Walking through the dark forest, Han Li stretched his senses, making the dim mountain path seem as clear as daylight. His vigilance wasn't just a reaction to the forest's usual dangers, but a habit he'd developed after narrowly escaping from Mo Dafu's grasp.
The forest, once teeming with wildlife, had been largely cleared out by the disciples of Qixuan Sect since their relocation to the Colorful Mist Mountains. Wild beasts and venomous snakes had all but disappeared, becoming a meal for the growing sect. Han Li's cautious nature now stemmed from his experience—he knew how critical it was to remain alert in unknown environments. This developed instinct helped him avoid many unforeseen dangers and kept him alive.
The wind had grown fiercer, whistling through the trees and sending an eerie chill down his spine. Far off in the distance, Han Li sensed that he was nearing the edge of the forest. He exhaled slowly, relieved that he'd soon be free of the oppressive darkness.
Quickening his pace, he took longer strides, eager to escape the woods' oppressive atmosphere. But suddenly, a gust of wind swept toward him, and he came to an abrupt halt. Something was wrong.
Han Li furrowed his brows, his sharp senses detecting something unusual. He tilted his head, listening carefully. Faint footsteps, though light and distant, were unmistakably moving toward him. Two figures, coming closer with each passing moment.
Without hesitation, he darted to the side, slipping into the dense underbrush like a shadow. His movements were as quiet as a cat's, blending seamlessly with the forest's darkness. He hid behind a large tree, crouching low, his body coiled like a spring. From his vantage point, no part of him was visible. His breathing slowed, and his senses were on high alert.
He didn't think he was being paranoid—two people in such a secluded area at this hour, during such a dark and windy night, was highly suspicious. It was very likely that they were involved in some shady business, and Han Li didn't want to risk getting caught in the crossfire. If they were to discover him, he'd have no chance to survive.
But Han Li wasn't above listening in on other people's secrets, especially when they appeared to be involved in something shady. He wasn't the kind of person who turned down such opportunities when they were so easily handed to him.
"...Down the mountain...arrangements...time...people...leader..." The low murmur of voices drifted from a distance. The wind howled so fiercely that only fragments of the conversation reached Han Li's ears. However, a few words were clear enough: leader and people were mentioned, and Han Li's thoughts immediately jumped to one person.
The Golden Wolf—Jia Tianlong, the leader of the Wild Wolf Gang, known for his bloodthirsty nature. Han Li froze in shock. It was impossible to ignore such a mention in this remote location. Jia Tianlong had a notorious reputation among the disciples of Qixuan Sect as a savage murderer. The stories about him painted a terrifying image: a hulking, savage man with sharp fangs, who reportedly devoured human flesh three times a day.
But according to Li Feiyu, the real Jia Tianlong was nothing like the rumors. He wasn't big or terrifying at all—in fact, he was lean and handsome, barely in his thirties. But his ruthless behavior and propensity for killing were indeed as vicious as the stories said, and that was why he had managed to command respect among the other gang members.
Han Li's mind raced as he recalled everything he knew about Jia Tianlong. He instinctively shrank back even further into his hiding spot, trying to suppress his breathing.
"...This time...steal...list...target..." The voices became clearer as the two figures approached, now only a short distance away.
Han Li held his breath, aware that any noise could alert them to his presence. The two speakers were clearly from the Wild Wolf Gang, and he had no doubt they were spies. If they discovered him, he would be silenced without hesitation.
"...The plan...should be soon..." The voices dropped again, almost inaudible, but the mention of a plan seemed to indicate they were discussing something crucial.
Soon after, their voices faded again, swallowed up by the wind. Han Li remained motionless, not daring to move until he was sure they had passed. After a moment, he cautiously extended his senses, confirming that there were no other people nearby. He waited a little longer before slowly emerging from his hiding spot, keeping low to the ground.
That was a close call. If he hadn't heard them in time, it could have been a deadly encounter. As it was, these two Wild Wolf Gang spies would certainly have killed him if they'd discovered him. Han Li had no illusions about their willingness to silence anyone who got in their way, especially a random passerby.
Han Li stood still, rubbing his chin thoughtfully as he watched the direction the two had gone. From their conversation, it was clear that they were planning something against Qixuan Sect. The mention of a list was especially troubling—whatever their plan involved, it seemed to be something that would harm his sect.
But what surprised Han Li even more was that one of the voices had sounded familiar. He hadn't seen either of the two clearly, but he recognized one of the voices from a previous encounter—the steward in charge of the kitchen on the mountain. Han Li vividly remembered the man, who had sold him rabbits and often had a small, opportunistic air about him. His round, mustached face and greedy demeanor didn't match up with a Wild Wolf Gang spy, but Han Li couldn't shake the feeling that this was the same person.
It made perfect sense, though. Only someone with such a lowly and inconspicuous position would be able to move between the mountain and the outside world without drawing attention. Han Li could see now that his earlier impressions of the man weren't completely wrong. The steward's role as a messenger for the Wild Wolf Gang seemed to be the perfect cover.
With this new information, Han Li's thoughts turned to the larger implications. It seemed like things were about to get a lot more dangerous for Qixuan Sect.