The night was like ink, deep and impenetrable.
Within the mountain forest, more than a dozen figures hurried along the rugged path under the faint glow of moonlight.
At their head was Liu Twelve.
He had long since removed the gray mask from his face, revealing the plain and unremarkable features of an ordinary man.
This act of openness had indeed won him the trust of the men following behind.
"Brother Twelve, how much longer until we reach that secret realm you spoke of?"
A gaunt man—so thin he looked little more than skin and bone—moved closer, lowering his voice as he gasped for breath.
In truth, every man here was emaciated beyond recognition.
No matter how strong they might once have been, a mere few days inside Liu Meng's cave-dwelling was enough to drain them of their essence, leaving them as half-dead shells.
Fortunately, through the dual cultivation they had endured, each had by chance stepped into the Qi Refining stage, so there was still spiritual power circulating within their bodies.
A night of traveling on foot, at least, was no real burden.
What they truly feared was the soul-brand burned into them. If the ones in that cave discovered they had fled, a mere thought could trigger the imprint and kill them instantly.
Liu Twelve knew better.
The maids left behind in the cave would only assume these men had been sent elsewhere by "their master's" command. Who would ever suspect this was, in fact, an escape?
But he also understood the fear gnawing at their hearts. He could only soothe them with patience.
"Don't worry. We've barely made it halfway. By dawn tomorrow, we should arrive.
My contact is already waiting ahead. He has a way to temporarily suppress the brand in your souls. Even if your so-called masters will you dead, it will hold them off long enough.
That time will be enough for us to enter the secret realm."
At his words, the men finally let out a breath of relief.
Even so, their pace quickened unconsciously.
Perhaps it was because hope now lay just ahead.
Though many were weary, their legs heavy as lead, no one dared to ask for rest.
To them, this was a race against time itself.
A moment's delay might see their lives stolen by the invisible brand upon their souls.
But even one step faster might carry them into freedom—away from the demonic sect, toward a rebirth.
Seeing this, Liu Twelve did not stop them. He simply followed in silence at their side.
Then, suddenly, his heart jolted. He sensed something and swiftly pulled the gray restriction mask back onto his face.
A moment later, a crisp female voice sounded from the darkness ahead, tinged with curiosity.
"Oh? So many people? From the looks of you, did you run away from some cave-dwelling?"
Liu Twelve looked forward. There stood a masked maid in the middle of the path, her bright eyes shining as they swept over the group.
The gaunt man at the very front, upon seeing it was only a woman blocking the road, bared his teeth in a cruel snarl.
"I've no time for this! Get out of my way!"
With a furious shout, he thrust out his withered hand to shove her aside.
But the curiosity on her face instantly froze into ice.
A dull, wet sound rang out.
The man staggered, eyes wide in disbelief as he looked down.
A pale, slender hand had pierced clean through his chest.
"Fool who doesn't know his place," the maid sneered coldly, withdrawing her bloodied hand. "You aren't even a sect disciple. Killing you is no different than killing nothing."
The rest of the men recoiled in shock, halting at once. None dared move again.
Not out of newfound humility, but because they knew, with perfect clarity, that none of them could defeat this woman.
Liu Twelve hurried forward, stepping between them. His voice was steady.
"We act under the Master's command, escorting these men to another cave. That one offended you—he brought death upon himself and has already paid the price. The rest bear you no grudge. Please, allow us to pass."
The maid's gaze lingered on the gray mask covering his face. After a moment of scrutiny, she nodded slightly.
"A restriction mask… so you are also carrying out your master's orders?"
"Yes," Liu Twelve replied at once. "We are pressed for time. I beg you, let us through."
For a moment, she was silent. Then she suddenly smiled.
"I never stopped you. In these mountains, there are no real paths. You may walk wherever you wish—what are you so worried about?"
Hearing this, Liu Twelve secretly exhaled in relief.
Her words sounded harmless, but he knew better than anyone: without her permission, not one of them would have passed alive.
If even a mere maid within the sect could be so terrifying, how many greater powers lurked unseen in this land?
He dared not dwell on it. Bowing slightly with clasped fists, he gathered the shaken men and pressed on down the slope.
The corpse left behind was already silent and cold.
Liu Twelve did not spare him another glance.
These men appeared pitiful now, but before becoming prisoners, each had been a ruthless villain steeped in crimes.
It was only because he was "saving" them that they treated him with courtesy.
Once this was over, who could say they wouldn't betray him, stabbing him in the back?
The dead man had merely exposed his true nature when faced with what seemed like a weak woman. For that, he lost his life.
To Liu Twelve, such fools—both wicked and stupid—deserved no pity.
Besides, the rest of these men were destined to be sent into the secret realm. Their fates would be little better than the one who had just died.
Time passed as they hurried through the darkness.
At last, another figure appeared ahead, rushing toward them.
Remembering the earlier encounter, none of the men dared speak out of turn. They simply followed Liu Twelve's lead, waiting as the newcomer reached him.
"All the ones you took out—are they here?" the man asked.
Liu Twelve nodded. "There were twelve at first. One fell on the road, so now only eleven remain. Do you have enough talismans?"
"Enough."
The man drew out eleven prepared talismans from his pouch and handed them out one by one.
The men accepted them, staring at the strange, unreadable symbols drawn across the paper. Doubt flickered in their eyes.
Sensing their hesitation, Liu Twelve explained, "These talismans, once affixed to your bodies, will suppress the brand in your souls until we enter the secret realm. Even if your masters command you to die, it will not take effect."
At this, the men finally understood.
So this was the contact Liu Twelve had spoken of—the one sent to receive them.
Without hesitation now, they quickly pressed the talismans onto their bodies.
Then, with renewed determination, they followed the two men forward—toward the secret realm that promised them a chance at new life.