THE HUNTER OF DARKNESS

Cai Rui's Plan

Cai Rui's eyes darted around in confusion. He was now truly faced with a situation beyond the grasp of his understanding. His skill in flattery was useless when the situation turned against his expectations.

Gandana, whom he had hoped would assist him, remained silent and entirely unreliable. The title of Grand Commander he had earned through sycophancy now turned into a double-edged sword.

Cai Rui let out a long sigh. He stared at a scroll showing the map of the Shang Dynasty’s territory, especially the location of the barren hill, which was only half a day's journey from their resting place.

"Why are you silent, Commander!? Prove that I was not wrong in appointing you as Grand Commander to replace Wang Yihan," Emperor Zhu Feng snapped in frustration at Cai Rui's sluggish thinking.

"They already know we’re not far from the barren hill, Your Majesty. If we launch an attack now, we still have a chance to win. Our odds are the same as theirs. The barren hill is known for its extreme temperatures and total lack of water sources. My current plan is to wait for their supplies to run out before we strike."

"But our provisions will also dwindle if we keep waiting, Commander. Have you thought of that?"

"I have, Your Majesty. Our position in this forest allows us to search for water. As for food, the soldiers can hunt while we wait for them to descend from the hill. Eventually, their supplies will run out too, Your Majesty. I am confident they won’t anticipate that we will delay the attack," Cai Rui explained.

Emperor Zhu Feng was silent for a long time. He weighed the plan that Cai Rui had proposed. To him, the sudden strategy from the Grand Commander still seemed reasonable and usable.

"Very well… We’ll go with your plan. I also believe they’ll descend the hill once their supplies are depleted. But don’t forget to create a backup plan."

"As you command, Your Majesty." Cai Rui exhaled in relief. For a moment, he had escaped the pressure bearing down on him.

That night, Zeng Kun and Qiu Liang—known as the Demon Finger Duo—wandered off, bored with the postponed attack plans.

Unwittingly, their steps led them farther from where the Ying Dynasty’s troops were camped. Something stirred within them, an instinct urging them to leave the area.

For a warrior, inner instincts often signal the arrival of something significant. Their honed sensitivity would prove useful.

The farther the two warriors walked, the stronger their instincts became—until, without realizing it, they were nearing the barren hill.

From a distance, the Demon Finger Duo halted upon seeing two figures walking toward them. Instinctively, Zeng Kun and Qiu Liang leapt high onto a large tree they had just passed.

From the tree, their sharp eyes observed the approaching figures.

It wasn’t difficult for skilled warriors like them to see in the dark. Their eyes had long been trained and accustomed to night vision, even without light.

Not far from where Qiu Liang and Zeng Kun were hiding, Fang An and Zhao Wen stopped right at the border between the barren hill and the forest where the Ying Dynasty’s forces had set camp.

Fang An leapt onto a large boulder and scanned the surroundings, searching for anything suspicious. When he looked down, Zhao Wen was no longer where he had stood.

Unbeknownst to Fang An, Zhao Wen—far more experienced—had sensed someone watching them. The leader of the Temple of Eternity swiftly dashed upward, landing on the very tree where Zeng Kun and Qiu Liang were hiding.

"Did you think I wouldn't know you were watching us?" Zhao Wen said calmly.

Zeng Kun and Qiu Liang looked up in shock at the voice above them.

"How did he get above us without us noticing?" Qiu Liang whispered.

Zeng Kun didn’t answer. He was equally surprised by Zhao Wen’s sudden appearance.

"Who are you!?" Qiu Liang barked, loud enough for Fang An to hear.

The young man looked toward the source of the sound—up the tree.

"I should be the one asking why you're here, spying on us. Or perhaps you're part of the Ying Dynasty's force, planning to attack the Shang Dynasty?"

"Enough talk!" Qiu Liang drew his sword and fired a long-range energy blast toward Zhao Wen.

A large branch under Zhao Wen’s feet was sliced clean off, but Zhao Wen had already moved, dodging the attack just in time.

The crashing branch alerted Fang An. The red-haired young man stood, but couldn’t yet see clearly due to the thick foliage blocking his view.

"Do you want to fight in a tree?" Zhao Wen taunted, standing effortlessly on a small branch that by logic shouldn't support his weight.

Qiu Liang growled in frustration and launched another attack.

With a faint smile, Zhao Wen leapt downward, dodging once again.

Zeng Kun immediately shot down to attack, his sword glowing with a white aura as it slashed toward Zhao Wen’s neck.

Quickly, Zhao Wen drew the Jade Demon Sword and blocked the attack with such force that it created a loud explosion.

Zeng Kun was forced backward several steps—even though he was the one initiating the strike. A second later, Qiu Liang stood beside him.

"Be careful! He’s no ordinary warrior," Zeng Kun warned.

From their brief clash, Zeng Kun could already tell that Zhao Wen’s internal energy was several levels above his.

Before they could launch another attack, Fang An appeared beside the handsome man, his sharp gaze fixed on the two who had attacked.

"Who are they, Uncle?"

"I don’t know, Fang An. But from the energy they wield, I suspect they belong to the dark sect," Zhao Wen replied.

"Perfect, Uncle. People like them deserve to be eliminated!" Fang An replied with a wide sneer.

"Watch your mouth, brat!" Qiu Liang snapped, his face flushed with rage.

"Come at me if you’re that upset!" Fang An shouted, drawing the Heaven Sword and challenging Zeng Kun and Qiu Liang.