As Lu Sang entered the cave, the temperature seemed to drop instantly. The oppressive energy Cao Suyin had spoken of pressed in on him, thick and almost suffocating. His soldiers followed closely behind, their weapons drawn, though he knew they wouldn’t be enough against whatever awaited them.

  Torches flickered against the stone walls, casting long, dancing shadows. The further they ventured, the narrower the passage became, until finally, they stepped into a vast underground chamber. The ceiling stretched impossibly high, adorned with strange, glowing symbols that seemed to pulse in rhythm with his own heartbeat.

  In the center of the chamber stood an altar, surrounded by hooded figures dressed in dark robes. Their faces were obscured, but Lu Sang could feel their eyes upon him. A cold, sinister energy emanated from them, more potent than anything he had encountered in battle.

  "Welcome, General," one of the figures said, their voice a low, rasping whisper. "We’ve been expecting you."

  Lu Sang tightened his grip on his sword, eyes scanning the room for any sign of a trap. He had faced many enemies in his time, but the aura of these people—no, these beings—was unlike anything human. They radiated something far darker, more ancient.

  Cao Suyin stepped forward, her expression unreadable. "These are the Bck Hand," she said softly. "They manipute from behind the scenes, pulling the strings of empires and rebellions alike. They know your name, General. And they know your weaknesses."

  "Do they now?" Lu Sang asked, his voice steady despite the growing tension in his chest.

  "Indeed," the robed figure spoke again, stepping closer. "You desire power—more power than you could ever achieve on your own. You’ve tasted it through your cultivation, but you know it’s not enough."

  Lu Sang's heart pounded in his chest. He had heard the rumors of forbidden techniques, of dark magic that could grant strength at a terrible price. But until now, they had only been whispers. His loyalty to the Fanism Empire and to Empress Pan Lian demanded that he explore every option, even the forbidden, to protect them.

  "What are you offering?" Lu Sang asked.

  The figure chuckled darkly, the sound echoing off the chamber walls. "Not offering, General. We are showing you the path. Power beyond your wildest imagination—but it comes with a price."

  "What price?" Lu Sang’s voice was cold and measured.

  "Your humanity," the figure answered. "The more power you seek, the further you will stray from what you once were. You will become something more... and something less."

  Lu Sang's mind raced. Could he truly give up his humanity to protect the Empire? To defeat the Bck Hand and secure peace? And what would Empress Pan Lian think of him if she knew the depths to which he was willing to sink?

  Cao Suyin watched him closely, her face still unreadable. "This is your choice, General. But know this—the Bck Hand will not stop. Even if you walk away tonight, they will continue to grow in power. They will come for the Empire, and for you. The question is, will you be ready?"

  The air in the chamber grew heavier, pressing down on him with the weight of his decision. Lu Sang’s hand tightened around his sword hilt, his mind a storm of conflicting thoughts. His soldiers stood silently behind him, waiting for his command.

  "Tell me more," Lu Sang said finally, his voice a growl. "What must I do to gain this power?"

  The robed figure raised its hands, and the symbols on the walls fred to life, bathing the chamber in a sickly, unnatural light. "You must embrace the forbidden arts. Rituals that will bind you to powers beyond this world. You will become a conduit, General, a vessel for the energies that fuel the Bck Hand."

  Lu Sang stepped forward, his decision made. "Show me the first step."

  Cao Suyin's eyes gleamed with a mixture of anticipation and something darker—something close to fear. The robed figures began to chant, their voices rising and falling in a strange, otherworldly rhythm. The air in the chamber pulsed with power, and Lu Sang felt his body grow heavy, his limbs sluggish.

  "You will feel the change," the figure said, raising a hand toward him. "You will be reborn in the shadows."

  As the chanting grew louder, Lu Sang felt a surge of energy crash through him, like a river of molten power. It burned through his veins, his muscles, his very soul. He gasped, falling to his knees as the power overwhelmed him, threatening to tear him apart.

  "Embrace it," Cao Suyin whispered in his ear. "This is the only way to defeat them."

  And then, in an instant, it was over. Lu Sang stood, trembling, but alive. His mind felt sharper, clearer than before, and his body thrummed with newfound power. The robed figures watched him silently, their expressions hidden, but Lu Sang knew he had passed some kind of test.

  "Now you are ready," the leader of the Bck Hand said, his voice filled with dark approval. "But remember, General, this power comes at a cost. Do not forget what you’ve given up."

  Lu Sang nodded, his mind already moving to the next step. He had embraced the darkness, but it was only the beginning.

  "Lead me to your masters," he said, his voice cold and unyielding. "It’s time to end this rebellion once and for all."

  Cao Suyin smiled, her eyes glittering with something far too dangerous to be trust. "Then we shall begin, General. Prepare for the war that will decide the fate of the Empire."

  Together, they walked deeper into the darkness, toward the power that would either save or destroy them all.