Chapter 44: Conversation and Hunters

The foliage of the trees enveloped Tang Chun Xi, with the skill of concealment of the Lunar Umbrella while the forest's ambient noises muffled all other sounds. She moved silently from tree to tree, her feet light on the sturdy branches and her breathing carefully regulated so as not to betray her presence. Over the past few days, she had perfected this ability—gliding noiselessly through the heights between the leaves.

Below, two hunters walked side by side, completely unaware of the hidden figure above them. As she listened to their exchanges, Chun Xi maintained her patience. So far, nothing useful had emerged.

'Will I have to reveal myself? They're only talking about trivial matters.'

Her frustration was beginning to mount when a third man appeared on the trail. His imposing figure commanded respect—a robust man with austere features and sharply defined contours. He carried a long spear strapped to his back, and his presence exuded both experience and authority.

—"Did you two have any luck with the sound of a fight?" — the newcomer asked, his voice as firm and cutting as steel.

One of the hunters replied promptly,

—"We arrived and found no one, Captain!"

Tang Chun Xi narrowed her eyes.

"Captain?"

The conversation took an unexpected turn when one of the more loquacious, younger men curiously inquired,

—"Captain Wu, why do you think Patriarch Tang asked us to find this Peng Chu fellow and assist him, if possible?"

Chun Xi froze. That was the name of her disguise.

The tension in her muscles eased slightly, replaced by an unexpected warmth in her chest. Her father... he was still trying to protect her.

Captain Wu Jian answered with the calm of someone unconcerned with such details.

—"I don't know. Perhaps it isn't him, but rather that friend of his who is seeking him. Either way, it doesn't matter to us. We're merely doing a favor for Patriarch Tang—it doesn't hinder us in any way."

—"But, Captain... We've been searching for that boy for seven days, following every clue we find! If we keep checking every fight, we might end up antagonizing someone along the way. And what if we encounter someone who doesn't abide by our rules? Should we continue?"

Wu Jian made a brief gesture with his hand and then, without warning, looked directly at the tree where Tang Chun Xi was hidden, saying:

—"Friend, have you heard what you wanted to know?" — His voice echoed in the quiet of the forest.

Chun Xi felt a surge of alertness ripple through her body, yet she detected no hostility in the captain's tone. He knew she had been there all along.

'What should I do?'

Her instinct urged her to vanish into the darkness, but these men were here on her father's orders. Wu Jian was a trusted business partner of the Tang family. 'Revealing her identity—would that put her at risk?'

'My father is worried about me… I can't just go on as if nothing happened.'

Making a quick decision, Chun Xi silently leaped down to the ground. Her slender figure emerged under the diffuse light of the moon. Wu Jian observed her with an analytical gaze—his posture relaxed, yet his attention was as sharp as that of an experienced warrior.

—"You match the description. Are you Peng Chu?" —he asked, testing her reaction even though her true identity was concealed.

—"Yes, it's me." — Chun Xi nodded slightly, replying in a controlled, neutral tone.

With a fluid motion, she retrieved a small jade token from within her garments and showed it. It was the prearranged signal she had agreed upon with her father—something only someone trustworthy would recognize. Wu Jian's eyes briefly sparkled with recognition, and he nodded.

—"I see. Do you need any help or supplies?"

—"No, it's not necessary. Just let Patriarch Tang know that I'm fine and that he need not worry. And… sorry for eavesdropping on your conversation."

Wu Jian laughed lightly,

—"Don't worry. The information wasn't confidential."

As Chun Xi turned to leave, she hesitated for a moment.

—"How long until the tournament?" — she asked.

—"Sixteen days," —came the reply.

A pang of urgency struck her. Time was passing faster than she had imagined. If she wanted to return before the tournament, she would have to pick up the pace. Adjusting her supply pouch, she prepared to vanish back into the forest. But before she could depart, Wu Jian raised his hand.

Her caution returned instantly. Hidden within the sleeve of his garment, his fingers gripped a second-level attack talisman.

'If it's a trap…'

—"Just a warning," —Wu Jian said, his voice laden with seriousness.

—"I don't know if you've heard, but there's a young masked cultivator roaming the forest. He wields a heavy sword—we don't know his objective, only that he's been battling several spirit beasts. Don't be deceived by his level; he's dangerous. I saw with my own eyes him kill three experienced cultivators with a single strike."

Chun Xi's eyes narrowed.

'A masked cultivator? Who could that be?'

—"Thank you for the warning."

Wu Jian extended a signaling talisman.

—"Take this. If you're in danger and we're nearby, activate the signal and we will go to come to help you."

Chun Xi hesitated for a moment before accepting. She did not intend to depend on anyone, but she wasn't foolish enough to refuse a potential escape route. With one final nod, she turned and disappeared into the forest, her body blending with the shadows—unaware of the significance that the young masked man might have in her destiny.

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After Tang Chun Xi's departure…

One of the hunters watched as the young woman vanished among the trees, remarking:

—"Captain, that kid is extremely cautious. I think he was ready to flee at the slightest hint of danger!"

 Wu Jian smiled slightly and asked the younger one:

—"But how did you know it was him who was spying on us?"

The other hunter, the young, crossed his arms, adding:

—"It was just a hunch. I didn't sense any malicious intent from the observer. Besides, Patriarch Tang didn't tell us to keep it secret, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to say it out loud."

—"Heh, I knew it! I'm smart, aren't I?" —The young, loquacious hunter puffed out his chest with a confident smile.

—"Whack!"

Wu Jian gave the young man a light pat on the head, and the youth protested with an indignant look.

—"You still need to learn not to say too much. Save your arrogance for when you really know what you're doing."

The more serious man beside them chuckled,

—"Let's head back to camp. Our favor is done. Let's notify the others and prepare to focus on the hunt."

And so they did, following the route the captain had taken.