Chapter 10: A Game of Trust and Deception
The Seventh Division was a den of foxes—cunning, ruthless, and waiting for the first sign of weakness to pounce.
I had passed Qiu Hong's test and secured my place among them, but that meant nothing. Trust didn't exist here.
Every conversation was a hidden dagger.
Every alliance was temporary.
And I had to survive in this pit of vipers long enough to bring down Wu Jian.
The problem?
I didn't know how much time I had before he realized who I really was.
A New Mission
The next morning, a messenger arrived at my quarters. He was a thin man with a shaved head, his robe embroidered with the Seventh Division's sigil—a coiled serpent.
"You've been assigned to a mission," he said, handing me a scroll.
I took it and unrolled it.
Mission Assignment: Intercept and eliminate a Wudang Sect courier. Location: Shadow Creek. Time: Tonight.
I kept my expression neutral, but my mind was already working.
The Wudang Sect was one of the righteous factions—the direct enemy of the Demonic Cult. If I killed their messenger, it would prove my loyalty to the Seventh Division.
But…
Something felt off.
I looked up at the messenger. "Why me? I just joined."
He smirked. "Because Qiu Hong is watching. He wants to see if you can be trusted."
Of course he did.
I nodded. "Understood."
As the messenger left, I exhaled slowly.
This wasn't just a mission. It was another test.
And this time, I might have to kill for real.
An Unwanted Companion
As I prepared to leave, I felt a familiar presence behind me.
Without turning, I sighed. "You're following me again, aren't you?"
Xiao Rin's voice was filled with amusement. "Of course. It's fun watching you struggle."
I turned to find her leaning against the doorway, arms folded, smirking as usual.
"You're taking a mission for the Seventh Division?" she asked.
I nodded. "Qiu Hong wants to see if I'm really loyal."
Xiao Rin's smile faded slightly. "And are you?"
I scoffed. "You already know the answer to that."
She tilted her head. "Then what's your plan?"
I sighed, sheathing my Hidden Blade. "Figure out what's really going on. If this is just a normal kill order, fine. But if there's something deeper, I need to know."
Xiao Rin studied me for a long moment. Then, to my surprise, she pushed off the wall and stretched.
"Alright," she said. "I'm coming with you."
I raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
She smirked. "Because if you screw up, I want front-row seats."
I rolled my eyes. "Fine. Just don't get in my way."
She grinned. "No promises."
Shadow Creek: A Battle in the Dark
The night air was cold and heavy with mist as we approached Shadow Creek.
The forest surrounding it was eerily silent, the moonlight barely filtering through the twisted branches. The Wudang Sect's courier was supposed to pass through here, carrying critical intelligence.
Xiao Rin and I hid among the trees, waiting.
"This feels too easy," I muttered.
Xiao Rin smirked. "Afraid?"
"Suspicious," I corrected. "If this courier is so important, why is he traveling alone?"
Before Xiao Rin could answer, I felt it—a sudden shift in the air.
A presence.
No… multiple.
I barely had time to react before four figures emerged from the shadows, surrounding us.
I cursed under my breath. An ambush.
But not from the Wudang Sect.
They were from the Seventh Division.
And they were here to kill me.
Betrayed
Xiao Rin was already moving before the first assassin struck.
She twisted to the side, dodging a blade aimed at her throat, and countered with a swift kick to her attacker's ribs.
Meanwhile, I drew my Hidden Blade, deflecting a strike from the closest assassin.
"You really thought we'd trust you?" one of them sneered.
I gritted my teeth. "Qiu Hong sent you, didn't he?"
They didn't answer. But their lack of denial was confirmation enough.
Ding!
[New Quest: Survive the Seventh Division's Betrayal]
Objective: Eliminate or escape the assassins.
Bonus Reward: ??? (For learning the truth behind the setup.)
I didn't need the system to tell me what was at stake.
This was a trap from the very start.
The mission was never about killing a Wudang courier.
It was about eliminating me.
A Fight Against the Odds
The first assassin lunged.
I barely dodged, twisting my body as his sword sliced through my robe, missing my ribs by inches.
I countered instantly, slamming my elbow into his jaw and driving my dagger into his shoulder.
He screamed, staggering back.
Another one rushed at me, his sword aimed for my neck.
Shadow Step!
I vanished from sight, reappearing behind him. My blade flashed—cutting deep into the tendons of his wrist. His weapon clattered to the ground.
Xiao Rin was holding her own, moving with frightening grace. She flipped over an attacker, landing lightly before driving her dagger into the base of his spine.
He collapsed without a sound.
But the fight wasn't over.
One assassin remained.
And unlike the others… he wasn't afraid.
A Worthy Opponent
The last assassin stepped forward, rolling his shoulders. His stance was different.
More refined. More dangerous.
Then, he spoke.
"You're stronger than I expected, Jiang Feng… or should I say, Ye Qing?"
My blood ran cold.
He knew who I was.
"Who are you?" I demanded.
He smirked. "The one sent to finish what the Five Shadows failed to do."
Then he vanished.
I barely had time to react before his blade ripped through the air, faster than anything I had faced before.
I blocked just in time, the force of his attack sending me skidding backward.
Xiao Rin landed beside me, wiping blood off her blade. "Well, he's fun," she muttered.
I smirked, despite the situation. "I'll take left, you take right?"
She grinned. "Deal."
And together, we charged.
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Chapter 11 Teasers:
🔥 Ye Qing and Xiao Rin team up to fight a deadly opponent.
🔥 The true purpose of the Seventh Division's trap is revealed.
🔥 Ye Qing makes a critical decision that changes his entire plan.