Taking the opportunity of traveling through books

New Cheng Jingshen

"Hao Yang, you..." I gripped his arm tightly, my fingertips almost digging into his muscles. He held my hand in his, his warm palm giving me a reassuring strength, but it couldn't mask the sharpness that suddenly flashed in his eyes.

"I know." He answered briefly, his voice low and firm, like the calm before the storm.

Before I could finish my words, a group of men in black emerged from the surrounding jungle like ghosts, surrounding us. They were dressed in night clothes, their faces covered with black cloth, revealing only their cold eyes. The gleaming blades in their hands were particularly glaring in the setting sun. The air was filled with a thick murderous aura, almost suffocating me.

Hao Yang protected me behind him without hesitation and drew his sword. The blade emitted a crisp dragon roar, as if responding to the fighting spirit in his heart. His eyes were sharp as he scanned the black-clad men around him and said in a deep voice, "It seems that someone is eager to take our lives."

The man in black said nothing, only letting out a low growl before waving his blade and charging at us. Hao Yang's figure moved like lightning, his sword flashing as he engaged the man in black in a fierce fight. His swordsmanship was sharp, each move deadly, and every swing of his sword brought with it a sharp gust of wind.

While I knew a bit about self-defense, my abilities were nothing compared to Hao Yang's. I could only watch anxiously from the sidelines, my heart filled with worry. The men in black were numerous and coordinated, clearly specially trained assassins. Despite Hao Yang's martial arts prowess, he was outnumbered and gradually began to struggle.

I watched helplessly as a man in black slashed Hao Yang's sleeve with his blade, blood instantly staining the white fabric red. My heart sank, and an indescribable fear washed over me. I wanted to help, but I was afraid I would become a burden to Hao Yang.

"Hao Yang!" I couldn't help but scream out, my voice trembling.

Hearing my voice, he turned back and glanced at me, his eyes filled with concern and worry. He smiled faintly, as if trying to tell me he was fine. However, the moment he turned his head, a man in black took advantage of the opportunity and stabbed him in the back.

"Be careful!" I exclaimed.

Hao Yang reacted quickly, dodging the blow by leaning sideways, but the blade of the man in black still left a deep wound on his back. Blood flowed down the wound, staining the ground red.

I clutched the spirit pearl tightly. It was the key to changing our fate and our last hope. I wanted to use the power of the spirit pearl to help Hao Yang. However, when I tried to mobilize the power of the spirit pearl, I found that the power of the spirit pearl seemed to be suppressed by a mysterious force and could not be used normally.

My heart sank to the bottom, and a deep sense of powerlessness washed over me. I anxiously looked around, searching for any opportunity to help Hao Yang. Suddenly, I saw... I clutched the spirit pearl tightly, its cool touch against my palm, but it did nothing to calm the anxiety burning within me. It was the key to changing our fate, our last hope. I wanted to use the power of the spirit pearl to help Hao Yang, but when I tried to mobilize it, I found that the power seemed to be suppressed by a mysterious force, unable to function properly. A cold fear shot from the soles of my feet to the top of my head. I felt like I was trapped in an invisible cage, watching danger approach, powerless to do anything.

Hao Yang's swordsmanship remained sharp, but his movements had noticeably slowed. His body was already covered in wounds, blood staining his pristine white clothes like blooming plum blossoms. I couldn't imagine what would happen to me if he fell. Fighting back the tears, I scanned my surroundings, searching for any opportunity to help Hao Yang. A stone, a branch, anything I could use as a weapon—I wouldn't let it go.

"Yao'er, don't come over!" Hao Yang's voice was a little hoarse. He struggled to force back a man in black, and then shouted at me, "Protect yourself!" His eyes were full of worry, but also with a hint of unquestionable determination.

I gritted my teeth and tightened my grip on the dagger. I knew I couldn't be a burden to him. I had to do everything in my power to protect myself so he wouldn't have to worry. I took a deep breath, forced myself to calm down, and observed my surroundings, searching for any terrain I could exploit.

Suddenly, I saw a pile of scattered stones not far away. An idea flashed through my mind, and I quickly ran over, picked up a larger stone, and smashed it hard at a man in black who was about to attack Hao Yang.

The stone hit the man in black right on the head. He groaned, his body swayed, and he fell to the ground. I know this is just a drop in the bucket, but at least it can buy Hao Yang a chance to breathe.

Hao Yang also saw my action and smiled at me with admiration in his eyes. I knew he was encouraging me not to give up hope.

However, at this moment, something strange happened. As if receiving some order, the men in black suddenly stopped attacking and quickly disappeared into the jungle, leaving only blood and scattered weapons on the ground.

This sudden change caught Hao Yang and I off guard. We looked around cautiously, but could no longer find any trace of the men in black.

"Why... did they suddenly retreat?" I asked in a low voice, my heart full of confusion and anxiety.

Hao Yang shook his head, frowning. "I don't know. I'm afraid it's not that simple." He reached out to support me. "Let's get out of here first."

We supported each other and walked towards our family. The sun was setting, and the sky was burning with a fiery red sunset glow, but it could not reflect the haze in our hearts.

"I hope everything is going well with my family..." I muttered to myself, but my pace quickened involuntarily.

However, when we returned to the clan, we were met with chaos... Elder Wei stood at the doorway, his face pale. Upon seeing us return, he stumbled over and said in a trembling voice, "Something...something happened..."