Only the Emperor and a select few knew the full extent of the Shrouded Blade’s activities, making them a feared and mysterious presence within the Empire.
Most people didn’t even know the faction existed, and those who did couldn’t grasp the full extent of its operations.
Members of the Shrouded Blade were highly skilled assassins, often at high cultivation realms, bound by loyalty to the Emperor.
They operated as the Empire’s unseen hand, leaving no trace of their actions.
Today, Xie Feiyan was on another one of his many lone missions.
His objective? To protect the individual he was silently following.
To him, this mission felt like a vacation compared to the others he had completed. However, despite its seemingly simple nature, it was just as crucial, and his guard was at its peak.
The city might have been secure, but danger could lurk in any corner. He had learned never to let his vigilance slip.
As he tracked the two women, his thoughts drifted for a second.
’Lady Qingyi is out visiting hidden shops again…’
Xie Feiyan kept his distance, blending into the background as they walked toward a cat lying peacefully by the alley’s entrance.
The two women approached it slowly, and just as one of them reached down to pet the cat, Xie Feiyan’s instincts flared.
Without a second thought, he dashed forward, his legs carrying him as fast as they could.
Something about this felt off!
Wait – His mind screamed.
A spirit beast!
The cat was not what it appeared. The power emanating from it was unmistakable, and if his instincts were right, it was even stronger than him – an unsettling thought given his honed combat experience.
Despite its might, Xie Feiyan felt no malicious intent from the spirit beast, but that didn’t mean it was safe. His hand instinctively reached for his weapon, ready to act.
Then, out of nowhere, a voice echoed inside his mind, freezing him in his tracks.
’Human, what is your intention?’
Xie Feiyan quickly understood that the voice wasn’t coming from any human – it was the spirit beast.
’There is no need for concern. My purpose is simply to ensure peace outside of the store.’
’You are protecting these two, correct?’
’Yes, Senior. I am guarding them.’ Xie Feiyan’s voice calm and respectful.
Age had made him cautious, and he was not one to show arrogance, especially in front of such a powerful creature.
’Then that’s all good. If guarding is your sole task, everything’s fine.’
Xie Feiyan couldn’t help but blink in surprise as he turned his attention back to the two girls.
The spirit beast was being petted by them now, a scene he never would have imagined.
His sharp gaze caught the cat’s calm expression as it relished the attention. Its tail swished slowly, a sign of contentment, as its eyes softened, and a contented purr rumbled in its throat.
The two girls giggled in delight.
“Goodbye, little cat.” the first girl said sweetly.
Her companion smiled and ruffled the cat’s fur.
“You’re such a cute thing. Stay safe, okay?”
Xie Feiyan watched, stunned. ’The spirit beast was enjoying being petted?’
He never thought he’d see such a thing.
The two girls, apparently satisfied, stood up, brushing themselves off, and made their way into the store.
As they entered, Xie Feiyan swiftly moved forward, positioning himself just in front of Kurome.
He revealed himself fully, standing tall with a composed demeanor. Lifting his hand, he cupped his fist in front of his chest.
’Greetings, Senior.’
’May I enter the store?’
His appearance was plain, nothing out of the ordinary. His long black hair was tied under a simple farmer’s hat, and he wore a plain, unassuming black robe that looked as though he had just stepped out of the countryside.
Kurome knew this man was hiding his true identity. This wasn’t his real face.
She nonchalantly continued cleaning her paw, then suddenly stopped and looked into Xie Feiyan’s eyes.
’You may enter.’
’But know this – do not cause trouble inside. Even someone of your level will not escape if you do.’
Xie Feiyan’s brow furrowed slightly, intrigued and now more than ever curious about what lay beyond the glass doors.
The store’s exterior alone was enough to pique his interest. He couldn’t sense anything beyond the glass walls, even with his heightened perception.
And that warning from the spirit beast… not even someone like him would escape?
What sort of monster was inside that made the spirit beast be so strict?
What was this place, and what was the purpose of the strange, powerful spirit beast guarding it?
“Welcome.” Mo Xixi greeted, already sizing up the new customers.
The first woman was strikingly beautiful. Her dark violet eyes shimmered like precious gems, and her face was naturally flawless, with no makeup in sight.
Her smooth, pale skin contrasted beautifully with her long, silky black hair, which flowed in gentle waves. She wore a simple dark blue robe.
This was Yunlan Qingyi, one of the princesses of Shrouded Cloud Empire.
Next to her was another woman, dressed in a similar robe, but in a lighter shade of lavender.
While her beauty wasn’t as striking as Yunlan Qingyi’s, she still had a graceful charm. Her black hair was tied back neatly with a small decorative ornament.
This was Li Mei, Yunlan Qingyi’s loyal attendant and childhood friend.
The two had come to the Sovereign City once again, hoping to find something that could help Yunlan Qingyi’s condition.
Despite her noble status, Yunlan Qingyi was born with a rare constitution that blocked her spiritual roots from fully awakening.
This rare condition left her trapped at the First Stage of Spirit Awakening Realm, unable to progress further in cultivation.
While other royals sought power, fame, and strength, she remained secluded in the palace, constantly living under the shadow of ridicule and pity.
Her presence in public was rare, and it only made her feel more isolated from the world around her.
But today, like many times before, she was here – searching for a way to change her fate.
Yunlan Qingyi and Li Mei’s eyes slightly widened as they took in the environment before them.
The inside of the store was completely different from the dark alley outside.
It was bright, clean, and full of light.