Everything was peaceful, with just one day left before they reached the capital of Feijing. In the afternoon sun, Yifong, Donghua, and Kai decided to take a break from their carriage and strolled toward a nearby river. The scenery was breathtaking, enriched by the soft melodies of nature surrounding them. While Yifong and Donghua gathered firewood and exchanged lighthearted banter, Kai knelt at the water's edge to splash his face. The water was crystal clear and refreshingly cold—a welcome relief from the summer heat.
"I'm not accustomed to these outfits; the sleeves are soaked," Kai thought to himself, glancing at the billowing fabric that clung to his skin.
"Maybe I'll pick up some casual clothes once we reach Feijing," he mused. A flicker of excitement ignited at the thought of a fresh start.
As Kai gazed at his reflection in the flowing water, he felt a sudden movement behind him. His instincts screamed at him to look, and he turned just in time to see a shadowy figure—a cloaked assassin—lunging toward him, blade glinting in the dappled sunlight. He dodged away from the river, heart racing, sprinting deeper into the trees.
To his horror, he quickly stumbled upon two more assassins waiting for him, their expressions cold and unyielding.
"Why… why are you attacking me!?" Kai shouted, panic surging within him as adrenaline coursed through his veins.
The assassins remained silent, a grim determination in their eyes, judging Kai's worth with every heartbeat.
"AH, FUCK! This didn't happen in the novel! I have to fight!"
Having grown up in an orphanage, Kai had been forced to fend for himself, often brawling with others for survival. He had honed his skills through years of practice and was renowned for his powerful kicks. His body tensed, recalling the physical battles he faced so often, and he readied himself to defend against the attackers.
To the assassins' surprise, Kai managed to hold his ground, executing a swift kick that sent one of them reeling.
"I can't predict his moves; I've never seen anything like this before!" Assassin #1 shouted, glancing at his companions, confusion etched on his face.
"We're not supposed to kill him, but if we fail, we'll die!" the second assassin urged anxiously. "Just poison him!"
"Xing Li!" Yifong shouted, his voice cutting through the tension as he sprinted toward his friend, sword drawn and poised for defense.
"RUN!" the assassins screamed, their focus torn between the incoming attack and Kai's desperate defiance.
In a split second before they could flee, one of the assassins hurled a dart at Kai. He barely dodged, but the sharp tip grazed his arm, a fiery sting coursing through him. Wincing, Kai felt the burn intensify, and Yifong reached him just as he staggered, sword glinting with determination.
"Xing Li! Are you alright?" Yifong asked, concern etched deep across his face, a fierce protectiveness igniting within him.
Kai nodded, catching his breath, his gaze locked on the retreating assassins. "What the hell was that about?"
With the river's gentle flow behind them and danger lurking in the shadows, the forest suddenly felt alive and charged, echoing the uncertainty that lay ahead.