Forgotten Tale of Jianghu

Hiding in the shadows, Xin Long moved forward cautiously, using the trees as cover while heading east. However, he suddenly came across a swordsman and a woman who seemed to be observing their surroundings, along with a musician. His steps came to an abrupt halt.

Gripping the sharpened bamboo dart tightly in his right hand, he instinctively aimed straight at the woman's heart—the one skilled in using poisoned hidden weapons. The moment he locked onto his target, a surge of bloodlust welled up within him, sending a shiver through his veins. His confidence soared.

As a signal to Weiwei, he employed a deceptive sound technique from the Shadowmoon Reaper Sect, a skill designed to confuse enemies hidden in the darkness. With a swift motion, he released a sharp gust of air.

The piercing sound cut through the silence, blending with the eerie hum of the flute. At that instant, he unleashed two bamboo darts in rapid succession, striking with relentless precision. His targets—the woman and the swordsman—were caught off guard. The projectiles shot forward in a straight, unyielding line, burying themselves directly into their hearts.

Just then, from above, a dagger fell from the treetops—likely aimed at the flute player. Xin Long's sharp eyes caught its descent.

"Ding! Ding! Ding!"

"Clang… Clang…"

"Whish… Whish…"

The overlapping echoes of the guqin, the whistling wind, and the whooshing darts merged into a haunting symphony. As the deadly bamboo darts shot forward, he stood still, watching them cut through the air with an icy detachment.

The sharp whistle of the flying darts sent a chill through the swordsman and the woman. In the darkness, their eyes darted around in confusion, desperately trying to pinpoint the source. Yet, their expressions made one thing clear—they couldn't hear the faint hum of the bamboo darts slicing through the air, a sound masked by the eerie notes of the guqin.

Then, in an instant, the darts struck. Their bodies jolted backward, lifted off the ground for a brief moment before collapsing. The swordsman and the woman fell lifelessly, their skulls pierced by Weiwei's throwing blades. Blood poured from their foreheads and mouths, soaking the ground beneath them.

Xin Long stood there, cold and unmoving, watching their bodies with quiet detachment. Slowly, he stepped forward. Overconfidence in oneself and underestimating an opponent—this was the price they paid.

"Thud!"

At that moment, Weiwei leaped down from the treetops. Like him, her eyes could see everything with clarity. Their gazes met briefly before Xin Long clenched his jaw and spoke.

"Sister Wei, we must avoid Nan Hai City for now."

He exhaled sharply, his mind filled with a single image—the face of his sworn enemy, Sangguan Jin Hu. His grip tightened as his thoughts darkened.

"I am still nothing… That's why I must keep running from you… But one day, you will realize… That the experience I gained tonight will become the key to my vengeance..."

After setting aside his thoughts about Sangguan Jin Hu, Xin Long led Weiwei out of the small forest. As they walked through the woods, the thick clouds that had shrouded the sky drifted apart with the wind, allowing a faint light to filter through.

The moment the light emerged, the internal energy technique Dark Veil Gate that he had been maintaining quietly dissipated. With his energy returning to a steady state, he used his movement technique to swiftly navigate through the entangled branches, eventually emerging onto the main road.

The moment he stepped onto the road, snowflakes gently drifted down onto his body. The cold that had been lingering in the air finally hit him with full force, making him acutely aware of the freezing temperature. Turning his head slightly, he glanced at Wei Wei beside him. Under the dim glow of the light, he could see her watching the falling snow in silent awe. Her eyes, filled with admiration and respect, reflected her unspoken thoughts.

Without a word, Xin Long reached out and grasped her hand. Then, leading her forward, he approached the horses left behind by the fallen martial artists of the Golden Tiger Fortress. He helped Wei Wei onto a horse, watching as she swiftly mounted it with practiced ease. Securing the reins of the remaining two horses to hers, he climbed onto his own horse and set off.

From the moment they had left the forest until they arrived at the inn, Wei Wei had not spoken a single word. But Xin Long understood.

She was not silent because of doubt or hesitation. Instead, her unwavering trust in him had taken root so deeply that she no longer needed words. She would follow him without question, accepting every decision he made.

At that moment, Xin Long realized that from this day forward, Wei Wei would be someone he could trust without hesitation. He did not think about it consciously, nor did he try to analyze it—but deep down, he simply knew. And that knowledge was enough for him.

With that thought, he nudged his horse forward.

"Clack."

A soft sound echoed as hooves pressed against the snow-covered ground.

High above, on the branches of a towering tree, a lone figure watched their departure. Zhen Yi's gaze followed Xin Long as he rode away, a knowing smile playing at his lips. He gave a small nod of approval, impressed by Xin Long's precision and skill.

From his vantage point, he had witnessed everything—the way Xin Long had used the cover of darkness to eliminate his enemies one by one, leaving no trace behind.

And that, he thought to himself, was the mark of a true warrior.

The moment Xin Long and Wei Wei left Kunming City, he had followed them. Upon arriving at the site where the fallen horses lay dead, a sense of worry for Xin Long and Wei Wei crept into his heart. As darkness fully descended, he suddenly heard the eerie sound of a string instrument echoing through the forest. In response, he instinctively activated his internal energy technique, Dark Veil Gate, unleashing his inner strength.

Dismounting from his horse, he concealed it behind a tree and swiftly entered the woods. With a single leap, he took position atop a towering tree, his sharp gaze locking onto the two figures producing the sound.

From his experience, he instantly recognized the melody resonating from the instrument—it was Lotus Dust Requiem, a soundwave technique so potent that even a slightly weakened person could collapse and die in an instant.

Though concern for Xin Long and Wei Wei lingered, he refrained from intervening immediately. He wanted to see how Xin Long would respond. If Xin Long and his companion failed to act, he was prepared to disrupt the melody before it reached its full power and launch an attack. However, in a fleeting moment, carried by the whistle of the wind, he witnessed everything—every movement Xin Long executed to turn the tide in his favor.

At that moment, admiration stirred within him. Xin Long's ability to seize the perfect opportunity and act decisively left an impression on him. Inwardly, he acknowledged that Xin Long was a true treasure to their sect.

With that thought, he made up his mind—he would personally teach Xin Long everything he knew about martial arts.

After Xin Long and his companion disappeared into the depths of the forest, he remained still, observing the aftermath of their actions. Then, with a graceful leap, he descended from the treetop.

As he gazed after their departing figures, a faint smile played on his lips. With a slight nod of approval, he turned away and melted into the shadows.

End – 20