C30 - The First Mission
The storm arrived before dawn.
Dark clouds gathered over Azure Cloud Mountain, and rain swept across the stone courtyards in relentless waves. The disciples trained as usual, their wooden swords cutting through the cold air while water streamed from their sleeves.
No one was excused.
"The martial path," Zhao Feng said, pacing before the soaked disciples, "does not wait for clear skies."
Ye Chen tightened his grip on the wooden sword.
His muscles were tired, but his movements remained steady.
Months of discipline had transformed hardship into habit.
---
After the morning training, a bronze bell rang three short times.
Every disciple stopped what they were doing.
Zhao Feng's expression became serious.
"Outer disciples."
"Gather in the Hall of Assignments."
The twenty-nine probationary disciples exchanged curious glances before hurrying toward a large stone building near the eastern cliffs.
Inside, dozens of wooden plaques hung from an enormous wall.
Each plaque contained a mission.
Gather medicinal herbs.
Escort merchants.
Patrol mountain roads.
Investigate missing hunters.
The rewards were written beneath each task.
Spirit Stones.
Contribution Points.
Medicine.
Weapons.
Ye Chen quietly studied the wall.
This was the first time he realized that cultivation required resources.
Strength alone was never enough.
---
An elderly deacon stepped onto the platform.
"Outer disciples must contribute to the sect."
"You will begin with simple assignments."
He pointed toward several wooden plaques.
"These missions are completed in teams."
"Remember."
"Returning alive is more important than completing the task."
Some disciples looked surprised.
Others nodded seriously.
---
Teams were quickly formed.
Ye Chen found himself standing beside Lu Jian, Su Wan, and another disciple named Qin Hu.
Qin Hu was tall and broad-shouldered, speaking little but observing everything.
The deacon handed them a wooden plaque.
Mission: Gather Moon Dew Grass from Mist Valley.
Danger Level: Low.
Reward: Ten Contribution Points per disciple.
Zhao Feng looked at the four of them.
"I'll accompany you only until the valley entrance."
"Inside..."
He paused.
"...your decisions are your own."
---
Mist Valley lay two hours from Azure Cloud Mountain.
The forest was peaceful.
Birdsong echoed between ancient trees, while a cool breeze carried the scent of damp earth.
Lu Jian stretched comfortably.
"I expected something more dangerous."
Qin Hu nodded.
"This feels like a walk."
Ye Chen remained silent.
The physician's lessons returned to him.
The moment you believe danger has disappeared...
You have stopped looking for it.
---
At the entrance to the valley, Zhao Feng stopped.
"This is where I leave."
He looked at each disciple.
"If something unexpected happens..."
He smiled faintly.
"...don't try to become heroes."
Then he disappeared back toward the mountain.
---
The valley was beautiful.
White mist drifted between towering cliffs, and delicate blue flowers bloomed beside crystal-clear streams.
Su Wan smiled.
"So this is Moon Dew Grass."
She carefully knelt beside a cluster of silver-blue plants.
"Only harvest the mature ones."
The four disciples spread out, each remaining within sight of the others.
For nearly an hour, everything proceeded smoothly.
Then...
Ye Chen froze.
A faint smell drifted through the mist.
Blood.
Fresh.
He immediately raised his hand.
"Stop."
The others looked toward him.
"What is it?" Lu Jian asked.
Ye Chen pointed toward the wind.
"Blood."
Qin Hu frowned.
"I don't smell anything."
"It's faint."
Ye Chen slowly walked forward.
Every step became cautious.
A few dozen meters later...
They found the source.
A dead mountain deer lay beneath a tree.
Its throat had been cleanly torn open.
Yet almost none of its flesh had been eaten.
Su Wan turned pale.
"What animal does this?"
Ye Chen crouched beside the body.
The wounds were too precise.
Too deliberate.
Suddenly...
He noticed something carved into the tree above the carcass.
Three deep claw marks.
Perfectly parallel.
His heartbeat quickened.
The physician had once shown him identical marks.
Not made by claws.
Made by steel.
Someone had deliberately disguised them.
"We leave."
His voice was calm.
Now.
Lu Jian looked confused.
"But the mission—"
"We leave."
This time, his tone allowed no argument.
At that very moment...
A pebble rolled down the nearby slope.
None of them had touched it.
Ye Chen slowly looked upward.
The mist shifted.
For the briefest instant...
He saw the outline of a human figure standing among the trees.
Watching them.
Then it disappeared.
"Run."
The four disciples turned and sprinted toward the valley entrance.
Behind them...
The forest became silent.
Too silent.
Not a single bird sang.
Not a single insect chirped.
Only the sound of four racing heartbeats echoed through the mist.
High above, hidden among the branches, a man dressed in black lowered the bow in his hands.
He watched the four young disciples disappear into the distance.
A cold smile crossed his face.
"So..."
he whispered.
"The boy noticed."
He glanced toward the abandoned deer.
"Sharper senses than expected."
The assassin reached into his robe and withdrew a small jade token engraved with the head of a black wolf.
Without hesitation, he crushed it.
Miles away, inside the Black Wolf Fortress, the black-robed leader slowly opened his eyes.
"Our prey..."
he said softly,
"...has begun to notice the hunters."
He rose from his seat.
"Excellent."
"The next move..."
His gaze turned toward Azure Cloud Mountain.
"...will be mine."