As the night faded, the dawn of calamity arrived.Morning bathed the entire state in golden sunlight, and the early birds sang their sweet melodies.Qing Yu rose from his bed with a long yawn. Mei Gui had already woken up and was preparing breakfast. Still half-asleep, Qing Yu shuffled toward Xiao Tang’s room. He knocked on the door, yawning as he called out,“Brother Xiao Tang, wake up. We have to leave for the Hegong Clan.”

  Silence answered him.

  He knocked again, but no reply came. Sighing, he opened the door..and the sight drove the last traces of sleep from his eyes. The room was spotless and still... but Xiao Tang was gone.

  Qing Yu’s shoulders slumped as understanding dawned.Xiao Tang had left..because last night, Gu Zong had fled to escape them.

  Last Night...

  Gu Zong walked through the Yingtian Clan’s market under the shroud of midnight, his expression that of a wolf who had shed his sheep’s skin.The festival lights burned bright, filling the night with lanterns and laughter, but to Gu Zong, it was all meaningless noise.

  He moved through the crowded streets and stopped before Hong Deng Yuan, the grandest tavern in the city. The scent of wine and roasted meat filled the air; laughter spilled out from behind its lacquered doors.

  Gu Zong’s eyes hardened. Rage simmered within him..hot, but tightly controlled. Trust, he thought bitterly, is a fool’s luxury.He stepped inside.The tavern roared with merriment, every corner alive with celebration. Amid the clamor, he spotted four men drinking at a corner table. Smiling faintly, he bought the most expensive wine and walked toward them.

  The men fell silent, eyes flicking between him and the wine.Gu Zong bowed slightly, speaking with feigned warmth.“Forgive my intrusion, gentlemen. I bought too much of this fine wine to drink alone..perhaps I can share it with you?”

  Suspicion gave way to cheer. The men laughed, raised their cups, and welcomed him eagerly. Soon their table grew louder than the rest.

  Just as one reached for the jug, Gu Zong pulled it back.“One condition,” he said softly, though his voice cut like steel. “You may drink..but first, answer a few questions.”

  The men chuckled, waving their hands in easy agreement. Gu Zong leaned in, tone casual but eyes unflinching.“Tell me… where can I find Han Huan Hao?”

  The laughter died instantly. The air froze.Faces drained of color. Gu Zong caught the flicker of fear in their eyes and quickly masked his intent with a disarming smile.“Ah, forgive me! I must’ve misspoken..I tend to forget names. I’m just a merchant, looking to collect a bit of silver from Han Huan Hao. Do any of you know where he lives?”

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  The tension eased. One of the men finally replied, voice low,“Master Han Huan Hao is… no longer alive.”

  Gu Zong froze. His eyes widened.“Dead…?”

  Feigning sorrow, he asked quietly, “That’s unfortunate. May I ask..how did he die?”

  The other three men exchanged uneasy glances, then rose abruptly and left the table. Only one remained, sighing heavily.“This is forbidden knowledge,” he murmured. “But if you swear to keep silent, I’ll tell you..for the wine.”

  Gu Zong nodded. The man leaned closer, his voice trembling.“Years ago, Master Han Huan Hao and his wife were assassinated.”

  Gu Zong’s breath caught. “Assassinated? By whom?”

  The man glanced around, then whispered into his ear,“By Master Xian Yong Ming. Everyone knows it. He not only killed them..he slaughtered over three thousand souls afterward.”

  The words struck Gu Zong like a hammer.“Xian Yong Ming…?” he muttered in disbelief.

  When he pressed further, the man recoiled.“No. Don’t speak his name. If he hears it..if anyone hears it..the curse will claim your life. I can’t say more!”

  Gu Zong’s patience thinned to a blade’s edge. He smiled coldly and rose, resting a firm hand on the man’s shoulder.“Come. There’s a place nearby..with better wine and prettier company.”

  Outside the market, his gentle mask fell away. His aura turned sharp, ruthless.He dragged the trembling man into the shadows of the outskirts.

  “Tell me,” Gu Zong demanded, his voice like iron. “Who is Xian Yong Ming?”

  The man stumbled back, dropping the wine jug. It shattered against the dirt.Gu Zong’s eyes burned crimson, his killing intent thick enough to choke the air.

  “No! I can’t!” the man cried. “His name is cursed..if I say it, I’ll die!”

  “Then die by my hand,” Gu Zong snarled, seizing him by the throat. “Or speak, and I’ll protect you. Choose..life or death.”

  The man trembled violently, gasping for air. Darkness coiled around Gu Zong’s hand..raw, unrestrained energy that made the very ground quiver. Finally, in blind terror, the man screamed,“Han Wuang Shi!”

  Everything stopped.

  The power in Gu Zong’s hand vanished as the name echoed in the still air. His fingers loosened. His eyes shone..not with fury, but grief.

  “Han… Wuang Shi?” he whispered.The name tore through him like lightning.The man he once called pure soul … the man of light and purity..how could he have become such a monster?

  Gu Zong’s knees buckled. He leaned against a tree, his spirit faltering.“Han Wuang Shi… what have you done?”

  Behind him, the terrified man trembled, eyes darting around in panic. Then..a silver flash cut through the night.

  A sword screamed through the air, slicing the man’s throat cleanly. Blood spattered across the ground.

  Gu Zong’s eyes widened. He recognized that blade instantly.Su Hu Hun.Han Wuang Shi’s sword.

  Sensing danger, Gu Zong summoned his inner core and dodged just in time.

  A figure descended behind him..each step heavier than silence itself.When Gu Zong turned, his heart froze.