The forest felt alive with danger. The rustling leaves seemed louder, the shadows darker, and every step Li Wei took felt heavier with dread. The sound of clashing steel had faded behind him, leaving only the deafening silence of his own racing thoughts.
His heart thudded in his chest as he stumbled through the dense undergrowth, clutching the book as if it were his lifeline. "Feng Rui," he whispered under his breath, the name carrying both hope and fear. He wanted to stop, to turn back and see if Feng Rui was alright, but the words of warning rang clear in his mind: *Don't let go of the book. Keep moving.*
A sudden snap of a twig behind him made him freeze. His breath hitched as he spun around, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. The forest seemed to hold its breath, as if waiting for something to happen.
"Li Wei."
The voice, low and familiar, sent a wave of relief crashing over him. He turned to see Feng Rui stepping out from the shadows, his sword glinting faintly in the moonlight. His clothes were torn, and a thin line of blood traced down his arm, but his expression was as calm as ever.
"You're hurt!" Li Wei exclaimed, rushing toward him.
Feng Rui waved him off with a smirk. "It's nothing. You should see the other guy."
Li Wei frowned, his eyes lingering on the wound. "You shouldn't brush this off. We need to find a place to treat it."
"There's no time," Feng Rui replied, glancing over his shoulder. "We're not out of danger yet."
Li Wei hesitated, torn between concern and the urgency of their situation. "Why are they after this book?" he asked, his voice trembling. "What could possibly be worth all this bloodshed?"
Feng Rui sighed, sheathing his sword. "The book contains knowledge that could shift the balance of power in the empire. Secrets about the Hidden Sect, their allies, and their enemies. Whoever holds the key to deciphering it could gain access to untold power—or destroy it entirely."
Li Wei's grip on the book tightened. "But I don't know how to read it. I don't understand any of this!"
"Which is exactly why they'll keep coming," Feng Rui said grimly. "To them, you're either the key—or a loose end."
Li Wei's stomach churned at the implication. "Then why are you helping me? What's in it for you?"
Feng Rui's expression softened, a rare vulnerability flickering in his eyes. "Let's just say I've been on the other side of this fight before. I know what it's like to be hunted, to feel powerless. I won't let that happen to you."
For a moment, Li Wei could only stare at him, his chest tightening with an unfamiliar warmth. There was something in Feng Rui's words—an unspoken promise, a thread of trust that Li Wei couldn't ignore.
"Thank you," Li Wei said quietly, his voice barely audible over the rustling leaves.
Feng Rui's lips curved into a small smile. "Don't thank me yet, scholar. We're far from safe."
He reached out, his hand brushing lightly against Li Wei's shoulder. The touch was brief, but it lingered in Li Wei's mind, a spark of connection in the midst of chaos.
"Come on," Feng Rui said, his tone gentle but firm. "We need to keep moving."
They continued deeper into the forest, the oppressive silence broken only by the occasional hoot of an owl or the distant rustle of animals in the undergrowth. The trees grew thicker, their branches intertwining above them to form a canopy that blocked out the moonlight.
Li Wei stumbled over a root, and Feng Rui caught his arm, steadying him. "Careful," he said, his voice low.
"Sorry," Li Wei muttered, his cheeks flushing.
Feng Rui chuckled softly. "You're not used to this kind of life, are you?"
Li Wei shook his head. "I'm a scholar, not a fighter. My world is books and ink, not swords and blood."
Feng Rui's gaze lingered on him, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "Maybe that's why you're different. You see the world in a way most people can't. Don't lose that, Li Wei."
The unexpected compliment left Li Wei speechless, his heart pounding for reasons he couldn't quite explain.
As they pressed on, the faint glow of firelight appeared in the distance. Feng Rui slowed, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword.
"What is it?" Li Wei whispered.
"Could be a camp," Feng Rui replied. "Stay close to me."
They approached cautiously, the firelight revealing a small clearing with a single tent pitched in the center. A figure sat by the fire, their face obscured by a wide-brimmed hat.
Feng Rui stepped into the clearing, his posture tense but non-threatening. "We mean no harm," he called out.
The figure looked up, their eyes glinting in the firelight. "Well, well," they said, their voice smooth and amused. "What brings two wanderers to my humble camp in the middle of the night?"
Feng Rui exchanged a wary glance with Li Wei before stepping forward. "We're looking for a safe place to rest. Nothing more."
The figure chuckled, their hand resting on the hilt of a dagger at their side. "Safe, you say? In these woods? You must be desperate."
Li Wei stepped closer to Feng Rui, his unease growing.
"Desperation has its uses," Feng Rui replied coolly. "Will you help us or not?"
The figure's gaze shifted to Li Wei, their expression curious. "And who's this? A scholar, by the looks of him. Strange company for someone like you."
"That's none of your concern," Feng Rui said sharply.
The figure raised their hands in mock surrender. "Alright, no need to get defensive. You can stay for the night, but only if you tell me what you're running from."
Feng Rui hesitated, his jaw tightening. Li Wei glanced at him, sensing the weight of the decision.
"Tell them," Li Wei said softly.
Feng Rui met his gaze, his expression unreadable. After a long pause, he nodded. "Alright. But this stays between us."
As the fire crackled between them, Feng Rui began to speak, the shadows around them growing deeper with every word.