Blade in the Night

The clamor of the Drunken Immortal Tower gradually dispersed in the cool night breeze. Carrying a slight buzz from the wine and the lingering excitement and worries from the feast, everyone headed home. Ye Yun didn't return to his lodging directly. Instead, he changed direction and walked towards the familiar Blacksmith Shop on the west side of the city.

The shop's furnace was cold, leaving only the anvil and tools silently reflecting the cold moonlight in the corner. The old blacksmith, by the light of an oil lamp, was meticulously wiping the last few finished tools with a rough cloth. Hearing footsteps, he looked up, a knowing smile appearing on his wrinkled face.

"Head Constable Ye, you've come at just the right time. The things you wanted are ready," the old blacksmith said, turning to retrieve a long, narrow object carefully wrapped in thick oilcloth from a wooden rack behind him.

He unwrapped the oilcloth layer by layer, his movements solemn. When the last layer was removed, twelve Flying Knives lay quietly on a soft velvet lining, arranged neatly.

Ye Yun's gaze was instantly captivated. The Flying Knives were about three inches long, with a simple, flowing design, devoid of any unnecessary ornamentation, yet they exuded a chilling killing intent. The blades were not the usual grayish-white of ordinary iron. Instead, after special quenching and repeated forging, they possessed a deep, dark black hue, as if absorbing the surrounding light. Only the edge, thin as a cicada's wing, reflected a condensed, extreme cold light under the dim oil lamp, so sharp it seemed to cleave the very air.

Ye Yun extended a finger, not touching the edge directly, but feeling the icy sharpness from a hair's breadth away. His fingertip felt a slight stinging sensation, an instinctive reaction to pure sharpness. He picked up one of the knives. It had a slight weight, its balance perfectly centered in the middle, allowing for effortless control whether thrown or used for close-quarters defense. His fingertip glided over the cool, smooth surface of the blade, and a long-lost sense of familiarity, as if an extension of his own limbs, arose. These were not just weapons; they were like a part of his long-dormant power, finally awakened and returned to his control.

"Excellent craftsmanship!" Ye Yun praised sincerely, his eyes flashing.

"Heh heh, I don't deserve such praise," the old blacksmith stroked his white beard, a hint of pride in his eyes. "I used the finest Cold Iron, folded and forged it nine times. For the quenching, I used an old recipe with Cold Spring Water and Beast's Heart Blood. I won't claim these knives can cut through gold and jade, but they can certainly pierce ordinary Leather Armor and tear through muscle and bone. Just be careful when using them; the edge is too sharp."

Ye Yun nodded with satisfaction and promptly paid the remaining balance. He rewrapped the oilcloth and carefully tucked the twelve dark black Flying Knives into the specially made leather sheath at his waist. The cold blades pressed against his waist through the thin clothing, bringing a solid sense of weight and a subtle aura of killing intent. With them, he felt a substantial confidence for venturing into the unknown mountain forest tomorrow.

The next morning, as dawn was just breaking, seven or eight figures had already gathered under the agreed-upon Old Locust Tree at the city gate. Besides Yan Xiao Liu and Ye Yun, there were a few constables who had been eager at yesterday's banquet. Everyone was well-prepared, their expressions a mix of anticipation for the adventure and a hint of undeniable tension.

Their equipment was quite formidable: each man had a gleaming standard-issue saber hanging at his waist, and they wore thick soft armor made from multiple layers of treated beast hide. While not as sturdy as iron armor, it was light and flexible, sufficient to resist the bites of ordinary wild beasts and the scratches of thorns and bushes. Three men carried hunting bows, their quivers filled with feathered arrows, and they also held sturdy hemp ropes and lassos, clearly prepared for dealing with large prey or for climbing. Each person carried a bulging backpack containing necessities like dry rations, water, tinder, and wound medicine.

Yan Xiao Liu, as the newly appointed captain and the only Ninth Rank martial artist, naturally stood at the center. He had changed into a more streamlined outfit, his saber at his waist, exuding an imposing presence with confidence in his gaze. Ye Yun, on the other hand, appeared much more low-key, dressed in plain dark gray cloth without any extra adornments. However, his eyes were calm, his aura contained, possessing a reassuring strength.

Just as everyone was taking roll call and preparing to depart, Zhao Si came running breathlessly from the direction of the city gate, shouting as he ran, "Wait! Wait for me!" To everyone's surprise, he was followed by two unfamiliar middle-aged men.

The appearance of these two immediately drew everyone's attention. They were dressed plainly, like common merchants or hunters, but the fabric seemed more refined, washed clean and crisp. One was tall and thin, with a sallow complexion and prominent cheekbones. His narrow eyes were half-closed, and as his gaze swept over the group, it carried a scrutinizing quality, like a hawk surveying prey on the ground. The other was short and stout, taciturn, with little expression on his face. However, the muscles on his exposed neck and forearms were coiled and powerful, radiating explosive strength.

"Zhao Si, who are these two?" Yan Xiao Liu asked, frowning slightly in confusion. The others also cast curious and wary glances.

Zhao Si quickly put on a smile, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "Captain Yan, everyone, please don't mind. These are Brother Li San and Brother Wang Wu. I met them when I was doing business in the prefectural capital. They are trustworthy experts who have traveled far and wide!" He paused, then pointed to the tall, thin man and the short, stout man. "They've come to our area this time to search for a rare herb called 'Crimson Star Grass' deep in the Sunset Mountains. It's said to grow only in specific treacherous locations. Hearing that we are also going into the mountains, they wanted to join us for mutual support."

Seeing the lingering doubt on everyone's faces, he quickly added, "Don't worry! My brothers said that all the spoils from the mountains, whether it's hunted game or other medicinal herbs collected, will be divided equally among us! They only want the 'Crimson Star Grass'. If they can't find it, they won't complain. They just want to travel together and make friends! Besides, my brothers' skills are second to none!"

Ye Yun's gaze swept over the two men discreetly. The tall, thin man (Li San) had a long, steady breath and sharp eyes. A subtle, cold, and contained energy flowed within him, revealing him to be at the peak of the Ninth Rank! As for the short, stout Wang Wu, his aura was even more robust and heavy. Standing there like a solid rock, an invisible pressure emanated from him, far exceeding Yan Xiao Liu's – this was actually a martial artist who had just entered the 8th Rank!

A faint, sinister aura, like that of a venomous snake, emanated from the two men, making Ye Yun instinctively feel a sense of unease. There was a faint, indescribable killing intent about them, certainly not something common merchants or hunters possessed. However, Ye Yun's mind raced. He was already at the 8th Rank, and not an ordinary 8th Rank. Even if these two had ulterior motives, he was confident he could handle the situation. This confidence brought by his strength made him temporarily set aside his doubts.

Yan Xiao Liu also carefully observed the two men. Having just entered the Ninth Rank, his perception was not as keen as Ye Yun's. He only felt that their auras were steady and their steps were strong, indeed like trained martial artists. Moreover, Zhao Si had vouched for them and proposed such "generous" terms – all spoils to their side, while they only wanted one herb they might not even find. It seemed like their side was getting the better deal. Being naturally straightforward and in urgent need of resources, he nodded. "Since they are Brother Zhao Si's friends and have shown such sincerity, then let's go together! We'll look out for each other in the mountains!"

"Thank you, Captain Yan!" Li San clasped his hands, his voice somewhat hoarse, forcing a slightly stiff smile. Wang Wu merely grunted in response, as if acknowledging the greeting.