Rain Bamboo Horror

A pale grey sky hung heavy, and a fine, silky rain spun a hazy veil. A chilly wind swept across the vast bamboo forest, rustling the branches and leaves. Countless verdant leaves broke free from the branches and drifted to the ground. A wet leaf, swirling, quietly fell among the crisscrossing grids.

The hand holding the white piece paused for a moment, then dropped silently. A cold, mocking smile curved the corners of the young man's lips, and his voice pierced the dense rain, clear as a whisper: "Since a distant guest has arrived, why hide your head and show your tail? Reveal yourself."

Before he finished speaking, in a flash of lightning!

Four dark shadows, brimming with murderous intent, rose from the bamboo shadows on all sides. Their cold blades tore through the rain curtain, enveloping them in a fierce gale, piercing the young man's vital points! A flash of cold light from the sword tip instantly illuminated the chaotic raindrops and the young man's calm features.

The boy didn't even look up.

With a single palm, he gently pressed the chessboard, his figure suddenly erecting like a wisp of smoke. The moment he landed, his toes landed squarely on the center of the intersecting blades of four piercing swords. The force of that single touch, light as a feather, felt like a thousand pounds, sending the four swords plummeting downwards. With another tap of his toes, the young man's figure, like a startled wild goose, soared into the air, his wide sleeves fluttering like crane wings. With his hands intertwined, the four chess pieces transformed into meteors that tore through the rain curtain, silent yet deadly!

The masked man's pupils suddenly shrank, horror frozen on his face, and before he could react -

Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff!

The chess piece sank precisely into his forehead. His movements froze for a moment, his expression as stiff as stone, and he fell to the ground with a thud, splashing a few drops of muddy mud.

The figure in green floated back onto the stone bench.

His sleeves remained spotless, as if the terrifying attack just now had been nothing more than a casual brushing of a fallen leaf from his shoulder. The drizzling rain condensed into glittering beads on the tips of his inky hair, each drop distinct, further emphasizing his handsome face and picturesque features.

If it weren't for the four bodies that quickly turned cold on the ground, in this rain-covered bamboo forest, there would still be that handsome young man who was calm and composed, listening to the wind and watching the rain.

He lowered his eyes, his slender fingertips casually brushing the fallen wet leaf on the chessboard. His voice was as soft as a whisper, but it carried a hint of the coldness of a settled state:

"This place... should be changed."

The young man had just packed his bags and stepped out of the doorway when he ran head-on into an old man in gray, blocking his way. The man had frosty hair, a haughty expression, and eyes that were as sharp as lightning and pierced straight into the heart.

A slight chill trembled in the young man's heart, and he thought to himself, This man has a proud and aloof character; he would never lower himself to attack a junior. He must have other reasons for seeking me out... I might as well flatter him with a false reputation, frame his pride, and discourage him from resorting to violence. His thoughts raced, and a hint of surprise crossed his face. He hurriedly bowed, his brows smiling, and spoke with the utmost respect: "Oh, it's Elder Ding Yizhen of the Iron Palm Gang. I'm so sorry! I've long admired your noble character, and seeing you in person today, you're truly dignified and worthy of your reputation!"

"You have quite a keen eye, kid," Ding Yizhen secretly praised. However, as he glanced at Tiao Tiao, the hint of surprise in his eyes quickly turned to contempt. "Are you the Green Light Sword Master Tiao Tiao? I thought you were such a big shot, but you're just a brat! The gang leader actually ordered me to come in person to invite you. That's a bit of an overreaction."

Tiao Tiao kept smiling and said gently, "Yes, it must be something extremely important that has troubled Elder Ding to come in person."

Ding Yizhen snorted coldly and looked down on others. "The gang leader has something important to discuss with you. Please come with me."

A glimmer flickered in Tiao Tiao's eyes, and he asked tentatively, "Excuse me, Elder Ding, I wonder why your leader summoned me?"

Ding Yizhen glanced at him sideways and said proudly, "You'll know when you get there."

Tiao Tiao bowed again, his humble gesture just enough to hide the glint in his eyes. "Elder Ding ordered me to do this, how dare I disobey? But... I suddenly remembered that I left an important item in the house. I will fetch it immediately and then go with you. I beg you to wait for a moment."

Although Ding Yizhen found him nagging, he heard him constantly address him as "Elder Ding" and praise his own "high moral character." If he insisted on refusing, he would appear narrow-minded and unworthy of such a title. So he waved his sleeve impatiently, "Go away! Boy, if you dare to play tricks on me, I will skin you alive!"

Tiao Tiao waved his hands hurriedly, saying repeatedly, "Elder Ding, your words are truly humiliating to me. Even if I had the utmost courage, I wouldn't dare to flaunt my skills in front of you! Just be patient and wait. With your extraordinary foresight and profound martial arts skills, even if I close my eyes and draw the curtains, I won't be able to escape from your grasp."

"Hmph, you're sensible!" This flattery was so soothing that Ding Yizhen felt relaxed all over.

"Oh, right," Tiao Tiao turned around, as if suddenly remembering something, with an embarrassed look on his face, "I was in a trance for a moment and couldn't remember the exact location of that thing. I'm afraid it will take some time to find it. If I have delayed you, elder, I will be blamed for it. I hope you will forgive me."

Ding Yizhen snorted, crossed his arms, and turned away proudly. He was always proud of his status, but Tiao Tiao was humble and polite from beginning to end, her words full of respect and praise, each one hitting the mark, and even inexplicably, his usually thin patience had increased a little.

However, time passed quietly, and there was no sound in the house. Ding Yizhen was getting impatient waiting and shouted, "Is it done yet?"

The fields were silent, with only the sound of the wind blowing through the trees. Ding Yizhen's heart sank suddenly - he had fallen into a trap!

He rushed into the house like lightning. The house was empty, where was the shadow of a person? Only the side window was open, and the branches outside were still trembling.

"You little thief!" Ding Yizhen was extremely angry. He stomped his feet fiercely, and the bluestone ground cracked into spider-web-like fine lines. He wanted to slap himself twice to vent his anger. "I am the elder of the Iron Palm Gang, and I was toyed with by a yellow-haired boy. If this matter gets out, how can I save my face! Little beast, if you fall into my hands, I will tear you into pieces!" Before he finished speaking, he rushed out of the window like an eagle, following the imperceptible trace, pushing his lightness skills to the extreme, and chasing after him madly.

When the sound of pursuit outside the house completely faded away, a green shadow floated down from the beam like light smoke and stood silently on the ground. It was Tiao Tiao.

He listened for a moment, his gaze darting past the still-swaying branches outside the window. He knew the direction of his pursuers. A faint smile played on his lips, and he spun abruptly, heading in the opposite direction, drifting away like a ghost. With a single tap of his toe on the flexible branch, the limb remained motionless, while he shot forth several feet like an arrow from a bow. In a few rises and falls, the man in the green shirt blended into the lush forest, a fleeting shadow, vanishing in the blink of an eye.