Xu Tiancai had just stepped into the Jianghu, his heart full of yearning and curiosity for the unknown world. Carrying a simple pack, he walked along a rugged mountain path as sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, seeming to pave a golden path of hope before him.
However, the gears of fate turned quietly the moment he stepped into what appeared to be a tranquil town. In a tavern within the town, Xu Tiancai first heard the name of the Black Soul Temple. The crowd whispered about this mysterious and evil organization, their words laden with fear. Xu Tiancai could not help but prick up his ears, wanting to learn more.
At that moment, a Gloomy Man walked into the tavern, his gaze as sharp as a falcon's as he swept it across the patrons. The tavern instantly fell silent, the atmosphere turning tense and oppressive. Xu Tiancai keenly sensed that this man was extraordinary, and a trace of unease surged in his heart.
The man sat down in a corner of the tavern and ordered a glass of strong liquor. Xu Tiancai secretly observed him, unaware that he had already caught the man's attention. The man's lips curled up slightly, revealing a strange smile.
Soon, a commotion arose outside the tavern. A group of men in black escorted a Man in Fancy Robes inside. They strode in aggressively, their eyes exuding arrogance and ruthlessness. Xu Tiancai's heart tightened; intuition told him these people meant no good.
The Man in Fancy Robes came to a halt in the center of the tavern and swept his burning gaze over the crowd. "I heard someone here was asking about the Black Soul Temple?" His voice was icy and majestic.
Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to speak. Xu Tiancai was secretly shocked, never expecting that his act of curiosity would bring trouble. He tried to keep his composure, but his palms were already slick with sweat.
Right at that moment, the Gloomy Man slowly stood up. "Matters of the Black Soul Temple are not something ordinary people like you can go around asking about." His voice was low and hoarse.
The Man in Fancy Robes narrowed his eyes, sizing up the Gloomy Man. "And who are you, daredevil, to meddle in the affairs of the Black Soul Temple?"
The Gloomy Man let out a cold laugh. "Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is that sooner or later, your Black Soul Temple will reap the retribution for what you've done."
The atmosphere instantly grew taut as a bowstring, and the patrons scrambled to retreat far out of the way. Xu Tiancai watched the two of them nervously, not knowing what to do.
With a wave of the Man in Fancy Robes' hand, the men in black immediately swarmed forward. The Gloomy Man showed no fear whatsoever; with a flash of his figure, he evaded the attacks of the men in black like a ghost. Then, with a backhanded strike of his palm, he sent one of the men in black flying.
A fight was on the verge of breaking out, plunging the tavern into chaos. Xu Tiancai seized the opportunity to try and escape, but his path was blocked by a man in black. "Kid, you want to leave? It's not that easy."
Panic flared in Xu Tiancai's heart. He struggled desperately to break free, but the man in black gripped him tightly and refused to let go. Just as despair set in, a black shadow flashed past, and the man in black crashed to the ground. Xu Tiancai looked closely and saw that it was the Gloomy Man who had saved him.
"Come with me," the Gloomy Man said in a low voice. Xu Tiancai had no time to think and followed him as he rushed out of the tavern.
The two of them wove through the alleyways, the shouts of the Black Soul Temple members echoing behind them. The Gloomy Man led Xu Tiancai to an abandoned temple. "We're safe for the moment," he said.
Still shaken, Xu Tiancai looked at the Gloomy Man and asked, "Why did you save me?"
The Gloomy Man was silent for a moment before speaking. "Because you shouldn't have gotten entangled in the affairs of the Black Soul Temple. They are ruthless and will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. You are a newcomer to the Jianghu and don't know how treacherous it can be."
Xu Tiancai looked at him gratefully. "Thank you for saving my life, senior. May I ask what kind of organization the Black Soul Temple really is?"
The Gloomy Man sighed. "The Black Soul Temple is an evil organization. They scheme to dominate the Jianghu and stop at nothing to use all kinds of sinister plots. Their influence is vast, and their eyes and ears are everywhere. What you did today has already drawn their attention. You must be extra careful in the days to come."
A chill ran through Xu Tiancai's heart. He realized he had already fallen into a massive conspiracy. Yet instead of shrinking back, a strong fighting spirit surged within him. "Senior, I am not afraid. I am determined to expose the conspiracy of the Black Soul Temple and rid the Jianghu of this scourge."
The Gloomy Man looked at him, a flicker of admiration flashing in his eyes. "Good lad, you've got guts. But you must know that the Black Soul Temple is not so easy to deal with. You need to constantly improve your strength if you want to contend with them."
Just then, a faint sound of footsteps came from outside the temple. The Gloomy Man's expression changed. "They've tracked us here."
Xu Tiancai looked at him nervously. "What should we do?"
The Gloomy Man pondered for a moment. "We'll split up. Go out through the back door and head straight north; there is a town there where you can lie low for a while. Remember, trust no one."
Xu Tiancai nodded and turned toward the back door of the temple. After taking a few steps, he looked back at the Gloomy Man. "Senior, what is your name?"
The Gloomy Man smiled faintly. "When you possess sufficient strength, you will naturally know my name."
Without further hesitation, Xu Tiancai strode out the back door of the temple. Following the Gloomy Man's instructions, he headed straight north. Meanwhile, the Gloomy Man stood quietly inside the temple, awaiting the arrival of the Black Soul Temple members.
He knew that this contest with the Black Soul Temple had only just begun...