Qi Xiu's spirit boat crawled through the night sky—slow, steady grind. Deep into the hours, faint bursts of spell light flickered ahead. He dipped lower. Kan Lin, sprawled half-conscious on the ground, pouring everything into a defensive artifact just to hang on.
"Who's there?"
The Foundation Establishnt hunter had his back turned, but sensed the newcor from afar. Voice low, edged.
Qi Xiu coughed deliberate—plan hashed out en route. Chu Qin crimson robes back on. He strode forward, bowing deep, formal report style.
"This junior is Qi Xiu, Sect Leader of Chu Qin Sect. Just received a missive from Ancestor Chu Zhen—orders to diate this ss."
"Ancestor Chu? He never ddles in Qi South affairs. What... what'd he say?"
Na-drop gamble: territory close enough to Black River, foe had to know Chu ties. Buy ti, lull him...
Subtle eye signal to Kan Lin. The man caught it—played stranger, hunkered down harder into defense.
"Heh. Old ties with Wang Juan pulled to beg the ancestor. For Chu Qin's sake, he commands both sides: pull out of the workshop. Peace from here on. No more trouble."
Lie spun smooth—plausible enough in outsider eyes. Doubt cracked; half-believed already.
"Damn it! Tiny Chu Qin sticking noses in this? Ancestor spoils you rotten. Finish this scum first—then we talk."
Nailed it.
Heard of the Chu connection, alright. But that second half? Panic spiked again. Qi Xiu feigned outrage.
"Ancestor orders halt. You defying him?"
"Hmph. White Mountain loose cultivator—kill one, who cares? Ancestor won't bat an eye."
Assault ramped. Kan Lin teetered, barely holding. At least vigilance dropped—no more glancing Qi Xiu's way.
Couldn't watch him die. Resolve hardened. Glint in the eyes, forced chuckle.
"Heh. White Mountain trash, huh? Let lend a hand, senior."
Fireball talismans flung—straight at Kan Lin.
"You little shit! Think you can 'help' ?"
Workshop victory slipping—blad Qi Xiu outright. Snarled curses mid-sentence.
Then earth spike erupted underfoot.
Foundation reflexes kicked—leaped instant. But sword light flashed unseen.
Head soared skyward, clean sever.
Life-or-death brink: first team-up with Kan Lin—peak precision second.
"Which way?"
No ti corpse-loot. Qi Xiu hoisted fading Kan Lin onto his back.
"Planned Qi South City—crowds for cover, heartland safest when hunted. Unexpected. But like this, you too weak... veer east. Beast Taming Sect territory. Dense forests—easy hide. Heal up so, then plan."
Breath ragged, mind sharp. Qi Xiu trusted that judgnt blind. No hesitation—eastbound, full day slog.
Old Qi Condensation second layer him? Dropped dead midway.
Into Beast Taming lands—shallow only. Deeper? Spirit beasts prowled. Two outsiders chomped in canopy jungle? No appeal there.
Soft-soil hill spotted. Dug frantic—burrow carved. Slipped inside. Kan Lin downed pills, ditated deep. Qi Xiu stood guard.
Half month later—rations near gone—Kan Lin stirred awake.
"Ran into rotten luck this ti..."
Dim glowstone light. Voice heavy.
"Qi Cloud knows . They lost a Foundation Establishnt—chased out. Bill lands square on my head. Qi Cloud's too big... White Mountain? Can't stay."
Chill gripped Qi Xiu. "Afraid I'm..."
Kan Lin raised hand, cut him.
"Different for you. Joined at Wang Qing's invite—can't hide that. But repaying favor. No blood on hands? Not mortal sin. That kill assist—no witnesses. Back ho? Slap on wrist, tops."
"Then you?"
Attachnt stung. Tone scread permanent goodbye.
"I..."
Eyes rimd red, voice caught. "Gotta go... Family in White Mountain, He Yu... all on you now."
No better fix. Qi Xiu nodded heavy promises.
"Never figured Wang ss blow this big. Ruined lives..."
Silence stretched. Wang Juan gone, Wang Qing botched it bad. Qi Cloud internal scraps—like Flowing Flower Sect's old siege on Chu Qin—usually ignored. Casualties? Shrug.
But hiring White Mountain killers? Them slaughtering Qi Cloud folk? Rules shattered, face lost.
Employer ghosts mid-fight—helpers screwed worst.
"Enough gloom. Head back quick. Day earlier? Less suspicion. I'll loop to Qi East City—slip overseas from there. Fate wills, we et again..."
Heart steeled—shoved Qi Xiu west toward Black River. Himself? Dun light skimd Qi Cloud-Beast Taming border, northeast vanish.
"Take care..."
Tears welled as Qi Xiu whispered to the fading silhouette.
Kan Lin caught it—waved back casual. Farther, gone from sight.
Zhao Liangde left; Beast Taming barred Qi Xiu anyway. Path blocked. Qi South City? Corpse on that route—suicide strolling in.
Weighed options. Nothing. Kan Lin's call: bold return to workshop. They unaware of the kill. Spared Liu Yi's life. Ties to Qi Cloud, South Chu, Wei family. Worst? Minor reprimand. Fate's dice—roll 'em.
Barely approached workshop—yanked mid-air. Foundation Establishnt grabbed collar, slamd him center market.
"He one?"
Asked another. Qi Cloud bounty jade pulled—scanned Qi Xiu.
"It's him! Him!"
"Good—balls to show face!"
Hauled before severed heads row. "Your fate!"
Hand rose—neck chop mimic.
Not like planned—at all!
Terror flooded; bladder near burst. Heads: Wang loyalists, White Mountain hires, even one aid Foundation Establishnt. Eyes wide, unclosed—staring alive.
"Your fate."
"Your fate."
"Your fate."
"Wait!" Qi Xiu bellowed frantic—fastest spiel ever. "South Chu affiliate—Chu Qin Sect Leader! Ancestor disciple of Qi Cloud's Chu Zhen! In-law to Shandu Wei—Wei Xuan's kin! Can't just execute !"
Worked. Blade halted—half-inch gash bleeding neck.
"Joined the workshop fight? Death sentence. Words useless."
Still—imdiate kill scrapped. Handed to grunts, locked down.
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