Chapter 44: Shadows Strike Back

The Shadow Sect was silent for days after the crippling blows delivered by Tang Xiu and his team. But Tang Xiu knew better than to take their quietness as defeat. A cornered beast was the most dangerous, and he was certain the sect wouldn't sit idle while their network crumbled.

His instincts were proven right when Xu Liang stormed into the warehouse one evening, his face pale.

"They're moving," Xu Liang said, his voice trembling. "The Shadow Sect has retaliated. They've sent assassins after everyone connected to us."

Tang Xiu's eyes darkened. "Where?"

"Old Hu was ambushed while scouting near the docks," Xu Liang continued. "He's injured but alive. The problem is, they're also targeting civilians—people in the market, innocent families. They want to draw us out."

Tang Xiu's fists clenched at the thought. This wasn't just about power anymore. The Shadow Sect had made it personal.

By the time Tang Xiu arrived at the docks, the place was a battlefield. Crates were overturned, blood stained the ground, and faint groans came from the shadows.

He found Old Hu leaning against a wall, clutching his side. His face was pale, but his eyes were sharp as ever.

"They sent a squad after me," Old Hu said with a bitter smile. "They didn't expect me to take half of them down before they got a hit in."

Tang Xiu crouched beside him, placing a hand over the wound. A faint golden light emanated from his palm, and the bleeding stopped almost instantly.

"You'll live," Tang Xiu said, helping Old Hu to his feet. "But we need to send a message."

"What's the plan?" Old Hu asked, his voice still weak.

Tang Xiu's expression was cold as ice. "We're going to make an example out of the assassins they sent. And we're going to leave a mark they won't forget."

The assassins had regrouped in an abandoned warehouse not far from the docks. They were confident after their ambush, laughing and boasting about how the Shadow Sect would reward them for their success.

Their laughter froze when the heavy doors to the warehouse slammed shut with a deafening thud.

"Who's there?!" one of them shouted, drawing a curved blade.

The shadows in the room shifted, and Tang Xiu stepped forward, his figure shrouded in a faint aura of menace.

"Y-you!" one of the assassins stammered, recognizing him instantly.

Tang Xiu didn't respond. Instead, he raised a hand, and a gust of wind tore through the warehouse, extinguishing every lantern and plunging the room into darkness.

Panic spread among the assassins as they swung their weapons wildly, but they hit nothing. One by one, they fell, their cries silenced by precise, lethal strikes.

By the time the lights returned, only Tang Xiu remained, standing amidst the fallen.

He left the warehouse untouched, but on the wall above the bodies, he carved a single symbol—the emblem of a dragon's claw. It was a warning, one the Shadow Sect would not ignore.

Back at their base, the group regrouped and discussed their next move.

"They're trying to provoke us," Lei Xian said, pacing. "They want us to act recklessly."

"We won't give them the satisfaction," Tang Xiu said firmly. "But we also won't back down. We need to end this quickly before more innocent lives are caught in the crossfire."

"How?" Xu Liang asked. "Their base is still hidden."

Tang Xiu pulled out a map and pointed to a cluster of buildings near the edge of the city.

"They're underground, but their supply lines run through this area. If we can track their movements, we'll find the entrance."

The group nodded, determination in their eyes. The next night, Tang Xiu and his team split into pairs, shadowing the known supply routes connected to the Shadow Sect. The city was eerily quiet, the tension hanging in the air like an impending storm.

Tang Xiu partnered with Xu Liang, weaving through dark alleys and rooftops. They followed a group of hooded men carrying heavy crates, their movements quiet and calculated.

"These crates likely hold resources for their underground base," Tang Xiu whispered.

Xu Liang nodded, his grip tightening on the hilt of his short blade. "Do we move in now?"

"Not yet," Tang Xiu replied. "Let them lead us to the entrance."

The men stopped outside an old, abandoned factory. One of them knocked three times on a rusted metal door before sliding a strange token into a hidden slot. With a low groan, the door creaked open, revealing a hidden staircase descending into the darkness.

"That's it," Xu Liang whispered.

Tang Xiu's eyes narrowed. "Stay back. We need to learn more before we strike."

The two silently retreated to regroup with the others. At the warehouse, Tang Xiu laid out the details.

"The entrance is heavily guarded, and they've set up traps," Tang Xiu explained. "This won't be a simple infiltration. We'll need to strike swiftly and decisively."

Lei Xian frowned. "If they're this prepared, they might also have reinforcements nearby."

"They do," Tang Xiu confirmed. "But reinforcements mean nothing if we hit them where it hurts before they can respond."

He placed a crude sketch of the base on the table. "Our priority is their leader. Cut off the head, and the body will fall."

Old Hu grinned, his injuries bandaged but his spirit undiminished. "Finally, a direct fight. Let's show them what happens when they mess with us."

The next night, the group moved under the cover of darkness. Tang Xiu led the charge, his senses sharp as they approached the factory.

Xu Liang and Lei Xian took out the guards at the entrance with silent precision, while Old Hu disabled the traps near the doorway.

Tang Xiu stepped into the underground passage, the faint glow of torches illuminating the damp, narrow tunnel.

The air grew heavier as they descended, the oppressive aura of the Shadow Sect's energy filling the space. Tang Xiu's expression remained calm, but inside, his battle spirit burned.

At the end of the tunnel, they entered a massive underground chamber. Dozens of Shadow Sect members were gathered, their leader standing on a raised platform.

The leader was a tall, gaunt man with sharp features and piercing eyes. He wore dark robes adorned with intricate patterns, his aura radiating malice.

"You've come far," the leader said, his voice cold and mocking. "But this is where your journey ends."

Tang Xiu stepped forward, his gaze steady. "The Shadow Sect has terrorized this city long enough. Tonight, it ends."

The leader sneered. "Foolish. Do you think you can challenge us alone?"

Tang Xiu's lips curled into a faint smile. "Who said I was alone?"

At his signal, Xu Liang, Lei Xian, and Old Hu emerged from the shadows, weapons drawn and ready.

The battle erupted in an instant.

Shadow Sect members charged, their weapons flashing in the torchlight. Tang Xiu moved like a phantom, weaving through the chaos with unmatched speed and precision. His strikes were swift and devastating, each blow disabling or defeating an opponent.

Xu Liang and Lei Xian fought back-to-back, their teamwork seamless as they held off waves of attackers. Old Hu, despite his age, fought with a ferocity that left his enemies stunned.

The leader watched from the platform, his expression darkening as his forces fell one by one.

"You're more troublesome than I expected," he said, stepping forward.

He raised his hand, and a wave of dark energy surged toward Tang Xiu.

Tang Xiu met it head-on, his palm glowing with golden light as he countered the attack. The clash of energies shook the chamber, cracks spreading through the walls and ceiling.

"Impressive," the leader admitted. "But you're still no match for me."

Tang Xiu's eyes glinted with determination. "We'll see about that."

With a burst of speed, he closed the distance between them, his fist glowing with power as he struck.

The leader barely managed to block, but the force of the blow sent him staggering back. Tang Xiu pressed the attack, his movements relentless and precise.

The battle raged on, but with each passing moment, it became clear that Tang Xiu and his team had the upper hand.

By the time the dust settled, the Shadow Sect was in shambles. The leader lay defeated at Tang Xiu's feet, his once-mocking expression now filled with fear and disbelief.

"How…?" the leader gasped. "Who are you?"

Tang Xiu's gaze was cold as he replied, "Someone you should never have crossed."

With one final strike, he ended the fight, ensuring the Shadow Sect would never rise again.

As the group emerged from the underground base, the first light of dawn broke over the horizon.

"We did it," Xu Liang said, his voice filled with both relief and exhaustion.

Tang Xiu nodded, his expression calm but resolute. "This was just one battle. There will be others. But for now, the city is safe."

The group walked away, their spirits high despite the challenges that lay ahead. Tang Xiu's journey was far from over, but this victory was a step closer to his ultimate goal.