Jang Hun completed his usual work in the market, carrying crates and secretly listening to the merchants' conversations—picking up names and whispers, as if every word was a fragment of information waiting to be uncovered.
But he didn't leave once the workday ended.
He approached a nearby tent, guarded by two soldiers from the Bai Xuan Sect, standing still like their features were carved from stone. He stopped before them and said in a composed tone:
"I'd like to speak to the commander."
One of the guards looked at him sternly.
"Our commander doesn't meet with strangers. What's the reason?"
"I help transport supplies for your sect... I only need a minute of his time. It's a family matter."
The other guard stepped forward—taller and more imposing:
"What kind of matter?"
Jang Hun sighed and pulled from his robe a bloodstained piece of cloth—the same fabric he had torn from his old clothes to wrap his wounded hand the last time.
"My mother... has been sick with blood fever for four days. I've kept working, but there's no one to care for her. I fear I'll be the reason she dies if I delay much longer."
The guards exchanged a silent glance before one entered the tent.
Minutes later, he returned and motioned for Jang Hun to go in.
---
Inside the tent, the commander sat behind a wooden table cluttered with maps and documents.
He looked directly at Jang Hun:
"You're the one requesting to quit?"
"Yes, sir," said Jang Hun, lowering his head slightly.
"My mother... is ill. There's no one else. I tried to keep working, but..."
He paused, then slowly raised the piece of cloth.
The commander showed no emotion—nor did he show suspicion. He simply gave a short nod:
"Understood. You may go. I hope you won't need to return later… we prefer a stable crew."
Jang Hun bowed.
"I won't forget your kindness, sir."
---
Later, he met Li Mu near the tavern where they usually gathered. The man was leaning against the wall like a tilted shadow, sword hanging from his waist, eyes scanning the crowd restlessly.
"Are you ready?" Jang Hun asked quietly.
"Absolutely," Li Mu replied, a strange glint in his eyes—half amusement, half mischief.
Jang Hun led the way to the first alley, where he had hidden his sword. He retrieved it, securing it beneath his robe—since he didn't have a sheath, this helped avoid suspicion. Then he continued to the other alley, where Bai Su and Bai An waited, huddled close like twin shadows.
Upon seeing Li Mu, the children stiffened. They said nothing, but their hands twitched slightly, as if sensing danger.
Jang Hun watched them, their alertness giving him a quiet sense of reassurance.
"Good… fear is useful at the beginning."
He gestured toward Li Mu.
"This man will be joining us… he knows the forest a bit. Don't trust him too quickly, but don't ignore him either."
He turned to the boys and asked:
"Ready?"
"Yes," Bai Su replied, and Bai An nodded after a moment's hesitation.
---
The screech of wheels and the clatter of two horses echoed at the alley's entrance, halting everyone.
Li Mu calmly adjusted his cloak:
"Relax... that's my cart."
Jang Hun's eyes went to the horses first—strong, well-groomed. Then to the cart itself—large and clearly well-maintained. He showed no outward reaction, but inside, something stirred:
As expected… this man is no ordinary traveler.
As for the boys, their eyes widened and jaws dropped in honest awe.
Li Mu added with a sly smirk:
"I knew you'd try walking all the way to the forest. As for me… I value my back."
---
The four of them left the city at dusk.
The cart rocked over gravel, cold air nipping at their skin. Behind them, the city walls faded into the distance, as if they were leaving behind a familiar world for one full of unknowns.
After a while, Li Mu spoke:
"How long do you plan to stay?"
"I don't know," Jang Hun answered simply.
"I'll decide once I'm there."
Li Mu chuckled:
"Assuming the beasts don't eat you first."
He paused, then added in a slightly lower voice:
"Since you're set on this… listen:
There are three types of beasts in that forest.
First… ordinary beasts. Just creatures that rely on physical strength. No chi, no tricks. But don't underestimate them—they can tear apart an untrained human.
Second… spirit beasts. These are different. They breathe chi like us and can use it. Even the weakest of them can easily destroy the strongest ordinary beast.
And third… demonic beasts. The stuff of horror stories. Some were created through experiments by the demonic sect. Others… were once human. Chi users who failed to control their power and became walking nightmares."
Jang Hun fell silent, the idea brewing in his mind, then thought:
Good… I'll hunt the first type for now. I need steady steps.
---
Night fell gently. They stopped near a river and lit a small fire. They exchanged brief words before sleep overcame them under a star-streaked sky.
In the morning, they continued their journey through the hills.
And after several hours… the forest appeared.
Dense and looming, the trees stood tall and tangled—hiding secrets they didn't want revealed.
Li Mu stepped down from the cart and said:
"We've reached our destination."