Building Trust

***

As the days turned into weeks, Jian Lei became an integral part of the group. His humor lightened tense moments, his strength proved invaluable during battles, and his knowledge of the terrain often saved them from potential ambushes.

A Shared Laugh: One evening, as they sat around the campfire, Jian Lei recounted a humorous tale about an overly confident merchant who tried to outsmart him in a trade back in Mingzhu.

"And there he was," Jian Lei said, gesturing dramatically, "swearing he could sell me a chicken that laid golden eggs. I told him if the chicken was so magical, why wasn't he rich already?"

Yun chuckled, leaning back against a log. "What happened next?"

"He tried to convince me he'd donated all his gold to charity," Jian Lei replied with a smirk. "So, I bought the chicken, named her Charity, and enjoyed the best roast dinner of my life."

Meilin burst into laughter, shaking her head. Even Lin Yi, sitting quietly nearby, couldn't suppress a small smile as she poked at the fire.

Moments like these made Jian Lei seem like a brother to the group, someone they could rely on when the journey grew heavy.

As the group encountered more dangers, Jian Lei proved himself time and time again.

A Narrow Escape: In a dense forest, the group was ambushed by shadow beasts. Jian Lei fought fiercely, using his agility and skill with a spear to protect Lin Yi when she became cornered. After the battle, Lin Yi gave him a grateful nod, her hands trembling as she brushed dirt off her cloak.

A Treacherous Cliff: Crossing a narrow path along a cliff, Yun slipped on loose rocks. Jian Lei was there in an instant, gripping Yun's arm tightly and pulling him to safety. "Careful, my friend," Jian Lei said, his tone light. "We can't have our fearless leader falling now, can we?"

Yun's trust in Jian Lei deepened. "Thank you," Yun said, his voice steady. "You've saved me more times than I can count."

A Gesture of Kindness: When Meilin twisted her ankle during a skirmish, Jian Lei carried her to safety without hesitation. She protested at first, but his insistence was firm yet gentle. "You're always carrying the team in other ways, Meilin," he said with a teasing grin. "Let me do the heavy lifting for once."

Jian Lei's growing friendship with Meilin became particularly noticeable. The two often sparred together during their breaks, Meilin teaching him finer techniques with a bow while Jian Lei shared tricks for close combat.

"You've got a strong draw," Jian Lei remarked one day as Meilin practiced with her bow.

"You think so?" Meilin replied, raising an eyebrow. "Careful, Jian, I might take that as a compliment."

"It is," Jian Lei said sincerely. "You've got more precision than most warriors I've met."

Meilin looked away, a faint blush creeping into her cheeks. "Thanks," she said softly, her usual sharpness replaced with something gentler.

Lin Yi noticed the exchange, her expression unreadable as she turned her focus back to the map she was sketching.

Even Lin Yi, despite her unease, found herself relying on Jian Lei. He showed her a trick to sharpen blades more efficiently and often made sure she had extra rations when he noticed her giving food to Yun.

One evening, as the group rested after a hard climb, Jian Lei approached her with a wildflower he had found along the trail.

"For you," he said, his voice kind but casual. "It reminded me of the flowers near Mingzhu."

Lin Yi hesitated, her fingers brushing the petals before accepting it with a small nod. Though she couldn't voice her gratitude, the softening of her expression was thanks enough.

Yun found himself leaning on Jian Lei's presence more than he realized.

"Do you ever wonder why the Lightstone chose me?" Yun asked one night, his voice thoughtful.

Jian Lei sat beside him, his expression contemplative. "You have a strength most people don't, Yun. It's not just physical—it's here." He tapped his chest. "That's why it chose you."

"You think so?" Yun asked, tilting his head toward him.

"I know so," Jian Lei replied confidently. "And if the shadows fear you this much, it's because they know you're capable of ending their reign."

Yun smiled faintly. "Thank you, Jian. That means more than you know."

Jian Lei returned the smile, though his gaze briefly flickered with something darker before he masked it. "Anything for a friend."

One evening, as the group shared a meal, Meilin noticed something odd about Jian Lei's medallion. He always wore it tucked beneath his robes, but it had slipped out as he leaned forward. The symbol engraved on it was faintly familiar—a swirling pattern that made her pause.

"Interesting design," Meilin said, nodding toward the medallion. "What does it mean?"

Jian Lei quickly tucked it back under his robes, his smile easy. "An old family heirloom. Nothing special."

Meilin nodded, though her instincts pricked with curiosity. She decided to let it go—for now.

The group's bond with Jian Lei grew stronger with each passing day, his easy charm and selflessness earning their trust. Yet beneath his warm demeanor lay the shadow leader's true intentions, hidden masterfully from even the most perceptive among them.

Unseen by the group, Jian Lei would occasionally slip away under the cover of night, whispering incantations into the darkness.

"The Seer trusts me now," he murmured one night, his voice low and cold. "The Lightstone will be ours soon. Let them believe I'm their ally. When the time comes, they won't see the blade until it's too late."

***