Rain came down hard, a relentless downpour. Thunder cracked, a sound quickly lost to the fierce wind whipping through the mountains.
One person was climbing a seemingly endless stone staircase, their steps steady.
A wide hat shadowed their face, water beading and running off its brim. They wore a black robe, and the young man continued upward, a single sword at his side.
At the top of the stairs stood a large estate, its gates made of dark, old wood. Above the gates, two golden characters were carved into the stone.
HUO.
The young man looked up, his eyes fixed on the name. For a time, the world seemed to hold its breath. Then, in a voice that was remarkably calm, almost flat, he spoke.
"Death awaits you."
The heavy gates began to creak open.
Beyond them, the courtyard was filled with warriors, hundreds of them, an imposing, solid line. Not a single weapon was lowered as they saw the young man. Whispers spread through their ranks.
"The Soulless Swordsman."
"So, he's finally arrived."
A warrior stepped forward, his hand tightening on his sword.
"He's here for the Clan Head!"
Another pointed his blade towards the sky.
"Kill him!"
The order rang out. In an instant, the warriors surged forward, their shouts merging with the storm. Blades glinted in the flashes of lightning.
The young man stood still. His expression remained hidden under the hat. Slowly, his hand moved to the hilt of his sword. A quiet voice cut through the rain.
"Moliu..."
A faint, metallic sound echoed as the blade was drawn.
"Dark Flow."
Everything seemed to pause.
Click.
The sword went back into its sheath and a profound silence fell over the courtyard.
The charging warriors kept coming, unaware of what was about to happen. Suddenly, blood sprayed across the wet stones. Bodies began to fall, one after another.
Some never seemed to realize they had been struck, others dropped with their swords still raised.
In moments, the courtyard was a pool of red, with only one person left standing. His hands shook uncontrollably, and his sword fell from his grasp, clattering on the stone. His eyes were fixed on the young man, who had not moved.
"W-What? I... didn't even see him move..."
The young man walked past him, not even glancing his way. His footsteps echoed in the now silent courtyard.
Behind him, there was nothing but death.
The storm showed no sign of relenting. Rain lashed against the tile roofs of the Huo Estate, and thunder rumbled overhead.
In a vast hall deep within the estate, an old man sat in quiet contemplation.
He was cross-legged, his weathered hands resting on his knees, eyes closed. A sheathed sword lay beside him.
"Another one," he murmured.
Lightning split the sky, followed by a heavy clap of thunder.
Just then, another presence entered the hall. The old man's lips curved into a faint smile.
"You must be... the Soulless Swordsman."
A young man stood at the entrance, rain dripping from the brim of his traditional cap. He offered no reply. The old man let out a soft chuckle.
"With a name like that, I suppose silence is the only sensible response."
He slowly opened his eyes, meeting the young man's cold gaze from beneath his hat.
"So, what brings you to my home?"
The young man finally spoke.
"You already know."
The old man observed him for a moment, then laughed again.
"That voice... it's thick with hatred and vengeance. So that is why you are here."
There was no answer.
His laughter subsided, and the old man's hand moved to the sword beside him. With fluid grace, he rose to his feet.
"I neither know nor care who sent you. But setting foot in the Huo Estate is a mistake you will deeply regret."
His blade slid from its scabbard, its edge shimmering with a faint, crimson energy that coiled like dancing flames, raising the temperature in the hall.
The young man, too, slowly drew his own sword.
A whisper escaped as ash-black energy, like drifting ink, wrapped around his blade.
The two warriors stood motionless. Rain pattered beyond the open doorway. Neither man moved, neither breathed.
A single raindrop struck the wooden floor, and then they were gone.
The sharp clash of steel rang out, followed by countless more. Their blades became a blur, impossible to track.
The rain itself seemed to part before their furious exchanges, and the hall vibrated with each impact.
Silence returned. Footsteps echoed on the stone steps, and a single figure emerged: the young man. Blood slowly dripped from the edge of his blade. With a casual swing, he scattered the crimson drops into the falling rain. He sheathed his sword and, without a backward glance, continued on his way.
Behind him, the leader of the Huo Clan remained standing. For a fleeting moment, a thin crimson line appeared across his chest.
His sword slipped from his grasp, and he collapsed. The storm swallowed the s ound. The young man had vanished back into the downpour.
Only one thought remained.
"May the hunt commence."