Secrets exposed.

A chilling sensation crawled down Lai Yiteng's spine as he met gaze with that man. He took a step back, this opponent was powerful, the apathy in their eyes one of an experienced killer. His long hair was tied back regally, robes of dark red and purple murkily trailing around him in the shadowy night, and a jade flute hung from his belt.

The man lifted his eyebrows in foreboding thoughtfulness.

The younger man he'd stabbed in the gut took that as an opportunity to retreat.

Lai Yiteng just didn't know why he retreated directly towards him! He lifted his knife but paused when the younger man tripped near his feet, wheezing and gripping his stomach. His eyes were half squinted shut.

Of course it was the Bo Penglai that Lai Yiteng had never met.

Bo Penglai opened his bloody lips. "Whoops, I fell," he croaked with fading strength. "I'm sorry I couldn't stop him, Sect Master Xian. But please don't let me die. I don't want to die without finishing my dumpling."

With those final words, Bo Penglai passed out cold from blood loss and other injuries.

"…" Lai Yiteng stared blankly at the man near his feet, his mind gripped by the words spoken despite the fact he should be focusing on the other, more dangerous opponent.

'Sect Master Xian'.

Which other Xian could he be referring to? Obviously there was only one nearby!

Lai Yiteng gnashed his teeth, the dots connecting quickly. Xian Wu had been in contact with his sect lackeys, and not only was he of Graceful Dragon Sect's high ranks, but the Sect Master! Xian Wu had hidden so much from him, it seemed. Lai Yiteng wondered if felt good to Xian Wu, always knowing that he was in complete control of the situation, always having sect members at his back and call.

Always…lying to him.

That other man farther back in the forest clearing held out his bloodied sword, moonlight glinting off the clean part of the blade, and a twisted grin painted his features.

"Oh, I knew I recognized you," his voice was elegant and tempered, same as any Taoist sage's. "You are that little escapee from Lushang. What a fortunate coincidence, indeed."

Lai Yiteng brought his mind back to reality. His sharp features turned cold.

"I don't know you."

That man flicked the blood off his sword. "And yet, I know you well…do tell me, were you the one who killed my dear little black dragons?"

Black…dragons…?

"What the fuck are you talking about?" then Lai Yiteng realized. This psycho was probably talking about…that huge gooey, black salamander on Deathly Howling Mountain…

"At the nearby Deathly Howling Mountain, of course," replied the man, taking a step forward. "I was tracing the only ones who'd made it off that mountain alive and ended up here. To think that that the first young man I met would turn hostile. I had assumed it was him who did it, and ended up running my sword through him."

The unconscious Bo Penglai was breathing faintly on the ground. He was alive, but who knew for how long.

But seriously, a dragon?

That wacky, goo dripping and screeching, inelegant thing a dragon? This was the biggest load of shit Lai Yiteng had heard in a while. He could not prevent the corners of his lips from curling upwards cynically. Besides, it seemed this man was just another bastard from Lushang Sect.

"So what if I killed it?" he answered uncaringly.

The man gave a tilt of the head in response. "Intriguing. Normally, those of your sort would not be able to use their martial arts without severe backlash."

Lai Yiteng only frowned thinly. This man reminded him a lot of the cruel and emotionless Junshen at the Lushang dungeons. All of this, playing with human life, tormenting them in the most gruesome of ways, was a big experiment, a game to them. Trivial.

So, said the man, "This is a conundrum. I suppose, since you show promise I may as well bring you back to Lushang. Want to go willingly, or…" he raised his blade.

Lai Yiteng's hands were fisted, the one gripping his knife tightly. His gaze on the strange man turned more bloodthirsty. Hatred for anyone connected to that sect burned within him fiercely.

"Instead of that," he countered, "I'll kill you slowly."

The man's eyes turned into crescents of amusement. "Ah, I can tell from your expression, you're a rabid one, like a dog. Not just a pretty face, I see. But I always think of it like this—if a rabid dog has a muzzle and its legs are broken, it can't really harm anyone, can it? So all I must do is make you obedient by doing the same."

"Shut up!" Lai Yiteng wanted to go in and fight him already, even if this man were stronger than him, he'd find a way to slowly shear off his skin and bring him death.

Yet he was left with a choice to make.

Fight this man to the death, or escape with…Lai Yiteng glanced downward…this lackey of Xian Wu's.

He knew that Xian Wu lied to him, but his heart could not erase the warmth felt in his presence. Compared to his situation now, the bits of information that Xian Wu kept a secret seemed to pale. Sure, on one hand, he'd had so many truths hidden from him, but on the other, it was somehow reassuring to know that a Sect Master with all the power to bring him grief had chosen not to.

This lackey of Xian Wu's was surely valued, and if he engaged this man in a fight he might bleed out from his stomach in the meantime.

If he let this useless lackey of Xian Wu's die, then wouldn't Xian Wu come to hate him?

Of course he also considered pretending that he never saw this lackey here, bleeding out. If he didn't see it he couldn't be blamed…but that could backfire easily.

Meh. He'd just have to take this deadweight with him.

Lai Yiteng didn't want Xian Wu to despise him, after all. He would use some of his martial arts training to return to the house with this lackey in tow. Somehow.

"I can tell what you're thinking," sneered the man, his eyes glinting with a demonic sheen. He dashed forward with a single step. His skill in speed was terrifying, but Lai Yiteng also prided himself on fleet-footedness. His abilities had only improved of late after learning several Graceful Dragon martial techniques.

Thus, Lai Yiteng managed to pull up the injured Bo Penglai's body onto his shoulder and take off through the forest within a second. Trunks and roots were easily avoided, the once calming stars and moon turned into a blur as he traversed over the land back toward Xian Wu.

"I thought you were going to kill me? Backing out so soon?" called the man as he chased Lai Yiteng. He did not prefer a wild goose chase and wanted to quickly break Lai Yiteng's legs and be done with it.

Lai Yiteng furrowed his brow.

Would it be possible to kill this guy within a few minutes? He really wanted to try. Ah, darn, but then Xian Wu's lackey would definitely die! This guy's weight felt so heavy on his shoulder, how could Xian Wu let his sect members get so fat?

…Lai Yiteng had to sort away his hesitation and catch his breath slightly before opening his mouth to call, "Xian Wu! Get out here, your sect lackey is too fat!"