Chapter 18 - Poison

Han Zhen's gaze darkened as he stepped forward, his movements silent as a drifting shadow.

In the dim recess of the wall, partially veiled in darkness, lay a single palm print, blackened, scorched, and unnatural.

He knelt beside it, fingers hovering just above the imprint. A heavy sensation settled in his chest. The charred blackness was not mere soot nor the remnants of ordinary fire; it bore the distinct texture of something far more sinister.

His fingers brushed the edges, feeling the residual heat still lingering within the mark. No more than a day old. The blood patterns surrounding it, barely dried, only confirmed his suspicions.

A whisper escaped his lips. "Yang poison…?"

This was no mere scorch mark left by a martial technique, nor the result of a weapon's strike. No, it was the lingering residue of an uncontrolled, raging force.

A poison of pure Yang energy, one that burned from the inside out, devouring its victim's lifeblood. Only those well-versed in the dangerous balance of Yang energy, high-level alchemists or practitioners who had tempered themselves in its scorching embrace would recognize such a thing.

But why here? And who…?

Before his thoughts could go further, the faintest shift in the air snapped his senses back into focus.

A presence was approaching swiftly.

Without hesitation, Han Zhen pushed off the ground, his body rising like a wisp of wind.

With ease, he landed atop a wooden beam high above, sinking into the shadows. His breathing steadied, his form perfectly concealed as he watched.

The door creaked open.

A figure slipped inside, a woman clad in flowing black robes, her presence like a silent ripple in a still pond. Every step she took was silent. Yet despite her attempt to blend into the darkness, her silhouette remained striking.

Han Zhen's eyes narrowed. This was no ordinary wanderer.

For a moment, she stood still, scanning the room as though sensing something amiss. Han Zhen didn't wait.

In a single, fluid motion, he descended from above, landing without so much as a whisper of sound.

The instant he touched the ground, the woman's instincts flared.

Without hesitation, she unsheathed her sword, the blade slicing through the air.

Han Zhen pivoted, sidestepping the strike with effortlessly.

The sword's edge gleamed under the faint moonlight, narrowly missing him. Yet before she could continue the attack, he spoke.

"Shuiyue, it is me."

The blade that had been cutting through the air froze, its cold edge hovering mere inches from Han Zhen's throat. For a heartbeat, neither moved. Their gazes locked.

Han Zhen broke the silence. "Come with me."

There was no time for explanations. Without waiting for a response, he spun on his heel and darted toward the exit, his movements swift as flowing wind.

His feet barely touched the ground before he launched himself through the nearby window, vanishing into the night.

Jin Shuiyue hesitated only for the briefest moment. Then, her grip tightened on her sword, and she followed.

As they emerged from Sunspire Tower, chaos erupted around them.

From all sides, armored guards surged forward, their shouts piercing the night. The Mayor's forces had sealed off the building, but now, realizing intruders had slipped past their defenses, they rushed to contain the breach.

Before anyone could react, an ominous glow flickered above.

With a sudden roar, flames exploded from the upper floors, licking hungrily at the night sky.

Within moments, the attic, the very place where the crime had occurred, was engulfed in fire, its secrets lost to the raging inferno.

Jin Shuiyue landed some distance away, pulling down the black scarf that had concealed her face. The firelight flickered against her sharp features, her breaths steady but tinged with exhaustion.

Turning to Han Zhen, she studied him, her expression unreadable.

"Why are you here?" Her voice carried both surprise and suspicion.

Han Zhen arched a brow, his tone unhurried. "I could ask you the same."

A faint scowl crossed her lips. "The Mayor's forces locked down the crime scene, yet it was the only place where clues could be found. Naturally, I had to investigate."

Han Zhen gave a slight nod, his voice steady. "So did I."

Jin Shuiyue's sharp gaze flicked from Han Zhen to his every movement, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized him.

"You evaded my blade with ease just now," she said, her voice tinged with admiration and suspicion. "Your reaction speed was beyond extraordinary. And the guards from the Mayor's Mansion did not sense you at all."

She paused, her brow furrowing in thought. She studied him again. "You've changed."

Before she could continue, Han Zhen spoke. "How could I remain the same, after walking the razor's edge between life and death?"

His words hung in the air, filled with a darkness that unsettled her. Jin Shuiyue's eyes narrowed, but she remained silent, studying him with an inscrutable expression.

After a long moment, she spoke again, her tone shifting to something more practical.

"The fire will destroy the evidence. Sunspire Tower will be little more than charred remnants soon enough." Her gaze flicked toward the inferno in the distance, flames licking at the night sky. "We can't return to the scene now. Since you entered before me... did you uncover anything useful?"

Han Zhen met her gaze, his expression solemn. "We'll discuss it when we are back."