Forgotten Tale of Jianghu

The dense forest loomed ahead, its tangled branches clawing at the sky like skeletal fingers.

Each step Wei Wei took crunched softly against the frostbitten underbrush, but her mind was far from the present.

The memory gripped her like a ghost's hand — pulling her back to that day.

It had been a routine task — gathering herbs after completing an assignment, just another quiet moment in the woods — until the sharp clash of blades shattered the silence.

Without thinking, she had rushed toward the sound.

When she arrived, the scene unfolded before her like a nightmare: Zhen Yi, back arched in pain, blood smeared across his robes. His voice, hoarse but defiant, had echoed through the trees — a single name ripped from his lips.

"Xin Long…"

Three figures had encircled him — high-ranking members of the sect — with Wu Ji, the Assistant Leader, looming just behind them.

And then there was Kong Sunmu — his back turned as though the fight didn't even warrant his attention.

She remembered how the weapons cut through the air, streaking toward Zhen Yi's already battered form. Her breath had caught in her throat as she gasped — a sound so small, yet betraying her fear.

Then they came — the eyes.

Countless disembodied eyes, darting through the shadows like winged insects. They hovered, blinked, and stared — as though the forest itself was alive and watching.

A cold shiver ran down Wei Wei's spine.

"Crack…"

The crack of dry branches — a sudden rustle — and then, the unmistakable sound of footsteps hitting the forest floor.

Snapped from her thoughts, Wei Wei spun around.

The forest, once a mere backdrop to her memories, now pressed in on her — a silent, waiting predator.

The wind cut through the forest, carrying with it the faint scent of pine and the bitter sting of snow. The path Wei Wei stood on was narrow — a trail worn into the earth by countless silent footsteps.

Then she saw him.

A figure cloaked in dark blue robes, a single blade hooked at his waist, his hand resting lazily behind his back — the ever-familiar smirk playing at the corner of his lips. Bai Luo.

Her voice broke the quiet.

"Brother Bai Luo, what brings you here?"

The snow, driven by the wind, no longer fell straight — instead, it swirled and danced in aimless patterns before crashing to the ground. The trees swayed with each gust, their branches groaning softly.

Bai Luo's response came smooth and easy.

"Oh, no particular reason... I saw you heading into the forest… so I followed…"

A smile tugged at Wei Wei's lips — not one of warmth, but a cold, sharp curve. The kind that never reached her eyes.

She knew why he was here. Bai Luo's gaze, steady and unyielding, had lingered on her far too long, far too often. She had noticed the way he spoke — not with the usual ease of a sect brother, but with an undertone he never quite managed to hide.

But Wei Wei's heart held no space for him.

It belonged elsewhere.

To Xin Long.

He was young—younger than most who dared to lead—but his mind was a blade sharper than any sword. His cunning had guided them through five successful assassinations, each more dangerous than the last, including the death of Young Master Xu's father in Kunming City. Each step forward had been one carved by Xin Long's plans, his silent commands.

And with each victory, Wei Wei's respect for him had deepened—twisted into something more.

A silent loyalty. A quiet yearning.

So Bai Luo's presence here—his subtle pursuit—meant nothing.

All she saw was a shadow, standing in the way of her true path.

"Are you really so obsessed with that demon, Wei Wei?"

Dressed in her usual crimson robes, radiating an alluring charm with her sharp, captivating features, Wei Wei stood before him. Bai Luo's gaze lingered on her face, noticing the slight daze in her expression—a daze he knew was because of Xin Long.

Yes… Xin Long, a man like a demon, devouring hearts without mercy. Why was she so hopelessly drawn to him? The thought alone ignited a sharp pain deep within Bai Luo's chest, and before he realized it, the words had already slipped from his lips.

His interest in Wei Wei wasn't new—it had sparked the moment she stepped into the sect, a young maiden with a dangerous beauty. Yet, bound by the sect's unyielding rules, Bai Luo had never dared to voice the growing flame within him. Even locking eyes with her for too long felt like a forbidden act—a thread of desire stretched too thin, always on the verge of snapping.

It was only when the story of Xin Long and Wei Wei began to unfold that Bai Luo found himself revealing a glimpse of what simmered within him. Just like Xin Long, after every successful mission, Bai Luo had asked for a moment of joy—a moment with Wei Wei. Yet, the sect leader always claimed that Wei Wei constantly rejected such requests. This left Bai Luo restless, his heart never at ease.

He loathed Xin Long.

Yet, after witnessing what Xin Long had done behind the curtain of Kunming City — the unspeakable acts that unraveled in the shadows — Bai Luo found himself not only despising him but also fearing him. It was a fear that crept into his bones, cold and unrelenting.

From that moment on, Bai Luo no longer dared to meet Xin Long's gaze head-on. Whenever he tried to stare at him with seething hatred, Xin Long's icy, emotionless eyes would meet his — and each time, Bai Luo's gaze would falter, his eyelids lowering in reluctant surrender.

This was his silent defeat — over and over again. Bai Luo knew it, felt it gnawing at his pride. Yet, there was nothing he could do. Nothing he dared to do.

While Bai Luo was lost in his thoughts about Xin Long, the sudden sound of his own voice startled him. The words had already left his mouth.

Wei Wei, standing there in her familiar crimson robes, clenched her jaw tightly. Her intense gaze met his, fierce and unyielding. Was she truly so shaken by his words — by his comparison of Xin Long to a demon?

"I have no respect for those who slander others behind their backs…" Wei Wei replied coldly, her tone sharp as a blade.

Bai Luo froze. Was it truly so disgraceful to speak the truth about a man like Xin Long, even when he wasn't present?

Wei Wei stepped past him, her figure moving toward the sect's main hall. Bai Luo's eyes followed her retreating form, his heart a storm of unspoken fury. He couldn't bear it — the helplessness clawed at him.

The rage boiling inside burst out in a dark, unsettling laugh — a sound that echoed through the quiet air.

"Ha… ha… ha…"

"Clap… clap…"

His sinister laughter startled Wei Wei for the briefest moment — Bai Luo saw the faint hesitation in her step. At the same time, a flock of sparrows scattered from the nearby trees, flapping wildly into the sky.

The sound was clear. Sharp. Unmistakable.

…

Xu Zhu Han's gaze drifted, taking in the figures seated at the jade dining table — the Shaolin Sect's abbot, the Wudang Sect's Daoist Master, and his future father-in-law, Bai Hongfu. The grand dining hall of his lavish residence shimmered with opulence. Though the main hall buzzed with other martial artists and guests feasting, the inner dining room was reserved for those of higher standing. The intricate decorations and luxurious embellishments flaunted his wealth without restraint.

Hanging on the wall was a painting of the Shaolin Sect's monastery — a silent testament to his lingering devotion. Once, Xu Zhu Han had dreamed of spending his days in the Shaolin temple, following the path of a lifelong disciple. Yet, when his father was assassinated, that dream had shattered into dust.

As these thoughts simmered in his mind, the voice of the Shaolin abbot, Grandmaster Kongshan, cut through the silence.

"Young Xu, the man in black robes… your friend — what is his name?"

The question jolted Xu Zhu Han from his thoughts. Without hesitation, he answered.

"Master, his name is Xin Long..."

But the moment the words left his mouth, a question wormed its way into his mind — Why was the abbot asking about Xin Long?

Yes... Why?

"Hmm… I've been meaning to ask for a while but never did…" Grandmaster Kongshan murmured, his voice calm yet curious. "Where is Xin Long from? And how did the two of you become… friends?"

As the question circled his mind, gnawing at his thoughts, Xu Zhu Han heard another voice — this time from his future father-in-law, Bai Hongfu.

He turned his head slightly, his gaze landing on Bai Hongfu as he replied,

"It's through Master Bai's daughter that we became acquainted... As for where he's from… I believe Bai Jing Jing would know…"

The moment the words left his lips, Xu Zhu Han noticed a flicker across Bai Hongfu's face — a brief, almost imperceptible shift. Her expression, usually composed, faltered for the slightest second before settling back into an unbothered calm. She resumed eating as if nothing had happened.

"Xin Long…"

Turning back to face forward, Xu Zhu Han let out a quiet sigh, muttering the name over and over in his mind. There was no reason to repeat it — no purpose behind the words — and yet, he did.

Across the table, the Wudang Sect leader remained silent, true to his reputation. He simply gave a slight nod, his face unreadable, his presence heavy without a single word.

The room fell into an uneasy silence once more.

No one spoke.

They simply ate.

End – 46