Dawn came cold and clear. Perfect weather for violence. The sky was indifferent blue. The air was crisp. Nature providing ideal conditions for humans to kill each other over territorial control and pride and survival.
Hunter stood on the wall, Foundation Realm senses extended like invisible fingers searching the forest. Searching for the Silver Claw Gang's approach.
Found them. Thirty-two cultivators moving in professional formation. Same as three days ago. Boss Liang at the front, Foundation Realm spiritual pressure radiating controlled confidence.
They expected tribute or easy victory. They'd scouted the waystation. Counted defenders. Done the math. Sixteen versus thirty-two made victory improbable even with Hunter's Foundation Realm cultivation.
They didn't know about Shadow Clone. Didn't know the math was about to change completely.
"They're coming," Hunter called down. "Five minutes. Positions."
