Everything was peaceful, with just one day left before they reached the capital of Feijing. In the warm afternoon sun, Yifong, Donghua, and Kai decided to take a break from their carriage and strolled toward a nearby river. The scenery was breathtaking, enhanced by the soft melodies of nature surrounding them. While Yifong and Donghua gathered firewood and exchanged lighthearted banter, Kai moved a little farther from them and knelt at the water's edge to fix his fake beard. The water was crystal clear and refreshingly cold, a welcome relief from the summer heat.
"I am not used to these outfits. The sleeves are soaked," Kai thought to himself, glancing at the billowing fabric that clung to his skin.
"Maybe I will order some casual clothes once we reach Feijing," he mused. A flicker of excitement stirred at the thought of a new beginning.
As Kai gazed at his reflection in the flowing water, he suddenly sensed movement behind him. His instincts screamed at him to look. He spun around just in time to see a shadowy figure, a bandit cloaked in darkness, lunging toward him with a blade glinting in the dappled sunlight. Heart pounding, Kai dodged away from the river and sprinted deeper into the trees.
To his horror, he quickly encountered another bandit waiting for him. Their expressions were cold and unyielding.
"Why are you attacking me?" Kai asked, his voice steady despite the adrenaline rushing through him.
The bandits responded with grim determination in their eyes. "Give us everything you have," they said, judging his worth with every heartbeat.
"Bandits?" Kai thought frantically.
Having grown up without a father figure and with a mother who worked tirelessly every day, Kai had been forced to fend for himself from a young age. He had honed his skills through years of practice and was renowned for his powerful kicks. His body tensed as he recalled the countless physical fights he had endured, and he prepared himself to defend against the attackers.
To the bandits' surprise, Kai managed to hold his ground. He executed a swift kick that sent one of them reeling backward.
"Impressive move, but it won't save you," sneered one of the bandits, a cruel smile curling on his lips.
"If we can't touch him, then poison him," the second assassin urged with a sinister glint in his eyes.
At that moment, Yifong's voice cut through the chaos as he sprinted toward Kai, sword drawn and ready to defend. "Xing Li!" he shouted with fierce concern.
"Tsk, he had allies! Retreat!" the bandits screamed, their voices filled with frustration.
In a split second before they could flee, one of the bandits hurled a dart at Kai. He dodged it, but the sharp tip grazed his arm, a fiery sting shooting through him. Wincing, Kai felt the burn intensify. Yifong reached him just as he dropped to the ground.
"Xing Li! Are you alright?" Yifong asked, concern etched deep across his face. A fierce protectiveness ignited within him.
Kai nodded, catching his breath. His gaze was fixed on the retreating bandits.
With the river's gentle flow behind them and danger lurking in the shadows, the forest suddenly felt alive and charged. The uncertainty of what lay ahead echoed through the stillness.