Chapter 17: Whispers of the Murim World

Lin Yun left the village quietly, the boy's gratitude lingering in his mind. Though his path was solitary, encounters like these reminded him of the impact one person could have in a world that seemed determined to test him. He didn't set out to be a savior, but the line between survival and compassion was one he wasn't willing to cross just yet.

The forest path opened into a rugged mountain pass, the air colder as he ascended. Lin Yun's gaze sharpened as he caught sight of something unusual—a faint trail of smoke curling into the sky from a distant plateau. Smoke in such a remote area was unusual, and his curiosity got the better of him.

As he climbed higher, he began to notice signs of battle: broken tree branches, scorched earth, and claw marks gouged into boulders. Whatever had occurred here wasn't an ordinary skirmish.

---

When Lin Yun reached the source of the smoke, he found himself standing before the remnants of a small encampment. Tents lay in tatters, and the bodies of several martial artists were scattered across the clearing. Each one bore the insignia of a prominent Murim sect, the **Iron Shadow Pavilion**.

Lin Yun frowned. The Iron Shadow Pavilion was infamous for its ruthless methods and mastery of stealth techniques. If they had been wiped out here, it meant their opponents were no ordinary force.

He crouched near one of the bodies, examining the wounds. Deep, jagged cuts suggested the use of claws, but the precision of the strikes indicated a trained martial artist rather than a beast.

"What happened here?" Lin Yun murmured to himself.

His attention was drawn to the center of the encampment, where a shattered chest lay open. The remnants of a protective talisman fluttered in the wind. Whatever had been stored inside was clearly the target of the attack.

"A treasure hunt gone wrong," Lin Yun muttered. He stood and surveyed the area. It wasn't his business, but treasures in the Murim world often led to chaos, and this might not be the last time he encountered the aftermath.

---

As Lin Yun prepared to leave, he felt a faint shift in the air—a presence. He turned slowly, his hand resting on the hilt of his dagger.

From the shadows of the trees, a figure emerged. The man wore dark robes, his face obscured by a mask. His movements were fluid, almost serpentine, and Lin Yun could feel the weight of his aura.

"You have sharp instincts to notice me," the masked man said, his voice smooth and cold.

Lin Yun didn't reply, keeping his stance relaxed but ready.

The man's gaze swept over the camp. "Curious, isn't it? The mighty Iron Shadow Pavilion reduced to corpses. And here you are, loitering around their remains."

Lin Yun's eyes narrowed. "I don't see how it's your concern."

The man chuckled. "Perhaps not. But these ruins are still fresh, and scavengers attract predators."

Lin Yun didn't miss the implicit threat. "If you're implying I'm a scavenger, you're mistaken. I have no interest in whatever they were after."

"Interesting," the man said, tilting his head. "Most would jump at the chance to claim a treasure powerful enough to warrant this level of destruction."

Lin Yun kept his voice steady. "I've seen what greed does to people. I'm not looking to die over something I don't understand."

The masked man studied him for a moment before nodding. "A wise perspective. Still, you've seen too much."

Before Lin Yun could react, the man lunged. His speed was incredible, and his blade gleamed with a faint green light—poison.

Lin Yun barely managed to deflect the strike, the impact sending a shockwave through his arm. He backpedaled, keeping his distance as he assessed his opponent.

The man's movements were calculated, his attacks precise. He wasn't just testing Lin Yun—he was trying to kill him.

---

Lin Yun focused his Qi, enhancing his reflexes. His opponent was faster and stronger, but Lin Yun had the advantage of adaptability.

He feinted to the left, drawing the man into overextending his strike. With a swift counter, Lin Yun slashed at the man's wrist, forcing him to retreat.

"You're better than you look," the man admitted, his tone almost amused.

"And you talk too much," Lin Yun retorted, stepping forward to press his advantage.

The two exchanged blows, the clash of steel echoing through the clearing. Lin Yun's movements were calculated, each strike probing for weaknesses in the man's defense.

But his opponent was relentless, and Lin Yun could feel his stamina waning. He needed to end the fight quickly.

---

Lin Yun noticed a faint shimmer in the grass—a fragment of the shattered talisman. He adjusted his position, drawing his opponent closer to it.

When the man lunged again, Lin Yun dodged, grabbing the talisman fragment and channeling his Qi into it. The fragment flared to life, releasing a burst of energy that caught the man off guard.

Seizing the moment, Lin Yun struck, his dagger slicing through the man's mask and leaving a deep gash across his face.

The man stumbled back, clutching his wound. His gaze burned with hatred, but he didn't press the attack. "You'll regret this," he spat before retreating into the shadows.

Lin Yun didn't chase him. Instead, he focused on catching his breath, his mind racing. Whoever that man was, he wasn't just an opportunist.

---

As Lin Yun examined the talisman fragment, he felt a strange energy emanating from it. It wasn't just a protective charm—it was part of something much larger, something ancient.

"This isn't over," Lin Yun muttered, pocketing the fragment. He didn't know what he had stumbled into, but one thing was clear: the Murim world was far more dangerous than he had imagined.

With renewed resolve, Lin Yun continued his journey, aware that shadows were now watching his every move.