Chapter 19: The Journey to a New Life

The forest stretched endlessly ahead, the moonlight barely piercing through the thick canopy. Zhang Ye, still recovering, wiped the sweat from his forehead. His body ached, but he was alive.

For now.

Master He led the way, walking at a steady pace. Wei Han trailed behind, still alert for any pursuers. But the Tang Clan hadn't followed.

Yet.

Zhang Ye exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Well, that was fun."

Wei Han scoffed. "That was reckless."

Master He chuckled. "That was necessary."

Zhang Ye smirked. "See? The old man gets it."

Wei Han shook his head. "You just made the Tang Clan an enemy."

Zhang Ye shrugged. "They made me one first."

Wei Han didn't argue. He knew Zhang Ye wasn't the type to sit back and let people control his fate.

Master He finally spoke. "Now that you're not dying anymore, what's next?"

Zhang Ye slowed his steps. He had been thinking about that too.

The Tang Clan was no longer an option.

The Cloudswept Sect had already left.

But this wasn't the end.

Zhang Ye wasn't looking for a place to belong.

He was looking for strength.

For the Sky Piercing Sword.

His gaze hardened. "We keep moving."

Wei Han raised a brow. "To where?"

Zhang Ye grinned. "Wherever the strongest people are."

Master He smirked. "Hah. You're insane."

Zhang Ye shrugged. "Maybe."

He clenched his fists. But if I stop now, I'll never reach the top.

Wei Han exhaled. "Then I guess I'm coming with you."

Zhang Ye blinked. "Oh? Getting attached?"

Wei Han scoffed. "Someone has to stop you from getting yourself killed."

Master He stretched. "Fine. I'll tag along too. Better than babysitting a village."

Zhang Ye grinned.

A new journey. A new battlefield.

And Murim hadn't seen anything yet.

The night air was cool and crisp, but Zhang Ye's body still burned from the lingering effects of the Tang Clan's poison. His limbs felt heavy, his breath uneven. Even though they had escaped, his battle wasn't over.

Master He tossed him a small pouch. "Drink that. Should flush out any leftover poison."

Zhang Ye caught it, sniffed the contents, and immediately gagged. "This smells worse than a latrine."

Master He smirked. "Then it's working."

Wei Han sat down on a fallen log, checking the forest for movement. "We should rest here for the night. Moving while injured is reckless."

Zhang Ye sighed but didn't argue. His body needed the break. He uncorked the pouch and forced himself to drink. The taste was vile bitter, metallic, and burning all at once.

He coughed violently. "Are you sure this isn't another poison?"

Master He chuckled. "If I wanted you dead, brat, I wouldn't waste poison."

Wei Han smirked. "He'd just break your neck."

Zhang Ye glared at both of them but focused on his breathing. Already, the medicine was working. His fingers tingled, his head cleared, and the heaviness in his limbs slowly faded.

Still, his body was exhausted.

He laid back against a tree, staring up at the dark sky. This world was ruthless. The strong preyed on the weak. There was no fairness only power.

And right now, he wasn't strong enough.

Zhang Ye clenched his fists. That has to change.

Wei Han's voice broke the silence. "So, where are we heading next?"

Master He folded his arms. "We could try Wudang. They respect strong fighters."

Zhang Ye shook his head. "Not Wudang. Not yet."

Wei Han frowned. "Then where?"

Zhang Ye's lips curled into a grin. "I heard the Bai Clan is holding a tournament soon."

Master He raised a brow. "You want to fight in a Bai Clan tournament?"

Wei Han scowled. "They're one of the strongest sword clans in Murim. You think they'll just let an outsider enter?"

Zhang Ye chuckled. "They will if the prize is worth it."

Master He's eyes narrowed. "And what's the prize?"

Zhang Ye's grin widened.

"The Sky Piercing Sword."

Silence.

Then Master He whistled. "Hah. Brat, you really don't aim low, do you?"

Wei Han groaned. "This is a terrible idea."

Zhang Ye stretched, ignoring the ache in his muscles. A tournament full of Murim's best swordsmen. A chance to claim one of the greatest weapons in history.

And, more importantly a chance to prove himself.

He grinned. "Let's get moving. We've got a sword to win."

The forest stretched endlessly before them, the dirt path barely visible under the pale moonlight. The only sounds were the rustling leaves and the soft crunch of their footsteps.

Zhang Ye adjusted the heavy sword on his back. He could still feel the lingering weakness from the Tang Clan's poison, but his body was recovering faster than expected.

Good. I need to be at full strength for what's coming.

Wei Han walked beside him, arms crossed. "So, this tournament… you really think the Bai Clan will let you compete?"

Zhang Ye smirked. "They won't have a choice."

Master He let out a chuckle. "Tch. That's one way to put it."

Wei Han sighed. "You really like making enemies, don't you?"

Zhang Ye grinned. "I prefer to call it 'making an impression.'"

Wei Han shook his head. "And if they refuse to let you in?"

Zhang Ye's smirk widened. "Then I'll just beat my way through the entrance."

Master He chuckled. "Hah! Now that's the Murim spirit."

Wei Han groaned. "I walked into this mess willingly. That's the worst part."

Zhang Ye laughed, but deep down, he knew this tournament was more than just a fight.

The Sky Piercing Sword was waiting.

And if the Bai Clan thought they could keep it from him

They were in for a rude awakening.

The dirt path wound through the dense forest, illuminated only by the pale glow of the moon. Zhang Ye, still feeling the lingering effects of the Tang Clan's poison, rolled his shoulders. His strength was returning faster than it should.

His qi had changed.

Ever since the vision of the Sky Piercing Sword, something inside him had awakened. His body adapted faster, his reflexes sharpened, and his instincts screamed louder.

Something is different.

Wei Han's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "The Bai Clan isn't just some sect, Zhang Ye. They're one of the most prestigious sword families in Murim. Even if you manage to get into the tournament, you'll be up against their best disciples."

Zhang Ye smirked. "Good. I need the practice."

Master He chuckled. "Hah! Cocky brat. But he's not wrong, Wei Han. If he wants to reach the top, he has to fight the best."

Wei Han sighed. "Just don't die before you get there."

Zhang Ye grinned. "I'll try my best to disappoint you."

They continued walking, but something felt off.

The forest was too quiet.

No birds. No rustling leaves. Just silence.

Zhang Ye's instincts tensed.

Master He stopped. His expression darkened. "We're not alone."

Wei Han's hand hovered over his sword. "How many?"

Master He exhaled. "Enough to be a problem."

Zhang Ye rolled his neck. "Finally. I was getting bored."

Then a shadow moved.

Figures emerged from the trees, dressed in dark robes, their faces hidden behind black veils.

Assassins.

One of them stepped forward, a slender dagger gleaming in the moonlight.

"Zhang Ye."

Zhang Ye smirked. "Wow. I'm getting real popular."

The assassin's voice was cold. "There's a bounty on your head."

Master He sighed. "Tch. That was fast."

Wei Han drew his sword. "How much?"

The assassin tilted their head. "Fifty thousand gold."

Wei Han whistled. "Damn. Even I'm tempted."

Zhang Ye grinned, drawing his blade. "Fifty thousand? That's all I'm worth?"

The assassins didn't answer.

They just attacked.

Blades flashed in the moonlight.