As the rain poured down, the once dusty streets were transformed into a muddy mess. The dark clouds hung low in the sky, obscuring the sunlight and casting a gloomy atmosphere over the entire area.
Wei Tao, a small and thin figure, hurriedly made his way through the rain-soaked streets. He wore a worn-out coarse cloth dress that was too large for his frame, giving him the appearance of a sack. With a package on his back containing unsold herbs, he quickened his steps, hoping to reach the shelter of his home before the rain grew heavier.
The surroundings were quiet, unsettlingly so. Wei Tao couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as he traversed the dim and narrow alleyways. Rumors had spread about the nearby Wuyi Gang, a notorious group that had recently crossed paths with an influential nobleman from the inner city. The consequences were disastrous, with the gang's leader and several prominent members mysteriously disappearing without a trace.
This incident had thrown the entire area into chaos as different factions vied for control, igniting conflicts and bloodshed. Even the common people, like Wei Tao, felt the tremors of this power struggle. Various gangs and criminal organizations fought for territory and dominance, creating a fragile balance that could erupt into violence at any moment.
In this tumultuous era, even those struggling to make a meager living faced constant threats. Wei Tao had witnessed the rise of gangs even among the herb collectors and wood gatherers. These gangs would demand regular payments from the farmers, ensuring their safety in the mountains where they worked. The Great Zhou Dynasty was plagued by a decline in imperial authority, military commanders asserting their own power, frequent wars, and rampant poverty.
Wei Tao had arrived in Cangyuan City nearly half a year ago, seeking a new life after leaving behind his former role as a programmer. Initially filled with a sense of helplessness, he soon realized that survival required hard work and adaptation. The comfortable days of his previous profession were long gone.
His thoughts interrupted by a pile of garbage, Wei Tao found himself confronted by two figures who had jumped off a nearby wall. The taller one, followed closely by the shorter one, blocked his path. They wielded wooden rods topped with rusty iron nails, a menacing display meant to intimidate.
"Brother, can you spare two copper coins?" the shorter one asked with false politeness.
"We are members of the Hidden Blade Society, looking to make new friends," added the taller one, attempting to assert their authority.
Wei Tao remained silent for a moment, contemplating his options. He took off his burdened backpack and extended his palm, revealing two blackened copper coins.
"I've spent the entire afternoon at the market to earn this paltry sum. If the two of you don't mind, you can take the herbs from my bag," he offered, hoping to appease them.
The taller man scoffed at the meager amount of money. "You call this borrowing two copper coins? You're just a poor nobody!"
He turned to walk away, but after a few steps, he abruptly turned back, snatched the two copper coins, and spat on the ground in disgust.
Relieved that the encounter had not escalated into violence, Wei Tao's tensed body relaxed slightly. He discreetly put away the medicine shovel hidden in his sleeve and stretched out his hand to catch a drop of rainwater falling from above.
The heavy rain continued to pour down relentlessly, drenching both Wei Tao and his precious cargo of sun-dried medicinal herbs.
After a few days of relentless work, Wei Tao found solace in a warm bowl of soup. Although his package was dripping wet, he didn't feel too disheartened. In the face of life's hardships, one must remain calm and persevere, hoping for the arrival of a turning point.
Wei Tao possessed a unique opportunity for change—a golden rune that accompanied his journey. Only when he concentrated his spirit could he perceive the imperceptible golden symbol spinning slowly, occasionally granting him a gold coin. Over the past six months, he had accumulated six gold coins, averaging one per month. However, the gold coins were illusory, devoid of any practical use or the ability to be exchanged for tangible benefits.
Despite the setbacks, Wei Tao trudged through the rain-soaked alleys, taking two more turns until he reached his modest home. The narrow courtyard housed a dilapidated stone house with leaky roofs, and small puddles of water had gathered on the ground.
Before the rest of his family arrived, Wei Tao set down his soaked package and headed to the stove to start a fire. He poured water, filled a pot, added a handful of aged rice, and cut some wild vegetables he had gathered along with the herbs. This simple act of cooking rice soup would serve as their meal for the night.
The creaking sound of the courtyard door alerted Wei Tao to the arrival of his middle-aged parents and elder sister. His father worked primarily as a carpenter, but when jobs were scarce, he resorted to chopping wood and collecting medicine from the mountains to sustain the family's needs. His elder sister, Wei Hong, had recently found work in the Jade Work Market, which offered more stable income compared to herb collection.
Today was Wei Hong's monthly break, and their parents had set aside half a day to pick her up, as they were concerned for her safety in the vicinity of the inner city.
Wei Tao shared the news of the soaked herbs, and his father, instead of showing concern, displayed a gentle smile. "It's good to get them wet. We can dry them in the sun as long as we don't catch a cold."
Wei Hong took out an oil-paper packet from her coarse cloth pocket, revealing an earthen jar emitting a faint aroma of wine. "Little brother, I received my salary today and bought half a catty of pork head meat just for you."
Wei Tao washed two wine cups—one for his sister and the other placed in front of himself. "Let's warm ourselves with some wine; otherwise, we might catch a cold."
They savored the brown rice porridge mixed with wild vegetables, alternating between bites of marinated meat and sips of wine. These simple pleasures, which might have seemed ordinary in Wei Tao's previous life, tasted extraordinary on this cold and rainy night.
Midway through the meal, Father Wei, who was not accustomed to drinking, flushed red. He carefully picked up half a piece of pig's head meat, chewed it slowly, and after a prolonged silence, spoke up, "The money we have saved over the years is enough for Tao'er to enroll in the Martial Arts Hall."
His words hung in the air, carrying a newfound hope and possibility.