Walking through the pitch-black dense forest, Han Li remained highly vigilant, sharpening his senses. The mountain path, which would have appeared blurry and indistinct to an ordinary person, was as clear to him as broad daylight.
His caution was not due to fear of wild beasts in the mountains but rather a deeply ingrained instinct.
It was worth noting that ever since the Seven Mysteries Sect relocated to the Caixia Mountain Range, the already sparse wildlife in the forests had gradually been cleared out. Not only were there no fierce beasts, but even various venomous snakes had mostly ended up as meals for the disciples.
This habit of staying alert and maintaining sharp senses in unfamiliar environments was not something he was born with. Rather, it was a skill he had deliberately cultivated after careful consideration following his narrow escape from Dr. Mo. This prudent habit would help him avoid unexpected dangers in future endeavors, minimizing risks to the greatest extent possible.
The mountain wind seemed to grow stronger, howling one gust after another, sending chills down one’s spine.
From a distance, Han Li could sense that he was nearing the edge of the forest.
He let out a soft sigh. Walking alone in this dark, dense forest had weighed heavily on his mind.
Quickening his pace, he took larger strides, seemingly eager to leave the woods as soon as possible.
Suddenly, a fierce mountain wind blew directly toward him.
After the gust passed, Han Li abruptly halted, as if noticing something unusual. He frowned, tilted his head, and listened intently.
A moment later, his expression grew serious. Faint footsteps reached his ears. Although the steps were light and the owners were still far away, it was clear that two people were approaching him, drawing closer with each passing moment.
With a swift, silent movement, Han Li darted into the dense bushes beside the path like a nimble cat, agile and soundless.
He came to a stop behind a large tree about ten zhang away from the path, curling his body into a small ball and hiding behind the trunk. From the front, not a trace of him could be seen.
Once he found a secure hiding spot, Han Li felt slightly more at ease.
It wasn’t that he was overly sensitive, but rather that it seemed highly unusual for two people to be in such a remote place at such a dark and windy hour. Most likely, they were up to something shady.
He had no desire to stumble upon someone else’s secrets and end up being hunted down and silenced.
However, if he could listen in on others’ secrets without putting himself in danger, Han Li was more than willing to do so. He was no rigid hypocrite—he wouldn’t turn down such an opportunity if it came his way.
“…down the mountain…arrange…time…people…chief…” Whispers, spoken in hushed tones, drifted over intermittently from afar. The wind on the mountain was strong, scattering most of the words, leaving only fragments audible to him.
Han Li was stunned. He hadn’t expected to overhear such a significant secret. Within hundreds of li of this area, the only person who could be referred to as “chief” was Jia Tianlong, the “Golden Wolf” leader of the Wild Wolf Gang. Hearing this enemy of his sect mentioned here was deeply intriguing.
In the minds of the Seven Mysteries Sect disciples, Jia Tianlong was nothing short of a bloodthirsty monster. Rumors described him as broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, with a fierce face and fang-like teeth. He was said to be exceptionally cruel, feasting on human flesh and drinking fresh blood three times a day, like some inhuman creature. This image had terrified many young disciples in the sect.
However, according to Li Feiyu, the reality was quite different. Jia Tianlong was not tall or intimidating but rather slender and handsome, and relatively young—just over thirty years old, the complete opposite of the rumors. Yet, his ruthless, murderous nature was as terrifying as the legends suggested. Otherwise, with his appearance, how could he have commanded the respect of gang members who were originally bandits?
Recalling what he knew about Jia Tianlong, Han Li felt a chill run down his spine. He curled up even tighter, slowing his breathing to a near-inaudible level.
“…this time…steal…the list…target…” Another series of whispers reached his ears, clearer than before. The two were likely drawing closer to Han Li.
Not daring to make a sound, Han Li knew that if he were discovered, death would be certain. These two were undoubtedly spies sent by the Wild Wolf Gang, and they would never allow a third person to live knowing their secret.
“…plan…must…no…quickly…” Gradually, their voices grew even softer, as if they were discussing the core of their mission.
A short while later, their voices rose slightly but soon became inaudible again, drowned out by the howling wind. They had passed the section of the mountain path in front of Han Li and were gradually moving away.
Han Li remained hidden behind the tree for a while longer, not daring to move. Only after using his Eternal Spring Technique to confirm that there was no one else within several dozen zhang did he slowly rise.
This time, he had narrowly escaped death. Fortunately, he had detected the two spies in advance; otherwise, he would have run directly into them. Given their identities, he would undoubtedly have been silenced. Worse still, given his current skills, he would have had no chance of escaping.
Han Li stayed where he was, gently rubbing his chin with his fingers, gazing thoughtfully in the direction where the two had disappeared.
From their fragmented conversation, it seemed they were planning some action against the Seven Mysteries Sect in the near future, and this action was closely related to a certain list.
What surprised Han Li even more was that, even without seeing the two clearly, he recognized one of the voices.
Although he had only interacted with this person once or twice, his exceptional memory allowed him to connect one of the speakers to the unassuming steward of the sect’s main kitchen.
This man, who had sold rabbits to him and left an impression of being petty, with a mustache and a shrewd, vulgar demeanor, turned out to be a spy for the Wild Wolf Gang. This revelation truly tested Han Li’s nerves.
Upon reflection, however, it wasn’t entirely unexpected. Only someone with such a position could frequently travel between the mountain and the foot, delivering messages without raising suspicion.
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