The Coiled Dragon’s Legacy

The monastery trembled with the approaching chaos. The distant clamor of heavy boots and shouted orders echoed through the ancient halls, growing louder with every passing moment. Li Feng's pulse quickened as he followed Mei Lian toward the dais, her pace swift and focused. The glow of the jade ring cast shifting shadows on the stone walls, its faint hum urging him forward.

"We don't have time," Mei Lian snapped, shoving aside a fallen banner as they reached the dais. "Where's the passage?"

"Beneath the altar," Master Shen's voice called from behind. The monk's staff struck the ground with deliberate force, his calm demeanor unshaken despite the imminent danger. "Lift the base and the path will reveal itself."

Li Feng dropped to his knees, his fingers scrambling to find a latch or mechanism. "It's not moving," he said, frustration creeping into his voice.

"Use the ring," Master Shen instructed, his tone firm. "It is the key."

Li Feng hesitated, then pressed the jade ring against the altar's surface. The stone beneath his hand warmed, and a faint vibration spread through the floor. Slowly, the dais groaned as the altar shifted, revealing a dark, narrow staircase descending into the earth.

"Go," Master Shen urged, motioning toward the passage. "I will hold them off as long as I can."

Li Feng hesitated, his gaze locking with the monk's. "You're coming with us."

"No," Shen replied, his expression resolute. "My place is here. You have the map, and the ring—that is what matters. Now go."

Mei Lian grabbed Li Feng's arm, pulling him toward the staircase. "We can't argue about this. Move!"

Reluctantly, Li Feng followed her down the steps, the darkness swallowing them as the altar slid back into place above. The sound of the soldiers breaching the main hall was the last thing he heard before the passage sealed shut.

The tunnel was narrow and damp, its walls carved from rough stone. Li Feng's breath came in shallow gasps as they descended further, the faint glow of the jade ring their only source of light. Mei Lian moved ahead of him, her dagger drawn and her eyes sharp.

"Do you think he'll be okay?" Li Feng asked, his voice echoing in the confined space.

Mei Lian didn't look back. "He made his choice. Don't waste it by second-guessing him."

Li Feng swallowed hard, the weight of her words settling in his chest. The thought of leaving Master Shen behind filled him with guilt, but he knew she was right. Their mission—and the responsibility that came with it—had to take priority.

The tunnel began to widen, and the faint sound of rushing water reached their ears. Mei Lian slowed, her posture tense as she scanned the path ahead. "There's an exit up ahead," she said, pointing to a faint glimmer of light in the distance. "Stay close."

Li Feng nodded, gripping the jade ring tightly as they moved toward the light. The air grew cooler, the scent of damp earth giving way to the crisp smell of the outdoors. They emerged into a narrow gorge, the walls towering high above them. A small river flowed through the gorge, its surface glinting in the moonlight.

"This should throw them off our trail," Mei Lian said, stepping into the shallow water. "Keep your steps light. The less noise we make, the better."

Li Feng followed her into the river, the cold water biting at his ankles. The sound of the current masked their footsteps, but it did little to calm his nerves. Every shadow seemed to move, and every sound felt like a warning.

"Do you hear that?" Mei Lian asked suddenly, her voice low.

Li Feng strained his ears, catching the faint rustle of movement above. He looked up, his heart sinking as he spotted a group of soldiers silhouetted against the night sky. Their crimson armor glinted in the moonlight, their weapons drawn.

"They found us," Mei Lian muttered, her grip tightening on her dagger. "Run."

Before Li Feng could respond, an arrow whistled through the air, striking the ground at his feet. The soldiers shouted, their voices echoing through the gorge as they began their descent.

Mei Lian grabbed his arm, pulling him forward. "Move, Feng! Don't look back!"

They sprinted through the river, the sound of splashing water mingling with the shouts of their pursuers. The jade ring pulsed against Li Feng's chest, its energy growing stronger with every step. He didn't know what it was trying to tell him, but he didn't have time to think.

The gorge narrowed, the river deepening as the walls closed in. Mei Lian glanced over her shoulder, her expression grim. "We can't outrun them like this. We need a plan."

Li Feng looked around desperately, his eyes landing on a cluster of boulders partially submerged in the river. "There," he said, pointing. "We can use those for cover."

Mei Lian nodded, leading the way as they scrambled behind the rocks. The soldiers' footsteps grew louder, their voices carrying through the narrow gorge.

"Stay low," Mei Lian whispered, her dagger ready. "And be ready to fight."

Li Feng nodded, his heart pounding as he gripped a sturdy branch he'd picked up earlier. The jade ring continued to pulse, its glow faint but steady. He closed his eyes for a moment, focusing on the energy coursing through him.

The first soldier appeared, his crimson armor glinting in the moonlight. Mei Lian moved like a shadow, her dagger flashing as she took him down with a swift, silent strike. Li Feng gripped his branch tightly, his muscles tensing as a second soldier approached.

"Feng, now!" Mei Lian shouted.

He swung the branch with all his strength, catching the soldier off guard. The man staggered, and Mei Lian finished him with a precise blow. But more soldiers were coming, their shouts growing louder as they closed in.

"We can't hold them off forever," Mei Lian said, her breathing labored. "We need to move."

Li Feng nodded, his grip on the ring tightening. "Follow me," he said, his voice steady despite the fear coursing through him.

The jade ring pulsed brightly, its energy guiding him toward a narrow crevice in the gorge wall. Without hesitation, he led Mei Lian toward it, the two of them squeezing through just as the soldiers reached the boulders.

The passage was tight and dark, the air thick with the scent of damp stone. They moved quickly, the sound of the soldiers' shouts fading behind them. When they finally emerged on the other side, the sight of an open valley greeted them, the distant mountains bathed in moonlight.

Mei Lian leaned against the rock wall, her chest heaving. "That was too close," she said, her voice tinged with exhaustion.

Li Feng nodded, his gaze fixed on the mountains in the distance. "But we made it."

The jade ring pulsed one last time before its glow faded, leaving them in the quiet of the valley. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the weight of their escape settling over them like a heavy cloak.

"What now?" Mei Lian asked, her tone softer than before.

Li Feng looked at her, his expression resolute. "We find the next artifact. And we stop Shen Longwei."

She nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Then let's not waste any time."

Together, they stepped into the valley, the path ahead uncertain but filled with purpose.