The Azure Vanguard's Debut

Ten Years Later

Lin Zhen emerged from the mountains, where he had trained in solitude for years. The rugged landscape had been his home, his refuge, and his testing ground. He had spent countless hours honing his skills, pushing his body to its limits, and exploring the depths of his mind.

As he descended into the forest, the trees seemed to close in around him, their leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. Lin Zhen's senses were heightened, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a mixture of caution and curiosity.

Suddenly, the sound of clashing steel and panicked cries echoed through the forest. Lin Zhen's eyes narrowed as he quickened his pace. He burst into a small clearing, where a group of bandits was terrorizing a cluster of wealthy travelers.

The bandits, armed to the teeth, sneered at their captives, who cowered in fear.

At the forefront of the battle stood Jian Feng, the leader of the renown Azura Vanguard, his sword flashing in the sunlight as he took down bandit after bandit. His movements were fluid, almost dance-like, as he wove between the trees, using the forest itself to his advantage.

Lin Zhen watched, impressed, as Jian Feng disarmed and defeated the bandits with ease. The leader of the bandits, a man known as Xiao Hei, proved to be a more formidable opponent. Xiao Hei was a master thief, renowned for his cunning and agility.

The two engaged in a fierce duel, their blades clashing as they leapt between the trees. Jian Feng's sword sliced through the air, barely missing Xiao Hei, who retaliated with a flurry of dagger strikes. Jian Feng parried each blow with ease, his eyes locked on Xiao Hei's.

Finally, with a swift kick, Jian Feng sent Xiao Hei crashing to the ground. The bandit leader glared up at Jian Feng, a mixture of anger and admiration in his eyes.

"You're... quite skilled," Xiao Hei spat, wincing in pain.

Jian Feng stood over him, his chest heaving with exertion. "You're Xiao Hei, the infamous thief. I've heard a lot about you."

Xiao Hei snorted. "And I've heard nothing about you. But you're definitely not from around here."

Jian Feng smiled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Let's just say I'm a concerned citizen."

As Jian Feng bound Xiao Hei's wrists, the wealthy travelers stumbled forward, grateful for their rescue. Among them were several spoilt children from aristocratic families, who gazed at Jian Feng with a mixture of awe and fear.

One of them, a young woman with a haughty expression, stepped forward. "T-thank you, sir. We owe you a great debt."

Jian Feng bowed, his smile widening. "No need to thank me, miss. Justice has been served."

As the travelers departed, Jian Feng turned to Xiao Hei, who glared up at him with a mixture of anger and curiosity.

"You're not like the others," Xiao Hei said, his voice laced with venom. "Most people would have killed me by now."

Jian Feng's expression turned serious. "I'm not here to kill you, Xiao Hei. But I do want to know why you've been targeting the wealthy."

Xiao Hei snorted. "You wouldn't understand. You're one of them."

Jian Feng's eyes narrowed. "I'm not one of them. And I think you'll find that my motivations are quite different from yours."

As Jian Feng's words hung in the air, Lin Zhen watched from a distance, his eyes fixed on Xiao Hei. There was something familiar about the bandit leader, something that tugged at Lin Zhen's memory. But he couldn't quite place it.

Despite the sense of familiarity, Lin Zhen didn't intervene. He knew that Jian Feng was a righteous person, and he wouldn't kill Xiao Hei. Instead, Jian Feng would likely have him imprisoned, which was a fate worse than death for a master thief like Xiao Hei.

Lin Zhen's eyes lingered on Xiao Hei's face, trying to recall where he had seen him before. But the memory remained elusive, hidden in the depths of his mind.

As Jian Feng handed Xiao Hei over to his men, Lin Zhen turned to leave. He vanished into the trees, his mind still whirling with questions. Who was Xiao Hei, really? And why did Lin Zhen feel such a strong sense of familiarity towards him?