Chapter 177: Little beggar
Midnight in the Immortal Realm
Two pillars of light descend from the sky, one gold and the other silver, illuminating the entire sky above. Night is abruptly changed to day. This mystical scene shocks many within the realm. Within a few moments of this occurrence, a lot of cultivators are drawn to the site in order to investigate.
Only, the pillars of light disappear as suddenly as it appeared.
The object left behind is rather problematic. As soon as the opaque golden light vanishes, it reveals the Evil Dragon Mountain that everyone in this world is afraid of. For an entire year, it was surrounded by a thick fog of poisonous gases. Vicious beasts group together and wander freely near the mountain"s foot. Its danger level was raised from a level 3 risk to a level 1 forbidden area. Anyone who tries to enter the perimeters of the Evil Dragon Mountain alone is undoubtedly seeking death. Naturally, no one is so foolish as to carelessly throw their life away to slake a moment"s curiosity. Although they are unwilling, the crowd quickly disperses. As for the place where the silver pillar fell onto, everyone gathered there is met with disappointment.
Just what was that flash of gold and silver light? What will it bring to this world of Immortals? No one knows. Following the disappearance of this mysterious light, the bright sky returns to its dark state and tranquillity settles once more.
The mysterious occurrence of this night is like a pebble thrown into a pond, rippling through the hearts of every cultivator. It broke the long, peaceful quiet, raising small waves on the water"s surface. In no time at all, every kind of rumours and speculations pertaining to this event surfaces.
However, as days bleed into months and still nothing strange appear, this matter gradually fades from people"s minds, slowly being forgotten.
~~~
Six years later
In a vast expanse of whiteness, a little figure sporting long, dazzling silver hair and adorable, flawless features kneel on the ground, motionless. Clad in a shabby, ash grey, patched attire, their little feet are covered by a pair of worn, straw sandals.
Next to this little person lies another body. Wrapped in black robes and sporting long, black hair, this individual is extremely handsome. Expression serene and eyes closed, the rise and fall of his chest indicate that he is in deep asleep.
"Grandfather is ill, I"m really worried…" A soft, high voice filled with caution rises as the little one holds a one-sided conversation with the sleeping man, the adorable face still chubby with baby fat falling in grief. "Older brother, why do you like to sleep so much? If you wake up, can you bring this little beggar"s grandfather to see a doctor? A few days ago, the oldest grandfather in our beggar"s den fell ill and disappeared… This little beggar doesn"t want grandfather to be sick, or else he will disappear just like that old man…" As he mumbles under his breath, the child crawls up on the sleeping man"s chest before they too, eventually drift off.
The image of a child and an adult nestled together, fast asleep, surrounded by a field of white brings forth untold amounts of warmth and comfort.
~~~
In the month of October, the mid-winter weather is extremely cold.
Recently, in the tranquil village of Lin Wan, something unusual happened. One can hear the bustle of activity everywhere, and from time to time, a few cultivators clad in the disciple robes of the Sixth Major sect can be seen dithering around.
Regarding this sudden change, the young, six-year-old beggar doesn"t notice it. This little child is only aware that there seems to be a lot of people on the streets today. Although he huddles in on himself in one corner of a side street, quite a few pa.s.sersby stop to drop a copper coin into his chipped bowl. Very quickly, the small bowl is filled to the brim, making him beam with joy.
Grandfather fell ill and needs money in order to see a doctor to cure him.
Therefore, taking advantage of his grandfather sleeping soundly, he took the bowl and ran out here to beg. Now, with this full bowl of copper coins, he can go and invite a doctor…
Carefully picking the bowl up, the little beggar heads as quickly as he can towards a small medicine store. He has only taken a few steps forward when a shadow suddenly dashes out of a nearby alley, knocking him over.
The bowl in the child"s hands follows him to the ground, shattering upon impact and scattering the coins everywhere. The person who crashed into him is a beautiful, dainty woman clad in a light satin skirt. Glaring down at the little beggar, she sneers, yelling at him in anger before wheeling on her heels and stalking off.
But this child"s thoughts are not on the angry female who b.u.mped into him. Rather, he is wholly focused on the coins strewn over the ground. Scrambling to his feet, he wants to gather them up only to see others looting the copper. Very soon, not a single coin remains. Not only is the little beggar roughly shoved around by the looters, the large pieces of his shattered bowl has been ground to dust beneath people"s feet. Knocked down to the ground again in the middle of the crowded street, the flow of pa.s.sersby doesn"t stop. His small body and red, frozen fingers are stepped on numerous times. By the time he manages to drag himself away, the little beggar is unable to bear the agony and eventually sobs.
Withdrawing back to his corner to weep quietly, he clutches the few coins he managed to take back tightly in his little hands. After a while, when the sharp pain fades to a dull ache, he wipes his tears with a dirty sleeve before staring out at the busy street again with huge, dark eyes.
Suddenly, he notices something in the distance that draws his attention. A male child around the age of twelve or thirteen deliberate runs into a lavishly-dressed man. In a split-second, the older child"s hand snakes out, stealing the jade pendant hanging at the man"s waist. By the time both of them separate, the jade pendant is already hidden in the child"s sleeve.
The little beggar"s eyes widen as he continues watching. The finely-dressed adult reaches down to pat his waist, only to discover his pendant was stolen. Freezing, the man snaps around with a yell before giving chase.
As soon as the older kid realise he was found out, anxiousness fills his face and begins to flee. Being small of size, the kid is nimble and agile. But ultimately, he is still obstructed by the man"s bodyguards. In a moment of desperation, the jade pendant is taken out of his sleeve and thrown up into the air.
The l.u.s.trous jade pendant curves in a beautiful and perfect arc, accurately hitting the ground in front of the little beggar. The small child stiffens for a second, then reacts swiftly. s.n.a.t.c.hing the pendant up, he turns and flees.
Noticing the jade pendant now in the little beggar"s hands, the bodyguard yells in rage and gives chase…
Got it, he got it…now he has money to let grandfather see a doctor…
Eyes bright, he clutches the pendant in a death-grip as he runs. He knows he needs to flee quickly, to run faster. Much, much faster. He definitely cannot be caught by the adult. Although his gait is slightly staggering, his speed is not at all slow. The few bodyguards behind are already starting to pant, but continues chasing in hopes of catching the little thief.
He doesn"t know how long he ran for. He only knows that since he is still being chased, he has no choice but to keep running out of the village gates and into the jungle.
Lin Wan village is surrounded by a mountain range on one side and the ocean on another. Located at the end of the mainland, the residents here often goes out to sea to fish, but never enters the jungle to hunt. For the mountains are covered in a thick layer of white, opaque fog, and large, ferocious beasts lurk in the depths of the forest, as well as several different venomous snakes and insects. Venturing in leads to certain death.
The little beggar doesn"t know these things, but his grandfather has reminded him countless times never to enter the forest.
However, being chased by a group of men, everything his grandfather told him has been forgotten in favour of escaping. In a flash, the small figure rushes into the forest, following the small dirt road, going deeper and deeper into this treacherous place.
Seeing the little beggar dash into the forest, the few men giving chase instantly halts in their pursue. Exchanging glances, none dare to continue forward.
"What are you standing around here for? Still not going to give chase? If the jade pendant is not found, you will all be put to death!" The leader bellows at his lackeys.
Looking at the murderous expression on their leader"s face, the subordinates are well aware of how merciless and cruel he is. Hence, they can only grit their teeth and enter this frightening forest.
The shoes on his feet are made out of woven straws. After running for so long, the little beggar"s sandals are stained with fresh, red blood. With a single glance, one would be able to tell that the tender soles of his feet have been rubbed raw.
Bloodstains are left behind on various dead leaves and gra.s.s below as the little beggar continues forward. Up until his muscles ache so badly and become numb. The surrounding darkness fills him with fear, but he doesn"t dare stop. For behind, the group of men are still in pursuit.
The smell of blood from the child"s feet drifts up, wafting in the air. Suddenly, a loud, vicious snarl rings through the forest, causing every human within to jump in fright.
In the dimness of this place, one, two, three…countless pairs of scarlet eyes appear, surrounding the few bodyguards who entered the forest after the little child.
Only the little beggar is left to continue his way, completely unaware of what is to come next.
In the next second, a malevolent-looking, ink-black beast with scarlet eyes pounces on the beggar from behind. Although it claws only graze the child"s shoulder, it nearly frightened him to death.
Weeping while fleeing…
The little beggar unknowingly runs towards the forbidden area!
(Author"s note: Poor little baby, enduring all sort of hardships immediately after appearing ~ )