The foliage of the trees enveloped Tang Xi, with the skill of cealment of the Lunar Umbrel while the forest's ambient noises muffled all other sounds. She moved silently from tree to tree, her feet light ourdy branches and her breathing carefully reguted so as not to betray her presence. Over the past few days, she had perfected this ability—gliding noiselessly through the heights between the leaves.

  Below, two hunters walked side by side, pletely unaware of the hidden figure above them. As she listeo their exges, Xi maintained her patience. So far, nothing useful had emerged.

  'Will I have to reveal myself? They're only talking about trivial matters.'

  Her frustration was beginning to mount when a third man appeared orail. His imposing figure anded respect—a robust man with austere features and sharply defined tours. He carried a long spear strapped to his back, and his presence exuded both experiend authority.

  —"Did you two have any luck with the sound of a fight?" — the newer asked, his voice as firm and cutting as steel.

  One of the hunters replied promptly,—"We arrived and found no one, Captain!"

  Tang Xi narrowed her eyes.

  "Captain?"

  The versation took an ued turn when one of the more loquacious, younger men curiously inquired,—"Captain Wu, why do you think Patriarch Tang asked us to find this Peng Chu fellow and assist him, if possible?"

  Xi froze. That was the name of her disguise.

  The tension in her muscles eased slightly, repced by an ued warmth in her chest. Her father... he was still trying to protect her.

  Captain Wu Jian answered with the calm of someone uned with such details.—"I don't know. Perhaps it isn't him, but rather that friend of his who is seeking him. Either way, it doesn't matter to us. We're merely doing a favor for Patriarch Tang—it doesn't hinder us in any way."

  —"But, Captain... We've been searg for that boy for seven days, following every clue we find! If we keep cheg every fight, we might end up antagonizing someone along the way. And what if we enter someone who doesn't abide by our rules? Should we tinue?"

  Wu Jian made a brief gesture with his hand and then, without warning, looked directly at the tree where Tang Xi was hidden, saying:

  —"Friend, have you heard what you wao know?" — His voice echoed in the quiet of the forest.

  Xi felt a surge of alertness ripple through her body, yet she detected no hostility in the captain's tone. He knew she had been there all along.

  'What should I do?'

  Her instinct urged her to vanish into the darkness, but these men were here on her father's orders. Wu Jian was a trusted business partner of the Tang family. 'Revealing her identity—would that put her at risk?'

  'My father is worried about me… I 't just go on as if nothing happened.'

  Making a quick decision, Xi silently leaped down to the ground. Her slender figure emerged uhe diffuse light of the moon. Wu Jian observed her with an analytical gaze—his posture rexed, yet his attention was as sharp as that of an experienced warrior.

  —"You match the description. Are you Peng Chu?" —he asked, testing her rea even though her true identity was cealed.

  —"Yes, it's me." — Xi nodded slightly, replying in a trolled, ral tone.

  With a fluid motion, she retrieved a small jade token from within her garments and showed it. It was the prearranged signal she had agreed upon with her father—something only someorustworthy would reize. Wu Jian's eyes briefly sparkled with reition, and he nodded.

  —"I see. Do you need any help or supplies?"

  —"No, it's not necessary. Just let Patriarch Tang know that I'm fine and that he need not worry. And… sorry for eavesdropping on your versation."

  Wu Jian ughed lightly,—"Don't worry. The information wasn't fidential."

  As Xi turo leave, she hesitated for a moment.—"How long until the tour?" — she asked.—"Sixteen days," —came the reply.

  A pang ency struck her. Time assing faster than she had imagined. If she wao return before the tour, she would have to pick up the pace. Adjusting her supply pouch, she prepared to vanish bato the forest. But before she could depart, Wu Jian raised his hand.

  Her cautiourned instantly. Hidden within the sleeve of his garment, his fingers gripped a sed-level attack talisman.'If it's a trap…'

  —"Just a warning," —Wu Jian said, his voice den with seriousness.

  —"I don't know if you've heard, but there's a young masked cultivator roaming the forest. He wields a heavy sword—we don't know his objective, only that he's been battling several spirit beasts. Don't be deceived by his level; he's dangerous. I saw with my own eyes him kill three experienced cultivators with a sirike."

  Xi's eyes narrowed.

  'A masked cultivator? Who could that be?'

  —"Thank you for the warning."

  Wu Jiaended a signaling talisman.—"Take this. If you're in danger and we're nearby, activate the signal and we will go to e to help you."

  Xi hesitated for a moment before accepting. She did not io depend on anyone, but she wasn't foolish enough to refuse a potential escape route. With one final nod, she turned and disappeared into the forest, her body blending with the shadows—unaware of the significe that the young masked man might have in her destiny.

  ------------------------------------------------------------

  After Tang Xi's departure…

  One of the hunters watched as the young woman vanished among the trees, remarking:—"Captain, that kid is extremely cautious. I think he was ready to flee at the slightest hint of danger!"

  Wu Jian smiled slightly and asked the younger one:—"But how did you know it was him who ying on us?"

  The other huhe young, crossed his arms, adding:—"It was just a hunch. I didn't sense any malicious i from the observer. Besides, Patriarch Tang didn't tell us to keep it secret, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to say it out loud."

  —"Heh, I k! I'm smart, aren't I?" —The young, loquacious hunter puffed out his chest with a fident smile.

  —"Whack!"

  Wu Jian gave the young man a light pat on the head, and the youth protested with an indignant look.—"You still o learn not to say too much. Save your arrogance for when you really know what you're doing."

  The more serious man beside them chuckled,—"Let's head bap. Our favor is done. Let's notify the others and prepare to focus on the hunt."

  And so they did, following the route the captain had taken.

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