The morning sun warmed the stone streets of Green Stone Town. Xiao Li stepped outside the inn wearing a clean set of dark-blue robes that Cai Lin had bought for him.
They weren’t fancy, but compared to his torn old clothes, he felt like a different person.
> “Better,” Cai Lin said simply, giving him a once-over.
“Thanks…” he mumbled, adjusting the sleeves.
The two walked side by side toward the town’s market square. It was lively, filled with shopkeepers shouting prices, children running through crowds, and the smell of roasted buns and spiced tea in the air.
Xiao Li’s eyes lit up. He had never seen so many people in one place.
> “Stay close,” Cai Lin said. “Don’t talk to anyone you don’t trust.”
> “I don’t trust anyone,” he replied.
> “Good. That’s how you stay alive.”
---
They stopped by a stall selling dried herbs and medicine. Cai Lin picked out a few bottles of spiritual powder and healing salves. Xiao Li admired a row of wooden swords on a nearby table.
> “Want one?” Cai Lin asked casually.
> “They’re toys,” Xiao Li said. “I need something real.”
Cai Lin smiled faintly, as if amused.
> “You’ll get one. When you earn it.”
---
Just as they turned to leave, shouting broke out nearby.
> “You blind, peasant?! You dare bump into me?!”
A young man in golden robes stood with a red mark on his cheek. A servant beside him was holding down a boy—barely ten years old—crying on the ground.
The crowd moved away quickly. No one wanted trouble.
Xiao Li frowned.
> “What’s going on?”
> “That’s Wei Kang,” Cai Lin said with a sigh. “Second son of the town lord. Arrogant brat with too much power and no brain.”
The noble boy kicked the child in the ribs.
> “You filthy rats don’t deserve to walk in the same street as me!”
Xiao Li clenched his fists. He looked at Cai Lin.
> “We’re just going to watch?”
> “We’re not here to make enemies,” she said. “This isn’t our fight.”
Xiao Li stared at the crying boy.
Then stepped forward.
> “Let him go.”
The crowd gasped.
Wei Kang turned slowly, his eyes filled with surprise and anger.
> “What did you say?”
> “He’s a child. You’ve made your point. Let him go.”
Wei Kang sneered.
> “And who are you? Some street rat in new clothes?”
He looked at Xiao Li from head to toe.
> “Kneel and apologize. Maybe I won’t break your legs.”
Xiao Li didn’t move.
Instead, he stepped closer.
> “Or maybe,” he said, “you leave before I make you.”
Wei Kang’s face twisted in fury. He waved his hand.
> “Break his mouth!”
Two guards moved in. Big, strong, and armed.
But Xiao Li wasn’t scared.
He had no weapon, but something inside him stirred.
As the first guard swung his staff, Xiao Li ducked low, stepped forward, and struck his gut.
> Thud!
The guard flew back into a fruit stall.
The second came from the side. Xiao Li spun and dodged, then slammed his palm into the man’s chest. For a split second, black flame flickered on his hand.
The guard screamed and dropped.
---
The crowd stared in shock. Wei Kang’s face turned pale.
> “Y-You dare touch my men?! I’ll have your head!”
Before he could yell more, Cai Lin stepped beside Xiao Li. Her eyes were cold as winter.
> “You cause trouble here again,” she said softly, “and your father won’t recognize what’s left of you.”
Wei Kang’s mouth opened, but no words came out.
He turned and ran, dragging his wounded guards with him.
---
The child on the ground sat up, wiping his tears.
> “Thank you, big brother!”
Xiao Li gave a small smile.
> “Be careful next time.”
Cai Lin looked at him as they walked away.
> “That was risky,” she said.
> “He deserved it.”
> “You’ll make enemies that way.”
> “I’ve already got enemies.”
Cai Lin didn’t argue.
Instead, she looked ahead and said,
> “Let’s find you a weapon.”
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Comments
Mưa buồn
Your storytelling skills are off the charts, keep it coming!
2025-07-09
1