Dug

Tai Qing left the restaurant, Wei Huan following behind him.

"Do you want to go home or do something here?" Tai Qing looked at Wei Huan and spoke, almost like he was speaking to his own son,

"Home...." Wei Huan spoke with a strange expression and tone,

"Alright, Let's go home!" Tai Qing spoke cheerfully,

Tai Qing soon grabbed Wei Huan's hand and almost dragged him towards the busy road. Wei Huan stumbled after him, feeling far move rejuvenated than ever.

The two walked through the crowded streets, weaving through the many people there. Soon, the voice of an older woman could be heard:

"Oh, Hello Tai Qing!"

"Hello! Granny Qin! I haven't seen you in a while" Tai Qing said, waving towards the woman,

"Well, I've just been busy with the grandkids recently, haha" The older woman, now known as Granny Qin said while laughing,

Tai Qing's face suddenly changed, a darker expression appearing on his face. Granny Qin seemed to remember something, looking upwards.

"Oh! Im so sorry! I have to get chilli peppers for the stew my daughter-in-law is making tonight. I must go" Granny Qin said,

"Alright, Grandma" Tai Qing said in a sickly sweet voice,

"What's with this guy? He seemed so nice earlier but now he seems like some two-faced gossip?" Wei Huan thought,

Tai Qing tugged on Wei Huan's arm, signalling him to continue moving. Wei Huan and Tai Qing slowly moved on the road, making certain turns and walking into alleyways to reach the exit of Zhao Tribe's City.

"Your house isn't in Zhao Tribe's City?" Wei Huan asked, remembering the words of the man in the carriage,

"No, and it's not my house, it's OUR house." Tai Qing replied, a dark expression on his face,

"Is he still upset about what that granny said?" Wei Huan thought,

Tai Qing dragged him towards the forest near the outskirts of the Zhao Tribe's City. Wei Huan following him.

They wandered through the forest, Tai Qing walked, seemingly knowing exactly where to step and which path to take, aware of the forest like it was the back of his hand.

"What are those markings?" Wei Huan thought, seeing strange marking and drawing on trees, almost like the scribbles of a child's drawings.

Tai Qing and Wei Huan continued walking until they saw a lovely wooden home in the distance, giving any who looked at it a feeling of comfort and tidyness.

"Here we are, finally back home!" Tai Qing spoke, patting Wei Huan on the back,

"Yes..." Wei Huan said while smiling, feeling a large sense of gratitude towards Tai Qing,

Wei Huan smiled, feeling more comfortable and relieved than he ever had in his entire life.

Tai Qing opened the door, walking inside while Wei Huan followed behind him. Wei Huan ran inside, feeling a sense of excitement.

This home was actually quite luxurious. The first floor which Wei Huan could clearly see had a large sofa and fireplace as well as a table towards the right, reminding Wei Huan of his grandfather's home during his past life.

"How about you go see your room?" Tai Qing suggested pointing at the stairs leading towards the upper floor,

Wei Huan walked upwards, running into the second floor and opening a small door leading to another room.

This room had a nice and comfy looking sky blue bed and with a brown wooden closet in the corner. It even had certain toys which a child much younger than him might play with.

"Does this guy think I'm five years old?" Wei Huan said while smiling,

The room also had a small bookshelf with children's stories. Wei Huan was almost confused by this, thinking:

"Was Uncle Tai Qing planning to buy some young boy and employ them?"

"Why would he do that? Couldn't he just find someone to work for him?"

Wei Huan, for the rest of the day simply looked at the children's books on the wall and tried to cultivate further, making little to no progress.

Soon, he walked towards the window and took a look at the "backyard". Wei Huan soon saw a beautiful forest with lots of green vegetation.

"I had never seen forests back at the Hei Tribe's branch where I awakened my aperture. Are they really so rare in the Northern Plains'?"

Wei Huan almost wanted to sigh, thinking of his old friends and where they were now. He pictured his friends back at the Hei Tribe being beaten by their owners and being fed leftovers.

Wei Huan's shoulders tightened and his eyes narrowed thinking of this.

"Am I really enjoying myself in some new house while my friends are out there struggling?" Wei Huan thought,

If he had just stayed up a bit later, If he had just been a bit more observant, then he wouldn't be in this situation.

He would be back in the Hei Tribe, celebrating with the other youngsters after returning from the succession ceremony.

He would be fighting beasts and getting stronger. Maybe he would even have become an elder.

Wei Huan remembered the day that Wei Gang was sold, he remembered the day that they were both kept in a carriage.

"I have to get stronger. I can't let myself or anyone else get hurt like I did before" Wei Huan thought as his resolve deepened,

It was already evening. Wei Huan was already a bit hungry even though he had eaten a generous meal beforehand at the resturant.

"Wei Huan! Come down for dinner!" Tai Qing called out,

Wei Huan turned around, but not before seeing two large mounds in their backyard, not covered with grass, almost as if those two places were dug up long before.