The morning light was pale and wan, struggling to push its way through the thick clouds that hung low over the mountains. The air was damp, and the scent of earth and wet leaves clung to everything. Wenyan stood at the edge of their campsite, his gaze scanning the steep trail ahead, his thoughts still heavy from the night before.
Lianfang stirred beside him, her fingers brushing against the rough bark of the tree she had been sitting against. Her eyes, though tired, held a determination that mirrored his own. It was clear that they had entered a new phase of their journey—one that would demand more than they had yet given.
"We need to move," Wenyan said, breaking the silence. His voice was still rough, the weight of their situation pressing against his chest.
Lianfang nodded without hesitation. She glanced toward the sleeping Baoqin, her expression softening for a moment before she hardened it again. They could not afford to rest long. Every moment spent idling was another moment the past had to catch up with them.
As they gathered their things and prepared to move, the sound of rustling leaves made Wenyan pause. It was faint at first, almost like the wind, but something about it didn't feel right. His hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword, the familiar weight comforting even as his senses heightened.
Lianfang noticed his stillness. "What is it?"
"I don't know," Wenyan muttered, narrowing his eyes at the shadows between the trees. "Stay close."
He moved forward cautiously, his every step measured. The forest around them was eerily quiet, the usual sounds of birds and insects absent. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled, a sense of being watched pressing down on him. They weren't alone.
Lianfang followed without question, keeping Baoqin between them. Her fingers brushed the hilt of her dagger, though her eyes were trained on Wenyan, trusting his instincts more than her own.
They moved deeper into the woods, following a narrow path that led toward a series of jagged cliffs. The air felt heavy now, like the world was holding its breath. They were close to the river, but something about the terrain had begun to feel less like a sanctuary and more like a trap.
"Keep moving," Wenyan urged, his voice barely above a whisper.
They reached a narrow clearing with a stream cutting through it, the rocks slick with moisture. It was here that Wenyan stopped, his eyes flicking over the landscape. The ground was disturbed—tracks, footprints in the soft earth, fresh and deep. And not just any footprints.
"People have passed here recently," Wenyan muttered, crouching beside the tracks. His fingers brushed the earth lightly. "A group. Too many to ignore."
Lianfang crouched beside him, scanning the area. "Do you think they're following us?"
Wenyan stood, his brow furrowed. "No. They're waiting."
A chill ran down his spine as he rose to his feet. The realization hit him like a slap to the face. Whoever had made these tracks wasn't just a group of travelers—they were hunters. And they were being stalked.
"Stay close," he ordered, his tone no longer laced with uncertainty but cold determination.
They didn't have much time. Wenyan could feel it now—the tense, electric atmosphere that thickened the air around them. He wasn't sure if it was the fear or something else, but every part of him screamed that they had already been seen. The way the world had fallen silent around them… it was as if the forest itself had turned against them.
The group moved with purpose, trying to make their way toward the river. But with every step, the feeling of being watched grew stronger. It was like the trees themselves had eyes, and the shadows beneath them were alive, waiting for a chance to strike.
"We have to move faster," Wenyan urged, his voice low and strained.
Lianfang nodded, and even Baoqin, sensing the change in the air, quickened her pace.
Just as they rounded a bend in the path, a faint rustling broke the silence. Wenyan's heart skipped a beat, and he drew his sword in one smooth motion, his eyes scanning the trees around them.
Then, out of the shadows, a figure emerged.
Tall, cloaked in a dark robe, the figure moved with the grace of a predator. His eyes gleamed with cold determination, a cruel smile playing on his lips as he surveyed the three of them.
"Well, well," the man said, his voice deep and mocking. "I thought I'd find you sooner, Wenyan."
Wenyan's breath caught in his throat. He didn't recognize the man, but there was something familiar about the coldness in his gaze. This wasn't just a random encounter—this was someone who had been tracking them for days.
"Who are you?" Wenyan demanded, his voice steady despite the fear coiling in his stomach.
The man stepped forward, his movements deliberate. "I'm just someone who's been waiting for you. For all of you." His smile widened. "You thought you could escape, but no one escapes the past."
Lianfang stepped in front of Wenyan, her hand tight on her dagger. "What do you want?"
The man laughed, the sound harsh and bitter. "What do I want? I want what's mine." He gestured toward Wenyan. "You, Wenyan, are a valuable piece. But I'm not here for you alone."
Wenyan's mind raced. "You're after her," he realized aloud, turning to Lianfang. "This isn't just about me."
The man's grin faded, replaced by a more sinister expression. "Oh, it's about all of you," he said softly, almost like a whisper, as if the words themselves were a promise of pain. "But especially her."
Lianfang's face paled as she instinctively stepped back, positioning herself between the man and Baoqin. The child was standing at her side, clutching the edge of Lianfang's cloak, wide-eyed and confused.
"Stay behind me," Lianfang whispered urgently to Baoqin.
The man's eyes flicked to the child, a cruel glint in his gaze. "So, it's true then. The child is the key."
Wenyan's heart skipped a beat. The key? What was he talking about?
He stepped forward, his sword raised. "If you want her, you'll have to go through me."
The man smiled again, but this time, it was laced with something darker—something predatory.
"Oh, I'm afraid it won't be that easy."