Chapter Seven: Perilous Encounters, a Deadlock Awaiting Resolution

As Su Jin delved deeper into his investigation of the mysterious organization, he grew increasingly cautious, yet danger followed him like a shadow.

One day, as he headed to the small courtyard for his usual training, he sensed that something was amiss. A faint scent of blood hung in the air, and the courtyard, typically tranquil, was now gripped by an unsettling silence. Su Jin gripped his sword hilt warily and stepped inside.

Upon entering, he found several dead sparrows scattered on the ground. Their feathers were ruffled, and their necks bore clean, jagged gashes, as if severed in an instant by something razor-sharp. Su Jin’s heart sank; this was clearly a warning. He scanned his surroundings but found no trace of any intruder.

Suddenly, a faint "hissing" sound reached his ears—the sound of vipers flicking their tongues. He looked down to see several brightly colored venomous snakes slithering out from the tall grass, their cold eyes fixed intently upon him. Su Jin knew these creatures had been placed here deliberately to take his life. He forced himself to remain calm and began to retreat, hoping to step out of their strike range. However, the snakes seemed to anticipate his move and surged toward him.

Hardening his resolve, Su Jin drew his sword. He swung the blade, its edge glinting coldly in the sunlight. Each strike whistled through the air. Drawing upon the techniques he had practiced, he dodged the vipers' lunges and countered with precision. When one snake struck, he sidestepped and brought his blade down, severing its head in one fluid motion, muttering, "You think you can kill me? It won't be that easy!" But the remaining snakes did not retreat; they continued their relentless assault.

In the heat of the struggle, Su Jin began to feel his strength waning. The vipers were numerous and agile, and several had managed to graze him, leaving wounds that burned with sharp pain. Just as despair began to set in, he heard a sharp, clear cry from above. A white falcon dove from the sky, its talons razor-sharp, snatching up several snakes and soaring back into the air. Su Jin watched in astonishment, and before he could react, the falcon dove again, carrying away the rest of the vipers. It then perched on a nearby tree, watching him silently.

Su Jin was filled with confusion, unable to fathom why the bird had intervened. But there was no time to ponder; he knew he had to flee this dangerous place immediately. After quickly dressing his wounds, he hurried away.

Back in his quarters, Su Jin contemplated the mastermind behind the attack. He suspected the mysterious organization had caught wind of his inquiries and sent assassins to silence him. Yet, the appearance of the falcon remained a mystery. He decided to start his investigation there. After making discreet inquiries around the Duke’s Estate, he learned from an old hunter that the falcon was a rare, spiritual bird from the nearby mountains, seldom tamed by any man. A thought flickered in his mind: could this bird be linked to the secret of his own arrival in this world? Perhaps some mysterious force was watching over him.

He sought out Ah Fu and asked anxiously, "Ah Fu, have you ever heard of anyone in the estate having connections to the spiritual birds of the mountains?"

Ah Fu scratched his head and replied, "Young Master, I have never heard of such a thing. This whole business with the falcon is most strange."

Su Jin frowned. "This must be a crucial lead. I must get to the bottom of this."

Though he had escaped the immediate danger, Su Jin knew he remained in a precarious position. The conspiracy of the secret organization had yet to be unmasked, and danger could return at any moment. Within the estate, his situation grew more difficult, with Su Han and the others showing no signs of relenting in their hostility. He had to find a way to break through this intricate web of intrigue.

Su Jin realized that to survive, he first had to strengthen himself. He increased the intensity and duration of his training, not only honing his swordsmanship but also studying the use of hidden weapons to defend against distant foes. He began installing defensive traps around his quarters and frequently visited areas—simple tripwires connected to bells on doors and windows that would sound an alarm if anyone forced their way in.

For intelligence gathering, beyond relying on Ah Fu and Cui’er to keep watch within the estate, he planned to secretly contact warriors from the outside world, offering rewards for information on the organization.

He said to Cui’er, "Cui’er, I cannot remain a sitting duck. I must venture out to uncover the truth. Keep watch here, and if anything happens, tell Ah Fu so he can find a way to send me word."

Cui’er looked at him with concern. "Young Master, it is too dangerous out there. Please, you must be careful."

Su Jin nodded firmly. "Do not worry, I know what I am doing."

He also began to disguise his movements, sometimes venturing out disguised as a common servant, other times moving under the cover of night to ensure his patterns remained unpredictable. He even prepared materials for facial disguise, ready to alter his appearance at a moment's notice to evade pursuit. When facing potential traps, he became even more cautious, observing his surroundings with care and sending Ah Fu or other trusted associates ahead to scout, determined never to walk blindly into a snare again.