Shadows in Motion

Chapter 68: Shadows in Motion

Wide, dark plains of the Western Region were lit in silvered moonlight, shadows crept in the dark winds. Han Feng ghosted between stone spires, his footfalls softer than the wind. His eyes, purple and glowing fiercely, mirrored the newfound strength coursing through him now that he had broken into Rank 4.

The wind whipped in a stink of blood. He paused and squinted. A few meters away, in the rocks, several corpses lay scattered. These were itinerant tillers of the soil, slaughtered like beasts. The wounds on their bodies suggested a methodical, even savage, style of attack. Han Feng knelt beside one of the corpses, studying the deep slash across its chest.

— Sharp blades, but again, not common ones… this was the work of a cadaveric technique — he whispered to himself.

And, such news had long since seeped into his ears, the assassination squad of the Celestial Corpse Sect was out and about in these lands. Han Feng knew about the sect, as a group that cultivated, through the tempering of bodies and souls, turning one into a grotesque that fought for them.

"It looks like the destiny has arranged for us to meet sooner than I thought," he said, smiling coldly.

He then quietly activated his Shadow Concealment Gu and merged with the darkness of night. It didn't take too long before he found a small group moving through the woods. Three men wearing black cloaks were standing there, their auras emanating necromantic energy. One of them bore a bone blade, still dripping blood.

Han Feng lurked, stealthily creeping closer without being detected. As he looked back, his eyes landed on the man at the center, who was a young man with arrogant facial features.

— A young master, huh? — he whispered, murderous intent rising.

If ever there was an opportunity to push that newfound strength, it was NOW.

Without warning, he attacked.

A flicker of shadow crossed through them – Han Feng, moving like a shadow, seemingly exiting the same path he entered, but behind one of the men—his hand slid along one of their necks fluidly, violently. A body collapsed before it could process what had occurred. The other two spun around in alarm, but it was too late.

— Who are you?! — yelled the young master, backing away hurriedly.

Han Feng did not respond. With the wave of a hand, his Dark Chains Gu was unleashed and black strips flew towards the second man. The chains twisted around him, crushing his body until his bones broke. A muffled shriek rang out before it was silenced by the dry crunch of cracking bones.

The last person standing, the master of young man, wanted to flee but Han Feng is faster. As if in a dream, he slid up before the enemy, his hand tightening around their throat.

— Wait! I am a member of the inner clan of the Celestial Corpse Sect! If you kill me, you...

Han Feng smiled coldly.

— Exactly for that reason.

With a dull snap, he snapped the young master's neck, dropping his limp body onto the floor.

He scavenged the corpse's compartments, acquiring a wealth of useful objects, along with a charred map. He opened it, and his eyes landed on a point indicated on the paper.

— The lair of the Celestial Corpse Sect... intriguing.

And with that slight smile he was gone into the dark with his next move on the horizon.