Chapter 21: The Mysterious Masked Man?

"What are you two doing here so late?" Elder Sun Fuyou asked with a beaming smile.

Bai Jingyan felt a jolt of tension, but his expression remained calm. He quickly composed himself and explained, "Elder Sun, we heard strange noises in the woods and came to investigate."

Nanmen Chuyao stood to the side, her earlobes tinged with a faint red, appearing somewhat embarrassed by the Elder's sudden appearance. She lowered her head and echoed softly, "Yes, Elder Sun. We were just concerned about the sect’s safety."

Sun Fuyou nodded, his gaze sweeping over them. He did not seem entirely convinced, but he did not press the matter. He smiled and said, "Since it concerns the safety of the sect, I shall accompany you to take a look."

The three walked side by side through the woods. Moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting mottled shadows, and the surroundings were silent save for the rustling of the wind. Suddenly, Sun Fuyou stopped in his tracks, his gaze sharpening as he peered into the depths of the forest. "Who goes there!" he shouted.

Before the words had faded, his figure shot out like an arrow from a bow. Bai Jingyan and Nanmen Chuyao exchanged a glance and quickly followed.

Deep in the woods, they found Sun Fuyou standing beneath a large tree. A clear wound marked his left arm, and blood dripped from his sleeve onto the ground. His face was pale.

"Elder Sun, are you alright?" Bai Jingyan stepped forward quickly.

Sun Fuyou shook his head, a hint of frustration in his tone. "I am fine. It is just that the intruder was incredibly fast; I was careless and let him wound me."

Nanmen Chuyao scanned the surroundings and asked in a low voice, "Elder Sun, did you see the person's face?"

Sun Fuyou frowned and said in a grave tone, "The person wore a mask. I could not see their face. I intended to capture them, but their speed was immense; they vanished into the depths of the woods in the blink of an eye."

Bai Jingyan’s expression turned solemn. "A masked person... could it be an outside force?"

Sun Fuyou shook his head, sounding uncertain. "Hard to say. However, for someone to move so freely within the sect, they must be intimately familiar with the terrain. We must stay vigilant and ensure they have no further opportunity to infiltrate."

Nanmen Chuyao nodded, her voice filled with concern. "Elder Sun, your wound needs to be treated immediately to prevent infection."

Sun Fuyou waved his hand and laughed. "It is nothing, just a minor injury. However, do not speak of tonight's events for now, lest you cause unnecessary panic."

Bai Jingyan and Nanmen Chuyao looked at each other and replied in unison, "Yes, Elder Sun."

After leaving the woods, the two walked side by side on the path back to the sect. The night breeze brought a chill, but their hearts were filled with suspicion and unease.

***

Early the next morning, disciples were lined up on the training grounds practicing their sword forms. Bai Jingyan held his long sword, his movements steady and sharp, the sword qi within him resonating faintly with the chaotic energy in his body.

Suddenly, a commotion rippled through the crowd. He sheathed his sword and looked up to see Wu Yaoqing walking briskly toward them, accompanied by a young man in the white robes of the inner sect. The man’s features were handsome, his collar embroidered with pale gold cloud patterns, and his every gesture exuded arrogance.

"Liu Mubai?" a disciple whispered in shock. "Didn't he go into seclusion half a year ago to break through to the eighth-level Martial Master? Why would he come to the outer sect?"

Wu Yaoqing’s expression darkened as he stepped forward to block Liu Mubai. "Nephew Liu, you are currently at a critical stage of your breakthrough. What are you doing here in the outer sect?"

Liu Mubai lazily brushed off his cuffs and swept his gaze over the crowd. "Elder Wu, do not be anxious. If it weren't for my grandfather insisting on seeing this boy named Bai Jingyan, I wouldn't bother stepping foot in this wretched place."

Before the words were out, he flicked his fingertip, sending a silver light flying through the air. It pinned itself precisely three inches in front of Bai Jingyan's feet—it was a jade pendant engraved with the character "Liu."

Bai Jingyan picked up the pendant. It felt warm to the touch, and faint crimson patterns flowed within the jade. His heart skipped a beat; these patterns were identical to the totem on the Bai family jade pendant from ten thousand years ago!

"Who is your grandfather?" he asked, staring intently at Liu Mubai.

"Go and you shall see."

Liu Mubai curled his lips into a smile, then suddenly lowered his voice. "My grandfather told me to pass on a message: the trick of the civet cat replacing the crown prince might fool those fools in the Martial Marquis Kingdom, but it cannot escape the 'Heavenly Eye' of the Liu family."

When Bai Jingyan heard the words "Heavenly Eye," his pupils contracted sharply—it was one of the four great secret arts of the Taichu Empire!

Bai Jingyan followed behind Liu Mubai, his mind in turmoil. He scanned his surroundings from time to time, searching for clues. The willow-wood corridors were rustic and elegant, the courtyards were lush with flowers, and the air was filled with a faint medicinal fragrance.

*The Heavenly Eye... a secret art of the Taichu Empire from ten thousand years ago. How could it appear here?* Bai Jingyan wondered, his brow furrowed.

He had a vague premonition that Liu Mubai’s grandfather was inextricably linked to the Taichu Empire.

They passed through the corridor and arrived at a secluded courtyard. In the center, an old man stood with his back to them, clutching a bamboo staff and standing quietly beneath an ancient tree.

The old man’s back was slightly hunched, yet he exuded an unfathomable aura, as if he were one with the heavens and earth.

Liu Mubai stopped and said respectfully, "Grandfather, I have brought him."

The old man turned slowly, revealing a face full of wrinkles but eyes that were still sharp and spirited.

His eyes were as deep as an abyss, seemingly capable of seeing through everything. The moment Bai Jingyan met his gaze, he felt a sudden shock—those eyes shimmered with a strange light, as if they could pierce the human heart.

"You are Bai Jingyan?" the old man asked, his voice raspy yet full of authority.

Bai Jingyan nodded and bowed respectfully. "Junior Bai Jingyan greets the senior."

The old man smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over Bai Jingyan as if appraising him. After a moment, he said slowly, "Do you know why I have called for you?"

Bai Jingyan’s heart stirred. "This junior does not know. I ask that you enlighten me, Senior."

The old man leaned on his bamboo staff, walked slowly to a nearby stone stool, and sat down, gesturing for Bai Jingyan to do the same. Bai Jingyan sat as instructed, though he remained alert.

"Bai Jingyan, have you ever heard of the 'Heavenly Eye'?" the old man asked suddenly.

Bai Jingyan, having guessed the implication, turned to look at Liu Mubai. The old man waved a hand, signaling for Liu Mubai to withdraw.

Liu Mubai bowed and glanced at Bai Jingyan, though the arrogance in his eyes had not dimmed in the slightest.

Bai Jingyan sighed softly. "After all these years, you have truly grown so old."

"A-Fu."

Boom!

Upon hearing this, the old man trembled all over, as if he had been prepared but still found it hard to believe.

Tears welled up in those ancient eyes.

His body shook gently.

"It is you... it really is you..."

"You... is it really you?" Two lines of hot tears slid down the old man’s face.