Something’s Wrong

Fifteen days of Hao Nhien’s absence had not slowed Hoa Van down.

By the time he and Tieu Lan returned, the eastern wall had been extended by another long section, two new rows of wooden houses had replaced most of the old tent district, and the temporary warehouse behind Hoa Van Treasure Pavilion had been expanded ahead of schedule to accommodate the growing volume of incoming goods.

The first household registry had also been completed. New arrivals at Hoa Van no longer simply gave their names and found somewhere to pitch a tent. Their place of origin, tribe, cultivation level, occupation, guarantor, and assigned residential district were all recorded in proper files.

Three days after Hao Nhien returned, Quan Khai handed him a consolidated jade slip.

Hao Nhien read it from beginning to end. He changed only two points: who had the authority to reallocate water during an emergency, and how large an area the guard force could seal off on its own before a council could be convened. Everything else remained unchanged.

He set the jade slip down and looked at Quan Khai.

“Elder worked faster than I expected.”

Quan Khai stroked his beard and shook his head.

“It is not that this old man worked quickly. What you built before was already usable. It simply needed someone to make all the pieces stand in line.”

Hao Nhien laughed.

That single sentence was enough for him to understand what his fifteen days away had accomplished.

Over the following days, he did not immediately enter secluded cultivation. Instead, he spent time inspecting Hoa Van while allowing the insights he had gained in Black Wind Valley to gradually settle.

One Sword, Sword Slash, the Body-Soul Fist Art, and his coordination with Spirit Wings had all taken new steps forward. Forcing himself further immediately might not produce better results.

That night, Hao Nhien and Tieu Lan sat inside the central tent with a large map spread across the entire table.

Hoa Van, Tam Thanh, Cat Loi City, the surrounding oases, and the newly opened merchant routes were marked with different lines of ink.

Tieu Lan pointed to a route in the north.

“If the caravans circle around this way, they can avoid the region where Sa Lang frequently appear.”

Hao Nhien studied it for a while before shaking his head.

“But they would have to pass two oases whose controlling powers we have not identified. Until scouts confirm the situation, we cannot send caravans through there.”

Tieu Lan had just nodded when the communication token beside the map suddenly lit up.

It was not an ordinary signal.

Three consecutive flashes of red.

Hao Nhien immediately straightened.

This was the emergency signal from the Tam Thanh route.

He sent spiritual power into the token, and a line of text quickly appeared.

Urgent military report from Cat Loi City. An unidentified force has appeared along the western routes and has begun blocking water access and the roads leading in and out. Cat Thanh requests that Hoa Van prepare to provide support.

Hao Nhien’s expression immediately darkened.

Tieu Lan had already read the message as well.

“Cat Loi City?”

“Mm.”

Hao Nhien was about to send a message requesting further details when hurried footsteps sounded outside.

“Clan Chief!”

“Someone from Cat Loi City has arrived!”

Hao Nhien turned toward the entrance.

“Let him in.”

A patrol warrior hurried inside and cupped his hands.

“The man identifies himself as Cat Luc and carries Cat Thanh’s token. He says Cat Thanh already sent the military report through the transmission station, but some details were not suitable to send completely through the formation.”

Hao Nhien immediately remembered the name.

Back when he, Lanh Hoa, and Luu Thanh had fought the Sa Ho King, they had rescued two young men from the Cat Loi Tribe.

One of them had been Cat Luc.

“Bring him here. Have the alchemy hall prepare medicine for injuries as well.”

“Yes, Clan Chief.”

The warrior had barely left when Tieu Lan said quietly:

“They already have a transmission station, yet they still sent someone all the way to Hoa Van. The situation there cannot be simple.”

Hao Nhien looked back at the map.

“Either there are too many details to safely transmit through the formation, or Cat Thanh does not trust the transmission route completely.”

Cat Luc was brought in not long afterward.

Compared with the strong young man Hao Nhien remembered, he now looked almost like a different person. His hair was disheveled, his robes were torn in several places, his left arm was wrapped in cloth, and his face was pale from exhaustion. His eyes were bloodshot from several days without proper rest.

Even so, the moment he saw Hao Nhien, he immediately cupped his hands.

“Cat Luc greets Clan Chief Hao.”

Hao Nhien stepped forward.

“Sit. I have already received the military report. You came because there are things that could not be sent through the formation?”

Cat Luc nodded firmly.

“Yes.”

Hao Nhien signaled for the entrance to be closed, and a sound-isolation formation quickly activated around the tent.

“Start from the first sign you discovered.”

Cat Luc took a deep breath.

“Seven days ago, the western scouting team discovered more than ten strangers. They carried no banners, wore no tribal clothing, and did not travel along the trade routes. They were almost completely inactive during the day and moved only after nightfall.”

Hao Nhien asked:

“Cultivation?”

“At least three were Foundation Establishment cultivators, but the scouts did not dare get too close.”

“And after that?”

“Three days ago, their numbers increased. They did not arrive as one large force. Many smaller groups approached from different directions, converged, and then began closing the outer ring around Cat Loi City. They have not attacked the city directly. Instead, they blocked secondary water routes, captured several herders, and began watching everyone entering or leaving.”

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“How many have been confirmed?”

“More than two hundred, but the City Lord believes the actual number may be twice that.”

“Have you fought them yet?”

“No. The City Lord did not want to alert them before confirming their purpose.”

Hao Nhien remained silent for several breaths before asking:

“Then why did he still send you?”

Cat Luc looked at him.

“For three reasons. Some of the enemy positions were not suitable to transmit in full through the formation. The City Lord is concerned that the communication route might be monitored or intercepted. And…”

He reached inside his clothes and took out a small piece of black stone.

A jagged lightning mark had been carved into its surface. It was Cat Thanh’s personal token.

Three deep cuts had been carved into the back.

Hao Nhien took it, his gaze darkening slightly.

According to the agreement between them, one cut meant warning, two meant a request for aid, and three were to be used only when Cat Thanh believed there was a genuine risk of the city being destroyed.

“The City Lord wanted your people to see the token directly rather than hear about it only through a transmission.”

Hao Nhien set the stone on the table.

“What route did you take?”

Cat Luc stepped over to the map and pointed at a winding route to the south.

“Not the main road. Three of us left the city and split in three different directions. I took this route.”

Hao Nhien looked up.

“And the other two?”

Cat Luc fell silent.

No one pressed him.

Hao Nhien moved to another question.

“Who did you encounter on the way?”

“A man in gray pursued me for almost half a day.”

“Cultivation?”

“Probably Foundation Establishment. His cultivation method was strange. His aura almost blended into the sand. I had to jump into a fissure and circle around for more than half a day before I finally shook him off.”

Hao Nhien pointed at the map.

“Where is the blockade concentrated?”

“The west and southwest, especially the road to Cat Nguyet Lake. There is still an apparent opening in the east, but watchers have already appeared there.”

Hao Nhien studied the three locations for a long time.

The water route, escape routes, and routes for requesting aid were all gradually being constricted.

The enemy did not resemble a group that had come simply to plunder. They were tightening the outer ring, either preparing to besiege the city or trying to force those inside to leave their defensive positions.

He continued:

“What groups approached Cat Loi City during the last half month?”

Cat Luc listed them one by one.

“A merchant caravan from the south came to trade beast hides, two groups of independent cultivators passed through, members of the Cat Diep Tribe came to buy salt, a group from the Sa Moc Tribe came to exchange for water and food, and there was also a small group from Tam Thanh.”

“Did the Sa Moc Tribe enter the city?”

“No. The City Lord allowed them to trade only outside.”

“How long ago?”

“More than half a month.”

Hao Nhien committed the timing to memory but did not ask further.

There was still too little information to draw a conclusion.

The only thing he could determine with certainty was that Cat Loi City was being deliberately isolated by an organized force.

Hao Nhien turned toward the entrance.

“Someone come in.”

A guard immediately entered.

“Call Luu Thanh. Invite Quan Khai, Hoa Duong, and the people responsible for the defenses in all four directions as well.”

“Yes, Clan Chief.”

Cat Luc looked at him.

“Clan Chief…”

Hao Nhien placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Hoa Van will not abandon Cat Loi City. But before I send troops there, I need to know exactly who we are facing. Rest for a while, then tell us everything again, including anything you think is unimportant.”

Cat Luc clenched his jaw and nodded.

“I understand.”

Tieu Lan took out a Life-Vitality Pill and handed it to him.

“Take this first. Your injuries are not too severe, but your spiritual power is nearly exhausted. If you keep forcing yourself, it may damage your meridians.”

Cat Luc accepted it without refusing.

Before long, Luu Thanh, Quan Khai, Hoa Duong, and the two officers responsible for the settlement’s defenses arrived one after another.

Hao Nhien did not waste time and immediately explained the situation.

“More than two hundred people have already been confirmed, and the actual number may be considerably higher. The enemy is cutting off water access and narrowing the routes leading away from Cat Loi City.”

Hoa Duong asked:

“How many men do we send?”

“One hundred, but they are not leaving Hoa Van yet.”

Hoa Duong paused slightly.

Hao Nhien pointed at the map.

“Choose people with combat experience in the Western Wastes. Prioritize the spirit beast hunting teams and warriors who participated in the major battles before. Prepare water, healing medicine, ten days of dry rations, and communication talismans. No heavy supplies. Once preparations are complete, the entire force waits for orders.”

He paused before making the next part clear.

“Luu Thanh and I will go ahead to scout. We will not enter Cat Loi City immediately. We will approach the eastern outskirts, confirm the encirclement, and try to establish contact with Cat Thanh. The reinforcements will depart only after we have reliable information.”

Hoa Duong immediately understood.

“Understood.”

Quan Khai asked:

“You suspect this may be bait?”

“It is possible. Hoa Van has developed too quickly. The pills, merchant caravans, medicinal institute, and alliance routes are no longer hidden. If Heavenly Eye is behind this, they cannot be unaware of any of it.”

Hao Nhien looked around the table.

“Cat Loi City may be the true target, but it could also be a way to draw Hoa Van’s strength away from the center.”

Quan Khai immediately responded:

“This old man will keep the entire reserve force here. The pill stores, water sources, central formation, and transmission station will all move to heightened alert. No additional personnel will leave without your confirmation.”

Hao Nhien nodded.

“Exactly.”

He turned toward the officer responsible for defense.

“Send a military report to Lieu Thien Van through the Tam Thanh route. Ask him to raise their alert level and pay particular attention to strangers approaching from the east, as well as merchant caravans that suddenly alter their routes.”

“Yes, Clan Chief.”

When he looked back and saw Tieu Lan step forward, Hao Nhien shook his head.

“You stay.”

He looked directly at her.

“If this is an attempt to lure the tiger away from the mountain, Hoa Van needs someone here who understands the medical logistics. Senior Phong Van Tu manages the alchemy hall, and Tran Moc can handle the medicinal garden, but you know our reserve medicines, what can be mobilized immediately, and how quickly those supplies can be replenished if fighting begins better than anyone else.”

Tieu Lan did not argue immediately, though the hand at her side tightened slightly.

Hao Nhien continued:

“If conditions allow, I will send word twice a day—once before noon and once before midnight.”

Tieu Lan asked:

“And if there is no message for an entire day?”

“Hoa Van raises its alert to level two, but no one is sent to search for me. Troops leave only after receiving a confirmed signal from me or from Tam Thanh.”

Tieu Lan bit her lower lip lightly before finally nodding.

“I understand.”

She turned to the cabinet behind her and took out six jade bottles.

“These are Life-Vitality Pills. Most are high-grade. If Cat Loi City has already entered battle, carrying more of them may help.”

She handed three bottles to Hao Nhien and three to Luu Thanh.

Hao Nhien accepted them, then stepped forward and embraced her.

The embrace did not last long, but it was tight enough for Tieu Lan to understand that he knew she was worried.

“I will be careful.”

Tieu Lan said softly:

“Young Master has to come back.”

Hao Nhien did not make a promise he could not be certain of keeping.

“I know.”

After leaving the tent, Hao Nhien stood on the wooden steps and looked across Hoa Van.

The lights were still burning, and people moved about as usual. There were no alarm bells and no signs of panic.

Even so, the orders that had just been issued were already causing the medicine stores, patrol teams, and defensive positions to quietly shift into a heightened state of readiness.

Luu Thanh approached from behind.

“Clan Chief, Hoa Duong has begun selecting the men. The preparation order was issued under the name of a training exercise, so there are no signs of panic outside.”

Hao Nhien nodded.

His gaze lingered on Luu Thanh longer than usual.

Recently, he had almost always encountered this man on the training grounds, in meetings, or along patrol routes.

The swordsman who had once carried the carefree air of a wanderer had truly become a commander. He trained soldiers, arranged defenses, led spirit beast hunts, and handled military affairs.

Yet Luu Thanh’s name appeared surprisingly rarely in the merit ledgers—not because he lacked merit, but because most of the time, he was the one recording the achievements of others.

Hao Nhien suddenly remembered something he had intended to do even before returning.

“Luu Thanh.”

“This subordinate is here.”

“You have worked hard lately.”

Luu Thanh looked slightly startled before smiling.

“It is what this subordinate should do.”

“Nothing is simply owed.”

Hao Nhien took out a small flying sword less than two feet long.

Its blade was thin, with a cold silver sheen running along the edge, while cloud-shaped spirit runes were engraved around the hilt.

“This is something I had already planned to give you after returning from Black Wind Valley.”

Luu Thanh stared at the sword. The hand he had started to extend suddenly stopped.

“Clan Chief is truly giving this to me?”

“It suits you better.”

“But Clan Chief also needs a flying sword.”

“I still have one.”

Hao Nhien held the sword out to him.

“Tonight, refine only the basic ownership imprint and the flight formation. Do not force yourself to refine the entire sword. On this journey, you will use it only for travel, not for combat.”

Luu Thanh accepted it with both hands.

“Only enough to fly in a straight line?”

“Exactly. I will lead from the front. You only need to maintain a reasonable speed. Over long distances, conserving spiritual power matters most.”

Luu Thanh looked at the silver flying sword for a long time before nodding.

“I understand.”

Hao Nhien patted his shoulder.

“Once you finish refining it in the future, you can use it to kill enemies. For today, it only needs to carry you there and bring you back.”

Before dawn, two streaks of sword light left Hoa Van.

Hao Nhien flew in front, with Luu Thanh following at a moderate distance behind him.

The new flying sword had only been preliminarily refined, so Luu Thanh could not travel particularly fast, but it was enough to maintain long-distance flight without consuming too much spiritual power.

On the western gate, Tieu Lan stood in the wind and watched the two streaks of sword light gradually recede into the distance.

She did not call out.

Hao Nhien looked back once, gave her a slight nod, then increased the speed of his flying sword.

Hoa Van quickly shrank behind them.

Ahead, only the Western Wastes remained, submerged beneath the darkness before dawn.

Far along the horizon, a faint layer of sand and dust hung low beneath the black sky.

Hao Nhien watched it for a long time.

If Cat Luc was telling the truth, then somewhere beyond that curtain of sand, several hundred people were waiting for Cat Loi City to slowly run short of water.

And if this truly was a trap, then from the moment those two streaks of sword light left Hoa Van, whoever had laid it was probably already waiting for the prey to step inside.