A Helping Hand

As Wei Huoran arrived at the slums of North Wind City, he looked around to evaluate the citizens living here. The poverty stricken huts were in disrepair and appeared to be unable to protect from the weather. People of all ages, wearing tattered robes, stared warily at Wei Huoran as he entered the area. He located a group of men standing together next to a run down stall and introduced himself. With a slight bow he said, "greetings friends, I am Wei Huoran from an island on the sea. I wonder if we can discuss some business. To show my sincerity, here is a bag of coin you can keep whether you agree or not."

The group stayed silent for several moments before one of the men stepped forward, "friend, I wonder what kind of business you wish to discuss?"

"I don't mind speaking here", Wei Huoran spoke as he handed the bag to the man and continued, "I have a large business opportunity where I live but I need to hire many people to a wide range of jobs. This includes mining, cooking, farming, and many other things. The catch is that my island is very far away, so whoever agrees to come work with me will have to move and I haven't had a chance to build shelters yet. Please pass around to everyone my offer and have them meet me here in seven days. Use that coin to buy what you need whether you decide to stay here or if you travel with me. Thank you for your assistance and please excuse me, I will go to other places in the city to invite them as well."

Wei Huoran bowed again and then left the group in shock.

"What did that boy want?" Another man from the group asked the first.

The first man relayed to the group what Huoran had said and added, "let's see what's in this bag".

As he opened it, the bag revealed more gold coins than they had ever seen in their life. Quickly closing the bag, the first man had a determined look on his face, "I've decided to get my family and go, this is an opportunity that only comes once. I will spread it around as he asked and let others know. Lately the work that's been offered in the city lately has been dangerous. I worry about making it home everyday and my family doesn't get to eat enough. Soon winter will be here and more of us will die in the cold or from sickness. Excuse me, I will start spreading the word."

Wei Huoran visited two more areas in the city where the poor lived with roughly the same results and then headed to a pavilion where he purchased a herd of sheep, cows, and goats. He also bought cats, dogs, pigs, chickens, and ducks and had them all reserved to be delivered to the same place outside the city that he told to the people. He also bought a variety of herbs, fruit and vegetable seeds to bring back to the island.

As he strolled around the city, he heard, 'Xiao Ran, you know you are being watched by several people, right?' Quanliyuan spoke up.

'If my instincts are correct, there should be a few groups watching me, I think at least four groups. One should be wanted to rob me, and the other three are from the slums trying to watch to see if I'm a nefarious person,' Wei Huoran replied.

'How do you plan on getting out of the city without any trouble?' Quanliyuan asked.

'I have a plan of course and it's just about been a week so it time to execute it anyways', Wei Huoran stated.

He made his way to the courtyard he rented for the week and went inside, closing the gate. He summoned the hover bike from his ring, entered it, and activated the anti-detection systems. Disappearing from sight he rose into the air and traveled out of the city landing near the forest where he told everyone to meet him. The next day when the time reached midday, Wei Huoran noticed groups of people making their way to his location. He greeted the large group of people when they reached him, "Welcome everyone, I'm grateful to see you arrive. I believe this is everyone that will go, but I'm expecting another delivery. Once they arrive we will depart to the island."

Everyone was looking vigilant but hopeful as they evaluated this young man. Wei Huoran spoke to the few people he had met before, and after walked around and met everyone's family. He surprised everyone as he set up stone tables he made while waiting and set platters of food and drinks on them.

"I believe that many of you are hungry, please sit down and enjoy the food. There is enough for everybody and if more is needed please ask and I will provide," Wei Huoran invited the crowd to eat. A few leaders of this group stepped forward and sat down. After looking liked they resolved themselves, they began to eat and after a few bites they exclaimed in surprise and began calling the others over. A few hours later, the people were more relaxed and couldn't stop talking about how delicious all the food was. Wei Huoran had only used normal ingredients so that no one would have to expel impurities during this important time. Finally, he spotted what he was waiting for and informed the others, "Do not worry about the approaching people. They are delivering the livestock and animals I bought earlier this week. If you can help corral them, we will depart once they arrived."

Wei Huoran made his way to where the herds and cages of animals were herded to.

"Are you Wei Huoran?" The leader of the convoy asked.

"Yes, here is the token of purchase provided by your pavilion", Wei Huoran responded.

"Thank you for your patronage, please use our business again in the future", the man said.

"Thank you for your service", Wei Huoran said and turned around to the others, "I require your assistance in receiving these animals."

Most of the people, except for the very young and old, came over and started gathering the animals and once it was complete the men from the pavilion left. Once they were out of sight, Wei Huoran spoke to everyone, "Everyone, as you can see we are all here, but I lack carriages and boats but do not worry. I have a device that will open a hole in space to transport us home. If you do not already know, I am a cultivator and it's complete safe."

As everyone began to talk between themselves, Wei Huoran pulled out an artifact, and inserted four Qi batteries into it. He pointed it at the ground, and pressed a rune on the screen. A glowing blue portal appeared frightening the crowd. Wei Huoran instructed everyone, "If you are worried for your families, a few may follow me to let everyone know the portal is safe." And after a few moments, two volunteers stepped forth and entered. When they saw the jungle of the island, and felt the Qi in the air, they understood what had happened and returned back through the portal to inform them about their safety. When the crowd saw the three men returning, their doubts disappeared and Wei Huoran lead the group, "I need the first group to go through first and be ready to receive the animals and they are herded through the portal. Once all the animals are in, every else will follow and I will enter last to close the portal."

The first men entered, and noticed the animal pens and fences that been built recently. Forming a line, they waited until herds of animals arrived and started taking them to the fences. A few hours later, all the animals had made their way through, and the last of the people walked through the portal. Wei Huoran walked through the portal himself and dispelled the portal, leaving an empty space with a few stone tables standing alone.

The next day, a large number of men were riding horses on their way to the spot the citizens had traveled to.

"I don't know why so many citizens decided to come out here to our territory, but we, the Tiger Claw Bandits, will teach these beggars that we cannot be offended like this", A large burly man spoke.

"There was easily fifty or sixth families yesterday, we can see some as slaves and keep others as entertainment. I can't wait to see their faces when they found out they were sold out", another rider added.

"According to our information and the tracks left behind, we should be arriving there now", a third rider stated.

The three leaders left the forest and saw nothing but their scouts confused and riding in circles.

The first leader shouted, "What are doing? Where is everyone?"

A few scouts rode up to the three bandit leaders and bowed while shaking, "Boss, we followed the tracks all the way here and no one's here."

The leader's face had turned bright red as he bellowed, "FIND THEM, SEARCH EVERYWHERE BECAUSE IF THEY AREN'T FOUND, IT'S YOUR HEADS!"

A familiar caravan made its way to the front gate as young master Chen Zihao finally arrived back to North Wind city. As they approached the gate, two familiar guards greeted the carriage with the Chen family seal on the side.

"Welcome back young master Chen", they simultaneously greeted.

"Proceed, have the two of you been watching the gate this season?" Chen Zihao inquired.

"Yes, young master", they answered.

"About a week ago, did a boy of about thirteen, wearing older robes come through here?" Chen Zihao asked impatiently.

The guards thought for a few moments and then quickly turned to Chen Zihao and relied, "Young Master Chen, a person fitting that description did enter the city and as far as we know he is still here. Should we put out a wanted notice for him."

"What? No! I must tell my father, he is most likely a core disciple of a second or first rate sect who went out to experience the world and we must make sure his stay here is pleasant", Chen Zihao explained.

The guard that scammed Wei Huoran suddenly became pale, and in a quivering voice said, "Are you certain about that young master Chen? What if he isn't that important?"

Chen Zihao looked at the guard angrily and asked, "What did you DO?"