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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. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3xb6PDDzd
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. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1TSg7hmO0
He wanted more, much more...379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44jRAYteXu
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. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23r64LHeDn
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. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA3f0KL05S
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. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNkwmn5VPp
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. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7Ca49zFLp
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. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15X6ii8b8h
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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0vH9gc2K3
As they ventured deeper into the oasis, Liang had met a young lady named379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcyDxQA85v
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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wDHgiVdC4
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. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLAtobIl8D
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. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZHliLNDXO
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. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5luA0vf5c
She revealed that Omar was not only the ruler of the oasis, but also the guardian of its magic. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt1v1vjnJj
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. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3ZvUKeAUq
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. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3QpUKMOX6
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. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X2NHpDxwp
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. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6egupb5B2
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. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaN8574Qr6
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. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMohMS4kkox
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. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1MzELppvN
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. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a8peZCWRX
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!"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDM1d6CUnQB
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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsD3FI5PSjh
Then he will take Aisha, and make her his queen, his sex slave,
his private Toy!379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWHWqWU7HR
"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. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt94omnCgVG
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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rEW5AWrsb
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. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JgHQrTgMI
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. 379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZW4sOofVJc
"Zhang!"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGLDFjJdrv
Liang promised himself one thing. When he caught up with Zhang and Hassan, he would make their life a living
Hell!379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡez3IFmfz6T
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