Chapter 28: Strings in the Dark
A storm brews over the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Liu Guan Yi sits in meditation within a quiet chamber, but his mind isn't on cultivation. His spiritual sea flickers, filled with schemes and names—Elder Mo, Elder Qiu, Black Spirit Pavilion.
> "I'm still too weak," he mutters. "But weakness is no excuse."
He's Rank 4. They are Rank 6. Facing them head-on is suicide.
So he begins laying traps.
---
Two Weeks Earlier
He sent an anonymous letter to the Sect Leader's personal attendant.
He secretly left spirit recordings in the corrupted elders' gathering spot.
He dropped small rumors near outer sect patrol squads, letting the whispers bloom.
---
Present Day
Elder Qiu storms into the inner sect's war hall, roaring:
> "Who's spreading lies about me?! I'll skin them!"
But the Sect Leader has already received multiple pieces of evidence. The final straw? A jade token with Elder Mo's spiritual signature, recovered from the missing girls' village — anonymously submitted.
---
Ji Ning remains silent during the elders' defense. She only listens. Watches.
Then, she gives a quiet command:
> "Tonight. Assemble the Sword Shadows."
---
That Night
The mountain peak is eerily quiet. Sword Shadows—elite Rank 6 enforcers—descend in silence.
A masked disciple guides them with silent gestures.
It's Liu Guan Yi.
He never shows his face. He never draws his sword. He merely leads them to the evidence, to the secret passages, to the hidden transactions.
At midnight, a single flash of celestial sword light tears through the sky.
Ji Ning moves.
Within seconds, two Rank 6 elders fall. Their cries are silenced. The Black Spirit Pavilion's trail ends in blood.
---
Dawn
The sect wakes to silence.
Elders Mo and Qiu have vanished. No burial. No mention. Only one announcement:
> "Corruption will not be tolerated."
Rumors spread like wildfire. The phrase "Sword Shadows" becomes taboo.
And the masked figure seen guiding them?
Many begin guessing.
Some suspect Liu Guan Yi.
Most don't dare believe it.
After all… he's just Rank 4.
But among a few elders, a quiet fear takes root.
> "That boy… he's dangerous."
"Too clever."
"Just like Ji Ning, when she was young…"