The private room in the Golden Pavilion was soundproofed with expensive spirit arrays, but Jian had added his own layer of security: a "Chatter-Box" talisman outside the door that played loud, drunken laughter on a loop. Inside, the atmosphere was serious.
A map of the continent lay spread across the table, weighted down by wine cups and daggers.
Jian pointed a chopstick at a red-marked region in the north. "The Blood Moon Sect's main stronghold: Crimson Peak."
Mina leaned over the map, her finger tracing the supply lines. "They control three major trade routes here, here, and here. They also have alliances with two minor sects—the Iron Bone Clan and the Whispering Willows. If we attack the peak directly, they'll call for reinforcements, and we'll be surrounded within an hour."
Elara studied the map, her silver eyes sharp. "And their leader? The Elder who sent the assassins?"
"Elder Mo," Mina said, tapping a symbol near the peak's summit. "Nascent Soul mid-stage. Ruthless. He specializes in blood sacrifice techniques. The stronger his enemies are, the more power he steals from their deaths."
Kelser sat silently in the corner, his arms crossed. His gaze was fixed on the map, but his mind was already dissecting the problem into variables: Distance. Defenses. Weak points. Casualty probability.
"We cannot win a direct assault," Kelser stated flatly. "Not yet. My Second Layer is unstable after the battle in the wastes. A prolonged fight against a Nascent Soul would risk collapse."
Jian nodded, popping a grape into his mouth. "Agreed. Charging in like heroes is a great way to become corpses. We need to be... messy."
"Messy?" Elara raised an eyebrow.
"Chaotic," Jian corrected, grinning. "We don't attack their strength. We attack their foundation. We make them bleed resources until they're too weak to stand."
He looked at Mina. "Tell them the plan."
Mina's expression turned cold and professional. She pulled out a small notebook filled with scribbles and diagrams.
"Phase One: Sever the Veins," she began. "The Blood Moon Sect relies on 'Blood Crystals' harvested from captured cultivators and beast cores to fuel their formations and feed Elder Mo's cultivation. These crystals are transported monthly via the Whispering River."
She traced the river on the map. "We intercept the next shipment. Not to steal it—but to contaminate it."
Elara's eyes widened. "Contaminate how?"
"With Asura Frost," Kelser said, understanding instantly.
Mina nodded. "Exactly. If you infuse the crystals with your paradox energy, they won't just freeze. They'll become unstable. When the sect tries to use them in their main formation, the feedback will shatter their defensive arrays from the inside."
"And while they panic fixing the arrays," Jian added, leaning forward, "Phase Two: The Ghost Story."
He pulled out a stack of fake wanted posters and rumors he'd already drafted.
"We spread word that the 'Frozen Pair' isn't just attacking shipments—they're hunting Blood Moon disciples specifically. We make it look like every shadow holds Kelser. We make them paranoid. Paranoia makes people make mistakes. It breaks morale."
Elara smiled faintly. "Psychological warfare."
"The best kind," Jian winked. "Fear is cheaper than swords."
Mina continued, pointing to a cluster of smaller symbols around the main peak. "Phase Three: Isolate the Allies. The Iron Bone Clan and Whispering Willows only support the Blood Moon Sect because they're afraid of Elder Mo. If we show them that the Blood Moon is vulnerable... if we leak information about the contaminated crystals and the 'ghost attacks'..."
"They'll withdraw their support," Elara finished. "Or worse, turn on the Blood Moon to save themselves."
"Exactly," Mina said. "By the time we reach Crimson Peak, Elder Mo will be alone, his defenses broken, his allies gone, and his resources poisoned."
Silence fell over the room as the plan settled in. It was risky. It required precision, timing, and absolute trust between all four of them.
Kelser looked at Jian and Mina. For the first time, he didn't see them as liabilities or distractions. He saw them as force multipliers.
"This plan has a 70% success rate," Kelser calculated aloud. "If we execute perfectly."
Jian laughed. "Seventy percent? In our line of work, that's basically a guarantee!"
"But there is one variable we cannot control," Elara said softly, looking at Kelser. "Elder Mo himself. Even without his army, a desperate Nascent Soul is dangerous."
Kelser stood up. He walked to the window, looking out at the city below. The fear in the streets was still there, but now, there was also a flicker of hope among the oppressed.
"I will handle Elder Mo," Kelser said. His voice was quiet, but it carried the weight of a vow.
Elara stepped up beside him. "Together."
Kelser turned to look at her. The crimson ring in his eye spun slowly. "Yes. Together."
He looked back at Jian and Mina.
"Prepare the interception," Kelser ordered. "We move tonight."
Jian saluted playfully. "Aye aye, Captain Ice!"
Mina just nodded, packing her tools. "I'll scout the river route. Meet me at the northern bridge in two hours."
As they prepared to leave, Jian paused at the door. He looked back at Kelser and Elara, his usual grin softening into something genuine.
"You know," he said, "for a couple of monsters who scare the hell out of everyone... you're actually pretty good people."
Elara smiled. "We try."
Kelser didn't smile, but he gave a slight nod. "Efficiency requires cooperation."
Jian laughed and vanished out the door, followed by the silent Mina.
Alone again, Elara took Kelser's hand.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
Kelser squeezed her hand. The cold in his grip was no longer isolating; it was grounding.
"The Blood Moon Sect thinks they are hunters," Kelser said. "Tonight, they learn what it feels like to be prey."
Outside, the wind picked up, carrying the scent of snow and impending storm.
The alliance was formed.
The plan was set.
And the hunt for the Blood Moon had begun.