After a few more minutes of pacing, Han Yu made his decision.
He would contact Meng Jueyan again. If she was connected to the Mist Eye Sect’s inner workings, she might be able to get him in touch with the spies directly—or at least help him understand their network.
The next morning, Han Yu dressed plainly and made his way to the tea house across from the Misty Eye Sect branch, where he had monitored Meng Jueyan before.
He didn’t approach the building itself. He simply sat near the window of the tea house, nursing a pot of bitter tea, his eyes scanning the entrance.
Sure enough, an hour later, Meng Jueyan emerged, dressed in a traveling robe draped over her uniform, her posture firm but cautious. As she walked away from the inn, a small girl—barely seven years old—skipped up to her and tugged her sleeve.
Meng Jueyan immediately tensed, but the girl simply handed her a folded slip of paper and said, "First task!"
Then the girl turned and scampered off into the street.
Meng Jueyan narrowed her eyes, then unfolded the note.
Her expression softened the moment she read the contents.
"Meet me at the eastern forest edge by dusk. I trust your discretion remains intact. —Elder Yi."
She tucked the paper into her sleeve and adjusted her pace, her thoughts already shifting into preparation mode.
Later that evening, beneath the growing shadows of the forest’s edge, Han Yu leaned against a crooked pine tree, waiting.
When Meng Jueyan arrived, she bowed respectfully. "Elder Yi."
Han Yu nodded. "No tails?"
"None," she confirmed.
"Good," he said, glancing around once more before gesturing for her to follow him deeper into the woods. After a short walk, they came upon a shaded glade surrounded by tall grasses and rock outcroppings—secluded and silent.
"I wanted to ask you something," Han Yu said, tone still carrying the weight of an elder.
"Are you aware of any spies the Mist Eye Sect may have placed within the Twin Leaf Peak Sect?"
Meng Jueyan’s eyes widened slightly, her body stiffening. "You know of that, too?"
That reaction alone confirmed everything.
Han Yu smirked beneath his mask. ’Bingo.’
"So, there are," he said. "I suspected as much."
Meng Jueyan hesitated, but eventually nodded. "Yes. Though the exact number is unclear, I’ve been told by my superiors in the Discipline Hall that we have eyes in at least two other sects. One of them is the Twin Leaf Peak Sect."
Han Yu’s mind buzzed.
She continued, "In fact... a few months ago, I received a report from one of those agents. It concerned Twin Leaf Peak disciples who had entered the Broken Fang Ravine. There were instructions to shadow them and, if possible, ensure their paths... diverged."
Han Yu’s eyes darkened. ’So that was a setup too.’
He had suspected, but now it was confirmed. The ambush, the pursuers, the way they always seemed one step ahead—it hadn’t been bad luck. It had been bad faith.
"And your contact," Han Yu asked slowly. "Can you still reach them?"
Meng Jueyan nodded. "Yes. I’m one of the few Discipline Hall members trusted with managing cross-sect contact. If needed, I can pass messages along. It would take time—but it can be done."
Han Yu tapped his fingers together, thoughts turning.
This could be a dangerous path—but also a valuable one.
However, Meng Jueyan was now looking at him with subtle suspicion. "Elder Yi... if I may be bold. Why are you asking this? Wouldn’t you, as an elder, already have access to this kind of information?"
Han Yu let out a low chuckle, unbothered by her directness.
"You’re a clever one," he said, amused. "Let me ask you something else. What makes you think the Discipline Hall isn’t compromised too?"
Han Yu continued. "There are people on Elder Wei’s side scattered throughout the sect. Not just among the disciples. Elders. Inspectors. Enforcers. Even someone like me can’t act openly without drawing the wrong kind of attention."
Her gaze lowered, thoughtful.
"I understand," she finally said. "You’re operating in shadow... because it’s the only place you’re safe."
Han Yu nodded. "Exactly."
And in that moment, the lines between their roles blurred. One was a faker pretending to be someone great. The other, a loyal subordinate caught in a web too deep for her station. But both were now part of something bigger.
Something that had just begun.
The forest air was cool and still, as if holding its breath for the secrets being exchanged under the boughs.
Han Yu’s gaze sharpened as he leaned slightly closer to Meng Jueyan, his voice low but firm.
"Can you get me the identities of the Mist Eye spies within the Twin Leaf Peak Sect?"
Meng Jueyan stiffened, her brows knitting. For a moment, she looked uncertain—almost troubled—before she slowly shook her head.
"I’m afraid not," she said. "While I can send and receive messages from them, their identities are kept hidden. Even most of the Discipline Hall elders don’t know who they are. It’s a measure to prevent leaks."
Internally, Han Yu let out a small sigh of disappointment. That would’ve made things a lot easier.
But outwardly, he simply gave an approving nod, as if her answer met his expectations. "Good. That’s how it should be. Loose mouths lose wars."
Meng Jueyan remained silent, but a flicker of thought crossed her eyes.
After a beat, she asked, "Do you need something from them?"
Han Yu turned his gaze skyward, as if contemplating something distant.
"Yes," he said simply.
She hesitated, then took a cautious step forward. "Why are you dealing with the Twin Leaf Peak Sect? I thought... your work was here."
Han Yu’s lips curled into a vague, enigmatic smile.
"My work is extensive," he said, voice smooth. "It’s not limited to just the Mist Eye Sect. There are matters you don’t need to know about—yet."
Meng Jueyan nodded quickly, understanding her place. "I didn’t mean to overstep."