In the outskirt of Wu Clan territory, a youth was running along the bank of a small stream. He looked just like a ten years old village kid who was enjoying his childhood. His sweat runs freely on his face, glistening under the heat of summer sun. His innocent laugh was without worry, not yet stained with age.
The plain was filled with new grasses and flowers. The sound of clear water running down the stream will make a scholar moved his head along the rhythm of his poem. The blue peaks far away that hide in the clouds painted a dreamy landscape that surrounds the Wu Clan's territory.
The beautiful sceneries invoked a calm feeling. Any traveler will want to take another look that will make them want nothing other than resting under the shade of willow trees growing along the bank of the stream, enjoying the refreshing breeze while gazing to faraway mountain peaks. Alas, the peaceful atmosphere was broken by the loud shouts of more than a dozen kids.
"Little brat, stop!"
"Come back here, you little monkey!"
"Wu Feng, I swear I'll tie you to be fish bait!" An adorable voice of a little girl was mixed in the fray with a terrifying threat.
"Hahaha, all of you are the little brat! Catch me if you can!" Wu Feng was running for his life. If the other kids caught them, they will surely give him plenty of lessons.
Just this morning he tied their shoelaces when they practiced morning meditation. Their instructor, Senior Uncle Yan caught sight of Senior Aunt Lan, so he left them without supervision. Wu Feng who saw an opportunity, sneaked around using Wu Clan Shadow Step to tie his peer's shoelaces. Then he sneaked back to his room, took a frog that he hid in a bucket then threw it to the kids.
A girl woke up in surprise only to see the spotless white-skinned stomach of a frog. The frog was glued to her face. Her scream woke up the other kids just to let them see Wu Feng squatting and laughing at the door.
The girl screamed, "help me! Throw this frog away!"
The kids knew right away who the perpetrator was. When they stood up and ran to catch him, they fell on top of each other in droves at the first step. Along the time it took them to recover from the entanglement, they heard Wu Feng laughing and mocking them. Of course, those kids were burned with fury. Now they chased him to get revenge. Who knows what punishment they will do to this unrepentant troublemaker.
Wu Feng suddenly took a turn towards a nearby tree. The kids chased him, but they did not even see his shadow.
"Where did he go?" Wu Mei, the female kid that Wu Feng threw a frog to shout angrily. Her cute face was red with rage. Every girl will want to rip whoever throws a frog to their face with their claws too.
One of the kids, Wu Leng Jing, looked up towards the tree branches. "Among us, Wu Feng is the best at movement technique. He must have jumped to a tree branch and hide there."
"Wu Feng, show yourself!" Wu Yong, the most valiant kid among them jumped to the nearest branch immediately.
Creak... the branch broke, but Wu Yong reacted fast by kicking the tree bark and successfully grabbed another branch. But that branch suddenly broke too.
The startled Wu Yong lost his balance and fell down on his butt.
"Kuh..."
The kids heard a stifled laugh from another tree. Because there are many trees here, they did not know where it came from.
Wu Leng Jing frowned while looking at the branches on the ground. "Damn, he makes a little cut on each of these branches in the short time we lose him to trap us."
Hearing that, Wu Yong's face darkened because he also realized that he fell into Wu Feng's trap. "Little monkey, come down here if you dare!" Wu Yong shouted angrily.
He jumped up and down while swinging his fists. He looked around trying to catch sight of Wu Feng.
Not long after the other kids started shouting too. They spread to search for Wu Feng. Some of them climbed the trees, while the others looked in the bushes, just in case the little rascal tricked them by actually hiding inside the bushes.
Sitting on a treetop that was covered by lush leaves, Wu Feng held his laugh with difficulty. He calmed down after inhaling a few long breaths.
The breeze was gently caressing his cheeks and made his shoulder long hair swayed in the wind. His calm eyes have some immature depth with innocent charm in them. He gazed towards the far horizon while enjoying the refreshing air.
He subconsciously felt the joy of life. His heart unknowingly comprehended something that will be carved deeply in his soul for a lifetime.
To live as free as the wind and as carefree as the fleeting clouds are very joyous!