The night wind brushed over the mountain path. Chen Wuya's steps slowed slightly, and his fingertips lightly touched the black jade at his waist. The jade still carried a trace of chill, like an iron tool freshly hauled from a deep well. He said nothing, merely hitched his pack higher and continued onward.
Bai Zhi followed close behind, her gaze sweeping over the fork ahead. Two narrow paths split north and south. The southern path was thick with trees, its stone steps swallowed by grass, clearly seldom traveled; shallow wheel ruts marked the northern path, likely used often by merchants and travelers.
"Take the south path," Chen Wuya said quietly. "Only places with few people can keep secrets hidden."
Bai Zhi nodded without slowing. They had taken fewer than ten steps onto the southern path when a rough laugh rang out from behind distant rocks. "Brother Chen, in such a hurry to leave? You don't even recognize an old friend?"
Before the words had faded, a man leaped down from above, his landing sending shattered stones flying. He was a towering figure draped in a red cloak, an iron spear planted in the ground, its tip sunk half an inch into the earth. Four or five burly men in fitted martial attire followed behind him, all wearing sheathed sabers and watching warily.
Chen Wuya stopped and turned slightly sideways, leaving half a step of room for Bai Zhi. Once he recognized the man's face, the corner of his mouth twitched, though there was no smile in it. "Alliance Leader Han personally blocking the road—are you inviting us for a drink, or escorting us back to the stronghold?"
Han Tianba grinned and patted the shaft of his spear. "Why make it sound so ugly between you and me?" He took two