Chapter 14: The Maze of Shadows

Mu Bai took his first step into the labyrinth, the eerie silence pressing in on him from all sides. The walls pulsed faintly, as though the maze itself had a heartbeat. Shadows danced along the corridors, moving with an intelligence that sent shivers down his spine.

"A living maze. Just my luck," he muttered, gripping his sword tightly. "Next time, I'm signing up for a knitting competition instead of a trial of life and death."

The path ahead forked into three corridors, each identical in its ominous appearance. Mu Bai frowned. He had no idea which way to go, and the shadows lurking in the corners didn't inspire much confidence.

"Left, right, or straight?" he mused aloud. "Maybe I should've brought a coin."

Just as he was about to pick a direction, a shadow peeled itself off the wall and lunged at him, its form shifting into that of a grotesque beast with razor-sharp claws. Mu Bai reacted instinctively, his sword slicing through the air. The shadow dissipated with a shriek, but its absence only made the corridor darker.

"Okay, so the maze doesn't like jokes," Mu Bai said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Noted."

The First Puzzle

As he ventured deeper, Mu Bai stumbled upon a circular chamber with strange symbols etched into the floor. At the center of the room stood a pedestal with a glowing orb.

"A glowing orb in a creepy maze? This screams trap," he muttered, stepping cautiously toward the pedestal.

The moment he touched the orb, the symbols on the floor lit up, and a voice echoed through the chamber: "Only the worthy may proceed. Solve the riddle or face the shadows."

Mu Bai groaned. "Great, a pop quiz. Just what I needed."

The voice continued: "I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?"

Mu Bai scratched his head. "A spirit? No, wait, that doesn't make sense. Hmm..."

He paced the room, muttering to himself. Suddenly, a memory surfaced—his master once asking him a similar riddle. "An echo," he said, snapping his fingers.

The orb pulsed brightly, and the chamber shook. The walls shifted, revealing a new path.

"One down, a hundred more to go, probably," Mu Bai muttered, stepping into the next corridor.

The Second Trial

The new passage was narrower, and the air felt heavier with each step. Suddenly, the floor beneath him gave way, and Mu Bai found himself sliding down a steep chute. He landed unceremoniously in a pit filled with bones.

"Lovely. Just what I needed—a pile of corpses to cushion my fall," he said, brushing himself off.

A deep growl echoed from the shadows. Mu Bai turned to see a massive creature emerging from the darkness—a three-headed hound with glowing red eyes.

"Oh, come on! Who designs these trials?!" Mu Bai shouted, unsheathing his sword. "Do I at least get a snack break after this?"

The hound lunged, and Mu Bai dove to the side, narrowly avoiding its snapping jaws. He rolled to his feet and slashed at one of its heads, but the beast was fast, dodging his attack and countering with a swipe of its massive paw.

The battle was fierce, the confined space making it difficult for Mu Bai to maneuver. But his quick thinking and relentless determination paid off. Using the bones scattered around him, he crafted a makeshift spear and thrust it into the beast's chest, striking its heart. The hound let out a final, agonized howl before collapsing.

"Note to self: never complain about house pets again," Mu Bai said, panting.

A Moment of Laughter

As he climbed out of the pit, Mu Bai found himself in another chamber. This one was different—brightly lit and strangely... cozy. A single table stood in the center, laden with food.

"What is this? A villain's attempt at hospitality?" he asked, eyeing the feast warily.

His stomach growled loudly, and Mu Bai sighed. "Fine. If this is poisoned, at least I'll die with a full stomach."

He took a bite of a roasted drumstick and froze. The taste was incredible. "What kind of seasoning is this? Did the Dragon King hire a five-star chef for his trials?"

As he devoured the meal, a voice echoed from nowhere: "Enjoying the feast, are we?"

Mu Bai nearly choked. "Who said that? Show yourself!"

A small, spectral figure appeared, floating above the table. It was a ghostly child with a mischievous grin. "I'm the guardian of this chamber. You're the first to stop and eat the food. Most people are too scared."

Mu Bai blinked. "Wait, you mean I wasn't supposed to fight anything here?"

The ghost laughed. "Nope. This was just a reward room. But your paranoia was hilarious!"

Mu Bai groaned, burying his face in his hands. "I hate this maze."