ARTHUR- REBORN LEGEND OF DOULUO

Under the gray clouds hanging low, the wind whispered softly through Arthur and Jing Liu's hair. The bustling sounds of the market—shouting vendors, clattering hooves, bursts of laughter—grew louder as they reached the old brown-painted horse-drawn carriage. The scent of hay and tree bark filled the air. 

"Quick, get in!" Arthur opened the carriage door with a creaking handle. "Your wounds need treating before they get infected!" His hands—still smeared with dirt from his earlier fall—trembled slightly. 

Jing Liu frowned, his eyes scanning the cramped interior: scattered sacks of grain, a nearly empty oil lamp, and a dusty, worn-out blanket. "I... don't want to be a bother..." he murmured, his voice hoarse like a bird with a broken wing. 

"Enough, don't be stubborn!" Arthur gently pulled him inside. "Look, your hand's bleeding!" 

As Jing Liu settled onto the wooden bench with a groan, Arthur quickly pulled out a clean cloth and summoned his innate "Wuhun spirit" ability. "This might sting!" he warned, channeling his spiritual energy. 

"Hss—!" Jing Liu bit his lower lip until it turned pale. But not a single complaint escaped him. 

"Do you... get hurt like this often?" Arthur stared at the scattered scars on the boy's small arms, his chest tightening. 

Jing Liu simply nodded, his fingers clutching the frayed edges of his tattered robe. "It's fine. I'm used to it." 

"You shouldn't have to be used to this!" Arthur growled. The whistling wind slipped through the door cracks, carrying the smoky aroma of roasted meat from afar. Jing Liu's stomach growled loudly! 

"Liu... my name is Jing Liu," he blurted out, as if desperate to distract from his hunger. 

Arthur smiled. "That's a nice name! Like a winter plum blossom. I'm Arthur—" 

"ARTHUR! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Uncle Jack's booming voice echoed from outside, followed by heavy footsteps and raucous laughter. 

The carriage door slammed open. "Kid, you won't believe—!" Uncle Jack froze upon seeing Jing Liu. "Who's... this?" 

"He's... my new friend," Arthur quickly stood, blocking Uncle Jack's view of Jing Liu's injuries. 

"Ha! So while we were sweating over negotiations, you went and adopted a street kid?" One of Uncle Jack's companions—a bearded man named Boris, speaking in a teasing tone—let out a mocking chuckle. 

"Quiet, Boris!" Uncle Jack shoved him back. His usually cheerful eyes now brimmed with questions. "Explain!" 

After Arthur's account, Uncle Jack exhaled deeply. The smell of earth and sweat clung to his clothes as he placed a hand on Jing Liu's shoulder. "Kid, do you have family?" 

Jing Liu shook his head, his gaze fixed on the scratched wooden floor. 

"Well then..." Uncle Jack grinned broadly, his yellowish teeth gleaming. "Welcome to our family!" 

"UN—CLE!" Arthur choked. Because of his statement— 

"No buts, I've decided!" Uncle Jack ruffled Arthur's hair. "Look at you! Five years of nothing but training and books. You need a friend! And he..." He pointed at the bewildered Jing Liu, "needs a warm bed and some roasted meat!" 

The atmosphere erupted with laughter from Uncle Jack's friends! Jing Liu—for the first time—gave a faint smile. Faded, but enough to make Arthur forget all his protests. 

"Alright!" Uncle Jack clapped his hands. "Before heading home, let's get him some new clothes! Seems your uncle's got a talent for haggling—got the market price up by 50%!" 

"Yeah, your uncle's got skills, unlike someone, hahaha—" said Uncle Boris. 

"Hey, don't start again!" retorted Uncle Asis, the carriage driver. 

After eating and buying supplies for Jing Liu, the carriage finally rattled to life as they set off for "Saint Village". Jing Liu could feel it—this wasn't a trick, this was warmth from the heart! The melodious chirping of birds seemed to accompany them. Outside, the sunset blazed like fire, painting the road in hues of orange and purple. 

And for the first time, Arthur felt... home wasn't just a place anymore, but someone now sitting beside him! 

TO BE CONTINUED..... 

---