Chapter 3: The Accidental Rescue (and a Slightly Larger Coin Pouch)

  The task of "observing" the Whispering Woods had been surprisingly lucrative. The local villagers, relieved that the prophesied Lumina Blade was "protecting" them (even if all he did was swat mosquitoes and occasionally nap under a tree), had showered him with offerings of food and, more importantly, silver coins. Feng's "advisor's stipend" was steadily growing.

  Back at the Veridia Sword Clan, Mei had returned from her initial diplomatic forays, looking slightly frazzled but surprisingly successful. Her earnestness and genuine concern had apparently resonated with the leaders she'd met, even if her actual diplomatic skills were still a work in progress. Feng had greeted her with enthusiastic praise, careful to highlight her achievements while downplaying his own "crucial strategic guidance" (which mostly involved sending encouraging letters filled with vague platitudes).

  However, the Sect Leader had another task, one that Feng couldn't easily pawn off. A valuable artifact, the Azure Orb, had been stolen from a nearby village by a band of surprisingly organized bandits. The villagers were pleading for the Lumina Blade's help.

  "Lumina Blade," the Sect Leader said, his gaze firm. "This is a direct affront. The Azure Orb is a symbol of peace for the region. You must retrieve it."

  Feng sighed dramatically. "A symbol of peace, you say? Wouldn't sending a strongly worded letter also convey our peaceful intentions? Perhaps with… decorative calligraphy?"

  The Sect Leader remained unmoved. "The villagers are counting on you."

  Cornered, Feng reluctantly agreed. His plan was simple: trail the bandits from a safe distance, subtly point out their weaknesses to someone more competent (preferably Jian or Hua), and then swoop in for the accolades (and the reward money) once the real work was done.

  His tracking skills, however, were abysmal. He mostly followed the trail of discarded food wrappers the bandits carelessly left behind. Eventually, he stumbled upon their hideout – a dilapidated temple overlooking a steep ravine.

  Peeking from behind a crumbling pillar, Feng saw the bandits celebrating their successful heist. The Azure Orb, a pulsating sphere of blue light, sat on a makeshift altar. He also noticed something else: a group of villagers tied up in a corner. This complicated things. He couldn't exactly orchestrate a subtle takedown with hostages involved.

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  As he pondered his next move (which mostly involved hoping a convenient landslide would occur), he accidentally dislodged a loose stone from the pillar. It clattered loudly on the ground, immediately alerting the bandits.

  "Someone's out there!" a burly bandit leader roared.

  Feng cursed under his breath. So much for subtle observation. He had two choices: run, or somehow deal with a group of armed bandits. His escape fund wasn't quite at "disappear before the Gloom Tide" levels yet, and the thought of the villagers being harmed pricked his surprisingly not-entirely-useless conscience.

  Against his better judgment, Feng found himself leaping out from behind the pillar, a rusty farming tool he'd picked up along the way held awkwardly in his hand.

  "Release those villagers!" he declared, trying to sound heroic but mostly just sounding winded.

  The bandits roared with laughter. "Look what we have here! The legendary Lumina Blade! Come to polish our boots?"

  Despite his fear, something clicked within Feng. As the bandits charged, he instinctively moved, his body recalling the fluid movements he'd unconsciously practiced in the Whispering Woods. He dodged a clumsy swing, used the farming tool to trip another bandit, and even managed a surprisingly effective (and entirely accidental) disarming maneuver.

  It wasn't graceful, it wasn't planned, but it was… working. He was moving with a speed and instinct he didn't know he possessed. It was as if his body knew what to do even when his mind was screaming for a tactical retreat.

  In the chaos, one of the bandits made a move for the Azure Orb. Without thinking, Feng hurled the rusty farming tool. It spun through the air and struck the bandit squarely in the head, knocking him unconscious. The Orb tumbled to the ground, unharmed.

  The remaining bandits, stunned by Feng's unexpected (and frankly, ridiculous) display, hesitated. Seeing their chance, the villagers began to shout and create a diversion.

  Taking advantage of the confusion, Feng grabbed the Azure Orb and yelled, "Run, villagers!" He then proceeded to make a hasty retreat, the Orb clutched in his hand, leaving the bewildered bandits in his wake.

  Back at the village, Feng was hailed as a hero. The villagers showered him with praise and even more coins. The Sect Leader looked impressed, if a little confused by Feng's unorthodox fighting style.

  Feng, however, was more bewildered than anyone. He’d just… done hero stuff. And he’d been surprisingly effective. His escape fund had grown significantly, but the nagging feeling that he couldn't outrun his own potential was starting to take root.

  As he counted his newly acquired wealth, he sighed. "This is going to be more complicated than I thought," he muttered. "Maybe I should invest in a really good disguise."