Rebirth of the Tribulation Immortal

The days that followed their successful strike against Bai Zhen and the Dragon's Fang clan were filled with tension. Xu Liang had disappeared to gather more information, leaving Tang Xiu to reflect on their next move. Every moment felt charged with anticipation, as if a storm was brewing just beyond the horizon.

While Xu Liang was away, Tang Xiu took the time to continue his training, honing his skills and increasing his understanding of the ancient martial techniques. Yet, despite his progress, his mind often wandered back to the Dragon's Fang and the mysterious traitor. It was clear that the attack on Bai Zhen was only the tip of the iceberg. The real battle would be fought within the clan's inner circle, where betrayal, ambition, and power struggles ran deep.

One evening, as Tang Xiu was practicing a sword technique, he received a message from Xu Liang. It was brief but urgent.

"I have found something. Meet me at the old temple on the outskirts of the city. Don't trust anyone, not even those who claim to be on our side."

The message left Tang Xiu with a chill in his bones. He had suspected there was more to the traitor's game than he realized. Now, it seemed that Xu Liang had uncovered something that could change everything.

The old temple was located on the edge of the city, far from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. The crumbling structure, covered in ivy and dust, seemed to hold an air of mystery and forgotten history. As Tang Xiu approached, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was walking into a trap.

When he entered the temple, the dim light flickered, casting long shadows on the cracked walls. In the center of the room stood Xu Liang, his face grim.

"Xu Liang, what's going on?" Tang Xiu asked, his voice low and tense.

Xu Liang turned to face him, his eyes betraying a mix of frustration and concern. "I've discovered the identity of the traitor. But it's worse than I thought. The traitor is someone who's been with us for a long time, someone we've trusted."

Tang Xiu's eyes widened. "Who?"

Xu Liang hesitated, then spoke in a hushed tone. "It's someone from within the martial arts circle we've been working with. The person I suspect is… Master Li."

Tang Xiu's heart skipped a beat. Master Li had been his mentor, someone who had guided him in his early days of martial arts training. The thought that he could be the traitor seemed impossible, yet Xu Liang's words hung in the air like a heavy weight.

"But why?" Tang Xiu asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "What would Master Li gain from betraying us?"

Xu Liang's expression darkened. "Power, influence, wealth… There are many things to be gained by siding with the Dragon's Fang. And Master Li is ambitious—he's always wanted to take control of the martial arts world. He's been playing both sides for years, pretending to be loyal to us while secretly working with our enemies."

Tang Xiu's mind raced. If Master Li was truly the traitor, then everything he had been taught, everything he had trusted, was a lie. It felt like the ground beneath him was shifting, and his whole reality was crumbling.

"We need to confront him," Tang Xiu said, his voice steely with resolve. "Now that we know who he is, there's no time to waste."

Xu Liang nodded. "I agree. But we must be careful. Master Li is a cunning man. He won't go down without a fight. We'll need to expose him in front of the others, make sure there's no way he can worm his way out of this."

The plan was set into motion. Tang Xiu and Xu Liang arranged a meeting with Master Li, pretending to seek his counsel on a matter related to the Dragon's Fang. They knew that Master Li would be cautious, but they were counting on his arrogance to make a mistake.

When the day arrived, they met at a secluded dojo on the outskirts of the city. The atmosphere was thick with tension as Master Li entered, his expression unreadable. He greeted them as he always did, with that same familiar smile that had always put Tang Xiu at ease.

But today, that smile felt like a mask—one that was about to slip.

"Master Li, we need your help," Xu Liang began, his voice casual but sharp. "We've come across some troubling information about the Dragon's Fang. We're not sure who we can trust, but we think it's time to take action."

Master Li's eyes narrowed, and for a brief moment, Tang Xiu could see the flicker of recognition in them. It was as though he knew that something was about to change.

"Take action?" Master Li repeated, his tone careful. "I'm afraid I don't understand. The Dragon's Fang is far too powerful. Are you sure you want to go down this road?"

Tang Xiu stepped forward, his eyes hard. "We're not asking for permission. We've already made our move. But now we need to know where your loyalties lie, Master Li."

Master Li stiffened. "What do you mean by that?"

Xu Liang smirked. "We know everything, Master Li. We know that you've been feeding information to the Dragon's Fang, helping them stay one step ahead of us. Your betrayal ends now."

Master Li's face went pale, and for the first time, Tang Xiu saw genuine fear in his eyes. "You're making a mistake. This isn't what you think."

But Tang Xiu's mind was already made up. "No. The only mistake was trusting you. Your time has come."

Tang Xiu and Xu Liang didn't waste time on words. They moved in unison, striking with the precision and speed they had honed over the past weeks. Master Li fought back with surprising skill, but he was no match for the combined power of Tang Xiu and Xu Liang.

As the fight progressed, it became clear that Master Li's strength had been a lie. He had been relying on his position and deception to maintain his power, but now that the truth had come to light, his true abilities were nowhere near enough to match his former disciples.

Finally, with a swift move, Tang Xiu disarmed Master Li and pinned him to the floor. The man's once-confident demeanor had shattered, leaving only the trembling remnants of his betrayal.

"You're finished," Tang Xiu said, his voice cold. "The Dragon's Fang will never trust you again. And neither will I."

Xu Liang stepped forward, his eyes filled with disdain. "You were always a fool, Master Li. You thought you could play both sides, but you're just a pawn in their game. Now you'll pay the price for your greed."

As they left the dojo, the weight of their actions hung heavily in the air. Master Li's betrayal was a blow, but it had also opened the door to something greater. The Dragon's Fang was a force to be reckoned with, but now they had a serious weakness—and Tang Xiu was ready to exploit it.

Would you like to explore the aftermath of Master Li's betrayal or focus on Tang Xiu's next steps in dismantling the Dragon's Fang?