Chapter 33: The Shadow Sect Strikes Back

The morning after the battle, the streets were eerily quiet. News of the failed bounty spread quickly among the underground circles, painting Tang Xiu and his group as a force to be reckoned with. But while most bounty hunters decided to steer clear, the Shadow Sect had no intention of backing down.

At their hidden headquarters, a cloaked figure knelt before a tall man sitting on a throne-like chair. His aura was cold, oppressive, and commanding.

"Master, our hired men failed," the cloaked figure reported, his voice trembling.

The man on the throne, known only as Elder Bai, narrowed his eyes. "Useless trash. I should have known mere mercenaries would be no match for someone like Tang Xiu."

"Shall we send more hunters, Master?" the figure asked cautiously.

Elder Bai sneered. "No. It's time to show Tang Xiu the true power of the Shadow Sect. Assemble the Blood Shadows. This time, we'll end him ourselves."

The cloaked figure bowed deeply. "As you command."

Meanwhile, at the Rusty Blade base, Tang Xiu and his group were recovering from the previous night's battle.

Xu Liang paced the room, his brows furrowed. "I don't like this silence. The Shadow Sect isn't the type to just let things go."

Lei Xian leaned back in his chair, chewing on a toothpick. "You're overthinking. We already scared off their lackeys. They're probably licking their wounds somewhere."

"No," Tang Xiu interrupted, his tone firm. "Xu Liang is right. The Shadow Sect won't let this go. They'll come at us harder next time. We need to be ready."

Old Hu, who was sharpening his sword in the corner, looked up. "How do you prepare for an enemy you can't see? They could strike at any moment, from anywhere."

Tang Xiu's eyes gleamed. "Then we make them show themselves."

"How?" Lei Xian asked, his tone skeptical.

Tang Xiu smirked. "The Shadow Sect thrives on fear and secrecy. If we disrupt their operations and draw them out into the open, they'll have no choice but to confront us directly."

That evening, Tang Xiu and his group split into pairs to hit the Shadow Sect's key operations in the city. Tang Xiu and Xu Liang targeted an illegal gambling den run by the Sect, while Lei Xian and Old Hu focused on dismantling a smuggling ring.

At the gambling den, Tang Xiu entered quietly, his presence unnoticed among the noisy crowd. Xu Liang followed closely, his daggers hidden beneath his cloak.

The air was thick with smoke and the stench of alcohol. Men shouted as dice clattered against tables, their desperation palpable.

Tang Xiu walked up to the dealer, his calm demeanor unsettling. "I'd like to place a bet."

The dealer, a burly man with a scar over his left eye, looked Tang Xiu up and down. "You've got guts showing up here, kid. This isn't a playground."

Tang Xiu smiled faintly. "I'm not here to play."

Before the dealer could react, Tang Xiu's hand shot out, gripping his wrist. A surge of energy flowed through Tang Xiu's palm, sending the man crashing to the ground.

The room fell silent as everyone turned to stare.

Xu Liang stepped forward, drawing his daggers. "Anyone else want to join him?"

Chaos erupted as Shadow Sect enforcers stormed into the room. But Tang Xiu and Xu Liang were ready. Moving with precision, they incapacitated their opponents one by one, leaving no room for retaliation.

Within minutes, the den was in shambles, its guards defeated. Tang Xiu walked to the center of the room, his voice cold and commanding.

"Tell your masters," he said, addressing the few who managed to crawl away, "if they want to fight, they should come to me directly. Hiding in the shadows won't save them."

Elsewhere in the city, Lei Xian and Old Hu were wreaking havoc on the smuggling ring. Hidden warehouses were set ablaze, and shipments of illegal goods were destroyed.

By dawn, the Shadow Sect's operations in the city were in disarray. Tang Xiu's group regrouped at their base, their spirits high despite the lingering tension.

"They'll be furious now," Xu Liang said, leaning against the wall.

"Good," Tang Xiu replied. "Angry enemies make mistakes."

"But what if they retaliate immediately?" Old Hu asked, his tone cautious.

"They will," Tang Xiu said confidently. "And when they do, we'll be ready."

That night, as the group rested, a sudden chill filled the air. Tang Xiu opened his eyes, sensing danger.

"Everyone, up!" he barked.

The group sprang to their feet just as the walls of the Rusty Blade headquarters shook violently. The door burst open, revealing a group of cloaked figures with glowing red eyes.

"The Blood Shadows," Tang Xiu muttered.

The leader of the group stepped forward, his aura suffocating. "Tang Xiu, your defiance ends here."

Tang Xiu stepped forward, unflinching. "You should have brought more men."

With that, the battle began.