The fat man's pudgy fingers pointed towards Ximen Wei, his beady eyes sparkling with greed and desire. His lips stretched into a grotesque smile as he rubbed his ample stomach, almost as if he was already savoring the thought of devouring Ximen Wei like a luxurious feast.
Ximen Wei stood frozen in horror, his heart pounding in his chest as he watched the seller approach his cage and unlock the door. The man's gaze held a hint of pity as he reached in and grabbed Ximen Wei, pulling him out and handing him over to the wealthy man like a commodity.
Ximen Wei couldn't believe what was happening. He felt a wave of despair wash over him as he was dragged away from the only home he had ever known, destined to become nothing more than a plaything for this gluttonous stranger. He couldn't help but wonder what he had done to deserve such a miserable fate. Was this the end for him? Or was there still a chance for him to escape and find his way back to freedom?
Song Peizhi leered at Ximen Wei, his eyes roving over the young boy's slender frame with a perverted gleam. He chuckled as he introduced himself, his voice dripping with malice and arrogance. "Hey kiddo, I'm Song Peizhi. From now on, you're my slave. Do everything I say, or else...well, you don't want to know the consequences."
Ximen Wei nodded silently, his face deathly pale as he listened to Song Peizhi's words. He knew that he had to come up with a plan to escape, no matter what the cost. He couldn't bear the thought of living the rest of his life as this man's slave, subjected to his every whim and desire.
Taking a deep breath, Ximen Wei squared his shoulders and looked ahead with a clear and resolute gaze. He knew that he had to be ready to seize any opportunity that presented itself, no matter how small. He couldn't give up, not now. He had to find a way to escape and run for his life, no matter what the risks.
As Song Peizhi settled into the luxurious carriage, he gazed out the window with a sinister glint in his eye. "Haha, today is going to be a good day," he declared with an eerie tone. "Kid, what's your name?"
Ximen Wei hesitated for a moment before answering, his voice emotionless and filled with despair. "Ximen Wei," he replied, careful to omit any honorifics.
Suddenly, there was a loud crack as Song Peizhi whipped Ximen Wei, his face twisted with anger. "Where are the honorifics? A mere slave like you doesn't know how to show me respect? I'll have to discipline you properly tonight, hehehe."
Despite the pain and the bitter expression that crossed his face, Ximen Wei couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope deep inside. The ropes that bound his hands were thick, but the knots were not overly complicated. Given enough time, he knew he could untie them stealthily and free himself from this hellish existence. At least he was tied directly to the carriage, rather than being cuffed or shackled. That would make it much easier for him to escape unnoticed.
As the horse carriage rumbled along, Ximen Wei couldn't help but be drawn in by the stunning sights and sounds of the bustling city they were approaching. The city, known as the Green Lotus City, was a sprawling metropolis filled with towering skyscrapers, bustling markets, and vibrant nightlife.
But the most striking thing about this city, without a doubt, was the sky. It was filled with an array of multi-colored, dazzling sky lanterns that floated gently on the breeze. These lanterns emitted a bright glow that seemed to pulse and shimmer, changing colors every few seconds and creating a truly euphoric atmosphere throughout the city.
As Ximen Wei took in the breathtaking sight, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder wash over him. He had never seen anything like this before, and he knew that he would never forget the magical spectacle of the Green Lotus City's sky lanterns.
"Country-side bumpkin, this is the Green Lotus City, it is managed by a revered Qi Expert lord. Obviously it's going to be beyond extraordinary!"
'I may as well try to fish as much information as possible from this fat fart.' Ximen Wei thought.
"Qi Expert?"
"Haha, truly a country-side bumpkin! You don't know what a Qi Expert is!"
"M-master, can you please explain to me who are Qi Experts?"
The fatty, Song Peizhi, perked up at the question, his eyes filling with admiration and respect as he spoke with passion and reverence. "Kid, you really don't know anything at all, since I'm in a good mood! Qi cultivation is classified into five ranks. The City Lord of Green Lotus City is a rank 2 wind path Qi Expert, a legendary figure who held off ten thousand men of the Su Dynasty all by himself! When he guarded the border, not a single soldier out of the ten thousand strong Su Dynasty army dared take a step forward..."
As Song Peizhi spoke, spit flew everywhere as he became more and more animated, clearly holding these heroes and legends in high regard. Ximen Wei listened intently, trying to absorb as much information as he could. This was valuable intelligence that he could use to his advantage when he made his escape.
'The City Lord of the Green Lotus City is a rank 2 Qi Expert and managed to hold off a ten thousand men army all by himself,' Ximen Wei thought to himself. 'If it were those rank 3 and rank 4 Experts who control fire and lightning, what would happen? Anyway, when I escape, I can try and find him. I'm pretty sure he won't take me as a disciple, but it's worth a try. I'm desperate after all.'
As the horse carriage passed through the gates and entered the city, Ximen Wei couldn't help but be struck by the vibrant energy of the bustling metropolis. Green Lotus City was indeed worthy of its name, with lively streets filled with people and a flourishing market filled with stalls and shops.
As the carriage made its way through the crowded streets, Ximen Wei kept his eyes peeled for any opportunity to escape. He knew that he had to be ready to seize the moment when it presented itself. He planned to hide in the thick of a crowd and blend in with the other people, hoping to increase his chances of escape to the maximum.
Meanwhile, the noble fatty, Song Peizhi, continued to spit nonsense and prattle on, seemingly oblivious to Ximen Wei's quiet plotting. Ximen Wei bided his time, waiting patiently for the right moment to make his move. He knew that the moment he regained his freedom, he would never let anyone take it away from him again.