Wu Chen studied him for a long moment. Over the days, Li Wei had proven himself—loyal, dedicated, and brave. But the road ahead was harsh, and Wu Chen would not take him lightly.
"Are you certain?" Wu Chen asked. His tone was calm but weighty. "Following me means stepping into the unknown. Once we leave, we may never return. I can't promise safety, comfort, or even rest. Can you accept that?"
Li Wei didn't falter. "I can, Teacher. I already have. My place is with you."
A faint smile tugged at Wu Chen's lips. "Then rise. We travel together."
Li Wei's father approached, his weathered hand settling on his son's shoulder. His eyes, though glassy, held no regret—only pride. "Go, Li Wei. Walk your path with honor. We'll always be here… cheering you on."
Though the villagers were saddened to see Li Wei depart, they understood. Some watched with envy, others with admiration—but none doubted that he had chosen rightly.
They believe For to walk beside Wu Chen was to walk in the footsteps of greatness.
***
The morning sun rose gently over the village, casting a golden light across rooftops and fields. A soft breeze rustled the trees, as if the land itself had come to bid farewell.
Wu Chen stood at the edge of the village path, Li Wei at his side. The villagers had gathered once more—men, women, and children—all wearing expressions of gratitude and sorrow. No grand ceremony was held. None was needed. His presence alone had been the miracle they would never forget.
Old Man Zhang stepped forward one last time, holding a small wooden talisman carved with Wu Chen's name.
"It's a tradition," the elder said with a weathered smile. "For those who saved the village, so their spirits always find their way back… even if only in memory."
Wu Chen accepted it with a bow. "Then I will carry this proudly."
There were no more words to be said. The moment was sacred in its silence. Even the children, usually full of noise and energy, stood quiet, their eyes wide and glistening.
Li Mei stepped out from the crowd, holding a bundle of food wrapped in cloth. "For your journey," she murmured, cheeks flushed. "In case you get hungry out there…"
Wu Chen accepted it gently, his other hand gently rubbed her head. "Thank you, Li Mei.
He turned to Li Wei, who stood ready—his belongings packed, his resolve unwavering.
"Are you sure about this?" Wu Chen asked one last time.
Li Wei nodded firmly. "I am ready, Teacher."
Wu Chen placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then let us go."
He closed his eyes, focusing his thoughts on leaving the Trial Grounds. He wasn't sure what would happen next. Would a door appear? A glowing portal? Or would they simply vanish? The Trial had brought him here mysteriously—he had no guarantee it would return him the same way.
And what if the exit only worked for him? He had promised to take Li Wei along—abandoning him now would go against what he stood for.
Still, Wu Chen pushed aside his uncertainty and focus. Wherever the destination might be—Trinity Palace, the kingdom he came from, or somewhere entirely new—he had made up his mind.
A brilliant glow enveloped them both, pulsing softly like the heartbeat of the world itself. And in an instant, they vanished.
When the light faded, Wu Chen and Li Wei stood in a cool, dim cave. The faint sound of dripping water echoed through the silence, and a familiar scent of moss and earth filled the air.
'It worked' Wu Chen thought, relief blooming in his chest.
He glanced around, recognition dawning on his face.
"This is the cave where I hid," he murmured, a quiet smile tugging at his lips. "Back when I was being hunted by those guards... How things have changed."
What was once a dark shelter of desperation now felt like a quiet monument to his growth.
He had expected to be returned to the Trinity Palace—the place where the voice had first spoken of the Trial. But instead, fate had brought him full circle… back to the very place where everything began.
As he stood there, memories of Trinity Palace and the events that had led him to this moment flooded his mind. He glanced at Li Wei, who was looking around with wide-eyed curiosity.
"Come" Wu Chen said, his voice filled with determination. "Let's go out, our journey has just begun."
And with that, they stepped out of the cave.
.....
The streets of Azure Flame Kingdom bustled with life. Merchants shouted from their stalls, hawking silks, spices, and trinkets. The scent of roasted meat mixed with burning incense drifted through the air, while warriors in elegant robes moved with pride, their blades gleaming at their sides. Beggars sat hunched in shadowed alleys, their eyes hollow with hunger.
But Wu Chen paid little attention to the noise or the smells. His mind was elsewhere.
He had donned a full disguise the moment he entered the kingdom—his black robe blending into the crowd, a wide-brimmed hat casting a deep shadow over his face, hiding his eyes and the features of the poor, helpless boy he once was. He had no intention of being recognized—not by old enemies, nor those who once pitied him.
So for the past hour, he'd moved through the city's labyrinthine lanes, searching for an inn that wouldn't bankrupt him.
Just a decent place for him and Li Wei to rest and recover. But Azure Flame kingdom had always been a place of gold and greed, each time he stepped inside an inn and asked for a room the answer was the same. He only heard quoting prices that made his stomach clench.
"One night? Five hundred gold coins."
"A week? Three thousand—no discounts."
And that was just the cheapest inns. The more reputable establishments asked five times that, and even then, their tone made it clear they didn't welcome guests who looked like wanderers.
Except maybe if you are willing to pay more.