Chapter 4 – The Road East

Xiao Li walked behind Cai Lin along the dirt path. Morning sun peeked through the leaves. The forest air was fresh, but his thoughts were heavy.

Just last night, he’d almost died—again. A masked assassin had attacked him in the forest. If not for the strange black flame that appeared from his hand, he might have lost his life.

Now he was walking beside a girl who fought like a thunderstorm and looked like she came from a noble family. He didn’t know where they were going, or why she asked him to come along. But somehow, he trusted her.

Cai Lin didn’t talk much. Her steps were light, fast, and full of power. Even though her shoulder had been cut in the battle, she didn’t slow down.

> “You’re hurt,” Xiao Li finally said.

“I’ve had worse,” she replied.

They walked in silence for a while, until they reached a stream. Cai Lin sat on a smooth rock beside the water. She took out a silver bottle from her bag and poured green liquid over her wound. It hissed as it touched her skin, but she didn’t flinch.

> “You’re strong,” Xiao Li said quietly.

Cai Lin glanced at him.

> “You’re not.”

Xiao Li looked away, embarrassed.

> “But you helped,” she added. “You’re brave. That counts for something.”

> “Who were those men?” he asked after a pause. “Why were they after you?”

Cai Lin didn’t answer right away. She took a clean cloth and wrapped her shoulder. Then she pulled out a small scroll wrapped in red thread.

> “They were after this.”

She unrolled it and showed it to him. It wasn’t a map or a treasure guide. It was just… names. Dozens of names, written in neat handwriting.

> “Who are they?”

> “Cultivators. All of them. Strong ones. But… they’ve gone missing. Disappeared without a trace.”

> “Why would someone collect their names?”

> “That’s what I want to find out,” she said. “Someone is hunting them. And if I don’t find out why, I might be next.”

Xiao Li stared at the scroll. He felt a chill in his spine. Whoever was behind this… wasn’t normal.

> “Where are we going now?” he asked.

> “Green Stone Town,” Cai Lin replied. “It’s nearby. Safer than the forest, for now.”

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By midday, they reached a hill. Below them lay a small town with grey stone walls and wooden houses. Smoke rose from chimneys, and carts moved along the road. People shouted in the market square.

> “We’ll stay here tonight,” Cai Lin said. “And buy you proper clothes. You look like a lost scarecrow.”

> “I do not,” Xiao Li muttered, glancing down at his torn, muddy robe.

They entered the town. People looked at them as they passed—especially at Cai Lin. She walked with the confidence of someone used to power. Even shopkeepers bowed their heads slightly as she passed.

They found an inn called Cloud Leaf Pavilion. The innkeeper, a short man with a nervous smile, welcomed them.

> “Welcome, Young Lady! Best rooms, yes, of course!”

> “Two rooms. Separate,” Cai Lin said.

> “Right away!”

The rooms were clean, with soft beds and warm lanterns. Xiao Li sat by the window, staring at the quiet town below.

He held up his hand. A small black flame flickered in his palm.

> “What is this power…? Why do I have it?” he whispered.

He had no answers. But one thing was clear:

He could no longer hide. The world was bigger, and far more dangerous than he knew.

And someone out there still wanted him dead.

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