CHAPTER 1 : Part One

There are the dreams that you see in broad daylight, then there are the ones that find you. All he ever wanted to do was uphold justice in a world of corruption and trickery. He never thought it would lead him on the path of cultivation; on the path of immortality.

Wei Li Kiang was born in a poor peasant household; suffering, injustice, and hatred were synonymous with his life. They were treated worse than animals; tortured, exploited, and killed at the whims of the Royal officers.

Let me take you to the day when everything started…

The blanket of the dark night had fallen over the small village of Qiaoduo. The lamps had been put off and the rocky path that ran through the village was desolate except for a few drunkards who were wasted near the Shandong Inn.

The doors of the Inn suddenly burst open and a man dressed in Red robes stepped out. The rustics scurried away from the steps and huddled together in a corner; their faces pallid with fear.

"Officer Li Yuan," they managed to stutter in greeting, before hanging their heads in respect.

The man's attire was impeccable; his expression extremely arrogant. He snorted at the drunkards lying on the ground. His hand moved towards the hilt of his sword peeking out of his waistband. However, something flashed in his eyes and he stopped midway. His expression hardened and his eyes glazed over with a layer of frost.

"What is the point of killing these useless men? I should go and teach a lesson to the one responsible!" He muttered before mounting his horse and galloping away.

In another corner of the village, there was a courtyard that was still glowing in the dark, moonless night. There was a small house with a thatched roof. If one were to look carefully, they could make out the characters 'Wei House.'

The courtyard was bare except for a well and a few boxes piled in the corner. A bonfire crackled in the center of the ground; its flames dancing in the cold wind.

Wei Li Kiang was seated on a rock, dressed in tattered clothes. The fabric that was once white had taken on a shade of dirty brown. His hair was a tangled mess but his eyes shone brighter than the stars; they dazzled with lively energy; making his gaze appear warm and curious.

The cold wind blew with an icy sting but Wei Ling Kiang didn't seem affected by it. He hummed a soft tune as he continued to work; his fingers intertwining the bamboo strips with the speed of an expert practitioner.

Soft footsteps sounded and another man came into view. He didn't appear much older than Wei Lin Jiang but he gave off a more mature vibe. His clothes were torn in places too but they were clean and neatly ironed; a part of his hair was tied in a neat bun while the rest flowed down reaching up to his waist. In short, he looked like a tidier version of Wei Lin Jiang.

"Xiao Wei, Why don't you get some rest now? Isn't this already the twentieth basket you are weaving today?" Wei Ling Kiang's brother, Wei Huan said as he dropped the ax to the ground.

Xiao Wei's fingers faltered for a moment as he looked up and flashed a warm smile, "Wei Xiansheng, You are back! Did you get the firewood we needed?"

Wei Huan's face froze for a moment but he recovered quickly. He returned his brother's smile and replied in a calm voice, "The load was too heavy. So, I left them in a safe place. I go back and get it tomorrow morning."

Sitting down opposite Xiao Wei, he flexed his fingers. His hands were clammy despite the cold weather, small blisters had formed on his palm. The moment he noticed them, he hid his hand behind his back.

"It is that Yuan Liu again, isn't it?" Xiao Wei's expression darkened. It was as if the cinders of fire had made their way into his eyes. His fingers clenched around the cane and a few drops of blood trickled down his wrist.

"Xiao Wei!" His brother exclaimed and pulled off the half-woven basket from his hand. "How many times have I told you to control your temper? Anger is just like fire, it burns the pot in which it is kept, making it weaker."

"But brother! How long will we let those officers bully us? If no one stands up to them, all the villagers will keep suffering endlessly."

Wei Huan covered his mouth quickly; his eyes darted around warily, "Wei Li Kiang! One day you will get both of us killed."

Whenever his brother called him by his full name, it meant that he was really angry. Xiao Wei changed his demeanor immediately, "XianSheng, don't get angry. I promise I will keep my lips sealed from now onwards."

Wei Huan snorted and shook his head, "You say that every single time." His voice grew hoarse as he continued, "You are the only family I have left. What am I going to do, if something happens to you?"

"Wei Ge, I swear I will never leave you," Xiao Wei said as he held out his pinky finger, "Pinky promise."

"What are you? Five?" His brother mocked but laced his own pinky finger with his. They both burst into a bout of hearty laughter. After their parents died, Wei Huan was the one who raised his brother. Though they fought sometimes, their relationship was very sturdy and they could die for each other.

The sound of hooves beating against the ground sounded at a distance. Wei Huan quickly extinguished the fire and pulled his brother behind a large box placed near the hut. His eyes pleaded with Xiao Wei to stay silent.

"How long are we going to hide from them?" His voice got muffled as Wei Huan clasped his mouth shut. He pulled him closer, keeping his grip firm against his mouth. The sound of their heartbeats and mingled breaths resounded in the silence creating a rhythm with the approaching sound of hooves.