Li Wei froze, feeling Chen Yu's fingers gripping his shoulder. In the darkness of the garden, Chen Yu's eyes gleamed with anxiety, but there was still that cunning glint that had made Li Wei wary since their first encounter. Liu Feng and Huang Jia were still prowling nearby, their footsteps and muffled curses coming through the thicket. The system warned: Probability of detection: 45%. Recommendation: follow Chen Yu but stay alert.
"Van Zi?" Li Wei whispered, brushing Chen Yu's hand off. "How do you know he's coming? And why are you even here?"
Chen Yu smirked, but his tone remained serious.
"Brother, I have a nose for trouble. I saw Liu Feng and his dogs snooping around your barracks. And Van Zi... let's just say he doesn't like it when his pawns fail. Come on, I know a place to hide."
Li Wei hesitated. Chen Yu seemed like an ally, but his knowledge raised questions. The system assessed his betrayal probability at 15%, which wasn't exactly reassuring. But staying in the garden while Liu Feng and Huang Jia were combing the paths was worse. He nodded, motioning for Chen Yu to lead the way.
Chen Yu moved ahead, slipping silently between the trees. Li Wei followed, trying not to crunch the gravel underfoot. They circled around the garden and arrived at an old shed on the edge of the outer courtyard, piled high with broken baskets and tools. Chen Yu pushed the creaky door open, letting Li Wei inside. The air was damp and smelled of mold and dried grass, with moonlight filtering through gaps in the roof.
"It's safe here," Chen Yu whispered, closing the door behind them. "Liu Feng won't search a place like this. They think you ran toward the main gates."
Li Wei scanned the shed. Dusty sacks, rusty hoes, a few old baskets — not a palace, but it would do as a shelter. He turned to Chen Yu, crossing his arms.
"Alright, spill it. How did you know to be in the garden at just the right time? And what do you really know about Van Zi that you haven't told me?"
Chen Yu sat on a sack, pulling another dried fruit from his pocket. His nonchalance was irritating, but Li Wei waited for an answer.
"I told you, I have ears everywhere," Chen Yu began, lowering his voice. "Van Zi isn't just any senior disciple. He gathers information about anyone who stands out. Your stunt with Zhang Ho and the rumors about the library? It's like waving a red flag at him. He thinks you're either hiding something or just a lucky fool. Neither sits well with him."
Li Wei frowned. The system flashed a new task: Uncover Chen Yu's motives. Reward: +20 reputation points, information about Van Zi. Penalty: loss of trust. He decided to press further.
"And you? Why are you helping me? You just want to get close to the 'star' as you put it, or do you have your own agenda?"
Chen Yu chuckled, but his eyes grew more serious.
"Maybe a bit of both. But right now, brother, you'd better trust me. Because Van Zi is already on his way here, and he's not in the mood for a chat."
A chill ran down Li Wei's spine. Van Zi? Already? That changed everything.
---
Li Wei tensed up, hearing Chen Yu's words. Van Zi is coming here? He called up the system, checking his status: Energy: 50%. "Wind Step" on cooldown, "Dancing Leaf" at 10%, probability manipulation unavailable. The situation was dire. If Van Zi truly showed up, his Mortal Level, Stage 5 would turn the fight into a one-sided massacre. Li Wei glanced at Chen Yu, trying to gauge his sincerity.
"How do you know Van Zi is coming?" he whispered, lowering his voice. "And why should I trust you? You show up too conveniently for it to be a coincidence."
Chen Yu raised his hands as if surrendering, but his smirk remained.
"Brother, I get it — you're paranoid. But listen. I was at the main courtyard when I overheard Liu Feng reporting to Van Zi. They know you escaped the barracks, and Van Zi decided to handle it personally. I've got my own sources, let's say. Believe me or not — that's up to you. But if you stay here alone, you'll meet his 'Iron Fist' sooner than you can blink."
Li Wei clenched his jaw. The system indicated: Chen Yu's truth probability: 70%. Recommendation: follow him cautiously. He hated relying on someone, especially a slippery guy like Chen Yu, but there was no other choice. The task to avoid conflict with Van Zi was hanging by a thread, and meeting him now would mean failure.
"Fine," Li Wei nodded. "Where to next? But if this is a trap, Chen Yu, I'll find a way to repay you."
Chen Yu snickered, getting up.
"Love your spirit. Come on, there's a hidden passage to the old warehouses. Nobody checks there, not even patrols."
He moved to a pile of sacks in the corner of the shed, pushing them aside to reveal a dusty wooden hatch. Li Wei narrowed his eyes — the hatch seemed too convenient for a "random" hideout. Chen Yu noticed his look and shrugged.
"What? I told you, I know the places. Sometimes it's good to be inconspicuous."
Li Wei didn't reply but followed him down the creaky ladder. Beneath the hatch was a narrow tunnel, smelling of damp and earth. Chen Yu lit a small lantern from his pocket and led the way. The walls were rough stone, and the ceiling hung so low that Li Wei had to stoop.
"Where does this tunnel lead?" he asked, keeping one hand ready to unleash the "Dancing Leaf" technique. If Chen Yu betrayed him, he would at least try to retaliate.
"To the old warehouses at the edge of the outer courtyard," Chen Yu replied without turning around. "Used to store herbs, but now abandoned. Perfect to lay low."
Li Wei kept silent, but his thoughts were racing. Chen Yu knew too much, and the tunnel seemed suspiciously convenient. The system updated the task: Progress: Uncover Chen Yu's motives — 20%. Additional goal: Reach a safe hideout. Reward: +10 reputation points. He decided to dig deeper while he had the chance.
"You still haven't answered," Li Wei said. "What's in it for you? Why risk helping me?"
Chen Yu stopped and turned, his grin wider than usual.
"Because, brother, I believe in bets. And you're my bet on something big."
---
Li Wei stared at Chen Yu, trying to make sense of his words. "A bet on something big"? It sounded like a mix of a compliment and a threat. The tunnel was cramped, Chen Yu's lantern cast flickering shadows on the stone walls, and Li Wei felt the pressure of the situation squeezing his chest. The system flashed: Chen Yu's truth probability: 75%. Task progress "Uncover Chen Yu's motives": 30%. He decided to dig deeper, but cautiously.
"A bet, huh?" Li Wei squinted, keeping his distance. "What do you mean by that? You want to use me to get at Van Zi? Or do you have your own plans within the sect?"
Chen Yu snorted, continuing to walk through the tunnel. His lantern swayed, illuminating the uneven floor.
"You really are like a detective, brother. Relax. I'm not one for conspiracies. Just... let's say I see potential. You came out of nowhere, beat Zhang Ho, and now rumors about the library. That's not an everyday occurrence. If you rise, I want to be close. And if you fall..." He shrugged. "I don't lose much."
Li Wei frowned. Chen Yu was being evasive, but his motives were starting to clear up — he was an opportunist, looking for advantage. Not an enemy, but not a friend either. The system confirmed: Betrayal probability: 12%. Recommendation: keep questioning, but don't reveal your plans. Li Wei decided to change tactics.
"Alright, let's say I believe you," Li Wei said, keeping pace. "But you know more than you're letting on. What exactly is Van Zi planning? If he's after me, why didn't he come himself and just sent Liu Feng?"
Chen Yu stopped at a fork in the tunnel, one path leading upward, the other descending into darkness. He scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"Van Zi doesn't like getting his hands dirty unless he's sure. He observes, gathers info. Liu Feng and Huang Jia are his test run. If they beat you, he stays back. If not... he'll step in. And trust me, brother, you don't want that. His 'Iron Fist' shatters bones like twigs."
A shiver ran down Li Wei's spine. He remembered Lin Xue's words about Van Zi's strength and knew Chen Yu wasn't exaggerating. The tunnel ended at a wooden ladder leading to a hatch. Chen Yu extinguished the lantern and whispered:
"We're here. The warehouses are up there. It's quiet, but stay alert."
He pushed the hatch, and they emerged into a spacious room filled with crates, covered in cobwebs. Moonlight seeped through a cracked window, illuminating the dusty floor. Li Wei scanned the area, checking for any signs of a trap. The system remained silent, but the task updated: Additional goal completed: Reach a safe hideout. Reward: +10 reputation points.
"What now?" Li Wei asked, turning to Chen Yu. "Do we stay here until morning?"
Chen Yu sat on a crate, pulling out another dried fruit.
"Could be. But I suggest you think about how to appease Van Zi. Or get stronger before he finds you. Got any plan, brother?"
Li Wei remained silent. His plan was simple: cultivate using the tablet, master the "Dancing Leaf," and find a way to avoid Van Zi's wrath. But Chen Yu's words reminded him that time was against him. And something told him that this warehouse was just a temporary shelter.
---
Li Wei leaned against a dusty crate, pondering Chen Yu's words. The warehouse was quiet, only the creaking of boards under the wind disturbed the silence. Moonlight highlighted the outlines of old baskets and broken shelves, creating a spooky atmosphere. The system displayed: Energy: 60% after resting. Task "Avoid Conflict with Van Zi": 20% progress. Van Zi was out there somewhere, and Li Wei knew that simply waiting wouldn't work.
"A plan?" he repeated, looking at Chen Yu. "Let's say I have a few ideas. But you still haven't said what you really want from the sect. All your 'bets' and ears everywhere — what's that for? You aiming to be an inner disciple? Or just playing for fun?"
Chen Yu snickered, chewing on his fruit, but his gaze turned sharper.
"Curious, huh? Alright, cards on the table. I don't dream of grand achievements like Van Zi or glory like Lin Xue. I just want to survive and live comfortably. The outer court is a meat grinder, brother. The weak get crushed, the strong get used. I gather information, build connections, to stay useful. And you... you're like a shooting star — you might burn bright or crash hard. I just want to be there when it happens."
Li Wei nodded, evaluating the honesty. Chen Yu was a pragmatist, which made him both useful and dangerous. The system updated the task: Progress "Uncover Chen Yu's motives": 50%. Recommendation: propose a temporary alliance. Li Wei decided to take a risk.
"Alright, Chen Yu," he said in a low voice. "How about this: you help me stay out of Van Zi's sight, and if I 'shine,' like you said, I'll share the benefits. Information for information. Deal?"
Chen Yu squinted, then clapped his hands.
"Ha, a deal! I like it when things are straightforward. But keep in mind, brother, if Van Zi catches you, I won't risk myself. I'm an informant, not a fighter."
"Agreed," Li Wei replied, though he remained wary inside. An alliance with Chen Yu was temporary, but his connections could give an edge. He pulled out the clay tablet from under his robe, deciding to use the time in the hideout.
"I'm going to cultivate. If you hear anything, let me know."
Chen Yu nodded, making himself comfortable on the crate. Li Wei sat on the floor, placing the tablet before him, and began breathing according to the "Azure Stream" rhythm. The tablet's runes glowed faintly, enhancing the energy flow. Warmth spread through his abdomen, and he felt the spiritual force slowly increase. The system displayed: Cultivation progress: Mortal Level, Stage 1, 20% to breakthrough.
But just as he immersed himself in meditation, Chen Yu whispered:
"Quiet, brother. Someone's coming."
Li Wei opened his eyes, his heart pounding. Through the gaps in the walls, he saw a lantern light approaching the warehouse. The voices were muffled, but one of them was cold and commanding — not Liu Feng or Huang Jia. The system warned: Probability of Van Zi's presence: 60%. Li Wei clenched his fists. It seemed the hideout wasn't as safe as he had hoped.
---
Li Wei held his breath, listening to the approaching footsteps. The lantern light seeped through the gaps in the warehouse walls, casting stripes of light on the dusty floor. The voices grew clearer, and the cold, commanding tone stood out among them. The system confirmed: Probability of Van Zi's presence: 65%. Recommendation: prepare to escape. Li Wei glanced at Chen Yu, who was crouched behind a crate, his usual smirk gone.
"It's him," Chen Yu whispered, barely moving his lips. "Van Zi. He's got two with him — probably Liu Feng and someone else. Brother, we need to bail."
Li Wei gripped the tablet, hiding it under his robe. His energy was at 60%, "Wind Step" ready, but facing Van Zi's "Iron Fist" was like throwing a stone at a mountain. The tunnel they came through was the only exit, but going back meant risking being trapped. He scanned the warehouse, searching for alternatives. A broken window in the corner looked narrow but feasible.
"The window," Li Wei whispered, nodding toward it. "Can you squeeze through?"
Chen Yu nodded, though his eyes betrayed his fear. Li Wei realized that if a fight broke out, Chen Yu would be the first to flee. Outside, Van Zi's voice became more distinct:
"He's around here," Van Zi said coldly. "Liu Feng, you failed at the barracks. Fail again, and you'll regret it."
"Yes, Senior Brother Van," Liu Feng stammered, clearly terrified. "We'll search the warehouse."
Li Wei's pulse quickened. The door to the warehouse was just a few meters away, and if Van Zi entered, it was over. He gestured for Chen Yu to move toward the window. Chen Yu started crawling, trying not to make noise. Li Wei followed, keeping the "Dancing Leaf" technique at the ready.
Just as they reached the window, a board under Chen Yu's foot creaked. Li Wei froze, his heart sinking. Outside, the voices stopped, and Van Zi said:
"Inside. Surround the warehouse."
Li Wei cursed silently. Chen Yu turned pale, but Li Wei shoved him toward the window.
"Go, quick!" he hissed. Chen Yu squeezed through the narrow opening, and Li Wei followed, feeling the wood scrape his skin. They tumbled into the grass outside, and Li Wei activated "Wind Step," grabbing Chen Yu's arm and sprinting toward the nearest thicket.