## [Chen Family Kitchen - Dawn, Day 1]
"Wei'er, you look different today," Chen Ling said as she ate her rice porridge. "Your eyes are brighter."
Chen Wei paused with his chopsticks halfway to his mouth. His little sister was more perceptive than he'd expected.
"I slept well," he said simply.
His father Chen Daoling looked up from his breakfast. "Good. The head injury had us worried. Today you should rest and recover fully."
"Actually, father, I feel much better. I'd like to walk around the village. Maybe help with some work."
His mother Lin Suhua frowned. "Are you sure? Yesterday you couldn't even remember us."
Chen Wei had prepared for this. "My memories are coming back slowly. I think moving around and seeing familiar places might help."
**[Deception Check: Successful]**
**[Family Suspicion Level: Low]**
**[Cover Story Established: Recovering from head injury]**
His brother Chen Hao finished his meal and stood up. "I'm going to check the northern fields today. The irrigation channels need maintenance before the rains come."
Chen Wei's blood ran cold. According to the bandit intelligence, their scout would be observing the village from the northern hills. If Chen Hao went there alone...
**[Warning: Chen Hao entering danger zone]**
**[Bandit Scout Detection Probability: 73%]**
**[If detected: Attack timeline accelerates to tomorrow]**
"Brother, wait," Chen Wei said quickly. "Let me come with you. I need the exercise, and I can help carry tools."
Chen Hao smiled and ruffled Chen Wei's hair. "Still worried you're weak from the injury? Fine, you can come. But if you feel dizzy or tired, we head back immediately."
"Deal."
Chen Wei's parents looked pleased that their sons were getting along well. They had no idea Chen Wei was preventing a disaster.
**[Crisis 1 Averted: Timeline Manipulation Successful]**
**[Attack remains scheduled for Day 3]**
**[Success Rate: 31% → 34%]**
---
## [Village Streets - Morning]
As Chen Wei and Chen Hao walked through the village, Chen Wei activated his Deep Scan ability. Time to find those hidden warriors Master Liu mentioned.
**[Deep Background Scan - Activated]**
**[Scanning all village residents...]**
**[Focus: Combat experience and hidden cultivation]**
The first person they passed was Old Man Feng, who sold vegetables from a small cart. Chen Wei had seen him yesterday, but now he looked deeper.
**[Feng Laoshi - Vegetable Vendor]**
**[Apparent Age: 67]**
**[Real Age: 71]**
**[Cultivation: Qi Gathering 6th Level (Suppressed to appear mortal)]**
**[Hidden Background: Former Iron Fist Sect Elder]**
**[Combat Skills: Iron Body Technique, Mountain Crushing Palm]**
**[Reason for Hiding: Sect was destroyed 20 years ago, he's the only survivor]**
**[Personality: Wants peaceful retirement, but will fight to protect innocents]**
Chen Wei nearly stumbled. This old vegetable seller was stronger than his father!
"Morning, Uncle Feng," Chen Hao called out cheerfully.
"Morning, young Hao. How's the little brother feeling?" Old Man Feng's eyes met Chen Wei's for a moment. There was something sharp in that gaze, like he could sense Chen Wei was different.
"Much better, Uncle Feng. Thank you for asking."
They continued walking. Chen Wei spotted the blacksmith, Wang Tie, hammering at his forge.
**[Wang Tie - Village Blacksmith]**
**[Age: 43]**
**[Cultivation: Qi Gathering 4th Level]**
**[Hidden Background: Former Imperial Army Captain]**
**[Combat Skills: Spear techniques, Formation warfare, Leadership]**
**[Reason for Hiding: Deserted during a corrupt general's illegal war]**
**[Equipment: Hidden cache of military-grade weapons under his shop]**
"Brother," Chen Wei said casually, "doesn't Uncle Wang make really good tools? His hammering technique looks special."
Chen Hao glanced at the blacksmith. "Now that you mention it, his movements do look like martial arts forms. But he's just a blacksmith."
If only you knew, Chen Wei thought.
They passed the tea house where Granny Liu served drinks to travelers. She looked like a sweet old lady, but Chen Wei's eyes revealed the truth.
**[Liu Popo - Tea House Owner]**
**[Apparent Age: 58]**
**[Real Age: 62]**
**[Cultivation: Foundation Building 1st Level (Heavily suppressed)]**
**[Hidden Background: Former Shadow Moon Sect Assassin]**
**[Combat Skills: Poison techniques, Silent killing, Information gathering]**
**[Reason for Hiding: Retired after completing 1,000 assassination contracts]**
**[Equipment: Over 50 different poisons hidden in tea house]**
Chen Wei almost laughed. An ex-assassin running a tea house? The irony was perfect.
"Uncle Chen Hao! Little Wei!" A cheerful voice called out.
They turned to see Zhang Min, the village's young widow who took care of her sick mother. She was carrying water buckets from the well.
**[Zhang Min - Village Widow]**
**[Age: 26]**
**[Cultivation: Qi Gathering 3rd Level]**
**[Hidden Background: Former Moonlight Palace disciple]**
**[Combat Skills: Lunar Dance Sword Style, Healing techniques]**
**[Reason for Hiding: Left sect to care for dying mother]**
**[Equipment: Sacred sword buried beneath her house]**
"Sister Min, let me help you with those," Chen Hao said, taking one of the heavy buckets.
"You're too kind," she smiled. Then she looked at Chen Wei. "I heard you had an accident. Are you feeling better?"
"Yes, thank you for your concern."
As they talked, Chen Wei noticed how gracefully Zhang Min moved. Every step was perfectly balanced, like someone trained in martial arts.
**[Hidden Warriors Identified: 4 of 6]**
**[Combined Combat Power: Equivalent to 20+ regular soldiers]**
**[Problem: All hiding their abilities for personal reasons]**
**[Challenge: How to motivate them to fight without revealing their secrets]**
---
## [Northern Fields - Midday]
Chen Hao worked on clearing debris from the irrigation channels while Chen Wei pretended to help. In reality, Chen Wei was scanning the northern hills for the bandit scout.
**[Scanning for hostile presences...]**
**[Range: 2 kilometers]**
**[Detection: 1 hostile presence, 800 meters northeast]**
**[Target: Male, Qi Gathering 2nd Level, observing village with spyglass]**
There he was. The scout was exactly where the intelligence report said he'd be.
"Brother," Chen Wei said carefully, "I think I saw someone up in the hills earlier. Just a flash of movement."
Chen Hao looked up from his work. "Probably a hunter. These hills have good game."
"Maybe. But something felt wrong about it."
Chen Hao studied his little brother's serious expression. "Wrong how?"
"The way they were moving. Too careful. Too hidden. Like they didn't want to be seen."
Chen Wei was planting seeds of suspicion without making direct accusations. In cultivation stories, this was called "subtle guidance" - leading characters to the right conclusions without telling them directly.
"Hmm." Chen Hao stood up and shaded his eyes, looking toward the hills. "I don't see anything now. But you might be right to be cautious."
**[Information Seed Planted Successfully]**
**[Chen Hao Suspicion Level: Raised to "Alert"]**
**[He will now be more careful and observant]**
Perfect. Now Chen Wei needed to plant more evidence.
"Brother, when we get back, maybe you should mention it to father? And Uncle Wang? They would know if strangers have been around."
"Good idea. Father keeps track of everyone who comes and goes."
Chen Wei smiled. His brother was naturally protective and responsible. Those traits would work in their favor.
---
## [Wang Tie's Blacksmith Shop - Afternoon]
"Uncle Wang," Chen Hao said as they approached the forge, "has anyone unusual been through the village lately? Strangers, travelers, people asking strange questions?"
Wang Tie stopped hammering and looked up. His trained soldier's instincts were immediately alert.
**[Wang Tie - Threat Assessment Mode Activated]**
**[Military Experience: Recognizing danger signs]**
**[Status: Suspicious and ready to investigate]**
"Why do you ask?" Wang Tie's voice was suddenly sharper.
"Wei'er thought he saw someone in the northern hills. Moving strangely, like they were hiding."
Wang Tie's expression darkened. "Northern hills? That's a good vantage point to observe the village." He set down his hammer. "When did you see this?"
"This morning," Chen Wei said. "Just a glimpse, but it felt wrong."
Wang Tie nodded slowly. "Trust your instincts, boy. In my... in my experience, when something feels wrong, it usually is."
He almost said "in my military experience," Chen Wei noted. The blacksmith's cover was slipping when he felt threatened.
"What should we do, Uncle Wang?" Chen Hao asked.
"First, we tell your father. Then we quietly ask around - has anyone else seen strangers? Missing livestock? Anything unusual?" Wang Tie's voice carried the authority of someone used to command. "But we do it carefully. If there really are scouts watching us, we don't want them to know we're suspicious."
**[Wang Tie: Partially Activated]**
**[Military mindset: Engaged]**
**[Will begin discrete intelligence gathering]**
**[Success Rate: 34% → 38%]**
"Uncle Wang," Chen Wei said innocently, "you seem to know a lot about this kind of thing."
Wang Tie caught himself. "I... I read a lot of stories about bandits and soldiers. You pick things up."
Chen Wei nodded as if convinced, but inside he was pleased. The blacksmith was ready to act, even if he wouldn't admit his real background.
---
## [Evening - Chen Family House]
The family gathered for dinner as usual, but Chen Wei could see the difference in his father and brother. They were more alert, their eyes occasionally drifting to the windows.
"Father," Chen Hao said during the meal, "Wang Tie suggested we should be more careful lately. Maybe organize some village watches."
Chen Daoling nodded thoughtfully. "It's been a peaceful year, but peace can make you careless. What brought this up?"
Chen Hao explained about the possible scout sighting. As he talked, Chen Wei watched his family's reactions.
**[Lin Suhua - Mother]**
**[Worry Level: Moderate]**
**[Will support defensive measures]**
**[Will not fight directly but can organize supplies and healing]**
**[Chen Ling - Sister]**
**[Fear Level: Low (doesn't fully understand danger)]**
**[Will follow family instructions]**
**[May need protection during conflict]**
**[Chen Daoling - Father]**
**[Leadership Mode: Activating]**
**[Will coordinate with other village leaders]**
**[Combat Ability: Limited but brave]**
"I'll speak with the other family heads tomorrow," Chen Daoling decided. "And maybe some of the... more experienced villagers."
Chen Wei caught the pause. His father suspected some villagers had hidden backgrounds too.
"That's wise, father. Uncle Wang mentioned that Old Man Feng and Granny Liu might have good advice about staying safe."
**[Information Nudge: Successful]**
**[Father will approach the hidden warriors naturally]**
**[They're more likely to trust his request than a random approach]**
After dinner, Chen Wei excused himself for evening cultivation. His progress was crucial - every bit of strength might matter.
**[Cultivation Session 3 - Beginning]**
**[Current Progress: 38% toward Qi Gathering 1st Level]**
**[Gathering Stone: 27 days of energy remaining]**
**[Expected Breakthrough: Tomorrow evening at current pace]**
As spiritual energy flowed through his meridians, Chen Wei planned the next day's moves.
Phase 1 was going well. He had:
- Prevented early discovery by keeping Chen Hao from going alone
- Identified four hidden warriors in the village
- Started the process of alerting the village leadership
- Planted suspicions without revealing his knowledge
But the hardest parts were still coming.
Phase 2: He needed to find a way to delay or redirect the merchant caravan that would trigger the bandit attack.
Phase 3: He had to convince the hidden warriors to reveal their abilities without exposing his own knowledge of their secrets.
Phase 4: Environmental preparation - traps, barriers, advantageous positioning.
Phase 5: Exploit the bandit leader's supernatural fears.
Phase 6: Find ways to turn the bandits against each other.
Phase 7: Position himself to help without becoming the main hero.
**[Cultivation Session 3 - Complete]**
**[Progress: 59% toward Qi Gathering 1st Level]**
**[Physical Enhancement: +25% total improvement]**
**[New Ability Unlocked: Basic Qi Sense - Can detect cultivation levels within 100 meters]**
Chen Wei opened his eyes with satisfaction. His new Qi Sense immediately activated, showing him the spiritual energy signatures of everyone in the village.
Most were normal mortals, but he could clearly sense the suppressed cultivators now. Old Man Feng's energy felt like a banked fire - powerful but carefully controlled. Wang Tie's was more like contained lightning - ready to strike. Granny Liu's energy was barely detectable, like mist, which was probably how assassins learned to hide.
But there was something else. A massive spiritual presence at the edge of his detection range.
Master Liu was watching over the village, invisible to everyone else but ready to intervene if things went completely wrong.
Chen Wei felt a mix of comfort and pressure. His mysterious mentor was there if needed, but this was still Chen Wei's test.
**[Day 1 Complete]**
**[Village Alert Level: Raised from "Peaceful" to "Cautious"]**
**[Hidden Warriors: 4 identified, 2 still unknown]**
**[Personal Combat Ability: Significantly improved]**
**[Time Remaining: 41 hours]**
**[Success Rate: 38% → 43%]**
Chen Wei lay down on his simple bed, but sleep didn't come easily. Tomorrow would be the critical day. He had to execute multiple complex plans simultaneously while making sure no one suspected he knew more than he should.
In every cultivation novel, there were always unexpected complications. Plans never went perfectly. The question was: what would go wrong, and would he be ready for it?
Through his window, Chen Wei could see the northern hills where the bandit scout was probably still watching. Somewhere out there, fifteen killers were preparing to destroy everything he now cared about.
But they didn't know that this time, someone was watching them back.
Someone who had read their story before it was written.
**[Chapter 4 Complete]**
**[Next: The Merchant's Delay]**