C21 Shadowsun Sect

After accepting a small package, the elder respectfully escorted the two out. As he was about to head back inside, he noticed Lin Yu standing on the street, looking toward the shop. He approached Lin Yu with deliberate steps. "May I help you with something? Please, come inside!"

"Ah... Oh..."

Being treated with such respect was new to Lin Yu, and it made him somewhat nervous. He found himself ushered into the shop in a daze.

The scent was strong and inviting. He glanced around, noting that nothing had changed.

The middle-aged man was taken aback by the sight of the oddly dressed youth who was silently surveying the shop. Curiosity piqued, he inquired, "What do you need?"

"Hmm? What do I need? Oh, I need some clothes," Lin Yu replied, his thoughts racing. He suddenly realized he had no suitable attire and spoke without thinking.

He wasn't disinterested in asking about the sect; rather, he remembered the old Taoist's warning that trouble often starts with careless talk, that people can be devious, and it's best to think carefully before acting.

Lately, things had been odd. This place, known for its Spiritgrass and spiritual things, was now being sought out for clothes. First, an old Taoist, and now this youth... The middle-aged man was puzzled by the young man before him but kept his composure.

After scrutinizing Lin Yu discreetly, he noted the youth's strange attire but also an inexplicable air about him. After a moment's reflection, he offered a smile and said, "What style of clothes would you like? I can have someone prepare them for you. If the tailoring is intricate, it might take a few more days."

"Is it that much of a hassle?" Lin Yu murmured to himself, unaware of the elder's thoughts. He frowned slightly and asked, "Do you have anything ready to wear now? The style doesn't matter, as long as it's presentable."

The elder gave a gentle smile and a nod in response to Lin Yu's vague request. "Very well, please take a seat and rest for a moment. I'll have someone attend to it right away."

Lin Yu, somewhat uneasy with the middle-aged man's courteous demeanor, nodded absently and chose a chair on the side to sit down. He gathered his focus, his brow furrowed slightly as he seemed to brace himself for what was to come.

Time passed slowly, and Lin Yu's heart gradually settled. The initial tension had faded away...

After the middle-aged man stowed a small packet into the cabinet, he turned to face Lin Yu, who appeared somewhat hesitant, and furrowed his brow slightly before asking softly, "Young man, you're not from around here, are you?"

Caught off guard by the question, Lin Yu paused, his expression betraying his surprise. Despite the middle-aged man's seemingly gentle and courteous demeanor, Lin Yu merely smiled, offering no reply.

Realizing that the youth was not inclined to engage in conversation, the middle-aged man quickly tried to smooth things over. "Please, don't take it the wrong way. I noticed you seemed a bit troubled and thought to strike up a casual conversation. If I've intruded, I hope you'll forgive me."

At this, Lin Yu smiled and shook his head, saying, "It's been some time since I last visited this place; I was just lost in thought for a moment. You, on the other hand, haven't changed at all."

"Oh!" The middle-aged man let out a surprised sound, moving a bit closer and scrutinizing Lin Yu once more. When he failed to recognize him, he asked, "So you've been to my shop before? I apologize for not recalling your face. May I have the honor of knowing your name?"

"Hehe, I'm just a young fellow; it's quite normal for you not to remember me. I've been away for quite a while. I'm curious, have there been any interesting events around here in recent years?" Lin Yu asked with a light smile, his gaze on the middle-aged man carrying a hint of inscrutable meaning.

"You're making light of it, young man. There have indeed been some noteworthy happenings. Not long ago, the elders of the Shadowsun Sect descended from the Cudjour Mountains with their disciples in tow. They claimed to be taking their charges out for training, but their haste suggested they were on the hunt for something. Astute observers speculated that they were tracking down a stolen spiritual thing. The Shadowsun Sect boasts a long and storied history; its power is well-known. Whoever managed to purloin an item from them is certainly no ordinary individual," the middle-aged man said with a hint of intrigue.

"I never would have guessed that a seemingly seasoned man like yourself would enjoy a bit of gossip. But that's precisely the information I was looking for..." Lin Yu mused to himself, amused by the middle-aged man's narrative.

The middle-aged man paused briefly, his gaze resting on the young man whose face bore only a faint smile and little else in the way of expression. With a chuckle, he said, "However, this place is a crossroads for people from all walks of life, a real melting pot. There are tales aplenty, but many are just hearsay, impossible to verify. They're best taken as light entertainment, not as gospel truth."

While they were talking, a young woman approached and slightly bowed to present a tray to them. "Young Master, here are the garments you requested. Please try them on. If the fit isn't right, we'll gladly make the necessary alterations."

The tray held an assortment of neatly folded clothes in various colors. Selecting a few of the more subdued hues, Lin Yu handed over a coin, his smile undiminished. "No need for change, these will do. I won't bother trying them on; just wrap them up so I can easily take them with me."

"Very well, young sir. Just a moment," the middle-aged man replied, taking the coin from Lin Yu and turning to busy himself with the task.

"Cudjour Mountains, Shadowsun Sect..." Lin Yu murmured, a smile playing on his lips as he formulated a plan.

...

"It's here!"

A shout of elation pierced the silence of the room. Lin Yu sat at a table, his excitement palpable as he carefully extracted a worn scroll from his bag of holding. With great care, he unfurled it across the table's surface.

Since leaving Spirit Haven, Lin Yu had spent some time meandering through the city, purchasing various supplies and food. He had subtly inquired about the Shadowsun Sect, learning that it was a venerable institution of cultivation with a storied heritage and home to numerous formidable and honorable individuals.

He was aware of other religious factions in the vicinity, branches of the Sect, whose core disciples aspired to use their affiliation as a stepping stone to the heart of the Shadowsun Sect. The prestige associated with becoming a core disciple was highly coveted, a testament to the difficulty of gaining entry. Lin Yu understood that talent alone was not enough; one also needed to possess commendable character.

Despite the stringent conditions, Lin Yu was not intimidated. He couldn't afford to be. If there was even the slightest chance to secure a temporary refuge, it was worth the effort to try.

Having learned most of the necessary information, Lin Yu stopped wandering through the city. Recalling the presence of a map in his bag of holding, he eagerly chose an inn, entered a room, and began to strategize...

Lin Yu's eyes meticulously scanned the map. The clarity of the routes outlined brought him joy and bolstered his confidence. He quickly located his current position on the map, took a brief moment to commit it to memory, and then, with pursed lips, he methodically began to search the surrounding areas from that central point.

With a squint, his hand followed his gaze, sweeping across the map. Suddenly, his body gave a slight shudder, and his moving hand came to an abrupt halt over the depiction of a mountain range. There, he found the words "Cudjour Mountains." Yet, in that moment, his brow furrowed, the expected thrill of discovery replaced by a hint of concern.