The Blackfang Ravine had nearly killed him three times already. But the Heavenly Sword Clan's pursuit was worse.
Luo Feng sprinted through the dense forest, his lungs burning, the Sword Saint's furious roars still echoing behind him. The Fox Spirit was cackling like a madwoman, her stolen guqin bouncing on her back. Li Qing, ever the composed Ice Queen, looked like she was seriously considering murdering them both.
"We need to disappear," Luo Feng gasped. "Now."
The Fox Spirit skidded to a halt, her ears twitching. "Oh! I know just the place."
Li Qing's eyes narrowed. "If this is another brothel—"
"Better." The Fox Spirit grinned. "The Nightshade Bazaar."
[New Check-In Location Detected: Nightshade Bazaar – Black Market]
[Initial Mission: Forge a Fake Identity to Evade the Heavenly Sword Clan]
[Reward: 200 Void Energy (Forgery God)]
The Nightshade Bazaar wasn't a place—it was a living, breathing entity of shadows and sin. Stalls lined the underground cavern like crooked teeth, selling everything from cursed artifacts to stolen sect techniques. The air smelled of blood, incense, and the distinct musk of desperate men.
Luo Feng adjusted his hood. "Alright. How do we pull this off?"
The Fox Spirit tapped her chin. "We need three things: a new face, a new story, and enough fake credibility that even the Sword Saint won't question it."
Li Qing crossed her arms. "And how, exactly, do you propose we—"
"Leave it to me!" The Fox Spirit darted off before anyone could argue.
[Mission Update: Acquire Forgery Materials]
Five minutes later, she returned with three jade slips, a vial of shifting ink, and a suspiciously grinning merchant who smelled like fermented peaches.
"These," she declared, "are the identities of three recently deceased rogue cultivators. Tragic accidents, very sad. But their paperwork? Still fresh."
Luo Feng picked up one of the slips. "'Thunderfist' Zhang? Really?"
The Fox Spirit shrugged. "You're muscular. It fits."
Li Qing looked like she wanted to incinerate the entire market. "This is identity theft."
"Correction," the Fox Spirit said, already dipping a brush into the shifting ink. "This is survival."
[Forgery Check-In: 50% Complete]
Luo Feng's new face itched. The shifting ink had reshaped his features just enough—broader jaw, sharper brows, a scar running down his cheek. The Fox Spirit had transformed into a silver-haired rogue scholar, while Li Qing…
Luo Feng blinked. "You made yourself a noble lady?"
Li Qing's borrowed face was regal, cold, and devastatingly beautiful. She glared. "I refuse to look like a common thug."
The Fox Spirit clapped her hands. "Perfect! Now, backstory time. Luo Feng, you're a wandering mercenary. Li Qing, you're a disgraced noblewoman fleeing an arranged marriage. And I—"
"Are the annoying one," Luo Feng muttered.
The Fox Spirit ignored him. "—am your wise, mysterious guide. Oh! And we need a reason to be together."
Li Qing's eyes flashed. "No."
The Fox Spirit grinned. "You're engaged."
Li Qing's sword was halfway out of its sheath before Luo Feng grabbed her wrist. "Easy! It's just cover. We'll drop it as soon as we're clear."
Li Qing's voice was lethal. "If you ever imply such a thing again—"
[System Notification: Romantic Tension Detected]
[Bonus Objective: Play Along for Authenticity]
[Reward: +50 Void Energy (Charm God)]
Luo Feng swallowed. "Uh. Right. Of course."
[The Test: Selling the Lie]
The first test came sooner than expected.
A group of armored cultivators stormed into the bazaar, their white-and-gold robes unmistakable—Heavenly Sword Clan enforcers.
"Search every stall!" their leader barked. "The guqin player is here somewhere!"
Luo Feng's pulse spiked. The Fox Spirit, ever the actress, immediately latched onto his arm. "Oh, my dear fiancé," she sighed dramatically, "when shall we finally leave this dreadful place?"
Li Qing looked like she was going to vomit. But when the enforcers approached, she surprised them all.
She leaned into it.
With a grace that could only come from a lifetime of aristocratic training, she placed a hand on Luo Feng's chest and sighed. "Darling, must we endure these commoners?"
Luo Feng nearly choked.
The lead enforcer frowned. "You three. Identify yourselves."
The Fox Spirit fluttered her lashes. "Oh, mighty warrior! We are but humble travelers. This is my brother, Thunderfist Zhang, his betrothed, Lady Xue, and I am but their humble servant."
The enforcer's eyes lingered on Li Qing. "You don't look like a fugitive."
Li Qing's lips curled into a smile so cold it could freeze hell. "Do I look like I need to run?"
The enforcer hesitated—then stepped back. "My apologies, my lady."
As they moved on, Luo Feng exhaled. "That… actually worked."
Li Qing immediately removed her hand from his chest like it was diseased. "Never. Again."
The Fox Spirit cackled. "Oh, I'm definitely writing this down."
[Check-In Complete]
[Reward: 200 Void Energy (Forgery God)]
[Bonus Reward: +50 Void Energy (Charm God)]
Luo Feng's new identity settled into place like a second skin. The System hummed approvingly.
[Forgery VE Unlocked: Disguise Mastery (Tier 1)]
[Effect: Can alter facial features for 1 hour. Warning: May cause itching.]
As they slipped out of the bazaar, the Fox Spirit smirked. "See? I told you this would work."
Li Qing looked at the darkening sky. "We've bought time. But the Sword Saint won't stop hunting us."
Luo Feng cracked his knuckles. "Then we'd better get stronger."
Somewhere in the distance, thunder rumbled.
END OF THE CHAPTER11