Lying before us was a small hut.
Only one story tall, its structure looked old and neglected, as if it had been abandoned long ago. A single narrow window sat to the right of its door, its frame crooked and uneven. Thick vines crawled along the walls, wrapping around the wood like they had claimed the place as their own. A thin, worn path led straight toward it, cutting through the undergrowth with unsettling precision.
The track marks and the path were not the same.
Yet both led to the same destination.
I couldn't decide whether that made things worse or better.
"Rong Xu," I said quietly, "before we continue, we need a plan."
"I agree," he replied. His eyes never left the hut. "I was thinking we should look through that window first. See what's going on inside."
After some insistence, I convinced him to let me approach the window alone. If both of us were caught, the situation would spiral beyond repair. At least this way, there was still a chance one of us could escape.
I moved forward slowly, every step deliberate.
Leaves brushed against my hair, producing a faint crumbling sound that made my heart jolt. My body screamed at me to turn around, to run in the opposite direction and never look back. The hut radiated an unease that was difficult to describe, the kind that drained your strength just by looking at it.
Finally, I reached the window.
I glanced around once more, making sure no one was nearby, then leaned forward and peeked inside—
Nothing.
The window was completely covered with paper.
I couldn't see through it at all.
Still, a faint glow slipped through the thin material. Candlelight, perhaps. Someone had been here recently. Or was still here.
I stepped back carefully and returned to Rong Xu.
"That was expected, I suppose," I whispered.
He frowned. "You're right. But what now? I doubt we have any other choice than to barge in."
"I think," I said slowly, "we should knock."
He stared at me as if I had lost my mind. "What? Are you crazy—"
"If we barge in, it'll make too much noise," I cut in. "It'll alert everyone inside immediately. We don't know how many people are involved. But if we knock… if I can come up with an excuse to get inside—"
"What do you mean you?" he interrupted. "I'll go in this time."
I was about to protest, but a realization stopped me.
They had seen Renshu with me last night.
If they remembered my face, even through a disguise, it would be a risk I couldn't afford.
"…Alright," I said after a moment. "You'll go."
He raised an eyebrow.
"You'll knock and ask for food," I continued. "Say you were robbed and need a place to stay for the night. Beg if you have to."
Rong Xu's expression twisted. "Are you serious? Why should I do that?"
"Because they're doing this for money," I replied calmly. "They'll keep General Renshu and eventually demand ransom. He already told us they're thieves, nothing more. If you act poor and desperate, they won't be interested in you. Worst case, they turn you away."
I reached into my sleeve and pulled out a small pocket knife, simple, unassuming, but sharp enough to sever muscle.
"If you see only one or two men inside," I continued, placing it in his hand, "use this."
His grip tightened. "What if there are more?"
"There likely aren't," I answered. "Only two men were involved in capturing Renshu. Given his appearance, they probably think they've struck gold. It doesn't seem like they all work together."
Rong Xu hesitated. "If General Renshu is such a prize, wouldn't they guard him constantly?"
"I doubt it," I said quietly. "They'd rather knock him unconscious and lock him up."
I spoke from experience.
He didn't ask anything else.
Slowly, carefully, Rong Xu crept toward the hut while I remained hidden, watching every movement. My heart pounded as he reached the door and raised his hand.
Knock.
Silence.
He knocked again.
Nothing.
My unease deepened.
Had someone seen us approach? Had they chosen not to answer? No, these men weren't the cautious type. They had taken Renshu even though I was there. They were impulsive, reckless.
Which meant either no one was inside…
Or they weren't allowed to answer.
"Let's break the door," Rong Xu whispered suddenly. "They seem careless. No guard, no response."
The suggestion was abrupt, but it made sense.
There were no nearby buildings. No signs of activity. If they were away, they were far enough not to hear us.
"It's a simple wooden door," I said. "Not much noise will be made. Do it."
As he backed up and ran toward the door, a strange thought crossed my mind.
This hut, it looked like a villager's home.
Perhaps it had been one… before these men arrived.
CRASH.
The door splintered open.
I sprinted forward, heart racing, bracing myself for confrontation—
Only to freeze.
The sight before me was nothing like I expected.
People.
A whole group of them.
Tied up. Bruised. Lying motionless across the floor like discarded objects.
My breath caught.
We rushed inside, scanning frantically until—
There.
Renshu.
A deep bruise darkened the right side of his forehead. His sword was gone. Cloth was wrapped tightly around his mouth, muffling any sound he might have made.
Colonel Gao Ming lay nearby, similarly restrained.
All of them had their mouths covered.
They must have been beaten severely so badly that even the sound of the door crashing open hadn't woken them.
Rong Xu moved to Gao Ming while I knelt beside Renshu.
He looked… broken.
Weak in a way I had never seen before.
Was this how I looked back then? When he found me?
No wonder he was so determined to keep me from ever ending up like this again.
"We need to get him out," I said quickly. "If those men return and see this, it'll be a problem. Wake Colonel Gao Ming if you can."
I examined Renshu carefully. Moving him roughly could make things worse.
Gao Ming seemed less injured, likely knocked unconscious.
Shaking him wasn't an option.
So I pressed my thumb firmly beneath his nose.
A pressure point.
Bao Qin had taught me, originally as a precaution for an unconscious Renshu. Scholars used it. Torturers too.
I increased the pressure.
More.
More.
Finally, his eyes snapped open.
"What—Aryan? Rong Xu?" he gasped. "What is—"
"No time," I said sharply. "Sir, get up. Now. If you can, carry General Renshu."
To my surprise, Gao Ming rose almost immediately. Shaken, but strong.
Admirable.
Together, they lifted Renshu and moved toward the door. I stayed behind just long enough to ensure no one stirred.
Then we left the hut exactly as we wanted to, door wide open.
Hopefully, the captives would wake before the thieves returned.
---
The journey back was silent.
They carried him carefully, deliberately avoiding obvious paths. I followed behind, useless, my legs refusing to cooperate.
Pathetic.
The thought burned.
I tried to shake it off, but it lingered stubbornly.
Tomorrow, I hoped, would bring better news.