13: Death in the Shadows

Chapter 13: Death in the Shadows

The battlefield was drenched in chaos.

The Seventh Division's escort unit was locked in fierce combat with a swarm of Silent Blades Sect assassins. Swords clashed, bodies fell, and the rocky pass was painted in blood.

But none of that mattered right now.

Because standing before me was a true killer.

A lone figure stepped forward, unfazed by the carnage around him. His hawk-like eyes locked onto mine, his face marked by a thin crimson scar running down his left cheek.

Even among assassins, his presence was unnerving.

Zhao Teng, still fighting off an attacker, risked a quick glance at the newcomer. The moment he saw him, his face twisted in shock.

"Shit… that's Ghost Fang!"

The name hit me instantly.

Ghost Fang. A top-ranking enforcer of the Silent Blades Sect. An elite killer known for never failing a mission.

And right now, he was looking straight at me.

Then, in a calm, measured voice, he spoke.

"Ye Qing… I've been looking for you."

My blood turned cold.

Zhao Teng snapped his head toward me. "Wait—he knows who you are?!"

I clenched my fists. So my cover as Jiang Feng was blown.

This wasn't just a random assassination attempt. They knew who I really was.

But instead of reacting with fear, I smirked. "Sorry, do I know you?"

Ghost Fang tilted his head slightly, as if amused. "Not yet. But you will."

Then—

He vanished.

🔹 A Battle of Masters

Ding!

[Warning: High-Level Assassin Detected!]

Name: Bai Long ("Ghost Fang" of the Silent Blades Sect)

Cultivation Realm: Late Grandmaster Realm

Abilities: Extreme speed, dual-wield daggers, instant-kill techniques

Threat Level: Extremely High

Late Grandmaster Realm.

Shit.

A moment later, pain bloomed across my ribs.

I barely had time to react before Bai Long's dagger ripped through my robe, slicing into my side. It wasn't deep, but it was fast.

Too fast.

I twisted my body, trying to counterattack—

But Bai Long was already behind me.

A blade pressed against my throat.

"Too slow," Bai Long murmured.

Then he slashed.

🔹 A Narrow Escape

I reacted on pure instinct.

Nano Essence Enhancement—Activate!

My Qi surged, and at the very last second, I jerked my head back, avoiding the full force of the cut.

Pain exploded across my skin—a shallow but deep enough wound across my neck.

Blood trickled down my collar.

But I was alive.

Bai Long took a step back, looking mildly impressed. "Interesting. Most people don't survive that move."

I exhaled. He was faster than anyone I had ever fought before.

If I fought recklessly, I'd be dead within minutes.

But there was one advantage I had.

Bai Long was underestimating me.

And that was his mistake.

🔹 A Shift in the Battle

Zhao Teng and the other Seventh Division warriors were still locked in battle with the remaining assassins.

I couldn't afford to waste time.

Bai Long smirked. "Come, Ye Qing. Show me something impressive."

I returned his smirk. "You asked for it."

Ding!

[New Temporary Skill Acquired: Phantom Blade Mastery (Lv.1)]

Your slashes are 10% faster when fighting multiple opponents.

I vanished.

Using Shadow Step, I blurred to Bai Long's left, my Hidden Blade flashing toward his ribs.

But he anticipated my move.

Our blades clashed in midair, sparks flying.

Bai Long's movements were flawless—every step, every shift of his body was precise, calculated.

But I wasn't going to fight on his terms.

I stepped forward aggressively, closing the distance too fast for him to counter.

Surprise flickered in his eyes.

Then—

I slammed my knee into his stomach.

Bai Long staggered back ever so slightly. Just enough.

I pressed the attack, unleashing a rapid series of slashes aimed at his arms, his legs—anywhere I could weaken him.

For the first time, he was on the defensive.

🔹 The Assassin's Counterattack

Bai Long clicked his tongue. "Not bad."

Then his Qi surged.

Before I could react, he lunged—his daggers moving like twin streaks of silver.

I blocked the first.

Dodged the second.

But the third—

A sharp pain exploded in my shoulder.

I gritted my teeth as Bai Long's dagger buried itself deep into my flesh.

He leaned in, smirking. "You're learning, but not fast enough."

I grabbed his wrist before he could pull the dagger out.

Then, ignoring the pain, I drove my Hidden Blade into his side.

Bai Long's eyes widened.

Blood sprayed between us.

We both staggered back, breathing hard.

For the first time, Bai Long looked… intrigued.

"You…" He touched the wound at his side. "You might actually be worth killing properly."

🔹 The Hidden Factor

Before either of us could move again, a sharp whistle cut through the battlefield.

Bai Long's expression darkened.

"Tch. Seems my time is up."

He took a step back, raising his dagger.

I raised mine too, ready for another clash—

But he didn't attack.

Instead, he smirked. "Next time, Ye Qing. When I come for you again, it won't be an ambush."

Then, just like that, he vanished into the night.

The remaining assassins followed, retreating into the darkness.

The attack was over.

🔹 Aftermath & Unfinished Business

The battlefield fell silent.

Zhao Teng clutched a wound on his arm, breathing heavily. "What the hell just happened?!"

I wiped blood from my mouth. "We were supposed to die today."

Zhao Teng frowned. "Then why did they leave?"

I stared into the darkness where Bai Long had disappeared.

"Because they got what they came for," I muttered.

They didn't kill Grand Elder Han.

They didn't wipe out the escort unit.

But they had confirmed something far more dangerous.

That I wasn't just another disposable fighter.

I was a threat.

And the next time we met, Bai Long wouldn't hold back.