The Black Cat Night Wraith

The night was dark as ink, with a clear moon hanging high overhead. Campfires burned through branches in the camp, crackling now and then.

The warriors on watch pulled their padded coats tight and gripped their spears, their breath turning to white mist in the cold. Inside the barracks, everyone slept soundly after a tiring day. Even Braised Pork was curled up by Rin's feet, snoring.

Suddenly, an Awakened on guard at the edge of the camp snapped his eyes open.

He heard nothing, but sensed the faintest stir in the air. He was about to raise the alarm when the scene around him changed.

To the Awakened, thick black fog surrounded him. It was like a sponge and a liquid at once. In an instant, it burrowed into his mouth and nose and wrapped around his limbs. It felt as though his senses had been smothered and his limbs bound. He could neither speak nor move.

In reality, there was nothing around the Awakened. He had simply collapsed to the ground, his body rigid and the whites of his eyes showing. He had clearly fallen under a Genjutsu.

Only then did the shadow step out from behind a tree. It approached the Awakened, bared claws sharp as blades, and moved to slash his throat.

At that critical moment, a green longsword flew in with a whoosh and stopped in front of the Awakened.

The shadow immediately darted back and stared warily toward the barracks. An exceptionally handsome boy was walking over with his hands behind his back.

Instinct told the shadow that danger was closing in. It spun around and fled into the mountains.

Lu Zeming merely pointed. The Green Vine Sword sliced through the air and appeared in front of the shadow. Before it could react, the sword