The streets of Yunhe were quiet as night fell, but Mei Lin and Li Sheng knew better than to let their guard down. The man following them had disappeared, but that didn't mean they were safe. If anything, it meant he was planning his next move.
They reached the outskirts of the city and found an old, abandoned courtyard to rest in for the night. The cracked stone walls were covered in vines, and the sound of crickets filled the air. Li Sheng quickly checked the perimeter while Mei Lin unrolled a thin blanket and studied the map by the dim light of a lantern.
"The Celestial Vault is deep in the northern mountains," she muttered. "But the path isn't direct. We'll have to pass through a valley marked as Ghost Gorge."
Li Sheng returned, his expression grim. "I've heard of it. A place where travelers disappear without a trace."
Mei Lin exhaled. "Sounds exactly like the kind of place the Order of the Shadowed Hand would use as a trap."
Li Sheng nodded, sitting beside her. "We'll need to be careful."
The warmth of his presence reassured Mei Lin. She was still getting used to relying on someone, but with Li Sheng at her side, the weight on her shoulders didn't seem so heavy.
She was about to say something when a sharp noise cut through the air. A twig snapping.
Li Sheng moved instantly, pulling Mei Lin behind him as he unsheathed his sword. The courtyard gate creaked open, and a figure stepped inside, moving like a shadow.
"You're faster than I expected," the man said, his voice smooth yet dangerous. His dark robe blended with the night, and a curved dagger glinted in his hand. "But it won't save you."
Mei Lin's blood ran cold. The assassin had found them.
Without hesitation, Li Sheng struck first. His sword flashed in the moonlight as he lunged, but the assassin dodged effortlessly, his movements fluid and precise. Mei Lin barely had time to react before the man was upon them, his dagger slicing through the air.
She ducked, rolling away as Li Sheng blocked the next attack. Sparks flew as their blades clashed, the sound echoing through the courtyard. The assassin was skilled—too skilled for an ordinary mercenary.
Mei Lin's heart pounded. She couldn't just stand there.
Reaching into her pouch, she pulled out a small vial. It was a mixture she had prepared long ago—a blend of crushed firethorn leaves and powdered jade root. When thrown into the air, it created a temporary blindness.
Timing it perfectly, she flung the powder at the assassin's face. The fine dust exploded between them, and the man stumbled back, coughing as he clawed at his burning eyes.
"Now!" Mei Lin shouted.
Li Sheng didn't hesitate. With one swift motion, he struck the assassin's dagger aside and delivered a powerful kick to his chest, sending him crashing into a pile of broken stone.
Mei Lin rushed to Li Sheng's side as he leveled his sword at the fallen man's throat. "Who sent you?" he demanded.
The assassin let out a low chuckle. "You already know."
Mei Lin's grip tightened on her sleeve. The Order of the Shadowed Hand.
The assassin coughed, then smirked. "You think this is over? You're already too late."
Mei Lin's breath hitched. "What do you mean?"
The man didn't answer. Instead, he bit down on something—a hidden poison capsule. Within seconds, his body went limp.
Li Sheng cursed, lowering his sword. "A fanatic."
Mei Lin clenched her fists. If the Order had already sent assassins after them, it meant they were closer to the Celestial Vault than she had thought. And if they didn't hurry, the secrets buried there would fall into the wrong hands.
She turned to Li Sheng, her eyes burning with determination. "We ride at dawn."
Because now, it wasn't just about survival—it was about winning the race.