"Search everywhere! Don't let even a mouse hole escape!"

The Zhao family head steward's furious roar echoed through Luochuan Town's streets like thunder, making hearts tremble with fear. The three people in the carpentry workshop peered through door cracks to see over a dozen guards in tight clothing searching house by house, causing chaos and public outrage.

"These people are too arrogant!" a townsperson muttered in dissatisfaction. "In broad daylight, what do they think our Luochuan Town is?"

"Shh! Keep it down—those are people from the Zhao family of Suzhou. We can't afford to offend them!"

Hearing the words "Zhao family," Su Ying's face instantly turned paper-white. She gripped her clothing tightly, her knuckles white from excessive force.

Lu Zhao noticed her distress and asked softly, "Su Lin, are you alright?"

"I..." Su Ying opened her mouth but couldn't make a sound. Fear engulfed her like a tide—not fear of capture, but despair about the future. If caught and taken back, what would await her?

"Don't be afraid." Lu Zhao's hand gently covered hers, the warm touch instantly dispelling the chill in her heart. "I told you—I'm here."

The master watched anxiously from the side. Lu Zhao's concern for this "Su Lin" had already exceeded ordinary helpfulness. What worried him more was that Lu Zhao's innate dignified bearing became increasingly obvious when facing danger.

This was definitely not the demeanor an ordinary carpenter should possess.

"Bang bang bang!"

Urgent knocking erupted, instantly making all three hearts leap to their throats.

"Open up! Routine inspection!" came a rough voice from outside.

The master took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and walked slowly toward the door. Lu Zhao quickly pushed Su Ying toward the back courtyard, whispering, "Hide behind the lumber pile. No matter what happens, don't make a sound."

"What about you?" Su Ying looked at him with concern.

"I'll handle it." A cold glint flashed in Lu Zhao's eyes—an expression Su Ying had never seen before: sharp, dangerous, like a lurking beast about to strike.

The door opened, and three guards filed in. The leader was a burly man with a fierce face, his small eyes darting around suspiciously.

"Old man, are you hiding anyone here?" the burly man asked with an unfriendly tone.

"Hiding people? Sir, you jest," the master replied with a forced smile. "What could my little shop hide?"

"Cut the crap!" The burly man shoved the master aside and began ransacking the place. The other two guards weren't idle either, turning the entire front hall into chaos.

Lu Zhao stood to the side, fists clenched, veins bulging. Seeing his master being pushed around, the fury in his heart nearly erupted.

"Kid, what are you glaring at?" One guard noticed Lu Zhao's expression and sneered disdainfully. "With your small frame, you think you can fight us?"

"I suggest you show some respect." Lu Zhao's voice was soft, but the threatening undertone inexplicably chilled the guard.

"Oh ho! Pretty cocky!" The guard grew interested and raised his hand to slap Lu Zhao.

But the next second, his wrist was firmly caught by Lu Zhao.

Lu Zhao's movement was lightning-fast—the guard didn't even see how he acted. What shocked him more was Lu Zhao's grip strength, like an iron clamp, making him unable to move.

"Let... let go!" The guard's face contorted in pain.

"Xiao Zhao!" The master quickly intervened. He could see that Lu Zhao's current state was dangerous—that bone-deep killing intent was definitely not something an ordinary carpenter could possess.

Only then did Lu Zhao come to his senses, slowly releasing his grip. The guard staggered backward, staring in terror at this seemingly harmless young carpenter.

"What... what exactly are you?"

Lu Zhao didn't answer, only stared at them coldly. That gaze was like a lofty sovereign looking down at ants, making the guards' skin crawl.

"Forget it, forget it. No one's here—let's go!" Though rough, the lead guard wasn't stupid. He could sense the dangerous aura emanating from Lu Zhao.

After the guards left, the master exhaled deeply, then looked seriously at Lu Zhao. "Xiao Zhao, just now you..."

"I don't know what happened either." Lu Zhao looked at his hands in confusion. "Seeing them bully you, I couldn't control myself."

The master was silent for a moment, then sighed. "It seems some things can't be hidden anymore."

"Master, do you know about my background?" Lu Zhao asked urgently.

"Now isn't the time to discuss this." The master shook his head. "Though those people left, they'll definitely return. This Su Lin has probably brought us big trouble."

Su Ying emerged from the back courtyard, her face full of guilt. "I'm sorry, it's all because of me..."

"It's not your fault." Lu Zhao immediately comforted her. "Everyone has the right to pursue freedom."

The master looked at both young people and finally made his decision. "You can't stay here anymore. You must leave Luochuan Town."

"Leave?" Su Ying was startled. "But where can I go?"

"The capital." The master said slowly. "There are many people there—easy to hide your identity. And..." he glanced at Lu Zhao, "perhaps there you can find the answers you seek."

Lu Zhao's heart stirred. "Master, you mean..."

"I mean it's time for you to search for your origins." The master walked to a hidden corner and retrieved a bundle. "These things were found with you back then. They might be useful."

Lu Zhao accepted the bundle and carefully opened it. Inside was a piece of beautiful jade, a ring, and fabric embroidered with dragon patterns. Most eye-catching was a metal fragment with characters carved on it, but due to severe damage, only "Zhao" and "Emperor" were clearly visible.

Seeing that metal fragment, Su Ying's pupils contracted sharply. That craftsmanship, those dragon patterns—this was clearly imperial property!

"This is..." Lu Zhao picked up the metal fragment. Blurry images flashed through his mind, and severe pain shot through his head.

"Don't force yourself to remember." The master pressed his shoulder. "Let it come naturally. What's most important now is leaving here."

"But Master, what about you?" Lu Zhao asked worriedly.

"I've lived here for decades—these people won't dare do anything to me." The master waved his hand. "You go, the farther the better. Remember, head north. When you reach the capital, find Shopkeeper Wang at the Yong'an Inn. Say I sent you."

Su Ying listened to their conversation with mixed emotions. She'd only wanted to find somewhere to hide temporarily—she never expected to implicate so many people.

"Master, I can't let Su Lin face danger alone." Lu Zhao suddenly said. "I'll go with him."

"What?" Su Ying looked at him in surprise. "Why would you..."

"Because I promised to protect you." Lu Zhao looked at her seriously. "Besides, I need to go to the capital to search for my past too. We can look after each other."

The master nodded with relief. "That's good—two people can keep each other company on the road."

"But I'll drag you down." Su Ying said guiltily.

"Drag me down?" Lu Zhao smiled. "You gave me the courage to seek the truth. If I hadn't met you, I might never have left this small town."

He extended his hand. "Su Lin, are you willing to embark on this unknown journey with me?"

Su Ying looked at his outstretched hand, complex emotions surging in her heart. This gentle man was willing to abandon his comfortable life and accompany her on a dangerous escape, all for a stranger he'd known only two days.

And she found herself beginning to anticipate this journey.

"Yes." She grasped his hand. "We'll go together."

The moment their hands touched, it was as if electricity passed between them, making both feel awkward enough to quickly separate.

The master watched from the side, feeling both relieved and worried. Relieved that Lu Zhao finally had motivation to move forward, worried about what consequences this relationship might bring.

"There's not much time—hurry and pack." The master urged. "You'd better leave town before dark."

Both quickly began preparing. The master provided them with provisions, silver, and two horses. At parting, he pulled Lu Zhao aside and said solemnly:

"Xiao Zhao, remember Master's words—some truths may be more cruel than ignorance. If someday you find you can't bear it, return here. This will always be your home."

Lu Zhao nodded, tears in his eyes. "Master, I'll never forget your kindness."

"Also," the master glanced at Su Ying and lowered his voice, "that Su Lin's identity is probably not simple either. Be careful."

"I know." Lu Zhao replied. "But no matter who he is, I'll protect him."

The master shook his head with a bitter smile. This disciple was always so loyal and righteous.

Night fell, and both were finally ready. At parting, Su Ying bowed deeply to the master. "Thank you for taking me in. I'll remember this kindness forever."

"Go now, be careful on the road." The master waved. "Remember, no matter what difficulties you encounter, trust each other and trust yourselves."

Both mounted their horses and quietly left Luochuan Town under cover of darkness.

Behind them lay their brief but warm home; ahead stretched a path full of unknowns. Su Ying looked back at the gradually distant lights, feeling both reluctance and an inexplicable anticipation.

What she didn't know was that this gentle senior apprentice brother beside her would completely change her life. And she would become the key to him finding himself...

"Su Lin," Lu Zhao said softly from his horse, "no matter what lies ahead, we must keep going."

"Yes." Su Ying nodded, her voice particularly firm in the night wind. "We'll keep going together."

Moonlight like water bathed the two young people, also illuminating the path ahead. Where this road led, neither knew, but they knew that as long as they traveled together, they wouldn't be alone.

And in the distant capital, an even greater storm was brewing...