After they had walked about a hundred paces, the blue light in the northern woods suddenly went out all at once, and the forest sank back into darkness.
Dantai Ming stopped and raised a hand, signaling the group to halt. He stared into the woods for a long time. There was no sound from within—no footsteps, no voices, not even breathing.
"Spread out. Surround the woods."
Twenty Cultivators fanned out and approached the woods from three directions. As they neared the edge, Dantai Ming smelled something scorched, along with a strange odor, like burning bone.
They entered the woods, but there was nothing inside. There were some burned marks on the ground, and the ashes were still hot, but whoever had lit the fire was already gone.
Dantai Ming crouched, dabbed a little ash with his finger, and held it beneath his nose to sniff.
"Phosphorus powder."
Dantai Ming stood, left the woods, and headed back toward the camp. When he returned, Dantai Lie was standing at the camp entrance waiting for him.
"There was nothing in the woods. Only burned phosphorus powder."
Dantai Lie's expression turned even uglier.
"The Zhao Family used phosphorus fire to frighten us."
"The phosphorus fire drifted into the camp. The brothers are uneasy. I heard people discussing the six men who died during the day."
Dantai Lie was silent for a long time.
"Tighten the watch. No one is allowed to sleep tonight. We set out at daybreak. Once we reach Luofeng City, things will be fine."
Dantai Ming nodded and turned to make the arrangements, but the order to strengthen the guard came too late. By the time the blue sparks drifted into the camp, the hearts of the men inside had already begun to unravel.
Dantai Lie stood at the entrance of