Lin Shu made his way to the counter, sliding the mission slip and his student token across the worn wooden surface. The worker behind the counter — a thin, tired-looking man with a faint scar across his brow — took them without a word. After glancing over the mission and confirming Lin Shu's token, he reached for a brush, carefully recording the details in a large ledger.
With a practiced motion, the worker plucked the mission slip from the board, marking it as claimed. Then, he handed Lin Shu's token back, along with a small paper scroll stamped with the Stone Path Hall's seal.
"This confirms you've taken the mission," the worker said in a bored tone. "Head to the Ironhoof Yard — that's where carriages are prepared for departure. The merchant's waiting there, along with the other student assigned to this mission. He requested two escorts."
Lin Shu nodded, taking the scroll and slipping it into his robe. He left the Quest Hall, his steps steady as he made his way toward the Ironhoof Yard. The name made sense — the yard was where cultivators hired carriages or mounted beasts for long journeys, the ground worn smooth by the heavy hooves of spirit beasts and the iron-rimmed wheels of merchant wagons.
As he approached, he spotted a lone figure standing near one of the carriages, arms crossed and gaze distant. The boy looked to be around Lin Shu's age, his hair tied back in a loose tail, and a spear resting against his shoulder. As Lin Shu neared, the boy turned, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly before softening.
"Hey," the boy greeted, offering a short nod. "I'm Yan Qing."
Lin Shu returned the nod, his voice calm and even. "Lin Shu. Nice to meet you."
The two stood there for a moment, silent but watchful. The mission had yet to begin, but already Lin Shu felt the weight of another's presence — a variable to be considered.
The merchant arrived not long after — a middle-aged man with a slightly hunched back, his dark hair streaked with grey. His face bore the weariness of long roads and hard bargains, but his eyes were sharp and watchful. Beside him walked a young girl, perhaps thirteen or fourteen, her features delicate but guarded, with the same calculating gaze as her father. Behind them were a few mortal guards, their expressions grim and weapons worn.
"I assume you two are the cultivators assigned to me, right?" the man asked, his voice gruff but polite.
Lin Shu and Yan Qing nodded, silently handing over the papers confirming their mission. The merchant carefully checked them before giving a satisfied grunt.
"I'm Zhao Wei," he said, tucking the papers into his robe. "And this is my daughter, Zhao Ling. We'll be heading out immediately if you're ready."
Both boys agreed without complaint, climbing into the carriage as the mortal guards took their positions. The vehicle creaked as the driver snapped the reins, and the group began its slow journey along the winding dirt road.
As the wheels rattled over uneven ground, Zhao Wei spoke up. "I'm delivering my goods to a clan in Willowbrook. It's a quiet town — usually. The road we're taking is considered safe, but there've been a few incidents lately. Bandits, mostly. There are even rumors of cultivator attacks, which is why I hired you two. Students of the Stone Path Hall are known to be reliable." His eyes flicked toward Lin Shu. "After all, if you weren't skilled enough to handle something like this, you wouldn't be part of the institute."
Lin Shu gave a quiet nod, while Yan Qing straightened up, grinning with pride. "Don't worry, old man! We at the Stone Path Hall are true to our word. We'll keep you and this carriage safe."
Zhao Wei chuckled, shaking his head. "Good to hear, boy."
Beside him, Zhao Ling giggled softly. "I guess children even if they're cultivators are still kids deep down."
Yan Qing looked embarrassed but laughed it off, scratching his head sheepishly. Lin Shu remained quiet, watching the exchange with cold eyes. He wasn't sure if Yan Qing's enthusiasm was genuine or a mask to lower others' guards, but he didn't care. Trusting others was a fool's luxury.
As the carriage rolled on, Lin Shu kept his gaze on the dark treeline, his mind already running through every possible danger they might face — and every possible way to survive it.
As darkness settled, the group decided to rest for the night. The mortal guards lit a small fire, and the caravan huddled close, seeking warmth and light. Lin Shu chose his sleeping spot with care — a position offering the widest view of the surroundings while ensuring a clear path of escape. The terrain here was uneven, with scattered rocks and dense undergrowth. Perfect for an ambush. He deliberately picked a patch of ground where the vegetation thinned out, ensuring that no one could sneak up on him without being seen or heard. If danger came, he would flee without hesitation. If someone stood in his way… well, a wounded body slowed pursuit.
Beneath his robes, his bone armor remained fully formed — a skeletal shield hidden under cloth. His gauntleted hands rested on his knees, claws concealed beneath a pair of plain leather gloves. The moment a fight broke out, he could form the rest of his armor in an instant, the bones latching onto his body like a second skin.
"I guess your friend is the quiet type, huh?" Zhao Wei chuckles, nudging Yan Qing with his elbow.
"Well, I only just met him," Yan Qing admits. "I've never seen him around the institute before,i think he's a new student."
Zhao Wei laughs, the sound low and rumbling. "He looks like someone too serious for his age. Ha! Reminds me of a debt collector I once knew."
Lin Shu ignored them, his thoughts already drifting toward other matters. What are they transporting to Willowbrook? The carriage is heavy, the wheels digging deep grooves into the dirt. Something valuable, no doubt. He considers the possibility of stealing it but discards the idea for now. Too many witnesses.
His musings are interrupted by soft footsteps. He turns his head slightly and sees Zhao Ling approaching, a plate of food in her hands. Her expression is timid, eyes darting toward him before settling on the ground.
"Here," she says quietly, holding the plate out. "If you're hungry."
Lin Shu stares at her for a moment, then shakes his head. "I've already eaten. I'm not hungry." His tone is polite but distant.
She hesitates, glancing down at the untouched food. "I'll leave it by the fire, in case you change your mind."
"Thank you," he replies, though he has no intention of touching it. What fool accepts food from strangers? Even among familiar faces, trust is a weakness. There could be poison, sedatives, or something worse hidden in the meal. He'd rather go hungry than risk it.
As Zhao Ling returns to the fire, Lin Shu shifts his gaze toward the carriage. The flickering flames cast long shadows across its wooden frame. He narrows his eyes. Just what exactly are they transporting to Willowbrook?
The night passed quietly. Lin Shu remained watchful, his sharp gaze sweeping over the carriage, his traveling companions, and the darkened forest. Sleep was a luxury he could afford little of, though his body — tempered by the Ivory Dominion — needed far less rest than ordinary cultivators. When he did close his eyes, it was brief, his mind alert to every shift in the wind and rustle in the underbrush. Beneath his robes, the bone armor remained incomplete, but at a moment's notice, he could summon the full set, ready to kill or flee as the situation demanded.
Morning came with the sound of hooves striking earth, loud and rhythmic, echoing through the forest path. The journey resumed. Lin Shu sat in silence, his mind turning over his progress.
"Lightning Steps… I'm close. Eighty percent there. But I can't train now — too many eyes, too much risk. No point wasting Qi when a fight could break out at any moment."
Suddenly, the carriage lurched to a halt. Lin Shu's eyes sharpened, Qi flaring through his meridians as he sprang to his feet. "Why did we stop?" he demanded, voice cold and clipped.
One of the mortal guards pointed toward the forest. "Sir, there's a fight up ahead. Bandits, I think — they're attacking some travelers."
Lin Shu scowled. "Ignore them. Move." His tone left no room for argument.
"But—!"
"Lin Shu, wait!" Yan Qing leaped down from the carriage, eyes blazing with urgency. "We can't just leave them! People are dying!"
Lin Shu clenched his jaw. "This idiot… Are we going to stop every time someone screams for help? What's next, saving a wounded rabbit if we find one?"
"Tch. Fine. Let's get this over with." Without waiting for a reply, Lin Shu moved, his steps swift and silent.
The scene ahead was chaos. Bandits swarmed a small group of mortals, crude blades flashing in the morning light. Yan Qing rushed in, immobilizing his enemies with precise strikes, his movements smooth but lacking the lethality that Lin Shu preferred. Lin Shu? He slaughtered.
Bone claws tore through flesh, bone blades pierced hearts. Each movement was efficient, merciless — a dance of death without hesitation or remorse. Bodies fell one after another, blood pooling at his feet. Yan Qing shouted something at him, but Lin Shu ignored it. He had no time for useless chatter.
When the last bandit dropped, silence settled over the clearing. Lin Shu stood among the corpses, his expression unreadable. Across from him, Yan Qing stared in horror at the blood-soaked ground.
"You… you didn't have to kill them!" Yan Qing's voice trembled with rage. "They were desperate! Starving, maybe! Or trying to feed their families! You could've knocked them out!"
Lin Shu turned slowly, his gaze colder than ice. "Spare them?" His voice was quiet, almost amused. "Would they have spared me? Would they have spared you?"
Yan Qing shook his head, fists clenched. "You don't understand. What if their families die because you killed the one who brought them food? What if they needed money for medicine? Have you ever thought about putting yourself in their shoes?"
Lin Shu's lip curled in disdain. "Their lives mean nothing to me. If they chose to raise a blade, they accepted the risk of dying with it." He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Kindness gets you killed."
"You're a heartless bastard," Yan Qing spat. "A monster."
Lin Shu's gaze darkened, but before he could reply, Zhao Wei spoke. "The boy's right, Lin Shu." The merchant's voice was firm. "You didn't have to slaughter them. Immobilizing them would've been enough."
Zhao Ling nodded, her eyes filled with unease.
Lin Shu stilled. Slowly, he turned to face the merchant, eyes narrowing. "It seems you're forgetting your place, old man." His voice was quiet, deadly. "I might ignore Yan Qing's nonsense, but you…" He stepped forward, bone claws beneath his gloves. "With your puny strength, you should learn to hold your tongue."
Zhao Wei paled, taking a step back. Lin Shu held his gaze for a long moment, then turned away, the conversation already beneath him.
"Weaklings lecturing me on mercy.bunch of worms that I can crush anytime I want."
Without another word, he strode back toward the carriage, leaving the others to stare at the corpses.