Blood Bat

The two of them urged their horses onward and finally reached the town before sunset.

After a simple night's rest, Resak spread out the map over breakfast the next morning and confirmed the route once more.

"Today, we enter the mountains. Following this trail worn down by hunters, we should reach the outskirts of Grey Stone Town in about half a day.

Grey Stone Town isn't large, but it serves as a supply point for those entering and leaving the mountains, so it has a fair amount of activity.

Blood Bat's last confirmed trace was near an abandoned mine five li east of town.

Once we get there, don't rush into town. We'll scout the surrounding area first, especially that mine."

Yan studied the map carefully, committing the route and several key locations to memory. "Do we have people from Spirit Hall in town?"

"There's one Soul Elder on duty, along with two Soul Grandmaster deacons. Their main task is maintaining basic order and passing along information.

They know Fallen Soul Masters have been active in the area recently and have strengthened their vigilance, but there's no way they can capture Blood Bat on their own." Resak tore off a piece of bread and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Our actions need to remain secret. It's best not to rely on them too heavily, in case word gets out." Resak's meaning was clear. In border regions, Spirit Hall's control was far from all-encompassing.

After breakfast, the sky outside gradually brightened. The two quickly packed up, left the small town, and entered the vast mountain forest on foot.

The mountain paths were rugged, and towering trees filled the forest. Their dense canopies blocked most of the sunlight, leaving the woods dim as the air carried the scent of rotting leaves and damp soil.

Resak was clearly experienced in mountain travel, his steps steady as Yan followed silently behind him.

They encountered several low-level soul beasts with ten- and hundred-year cultivation along the way. Sensing the dangerous aura radiating from the two men, they all avoided them early.

Near noon, they crossed a mountain ridge, and a scattering of buildings came into view in the valley ahead.

Most had been built from gray-black Mu Jin, bearing the marks of years of wind and rain.

They had reached Grey Stone Town.

The town lay in a valley between two mountains, with only a single main street running through its rows of low houses.

It was lunchtime, yet little cooking smoke could be seen. There were few pedestrians on the streets, and those who did pass hurried along with worry on their faces. An oppressive, uneasy atmosphere hung over the entire town.

Resak and Yan did not enter Grey Stone Town. Instead, they circled around to its eastern side.

"Look over there."

Within a dense patch of shrubs, Resak pointed toward a pile of rocks formed by a collapsed section of mountain. A pitch-black cave entrance could vaguely be seen.

"That's the abandoned mine. According to our intelligence, Blood Bat's last remaining Soul Power fluctuations were detected near that entrance.

He likely used it as a temporary nest, or at the very least, a place he frequented."

Though the mine entrance appeared deserted, Resak led Yan into a concealed patch of woodland outside it, where a squad of Spirit Hall soul masters lay in ambush.

The other side was highly alert, but after Resak presented a higher-ranking token, the Soul Ancestor captain at their head visibly relaxed and gave his report in a lowered voice.

"Lord Resak, we've been watching this place for three days. We carefully searched inside and outside the entrance, but found no fresh traces of anyone entering or leaving recently.

We also sent people deep into the mine. There was only some old living refuse and bloodstains that had long since dried. Judging by the traces, they were at least half a month old.

The scent had also been deliberately covered up and was very faint. Blood Bat most likely moved on long ago."

Resak frowned deeply. "Didn't the latest intelligence say...?"

"The latest intelligence is here." The Soul Ancestor captain handed over a note treated with a special solution, its writing tiny.

"It arrived just two days ago. In Kexola City, northeast of Grey Stone Town and near the Star Luo Empire border, signs of suspected Blood Bat activity were discovered.

Someone bought a large amount of blood food and medicines that conceal one's aura on the black market. The description matched him closely.

It's a border trade city with all sorts of people mixed together. It would be easy for him to disappear there."

Kexola City? Yan pulled up the map in his mind.

It was a border trade city at the junction of the Balak Kingdom and the Star Luo Empire, known for its chaos and gray-market dealings.

Forces from every side were deeply entrenched there. It was indeed a good place to hide and convenient for obtaining supplies.

Resak took Yan through the mine to investigate, and it was indeed as the Soul Ancestor captain had said. The traces of habitation dated back at least half a month.

"Looks like Blood Bat moves quickly. We can't waste any more time."

After coming out, Resak said to Yan, "Kexola City is complicated. We need to get there immediately, find him before he gains a firm foothold, and then kill him."

Resak then instructed the soul master squad to remain here and continue watching the area, in case Blood Bat doubled back.

He himself turned with Yan and raced northeast toward Kexola City.

Along the way, Resak briefly introduced the situation in Kexola City. "That place has no clear ruler. Several major merchant guilds and underground forces control it together.

It belongs to Balak in name, but Star Luo's influence there is also considerable. Spirit Hall has a branch there, though its strength is limited.

Once we arrive, be careful in every respect. We'll go to the branch first, learn the latest information, then decide our next move."

By evening, the dust-covered pair arrived in Kexola City.

Unlike the oppressive stillness of Grey Stone Town, Kexola City remained noisy even as darkness approached.

Mu Jin buildings of mixed styles stood everywhere. The streets were broad, but the ground was filthy, and the air was thick with a complicated blend of spices, livestock, cheap alcohol, and unknown excrement.

All kinds of people flowed endlessly through the streets: merchants in luxurious fur coats, armed mercenaries, and shifty-eyed figures weaving swiftly through the crowd.

Only a few lazy guards stood at the city gate, barely inspecting the people passing in and out.

The Martial Soul Hall Branch stood in the relatively quiet western district of the city, an inconspicuous three-story gray Mu Jin building.

After presenting their token, the two were led into the rear hall. The branch's overseer was a lean Soul King in his fifties named Huo En.

"Lord Resak, you arrived at just the right time." Huo En skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point, exhaustion and gravity written across his face.

"The intelligence concerning Blood Bat Morris was provided by one of our informants embedded in the black market.

Yesterday evening, someone bought enough medicinal materials for half a month's worth of healing remedies from an apothecary in Viper Alley. The quantity was substantial, and he paid in Gold Soul Coins rather than the bartered goods commonly used here.

The buyer wore a cloak, but the hand he revealed was pale and slender, and there was a faint smell of blood about him.

Our informant followed him for a while and saw him enter an abandoned warehouse in the dock district. He never came back out.

According to my informant, he caught an accidental glimpse of the face beneath the cloak. It was Blood Bat Morris, the wanted man."