Chapter 19: Secrets in the Dark
🔹 The Return to the Seventh Division
The Seventh Division's stronghold was eerily silent.
At this late hour, the fortress should have been still—only the occasional patrol moving through the outer courtyards.
But as I stepped through the massive gates, I felt something was off.
The air was too heavy.
As if the entire division was holding its breath.
I had barely taken five steps inside when—
"You're late."
I turned.
Xiao Rin stood in the courtyard, arms crossed, her violet eyes locked onto mine.
Her gaze swept over my injuries, the cuts on my arms, the bloodstained fabric of my robe.
She wasn't smiling.
She wasn't joking.
She was waiting.
For the truth.
🔹 A Test of Trust
She took a slow step forward. "Where have you been?"
I exhaled. "Handling something."
"Handling what?"
I met her gaze. "The Blood Core Assassin."
A flicker of emotion crossed her face—recognition.
She had expected this.
"You fought her," she said, not as a question, but as a fact.
I nodded. "And survived."
Xiao Rin didn't blink. "What did she say to you?"
I hesitated.
Could I really trust her with everything Yue Chan had told me?
That there was a hidden force pulling the strings within the Demonic Cult?
That Wu Jian wasn't the true mastermind?
That someone called The Hidden Master saw me as a threat?
If I told her, I might drag her into something even worse.
But if I didn't, I'd be fighting completely alone.
She was still waiting, her violet eyes sharp.
I made my decision.
"She said there's someone stronger than Wu Jian," I admitted. "Someone controlling things from the shadows."
Xiao Rin's expression darkened. "You're sure?"
"She called him The Hidden Master."
Xiao Rin exhaled. "Then it's real."
I narrowed my eyes. "You knew?"
She hesitated. "I had… suspicions. But I didn't have proof."
I studied her. "And yet, you didn't tell me."
She smirked faintly. "I was protecting you."
I chuckled. "Now who's being reckless?"
Her smirk faded. "Ye Qing, this changes everything."
I nodded. "I know."
Before either of us could speak again, a messenger ran toward us.
"Vice-Leader Qiu Hong has summoned you immediately!"
Xiao Rin sighed. "Great. More trouble."
I smirked. "When is it not?"
And with that, we headed to meet Qiu Hong.
🔹 A New Mission from Qiu Hong
Qiu Hong's personal chambers were dimly lit, the scent of burning incense filling the air.
The Vice-Leader of the Seventh Division sat at his desk, flipping through an old parchment scroll.
As I entered, he didn't look up.
"So," he said lazily, "you survived."
I kept my tone even. "You sound disappointed."
Qiu Hong smirked. "On the contrary. I like keeping useful people alive."
He finally set the scroll down, his dark eyes meeting mine.
"I have a new mission for you," he said.
I raised an eyebrow. "Already?"
Qiu Hong chuckled. "You think the world stops just because you fought an assassin?"
I sighed. "Alright. What's the mission?"
Qiu Hong leaned forward. "One of our informants in the Fourth Division has gone missing."
That caught my attention.
The Fourth Division specialized in stealth, espionage, and assassination. If someone in their ranks had disappeared… that meant trouble.
"Who's the informant?" I asked.
Qiu Hong smirked. "His name is Gao Ren. And the last report he sent… mentioned a 'dangerous new faction' rising in the shadows."
I frowned. "You think this is connected to the Hidden Master?"
Qiu Hong's smirk widened. "Now you're starting to think like me."
I exhaled. "Where was he last seen?"
"A town near the western border of our cult's territory," Qiu Hong said. "It's been abandoned for years. A perfect place for someone to disappear."
I narrowed my eyes. "And let me guess—you want me to go there alone?"
Qiu Hong grinned. "You're catching on fast."
I sighed. "Fine. But if this is a trap, I'm blaming you."
Qiu Hong laughed. "That's the spirit."
🔹 Wu Jian's Next Move
I was about to leave when a messenger burst into the room.
"Vice-Leader!" he gasped, bowing quickly. "Urgent news from the Silent Blades Sect!"
Qiu Hong's smirk faded. "Speak."
The messenger handed him a sealed letter. "It's from Wu Jian."
I narrowed my eyes. Wu Jian?
Qiu Hong broke the seal and read the letter silently.
Then he chuckled. "Well… this is interesting."
I crossed my arms. "What does it say?"
Qiu Hong looked at me.
"Wu Jian just declared war on the Seventh Division."
🔹 A War Begins
The room fell silent.
I exhaled. "So it finally happened."
Qiu Hong smirked. "Indeed. It seems Wu Jian is making his move. He's no longer hiding in the shadows."
Xiao Rin frowned. "But why now?"
Qiu Hong shrugged. "Maybe he thinks he's strong enough to challenge us openly."
I clenched my fists. Or maybe… he has no choice.
I remembered Yue Chan's words.
"Wu Jian isn't the true enemy. He's playing defensively."
If Wu Jian was lashing out now, it meant he was desperate.
And desperate men were dangerous.
I turned to Qiu Hong. "Do we retaliate?"
Qiu Hong's smirk widened. "Of course."
"But first," he said, "you have a mission to complete."
I exhaled. "Find the missing informant."
Qiu Hong nodded. "And when you do… we'll be one step closer to winning this war."
🔹 The Journey Begins
That night, I packed my weapons and supplies.
Xiao Rin met me outside the stronghold gates.
"You sure you don't want backup?" she asked.
I smirked. "I work better alone."
She rolled her eyes. "Fine. But don't die."
I chuckled. "No promises."
Then I turned and disappeared into the night.
I had a mission.
I had enemies watching me.
And I had a war to survive.
The real battle was only beginning.
🔹 End of Chapter 19