Feng Yao awoke before dawn, the cool morning air gently penetrating the thin fabric of his nightclothes.
He rose from his bed, stretching his limbs and preparing himself for the journey to Shanggu.
He donned his finest robes—elegant garments of deep navy blue adorned with intricate silver embroidery, a gift from his mother, Zhou Li.
The soft silk draped gracefully around him, catching the first rays of sunlight as he fastened his topknot.
Descending the stairs, Feng Yao found his family already bustling with last-minute preparations.
Lanterns flickered, casting long shadows on the walls of their home.
His father, Feng Ren, and his elder sister, Feng Xia, were finalizing their tasks, while his brother-in-law, Chen Wei, and his father-in-law, Chen Po, the mayor of Littleleaf, supervised the loading of the carriage.
"Yao'er, you should eat before you leave," Zhou Li said, handing him a steaming egg bun and a few freshly made dumplings.
Her face was a blend of pride and concern.
"Thank you, Mother," Feng Yao replied with a warm smile.
He turned to his father. "I'll make sure to represent our family well."
Feng Ren nodded, patting him on the shoulder. "Stay focused and do your best. This is a great opportunity."
Feng Xia approached with a small bundle wrapped in cloth. "Dried fruits and snacks for the journey. They'll come in handy."
"I appreciate it, big sis," Feng Yao said, accepting the bundle. He cast a final, wistful glance at his family's modest home, knowing this journey marked the beginning of a new chapter.
Outside, the carriage awaited, sturdy and well-maintained, drawn by two strong horses.
Four guards stood by their mounts, their faces a mix of professionalism and friendly familiarity.
Chen Po approached with a serious expression.
"Yao'er, be cautious. The journey to the capital is long and fraught with potential dangers. We trust you'll make us proud."
"I will, Uncle Po. Thank you for arranging this," Feng Yao responded with a respectful bow.
With final farewells exchanged, Feng Yao climbed into the carriage.
The guards mounted their horses, ready to escort him.
Li Zhang, the head guard, took the lead and turned to Feng Yao.
"Greetings, young master. I am Li Zhang, the leader of your escort. Allow me to introduce my team. This is Wei Jin," he said, pointing to a tall, young guard with a determined expression.
"He's relatively new but shows great promise."
Li Zhang then pointed to Zhao Long, a seasoned guard with a rugged appearance.
"This is Zhao Long. He's seen many battles and is highly skilled in both combat and strategy."
Finally, Li Zhang indicated the fourth guard, who stood quietly with a contemplative look.
"And this is Tang Lei. His keen observation and reliability make him an invaluable member of our team."
Feng Yao nodded to each of them. "It's an honor to meet you all. I appreciate your support."
As the carriage began its journey, Feng Yao engaged in conversation with his guards.
They spoke of their past experiences and the dangers they had faced.
Li Zhang recounted a tale of a skirmish with rogue cultivators, his voice steady as he described the fierce battle.
Zhao Long shared a story about protecting a high-profile convoy from an assassination attempt, his eyes reflecting the seriousness of the situation.
Wei Jin, despite his nervousness, spoke with enthusiasm about his recent training and the challenges he had overcome. "I'm still learning, but I hope to prove myself worthy of this role," he said earnestly.
Tang Lei, though quieter, contributed his thoughts on the importance of vigilance and preparedness.
"The world is filled with unseen threats. It's crucial to stay alert."
The conversation flowed easily, and Feng Yao found comfort in their camaraderie.
The journey was peaceful for a time, with the landscape outside the carriage window passing by—rolling hills and verdant fields stretching endlessly.
As the carriage entered a dense forest, the mood shifted. Li Zhang's sharp eyes detected movement among the trees.
"Everyone, prepare yourselves. We have company."
Before the guards could fully react, a group of masked bandits emerged from the forest, their weapons glinting menacingly.
The leader, a burly figure with a scarred face, shouted, "Surrender your goods, and we'll let you die with your bodies intact!"
Li Zhang's eyes narrowed as he drew his sword. "Stand firm! Protect the young master!" he commanded, his voice like steel.
The bandits charged, and the battle erupted swiftly.
Li Zhang met the first wave of attackers head-on, his blade slicing through the air with lethal precision.
He parried a strike aimed at his head and responded with a swift counterattack, his sword cutting deep into the bandit's shoulder.
The man crumpled to the ground, screaming in pain.
Zhao Long moved with the confidence of a veteran, his sword dancing as he dispatched two bandits in quick succession.
His strikes were brutal, each one aimed to kill.
Wei Jin, though younger and less experienced, fought valiantly. He deflected a thrust aimed at his chest, his eyes wide with determination.
Tang Lei, staying true to his reputation, remained on the defensive, his sharp eyes scanning for any bandit attempting to flank them.
He caught sight of one trying to sneak around the carriage and moved quickly to intercept, his sword piercing the man's heart with a single, clean thrust.
The skirmish was chaotic. The clashing of swords, the grunts of effort, and the cries of the wounded filled the air.
Blood splattered the ground, mixing with the dirt as bodies fell on both sides.
Li Zhang was a whirlwind of steel, cutting down bandit after bandit.
He was a master of his craft, his every movement calculated and efficient.
But even with his skill, the sheer number of bandits began to take its toll.
A bandit swung a club at Li Zhang's head, and he barely managed to dodge in time, the weapon whistling past his ear.
He retaliated with a swift kick to the bandit's stomach, following up with a slash that ended the man's life.
Zhao Long, meanwhile, was engaged in a fierce duel with a particularly vicious bandit wielding twin daggers.
The bandit was fast, his daggers moving in a blur as he tried to find an opening in Zhao Long's defenses.
Zhao Long, however, held his ground, deflecting each attack with measured precision.
With a sudden burst of speed, he broke through the bandit's guard, delivering a fatal strike to his chest.
As the battle raged on, Feng Yao watched from the carriage, his heart pounding. The violence and bloodshed were unlike anything he had ever witnessed.
He felt a mixture of fear and awe as he watched the guards fight for their lives—and for his.
Just as it seemed the tide was turning in their favor, a shout of pain tore through the chaos. Feng Yao's eyes snapped to Zhao Long, who had just been struck by a bandit wielding a broad sword.
The blade had found a gap in Zhao Long's armor, slicing deep into his side. Zhao Long staggered, blood pouring from the wound.
The bandit, a twisted grin on his face, pulled his sword free and raised it for a finishing blow.
Time seemed to slow as Feng Yao watched in horror.
Zhao Long, his face pale and lips trembling, raised his sword in a final, desperate attempt to defend himself.
But he was too weak, his movements sluggish.
The bandit's sword came down in a brutal arc, and Zhao Long's defense crumbled.
The blade cleaved through his chest, and he fell to the ground, his life slipping away in a torrent of blood.
"Zhao Long!" Li Zhang's voice was filled with anguish as he cut down the bandit who had delivered the fatal blow.
The remaining bandits, seeing their comrades cut down and realizing they had underestimated their opponents, began to flee into the forest, cursing their luck.
"We fucked up, these bastards are too strong!" one of them shouted before disappearing into the trees.
The battle was over, but the cost was steep. Feng Yao sat in the carriage, numb with shock as the reality of Zhao Long's death set in.
His chest felt heavy, and his hands trembled as he tried to process what he had just witnessed.
The remaining guards gathered around Zhao Long's body, their faces grim.
Li Zhang knelt beside him, closing his fallen comrade's eyes with a trembling hand.
"We'll make sure you're honored, brother," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
Tang Lei and Wei Jin stood silently, their faces etched with sorrow and exhaustion.
The weight of the loss was palpable, the air thick with despair.
Zhao Long had been more than just a guard; he had been a comrade, a friend, and his death was a blow to them all.
"We should bury him," Li Zhang said, his voice steady despite the grief in his eyes. "He deserves that much."
The guards worked together to dig a grave beneath the shade of a large oak tree.
The soil was hard, but they didn't complain, their silence a testament to their respect for Zhao Long.
Feng Yao, feeling a deep sense of responsibility and guilt, joined in.
His hands were soon caked with dirt, but he didn't stop, driven by a need to honor the man who had given his life to protect him.
Once the grave was dug, they carefully placed Zhao Long's body inside, wrapping him in his cloak.
Li Zhang placed Zhao Long's sword gently on his chest, a final tribute to the warrior who had fallen in the line of duty.
The men bowed their heads, offering silent prayers and farewells as they covered the grave with earth.
Feng Yao could feel the solemn weight of the moment, each handful of dirt echoing the finality of their loss.
When the grave was finally filled, Li Zhang stood and took a deep breath.
"We should burn the bodies of the bandits," he said, his voice heavy with the weariness of battle and loss.
"We can't leave them here to desecrate the forest."
The guards, their faces set with grim determination, gathered the bodies of the fallen bandits.
They stacked them in a pile away from Zhao Long's grave, careful not to let the bloodied corpses sully the ground where their comrade rested.
Tang Lei set the pile ablaze, the fire crackling as it consumed the bandits' remains.
The smell of burning flesh filled the air, acrid and harsh, but none of them flinched. They stood watch over the pyre until nothing but smoldering ashes remained.
As the flames died down, Feng Yao turned to Li Zhang, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.
"I'm sorry for your loss. Zhao Long fought bravely and gave his life to protect me. I'll make sure his sacrifice isn't in vain."
Li Zhang met Feng Yao's gaze, the grief in his eyes mingling with a deep respect.
"Thank you, young master. Zhao Long would have been honored to hear that."
The journey resumed with a heavy silence hanging over the group.
The loss of Zhao Long weighed on them all, but they knew they had to continue. The road ahead was long, and the sect's recruitment awaited them in the capital.