Chapter 4: Li Feng’s Escape

The forest loomed dark and silent, its towering pines casting long shadows that danced in the flickering light of distant flames. Li Feng's feet pounded against the uneven ground, his breath coming in quick, shallow bursts. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig, sent a jolt of fear racing through him. He gripped the jade ring tightly, the edges pressing into his palm as if to anchor him.

Behind him, the faint shouts of Shen Longwei's soldiers grew louder. They were close—too close. He couldn't afford to stop, but his legs burned, and his lungs felt like they might give out. Still, the weight of his father's final words propelled him forward. Protect the legacy.

The forest thickened, branches clawing at his face and clothes. He stumbled over a root, nearly falling, but caught himself just in time. Pausing for a brief moment, he crouched behind a cluster of dense bushes, trying to catch his breath. His heart hammered in his chest as he strained to listen.

"Spread out!" one of the soldiers barked, his voice cutting through the night. "The boy can't have gone far."

Li Feng pressed a hand over his mouth to stifle his breathing. The soldiers were closer than he'd thought. He could hear their armor clinking and the heavy thud of boots against the forest floor. One wrong move, one snapped branch, and they'd find him.

His mind raced. He couldn't outrun them forever, not in his current state. He needed to outthink them. Slowly, he reached down and picked up a small stone. Taking a deep breath, he tossed it into the underbrush a few meters away. The sound of rustling leaves drew the soldiers' attention immediately.

"Over there!" one of them shouted.

As they moved toward the noise, Li Feng slipped away in the opposite direction, his movements silent and deliberate. He kept low to the ground, weaving between trees and shrubs. The forest seemed to close in around him, but he didn't stop. Not until the voices faded into the distance.

When he finally allowed himself to pause, he realized he had reached a narrow stream. The water sparkled faintly under the moonlight, its soft gurgling the only sound in the stillness. Li Feng knelt by the edge, splashing water on his face and taking a few cautious sips. The cool liquid soothed his parched throat, but it did little to calm the storm raging within him.

He stared at his reflection in the water, the boy looking back at him unfamiliar. His face was smeared with dirt, his hair disheveled, and his eyes wide with fear. But beneath the fear, there was something else. Determination. He clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the ring against his chest.

"I won't let it end here," he whispered to himself. "Father… I won't fail you."

A sudden noise snapped him out of his thoughts. Footsteps, lighter this time, but deliberate. He scrambled to his feet, his pulse quickening. Peering into the shadows, he caught sight of a figure approaching. His first instinct was to run, but something held him back. This wasn't a soldier. The figure moved with grace, their steps barely making a sound.

"You shouldn't be out here," a voice said, soft but firm. The figure stepped into the moonlight, revealing a young woman with striking features. Her green eyes gleamed with intelligence, and her short black hair framed her face in uneven layers. She wore simple, practical clothing, but there was an air of confidence about her that made her seem larger than life.

Li Feng took a step back, his hand instinctively reaching for the jade ring. "Who are you?"

The woman raised her hands, palms out. "Relax. I'm not here to hurt you. The name's Mei Lian. And judging by the way you're running; I'd say you've got bigger problems than me."

He hesitated, his eyes narrowing. "How do I know I can trust you?"

Mei Lian smirked, crossing her arms. "You don't. But if I were with them, you'd already be dead."

Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, neither of them moved. Finally, Li Feng lowered his hand, though his guard remained up. "Why are you here?"

"Let's just say I have a knack for finding people in trouble," she said, glancing over her shoulder. "And you're in a lot of it. Those soldiers won't stop until they have whatever it is you're carrying."

Li Feng's grip tightened on the ring. "How do you know about that?"

Mei Lian shrugged. "I don't. But I've been around long enough to recognize desperation when I see it. Whatever you're protecting, it must be important."

He studied her, searching for any sign of deceit. But her gaze was steady, unflinching. Finally, he nodded. "Fine. But if you try anything—"

"Relax, hero," she interrupted, already turning away. "Let's get moving before your friends with the swords catch up."

Li Feng hesitated for only a moment before following her. As they disappeared into the forest, the faint sound of footsteps echoed in the distance once more. The soldiers were still searching, relentless in their pursuit.

Mei Lian glanced back at him, her expression unreadable. "Whatever you're caught up in, kid, it's big. I hope you're ready for it."

Li Feng didn't answer. He wasn't sure if he was ready. But as the ring pressed against his chest, its faint hum resonating with his heartbeat, he knew he didn't have a choice.