Ximen Wei had always known that the city would be tough, but he never could have imagined just how far he would sink in order to survive. In the two years since he arrived, he had become a criminal, preying on the weak and desperate in order to make ends meet. He had no qualms about stealing from merchants, mugging unsuspecting travelers, or even picking pockets in crowded markets.
As he roamed the streets, always on the lookout for his next opportunity, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in his cunning and resourcefulness. But deep down, he knew that this life was not sustainable. He was constantly looking over his shoulder, wondering when his luck would run out and he would be caught by the guards.
Despite the dangers, Ximen Wei found a sense of belonging in the Criminal District, a place where outcasts and fugitives could hide from the law and build their own twisted version of society. It was here that he joined a gang, finding strength in numbers and a sense of purpose in the group's illicit activities.
Yet even as he rose through the ranks and gained the respect of his fellow gang members, Ximen Wei couldn't shake the feeling that he was trapped in a never-ending cycle of crime and violence. He knew that he needed to find a way out, but he couldn't see any path forward. For now, he was stuck in the shadows, living a life of sin and desperation.
"Ximen Wei, wake up! We're in trouble!"
Inside a broken wooden house, a child around the age of 13 was fumbling around in a panic. Ximen Wei sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he looked at the boy, who was panting and sweating.
"Hou Yang? What's happening? Why did you wake me up?" Ximen Wei asked, taking in the sight of the boy. Hou Yang was an orphan, around the age of 13, and a member of the gang that Ximen Wei had joined. His skin was a sickly yellow color, and his disheveled dark hair was plastered to his forehead with sweat. His clothes were ragged and dirty, with patches sewn haphazardly all over the place.
"They are cracking down on us! I've just heard they raided the Kang gang and Luo gang's headquarters… They're doing a purge!" Hou Yang gasped out, fear etched on his face.
"Wait, what? What gave them the guts? Are you sure? Luo gang leader is a stage 2 Qi Trainee," Ximen Wei said, frowning in confusion. He had done his research on Qi Experts, knowing that intel and information were more easily accessible within criminal organizations.
To become a Qi Expert, one had to pass through three stages. The first stage involved sensing the Qi in the surroundings. The second stage involved controlling the Qi, and the third stage involved absorbing the Qi bit by bit to strengthen the body and prepare it for "Qi Ascension". These people, who were in the process of becoming Qi Experts, were called Qi Trainees. Ximen Wei still didn't know much about Qi Ascension, but he knew that in the criminal district, as long as you had the money, you could buy anything.
"The-They said the Noble Families dispatched their troops, including multiple Qi Trainees and even the Level 3 Fu Rong!" Hou Yang exclaimed, his voice shaking with fear.
Ximen Wei's eyes widened in shock at the news. A level 3 Qi Trainee was no joke! Someone at that level could easily wipe out the entire criminal district, unless the big shots intervened, which was unlikely since they preferred to keep a low profile.
"Where are we going though?" Ximen Wei asked, his mind racing as he tried to come up with a plan.
"First we are getting Jin Bao and Lai Yaoting, then we will meet up with the boss. The boss said he has a plan for us," Hou Yang replied, looking relieved to have a plan in place.
Jin Bao and Lai Yaoting were also orphan children who had joined the gang in order to make a living and survive in this cruel environment. Like Ximen Wei, they were part of the Long gang, which was almost entirely made up of orphans. In the criminal district, it seemed that all gang members were either criminals, orphans, or slave escapees.
"A plan for us?" Ximen Wei repeated, feeling a sense of unease wash over him.
"Yes, he said we are going to leave the city and travel up south to the Tang Mountains. Boss Long Gen said he knows someone there," Hou Yang replied, frowning at the thought.
The Tang Mountains were an area known for their dangers and ferocious beasts, and without the help of a powerful Qi Trainee or Qi Expert, one would surely perish. But when Ximen Wei heard this, his eyes shone with hope. Surely, anyone who could survive in the Tang Mountains must be at least a level 3 Qi Trainee or a Qi Expert, right?
"Alright… Let's get Jin Bao and Lao Yoating and go," Ximen Wei said, determination in his voice as he stood up. He knew that this would be a risky journey, but he was willing to take the risk if it meant that he could start his cultivation journey and eventually return home.
After gathering the other two members, Ximen Wei and the group made their way to a desolate alley and met up with the rest of the Long gang. Fortunately, they met with no obstacles on the way, and the purge team of the Noble Families was still a good distance away, giving them enough time to prepare and leave the city.
As Ximen Wei arrived at the meeting place, he was surprised to see that almost every person in the Long gang was a child. Each and every one of them was an orphan, ranging in age from 8 to 14. They all looked worn and tired, with dirty clothes and gaunt faces, but there was a fire in their eyes that showed they were determined to survive.
"Alright, listen up," a boy around the age of 13, who was apparently the leader of the gang, spoke up. "We are going to leave the city and head to the Tang Mountains. Boss Long Gen has arranged for us to meet with someone there who can help us. It's going to be a dangerous journey, but we have to take the risk if we want to survive. Are you all with me?"
There was a chorus of agreement from the group, and Ximen Wei nodded along with them, determined to see this journey through to the end.