"The quietest paths hold the loudest ghosts."
Part 1: The Silent Trail
Li Wei moved through the Greyroot Pass, a long stretch of winding forest paths and rocky outcrops leading northeast. The terrain was steep and twisted, easy to get lost in, perfect for shaking a tail.
He carried no fire, lit no lantern. Only the cold moon accompanied him.
His steps were deliberate, weaving through deer paths and game trails. From time to time, he left faint boot imprints heading west—intentionally misleading.
Falling Leaf Footwork – Proficiency: (19/100) – Beginner
He trained even while walking. Balance, timing, breath.
He moved like mist.
Part 2: The Stranger with One Glove
At a shallow ravine filled with white stones, Li Wei noticed something strange.
A broken copper bell lay beside a moss-covered stump. No wind had rung it.
He crouched. Touched the dirt. Warm. Disturbed.
Then the attack came.
A figure in loose grey robes—face covered, only one glove on—descended from the trees like a hawk. No words, only blades.
Li Wei dodged, barely. Sparks flew as iron met steel.
The attacker moved with erratic rhythm: Ashfire-trained, but not standard. A rogue.
Their blades clashed again. Then again. Each blow heavier than the last.
Swordsmanship – Proficiency: (157/200) – Minor SuccessSilent Severing Art – Proficiency: (47/100) – Beginner
The rogue twisted his blade around Li Wei's and went for a throat cut.
Li Wei stepped into it. Used the Bone-Cleaving Form.
His forearm caught the strike. Pain.
Then his sword flicked up beneath the ribcage.
The rogue staggered. Choked.
Collapsed.
Li Wei caught his breath, one hand gripping his bleeding arm.
Bone-Cleaving Form – Proficiency: (51/200) – Minor Success
He checked the body.
Ashfire mark. Dagger sheath lined in silver. One missing glove—burn scarred hand.
Not a sect assassin.
A failed experiment?
He burned the body and moved on.
Part 3: The Knife Seller
Two days later, he entered a small mountain village known only as Old Jun Hollow.
The people were wary, but not hostile. When he traded dried meat and herbs for lodging, the local blacksmith took interest.
An old woman ran a stall of used knives and cleavers. Her eyes flickered to his wrapped arm.
"You cut like a city butcher," she said.
Li Wei gave a faint smile. "Once watched one, long ago."
She grunted. "Your form says different."
She handed him a cleaver with a faint jade pattern on the hilt.
"This one's not for pigs. It sings different."
He took it silently.
Butchering – Proficiency: (128/200) – Minor Success
That night, he practiced with the cleaver beside the fire.
Blade memory returned.
His past life wasn't entirely gone. Just buried.
Part 4: Message in the Smoke
At dawn, as he prepared to leave, an old man approached with a crooked walking stick.
"Stranger. You dropped this."
It was a torn slip of formation paper—but not his.
A warning sigil. Disrupted.
A message.
Someone is tracking him through residue spiritual signatures.
Ashfire had upgraded its hunt.
Li Wei looked at the misted treeline.
No longer just bait. He was now marked prey.
[Experience Panel]
Name: Li Wei
Age: 23
Cultivation: Martial Dao – Postnatal Realm (Late Stage)
Skills:
• Longevity Technique – Proficiency: (223/400) – Great Success
• Butchering – Proficiency: (128/200) – Minor Success
• Swordsmanship – Proficiency: (157/200) – Minor Success
• Bone-Cleaving Form – Proficiency: (51/200) – Minor Success
• Silent Severing Art – Proficiency: (47/100) – Beginner
• Falling Leaf Footwork – Proficiency: (19/100) – Beginner
End of Chapter 15