All The Gods We Can Touch - Book : Under this Iron Sky

五 Trying to Bleed

'So young, It's a pity', she thought as her gaze swiped upon the two figures bowing in greeting. She crossed one leg on top of the other, taking on an attentive front.

After greeting her guest, she gestures for them to stand back up from their bows.

"What is the subject of this informal visit?" She asks.

Still bent in the most proper way expected for his station and the circumstances, the green-clad official open his mouth to speak: "Esteemed Qiányè-zōngzhǔ, this lowly one come before you today with a heavy heart and a plea for aid. Our Yōu Quán City faces an imminent threat—an invasion of Nether Hounds that has already claimed a significant portion of the town's people. The Huái Niàn Sect, our dependable defenders, were lost in a mysterious battle just days ago. Only one of the Sect's disciples remains, and stands before you today."

Yún Huìmíng stops then for a moment, letting the weight of their words sinks in before continuing:

"From what these humble ones mustered, the cause of the invasion is believed to be a Rift, a demonic gateway to lie around the town. As another moonless nightfall approaches, they will return, hungry for flesh and relentless in their malevolence."

Their eyes swiped across the room, appraising. The veiled disciples met their eyes, unwavering.

"Your Qiányè Sect, known for its expertise in quick rescue, is our last hope. Your operatives possess the skills needed to uncover and seal this Rift, preventing further devastation and sparing countless lives. With all due respect and humility, this lowly one implores you—assist us in this hour of dire need. Your swift action can turn the tide and protect our city from this encroaching darkness."

A heavy silence hangs in the air, and both Bái Jiānwēi and Yún Huìmíng do not dare breathe as the Sect Leader mentally appraises the matter.

Standing up, Xuè Yīnfēng's head nods her ascent. "You have our oath. We will not let darkness claim Yōu Quán. Prepare to depart with us promptly. Tonight, we hunt."

As she leaves the room with a bellow of her inky robes, the two men looked at each other, smiling triumphantly.

They arrive right as the sun bows to the horizon, slipping east behind the faraway shadows of the closest mountains.

The town is dark, and from the sky the only artificial light hails from the lanterns the silent contingent of Qiányè cultivators are carrying, and from the centre of the city where Qiánkūn Shénzhǔ's Temple is located.

The majority of the dark-clad disciples spread out in an arch, surrounding the outer ring of the riverside sheltering the people, taking position. Bái Jiānwēi starts to dip toward the monument before being abruptly straightened by his passenger, who throws him a glare. "I'm staying right here with you," they whispered.

"No you're not", answered the man in the same manner.

As they argued back and forth, Xuè Yīnfēng flew close by and shot them both an unspeakable look. She turned north-east. "This way, Gōngzǐ?"

Bái Jiānwēi winced, giving up on his dispute. "I am the young master of nothing, Zōngzhǔ."

The Sect Leader shot Yún Huìmíng a look. "Jūnzi, then?"

The cultivator nodded, then pushed his sword forward.

"When passing over to reach Yōu Quán yesterday night, I took notice of a peculiar energy radiating from this general area of the woods. I didn't have the time to investigate it, and doubted my abilities to close a Rift alone while fighting off its retinue so I didn't come down to clear out my suspicions."