Fated | Fangs Of Fortune [ZhuYi]

Chapter 17 : The Resigned Commander

The dirt road winding into Shanyin Village was unnervingly quiet. Houses with crumbling thatched roofs stood like hollow husks against the dimming twilight. The five figures moved cautiously into the heart of the abandoned settlement, their footsteps the only sound disturbing the eerie stillness.

YiChen walked side by side with Wen Xiao, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword, its crystal gleaming a midnight-blue. His sharp gaze swept the surroundings, every step measured and deliberate. Just a step behind, Zhu Yan stayed close, his dark cloak brushing against YiChen's robes with every stride—a faint contact unnoticed by all but him.

"This place reeks of despair" Zhu Yan muttered, his voice low and edged with disdain.

"And you'd know all about that, wouldn't you?" YiChen retorted without looking back, his tone sharp.

Zhu Yan raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, you win. Your sarcasm's deadlier than your sword."

YiChen ignored him, stepping into the village square, where his boots crunched over shattered pottery. The others followed, tension simmering in the air.

"Spread out" YiChen commanded, his voice calm but authoritative. "The demon leaves traces—scorch marks, claw marks, anything unnatural. Wen Xiao, Xiao Jiu, Ying Lei, check the perimeter. Zhu Yan, stay close."

Zhu Yan arched a brow, his lips curving into a faint smirk. "Afraid I'll run off?"

YiChen glanced at him, his expression cutting. "Afraid you'll cause trouble."

Their eyes locked, the charged silence between them palpable. Bai Jiu glanced nervously between the two, shifting awkwardly.

The tension snapped with a sudden whizzing sound. An arrow shot out of nowhere, striking Zhu Yan in the thigh. He let out a low grunt, stumbling slightly. YiChen reacted instantly, drawing his sword.

"Who's there?" YiChen shouted, stepping in front of Zhu Yan.

Ying Lei moved swiftly, shoving BaiJiu and Wen Xiao behind him as he brandished a gleaming kitchen knife in the direction the arrow had come from.

Zhu Yan gritted his teeth and yanked the arrow free, letting it clatter to the ground, leaving a trail of dark blood. "Poisoned" he muttered, inspecting the arrowhead. "Chongwu Camp's handiwork."

A woman emerged from the shadows, her dark green robe swaying as she leveled another arrow at them. Her expression was unreadable, her stance unyielding.

"Why are you protecting a demon, Mr.Zhuo?" she asked, her voice cold and clear.

"Who are you?" YiChen demanded, his sword still raised, his tone laced with authority.

"I could ask the same" the woman replied, her bowstring taut.

With a grunt of annoyance, Zhu Yan steadied himself. "I'm the Great Demon Zhu Yan, if you were wondering."

The woman didn't so much as glance at him. Her piercing gaze remained on YiChen. "Are you Commander Zhuo YiChen of the Demon Hunting Bureau?"

YiChen nodded curtly, his sword unwavering. "I am. Lower your weapon."

She hesitated, then relaxed the string with a sigh. "You've got a strange team, Commander Zhuo"

"They're approved by the Emperor himself" YiChen replied evenly.

The woman finally lowered her bow. Wen Xiao stepped forward, her sharp eyes studying the stranger. "Are you Ms. Pei Si Jing?"

The woman raised a brow. "And if I am?"