Chen froze, swallowing his fury. His eyes burned like flame.
Soon, the bandits rode off, leaving behind corpses and cries of grief. Villagers opened the sacks—some wept aloud, others stood in silence. The last sack held a girl of about ten, trembling in fear.
Xiao Chen stepped forward.
"Are you alright? Where are your parents? Why isn't anyone here for you?"
Seeing a stranger, the girl screamed, pounding her fists against him.
"Don't come near! You're one of the bad men! Give me back my parents!"
Xiao Chen stood frozen, turning helplessly to Xuan Chen.
Xuan Chen stepped closer, speaking softly.
"She was just rescued. She's terrified. She thinks you're one of them."
Xiao Chen gently stroked her head, his voice tender.
"Big brother promises—tonight, we'll chase those bad men away. Okay?"
The girl stared at him, then suddenly threw herself into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
After asking the villagers about her home, Xuan Chen and Xiao Chen carried her back.
The house was in ruins—dishes shattered, furniture destroyed. Only a small wooden bed remained intact. Xuan Chen silently draped his cloak over her and stepped outside.
He paused before a dark red stain on the wall, his expression grave.
Xiao Chen followed him out, speaking in a low voice.
"Why would they wreck the houses like this? There's nothing valuable here… Were they searching for something?"
Xuan Chen's gaze was deep as the sea.
"If it were just slaughter, they wouldn't have dug so thoroughly. They're looking for someone—or something that could shift the balance."
Xiao Chen clenched his fists, jaw tight.
"Whatever the reason… tonight, we strike."
—
Inside the house, silence reigned. Only faint traces of spiritual energy drifted in the air.
Xiao Chen sat cross-legged in the corner, circulating his breath, slowly restoring his qi. Xuan Chen had gone out to place a Watcher's Sigil, and now leaned against the broken window, fingers turning a fine-grain seal. The array hummed quietly, cloaking the entire wooden house in an invisible veil—no trace of energy escaped, as if sealed into its own realm.
Outside, the sky darkened. The dying sun stained the village in blood-red hues, casting shadows across the distant mountains and the killing intent hidden in the woods.
"Xuan Chen," Xiao Chen opened his eyes, voice low, "if the bandits come in small numbers, we'll blend in and study their formation. They might still be hiding captives. We rescue first—then break the siege."
Xuan Chen nodded slightly, his voice like night wind.
"These men aren't acting on impulse. Their movements are disciplined. Someone's pulling the strings. We can't rush in."
Xiao Chen murmured,
"We wait till they enter the village… then slip into the crowd. It'll mask our presence and let us observe—see if they've got a base or prisoners. If they're holding anyone, they won't leave easily."
"We must read their intent, then break their formation," Xuan Chen said, eyes fixed on the window.
"When night falls, if they return, I'll disrupt their qi. You hide among the villagers. Watch their movements. Listen to their words. Find the flaw. Seize the moment to rescue."
Xiao Chen nodded, his gaze cold and resolute.
"If they dare come again… they won't leave intact."
Suddenly, he asked,
"Xuan Chen, do you have a talisman that can control life and death?"
Xuan Chen gave a slight nod, producing a pitch-black talisman between his fingers. Its energy was restrained, the markings invisible."Three breaths to kill. Five to silence. It can strike through air—but we must channel it together. Alone, it's hard to control a crowd."
He paused.
"Leaving one alive—is that to make a statement?"
Xiao Chen gave a faint smile, his eyes colder than ice.
"No. It's to show their leader we can end his life whenever we choose. That's how you break their will. Not one of these bandits deserves mercy."
Xuan Chen raised a brow, his expression solemn.
"To use a man's life as leverage… to bind his commander. The killing intent remains, yet one life is spared—to make a point."
He nodded slowly, drawing another talisman from his sleeve.
Its surface was cracked like dry bone, its aura faint yet chilling.
"This talisman is called Soulbind Seal," he explained.
"It does not sever flesh, nor claim life—but it shackles the soul by three degrees, bending the mind to my will."
With a flick of his finger, the talisman split in two.
"When he speaks," Xuan Chen said, voice low and steady, "I'll strike his sea of consciousness. At my word, his heart will tremble. At my gesture, his soul will freeze."
He turned to Xiao Chen, his voice like wind through frost-laced trees.
"This battle is not for fame in a broken world. It is to make evil fear, and the innocent feel protected. If the world loses its balance—then we shall be the weight."
Xiao Chen's gaze was ice.
"Strike the horse before the rider. We circle behind. You disable the mounts—stun them if you must. Once they fall, I'll kill the rest and seize the leader. He'll witness your talisman's power firsthand."
Xuan Chen gave a slight nod.
From his sleeve, a wisp of green smoke curled out—like silk, like venom—vanishing into the wind.
He turned to Xiao Chen, voice rustling like leaves.
"The Hoofbind Hex is cast. When they enter the village, their horses will falter, their qi will scatter. That is our moment."
He paused.
"The Watcher Sigil I placed earlier returned its insight. Four men: two blade-wielders, one archer, and their leader. The formation is weak—speed is our edge."
Moments later, the sound of hooves approached from afar.
The same bandits as before—returning once more.
As they crossed into the village, Xuan Chen activated the array.
Without a sound, the horses shrieked and collapsed, throwing their riders into the dust.
"Now!" Xuan Chen whispered.
Xiao Chen was already gone—his figure a blur, a shadow streaking forward.
The two swordsmen hadn't even risen before Xiao Chen's blades found their throats—left and right, swift and clean. Blood painted the air like a crimson stroke.
The archer reacted faster, reaching for his bow—
But Xuan Chen's sleeve flicked, and a gust of wind coiled around him. His consciousness shattered. He crumpled, lifeless.
Only the leader remained, sprawled on the ground, face twisted in terror.
He opened his mouth to shout—
But Xiao Chen seized his shoulder, voice cold as steel.
"Xuan Chen—now!"
With a flick of Xuan Chen's finger, the gray talisman pierced the bandit leader's soul like a nail, embedding itself between his brows. His pupils contracted sharply. His body went rigid, drenched in cold sweat. His lips trembled—but no words came.
Xiao Chen dragged him roughly to the broken wall, forcing him to face the corpses of his fallen comrades. The terror in his eyes reached its peak.
Xuan Chen stood calmly, the Soulbind Seal glowing faintly in his palm. His voice was quiet, deliberate.
"Now tell us—who sent you? And what are you looking for?"
The bandit leader collapsed to the ground, sweat pouring down his forehead. His lips quivered as he stared at the two cultivators in horror.
He tried to sound defiant.
"Looking for what? I don't know what you mean. I was just sent to capture laborers…"
Xiao Chen let out a cold laugh, his tone like a blade drawn in winter.
"Oh? You don't remember? That's fine. We're quite good at helping people recover lost memories."
He turned to Xuan Chen, voice dropping.
"Your turn."
The talisman in Xuan Chen's hand flared again. A flicker of black light flashed between his brows, and the runes surged—striking deep into the man's sea of consciousness.
The bandit screamed, clutching his head, writhing on the ground. His cries were raw, as if a thousand ants were burrowing into his soul. Xiao Chen didn't move, watching silently until the man's voice broke and his body nearly collapsed. Only then did Xuan Chen withdraw his hand.
Xiao Chen crouched beside him, staring into his pale face.
"Now… do you remember?"
The bandit leader kowtowed repeatedly, voice broken.
"Mercy, please—mercy! I… I really don't know!"
Xiao Chen narrowed his eyes and turned to Xuan Chen with a smirk.
"Looks like your hand wasn't heavy enough. This one's memory still needs a bit more encouragement."
Xuan Chen frowned slightly, then pressed his fingers together once more. The talisman surged again—this time deeper, harsher, as if stirring the soul itself.
Moments later, the man nearly broke apart.
"Please! I'll talk—I'll talk!"
Xuan Chen finally stepped back, calm as ever.
Xiao Chen patted his shoulder, raising a thumb.
"See? Just needed the strong stuff. You're good."
He turned to the trembling bandit leader, voice sharp.
"Speak. Or you won't get another chance."
The man gasped for breath, his voice shaking.
"We… we were looking for a ledger…"
Xiao Chen's tone darkened.
"What ledger? Be specific."
The bandit, drenched in sweat, struggled to speak.
"It… it's a book that records all our dealings with the elders of the Redflame Sect… too detailed… too dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands…"
Xiao Chen's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing—waiting.
The bandit continued.
"The man who had it fled to this village… we caught him later, but he had nothing on him. He refused to speak. Held out until he died… so we had no choice but to tear the village apart…"
Xiao Chen's gaze grew colder, sharper.
"Then what about the men and women you took? Where are they?"
The bandit stammered, his voice shrinking.
"The men… were taken back… for labor…"
Xiao Chen's voice cracked like thunder.
"And the women? Where did you take them?"
The bandit dropped to his knees, kowtowing frantically.
"Mercy, sir—please, mercy…"
Xiao Chen remained unmoved, his eyes like blades.
"Speak. Or you won't speak again."
The man trembled violently. At last, he broke. His voice was barely a whisper.
"The women… were given to the lord… for his pleasure…"
Xiao Chen said nothing. His eyes shimmered with a cold light.
Xuan Chen spoke softly.
"Confirmed. It's all in that ledger…"
Xiao Chen rose slowly, a glint of frost flashing in his eyes. His gaze pierced the bandit's soul.
"Tell me—how many do they still have?"