Banyu Geni, Xiao Ji, and the others could only watch from a distance, too cautious to approach. Judging from the gestures exchanged between Xiao Chen and the elderly man before him, they could sense something unusual was happening—something that prevented a battle from taking place.“My apologies if I was rude earlier,” Xiao Chen said politely, his tone calm but sincere. “To be honest, I didn’t really know much about Master Zhang Wei’s past when he was active in the martial world. But he never liked being associated with the dark sects, even though many of his techniques are identical to those used by them.”The old man in crimson robes gave a soft chuckle, his eyes glimmering with nostalgia. “Ah, that’s exactly how your master was. He might have been shaped by the shadowy path, but his heart never belonged to darkness. Among the many warriors I’ve met in my life, Zhang Wei was perhaps the strangest one. You couldn’t call him black, but you couldn’t call

The two young men who had only recently become acquaintances urged their horses forward, following the directions the innkeeper had given them toward the Qincheng Forest. They rode side by side, the road beneath their hooves turning from packed dirt to a narrower trail as the village fell behind and the thick, shadowed line of trees loomed ahead. Three hours later the notorious wood—the forest that had become synonymous with banditry and vanished caravans—appeared on the horizon like a dark, breathing wall. Xiao Chen slowed his mount when he saw two horse-drawn carts moving along the path ahead of them. Beside him, Xiao Ji tightened his reins, eyes still flashing with a trace of the irritation that had lingered from the previous day. As they drew level with the carts, the two realized the familiar faces of the drivers: the very merchants they had met at the eating house the day before. Recognition brought a brief flicker of awkwardness to both riders. “After you, sirs!” Xiao Chen

The man observed Xiao Chen and Xiao Ji carefully from head to toe. Judging from their youthful faces, he concluded that it was impossible for the two standing before him to be palace spies.“It’s true. We’ve built a new settlement inside this forest.”Xiao Chen smiled as his assumption proved correct. Yet, he was curious about the rumor of banditry spread by the palace. What did it mean, and how could such a thing happen? Why would the palace do something so cruel to its own people?“Uncle, earlier you said the rumor about bandits hiding in Ceremai Forest was just slander. What did you mean by that?”“We shouldn’t talk here. It’s too dangerous if any palace soldiers find out. You two, come with me.” The middle-aged man scanned the surroundings, ensuring no danger nearby, then turned to his companions. “Stay here and keep watch!”“Yes, Sir,” one of them replied.The man then walked swiftly, followed by Xiao Chen and Xiao Ji.After walking roughly five hundred meters through the forest,

"Forgive us, but we will only help until Yung San and the Tapak Racun sect are eradicated. Beyond that, we will not interfere in royal politics," said Xiao Chen, firmly stating his position. As instructed by Zhang Wei, a warrior must never meddle in royal affairs unless the people become victims. However, if the people suffer due to political strife, there are only two choices: remain silent or support the side that acts fairly and wisely toward the people. "So after eliminating Yung San and his followers, where will we go? Don’t you want to help the Prince reclaim the palace?" asked Xiao Ji curiously. "As Prince Lu Han and Uncle Wu Jian mentioned earlier, the greatest obstacle to reclaiming the throne is Yung San and the Tapak Racun sect. Once we defeat them, our task will be done. If you wish to stay and continue helping the Prince, that’s fine. I will return to the Andalas mainland," replied Xiao Chen. Xiao Ji gave a bitter smile at Xiao Chen’s response. Deep down, he had hope

About twelve paces from the junction, Xiao Chen, Xiao Ji, and Gentiri were startled when ten figures suddenly emerged from the darkness — five men appearing in front of them and five behind.“Stop where you are!” one of the Tapak Racun sect members shouted, holding his hand out.Xiao Chen and the others narrowed their eyes to see more clearly who was blocking their path.A sliver of moonlight filtered through the leaves and fell on the clothing of the ambushers, enough for Xiao Chen to recognize the men before him.“What a coincidence — you chose to wait right here,” he said, a crooked smile appearing on his lips.Xiao Chen’s words made the ten Tapak Racun members exchange puzzled looks.“What do you mean by that?” asked another member, focusing his gaze on Gentiri. “Aren’t you the soldier who gave information at the palace earlier?”“He is indeed the soldier who was at the palace, and I’m the one who told him