The wind and snow of the northern frontier slashed against his face like knives. Third Master Xie (a respectful address for Xie) stood on high ground, his eyes revealing a trace of impatience. Beside him, the Jin Ni (a mythical lion-like beast) could barely contain itself, emitting low whimpers from its throat while its claws gouged deep marks into the snow. Though smaller than tigers or leopards, this creature excelled in its insidious and unpredictable movement—it was the most venomous hunter in these woods.
"Go!"
At Third Master Xie's command, the Jin Ni darted forward like a streak of gray shadow. Chen Mo was struggling through the snow when a chill crept up the back of his neck—the cold sensation of being locked onto by a top predator instantly spread across his entire body. Without even time to turn around, the stench of blood swept toward him. The beast's speed was terrifying; in the blink of an eye, it had closed to just one meter behind him.
Chen Mo didn't dodge. Instead, he did something utterly unthinkable. His upper body twisted violently, and rather than evading, he thrust his left arm backward, shoving it directly into that gaping maw. The instant the Jin Ni clamped down, a glint of cold light flashed from Chen Mo's right sleeve, and a blade sank ruthlessly into the beast's soft underbelly.
Man and beast rolled together into a snow-covered ravine. Crimson blood quickly spread across the pristine white snow. Third Master Xie glanced at the pool of blood, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth. Just as he turned to leave, the Jin Ni convulsed a few times in the snow—then went still.
His heart lurched. He strode forward and realized the warm blood was flowing from beneath the Jin Ni. Before he could react, the snow exploded. Chen Mo burst upward like a snow leopard, and in his hand that black-bodied, white-edged Triangular Bayonet (a three-edged dagger) screamed through the air, lunging straight for his ankle.
"Military Combat Arts (combat techniques from the army)?"
Third Master Xie's eyelids twitched violently. His body responded in an instant. He balanced on one foot, his form spinning like a top. Not only did he dodge the fatal thrust, but his left foot followed through, kicking Chen Mo's wrist. Snap! In pain, Chen Mo released the dagger. Immediately, Third Master Xie's long leg whipped around like a lash, slamming into the youth's chest.
"Mmph!"
Chen Mo grunted, his entire body flying backward. It felt as if his internal organs had been displaced. Blood immediately gushed from his nose. The Jin Ni lay slumped nearby, pierced through the chest and belly—it was already dead.
Third Master Xie glanced at his torn cotton-padded trousers, then at the youth kneeling in the snow who still stared at him fixedly. A chill rose unbidden in his heart. This boy was only sixteen or seventeen, yet his scheming ran this deep, and his strikes were so ruthless and decisive. Had that move landed a moment ago, it would have severed his Achilles tendon.
"Well done, boy. Hiding your cleverness behind apparent clumsiness—you've got quite the plotting mind. I underestimated you."