Chapter 45: A Breather Before the Storm

The city seemed to breathe a sigh of relief after the Shadow Sect's defeat. Rumors of their collapse spread like wildfire, and for the first time in weeks, people dared to walk the streets without fear.

Tang Xiu, however, did not share in the city's fleeting sense of peace. He sat in the warehouse that had become their base, poring over maps and reports. Though the Shadow Sect had been eradicated, he knew this victory was only the beginning.

"Brooding already?" Old Hu's gruff voice broke the silence. The older man limped in, still recovering from his injuries but stubbornly refusing to rest.

Tang Xiu glanced up, his expression calm. "There's no time to relax. The Shadow Sect was just one piece of a much larger problem."

Old Hu snorted, easing himself into a chair. "Bigger problems can wait. You've earned a break. Even immortals need to breathe, don't they?"

Tang Xiu allowed a faint smile. "I'll rest when the world is stable."

Later that day, the group gathered at a small restaurant on the edge of town. Xu Liang had insisted on celebrating their success, and for once, Tang Xiu didn't argue.

The air was filled with the scent of sizzling dishes and the sound of laughter from other patrons. Lei Xian raised a glass of tea, a rare smile on his usually serious face.

"To a battle well fought!" he declared, his voice drawing a few curious looks from nearby tables.

The group raised their glasses, clinking them together.

"To staying alive," Old Hu added with a chuckle.

As the others dug into the food, Xu Liang leaned closer to Tang Xiu. "What's next, boss? You said the Shadow Sect was just the start."

Tang Xiu's gaze turned thoughtful. "The sect wasn't acting alone. They were too organized, too well-funded. Someone was pulling the strings from the shadows."

Xu Liang frowned. "You think there's another group out there?"

"I'm certain of it," Tang Xiu replied. "And they'll come for us once they realize what we've done."

Xu Liang sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Can't we have one day without bad news?"

Tang Xiu didn't answer. His mind was already turning over the possibilities, searching for patterns in the chaos.

As the group finished their meal and prepared to leave, a commotion broke out near the restaurant entrance. A young girl, no older than eight, stumbled inside, her face pale and her clothes torn.

"Help… please," she gasped, collapsing to the floor.

Tang Xiu was at her side in an instant, his sharp eyes scanning her for injuries.

"What happened?" he asked gently, his voice steady despite the urgency.

The girl looked up at him, tears streaming down her face. "My village… they attacked…"

"Who attacked?" Tang Xiu pressed, his tone soft but firm.

"The men in black," she whispered. "They took everyone… my parents…"

The room fell silent as the weight of her words sank in. Tang Xiu's eyes darkened, his suspicions confirmed.

"Where is your village?" he asked.

The girl hesitated before pointing toward the hills in the distance. "North… near the old mines."

Tang Xiu stood, his expression hard. "Xu Liang, Lei Xian, prepare to move. We leave immediately."

Old Hu groaned. "No rest for the wicked, eh?"

"There's no time," Tang Xiu said. "If we wait, more lives will be lost."

By nightfall, the group reached the outskirts of the village. The air was thick with smoke, the faint glow of flames visible through the trees.

Tang Xiu motioned for the others to spread out, their movements silent as they approached the scene.

The village was in ruins. Houses were burned to the ground, and the streets were littered with debris. The few villagers who remained were huddled together, their expressions filled with fear and despair.

"They're still here," Lei Xian whispered, his eyes scanning the shadows.

Tang Xiu nodded, his senses picking up the faint presence of hostile energy. "Be ready. This isn't over."

A low chuckle echoed through the night, and a figure stepped out from the darkness. He was tall and clad in black, his face obscured by a hood.

"So, you're the one who took down the Shadow Sect," the man said, his voice dripping with mockery. "I've been waiting for you."

Tang Xiu's gaze sharpened. "Who are you?"

The man laughed. "A messenger. Nothing more. But my masters have taken an interest in you, Tang Xiu. They wanted me to deliver a message."

Before Tang Xiu could respond, the man raised a hand, and a wave of dark energy surged toward them.

Tang Xiu reacted instantly, summoning a barrier of golden light to shield his team. The two forces clashed, shaking the ground beneath them.

As the dust settled, the man smirked. "Impressive. But let's see how long you can last."

Tang Xiu stepped forward, his aura flaring. "You won't live long enough to send that message back."

The battle began. The night exploded into chaos as Tang Xiu charged forward, his movements swift and precise. Golden energy radiated from his hands, illuminating the village ruins like a beacon in the darkness.

The man in black smirked, unfazed by Tang Xiu's aura. With a flick of his wrist, a wave of dark energy surged forward, twisting and writhing like a swarm of snakes.

Tang Xiu met the attack head-on, his golden light slicing through the darkness like a blade. The air crackled with energy as the two forces collided, sending shockwaves rippling through the area.

Xu Liang and Lei Xian sprang into action, flanking the man in black from either side. Lei Xian's twin blades gleamed under the moonlight as he unleashed a flurry of strikes, while Xu Liang fired a volley of precise arrows from his crossbow.

The man in black moved like a shadow, dodging their attacks with unnerving ease. "You think numbers will make a difference?" he taunted, his voice dripping with arrogance.

Tang Xiu's eyes narrowed. "Your confidence will be your downfall."

He raised his hand, and a golden spear materialized in his grip. Without hesitation, he hurled it toward the man in black with blinding speed.

The man raised his arm to block, but the spear pierced through his defenses, grazing his shoulder. He stumbled back, his smirk replaced by a grimace of pain.

"You're stronger than I expected," he admitted, his tone laced with grudging respect. "But this is far from over."

With a sharp whistle, reinforcements emerged from the shadows—dozens of men in black, each armed and radiating a sinister aura.

Xu Liang cursed under his breath. "They just keep coming!"

Tang Xiu remained calm, his voice steady. "Hold the line. Don't let them push us back."

The battle raged on, each clash of blades and burst of energy lighting up the night. Despite being outnumbered, Tang Xiu and his team fought with unyielding determination.

As the fight wore on, Tang Xiu's gaze shifted toward the villagers, still huddled together in fear. He knew they wouldn't survive if the battle continued to escalate.

"Xu Liang, Lei Xian, cover me," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Without waiting for a response, Tang Xiu unleashed a powerful burst of golden energy, creating a temporary barrier around the villagers. "Stay inside and don't move," he instructed them.

The villagers nodded, their eyes filled with a mix of awe and gratitude.

Meanwhile, Lei Xian and Xu Liang fought with renewed ferocity, holding off the reinforcements with everything they had. Old Hu, despite his injuries, joined the fray, wielding his staff with surprising agility.

"You're too old for this, Hu!" Lei Xian shouted, parrying a strike.

"Speak for yourself, boy!" Old Hu retorted, landing a solid blow on one of their attackers.

Tang Xiu focused on the man in black, who had retreated to a safe distance. It was clear the man was biding his time, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

"I won't give you that chance," Tang Xiu muttered, his voice cold.

He channeled his energy into his palms, golden flames igniting around him. With a powerful leap, he closed the distance between them, his fist connecting with the man's chest.

The man let out a pained cry as he was thrown backward, crashing into a pile of rubble.

"You think this is over?" the man rasped, blood dripping from his lips. "You've only scratched the surface of what's to come."

Tang Xiu's expression remained impassive. "Then tell your masters this: I'll find them. And when I do, they'll wish they had never crossed me."

The man in black let out a bitter laugh. "We'll see."

With those final words, his body dissolved into a cloud of dark smoke, vanishing into the night.

As the last of the reinforcements were subdued, the battlefield grew quiet. Tang Xiu lowered his hands, his golden aura fading.

Xu Liang approached, his face streaked with sweat and dirt. "That was… intense. What now?"

Tang Xiu glanced toward the villagers, still trembling behind the barrier. "We get them to safety. Then we prepare for what's coming."

Lei Xian sheathed his blades, exhaustion evident in his posture. "You think more of them will come?"

"They will," Tang Xiu replied, his tone firm. "But next time, we'll be ready."

As the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, Tang Xiu and his team began escorting the villagers to a safer location. The battle had been won, but the war was far from over.

Tang Xiu's resolve hardened. No matter how many enemies came for him, he would not falter. The path to reclaiming his power and uncovering the truth would be paved with blood, but he was ready to face whatever lay ahead.