Night fell over the quiet town, but for Li Wei and Feng Rui, there was little rest. The revelation from the old woman had cast a shadow over their thoughts, and the weight of the book seemed heavier than ever.
Li Wei sat at the small wooden desk in their room, the book open before him. He traced the symbols with his fingers, their intricate patterns both mesmerizing and maddening.
"What do you see in it?" Feng Rui's voice broke the silence.
Li Wei glanced over his shoulder. Feng Rui leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, his sharp gaze fixed on him.
"Nothing yet," Li Wei admitted, frustration creeping into his tone. "I've studied texts like this before, but these symbols... they're different. They almost feel alive."
Feng Rui pushed off the wall and walked over, leaning over Li Wei's shoulder to get a closer look. The proximity made Li Wei's heart skip a beat, but he quickly focused on the book.
"These markings," Feng Rui said, pointing to a corner of the page. "They look like constellations."
Li Wei's eyes widened. "You're right… they do."
He turned the page, his excitement building as he noticed more star-like patterns woven into the symbols. "If these are constellations, then maybe…" He trailed off, reaching for his notes.
Feng Rui watched him work, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You're brilliant, you know that?"
Li Wei flushed but didn't look up. "Flattery won't solve this puzzle."
"Maybe not, but it's the truth," Feng Rui said, stepping back and giving Li Wei the space to focus.
---
The night stretched on, the candle burning low as Li Wei pieced together the connections. By dawn, he had sketched out a map of the constellations, each one corresponding to a different symbol in the book.
"I think I've figured it out," he said, his voice hoarse from lack of sleep.
Feng Rui, who had been sitting by the window keeping watch, turned to him. "What did you find?"
"This book… it's a map," Li Wei explained, pointing to his notes. "Each symbol represents a constellation, and together, they point to a specific location."
"Where?" Feng Rui asked, his interest piqued.
Li Wei hesitated, his finger tracing the final connection. "The Whispering Peaks, in the northern mountains."
Feng Rui's expression darkened. "That's not an easy place to reach. It's dangerous, even without someone hunting us."
"I know," Li Wei said, meeting his gaze. "But if this book is as important as she said, then we have to go. We need to find out what's hidden there."
Feng Rui studied him for a moment before nodding. "Alright. But we'll need to prepare. The journey won't be easy."
---
Later that day, they ventured back into the marketplace, gathering supplies for the trip. Feng Rui handled most of the transactions, his sharp eyes always scanning the crowd.
As they left a stall, Li Wei noticed a figure lingering in the shadows, watching them. He tugged on Feng Rui's sleeve, nodding subtly in the direction of the figure.
"We're being followed," he whispered.
Feng Rui's jaw tightened. "Stay close to me."
They quickened their pace, weaving through the bustling streets. The figure followed, their presence a constant pressure at their backs.
When they turned a corner into a quieter alley, Feng Rui spun around, drawing his sword in one fluid motion.
"Step into the light," he commanded, his voice cold and steady.
The figure hesitated before stepping forward, revealing a young man with a scar running down his cheek. His clothes were plain, but his sharp eyes glinted with intelligence.
"I mean no harm," the man said, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender.
"Then why are you following us?" Feng Rui demanded, his blade unwavering.
The man hesitated before speaking. "I was sent to warn you. The group you're running from—they're already here."
Li Wei's blood ran cold. "Here? In this town?"
The man nodded. "They've been watching you since you arrived. If you leave now, you might have a chance to escape."
Feng Rui narrowed his eyes. "And why should we trust you?"
The man stepped closer, his gaze locking onto Feng Rui's. "Because I've seen what they do to people who stand in their way. If you don't trust me, you'll end up like the others—dead."
Feng Rui lowered his blade slightly but didn't sheath it. "What's your name?"
"Jiang Tao," the man replied.
"Alright, Jiang Tao," Feng Rui said. "If you're telling the truth, help us get out of this town unnoticed."
Jiang Tao nodded. "Follow me. But we have to move quickly."
---
As night fell, Jiang Tao led them through the town's backstreets, avoiding the main roads and crowded areas. Feng Rui kept his hand on his sword, ready for any sign of danger, while Li Wei clutched the book tightly.
When they finally reached the outskirts of the town, Jiang Tao stopped, glancing back at them.
"This is as far as I can take you," he said. "The Whispering Peaks are a week's journey north. Be careful—their reach extends farther than you think."
Feng Rui studied him for a moment before nodding. "Thank you."
Jiang Tao gave a curt nod before disappearing into the shadows, leaving them alone under the starry sky.
Li Wei exhaled, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Do you think we can trust him?"
"No," Feng Rui said bluntly. "But for now, he's helped us. That's enough."
Li Wei looked up at the stars, their light reflecting in his eyes. "The Whispering Peaks… do you think we'll find answers there?"
Feng Rui stepped closer, his voice softer. "We'll find them together, no matter what."
Li Wei turned to him, his heart swelling at the quiet determination in Feng Rui's words. In that moment, the uncertainty of their journey seemed a little less daunting.
As they set off into the night, the book clutched between them, the path ahead seemed darker than ever. But side by side, they faced it with a newfound resolve—a bond forged in trust, danger, and something that neither of them dared to name yet.