The sound of clashing swords filled the air, drowning out the eerie whispers of the wind as Feng Rui and the mysterious attackers engaged in a brutal, high-stakes battle. Li Wei stood back, his heart pounding in his chest as he watched. The weight of the book in his hands seemed to grow heavier with each passing moment. It felt like the whole world was focused on them, as if every step they took was being watched by unseen eyes.
He knew Feng Rui was skilled—there was no doubt about that. But even Feng Rui couldn't fight off three skilled opponents indefinitely. The leader of the group, a man cloaked in a dark, almost imperceptible robe, seemed to be orchestrating the assault with a sinister precision. His cold eyes locked onto Li Wei, and for a brief moment, their gazes met.
Li Wei shuddered, the look in the man's eyes sending a chill down his spine. This was no ordinary foe.
"Give it to us," the leader called, his voice cutting through the chaos. "The book. Now. It's the only way you'll survive."
Feng Rui's sword met the leader's with a harsh clang, sparks flying. "You'll get nothing from him," Feng Rui growled, his tone cold and resolute.
Li Wei gripped the book tighter, the leather cover creaking beneath his fingers. He was beginning to understand—whatever secrets this book contained, they were dangerous, and someone was willing to kill for it. That made him and Feng Rui targets, whether they wanted to be or not.
"Why? What's in this book?" Li Wei shouted, his voice laced with frustration and fear.
The leader smirked, his hands raised in mock surrender. "That's a question better left unanswered, scholar. You'll find out soon enough, though." He gestured to the others to keep up their attack. "But first, we need to take it from you."
Before Li Wei could respond, a sudden cry rang out. One of the attackers had lunged toward Feng Rui, catching him off guard. Feng Rui staggered back, a shallow cut now staining the side of his tunic, but his face remained calm, determined. He moved fluidly, recovering quickly as he regained his stance.
"Feng Rui!" Li Wei cried, his heart stopping as he saw the blood.
Feng Rui shot him a reassuring glance, though his breath was slightly labored. "I'm fine," he said, his voice unwavering. "Stay back, Li Wei. Don't get involved."
But it was too late. Li Wei could feel something stirring deep inside him—an instinct, a desire to protect not just himself, but Feng Rui. He had never been a fighter, but the thought of standing by and letting Feng Rui fight alone, knowing the risks they faced, was unbearable.
Before he could make a move, a sudden force—almost like a pulse—shot through the air, shaking the ground beneath their feet. Li Wei's eyes widened, feeling an unfamiliar energy swirl around him. It wasn't like anything he had ever felt before. It wasn't magic, but it felt like a surge of raw power, something ancient and dangerous.
Feng Rui turned sharply, his eyes narrowing. "Li Wei, get down!" he shouted.
Without thinking, Li Wei dropped to the ground as the air seemed to ripple. The attackers faltered, their expressions clouded with confusion as they glanced around in alarm. It was clear that the leader wasn't expecting this force, this sudden change in the atmosphere.
"What is this?" the leader hissed, his face twisting into a snarl. "How are you doing this?"
Li Wei's heart was racing, but he couldn't answer. The power seemed to come from within him, not something he could control, but something he could feel deep inside his very being. It was as if the book was responding to his emotions, urging him to take action, to protect what was his.
Feng Rui's eyes flickered between Li Wei and the attackers, his expression shifting to one of realization. "The book..." he muttered under his breath. "It's not just a book."
The leader took a step back, his eyes now wary. "Impossible," he whispered. "You cannot have it. It's... it's meant for someone else."
Feng Rui's grip on his sword tightened. "You're wrong. It's meant for *us.*"
He surged forward with newfound ferocity, the movements a blur of steel as he engaged the attackers again. Li Wei stayed down, feeling the tension build around him like a storm ready to break.
The leader growled, more agitated than ever. He motioned to one of his companions, who swiftly moved toward Li Wei. Without hesitation, Feng Rui pivoted, his sword flashing, cutting the path of danger in half. The enemy fell back, but the danger was far from over.
Feng Rui's attention was divided, trying to fend off the remaining attackers while keeping Li Wei safe. And in that moment, as he saw Li Wei's anxious eyes on him, he knew that there was no going back. This battle was no longer about the book. It was about something far greater—something that bound them together, something they couldn't escape, no matter how hard they tried.
"You can't win," the leader spat, his voice full of venom. "The truth is already out there. You'll learn, and you'll regret everything."
Feng Rui's lips curled into a half-smile. "We'll see about that."
The battle raged on, but the real question had yet to be answered. What truth lay in the depths of that ancient book? And why was it so important to so many? Whatever the answer, Li Wei knew one thing for sure: their journey was just beginning.