Then it was solid again.

  I stood there, hidden behind a storage building, processing what I'd just seen! Zhang Kun had a token that could bypass the sect's defensive barrier. That wasn't something an ordinary outer disciple would have. That was something you'd need connections to acquire. And he wasn't just sneaking out for personal reasons. This was………..

  I returned to my quarters where Wei Feng was still asleep. I lay on my bed and waited for Zhang Kun to return. But he never did.

  Yet, the next morning he was present at training as usual. Interesting.

  The second night, I followed him again.

  But this time I was prepared. I'd taken a basic qi concealment token which I easily got by Chen Wu.

  Zhang Kun followed the same route and the same section of wall. But this time, I slipped through right after him before the barrier closed.

  The forest outside was dark. Thick trees blocked most of the moonlight. Zhang Kun moved quickly, following a path only he could see.

  After twenty minutes of walking, he reached a small clearing. And he wasn't alone.

  Two other figures waited there. Both wore dark clothes with hoods covering their faces. But their cultivation pressure was unmistakable

  Foundation Establishment realm. Much stronger than Zhang Kun.

  I crouched behind a large tree, watching. Listening.

  "You're late," one of the hooded figures said and it was a male voice.

  "The patrols changed their route," Zhang Kun replied. "I had to wait."

  "What do you have to report?"

  Zhang Kun pulled out a small scroll. "The sect's inner defense formations. I've mapped the patrol schedules for the next month. And I've identified three weak points in the barrier near the eastern and southern walls."

  The hooded figure took the scroll. "Good work. Anything else?"

  “ No sir, but when are we going to take action?”

  "The Crimson Sword Sect will move in two months," the female said. "We need complete information by then. Can you deliver?"

  "Yes."

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  "Then do your job."

  The two hooded figures turned and disappeared into the forest. Zhang Kun stood alone in the clearing for a moment. Then he started walking back toward the sect.

  I stayed hidden until he was gone. Then I slowly made my way back. When I returned to my quarters at night, I sat on my bed and began sorting through every piece of information in my head.

  (Zhang Kun. He'd been here for months, slowly gathering intelligence. And Chen Wu's quest was to find the evil who infiltrated the sect.

  Was that quest really about me? The system had given it to Chen Wu because I was the corruption-type villain. I was the threat it wanted to be eliminated.

  But now I was trying to push the blame on Zhang Kun, and he really was an infiltrator, but what if Zhang Kun was exposed or he was captured and killed by Chen Wu. Would the quest be completed?

  Maybe not, the quest wouldn't be complete. Because I was still here, and the system sees me as the real threat. This is a huge problem. What to do………). I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. (Chen Wu would understand that something’s wrong. He'd realize Zhang Kun wasn't the real target. He'd keep searching and eventually, he might look at me!)

  I kept turning the possibilities over in my mind, tracing every path it could take, every mistake that could expose me, until slowly, almost reluctantly, a single conclusion began to take shape.

  What if Zhang Kun disappeared…………..

  Or if he died before Chen Wu could capture him……….

  Then Chen Wu's quest would stay incomplete. Chen Wu would just think the system was bugged or the quest had failed because he wasn't the one who, captured or killed. ( Yes, just like the last time in the cave.) That's right, I'd used this strategy before. In the cave with the merchant. Kill the target myself who wasn't me before the Chosen One can complete their quest.

  It worked then and it would work again.

  The thought settled in my mind with cold clarity.

  Zhang Kun was a spy. He was a threat to my cover and at the same time, the only way to bury myself deeper.

  Also killing him would solve multiple problems.

  It protected Clouded Peak from a spy. And it prevented Chen Wu's quest from completing by ensuring I killed the "infiltrator" instead of Chen Wu capturing the real one - me.

  And I needed to do it soon. Before Zhang Kun's handlers gave him another assignment. Before Chen Wu found him first.

  Tomorrow night. Yes, I'd do it tomorrow night.

  I turned over and closed my eyes, hugging the addictive sleep.

  The next morning, Chen Wu found me afterward. "Any progress on the investigation?"

  "Maybe," I said carefully. "I've been watching the three suspects you mentioned. One of them has some... interesting habits."

  "Which one?"

  "Zhang Kun."

  Chen Wu's expression sharpened. "Your roommate? What did you notice?"

  "He leaves the quarters late at night. Every third night. I've been tracking the pattern."

  "Where does he go?"

  "I don't know yet. But I'm planning to follow him tonight and find out where he goes?"

  Chen Wu nodded slowly. "I'll come with you."

  "No…" I said it too quickly and softened my tone. "If both of us follow, he might notice us. Let me scout first and if I find something concrete, I'll signal you."

  He looked uncertain. "Are you sure? If he's dangerous—"

  "I'll be careful. Just reconnaissance. I won't engage." I met his eyes. "Trust me, brother."

  He hesitated. Then nodded. "Alright. But if anything seems wrong, retreat immediately and find me."

  "I will." Perfect.

  The rest of the day dragged on.

  Zhang Kun was quiet during dinner. He barely spoke, probably planning his next meeting.

  He had no idea that this would be his last meal here in the sect.

  After dinner, we returned to our quarters. Wei Feng went to meditate as always and Zhang Kun sat on his bed reading a manual, but I could see him glancing at the window occasionally. Around midnight, Zhang Kun moved quietly. He dressed in dark clothes, checked that Wei Feng and I were asleep, then slipped out the door.

  I waited, then I started following him.

  As we both reached the wall. He again pulled out his token and the same thing happened.

  He stepped through and I followed three seconds later, slipping through before it closed back.

  Twenty minutes later, we reached the clearing and the two hooded figures were already there.

  "You're early," the male voice said.

  "I have important information," Zhang Kun replied. "Something big."

  "Report."

  Zhang Kun pulled out a scroll. "I've confirmed the location of the sect's main spirit stone vault. It's in the inner mountain, third level down.

  Guards rotate every six hours and the security formations are—"

  "Good. What else?"

  "Elder Yun will be entering closed-door cultivation next week. He'll be vulnerable. If Crimson Sword Sect strikes while he's in seclusion—"

  That's it. I'd heard enough, I stepped out from the trees.

  "ZHANG KUN!" My voice echoed through the clearing. "So this is what you've been doing!”..