Chapter 8
He Juan and Bai Xuanlu moved swiftly through the dense forest surrounding Baihin, the former home of the Bai Sect. The air was heavy, carrying an unsettling chill despite the bright daylight. Every shadow seemed alive, and the faint whispers of the wind sounded almost like voices.
"This place... it still feels tainted," Bai Xuanlu murmured, her brows furrowed as she scanned their surroundings.
He Juan nodded grimly. "It's no surprise. The Bai Sect wouldn't have abandoned this place without good reason. Let's remain vigilant."
As they ventured deeper, a low growl echoed through the trees, causing them both to stop in their tracks. In an instant, several demonic figures emerged from the shadows, their distorted forms radiating malevolence. The creatures' glowing eyes fixated on them, and a chorus of guttural snarls filled the air.
"They've been drawn here," Bai Xuanlu said, drawing her sword, its blade gleaming faintly with spiritual energy.
"Then we'll deal with them here and now," He Juan replied, his own weapon already in hand.
The demons lunged, their claws slashing through the air. He Juan met the first attack head-on, his sword slicing cleanly through one of the creatures, while Bai Xuanlu moved with graceful precision, her strikes both swift and devastating.
The fight was fierce, the demons attacking relentlessly. Despite their numbers, He Juan and Bai Xuanlu fought with practiced coordination, their movements synchronized as if they had trained together for years. One by one, the demons fell, their forms dissolving into dark mist.
When the last creature collapsed, the two paused to catch their breath. The forest around them grew eerily silent, as if holding its breath.
"What were they protecting?" Bai Xuanlu wondered aloud, wiping her blade clean.
"We'll find out soon enough," He Juan said, his gaze narrowing as he looked ahead.
Without realizing it, their pursuit of the demons had led them into the heart of the forest. The trees grew thicker, their twisted trunks casting long shadows that seemed unnatural. The air felt heavy with an oppressive energy, and the ground beneath their feet became dark and damp.
As they pressed forward, they came upon a clearing where the remnants of ancient structures stood, crumbling with age but still emanating a faintly sinister aura. The markings on the stones were faint but unmistakable—symbols tied to Mo Jixue, the demon they had once sealed away.
Bai Xuanlu's eyes widened slightly. "This... this is connected to him," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
He Juan stepped forward, his grip tightening on his sword. "It seems the source of this demonic presence goes deeper than we thought."
The two exchanged a glance, their expressions grim as they stood in the clearing, surrounded by the ominous remnants of a dark history.
He Juan and Bai Xuanlu pushed further into the dense, ominous forest, the air growing colder and heavier with each step. A faint, pulsing energy surrounded them, a demonic aura so intense it seemed to press against their very souls.
"This is no ordinary presence," Bai Xuanlu said, her voice low and steady, though her tightened grip on her sword betrayed her unease.
He Juan suddenly faltered, a sharp intake of breath escaping him. His hand instinctively went to his side, gripping a spot just above his hip where an old scar rested beneath his robes. A searing pain coursed through him, bringing back memories of a battle long past.
Bai Xuanlu noticed his discomfort. "Are you all right?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
He Juan straightened, though the strain was evident in his expression. "It's this aura... it's awakening something in me," he said, his tone resolute despite the pain. "An old wound, from when I faced Mo Jixue."
Bai Xuanlu's eyes widened slightly. "The battle where Li San Jin and his brother Li San Se..."
He Juan nodded, his voice tinged with reverence and grief. "Li San Jin was the one who sealed this wound with his spiritual energy, saving my life when I thought all was lost. His skill and sacrifice... without him, I wouldn't be here. He and his younger brother gave everything in that battle to end Mo Jixue."
The weight of his words hung in the air, the memory of those who had fallen casting a heavy shadow over them. Bai Xuanlu's gaze grew distant, as if she too were paying silent homage to the fallen heroes of that fateful battle.
"This aura," He Juan continued, his voice firmer now despite the flicker of pain in his eyes, "it's the same as it was back then. Mo Jixue's influence lingers here, stronger than I anticipated."
The ground beneath their feet trembled faintly, the oppressive energy intensifying. Bai Xuanlu tightened her stance, her expression hardening with determination. "If it's related to him, then we must uncover the truth. We can't let this grow unchecked."
He Juan steadied himself, drawing strength from her resolve. "We've already come this far. There's no turning back now."
They pressed forward, the demonic aura swirling around them like a dark tide, its oppressive weight a grim reminder of the price already paid to banish the darkness once before.
As He Juan and Bai Xuanlu continued deeper into the forest, a faint rustling sound broke the silence, too subtle to be the wind or the movement of small animals. Bai Xuanlu's sharp eyes darted to the side, catching the faintest glimpse of a shadow slipping between the trees.
She leaned slightly toward He Juan, her voice barely above a whisper. "We're being followed."
He Juan's expression didn't change, but his hand drifted closer to the hilt of his sword. "How close?"
"Close enough," Bai Xuanlu replied, her tone steady but alert.
Without a word, the two slowed their pace, pretending not to notice the presence. When the moment was right, they swiftly turned, swords drawn, their spiritual energy flaring as they prepared to strike.
But the shadow was faster. Before their blades could find their mark, the figure vanished in a swirl of dark, demonic smoke. The thick, choking miasma spread rapidly, enveloping them both.
"What is this?" Bai Xuanlu managed to say, her voice strained as the smoke seemed to sap her strength.
He Juan tried to counter the effect with his spiritual energy, but the smoke was overwhelming. A dizzying sensation overtook them, their vision blurring as the world spun around them.
Then, everything went dark.
When they awoke, the oppressive silence of the forest was gone. Instead, they were greeted by the bustling sounds of a lively marketplace. Bai Xuanlu sat up first, her head pounding, and realized they were near the He Sect's market square.
He Juan groaned softly as he regained consciousness, sitting up beside her. "What happened?" he muttered, looking around in confusion.
"It must have been the smoke," Bai Xuanlu said, her voice laced with frustration. "Whoever—or whatever—was following us didn't want us in that forest."
He Juan frowned, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of the shadowy figure. "We've been brought back here... but why?"
Bai Xuanlu stood, brushing the dust from her robes. "We need to report this to the sect elders immediately. Whatever's out there is more dangerous than we thought."
He Juan nodded, though his gaze lingered on the horizon, the memory of the shadow and its sinister presence still fresh in his mind.
"So, these were the things that happened," He Juan concluded, his voice steady but tired from recounting the events. He looked around the hall, his gaze meeting the thoughtful expressions of the gathered elders.
Elder Zhang folded his arms and leaned forward. "So, you and Bai Xuanlu spent two days at Baihin investigating the source of the demonic presence?"
He Juan nodded. "Yes. The aura there was overwhelming, and it confirmed our suspicions. The demons we encountered were only part of the danger."
Elder Sun frowned, tapping his fingers on the armrest of his chair. "And this shadow you spoke of—it deliberately brought you back to the He Sect. Do you believe it's trying to send a message?"
He Juan hesitated before replying. "It's hard to say for certain. It could be a warning or a threat, but one thing is clear: whatever is happening is tied to Mo Jixue's lingering influence."
The sect leader, who had been quietly listening, raised his hand, signaling for silence. "This is troubling news, but we must remain vigilant. He Juan, your report confirms that the situation is more dangerous than we anticipated. We'll discuss our next steps carefully."
The elders exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions a mix of concern and determination. Bai Xuanlu, standing beside He Juan, remained silent but watchful, her presence a steadying force.
The sect leader then dismissed the meeting, his tone final. "He Juan, rest for now. You've done well, but this is far from over."
He Juan bowed, his expression unreadable, and left the hall alongside Bai Xuanlu, the weight of the investigation still heavy on their minds.
In a dimly lit chamber hidden deep within a remote mountain, two figures stood in conversation. The air was thick with an unspoken tension, though neither seemed outwardly disturbed.
The first figure, a girl clad in dark robes with a veil partially obscuring her face, spoke softly but with conviction. "I sent He Juan and Bai Xuanlu away from the forest of Baihin. They were beginning to tread too close to the truth."
The other figure, a man with an imposing presence and an air of authority, stood silently for a moment. His robes gleamed faintly in the dim light, exuding a quiet power. Finally, he responded, his tone calm but commanding. "You did well to intervene. For now, that is enough. But Baihin holds many secrets, and they are persistent. Keep an eye on the situation whenever you are available. If they return, act accordingly."
The girl nodded, her head bowed slightly. "Yes, Master. I will not fail."
The man turned away, his figure blending into the shadows as if he were part of them. "See that you don't," he said, his voice fading into the darkness.
The girl lingered for a moment, gazing into the distance with a determined expression, before vanishing into the shadows herself, leaving the chamber eerily silent once more.