9:A Wolf Among Foxes

Chapter 9: A Wolf Among Foxes

I had barely stepped into the Seventh Division's stronghold, yet I could already feel the tension in the air.

The Seventh Division wasn't like the Sixth, where intelligence and strategy reigned supreme. Here, only strength mattered. Disciples moved in small groups, whispering and measuring each other's power with cautious glances.

Betrayal was second nature to them.

And now, I had to walk among them—hiding my true identity while investigating Elder Wu Jian, the true master of the Silent Blades Sect.

I adjusted my stance, keeping my expression neutral. If I made even one wrong move, I was dead.

Inside the Lion's Den

The Seventh Division's main courtyard was vast, filled with open-air training areas where disciples sparred under the watchful eyes of senior members.

My victory against Jin Hai had already caught attention. Several pairs of eyes followed me as I entered the inner complex.

The guard who had tested me, a broad-shouldered man named Zhao Teng, led me inside.

"You've got some skill," he admitted, giving me a sideways glance. "Most newcomers end up eating dirt in their first fight."

I shrugged. "I just got lucky."

He snorted. "Luck doesn't break ribs."

We passed through a set of dark wooden gates, revealing an inner hall where several higher-ranked disciples sat, observing newcomers.

At the center of the room sat a man in dark robes, his calm, razor-sharp gaze locking onto me immediately.

This was someone dangerous.

Zhao Teng stopped and bowed. "Vice-Leader Qiu, this is Jiang Feng, the mercenary who just passed our entrance trial."

The man, Qiu Hong, studied me in silence. His features were sharp, his expression unreadable.

"So," Qiu Hong said slowly, "you're the one who embarrassed Jin Hai?"

I bowed slightly. "Only a friendly match, Senior."

He smirked. "Jin Hai is an idiot, but he's still one of us. If you want to stay here, you'd better be ready for more… tests."

I expected that. "Of course."

Qiu Hong tapped his fingers on the wooden table. "Tell me, Jiang Feng, why did you come here? The Seventh Division isn't known for its kindness. What do you want?"

I had already prepared my answer.

"I seek strength," I said firmly. "I've spent too long wandering as a rogue. I want a place where my blade has value."

Zhao Teng grunted in approval. Qiu Hong, however, was still watching me too carefully.

He wasn't convinced yet.

The Second Test

"Very well," Qiu Hong said. "Then let's see if you're worth keeping."

He clapped his hands, and a door opened behind him.

A prisoner was dragged into the room, hands bound, mouth gagged. His face was swollen from previous beatings, and his cultivation had been sealed.

"This man is a traitor," Qiu Hong said casually. "He tried to leak information to the Wudang Sect."

I remained silent.

Qiu Hong tossed me a dagger.

"Kill him."

I caught the weapon, but I didn't move.

The air in the room was heavy, filled with silent expectation.

This was a test—not just of my loyalty, but of my nature.

Qiu Hong wanted to see how easily I could kill a defenseless man.

A Difficult Choice

The prisoner was staring at me now, eyes wide with terror.

I could feel the weight of his fear. He didn't want to die.

I wasn't opposed to killing—I had fought and taken lives before. But this?

This was different.

If I hesitated, I'd look weak.

If I killed him without question, I'd lose a part of myself.

I needed a way out.

A way to pass the test without being controlled.

I took a deep breath. Then I walked forward.

Instead of stabbing him immediately, I knelt down in front of the prisoner, looking him directly in the eyes.

"You betrayed the Seventh Division?" I asked, my voice calm.

The prisoner couldn't speak through the gag, but his eyes darted between me and Qiu Hong, filled with panic.

"Take the gag off," I said.

Zhao Teng frowned. "Why?"

"Because," I said, "if he really betrayed us, I want to hear his last words."

Qiu Hong raised an eyebrow, then motioned for one of the guards to remove the gag.

The moment it was off, the prisoner spoke immediately.

"I didn't betray anyone!" he gasped. "I was framed! I swear on my life—!"

Qiu Hong smirked. "They always say that."

The room remained silent.

I stared at the dagger in my hand.

Then, with a swift motion, I plunged it into the prisoner's thigh.

He screamed in pain.

But he was still alive.

I stood and wiped the blade clean on my sleeve.

"If he's truly guilty," I said coolly, "he should suffer first."

Qiu Hong's eyes narrowed.

For a moment, I wasn't sure if he was pleased or suspicious.

Then, he grinned.

"I like you," he said.

The tension in the room eased slightly. The guards dragged the prisoner away, his fate uncertain.

I had passed the test.

For now.

An Unexpected Ally?

Later that night, as I was settling into my temporary quarters, I felt a presence behind me.

I turned, my hand already on my Hidden Blade—only to stop when I saw Xiao Rin standing in the doorway.

"You handled that well," she said.

I leaned against the wall. "You were watching?"

She smirked. "Of course. I had to see if you'd actually do it."

I sighed. "What do you want, Xiao Rin?"

She stepped closer. "You're walking a dangerous path, Ye Qing. Qiu Hong isn't someone you can fool for long. If he suspects you…" She traced a finger across her throat.

I nodded. "I know."

She studied me for a moment. "So, what's your next move?"

I glanced at the moonlit window. "I need to get close to Wu Jian's top disciples. If I can find proof of his connection to the Silent Blades Sect, I can bring him down."

Xiao Rin folded her arms. "That's going to be difficult. Wu Jian doesn't trust easily."

I smirked. "Then I'll make him trust me."

She chuckled. "You're insane."

"Maybe." I shrugged. "But it's working so far."

Xiao Rin's amusement faded slightly. "Just… don't die too soon. It'd be boring without you around."

And with that, she disappeared back into the shadows.

I sighed. She was impossible to read.

But she was right about one thing.

I was now in Wu Jian's domain.

One wrong move…

And I was dead.