Chapter 22: Whispers in the Shadows
Han Feng quickly learned that becoming an Outer Disciple of the Black Moon Sect did not mean he was trusted.
If anything, the opposite was true.
His wooden token gave him access to the outer disciple quarters, basic cultivation rooms, and a small portion of the sect's resources.
Nothing more.
He wasn't allowed near the inner halls.
He couldn't freely enter the sect's archives.
And certain areas remained completely inaccessible to him.
Every privilege came with restrictions.
Every restriction came with an explanation.
Security.
Han Feng suspected the real reason was much simpler.
They were watching him.
After the incident in the labyrinth, Elder Zhu Han had said very little. But Han Feng had noticed the man's eyes lingering on him several times.
Not with suspicion.
Not exactly.
It was more like evaluation.
As though Zhu Han were trying to determine what kind of person Han Feng really was.
That was dangerous.
Han Feng had survived precisely because nobody knew what he was capable of.
He couldn't afford to let that change.
The Black Moon Sect's hierarchy was more complicated than Han Feng initially expected.
At the bottom were the new recruits.
Those who survived the initial trials became Outer Disciples.
Above them were Inner Disciples, who had access to better cultivation techniques, more valuable resources, and direct guidance from powerful elders.
Above the disciples stood the Elders.
And at the very top was the Sect Master.
But there was another distinction.
One that mattered even more.
Mission authority.
Not every disciple was allowed to accept every mission.
The more dangerous the task, the higher the clearance required.
This meant that climbing the hierarchy wasn't simply about becoming stronger.
It was about becoming useful.
Han Feng understood immediately.
Power gets you noticed.
Usefulness gets you resources.
The trick is gaining one without revealing the other.
He spent the next several days cultivating quietly.
He deliberately advanced slowly.
Rather than displaying the true effects of the Celestial Transmutation Gu, he focused on refining his control over it.
The Gu was powerful.
Perhaps too powerful.
But Han Feng had learned that possessing strength and knowing when to use it were two completely different things.
During the day, he followed the sect's basic training.
At night, he cultivated in silence.
He allowed his apparent cultivation to increase only slightly.
Enough to look like a talented but ordinary newcomer.
Nothing more.
Meanwhile, he listened.
That was where the real progress happened.
The Outer Disciples talked more freely than the recruits.
Han Feng learned about the surrounding territories.
Nearby villages.
Small clans.
Merchant groups.
Rival sects.
Bandit organizations.
And rumors.
There were always rumors.
One name appeared repeatedly.
The Shadow Hunters.
According to some disciples, they were nothing more than a loose group of assassins.
Others claimed they were connected to a much larger organization.
A few even whispered that they had infiltrated several sects throughout the region.
Han Feng didn't believe everything he heard.
Rumors were dangerous precisely because they usually contained a small piece of truth.
Then, one evening, he heard something different.
Two Outer Disciples were speaking quietly in a corner of the dining hall.
"Another patrol disappeared yesterday."
"Where?"
"North passage."
Han Feng continued eating without looking at them.
"The same passage where Liang Mu used to go?"
"Don't say his name."
The second disciple lowered his voice.
"Why?"
"Because Elder Zhu Han is investigating it."
The first disciple became silent.
After a few seconds, he whispered:
"They found strange marks near the passage."
"What kind?"
"A crescent-shaped symbol."
Han Feng's hand stopped for half a second.
Then continued moving.
A crescent.
The same symbol appeared on several of the Black Moon Sect's formation stones.
But these marks were supposedly different.
He needed more information.
Unfortunately, asking directly would be suspicious.
So he waited.
Three days later, someone came looking for him.
A young woman wearing a gray disciple robe stood outside his room.
"Han Feng?"
"Yes."
"Elder Zhu Han wants to see you."
Han Feng's expression didn't change.
"Now?"
"Now."
He followed her through several corridors.
Unlike the main training areas, this section of the sect was almost completely silent.
Eventually, they arrived at a small stone chamber.
Elder Zhu Han was sitting behind a wooden table.
Several documents were spread before him.
He didn't immediately look up.
"Close the door."
Han Feng obeyed.
Zhu Han finally raised his eyes.
"You've been here for eight days."
"Yes, Elder."
"Your cultivation has barely increased."
Han Feng remained calm.
"I am still adapting."
Zhu Han studied him.
"Most young cultivators become impatient when they enter a sect. They immediately consume resources and try to display their talent."
He tapped one finger against the table.
"You haven't."
Han Feng lowered his head slightly.
"I don't believe displaying strength without understanding my surroundings is wise."
For the first time, something resembling approval appeared in Zhu Han's eyes.
"Good answer."
He pushed one of the documents forward.
"There is a problem."
Han Feng glanced at the paper.
It contained a simple map of the surrounding tunnels.
Several locations had been marked in red.
"Someone has been stealing information from the sect."
Han Feng remained silent.
"We don't know who."
Zhu Han continued.
"We don't know how they are obtaining it."
"And we don't know who they're giving it to."
Han Feng's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So you suspect a traitor."
"I suspect everyone."
The answer came immediately.
Zhu Han leaned back.
"That includes you."
Han Feng wasn't surprised.
"You survived a trial where several recruits died."
"You noticed traps that experienced disciples sometimes overlook."
"You defeated another recruit without revealing much of your ability."
"And since joining the sect, you've spent most of your time observing rather than speaking."
Zhu Han's gaze sharpened.
"That makes you interesting."
Han Feng kept his expression neutral.
"Is that a problem?"
"Not yet."
Zhu Han pushed another object across the table.
A small black token.
"This is a temporary mission token."
Han Feng didn't touch it.
"What is the mission?"
"Observation."
Han Feng raised an eyebrow.
"Observation?"
"You will accompany a patrol to the northern tunnels."
Zhu Han pointed toward the map.
"There have been several unauthorized movements there."
Han Feng understood.
This wasn't an assassination mission.
It was a test.
Zhu Han wanted to see how Han Feng behaved when given incomplete information.
"Am I supposed to investigate?"
"No."
Zhu Han's answer was immediate.
"You are supposed to observe."
A pause.
"If you find something, report it."
"And if I encounter danger?"
"Survive."
Han Feng almost smiled.
That seemed to be the sect's answer to everything.
That night, Han Feng joined four other Outer Disciples.
None of them were particularly strong.
Two specialized in tracking.
One was skilled with formations.
The last carried several Gu insects designed for detecting spiritual fluctuations.
Han Feng stayed toward the rear.
He said little.
The group entered the northern tunnels.
The deeper they went, the colder the air became.
Eventually, the formation lights disappeared.
Only their spiritual lamps remained.
One of the disciples suddenly raised his hand.
"Stop."
Everyone froze.
He crouched beside the wall.
"There."
A faint mark had been carved into the stone.
A crescent.
But this one was different from the sect's symbol.
The curve was reversed.
Han Feng's eyes narrowed.
Someone copied the sect's emblem.
Or perhaps—
Someone wanted it to look like the sect's emblem.
The formation specialist touched the mark.
His expression changed.
"There is spiritual residue."
"How old?"
"Less than two days."
Everyone became alert.
Han Feng quietly activated his perception.
He felt something.
A faint vibration.
Not in the wall.
Behind it.
He looked at the stone.
"There is a hollow space."
The others turned toward him.
One of the disciples frowned.
"How can you know that?"
Han Feng pointed toward the floor.
"The dust."
A thin layer of dust covered everything except a narrow section beneath the wall.
"Someone has been opening it recently."
The formation specialist examined the area.
After several moments, his expression became serious.
"He's right."
They removed several stones.
Behind them was a narrow passage.
A hidden passage.
Nobody spoke.
The patrol leader drew his weapon.
"We report this."
Han Feng nodded.
But then he noticed something.
A faint smell.
Blood.
Fresh blood.
He looked deeper into the passage.
There were footprints.
At least three people had passed through recently.
One of them had been injured.
Han Feng's expression became slightly colder.
This isn't just espionage.
Someone is operating inside the sect.
The patrol returned without entering the hidden passage.
Elder Zhu Han listened to their report without interruption.
When Han Feng finished describing the footprints, Zhu Han looked directly at him.
"You noticed the blood?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you enter?"
Han Feng answered honestly.
"Because we were ordered to observe."
Silence.
Then Zhu Han smiled.
"Correct."
He looked at the other disciples.
"Most people would have entered."
His expression hardened.
"And most of them would have died."
Han Feng said nothing.
Zhu Han dismissed the patrol.
But before Han Feng left, the elder stopped him.
"Stay."
The others exited.
The door closed.
Zhu Han looked at him.
"You've heard the rumors about the Shadow Hunters."
Han Feng didn't deny it.
"Yes."
"Do you believe them?"
"I don't know enough to believe or reject them."
Zhu Han nodded slowly.
"Good."
He stood.
"That's the correct answer."
He walked toward a shelf and removed an old wooden box.
Inside were several damaged scrolls.
"Someone has been searching for something within this sect."
Han Feng's eyes flickered.
"What?"
"We don't know."
Zhu Han closed the box.
"That's why I am allowing you access to the outer archive."
Han Feng was surprised.
"Why me?"
"Because you know how to remain silent."
Zhu Han's gaze became sharp.
"And because I want to see what you find."
Han Feng understood immediately.
This wasn't a reward.
It was another test.
Still, access to the archive was valuable.
"I understand."
"Good."
Zhu Han opened the door.
"Don't disappoint me."
The outer archive was much smaller than Han Feng expected.
Most of the scrolls were mundane.
Cultivation records.
Basic Gu techniques.
Maps.
Mission reports.
Old formation diagrams.
He searched carefully.
Not because he expected to find something immediately.
Because he knew important secrets were rarely placed where someone could easily find them.
After nearly two hours, he noticed a damaged shelf near the back.
One of the wooden supports had been replaced recently.
Han Feng touched it.
Loose.
He pulled gently.
A narrow compartment opened.
Inside was a single black scroll.
No title.
No sect emblem.
Just a faint silver line across the cover.
Han Feng hesitated.
Then opened it.
His pupils contracted.
The first page contained a diagram.
A hexagonal pattern.
Not identical to the Celestial Diagram.
But similar.
Far too similar.
His heartbeat accelerated.
He continued reading.
Most of the text was damaged.
Only fragments remained.
"...dual circulation..."
"...harmonization between Gu essence and Qi..."
"...the Celestial Pattern..."
Han Feng's fingers tightened around the scroll.
This wasn't coincidence.
Someone had studied the same phenomenon.
But the final page contained only one complete sentence.
"Those who possess the Celestial Pattern must never allow the Black Moon Sect to discover their true nature."
Han Feng's expression became completely still.
For several seconds, he didn't breathe.
Then he slowly closed the scroll.
His mind raced.
Who wrote this?
How did they know?
And why would the Black Moon Sect fear the Celestial Pattern?
A sound came from outside.
Footsteps.
Han Feng immediately returned the scroll to the hidden compartment.
He replaced the wooden panel and stepped away from the shelf.
The door opened.
Another Outer Disciple entered.
Han Feng turned casually.
"Still searching?"
Han Feng nodded.
"I haven't found anything useful."
The disciple glanced around.
"Don't stay too late."
He left.
Han Feng waited until the footsteps disappeared.
Only then did he look toward the hidden compartment again.
His expression was calm.
But inside, something had changed.
Until now, he had believed the Celestial Diagram was his greatest secret.
Now he understood something much more dangerous.
It might not be unique to him.
Someone had known about it before.
And someone had gone to great lengths to hide that knowledge.
Han Feng placed his hands behind his back.
The Black Moon Sect was no longer simply a place where he could cultivate.
It was connected to the mystery surrounding his power.
And perhaps to the people who had been searching for the Gu in the cave.
He looked toward the dark corridors beyond the archive.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"So that's the game."
He wasn't going to reveal his secret.
Not yet.
First, he would uncover theirs.
And if the Black Moon Sect truly knew something about the Celestial Diagram...
Han Feng would stay here until he discovered everything they were hiding.
Even if it meant walking deeper into the darkness.
Because sometimes, the safest place to hide a secret...
was directly inside the enemy's territory.