Fallen Heaven: Rise of Faizi Tian
Episode 75 – The Secret Beneath the Watch Station
Recap
In the previous episode, Faizi Tian and his scouts discovered a concealed passage beneath the western side of an abandoned watch station. Through a narrow opening, they witnessed demon soldiers transporting a black case into an underground chamber.
They also overheard a conversation mentioning a lower chamber, an unstable western route, and orders from a mysterious authority. A masked demon appeared to be supervising the operation.
Before Faizi could learn more, two demon soldiers discovered signs of intruders and pursued his team. Faizi used controlled sword strikes to protect his companions and escape without wasting his strength in an unnecessary battle.
He returned to Blackstone Pass with several pieces of evidence, including a metal fragment and burnt clay collected near the hidden entrance. His cultivation remained at the Early Stage of the Flame Vein Realm, but his control over the Heaven-Breaking Sword continued to improve.
Now, Faizi must discover where the hidden passage leads and why the demons are willing to risk so much to protect it.
End of Recap
Episode 75 – The Secret Beneath the Watch Station
Morning arrived slowly at Blackstone Pass.
The first rays of sunlight touched the damaged walls, revealing cracks left by the recent battle. Workers carried stones toward the outer defenses while injured cultivators rested beneath temporary shelters. Beyond the camp, the mountains remained quiet, but nobody mistook that silence for peace.
Faizi Tian stood inside the command building, examining a rough map of the western ridge.
Three locations had been marked in black ink: the abandoned watch station, the concealed entrance beneath the western slope, and the narrow path used by the scouts.
A fourth mark indicated the direction in which the demons had carried the black case.
Unfortunately, that final mark was only an estimate.
The underground passage could turn beneath the mountain, connect to an older tunnel, or lead to another structure entirely. Without exploring it, Faizi could not determine its destination.
Commander Han entered the room carrying two reports.
"The scholars have finished their initial examination," he said. "They found something interesting."
Faizi looked up.
"What did they discover?"
Han placed the reports on the table.
"The metal fragment contains traces of an old spiritual alloy. The scholars believe it may have been used in a mechanical locking system. They cannot yet determine whether it came from a formation, a transport mechanism, or some other device."
"And the burnt clay?"
"It contains mineral residue that is uncommon in ordinary building materials. The scholars suspect it was exposed to sustained spiritual heat, but they cannot identify its original purpose."
Faizi studied the reports.
"Did they compare the metal with the fragment from the ancient ruins?"
"They did. There are similarities in the materials, but not enough to prove that the pieces belong to the same object."
Faizi nodded.
That was an answer he could work with.
A similarity was a reason to investigate, not a reason to declare a mystery solved.
"Have them continue the comparison," he said. "I want to know whether the pieces share the same manufacturing method, not merely the same appearance."
Han gave a brief nod.
"You are learning to think like an investigator."
"I am learning how easily a wrong conclusion can lead to a fatal mistake."
For a moment, neither man spoke.
Then Faizi returned his attention to the map.
"Did the scouts observe the station after our escape?"
"Yes. The demons increased their patrols along the western slope. Two soldiers examined the area where you withdrew, and another group carried wooden beams into the station."
"Wooden beams?"
"That is what the scouts reported. They could not see whether the beams were used for repairs or carried underground."
Faizi's expression became serious.
The demons knew someone had approached their hidden route. They might not know exactly what Faizi had witnessed, but their response suggested that the operation was important enough to defend.
"Have the scouts maintain their distance," he said. "If the demons are repairing the entrance, we need to learn whether they are trying to conceal it permanently or prepare it for another transfer."
"And if they begin moving another container?"
"Observe its direction. Do not follow them into the tunnel."
Han folded his arms.
"You intend to wait?"
"I intend to understand what we are facing before choosing how to strike."
Faizi rolled up the map.
The hidden passage had opened a new path in his investigation, but he could not allow curiosity to dictate his next move. Varkos had already demonstrated the difference between a dangerous enemy and an enemy whose true strength remained unknown.
The Demon Lord's appearance had nearly overwhelmed the defenders at Blackstone Pass. Faizi had injured him with the Demonic Slash of Ruler, but that single achievement did not erase the difference between their power.
If the masked demon belonged to Varkos's inner circle, a careless confrontation could cost more than a few injured soldiers.
Faizi needed information.
And he needed the strength to survive what that information might reveal.
---
Later that morning, Faizi entered the training yard.
He carried the Heaven-Breaking Sword in his right hand and a small water flask in his left. The yard was almost empty, apart from a few recovering cultivators practicing slow movements near the wall.
Faizi placed the flask aside and stood in the center of the ground.
His previous encounter with the demon soldiers had revealed a weakness he could no longer ignore.
When he had deflected the dark projectile on the mountain path, he had maintained control over his energy. Yet the effort had still disturbed his breathing, and his body had taken longer than expected to settle afterward.
The problem was not simply that he lacked power.
He needed to use the power he possessed without exhausting himself.
Faizi began with the first form of the Heaven-Breaking Sword Art.
He stepped forward and cut through the air.
Then he repeated the movement, keeping his shoulders relaxed and his grip firm. Every strike followed the same basic path, but he paid attention to the small differences between them.
One movement required too much force from his wrist.
Another caused his spiritual energy to spread beyond the blade.
A third disrupted his breathing just before the sword reached its target.
He corrected each mistake separately.
Only after several repetitions did he move to the second form.
A thin layer of spiritual energy gathered around the Heaven-Breaking Sword. Faizi swung the blade, sending a narrow wave of force across the yard.
The wave struck a wooden practice post.
A clean cut appeared across its surface.
Faizi examined the result.
The strike was accurate, but the energy had weakened near the end of its path. Against an ordinary target, the technique was sufficient. Against a stronger cultivator protected by spiritual armor, the same attack might fail to penetrate.
He adjusted his stance.
This time, he released the energy later in the movement, keeping it close to the blade for as long as possible.
The sword flashed.
The second strike cut slightly deeper into the wooden post while producing less noise.
Faizi lowered the weapon.
A faint ache spread through his forearm, and the familiar pressure returned to his chest.
He stopped immediately.
The temptation to continue was strong. He wanted to improve quickly, to gain enough power that another Demon Lord would never force him into such a desperate battle.
But forcing his body beyond its present limits would only delay his recovery.
He sat cross-legged on the ground and began Infernal Flame Breathing.
The spiritual energy moved slowly through his Flame Veins. He concentrated on maintaining a steady flow, allowing his body to recover without forcing a breakthrough.
After several minutes, the pressure eased.
His cultivation realm had not changed. He was still at the Early Stage of the Flame Vein Realm.
Yet he could now identify the moment when his energy began to become unstable. Previously, he might have continued pushing until his control deteriorated completely.
That awareness was progress.
Not every improvement needed to be announced by a surge of power or a dramatic transformation.
Sometimes, becoming stronger meant learning when not to strike.
Faizi rose and resumed his practice with slower movements.
From the edge of the yard, a young cultivator watched him for a long time.
Finally, the young man approached.
"Lord Faizi, may I ask you something?"
Faizi rested the sword against his shoulder.
"Ask."
"Everyone says you wounded Demon Lord Varkos. If you possess such a powerful technique, why are you spending so much time practicing ordinary sword movements?"
Faizi looked at the damaged practice post.
"Because Varkos did not fall."
The young cultivator lowered his eyes.
Faizi continued.
"My strongest strike wounded him, but he remained powerful enough to leave the battlefield on his own terms. If I had spent all my energy on that attack and failed to finish the fight, what would I have done next?"
The young man considered the question.
"Perhaps you could have continued fighting with your sword."
"Perhaps. But hope is not a battle plan."
Faizi picked up the Heaven-Breaking Sword.
"A powerful technique is only one part of combat. I must also know how to conserve energy, defend against unexpected attacks, protect the people behind me, and recognize when an enemy is trying to lead me into a trap."
He returned the sword to its sheath.
"If you want to become stronger, do not only practice the movement that looks impressive. Master the movements that keep you alive when everything goes wrong."
The young cultivator bowed respectfully.
Faizi left the yard with a clearer mind.
His journey toward greater strength would take time. The path could not be shortened by impatience, and his enemies would not wait for him to finish training.
That meant he had to improve every day, even when the gains were small.
---
By midday, the scouts returned with new information.
Ruhan entered the command building and placed a small sketch on the table.
"The demons have finished moving the wooden beams," he reported. "They also brought two covered carts to the station, but neither entered through the main gate."
Faizi examined the drawing.
"Where did they come from?"
"From the northern side of the ridge. The carts traveled along a narrow track that is difficult to see from the main road."
"Did they carry black cases?"
"We could not confirm that. The coverings remained in place, and the guards prevented our scouts from approaching closely."
Faizi traced the route with one finger.
The northern track connected to a ravine that extended behind the watch station. It was possible that the demons had another entrance to the underground passage.
If so, the western opening might not be their main transport route at all.
"Did the carts leave?"
"One returned north. The other remained near the station."
"How many guards?"
"At least eight outside, with more moving between the station and the ridge."
Faizi studied the sketch for several moments.
The increased security suggested that the demons were preparing for another operation. But the carts alone did not prove that another transfer was imminent.
"Did anyone see the masked figure?"
Ruhan shook his head.
"No. But one of the guards wore a metal token similar to the chain hanging from the masked demon's waist."
Faizi's attention sharpened.
"Describe it."
Ruhan produced another drawing. The token was small and roughly rectangular, with a narrow notch along one side. The scout had only seen it briefly.
"It could be a badge," Ruhan explained. "Or a piece of equipment. I could not get a closer look."
Faizi placed the drawing beside the earlier sketch of the circular symbol found on the demon soldier's armor.
The two markings looked different.
There was no reason to assume that they represented the same organization, formation, or authority.
Still, the token might help identify the guards if another scout observed it.
"Have the scholars examine this drawing as well," Faizi said. "But do not tell them what conclusion to reach. I want their independent assessment."
Ruhan nodded.
"There is something else."
Faizi waited.
"One of the guards spoke about a transfer window. Our scout could not hear the entire conversation, but he heard the words 'before the next opening.'"
"An opening?"
"That was the word he reported. He could not tell whether the guard meant an entrance, a time period, or something else."
Faizi leaned back slightly.
The phrase could refer to a scheduled opening of the concealed mechanism. It could also mean that the passage became accessible only under certain conditions.
If the tunnel depended on an old formation, its operation might require energy, a key, or a specific sequence of actions.
But there was no proof of any of those possibilities.
Faizi pointed toward the map.
"We need to understand the terrain around the northern ravine. Send one scout to observe the track from a distance. The others will watch the station's western side."
"And if we discover the second entrance?"
"Record its position and return. Do not attempt to open it."
Ruhan hesitated.
"Lord Faizi, if the demons continue moving objects through these passages, they may complete their operation before we discover its purpose."
Faizi met his gaze.
"That is possible. But if we rush into a fortified underground chamber without knowing its layout, we may lose our only chance to learn anything."
He paused.
"Speed matters. So does choosing the right moment."
Ruhan accepted the order and left the room.
Faizi remained beside the map.
The demons had not merely hidden a door. They had organized guards, controlled access to the route, and established a method for moving sealed containers. Their operation appeared to involve more than one location.
The question was whether the watch station served as a storage point, a transfer station, or a temporary gateway to somewhere farther away.
Until he knew which possibility was correct, attacking the station would be reckless.
---
That evening, the scholars gathered inside a small chamber near the command building.
On the table lay the metal fragment, the burnt clay, and the sketch of the newly discovered token. Several scrolls had been opened beside them, containing descriptions of ancient structures found throughout the borderlands.
The oldest scholar, Master Qiao, adjusted his spectacles and examined the metal fragment again.
"The alloy is old," he said. "But the method used to shape it may have been employed for centuries. Similar materials appear in several unrelated structures."
"Can you connect it to the ruins?" Faizi asked.
"Not conclusively. The fragment from the ruins and this piece share certain mineral characteristics. However, we would need a more complete sample to determine whether they came from the same mechanism."
Master Qiao moved the pieces apart.
"As for the burnt clay, it may have been used to line a channel exposed to spiritual heat. But we cannot tell whether the heat came from a formation, a furnace, or a damaged energy conduit."
Faizi listened without interruption.
Another scholar picked up the sketch of the token.
"This mark is different from the circular symbol you brought us earlier. It may be an identification token, but the drawing does not contain enough detail to determine its purpose."
"So we have no confirmed connection between the token, the metal fragment, and the ancient ruins," Faizi said.
"Correct," Master Qiao replied. "We have several clues that may eventually prove useful. We do not yet have a complete explanation."
Faizi nodded.
"Continue your examination. If you discover a definite match, report it immediately. Until then, treat each object as a separate piece of evidence."
As the scholars returned to their work, Master Qiao called him back.
"There is one more matter. You mentioned that the soldiers spoke about an opening."
"Yes."
"If the passage depends on an ancient mechanism, it may have been designed to open only under specific conditions. Some old underground structures were built to prevent unauthorized entry. Others used moving stone sections to conceal their entrances."
"Can you determine whether that is the case here?"
"Not without examining the mechanism directly. And I would strongly advise against touching it until we understand its structure."
Faizi gave a faint nod.
That advice matched his own judgment.
He thanked the scholars and left the chamber.
Outside, the night wind carried the distant sound of soldiers changing shifts. Faizi looked toward the western ridge, where darkness concealed the watch station and everything beneath it.
He had made progress, but the truth remained beyond his reach.
For now, he would have to accept uncertainty and prepare for the moment when the demons made their next move.
---
Later that night, Faizi returned to his quarters.
He placed his sword beside the bed and sat near the window. A small lamp illuminated the notes he had collected during the investigation.
He wrote down four confirmed observations.
The watch station contained a concealed underground passage.
Demon soldiers were transporting black cases through the underground route.
A masked figure appeared to supervise the operation.
The demons had increased security after discovering signs of intruders.
Below those observations, he wrote a separate list of unanswered questions.
Where did the passage lead?
What did the black cases contain?
Who had ordered the operation?
What did the demons mean by the next opening?
And why had Varkos called him the chosen human?
Faizi stared at the final question for a long time.
He could not deny that the words had affected him. Varkos had spoken them with a certainty that suggested the Demon Lord knew something about him.
But Faizi had no intention of accepting an enemy's words as the truth about his own existence.
He had his own memories, his own losses, and his own purpose.
The demons had taken his parents from him. Whatever secret they were hiding, he would uncover it because it threatened the people he had sworn to protect, not because Varkos had given him a mysterious title.
Faizi closed the notebook.
Then he began Infernal Flame Breathing.
The energy moved through his Flame Veins with a steady warmth. He focused on keeping the flow smooth, avoiding the temptation to force a greater quantity of spiritual energy through his body.
A faint tremor passed through his arm before fading.
He adjusted his breathing and continued.
No sudden surge followed. No new realm opened before him.
He remained at the Early Stage of the Flame Vein Realm, still far from the strength required to challenge the greatest demons without assistance.
But his control was becoming more dependable, and his understanding of his own limitations was growing.
That mattered.
One day, he would need enough strength to face the truth behind Varkos's words. Until then, every improvement had to be earned.
Far away, beneath the western ridge, the masked demon stood beside a sealed stone doorway.
The black case rested on a platform behind him.
A faint red light pulsed beneath the floor, then faded.
A soldier approached and bowed.
"The outer station has been inspected. We found signs that someone entered the western slope."
The masked figure did not turn.
"Did they enter the lower chamber?"
"We cannot confirm that."
"Then the passage remains secure. Increase the patrols, but do not begin the next transfer until the route has been checked."
The soldier hesitated.
"And if the intruder returns?"
The masked figure finally looked over his shoulder.
"Let him watch. Curiosity is harmless until it becomes interference."
He turned back toward the sealed doorway.
"Once the next opening begins, the consequences will be beyond the control of anyone guarding this station."
The soldier bowed again and withdrew.
For several moments, the masked figure remained alone.
Then he placed one hand against the stone.
A faint vibration answered from the other side.
Something was waiting beyond the sealed doorway.
And the demons were determined to reach it before their enemies discovered what lay beneath the mountain.
To Be Continued...
Next Episode: Episode 76 – The Night of the Second Transfer