Chapter 18: Shadows of the Pavilion

The chill of the mountain air seemed heavier after Lin Yun's encounter with the masked assailant. The fragment of the shattered talisman weighed on his mind as much as it did in his pocket. What had been so important that it warranted the massacre of an entire encampment of skilled martial artists? And who was the masked man?

As Lin Yun descended from the plateau, his thoughts raced. The Murim world was vast, but the events he'd stumbled into hinted at the machinations of powerful factions. Though he had no desire to involve himself in their schemes, he knew they might come looking for him now.

---

By dusk, Lin Yun arrived at a small village nestled in a valley. The faint smell of roasted meat and the chatter of villagers offered a semblance of normalcy, something Lin Yun hadn't experienced in weeks.

He found a modest inn near the center of the village and paid for a room with the few coins he had left. The innkeeper, an elderly woman with sharp eyes, studied him carefully.

"You're not from around here, are you?" she asked as she handed him the key.

"No," Lin Yun replied, keeping his tone neutral.

"Be careful," she warned. "Strangers attract attention, and not all of it is good."

Lin Yun nodded and made his way to his room.

---

Later that night, as Lin Yun was sharpening his dagger by the dim light of a lantern, he heard a faint knock at his door. His senses sharpened instantly, and he slipped the dagger into his hand before approaching.

"Who is it?" he called out.

"Just a traveler," came a soft voice. "I mean no harm."

Lin Yun opened the door cautiously, revealing a young woman dressed in simple but well-made robes. Her expression was calm, but her eyes were sharp and calculating.

"May I come in?" she asked.

Lin Yun stepped aside but didn't lower his guard. "Who are you?"

The woman smiled faintly. "My name is Yu Xian. I couldn't help but notice your arrival. You move like someone who's seen their share of battles."

"And that concerns you?" Lin Yun asked, his voice even.

"Not at all," Yu Xian replied, taking a seat uninvited. "I'm more interested in what you found on the plateau."

Lin Yun's eyes narrowed. "What makes you think I found anything?"

"The Iron Shadow Pavilion isn't a name thrown around lightly," she said, her tone growing serious. "Word travels fast in the Murim world. A group of them wiped out? That kind of chaos doesn't stay hidden for long."

Lin Yun's grip on his dagger tightened. "And you want what they were after?"

Yu Xian leaned forward, her gaze intense. "I want to know if it's worth dying over."

---

Lin Yun studied her carefully. Yu Xian's calm demeanor masked a sharp mind, and he doubted she was here by chance. But for now, she didn't seem hostile, and information was something he needed.

"I don't know what it is," Lin Yun admitted, pulling out the talisman fragment. "This is all I found."

Yu Xian's eyes widened slightly as she examined the fragment. "That's no ordinary talisman. The craftsmanship… it's ancient."

"Ancient enough to kill for?" Lin Yun asked.

Yu Xian nodded. "The Iron Shadow Pavilion must have been protecting something tied to this. And if they failed, whoever wanted it must be incredibly powerful—or desperate."

Lin Yun frowned. "Do you know who they might be?"

"There are many factions in the Murim world," Yu Xian said. "Some are in constant pursuit of ancient relics, believing they hold the key to ultimate power. The **Crimson Night Sect**, the **Obsidian Claw Alliance**, even the so-called righteous sects aren't above such greed."

"And you?" Lin Yun asked.

Yu Xian smiled faintly. "I'm just someone trying to survive. But if you keep that fragment, you'll find yourself caught in something far bigger than you realize."

---

By morning, Lin Yun had made his decision. Despite Yu Xian's warnings, he couldn't bring himself to discard the talisman fragment. Something about it felt… significant, as if it were tied to his path in this world.

As he stepped out of the inn, he found Yu Xian waiting for him, her arms crossed.

"Leaving already?" she asked.

"Don't you have your own business to attend to?" Lin Yun replied.

"My business might align with yours," she said with a smirk. "Besides, you'll need someone who knows the Murim world if you're going to survive."

Lin Yun hesitated. Having an ally could be useful, but trust was a rare commodity. "What's in it for you?"

Yu Xian shrugged. "Call it curiosity. And maybe I don't want to see someone else fall victim to the greed of others."

Lin Yun sighed. "Fine. But don't expect me to save you if things go wrong."

Yu Xian chuckled. "I wouldn't dream of it."

---

As they traveled together, Yu Xian shared her knowledge of the Murim world—its politics, its factions, and the hidden dangers that lurked in every shadow. Lin Yun listened carefully, piecing together a clearer picture of the world he had been thrust into.

Though he didn't fully trust her, he couldn't deny that her insights were invaluable. And as they ventured further into the unknown, Lin Yun couldn't shake the feeling that their paths were intertwined for a reason.

The talisman fragment in his pocket seemed to pulse faintly, as if guiding him toward something greater. Whatever lay ahead, Lin Yun knew he couldn't turn back now.