Chapter 23 Traffickers
In the dim alleyways of the capital, the faint sounds of bustling markets gave way to quieter, darker places where few ventured without good reason. Li An, walked with Jian beside her, his steps uneven and faltering. Jian, a scrappy boy with more bruises than patches of skin showing, clung to her with shaky resolve, his eyes darting around with an anxiety he tried to mask.
"Hold on a bit longer, Jian. We'll find you a place to rest soon," Li An said in a steady voice, her hand firm on his arm as they turned a corner.
Suddenly, a low laugh echoed from behind them, stopping them both in their tracks. Emerging from the shadows, five men stepped into their path, forming a loose ring around them. They reeked of unwashed bodies, their eyes gleaming with a cruel hunger as they surveyed the children. Their daggers glinted in the dim light, and each of them wore a twisted smirk that promised trouble.
"Look who we have here," sneered the tallest man, his scarred face twisted into an unsettling smile. "Ran away, did you, boy? And here we thought you were lost. Now you bring us another little prize."
Jian froze, his face drained of all color. He took a step back, his voice barely a whisper. "They're… they're the ones who…"
Li An tightened her grip on his arm and stepped forward, placing herself between Jian and the men. Her gaze was calm, unwavering, though her heart thrummed in her chest. She'd faced threats before, but in the confines of the city, her options were limited. She knew she couldn't use lethal force here; every action would have to be calculated, restrained, yet effective.
One of the smaller men, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light, chuckled. "A feisty one, aren't you? This'll be easier than catching stray dogs."
Li An's expression didn't change, though inwardly, she felt the familiar coil of determination tightening. She released her grip on Jian, stepping forward as she spoke, her voice firm. "You have one chance to leave. I won't say it again."
The men exchanged amused glances, and the tallest one laughed, shaking his head. "Oh, what a little heroine. Let's teach her a lesson she won't forget."
With that, he lunged at her, dagger drawn, his eyes filled with intent to intimidate. But before he even came close, Li An shifted her weight, moving faster than any of them expected. She twisted to the side, avoiding his blade by a hair's breadth, then shot her small fist into his solar plexus with calculated precision. He staggered back, clutching his stomach as his breath left him in a painful wheeze, his face contorting in agony.
Li An stood still, watching as the others blinked in disbelief, stunned that such a small child had managed to down one of them so swiftly.
"You brat!" snarled a second man, rushing at her with his dagger raised. He tried to swing it at her, his movements clumsy with rage. Li An sidestepped him with ease, catching his wrist in mid-swing and twisting it sharply. He yelped as his grip on the dagger faltered, and she took advantage of his distraction, kicking his knee with enough force to send him crumpling to the ground.
The others exchanged uncertain glances now, beginning to realize that this was no ordinary girl.
"Come on! She's just a kid!" the third man growled, rallying the others. Two of them advanced on her at once, trying to close in from either side. Li An shifted her stance, staying light on her feet as she assessed them. She knew that she couldn't afford to let them surround her, so she focused on the one who seemed the slower of the two.
With a swift step forward, she closed the distance, ducking under his swipe. She spun around, her small hand a blur as it connected with the back of his head, and he staggered forward, colliding with the other man, who stumbled in confusion. Before they could regain their balance, Li An hooked her foot around one of the man's ankles, pulling it out from under him. He toppled onto his companion, the two of them crashing to the ground in a tangle of limbs.
Only one man remained standing, his face pale as he gripped his dagger tightly, glancing between his fallen companions and Li An with a mixture of fear and disbelief. "You… you little monster!"
He lunged, his movements fueled more by desperation than skill, and Li An sidestepped him smoothly. She grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back with practiced ease, forcing him to drop the dagger. Then, with a quick sweep of her leg, she sent him sprawling onto the ground, his face smacking against the hard stone with a sickening thud.
Around her, the alley was littered with the groaning forms of the men, each clutching at injuries they'd barely seen coming. Li An stood amidst them, her breathing steady, not a hair out of place.
Turning, she walked back to where Jian stood, wide-eyed and shaking. She reached out a hand to him, her gaze softening. "Come on, Jian. It's safe now."
Jian looked from her to the men sprawled on the ground, a mixture of awe and relief in his eyes. He took her hand, his grip shaky but resolute, and they started back down the alley, leaving the defeated men behind.
They hadn't gone far when Jian whispered, "How… how did you do that?"
Li An glanced at him with a small smile. "Practice, mostly. When you've trained as long as I have, fights like that become manageable."
Jian looked down at her in wonder, his own injuries and fear momentarily forgotten. "I… I thought we were done for."
Li An's gaze grew serious. "In this world, there are people who think they can take whatever they want, just because they're bigger or stronger. But strength isn't just about muscles." She squeezed his hand. "You don't have to be afraid of them. You're free now."
Jian shook his head slowly, thinking of another thing but also trying to absorb her words. They walked on in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts, until they reached the edge of the alley and emerged into the bustling streets once more.
Li An glanced back only once, her sharp eyes scanning the shadows for any sign that the men might try to follow them. But there was nothing but the distant sound of groaning as the traffickers struggled to get back on their feet, perhaps realizing that they'd underestimated their young prey.
"Let's find a place to rest," Li An said finally, steering Jian toward a quieter corner of the marketplace. There was a vendor nearby selling steamed buns, and she used the few copper coins she had to buy two, handing one to Jian.
They sat in silence, the taste of warm bread comforting as the memory of the fight faded. Jian took a deep breath, the shadow of fear in his eyes beginning to lift. He looked at Li An with a newfound sense of respect, and perhaps even a little admiration.
"You're not like anyone I've ever met," he murmured, as if to himself.
Li An smiled, but it was a small, secret smile. "Maybe one day, you'll be strong too, Jian. Strong enough to help others, even when it's difficult."
Jian looked at her, a spark of determination flickering in his gaze, and he nodded, the weight of his past burdens feeling just a bit lighter. Together, they sat in the quiet of the market's edge, two children who had faced more than most would in a lifetime, and for that moment, found a brief respite from the world.
However, Jian's heart still feels uneasy. He knew that the troubles this situation would bring to his rescuer would be immense. Those five people were not the only trafficker in this city. In fact, they belong to a rather bigger organization.
She has heard of this organization from her father once and he knew of their influence. The one backing this organization is someone that even his father could not face.
Jian is not as simple as Li An thought he was. He is not just a poor little boy who was kidnapped and sold. He is actually the son of a famous rich merchant from another city.
At that time, he wanted to be with his father as he is always alone at home. Ever since he was born he has been keen on business. He has a knack with numbers and dealing with people. In fact, the reason why he was able to escape the traffickers is because of his machinations which made him able to free himself from their watch.
However, he was beaten badly ever since he was captured hence he was not able to escape.
Jian showed a thankful look on the little girl before him, at the same time he also felt worried for her.
The question that lingers in his mind now is whether the little girl is strong enough to save the both of them? If not, then he can only feel sorry for dragging her with him.