CHAPTER-28 SHADOWS BENEATH THE MOONLIT MURIM

The stars had barely pierced the midnight sky when Jin Mu-Won stood atop the cliff, looking down at the valley drenched in silver moonlight. The wind teased his long, midnight-black hair, and the crimson scarf wrapped around his neck fluttered like a banner of war. Beside him, Ling Mei stood quietly, her hand resting on the hilt of her twin blades. Even without words, the tension between them and the world below was thick. Somewhere down there, hidden among the serene nature and quiet trees, was the Whispering Lotus Sect—the very group responsible for the recent kidnappings across the southern Murim territories.

Jin's eyes narrowed. This wasn't just another mission. This was personal.

Ever since he'd reincarnated into this world, things had moved faster than even he anticipated. His memories from his past life as a celestial war general hadn't faded. In fact, they'd sharpened with every duel, every encounter, every new flame that joined his rapidly growing harem. But tonight, none of that mattered. Tonight, his sword thirsted for justice.

"Are you ready?" Ling Mei asked softly, her voice almost swallowed by the wind.

Jin nodded. "We don't wait for justice. We carve it ourselves."

In one swift motion, they descended the cliffside like shadows melting into the forest. Every step was calculated, every breath measured. Jin's internal energy pulsed gently through his body, enhancing his senses and strengthening his footing. The Whispering Lotus Sect had hidden themselves well. Their compound was layered with barriers and illusionary formations—nothing short of high-level sorcery. But Jin had faced worse. He'd seen the fall of heavens in his last life. He wasn't about to be tricked by smoke and mirrors.

As they neared the bamboo grove surrounding the entrance, three figures appeared, silent as the night.

Assassins.

Jin smirked. He didn't even reach for his sword. The moment the lead assassin lunged, Jin sidestepped with uncanny grace and countered with an open palm strike to the chest. A blast of internal energy surged from his body into the attacker, sending him flying into a tree with a resounding crack. The other two hesitated—just a moment—but it was enough. Ling Mei dashed forward, her twin blades flashing like white lightning. Blood spilled in two neat arcs as the attackers fell, their eyes still wide with disbelief.

"Looks like they know we're here," Ling Mei said, wiping her blade clean.

"Let them come. Tonight, we end this."

They moved deeper into the grove, following the faint pulse of spiritual energy that led to the sect's main chamber. As they reached the clearing, torches flickered to life, revealing over twenty cloaked figures encircling them.

From within the ring stepped a tall, lithe man in silver robes with long, silver hair tied in a regal topknot. His eyes were as sharp as a falcon's, and he carried no weapon. But Jin knew this man was more dangerous than all the assassins combined.

"So, the rumors were true," the man said, his voice smooth but laced with venom. "The Demon Star has returned."

Jin cracked his knuckles. "I go by Jin Mu-Won now. But if you're feeling nostalgic, I'll gladly bring back the Demon Star for tonight."

The man's expression twisted into a grin. "I am Yun Heishen, Grand Elder of the Whispering Lotus Sect. And you, reincarnated or not, will not leave this grove alive."

A ripple of laughter spread among the cloaked figures. Jin didn't flinch. Neither did Ling Mei. Instead, Jin slowly reached behind him and drew his sword—an obsidian blade forged from celestial iron, gifted by the Heavenly Flame Princess after their duel in Chapter 12. The blade resonated with power, and the ground around him began to tremble.

"You should've stayed hidden, Heishen," Jin said, his voice low. "Now, you'll answer for the children you've taken."

With a roar, the battle began.

The grove erupted into chaos as Jin dashed into the fray, his blade cutting arcs of darkness through torchlight. Every strike was precise, lethal, and danced with raw celestial power. He moved like a ghost, an unstoppable force of vengeance and grace. Around him, enemies fell one after another, unable to match his speed or strength. Their techniques, while refined, were no match for the accumulated wisdom of two lifetimes.

Meanwhile, Ling Mei became a whirlwind of silver. Her twin blades spun in a deadly rhythm, creating a barrier no enemy could breach. Together, they moved as if choreographed by fate—every strike of Jin's matched by a counter of Ling Mei's. Bodies fell, groans echoed, and the air thickened with blood and smoke.

Yun Heishen watched for a while, letting his disciples fall, his smile never fading. Then, with a whisper, he stepped into the fight.

He was fast—faster than any elder Jin had faced so far. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Jin, palm extended. The blow hit Jin square in the chest and sent him skidding back, digging trenches into the earth.

But Jin grinned. "Nice hit."

He lunged forward again, his blade singing with celestial resonance. Their clash sent shockwaves through the grove, uprooting bamboo and extinguishing flames. Jin and Yun moved like titans, their strikes shaking the ground. It was clear this wasn't a battle of mortals—it was a battle of monsters.

As their duel raged, Ling Mei took out the last of the enemies and turned to join Jin—but a sudden shadow loomed behind her. Before she could react, a whip of shadow lashed toward her.

"Mei!" Jin shouted.

But just before the whip struck, a blur of red intercepted it. A figure landed gracefully in front of Ling Mei—Lian Yue, the seductive spear-maiden from the Crimson Moon Sect, and one of Jin's growing harem. Her eyes sparkled with challenge as she spun her spear.

"Late to the party, but I brought a gift," Lian Yue said with a wink.

The gift was a large spiritual bomb—stolen from the Black Thunder Pavilion two chapters ago. She tossed it into the air, and it exploded in a burst of light and sound that sent shockwaves through the battlefield.

Taking the opportunity, Jin pushed forward with full force. His internal energy surged to its peak as he invoked one of the ultimate celestial arts: "Heaven-Splitting Sword Dance."

The ground beneath Yun Heishen shattered as Jin's blade descended like a comet. With a final clash that illuminated the grove, Jin's sword pierced through the elder's chest.

Yun staggered, blood spilling from his lips. "You… you're not just a reincarnation. You're evolution."

Jin looked him dead in the eye. "And you're done."

With a final surge, he pulled the blade free. Yun collapsed, his body dissolving into ash—his dark arts undone.

The grove fell silent.

Jin stood amidst the carnage, blood on his face, but his breath steady. Ling Mei and Lian Yue approached, both with bruises and minor wounds but alive.

Jin looked at them. "Thank you—for being here."

Ling Mei gave a small smile. "Always."

Lian Yue laughed. "You're going to owe me something big for that entrance."

Jin chuckled softly, then looked at the bodies around him. Justice was served tonight. But he knew better than to relax. The Whispering Lotus Sect was just one branch. There were darker forces stirring in the depths of Murim—forces that knew his name and feared what it meant.

And somewhere out there… his rival watched from the shadows. Waiting.