Chapter 31: Memory of Crows

Western Tiger Basin – Valley of the Seven Roars, Inner Talon Chamber

The Red Talon captain knelt on cold tiger-bone tiles, one knee shattered, his aura still flickering like a dying lantern. Blood stained his lips, and a tremor ran through his fingers as if the memory of what he'd witnessed hadn't let go.

Twelve had entered the Crescent Border. He alone returned.

Before him stood the apex of the Whitefang Tiger Sect: Sect Master Bai Wuji, tall and still as a blade planted in the ground, flanked by Lady Zhen Li and Yan Doujin, the Holy Son. War Pillars and Strategium aides stood in shadowed alcoves, silent.

No one pitied him. They didn't need to.

"State your failure," Bai Wuji said, his voice like gravel scraping against fate.

The captain bowed lower. "Our mission was clear. Infiltrate Crescent Grove under cover of night. Strike the Shadow Lotus outpost near the ravine. Leave Vermilion glyphs to incite retaliation. We were prepared for resistance—"

He paused. His throat tightened.

"—but what met us wasn't resistance. It was precision slaughter."

Lady Zhen's veil barely moved. "From whom?"

"We don't know their names. Only that there were two. Not Shadow Lotus. Not Vermilion guard."

Yan Doujin folded his arms. "Describe them."

"One... young, aloof. He spoke lazily—almost as if bored. But his shadow was alive. It moved independent of him, snaring us. Possessing us. I watched comrades skewered by their own hands."

"Shadow techniques," Zhen murmured. "Rare. But known."

"Not like this," the captain said, shivering. "He didn't fight. He orchestrated. Every move was a thread pulled. Every scream—intentional."

"And the other?" Wuji asked.

The captain's eyes twitched.

"He didn't shout. He didn't speak. Just... looked. Red eyes. Spinning. We tried to resist. The world folded."

Yan's brow twitched. "Illusions?"

"More than that," the captain whispered. "He made time... meaningless. I was crucified in a black sky and watched myself die a hundred ways. When I woke, five were already dead. Two lost their minds. One turned his blade on his own heart."

Lady Zhen glanced at Wuji. "That is no ordinary technique."

"No," Wuji said. "That is a message."

The captain struggled to kneel straighter. "They left me alive. On purpose. The red-eyed one leaned in and said: 'Let the memory burn longer than the wound.'"

The silence grew dense.

"So," Yan Doujin finally said, "they don't just kill. They brand."

Bai Wuji stared down at the man. "What realm would you place them?"

"Shadow manipulator... Core Formation, but dangerously refined. The other—Mid-Nascent Soul. But I suspect that's... underestimating him."

"Good," Wuji said.

"Good?" Lady Huanyin echoed from behind.

"We've met something new," Wuji said calmly. "It means the world is stirring again. We have been too comfortable."

Lady Zhen stepped forward. "We should investigate. Trace their origin."

"Later," Wuji said. "First, let this one rest."

"I request continued service," the captain rasped.

"You shall copy your memories into a soul mirror. Let your trauma serve a purpose."

He bowed deeply. "Yes... my lord."

Later – Third Roar Strategy Hall

Flame-scrolls lit the chamber, playing fragments from the captain's soul imprint. Shadows bound men. Red eyes spiraled. Flames of unnatural black consumed flesh.

Lady Zhen tapped her finger against the scroll edge. "This one with red eyes. I suspect he is beyond simple illusion. Perhaps a spiritual weapon... or an incarnation."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "You think someone hides such power beneath Vermilion?"

"I think the new king has friends none of us have seen before. And I think he's feeding these dogs while showing the world a shepherd's smile."

Lady Zhen smiled. "You admire him."

"I study him," Yan corrected. "And he keeps interesting company. If Mei Xueyan allies with such men, our efforts to court her grow complicated."

Zhen turned to Wuji. "Your command?"

"Watch. Pressure the edges. Do not provoke yet. When they believe the hunt has ended... we strike again."

Weeping Forest – Hidden Canopy Post

Shikamaru lay back on a branch, watching the clouds drift. "Think they're still trembling?"

Itachi sat nearby, eyes half-lidded. "They remember. That is enough."

"Y'know, not everyone considers murder a communication style."

"I spared the leader."

"Yeah. That's what I mean."

Itachi turned his gaze toward the horizon. "Let them tell stories. Fear spreads faster than armies."

Shikamaru yawned. "Still. We might've overdone it."

"You think so?"

"No. But I should get paid more."

Itachi didn't smile. But he didn't deny it either.

Final Note: Crescent Grove Spire – Inner Blossom Council

The memory orb flickered out. Elder Magnolia sat unmoving.

"They are not ours," she said quietly. "And they defend the boy-king."

"Guardians, not warriors," Mistress Hua said. "But sharp as blades."

Mei Xueyan folded her arms. "And far more loyal than some elders I know."

Orchid's lip curled. "You trust them?"

"I don't need to. I saw what they did. And that kind of precision? That's a warning."

Magnolia's eyes gleamed. "Then we'll respond in kind. But not yet."

Hua whispered, "Then who moves first?"

Mei Xueyan stepped away, her voice low.

"Whoever forgets the crows are still watching."