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The Treachery!
Liang had always dreamed of traveling the Silk Road, the ancient route that connected the East and the West. He had heard stories of the exotic lands, the rich cultures, and the precious treasures that awaited those who dared to venture into the unknown. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXyCMJFCga
He wanted to see the world, to experience its wonders, and to make his fortune. To not be content with the simple life of a farmer in his village, where he had been born and raised. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMyBLtmZti
He wanted more, much more...394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7KGNMyEQb
He had saved enough money to join a caravan of traders, led by a man named Zhang, who was reputed to be one of the best merchants in the land. Zhang had traveled the Silk Road many times, and knew its secrets and dangers. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOCPN4sK2i
He took Liang under his wing and taught him the skills of the trade. He also became his friend and mentor, and treated him like a son. Liang admired Zhang and trusted him completely. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLhkNmrxWN
They had been traveling for weeks, carrying spices, silk, and other valuable goods. They hoped to reach the city of Samarkand, where they could sell their wares and rest for a while. But along the way, they encountered fierce sandstorms that forced them to take shelter in a nearby cave. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfD05fM9MAb
There, they discovered a hidden oasis, a lush green valley surrounded by mountains. They were amazed by the sight, but even more so by the strange phenomena they witnessed. Plants that glowed in the dark, animals that spoke in human tongues, and streams that flowed uphill. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nlmQV9xWS
They realized that they had stumbled upon a place where magic still thrived, a place that had been forgotten by the rest of the world. And they decided to explore the oasis, hoping to find its secrets and its guardians. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYvmyDGUBh
But they also had to be careful, for they knew that there were others who would seek to exploit the power of this oasis, people who would stop at nothing to claim it as their own. This was a realm of sorcery, and they had to be ready for anything.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgLWW7QLRv
As they ventured deeper into the oasis, Liang had met a young lady named394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJaUNP4K0I
Layla, she had led him to a magnificent palace, built of white marble and adorned with gold and jewels. It was the royal residence of the ruler of the oasis, a cruel, powerful sorcerer and king named Omar.
By then the rest of the traders in his group had gone looking for Liang.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wh0fUCGsn
And seen him being led by the young girl into the crack in the cave. So, they followed the two.
King Omar was suprised but, welcomed them all with hospitality and curiosity, and invited them to stay as his guests. He also formally introduced Liang to his daughter, Aisha, a stunning, beautiful and mysterious woman who lived in the palace. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYH7e7eld6j
Liang was instantly smitten by Aisha, and she felt the same way about him. They soon fell in love, and spent many hours together, walking in the gardens, talking in the library, and gazing at the stars. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb1EYvApyG
They also shared their stories, their dreams, and their secrets. Liang told Aisha about his life in China, his desire to travel the world, and his admiration for Zhang. Aisha told Liang about her life in the oasis, her love for magic, and her fear of her father. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNpNcYQvlp
She revealed that Omar was not only the ruler of the oasis, but also the guardian of its magic. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfnGxkUQbj
He had inherited the duty from his ancestors, who had founded the oasis centuries ago. His job was to protect the oasis from those who would misuse its power, and also keep it hidden from the rest of the world.
He had also arranged a pre-martial marriage for Aisha, to a prince from a neighboring kingdom, to secure an alliance. Aisha did not love the prince, and did not want to marry him. She wanted to be with Liang, and to see the world with him. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IUclMi9cT
She begged Liang to take her away, to elope with him, and to escape from the oasis. Liang agreed, and promised to do so. He was willing to risk everything for Aisha, even his friendship with Zhang. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu9oBUtLAO
But he did not know that Zhang had a secret of his own, a secret that would unfortunately change everything. Zhang was not just a merchant, but also a spy. He worked for Hassan, a ruthless and cunning warlord who led a band of nomads and raiders. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqJWt1XJWG
Hassan was the enemy of Omar and the oasis, and wanted to conquer it and harness its magic for his own ambitions. He was cruel, greedy, and ambitious, but also charismatic and cunning. He had spies and many informants along the Silk Road, and had learned of Liang and Zhang's quite remarkable discovery of the magical oasis. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtR9Lac63P
He had sent Zhang to infiltrate the caravan and to find out more about the oasis. Hassan had also ordered him to kidnap Aisha, whom he desired for her beauty and power. Zhang had obeyed, and had slyly pretended to be Liang's friend and mentor, while secretly plotting against him. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdyoNH64q7
He had waited for the right moment to strike, and that moment had come. He overheard Liang and Aisha's plan to elope, and had decided to use it to his own advantage. He had followed them to their meeting place, a quiet secluded spot near the edge of the oasis. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugD5BD3ocP
He confronted them, and had revealed his true identity and allegiance. Zhang drew his sword, and attacked them as Liang fought back, and tried to defend Aisha. But he was no match for Zhang, who was a skilled and experienced fighter. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4DdHqtxws
Zhang had wounded Liang, and knocked him to the ground. He then grabbed Aisha, and dragged her to his horse. He mounted the horse, and prepared to ride away. He laughed, and taunted Liang. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEExPi8XRMV
He said, "You fool, you naive and foolish boy!"
Did you really think I was your friend, your mentor, your father? Did you really think I cared about a nobody like you, or anyone else?
"I only cared about myself, and my master,
Hassan!"394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMbelJU7rY
He is the only true ruler of this world. "The exalted One who is a God!"
Soon he will be the ruler of this oasis and will take its magic, and use it to conquer all lands, from China to Persia, from India to Egypt. Then finally, the entire world.394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBciVkkYar
Then he will take Aisha, and make her his queen, his sex slave,
his private Toy!394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1KmqJ8rf0
"She will be his, and only belong to the most Highness." You will then become nothing, ha... a beggar and a loser! You will die here, alone, forlorn and totally forgotten, in this cursed place.
Farewell, Liang, farewell. I thank you, for leading me to the magical oasis, and to dear Aisha. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzW1iJzORLb
Zhang laughs and wearing a sinister grin said, "You have served me well, and for that, I am very grateful. Goodbye, my delusional and ignorant son, goodbye."394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4Szj3CbsC
I leave you alone drowning in self pity while the king enjoys pleasure beyond belief, having his way with your Aisha.
"Ha!"
He then kicked his horse, and galloped away, taking Aisha with him. Liang watched them go, and felt a surge of pain, anger, and despair. He cried out, and cursed Zhang, Hassan, and the gods. Then lost consciousness, and fell into a deep and dark sleep. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LUqhz4qeM
He did not know if he would ever see Aisha again. Life without her he could not possibly imagine or desire.There certainly wouldn't be any peace or happiness in his life until he rescued her.
He didn't know anything, except that he had been betrayed by the man he had trusted. The man he had loved and called his father. 394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobKfkN2WZR
"Zhang!"394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToxn9g59jT
Liang promised himself one thing. When he caught up with Zhang and Hassan, he would make their life a living
Hell!394Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJd1o5Cmtu
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