šŖļø Chapter 22: The Truth Behind Lu Zhen's Eyes
(The crowd thickens around the young boy, their voices a mix of anger and suspicion. The guards from the Jie family grip him tightly, their armor gleaming under the fading mountain sun. The boy's clothes are tattered, dust-covered, and his eyes flicker with fearābut there's something else, something strange, that catches Xiao Feng's attention.)
š Jie Family Guard (sneering):
ā "Thief! Trying to sneak into the royal food storage. He deserves death!"
(The boy gasps, struggling to speak.)
š§ Young Boy (breathless, desperate):
ā "Iā¦ I was just hungryā¦ I only wanted a biteā¦"
(A stone suddenly flies from the crowd, thrown with harsh intent, but a commanding voice cuts through the chaos.)
š Xiao Feng (shouting):
ā "Stop! That boyā¦ he's my apprentice!"
(The crowd's murmurs turn to stunned silence. Even the guards hesitate, turning their heads toward Xiao Feng.)
š¶ Guo Lang (half-shouting):
ā "What? Your apprentice? When did you even see him?"
š XiliĆ (narrowing her eyes):
ā "Look into his eyesā¦ there's something there. Something familiar."
š Jie Guard Captain (growling):
ā "Do you have proof? What's his name?"
(Xiao Feng kneels beside the boy, locking eyes with him.)
š Xiao Feng (calm but firm):
ā "His name is Lu Zhen. Believe it or not, he's my apprentice. And my proof is right hereāhe's alive because of what he can do with a cooking knife."
(Guo Lang rummages through his bag and pulls out a dry piece of bread, thrusting it into Lu Zhen's trembling hands.)
š¶ Guo Lang:
ā "Eat! Do something, fast!"
(Lu Zhen's hands shake, but he takes a small bite. The faint aroma of freshly baked bread and spices slowly fills the air, softening the tense atmosphere.)
šµ Old Woman from the Crowd (softly):
ā "That scentā¦ it's the taste of life itselfā¦"
š Jie Guard Captain (hesitant):
ā "Fine. Let him goāfor now. But he's under our watch."
(The guards reluctantly step back, dispersing the crowd little by little.)
š Xiao Feng (quietly, to Lu Zhen):
ā "Now that you're safe, tell me the truth. Who are you really?"
š§ Lu Zhen (voice hoarse and low):
ā "I'm searching for a truth far greater than food. Something the Jie family doesn't want anyone to knowā¦"
(The thickening mist of the mountain town snakes through the cobblestone streets. Shadowy figures begin to emerge from dark alleys. A chilling wind whispers secrets of betrayal and danger.)
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š„ End of Chapter 22