The Return of Zihang
Xiao had escaped the Shi Ling Clan but at a heavy cost. His body was weak, his strength rapidly depleting. As he ran, he stumbled upon a dense forest, his legs trembling with every step. When he spotted a group of villagers nearby, he hid behind the thick foliage until they passed. Once the coast was clear, he emerged and continued running until his body could carry him no more.
Exhaustion overcame him, and he collapsed on the outskirts of a small farming village. Some farmers found him lying unconscious and brought him to their home. They were skilled in Chinese medicine and began treating his injuries with herbal remedies. Xiao's physical wounds began to heal, but his mind remained clouded—he had lost all memory of who he was or where he came from.
The Shi Ling Clan's Deception
Meanwhile, back at the Shi Ling Clan, Lan Ling's soldiers returned empty-handed. They claimed Xiao's strength had drained so completely that he had perished, and his body had turned to dust.
"His power consumed him," they declared, spreading the news far and wide: Xiao Shin is dead.
The Jiang Clan was devastated. Xiao's family demanded to see his body, but the Shi Ling Clan maintained their story. Despite the lack of proof, grief settled over his loved ones. Some clung to hope, believing he was still alive, while others began to mourn him.
Leeming, Xiao's close friend, refused to believe the rumors. He scoured the lands, traveling to the Shi Ling Clan's territory and interrogating their people, but no trace of Xiao could be found. Days turned to months, yet Leeming held on to a singular hope: Xiao will return.
A Chance Encounter
One evening, Leeming ventured into the forest to help nearby villagers. The sun had set, and the woods were shrouded in darkness. As he walked, a faint, familiar voice reached his ears. It was a tone he couldn't quite place, but it stirred something deep within him.
He followed the voice until he saw a figure standing near a campfire. It was a young man wearing a mask, his face partially hidden but with visible scars that suggested a history of battles.
"Who are you?" Leeming asked, his tone cautious but curious.
The masked figure turned, his voice calm and confident. "My name is Zihang."
Leeming's heart sank at the name. Something about Zihang's demeanor reminded him of Xiao—his sharp tongue, his easy confidence—but the name and the scars didn't fit.
As they spoke, the silence of the forest was shattered by a low growl. A massive wolf emerged from the shadows, baring its teeth at a group of villagers nearby. The villagers, weak and unarmed, stood frozen in fear.
Leeming prepared to intervene, but before he could move, Zihang stepped forward. With swift, precise movements, Zihang fought the wolf, his technique eerily reminiscent of Xiao's. Every strike, every dodge—it was as if Leeming was watching Xiao himself.
After a short but intense battle, Zihang killed the wolf. Turning to Leeming, he smirked and said, "Enjoy the show? I know my skills are extraordinary, but you shouldn't stare too much. It's rude."
Leeming's eyes narrowed. "You fight like someone I once knew."
Zihang laughed, brushing off the comment. "Many people fight. Maybe your friend learned from me," he teased, though his voice held a playful edge.
Leeming remained silent, observing him carefully. As he turned to leave, Zihang called after him, "Wait! You seem interesting. Let's go somewhere and have a drink. I know a great place nearby."
"I'm not interested," Leeming replied coldly.
But Zihang was persistent. He grabbed Leeming's arm and said, "Come on, don't be so serious. It's getting late, and you look like you could use some good food and company."
Reluctantly, Leeming followed Zihang to a small inn at the edge of the forest. The two sat down to a modest meal. As they ate, Zihang spoke animatedly about his travels and adventures.
"What's your name?" Zihang asked.
"Leeming," he replied curtly.
Zihang grinned. "Leeming. That's a strong name. I like it."
Leeming remained quiet, letting Zihang do most of the talking. There was something about the young man that felt familiar, yet foreign. The scars on his face, his masked identity—it all added to the mystery.
The Mystery Deepens
As the night wore on, Leeming couldn't shake the feeling that Zihang was hiding something. His mannerisms, his fighting style—it was all too similar to Xiao's. Yet Zihang's name and demeanor didn't entirely match the Xiao Leeming knew.
"Who are you, really?" Leeming finally asked, his tone sharp.
Zihang leaned back, his expression unreadable beneath the mask. "I already told you. I'm Zihang. Just a wanderer trying to survive in this world."
Leeming didn't believe him but chose to remain silent. He would find out the truth eventually.
As the two parted ways that night, Leeming couldn't help but wonder: Could Zihang truly be Xiao? If so, why was he hiding his identity? And if not, why did everything about him feel so familiar?
Unbeknownst to both of them, the encounter marked the beginning of a new chapter—one that would unravel the mysteries of Xiao's disappearance and set the stage for a confrontation with the Shi Ling Clan.