Wandering Swordsman |

At the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), apart from the patrolling disciples on night watch, everything within the Jingtian Pavilion was immersed in the tranquility of the night. Moonlight, like water, bathed the entire Changbai Mountain peak, draping the Jingtian Pavilion in a mysterious silver veil. However, hidden within this seemingly peaceful night, an undercurrent of events was about to unfold.

At this moment, two figures dressed in black moved silently through the quiet residential area in the dead of night. Their movements were swift and cautious, blending seamlessly into the darkness and their surroundings. Judging from their actions, they were very familiar with the layout of the residential area. They skillfully bypassed obstacle after obstacle, avoiding the gazes of all the disciples patrolling at night, and finally arrived at a building not far from the residential area.

In front of the building, a disciple on night watch held a long sword, vigilantly observing his surroundings. He wore the uniform of the Jingtian Pavilion disciples, with a long sword hanging at his waist, his eyes sharp, as if ready to deal with any possible unexpected events at any moment.

The two men in black immediately found a secluded spot nearby and hid, their eyes gleaming with cunning in the dim night.

Hidden in their hiding place, the two men glanced at the sign above the building's entrance that read "Kitchen," exchanged a look, and nodded. They already had a plan in mind. Suddenly, one of the men in black took out a small pebble, flicked it lightly, and the pebble streaked across the night sky like a shooting star, landing precisely at the entrance of the "Kitchen." This sudden sound immediately caught the attention of the night watchman. He whirled around, his eyes fixed on the direction the pebble had landed, a sense of unease creeping into his heart.

Just as the disciple's attention was drawn to the pebble, another man in black transformed into a shadow, flashing past him with lightning speed. His movements were as swift as lightning, disappearing into the night in the blink of an eye. The night watchman, startled, immediately realized something was amiss and quickly drew his sword to give chase.

"Who goes there!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the silent night, but only distant echoes answered him. He gave chase, following the trail left by the shadowy figure, completely ignoring the 'kitchen' behind him.

Seeing that the diversionary tactic had worked, the other man in black was secretly pleased with himself. He quickly darted out from his hiding place and slipped into the "kitchen" under the cover of an empty doorway. His movements were light and swift, like a cat at night, without making a sound.

Upon entering the kitchen, the man in black quickly scanned his surroundings, only relaxing after confirming no one else was around. His eyes, sharpened by the dim light, noticed every detail. Inside, various cooking utensils and ingredients were neatly arranged on the counter. The fire on the stove had been extinguished for some time, yet a faint aroma of food still lingered in the air, creating a sense of inexplicable tranquility. This serenity contrasted sharply with the tense atmosphere outside, making it seem like a secluded little world.

The man in black quickly moved to the corner, not for any other reason than because there were several large water vats there.

Arriving at the water vats, he pulled out a packet of transparent powder from his pocket. The powder was almost invisible in the moonlight, making it even more mysterious. The man in black lifted the lids of each vat one by one, carefully checking the water inside. After confirming that the water had not frozen, he poured the packet of colorless and odorless transparent powder into each vat.

The powder dissolved rapidly in the water, leaving no trace. The man in black moved with practiced ease, each step meticulously calculated to ensure no clues were left behind. After pouring out the powder, he quickly slammed the lid back on the water tank, then carefully inspected the scene to ensure everything was restored to its original state. His movements were light and swift, like a cat at night, making not a sound.

After confirming everything was in order, the man in black quickly left the kitchen and disappeared into the night. His figure gradually blurred in the darkness, eventually merging completely into the night, as if he had never been there at all.

Meanwhile, the kitchen watchman who had been chasing the shadowy figure stopped panting at a corner. He looked around, trying to find traces of the shadowy figure, but all was silent except for the rustling of leaves in the breeze. Suddenly, his gaze was drawn to a fleeing rat. The rat scurried quickly in the moonlight, its tail casting a long, thin shadow, looking remarkably similar to the shadowy figure from before.

"It was just a rat." The night watchman breathed a sigh of relief, the tension in his heart instantly dissipating. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, secretly glad that his efforts had not been in vain, and then decided to return to the kitchen door to continue his night watch.

The night watchman turned and returned to the kitchen entrance, resuming his position, his longsword still gripped tightly, a hint of vigilance in his eyes. He glanced around, confirming everything was alright before relaxing slightly. Although the experience had left him somewhat shaken, he quickly composed himself and continued to perform his duties.

The night remained deep, and everything around the 'Kitchen' seemed to have returned to the silence of the night. But beneath this silence, a conspiracy was quietly brewing.

......

The following morning, after breakfast, everyone gathered in the central square, ready to watch the final round of this grand martial arts tournament to determine the rankings. A tense yet exciting atmosphere filled the air, and everyone's face was etched with anticipation.

Today is different from usual. Thanks to the meticulous decorations made by the disciples of Jingtian Pavilion last night, a red carpet has been laid out on the training platform, its color particularly vibrant in the morning light. Red decorative ribbons hang around the platform, swaying gently in the breeze, as if welcoming every guest. These decorations not only add to the festive atmosphere but also make the entire central square appear more solemn and lively.

The crowd gradually gathered, and the noise rose and fell. Martial arts masters from all walks of life, disciples of prestigious sects, and spectators from all directions took up advantageous positions. Some stood in the front row, while others stood on higher ground, everyone hoping to get a better view of the exciting duel that was about to begin.

Before long, the time came for the referee to announce the start of the competition. Following the usual practice of the past few days, a disciple of Jingtian Pavilion, acting as the referee, would ascend the training platform to announce the start of the competition. However, just as everyone was eagerly anticipating the start, an unexpected scene unfolded—Situ Dengfeng himself used his lightness skill to fly to the center of the training platform. His figure drew a graceful arc in the air, landing lightly on the platform, as if walking on water, a breathtaking sight.