Chapter 42: Ripples of Chaos

News of Elder Jin's demise spread like wildfire through the underground martial world. While Tang Xiu and his group remained hidden, the Shadow Sect's influence began to stir. Their iron grip, once invisible, began reaching into every corner of the city in search of the ones responsible for their elder's death.

In a dark, shadowy chamber deep within the Shadow Sect's hidden stronghold, several robed figures gathered around a long stone table.

"He's dead," one of them said, his voice cold and menacing.

Another figure slammed his palm on the table. "Elder Jin was no weakling! Whoever did this wasn't ordinary."

"Ordinary?" scoffed a third. "The reports suggest this person isn't from the martial clans or known sects. This makes it even more dangerous. We have an unknown force working against us."

"What do we do?" asked a younger voice, uncertain.

"We don't act recklessly," said the man at the head of the table. His aura was suffocating, and even the others seemed uneasy in his presence. "We gather information. If this enemy can kill Elder Jin, they are no pushover. We must tread carefully."

Meanwhile, at the safe house, Tang Xiu sat cross-legged in a small room, studying the vial of Demonic Essence. He had placed a layer of spiritual energy around it to suppress the dark qi that seeped out. It pulsated faintly, as though alive.

"This isn't just Demonic Essence," he muttered to himself. "It's laced with soul fragments. Whoever made this is experimenting with forbidden techniques."

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. "Boss, we've got company," Xu Liang called out.

Tang Xiu stood and opened the door. Xu Liang stood there, his expression serious for once. "A scout. Shadow Sect. He's snooping around the neighborhood."

Tang Xiu frowned. "Did he see you?"

"No," Xu Liang replied. "But he's asking questions. It won't be long before they narrow down our location."

Tang Xiu nodded. "Gather everyone. We need to move."

The group quickly packed their belongings, taking only what was necessary. Lei Xian secured their weapons while Old Hu made sure no trace of their presence was left behind.

"We can't keep running forever," Lei Xian muttered as they prepared to leave.

"We're not running," Tang Xiu said. "We're staying ahead. There's a difference."

As they slipped out of the safe house and into the quiet streets, Tang Xiu's mind raced. The Shadow Sect's movements were quicker than he anticipated. They were organized and ruthless, and their network was vast.

Later that evening, the group found refuge in an old, abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. The building was dilapidated, with broken windows and creaking wooden floors, but it offered shelter and anonymity.

Tang Xiu gathered everyone around a dimly lit lantern. "The Shadow Sect is already moving. We don't have the luxury of waiting anymore. It's time to take the fight to them."

Old Hu raised an eyebrow. "You mean an attack?"

"No," Tang Xiu said. "Not yet. We'll dismantle their support first. They rely on information, resources, and allies to maintain their power. We'll cut off their limbs before we strike at their heart."

Xu Liang grinned. "Now that's more like it."

"But how do we do that?" Lei Xian asked.

Tang Xiu's eyes gleamed. "We start with their informants. If we can expose and eliminate their spies, the Shadow Sect will be blinded. Without information, they'll be vulnerable."

The plan began that very night. Tang Xiu split the group into pairs and assigned them specific targets based on the information they had gathered from Elder Jin's base.

Old Hu and Xu Liang were tasked with monitoring the movements of a wealthy merchant suspected of funding the Shadow Sect. Lei Xian, with his knack for blending in, was sent to infiltrate a gambling den where several known informants gathered.

Tang Xiu, however, took the most dangerous task for himself: tracking a mid-level operative rumored to be the sect's primary link to the city's elite.

As the moon rose high in the sky, Tang Xiu's silhouette blended into the shadows. He followed his target, a man named Zhou Feng, who was walking briskly through the crowded night market. Zhou Feng seemed unaware of the predator stalking him.

Tang Xiu observed his every move, noting the subtle exchanges he made with street vendors and passersby. Each interaction was brief, but Tang Xiu's sharp eyes caught the passing of coded notes and subtle hand gestures.

"So, you're the spider weaving the web," Tang Xiu muttered under his breath.

When Zhou Feng turned into a quiet alley, Tang Xiu struck. With a flash of movement, he appeared behind the man, his hand gripping Zhou Feng's neck like an iron vice.

Zhou Feng froze, his body trembling. "W-who are you?" he stammered.

"Your worst nightmare," Tang Xiu said coldly. "Now, talk."

By the time Tang Xiu returned to the warehouse, Zhou Feng's secrets were laid bare. The man was tied up and unconscious, left in the care of Old Hu and Xu Liang for further questioning.

Tang Xiu addressed the group, his tone firm. "We've got what we need. The Shadow Sect's grip on the city isn't as strong as they'd like us to believe. They rely on fear and secrecy to maintain control. If we can expose them, we'll turn their allies against them."

Lei Xian smirked. "And if their allies don't turn?"

Tang Xiu's expression darkened. "Then they'll fall with them."

As the group nodded in agreement, the room filled with a sense of purpose. The Shadow Sect had cast a long shadow over the city for too long, but Tang Xiu and his companions were determined to bring light to the darkness.

This was only the beginning of their counterattack, but it was a start. And with Tang Xiu leading the charge, they knew victory wasn't just a possibility—it was inevitable.