16: A Blade in the Night
Chapter 16: A Blade in the Night
The air inside the Seventh Division's stronghold was heavy with tension.
The truth was clear now—Wu Jian wanted me dead.
But instead of using his own Silent Blades Sect, he had sent outside assassins.
That meant one thing: Wu Jian didn't fully control his own forces anymore.
Someone else was pulling the strings.
And I was right in the middle of their game.
🔹 A New Mission
The next morning, I was summoned to Qiu Hong's private study once again.
The moment I stepped inside, I noticed something different.
Qiu Hong wasn't alone.
Standing beside him was a woman in flowing silver robes, her long hair cascading down her back like silk. Her eyes were cold and calculating, and the air around her crackled with controlled Qi.
I recognized her immediately.
Elder Mei Xue.
One of the highest-ranking figures in the Seventh Division.
And more importantly—one of Wu Jian's closest allies.
I kept my expression neutral. "You wanted to see me, Vice-Leader Qiu?"
Qiu Hong smirked, gesturing toward Mei Xue. "Elder Mei has a mission for you."
I glanced at her. "I see."
Mei Xue stepped forward, her voice smooth yet emotionless. "You impressed many people with your survival against Bai Long."
I didn't respond.
She continued. "The Seventh Division has received reports of a rogue faction operating near the western border of the cult's territory. They are rumored to be connected to the traitors undermining Elder Wu Jian."
I narrowed my eyes. "And you want me to investigate?"
"Not investigate," she corrected. "Eliminate."
A direct kill order.
That meant this wasn't just a test.
This was a move in the larger power struggle.
I exhaled. "And if I refuse?"
Qiu Hong chuckled. "You won't."
I sighed. He was right. Refusing would put me on the wrong side of the division's leadership.
I had no choice.
"Fine," I said. "When do I leave?"
Mei Xue's lips curled into a small smile. "Tonight."
🔹 The Mission Begins
By nightfall, I was already on the move.
The target location was a ruined temple in the mountains, a place abandoned for decades—a perfect hideout for a rogue faction.
I moved quickly through the darkness, my Hidden Blade strapped tightly to my arm.
Xiao Rin's warning still echoed in my mind.
"There's someone else watching you now."
Who? And what did they want?
The only way to find out was to keep moving forward.
🔹 The Ruined Temple
Hours later, I arrived at the ruins.
The temple was partially collapsed, its ancient stone pillars cracked and covered in vines. A few dim lanterns flickered inside, casting long shadows.
I crept closer, my steps silent.
Voices.
I stopped, pressing myself against a broken wall.
"—must move quickly. The Grandmaster won't wait forever."
"We need more time. The Seventh Division is watching us."
I narrowed my eyes. So Mei Xue was right. There really were traitors here.
But the way they spoke…
Who was this 'Grandmaster'?
Before I could gather more information, the wind shifted—
And my instincts screamed.
Someone was behind me.
🔹 A Blade in the Night
I spun just as a shadow moved in the darkness.
CLANG!
A dagger clashed against my Hidden Blade, sparks flying as I deflected the attack.
I barely saw the figure—just a blur of silver and red, moving with inhuman speed.
Then—pain.
A sharp cut across my shoulder.
I leapt back, my blade raised.
The attacker landed a few feet away, standing perfectly still.
And then, under the dim moonlight, I saw her face.
A young woman, dressed in midnight-blue assassin robes, a silver mask covering the lower half of her face.
But her eyes—
They were bright crimson, glowing faintly in the dark.
Something was wrong.
That wasn't normal Qi.
She tilted her head slightly, studying me. Then, in a soft, almost amused voice, she spoke.
"You're fast."
I exhaled, my grip tightening. "And you're not from the Silent Blades Sect."
She chuckled. "No. But you already knew that, didn't you?"
Ding!
[New Opponent Identified: ???]
Name: Unknown
Cultivation Realm: Peak Grandmaster
Abilities: ???
Threat Level: Extremely High
My jaw clenched.
Peak Grandmaster Realm?
Who the hell was she?!
🔹 The Duel Begins
She didn't wait.
In the blink of an eye, she vanished.
I barely had time to react before her dagger streaked toward my heart.
I twisted, dodging by a hair's breadth.
But she was already behind me.
Her foot slammed into my ribs, sending me flying backward.
I hit the ground hard, rolling to absorb the impact.
She landed gracefully, watching me with curious eyes.
"You're better than I expected," she said.
I wiped blood from my lip. "Glad to impress."
She tilted her head. "Let's see how long you last."
Then she attacked again.
🔹 A Battle of Speed
Her movements were inhumanly fast.
Each strike came at me from impossible angles, her dagger like a whisper of death in the night.
I dodged, parried, countered—but I was barely keeping up.
Her Qi was… different.
It wasn't just martial energy.
It felt corrupted.
Like something unnatural.
I leapt back, trying to catch my breath.
She smirked behind her mask. "Tired already?"
I exhaled slowly. I needed to change the pace.
I activated Silent Execution, my presence fading into the shadows.
For the first time, she looked… surprised.
Then I struck.
My Hidden Blade flashed toward her throat.
At the last second, she spun, blocking with her dagger.
Our blades locked—and for a brief moment, our faces were inches apart.
I saw her eyes again.
And beneath the cold amusement, I saw something else.
Curiosity.
As if she wasn't here to kill me.
As if she was here… to test me.
🔹 The Mysterious Assassin
We broke apart, both of us breathing heavily.
She studied me for a long moment, then sighed. "Not bad."
Then, to my shock—she sheathed her dagger.
I tensed. "What are you doing?"
She smirked. "Ending this. For now."
I frowned. "Who sent you?"
She gave me a mocking bow. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
Then, in a blur of movement, she disappeared into the night.
I stood there, heart pounding.
Who was she?
And more importantly…
Why did she let me live?
🔹 End of Chapter 16