Kaelan, following Lin Zian's trail, also arrives at **Changye**, the capital of the Tang Kingdom.
The city sprawls like a living maze, streets wide and bright, banners fluttering from every rooftop. The clang of metal and the cry of merchants fill the air. Passing through the city gates, Kaelan pulls his cloak tighter, his eyes fixed ahead.
He makes his way to the Wuya Escort Agency. Once a small operation born in Chen Village, it now stands as a stone-built compound marked by the black crow sigil—his mark. Under his command, Chen Villagers had expanded the agency from Xuan Province to every corner of the Tang Kingdom.
But beyond the kingdom's borders, the agency's reach falters. Strength limits ambition. Chen Qi, the man in charge here, has only reached the Great Master Realm—far from enough to deter the powerful clans and sects eyeing their routes.
From the whispers of his crow, Kaelan already knows trouble has come. The escort business within the Tang Kingdom has long been divided among ancient forces, and for Wuya to carve out its own share, conflict was inevitable.
He stops before the agency gate.
Before him stands a two-story stone building, its tiled roof curved in the Tang style. Lanterns hang under the eaves, their light soft in the morning mist. People come and go through the doors—guards, merchants, couriers carrying scrolls.
He smiles faintly, thinking, *Despite trouble, business is going well.*
Stepping inside, he finds the front hall clean but worn by use. Behind the counter stands a young woman, sleeves rolled neatly, hair bound by a red cord. The moment she sees him, her eyes widen—shock melting into reverence.
She doesn't know his face, but she knows his blood. The people of Chen Village all carry a trace of it.
As they speak, a customer enters—an anxious merchant. He cancels an escort order, retrieves his sealed item, and leaves without a word. The woman's forced smile fades with him.
From her, Kaelan learns the truth.
For the past few days, business has been slipping away. The *Bronze Sparrow Escort Agency* has openly challenged Wuya.
Hearing this, Kaelan climbs the stairs. Voices echo from the upper floor—strained, uncertain, filled with frustration. He pauses by the door, listening to the heated debate.
He pushes the door open.
The room falls silent. Around a long wooden table sit six men—two from Chen Village, four outsiders who rose to become top escort leaders. Scrolls and route maps lie scattered across the table.
The moment Chen Qi and Chen Wei see him, both rise and bow deeply.
"Master."
The single word shocks the others.
The four team leaders glance at one another, disbelief flickering across their faces. They knew there was someone above Chen Qi, a hidden founder perhaps—but this is the first time they've seen him.
One man stands, anger hiding his unease. "Hey, who are you?"
Kaelan steps forward. The lamplight touches his fine black robe and calm face. His yellow-brown eyes seem ordinary, yet something in them pulls the air taut.
The men try to sense his cultivation. Nothing. Not a trace of aura, not even the faint warmth of mortal energy.
It's as if the man before them doesn't exist.
They glance at each other, cold sweat forming on their backs.
What they cannot know is that Kaelan's concealment art has already surpassed Lin Zian's. After comprehending Lin Zian's ability to vanish into darkness, he refined it further—now he no longer needs a shadow to hide. His presence itself bends, fading beyond the reach of mortal or martial sense.
Kaelan takes Chen Qi's seat and leans back, eyes calm as he looks over the group. "Tell me about the challenge."
They exchange glances before Chen Qi steps forward. "When we expanded from Xuan Prefecture, we started clashing with the Bronze Sparrow Escort Agency. Two weeks ago, the Mi Rice House invited both of us. They said whoever proves stronger will receive the order to escort the *black rice* shipment from the Chen Kingdom. So, the Bronze Sparrow challenged us."
Kaelan nods slightly. "Did you accept?"
Chen Qi shakes his head quickly. "How could we dare? In the martial world, such challenges are fought from strongest to weakest. Their former leader, Ke Xin, is an *ultimate martial master*, and their current leader is said to be a *supreme master*. Our strongest is only me—a *great master*. We can't compete."
Kaelan's gaze drifts toward the window, his mind moving faster than his expression shows.
This challenge is more than provocation—it's an opportunity. If Wuya wins, they can anchor themselves in the escort market of the capital and gain favour with the Mi family. And through them, reach the Chen Kingdom's vast trading network.
But to do that, the challenge must be accepted.
He decides. He will face the *ultimate martial master* himself. The fights below—great master and master level—can be handled by his people. Only the *grand master* and *supreme master* slots remain unfilled.
His memory stirs. Bai Huli once told him of a *demon market* near the capital—a hidden place where slaves and fighters are sold in secret. Perhaps he can find what he needs there.
"Accept the challenge," Kaelan says finally.
One of the leaders frowns. "But who will fight the upper three positions? We don't have anyone in those realms."
Kaelan's lips curve faintly. "I will handle it."
His tone leaves no room for question.
He glances toward the door. "Except for Chen Qi and Chen Wei, the rest of you may leave."
The four leaders exchange uncertain looks, then bow slightly and leave, the air in the room settling into tense stillness.
Kaelan's gaze lingers on the closed door before he speaks. "Did you find what connection Prince Liang has with the Divine Puppet Sect?"
Chen Qi answers at once, "Sir, it appears to be ordinary trade. The prince buys human puppets from them."
Kaelan's eyes narrow slightly. His thoughts drift back to the base where Lin Zian once trained—the rows of lifeless puppets with faint traces of human essence still clinging to them. The Divine Puppet Sect's craft is never *ordinary*.
He asks quietly, "What do you think of Prince Liang's chance of success in rebellion?"
Chen Qi and Chen Wei exchange a look before Chen Wei replies, "Prince Liang controls Shinji Prefecture, and two of the four Kingdom's major generals are loyal to him. Many noble families also have ties to his faction. His chances… are high."
Chen Qi nods in agreement, unease flickering in his eyes.
Kaelan's gaze turns toward the window, where the tall tower of the Demon Hunter Association stands outlined against the city's fading light. "And what about them?"
The Li royal family might wear the crown, but everyone knows who truly rules the Tang Kingdom—the Demon Hunters.
Chen Qi shakes his head. "They don't care who sits on the throne. As long as the demons are hunted and their authority untouched, they stay silent."
Kaelan nods slowly. He's heard the same. But something about their stability has always been unnatural. "Did you find how they've kept power for so long?"
The world has changed since five centuries. Back then, the *ultimate martial master* realm meant supremacy. Now, countless forces and even wandering cultivators have reached that level. By logic, the Demon Hunter Association's rule should have crumbled long ago. Unless they had something greater.
Chen Qi lowers his voice. "I've heard rumours. The association possesses a sword. Whoever cultivates their main technique while wielding it gains strength equal to a *peak Core Formation Qi Refiner*—even if they're only an ultimate master."
Kaelan's brow lifts, a faint smile crossing his face. "A sword of that level… No wonder they still stand above all."
He looks once more at the fading sunlight spilling across the streets. The city hums below, and the shadows lengthen.
"Perfect time," he murmurs, rising from the chair, "to visit the demon market."
-------
Elsewhere, a few hours later, in a quiet restaurant, a young woman pours wine into the glass of an old man whose skin and hair glow faintly with vitality.
"Thank you, Sir, for introducing me to Master Mi," the old man says, raising his cup. "A major trouble of mine is finally solved."
Across the table sits a middle-aged man in a navy-blue robe of the Tang Kingdom's upper officials. "Friend Ke, why thank me? You should thank Master Mi. Without him, you wouldn't have found a reason to challenge the Wuya Escort Agency."
The old man, Ke Xin, nods with a pleased smile. "Yes, yes, you're right." He turns to the other man in the room, a richly dressed merchant adorned with fine jewellery. "Master Mi, have a drink with me."
Mi Ning's lips curl faintly as he accepts the cup. "I've done everything as instructed. Now, Official Gu, about my son's case…"
Gu Peng lifts his cup calmly. "Don't worry. You'll hear good news tomorrow."
Mi Ning stands, adjusting his robes. "Then I'll take my leave. There's still work waiting for me." He walks toward the door, opens it halfway, then stops and looks back. "Official Gu, if Master Ke's escort agency loses… that won't be on me, will it?"
Ke Xin's eyes flash. "I will not lose."
Mi Ning ignores him and waits for Gu Peng's reply.
"It won't be your fault," Gu Peng says after a pause.
Mi Ning nods slightly and leaves, the door closing behind him.
For a moment, silence lingers. Then Gu Peng looks at Ke Xin sharply. "If you lose, our cooperation ends here."
Ke Xin smirks. "Don't worry. With their current strength, Wuya Escort Agency won't dare accept our challenge."
Gu Peng studies him coldly. "I hope you're right."
A few minutes later, they leave the restaurant. Just as Gu Peng is about to board his carriage, a man rushes toward them.
"Master Ke!" he calls, panting. "Wuya Escort Agency… they accepted our challenge! The duel will be held a week from now at the royal arena!"
Silence falls.
Ke Xin's smile fades. Gu Peng doesn't even look at him as he says to his driver, "Let's go." The carriage door closes, leaving Ke Xin standing in the wind, his confidence beginning to crack.