Tides of the Hidden garden

Understood! Let's change the name to something entirely different. Here's the updated version of Chapter 3 with a new name for the older master:

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Zian's heart raced as the thieves dragged him through the crowded market of a distant town. The vibrant colors of the stalls and the lively chatter of the people seemed to mock his fear. He kept his head low, terrified, but trying to stay composed.

"How much longer are we going to drag this boy around?" one of the thieves muttered impatiently. "Because of him, we couldn't steal anything."

The other thief smirked. "I know someone who buys kids. We'll sell him to him."

Zian's blood ran cold. Every word they spoke felt like a chain tightening around him. His mind raced for a way out, but the thieves' firm grip on his arm left him with no choices.

Suddenly, a calm and firm voice cut through the air.

"Where are you taking this boy?"

The thieves froze and looked around. From behind one of the market stalls, an older man emerged. His long, silver hair flowed down his back, and his eyes were sharp and calculating, despite his age. He was dressed in simple, but finely crafted robes, with an aura that exuded both wisdom and authority.

The thieves immediately recognized him.

"We… we were bringing him to you," one thief stammered. "This boy's a small-time thief. He got caught, so we thought we'd bring him to you."

The man's expression remained calm, his gaze unwavering. He walked closer to Zian, his eyes softening when he saw the fear in the boy's eyes.

"Leave him with me," the man said coolly. "I'll handle it from here."

The thieves exchanged wary glances, clearly uncomfortable but unwilling to challenge the man. With a quick nod, they released their hold on Zian and quickly disappeared into the crowd, vanishing from sight.

Zian, still trembling, looked up at his rescuer. The man crouched down to meet his gaze, his expression softening even more.

"Boy, what's your name?" he asked, his voice deep but gentle.

"Zian… Yin Zian," Zian whispered, still shaken.

The older man nodded thoughtfully. "Zian, huh? I'm Master Jiang Xian. It seems you've had quite the ordeal. Don't worry, you're safe now."

Zian blinked in surprise. "Jiang Xian?" The name sounded familiar, yet Zian wasn't sure why. He had heard whispers of a powerful martial arts master named Jiang Xian, known for his wisdom and vast knowledge of the world.

"What were you doing with those men?" Master Jiang Xian asked.

Zian hesitated but, feeling a strange trust in the master's calm demeanor, he explained everything—the thieves, the garden, and how he was dragged away.

Master Jiang Xian listened attentively, his face remaining neutral but his eyes sharp. Once Zian finished, he placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"You've done well to stay calm in such a situation," he said approvingly. "But you should know that trouble often finds those with the most to protect."

Zian's heart skipped a beat. He thought about his family, his little sister, and his home. The words felt too true.

"Come with me," Master Jiang Xian said as he stood up and extended a hand to Zian. "We'll get you out of here, and I'll make sure nothing like this happens again."

Zian, feeling a mixture of fear and relief, took his hand. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt a flicker of hope.

As they walked through the crowded market, Zian couldn't shake the lingering feeling of unease. The thieves were gone, but something about the whole situation felt off. Still, with Master Jiang Xian by his side, he felt a newfound sense of security