A group of men suddenly rushed into the village.
They all wore the same black robes.
On their chests was the symbol of a black serpent.
The villagers immediately lowered their heads.
One of the men stepped forward. His name was Mu Jian.
His sharp eyes scanned the village until they landed on a child running nearby.
"Hey. You," Mu Jian called out.
The child stopped and pointed at himself, silently asking, Me?
Mu Jian nodded.
"Where is the old woman physician?"
The child hesitated for a second, then pointed toward a small wooden house at the edge of the village.
Mu Jian began walking toward it.
Inside the house, he saw the old woman… and a young man wrapped in cloth bandages.
Mu Jian's gaze sharpened.
He stepped closer.
"Are you the one who claims to know that bastard's location?" he asked coldly.
The young bandit nodded.
"Where is he?"
"I don't know his exact location," the bandit replied carefully. "But he's heading toward Shanxi. They're going to meet rebels hiding there."
Mu Jian's eyes narrowed.
"How do you know?"
"I overheard them in a tavern," the bandit said steadily. "They said they were heading straight toward Shanxi."
Mu Jian remained silent for a moment.
"And how do you know they're meeting rebels?" he asked.
The bandit swallowed but answered confidently.
"It's my speculation. Why else would someone from the Blood Cult go there? The rebels must also be Blood Cult members."
Mu Jian stared at him for a long moment.
Then he nodded once.
Without another word, he turned to leave.
But—
"Wait!" the bandit called out nervously. "What about the reward?"
Mu Jian slowly turned back.
A crooked smile appeared on his face.
"I heard," he said casually, "that some people drug travelers and sell them. Very profitable business."
The bandit's face went pale.
"I also heard," Mu Jian continued, "that you worked with them."
"That's not true!" the bandit shouted.
"So," Mu Jian finished calmly, "I'll need to investigate you."
He gestured to his men.
They grabbed the bandit immediately.
"No! No! I don't want any reward! Please let me go!" he screamed.
But no one listened.
He was dragged through the village like a criminal.
After that day—
He was never seen again.
After some time, Mu Jian returned to the Black Serpent Sect.
Without wasting a moment, he went straight to Elder Shen Kai's residence.
He knocked.
"Elder, I have new information."
"Come in," a calm voice replied from inside.
Mu Jian opened the door respectfully and stepped in, bowing slightly.
"What is it?" Shen Kai asked.
Mu Jian spoke clearly.
"I have confirmed that the man is heading toward Shanxi."
Shen Kai nodded slowly.
"Shanxi is a vast region," he said thoughtfully. "How do you propose we find him there?"
Mu Jian kept his posture straight.
"I believe he is heading toward the area where the rebels are hiding."
Shen Kai's eyebrow lifted slightly.
"Oh? And how did you arrive at that conclusion?"
Mu Jian answered steadily.
"The bandit reported that this man is extremely strong. And we already know the identities of most powerful orthodox warriors."
Shen Kai remained silent, listening carefully.
"So the only deduction I could reach," Mu Jian continued, "is that if he truly belongs to the Blood Cult, and he must have a mission. And what greater mission would there be than recruiting the rebels of Shanxi into their ranks?"
Shen Kai slowly nodded.
"What you say… makes sense."
He folded his hands behind his back.
"However," he added calmly, "it is still speculation."
Mu Jian lowered his head slightly.
"Before we act, I must speak with the Sect Leader."
With that, Shen Kai stood and began walking toward the inner residence of the Sect Leader.
After a short walk, Shen Kai arrived at the Sect Leader's residence.
He stopped in front of the door and bowed.
"Sect Master, are you free? I have something to discuss."
A deep voice came from inside.
"Come in."
Shen Kai opened the door and entered respectfully. He bowed again—
But when he raised his head, he noticed something.
The Sect Leader was sitting in his chair, his expression gloomy.
Shen Kai was a smart man.
He understood immediately.
"The Murim Alliance…" he muttered under his breath.
Sect Leader Mo Xuan looked at him calmly.
"What is it?" Mo Xuan asked.
Shen Kai bowed and explained the entire situation—Mu Jian's report, the deduction about Shanxi, the possible connection to the rebels and the Blood Cult.
After listening, Mo Xuan nodded slowly.
"Mu Jian's deduction is good," he said.
He leaned back slightly.
"But whether that man is truly there or not… it changes nothing."
Shen Kai looked up.
"The Alliance Leader has already sent orders," Mo Xuan continued coldly. "We are to attack the rebels and eliminate them."
A dangerous light flashed in his eyes.
"But if that man truly is there…" he said quietly, "then I will personally avenge my disciple."
He stood up.
"Gather all forces. We attack the rebels."
He paused.
"And we move before the Empire's troops arrive. That is the Alliance Leader's instruction."
The announcement spread through the Black Serpent Sect like wildfire.
Disciples. Elders. Inner court members.
In just a few hours—
Nearly two thousand martial artists gathered.
The ground trembled as they began marching toward Shanxi.
Toward the rebels.
Toward Ming.