Hunted (Part 2)

When I regained consciousness, the first thing I noticed was the cold, damp earth beneath me. The faint scent of moss and wet stone filled the air. My vision swam as I tried to focus on my surroundings. I was lying at the entrance of a tunnel, its gaping mouth dark and foreboding. For a brief moment, I wondered how I had survived.

I glanced to my side and saw my bamboo stick resting nearby. The sight of it brought a small sense of comfort.

Groaning, I stretched out my hand and grasped the stick, using it to haul myself to my feet. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest, and it felt as if my bones might give way beneath the weight of my battered frame.

The men who had pursued me likely knew I had fallen here. They wouldn't give up so easily. There was no time to linger or question how I had survived the fall. I needed to move.

Step by step, I stumbled forward, using the stick for support. The tunnel behind me seemed to whisper of danger, urging me to leave it far behind.

The sun dipped lower in the sky as I trudged onward. Hunger clawed at my stomach, but I ignored it. My focus remained on finding shelter, somewhere I could rest and tend to my wounds, no matter how temporary.

When night finally fell, I spotted the faint outline of a structure through the trees. Drawing closer, I saw that it was a small, abandoned cottage. The roof sagged, and vines crept along its walls, but it was still standing. It would have to do.

I pushed the creaking door open and stepped inside. Dust and cobwebs clung to every corner, and the air was stale, but it was shelter. Relief washed over me as I collapsed onto the dirt floor.

The stick slipped from my hand, rolling to the side as my body gave out completely. Exhaustion and pain enveloped me, pulling me under once more. My last thought before darkness claimed me was simple.

Just let me make it to tomorrow.

*****

Voices stirred me from the haze of unconsciousness. My body ached, and the world around me was dim and unfamiliar. As the muffled sounds grew clearer, a particular voice reached my ears, one that sent a jolt of recognition through me.

It was Huang Wen.

Why is he here?

My heart tightened as I braced myself. Huang Wen was one of Ruan Yanjun's most loyal disciples. While he had often shown me kindness, I could not afford to forget where his true allegiance lay.

"Spread out and leave no stone unturned," another voice ordered, cutting through the morning air with an authority that chilled my blood. It was a voice I knew all too well, one I had once relied on for protection and strength.

Ruan Yanjun.

I stiffened, a cold sweat forming on my brow. It was unthinkable that the devil himself had come to this remote area to hunt for me. The situation was far graver than I had anticipated.

Dread settled in my chest.

They'll search this cabin.

I dragged myself to the darkest corner of the cottage, curling into the shadows as best I could. Despite my best effort to stay silent, a cough bubbled up from my chest. I clamped my hand over my mouth, but it was too late. I knew Ruan Yanjun's acute senses would have caught even the faintest sound.

"Check that cabin over there," Ruan Yanjun's voice commanded, as cold and decisive as ever.

Panic surged through me. Starved, injured, and drained of energy, I couldn't even muster the strength to crawl away. I could only wait, my heart pounding painfully against my ribcage.

The door creaked open, and Huang Wen's face appeared. His eyes widened briefly in surprise as they met mine. My heart sank further, certain that my capture was imminent.

To my surprise, Huang Wen composed himself, his face smoothing into an unreadable expression. He crouched down slightly and placed something on the dirt floor, just within my reach. His eyes flicked to mine for a moment before he gave a subtle nod and turned away, closing the door behind him.

"Who is it?" Ruan Yanjun's voice called from outside.

"It's a sick old man," Huang Wen replied without missing a beat.

Ruan Yanjun let out a derisive laugh. "An old man living alone in this desolate place? How convenient. Just kill him."

I froze, dread pooling in my stomach. I expected Huang Wen to follow the command, to return and strike me down without hesitation.

"I already did, Master," Huang Wen said. "He was just about to take his last breath anyway."

The air was thick with tension as silence followed his words. Every second felt like an eternity.

I braced myself, certain that Ruan Yanjun would storm into the cabin to confirm his disciple's claim. That was the kind of man he was—meticulous, suspicious, and far too cunning to fall for such an obvious lie.

"Let's go," Ruan Yanjun said at last, his voice fading as he moved away.

I stiffened. That was unexpected.

I remained perfectly still, unwilling to risk even a whisper of movement.

My mind reeled. Something didn't add up. Ruan Yanjun wasn't careless. He never was. Why hadn't he checked for himself?

Does he know I am here and chose to let me go?

The possibility made my head spin. That wasn't like him, either. The man I knew didn't act on whims, and he certainly didn't leave loose ends.

Whatever the reason, I didn't have the luxury of pondering it further. When I was certain they were gone, I forced myself to crawl toward the object Huang Wen had left behind. My fingers closed around it—it was a small jar of pills. I opened it and found three energy pills.

The sight of it nearly brought tears to my eyes. Huang Wen had risked his life for me, defying his master in a way that could cost him everything.

I swallowed one pill, the faint warmth of restored energy spreading through me. It wasn't much, but it was enough to give me strength to think clearly and plan my next move.