Chapter Five: The Hunt

Hunting

As the two hurried over, they could faintly hear the cries of children and the clamorous shouts of adults at the village entrance. From afar, they saw that there were no fires or fighting in the village, only a dark mass of fierce bandits on horseback surrounding the place.

At the forefront of the villagers stood a burly man hoisting a broken blade, still as long as an outstretched pair of arms. His face was riddled with scars, pockmarked and unsightly, and his bloodshot eyes glared fiercely. With a shake of his shoulder, the man pointed the massive blade at the defenseless villagers and said coldly, "Does anyone here know this person? If you report him and we find out where he is, I guarantee you three years of peace—we won’t so much as set foot in your lands. But if you know and say nothing, hmph, every day I’ll drag off some of you."

As he spoke, he waved the blade menacingly, then added, "And I’ll start with these tender young maidens. As for the children, their bodies will be thrown to the wilderness to feed the wolves in the mountains."

His threats brought forth sobs from many children and young people.

"Enough with your useless tears," the burly man sneered. "Look closely at this portrait I hold. The person depicted—this old man—study him well." He unfurled a roll of paper from his waist, revealing a likeness that was unmistakably Kun.

Hidden not far from the bandits, Bai Qi and Kun saw the portrait clearly. Kun frowned, thinking, How did I end up being hunted by a band of bandits? They’ve come with a clear purpose—not to loot, but for someone in particular.

Bai Qi whispered, "Grandfather, these men seem to be acting on someone’s orders. I wonder which power has reached even here." He glanced at Kun, hesitating as if to ask more.

"We mustn’t act rashly," Kun replied after a moment. "Let’s see what they’re up to. If they turn back, we’ll follow them in secret and act when the time comes."

"But what about the villagers? Shouldn’t we—" Bai Qi objected, worried for the people’s safety.

Kun shook his head slowly. "Don’t worry, they’ll be safe. I’ll step in when necessary."

Bai Qi nodded in understanding. Just then, the leader’s voice rang out, "Boys, take these pretty girls. We’ll make an example of them. If you don’t find who we’re looking for, then you’ll all be next."

He yanked his horse’s reins and prepared to leave, adding, "Ma San, don’t damage them! If you do, you’ll get three lashes yourself."

Ma San, a man with a crooked mouth that seemed to press toward his ear, nodded sullenly and gently loaded five or six women onto a carriage. When their crying became incessant, he stuffed rough cloth in their mouths and cracked his whip, following after the leader. The rest of the henchmen followed, brandishing their weapons and yelling. The remaining villagers were left behind, their eyes filled with grief and helplessness, their quiet sobs turning into hysterical wails. Seeing this, Bai Qi’s heart ached, and he clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white.

"We’ll follow," Kun said, and he and Bai Qi slipped silently after the bandits.

After nearly the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they saw the group ahead finally stop. The leader whistled, apparently signaling someone.

Soon, another group emerged, at whose forefront was an old acquaintance.

"You’ve got the look of bandits, but are you sure you’ve covered your tracks? Don’t bring trouble we don’t need. After all, the master who hired us wouldn’t want your carelessness to ruin his plans," said the newcomer.

The leader scratched his head and laughed boisterously. "You’re right, Lord Hun. We’ve been given an important task, and we’ll carry it out. My big brother took the job, and I’ll follow orders."

"Tch. Your brother’s lucky he took the job. Zhou Fugui was too cowardly, making all sorts of excuses until the reward tempted him. Who’d have thought he’d be so timid?"

"Well," the leader said awkwardly.

"And to think, someone tipped me off that the one we’re seeking would be hiding here in Qingshan—hidden right under our noses," sneered Lord Hun, who was none other than Hun Que, the executioner from five years before.

Bai Qi, recognizing Hun Que, felt a surge of hatred, knowing the history between Yin and Kun, and the cause of Yin’s death. He glanced at Kun, whose eyes betrayed understanding: if the enemy could track them here, their identities had likely been exposed. The bandits and Hun Que, standing at a distance, lowered their voices, discussing something in secret.

After a few minutes, the two groups dispersed in different directions, with the henchmen keeping watch. Bai Qi and Kun pressed themselves flat against the ground, not noticing that Hun Que had cast a sly glance their way, a wicked smile playing at his lips.

After a while, Bai Qi cautiously raised his head and saw that the area below was empty.

"Grandfather, they’re gone. What should we do now?" Bai Qi asked urgently.

Kun nodded, uncertain whether their foes had truly left. More troubling, Hun Que had split the village girls into two groups, making rescue even harder. He fell into deep thought.

Bai Qi, seeing Kun silent, grew anxious. Suddenly, an idea struck him. "Grandfather, why don’t we go after the bandits? Most of them are just ordinary men. We might be able to catch up and rescue the hostages, then quickly pursue that villain Hun Que. What do you think?"

Kun considered for a moment, then, without another word, set off after the bandits.

They sped forward with their spiritual power, but the faster they moved, the slower they seemed to go. The scenery around them remained unchanged, as if they were trapped in a loop.

Suddenly, Kun exclaimed, "This is bad! We’ve fallen into their trap."

Bai Qi’s face changed as he looked around frantically. The surroundings revealed nothing. Worse, the enemy remained unseen, hidden while they were exposed.

"This is a formation—an illusion array," Kun said helplessly, scanning the area. "They set this up knowing we’d come."

A slow, mocking applause echoed, and a figure emerged, dressed in garish crimson with wide, snake-adorned borders that seemed to undulate like living things.

Hun Que’s cold laughter, unchanged after five years, sent a chill through their hearts. "Kun, well, well, it’s been a long time. The master has missed you dearly!" He tilted his head toward Bai Qi. "And who is this young man? A disciple of yours, perhaps? So young and already courting death?"

Bai Qi, stung by Hun Que’s taunts, shot back, "You wretched fiend, neither man nor woman! Your voice disgusts me. If you have the guts, come down and fight!"

Hun Que bared his teeth in a grin, his hands—until now clasped behind his back—coming forward as he cracked his knuckles. Laughing, he said, "Such youthful bravado! Even Kun wouldn’t dare insult me so, and you call me a fiend?"

With a blur, Hun Que seemed to vanish, reappearing less than five steps from Bai Qi. His sharpened fingers slashed through the air, moving so fast they left whistling trails.

"Watch out!" Kun shouted, unleashing a flash of spiritual energy to intercept Hun Que.

Bai Qi retreated as quickly as he could, but Hun Que’s speed was overwhelming. If not for Kun’s timely intervention, Bai Qi would have been dead. Even so, a portion of the malignant force pierced through and struck Bai Qi, sending him stumbling back several paces, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as he clutched his chest, breathing heavily.

"Lucky to be alive, boy," Hun Que said darkly, twirling his fingers as if savoring the aftermath.

But Bai Qi, seeing Hun Que’s smugness, allowed a sly smile to bloom on his lips. "Heh, Hun Que, you’re a bit too pleased with yourself. Take a look at your wrist. Notice anything… unusual?"

Though he forced a smile, the pain in his chest was nearly unbearable. Kun supported Bai Qi, channeling energy to heal him and expel the lingering force.

Kun knew Hun Que’s powers were of a cold, dark nature—difficult to counter. His own fire attribute had some restraining effect, but not enough, perhaps because of differences in their cultivation techniques.

Hun Que rolled up his sleeve to inspect his wrist, his eyes suddenly blazing with murderous intent.

The poison came from herbs Bai Qi had gathered in central Qingshan, deadly enough to kill mortals instantly and sap a cultivator’s strength. Bai Qi had nearly died collecting them, saved only by Kun’s protection. In those years, he’d honed his skills in evading and surviving danger. The past three years had not been wasted.

Hun Que’s so-called hunting plan had been upended from the very start by Bai Qi.