甲士粼粼，如过江之鲫。
艳阳天高照，江心洲畔树荫下的一群劲装皮甲之人正在抱怀来看江中舟船与洲上道路往来不停的甲士，各自面色铁青。这些人，皆是真火教骨干，而面前的甲士如流赫然是所谓黜龙帮对大梁的新...
Jiang Zhiqing stood at the edge of the river, gazing out at the boats and ships making their way upriver. The sun beat down on his face, its intense heat a welcome respite from the chill of the night before. He was dressed in full armor, his armor polished to a mirror finish by the skilled hands of his comrades.
As he watched, a group of soldiers emerged from the trees and began to move towards him. They were his fellow members of the Fire Tiger Brigade, their faces set with determination and their eyes narrowed against the sun. Each one was a veteran warrior, having fought countless battles alongside Jiang Zhiqing in their years as part of the Fire Tiger Brigade.
The group drew closer, their movements fluid and practiced, like a well-oiled machine. They were all armed to the teeth, their swords and spears at the ready. Jiang Zhiqing''s eyes flicked between them, his mind racing with thoughts of the mission ahead.
"Where are we headed?" one of the soldiers asked, his voice low and even.
"To the old city," Jiang replied, his jaw clenched in a tight smile. "We need to get there before nightfall."
The group nodded, their faces set with resolve. They knew what was at stake here - not just their own lives, but the very future of their brigade and the entire Fire Tiger Brigade.
As they approached the riverbank, Jiang Zhiqing spotted a figure standing on the far shore, watching them approach. It was Li Qingwen, his eyes narrowed suspiciously as he took in the sight of the approaching soldiers.
"Ah, good to see you," Li said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I see you''re still alive and kicking."
Jiang rolled his eyes, a wry smile spreading across his face. "Li, always so quick with the insults. What''s it going to take for you to crack a real smile?"
Li raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "I''ll give you a smile when I see some genuine progress around here."
Jiang sighed inwardly, rubbing the back of his neck in frustration. He knew that Li was still holding onto his old ideals, clinging to them like a lifeline even as he struggled with the harsh realities of their new world.
But he also knew that he couldn''t let Li''s doubts bring him down. They had a mission to complete, and nothing was going to stand in their way.
The group reached the riverbank, their eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger. Jiang Zhiqing spotted a boat making its way upstream, its occupants huddled together like rabbits in a sack.
"Looks like we''ve got some company," one of his soldiers muttered.
Jiang''s hand went to the hilt of his sword, his grip tightening as he watched the approaching boat. He could see that it was packed with civilians, their faces white and terrified as they clung to whatever would keep them afloat.
Without hesitation, Jiang Zhiqing turned to Li and the others. "Alright, let''s get moving. We need to find a safe place for these people before things get any worse."
Li nodded, his expression softening ever so slightly. "I''ll take point," he said, drawing his sword with a fluid motion.
The group fanned out, their movements practiced and precise as they moved through the dense undergrowth. Jiang Zhiqing brought up the rear, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger.
As they walked, the sounds of civilization grew fainter, replaced by the calls of birds and the rustling of leaves. They were heading into the heart of nowhere now, where only the bravest - or most foolhardy - adventurers dared to tread.
But Jiang Zhiqing was no fool. He had faced down death more times than he could count, and come out on top every time. He knew that this mission was crucial, not just for his own survival, but for the entire Fire Tiger Brigade.
He pushed through a thicket of brambles, his sword at the ready. As he emerged into a small clearing, he spotted a figure waiting for them - an old man with a long white beard and eyes that seemed to see right through him.
"Welcome, young Jiang Zhiqing," the old man said, his voice dripping with wisdom. "I''ve been expecting you."
Jiang''s grip on his sword tightened, his mind racing with questions. Who was this old man? What did he want?
But before he could ask any of them, the old man spoke up again.
"You''re running out of time," he said, his eyes glinting in the sunlight. "The Shadow Emperor will stop at nothing to crush your brigade. But I can help you... for a price."
Jiang''s eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. What did this old man want? And what could he possibly offer in return?
But as he looked into the old man''s eyes, he saw something there that gave him pause - a glimmer of hope.