Bargains and Betrayals

The group returned to the town under the cover of darkness, their steps weighed down by exhaustion. Xu Tian clutched his aching side, glancing at the jade amulet Wei Ling carried as if it were a ticking time bomb.

"Let's get this over with," he muttered.

The marketplace was eerily quiet, the lively bustle of earlier now replaced by an unsettling stillness. The merchant's stall stood illuminated by a single lantern, casting long shadows over his wares.

"Well, well," the merchant said, his voice as smooth as silk. He appeared as if from nowhere, his wide-brimmed hat tilted to obscure his face. "You've returned. And with my little treasure, no less."

Xu Tian stepped forward, holding his hoe like a staff. "We nearly got crushed by a cave, mauled by a glowing beast, and suffocated by dust for this thing. So, yes, we brought it."

The merchant chuckled. "Marvelous. You've done well."

Wei Ling placed the jade amulet on the merchant's stall. The merchant picked it up with reverence, his fingers tracing the intricate carvings.

"Beautiful," he murmured. "More beautiful than I imagined."

"Yeah, yeah," Xu Tian said. "Now, about that Stabilizing Pearl..."

The merchant tilted his head. "Ah, yes. The pearl." He reached beneath his stall and retrieved the shimmering orb, its calming light soothing to behold.

Yue Lin stepped forward, her eyes narrowing. "Why do I feel like this is too easy?"

The merchant smiled, his teeth unnervingly white in the dim light. "Because you're wise beyond your years. But a deal is a deal."

He handed the pearl to Xu Tian, who hesitated before taking it.

"Is it safe to touch?" Xu Tian asked.

The merchant's smile widened. "Completely."

Xu Tian grasped the pearl, and a wave of tranquility washed over him. The seal on his palm dimmed, its hum fading into silence.

"Whoa," he muttered. "It actually worked."

"Now," the merchant said, pocketing the amulet, "there is just one... small matter left to discuss."

Xu Tian groaned. "I knew it. There's always a catch."

The merchant's grin remained fixed. "Consider this a courtesy warning. The artifact you retrieved is... let's say, sought after by powerful individuals. I recommend you leave this town promptly."

"What kind of powerful individuals?" Yue Lin demanded.

The merchant tapped the brim of his hat. "The kind who don't take kindly to meddling. But worry not, I'm sure your ingenuity will see you through."

Xu Tian stared at him. "You sold us out, didn't you?"

The merchant's laughter echoed through the marketplace. "Oh, my dear boy, I merely facilitated an exchange. What happens next is none of my concern."

As the group turned to leave, the ground trembled slightly, and a low, resonant hum filled the air.

"That can't be good," Wei Ling said, flipping his coin.

From the shadows of the street, figures emerged—men and women clad in dark robes, their faces obscured by masks. They moved with eerie precision, their steps synchronized as if guided by an unseen force.

"See?" Xu Tian said, pointing at the merchant. "I knew it! Betrayed!"

Yue Lin drew her sword. "No time for complaints. We've got company."

The robed figures surrounded them, their leader stepping forward. His mask was adorned with intricate patterns, and his voice was cold and authoritative.

"You have something that belongs to us," he said, his gaze fixed on the pearl in Xu Tian's hand.

Xu Tian clutched the pearl tighter. "This? Pretty sure it's mine now."

The leader's tone darkened. "Hand it over, and we may let you live."

Wei Ling flipped his coin. "Heads, we fight. Tails, we fight harder."

Xu Tian groaned. "I hate this coin."

The robed figures lunged, their movements swift and coordinated. Yue Lin met them head-on, her sword flashing in the dim light. Shen Feng darted around the edges, his daggers finding weak points in their defenses.

Wei Ling hurled talismans that exploded in bursts of fire and lightning, forcing the attackers to scatter.

Xu Tian, still holding the pearl, tried to stay out of the fray. "Can't we just talk this out?" he shouted, narrowly dodging a blade.

The leader advanced on him, his strikes relentless. Xu Tian swung his hoe in desperation, the seal on his palm flaring to life once more. The burst of energy sent the leader stumbling back, his mask cracking.

"You...!" the leader hissed, his voice filled with rage.

The remaining attackers faltered, glancing at their wounded leader. Yue Lin seized the opportunity, driving them back with a flurry of strikes.

"Retreat!" the leader commanded. The robed figures melted into the shadows as swiftly as they had appeared.

Xu Tian collapsed to the ground, clutching the pearl. "I'm starting to think this thing isn't worth the trouble."

Yue Lin helped him up, her expression grim. "They'll be back. And next time, they'll bring reinforcements."

Shen Feng sheathed his daggers. "We need to leave. Now."

Wei Ling flipped his coin, catching it with a smirk. "Heads, we survive. Tails, we thrive."

Xu Tian groaned. "Stop flipping that thing!"

As they hurried out of town, the merchant watched from his stall, a satisfied smile on his face. In his hands, the jade amulet pulsed faintly, its glow ominous.

Far away, the dark figure watched the scene unfold through a shimmering mirror.

"It begins," the figure said, his voice filled with malice. "Let the chase commence."