The next morning, Mei Lin set out on her journey, the weight of the decision heavy on her shoulders. She had packed only the essentials: medical supplies, a few changes of clothes, and the small vial of healing potion she had created herself. As she walked out of the village gates, she took one last look back. The village was peaceful, the people were working hard to rebuild, and Li Sheng stood among them, watching her leave with a look of deep concern in his eyes.
Her heart ached, but her determination was stronger. She couldn't let this village fall into danger again, not after everything they had been through. As she walked further into the forest, the sounds of the village faded away, replaced by the whispers of the wind through the trees and the rhythmic crunch of her boots on the forest floor.
Mei Lin had no clear destination in mind. She knew only that she needed to find the source of the threat—the lingering remnants of the Northern Army, or whatever factions had begun to stir in the wake of General Wei's downfall. The world beyond the village was vast, and there were countless places to hide, countless ways for danger to creep in unnoticed. She had to be vigilant.
The journey was long and grueling, but Mei Lin's resolve never wavered. Along the way, she encountered a handful of travelers—merchants, farmers, and soldiers—who all seemed to be unaware of the looming threat she feared. Yet, each interaction was a reminder of how fragile the peace was. Mei Lin knew that if she didn't act quickly, the peace she had fought so hard to achieve could be shattered once again.
One evening, as Mei Lin set up camp near a small river, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. She'd learned long ago to trust her instincts, and now, they were screaming at her. She stood, her hand instinctively moving to the hilt of her sword, her senses alert.
From the shadows of the trees, a figure emerged—tall, cloaked, and with a presence that seemed to radiate danger. Mei Lin's grip tightened on her sword, her muscles tensing in preparation for a fight.
The figure stepped closer, the moonlight revealing a familiar face.
"Li Sheng?" Mei Lin gasped, her heart skipping a beat.
He smiled, though his expression was tight with concern. "You didn't think I'd let you go alone, did you?"
Mei Lin stood frozen, her mind racing. She had thought she'd left without him noticing, but Li Sheng was no ordinary man—he could track her through any forest, find her wherever she might hide. He had followed her.
"I told you to stay," Mei Lin said, a mixture of frustration and relief in her voice.
"I couldn't stay behind, Mei Lin. Not when you're out here in danger," Li Sheng replied, stepping closer and reaching for her hand. "You're not alone in this. You never will be."
For a moment, Mei Lin simply stared at him, the weight of her decision pressing on her once more. She knew that he couldn't be swayed; Li Sheng was loyal, determined, and would always put her safety above his own. And deep down, she was grateful for it, even if it complicated everything.
"Fine," Mei Lin said after a pause, her voice softer now. "You can come with me. But we do this together, Li Sheng. We both need to be prepared for whatever comes next."
Li Sheng's expression softened, and for the first time in a long while, he seemed to relax. "Together," he agreed.