Li Wei watches the servants packing up the camp efficiently. Their actions are methodical and practised; each item is carefully folded, rolled, or secured. Once a small hub of activity and rest, the campsite slowly reverts to its natural state.
As Li Wei rose, a discomfort was immediate—a sharp contrast to the numbness of sleep. Rising from his makeshift bedding on the ground, he became acutely aware of a raw sensation along his back. The source was unmistakable: the coarse fabric of the sack he had carried the day before. Throughout yesterday's travel, the sack had been a cumbersome companion, its weight a burden, but it was only upon waking that its toll became evident.
Li Wei turns to his own belongings. He picks up his linen bedding, rolling it tightly to conserve space. He works silently, the fabric rustling softly with each fold. His other possessions are gathered next. He places each one into his sack with a sense of order, ensuring everything fits snugly. The sack, now ready, is hoisted onto his back, the weight familiar and manageable.
With the camp fully dismantled, Dao Feng and Lin Yue stand waiting. They exchange a brief glance, a silent communication of readiness to continue their journey. Standing a few feet away, Li Wei adjusts his sack.
The coarse fabric rubs uncomfortably through his clothes, a persistent annoyance with every step he takes. "This sack is fucking annoying," he thinks, a scowl briefly crossing his face. The thought of a more suitable alternative crosses his mind, a pack perhaps, something more fitting for a journey of this nature and duration. "It would've been much better to buy a pack or something," he muses internally, envisioning a leather pack, sturdy and designed to distribute weight more evenly. Such an item would ease the burden and align more with the practical needs of travel during these times. A reminder for future preparations.
The group sets off, stepping back onto the well-worn path.
Li Wei feels the weight of his sack settle slightly more comfortably over his shoulder as they leave the clearing. The morning sun, now higher in the sky, bathes the landscape in a warm glow. He follows Dao Feng and Lin Yue, keeping pace with their steady strides. Their feet on the earth blend with the rustling leaves and distant bird calls.
The path they follow is well-trodden, winding through the forest. Li Wei watches the light filter through the canopy, casting patterns on the ground that shift with each step. The air is fresh, filled with pine and earth, invigorating with every breath.
The dense trees gradually thin out as they continue, revealing a landscape that opens into vast rolling hills. The hills stretch out before them, undulating gently under the open sky. In the distance, mountains rise, hazy blue peaks against the horizon. Li Wei takes in the view, feeling a sense of space and freedom after the enclosed environment of the forest.
Li Wei watches the land unfold before him. Open fields stretch out to either side of the path, the grasses growing taller, their ends tickling his hands as he walks past. Small insects buzz around, a sign of the vibrant life in these fields.
As they traverse the landscape towards Xianyang, Li Wei welcomes the occasional clusters of trees they pass. Each group of trees offers a brief escape from the relentless summer sun, their branches casting shadows that drape over him and his companions. These natural sanctuaries and cool shade spots provide a reprieve for which Li Wei is silently grateful. The air under these trees feels fresher, noticeably cooler than the open path, a gentle reminder of nature's balance.
The warmth enveloping the land speaks of late summer's peak, contrasting sharply with the cooler air he experienced in the mountains. Back there, amidst the higher elevations, the season's heat was a distant concept, buffered by altitude that kept the climate milder. "Up the mountain, summer's touch was barely felt," Li Wei reflects, noting the stark difference as they descend into the lower lands. Here, the sun asserts its presence more boldly, the earth and air thrumming warmly.
"It is wise to move swiftly while summer still graces the land," Li Wei contemplates his thoughts on the strategic timing of the sect assignment. The idea of Xianyang, teeming with the season's yield, occupies his strategic mind. "Xianyang should be ripe with resources now," he considers. "The fields will be laden with crops, the storehouses beginning to swell with the season's bounty." This abundance, he realises, is their advantage, offering ample opportunity for the sect to extract wealth and provisions before the inevitable decline that comes with the changing seasons.
The contrast between the mountain's cooler, almost temperate climate and the lush, warm fertility of the lower lands sharpen his awareness of urgency. Li Wei's thoughts are clear: capitalise on the current abundance, securing what they can under the guise of summer's generosity, leaving the kingdom unaware of their loss until the colder, harsher months reveal their deprivation.
The path meanders, taking them through areas where wildflowers grow in abundance. The colours are vivid against the green backdrop – yellows, purples, and blues. Li Wei notices bees and butterflies flitting among the flowers, their movements a delicate dance of nature.
The journey continues for hours, the sun rising, its rays growing warmer. A village comes into view. The buildings are simple, a cluster of wooden and stone structures that speak of a life attuned to the land. Smoke drifts lazily from chimneys, and the occasional sound of voices and animal calls reaches Li Wei's ears.
As they near the village, Li Wei notices the change in the villagers' demeanour. People stop their work to look at them; their expressions mix interest and wariness. Children peek from behind doorways, their eyes wide with curiosity. The adults watch more cautiously, their faces marked by years of labour and the sun.
Li Wei senses the impact of their presence. Clad in the distinct attire of their sect, they are an unusual sight in this simple village. He sees the villagers' guarded glances towards Dao Feng and Lin Yue.
Dao Feng guides the group towards the village entrance. Li Wei follows, observing the scenery and the people they pass. The gate ahead is modest in size, made of weathered wood and flanked by stone pillars. It stands open, unobstructed but watched.
A solitary guard stands at the entrance, his stance attempting firmness but faltering slightly under the weight of the group's approach. Li Wei notes the guard's eyes widening as they draw nearer, a subtle but unmistakable sign of apprehension. The guard shifts his weight from one foot to the other, a nervous habit betraying his unease.
As they reach the gate, the guard steps forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "State your business," he commands, his voice striving for authority. "Where have you come from?"
Dao Feng stops, his eyes locking onto the guard. Li Wei watches, sensing a tension in the air. In a swift, unexpected movement,
In a moment that seems to stretch, Dao Feng shifts his stance ever so slightly. Li Wei's eyes narrowed, watching intently as Dao Feng's hand moved. The movement is almost imperceptible, a subtle gesture that belies the lethal action about to unfold.
Suddenly, Dao Feng's arm flicks forward, releasing three projectiles of bone. Li Wei tracks their trajectory, his training allowing him to see their precise path. The first bone shot strikes the guard in the chest, puncturing the sternum with a force that knocks the wind out of him. The second hit his throat, severing vital arteries in a way that ensures any cry for help is instantly silenced. The third projectile finds its mark in the abdomen, causing immediate and intense pain and rendering the guard incapacitated.
The guard's reaction is minimal, his body registering shock more than pain. His eyes widen briefly, a look of disbelief crossing his face as he realises what has happened. Then, as quickly as the attack began, it ended. The guard collapses, his body hitting the ground with a thud that echoes in the quiet of the village entrance.
The sound of the body falling is heavy, a dull noise that reverberates through the ground. Li Wei feels a chill run down his spine, the finality of the moment not lost on him. The guard lies motionless, his life extinguished in mere seconds.
Instantly, chaos erupts. Villagers, who had been observing from a distance, begin to scatter. Their shouts and cries punctuate the air, a cacophony of fear and confusion.
Li Wei watches. Around him, the scene descends into disarray. People run in all directions, some seeking shelter in their homes, others disappearing down narrow alleyways. The air is thick with fear, the villagers' panic palpable.
Children cry out, their voices high and scared, as they cling to their parents. Men and women shout to one another, their words overlapping in a frantic attempt to make sense of the situation. Doors slam shut, and windows are hastily closed, the village sealing itself from the threat.
Amidst the turmoil, Dao Feng remains composed. He surveys the scene with a cold detachment, his expression unreadable. Lin Yue stands beside him, her demeanour equally unfazed by the chaos they have incited.
Li Wei readies himself for any further confrontation. His eyes dart around, taking in the rapidly changing situation, his mind racing with thoughts and strategies.
Li Wei follows Dao Feng's lead, stepping into the village, the echoes of their violent entrance still reverberating.
Amid the chaos, Li Wei notices a middle-aged man stepping cautiously out of a nearby house. The man's attire is simple, characteristic of village life – a plain shirt and trousers, worn and faded from use. He walks towards Dao Feng and the group, hesitating but driven by necessity.
The villager bows deeply as he nears them, his back curving in a gesture of respect mixed with fear. His face, visible as he looks up, shows lines of worry and desperation. Li Wei watches the interaction, noting the man's trembling hands, a clear sign of his anxiety.
"Esteemed masters, what can this humble servant do for you?" the villager's voice quivers as he speaks, each word laced with apprehension. "I only ask that you spare our poor village." His eyes dart between the group, pleading for mercy.
Li Wei observes Dao Feng's response. His face remains impassive, his eyes cold and calculating. "We require three horses and a servant," Dao Feng states, his voice firm and emotionless. "Provide these, and we will leave your village in peace." His words are direct, leaving no room for negotiation.
The villager's expression shifts to one of brief relief, a flicker of hope crossing his features. He nods quickly, his agreement immediate. "Yes, yes, right away!" he stutters, eager to comply. He turns, his movements now brisk with newfound purpose. He weaves through the houses, disappearing from view as he goes to fulfil Dao Feng's demands.
Li Wei watches the villager's retreating figure.
Around them, the village remains tense. The sounds of doors locking and shutters closing echo through the streets. The air is heavy with the scent of fear and uncertainty. Children's cries have quieted, replaced by a hushed silence that has fallen over the village.