The sun beat down on the medieval-style village, casting a relentless heat upon the cobblestone streets.
The air shimmered with waves of warmth, and the villagers sought refuge under awnings and the shade of towering trees.
Children gathered near a bubbling well, their laughter mingling with the distant hum of conversation.
The blacksmith's forge echoed with the rhythmic clang of the craftsmen's hammers. A group of musicians played lively tunes, attempting to lift spirits despite the sweltering weather.
The aroma of street vendors' offerings wafted through the air, so did the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked bread and seasoned meats.
Despite the oppressive heat, the medieval village buzzed with life, its inhabitants resilient in the face of the sun's unyielding embrace.
Above this village, a short elderly man, covered in worn-out garments, carried a young boy with long black hair and blue eyes on his shoulders.
As they drifted through the sky, the numerous villagers below appeared oblivious to their presence.
The elderly man slowly halted, hovering above the bustling crowd engaged in various activities. The cacophony of voices permeated the air on this typical afternoon.
The old man's gaze remained fixed on the bustling village below as he continued his questioning. "Tell me, what do you see?"
Zhihui observed for a moment before responding, "People."
The old man sighed softly, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "Look deeper, my boy. What lies beyond the surface?"
He furrowed his brow, trying to discern more than just the obvious. "Farmers, blacksmiths, kids, families, beggars... It's similar to Nongmin, but a lot more lively."
The old man nodded knowingly. "Indeed, there is life in the village, but there's more to it than meets the eye."
Zhihui, feeling a bit perplexed, asked, "What do you mean? There's really not much here."
The old man sighed. "You have yet to truly see."
With those words, he slowly descended. When his bare feet touched the ground, he gently placed the boy, perched on his shoulders, down before continuing to speak.
"Look around you. Each and every person you see has a story to tell, a life as rich and vibrant as your own.
But to truly see beyond the surface, you must empty yourself of your own biases and judgments. You must become like a beggar, with no possessions or attachments.
Only then can you truly delve into the depths of another's soul and perceive the hidden truths that lie within." declared the old man.
While he spoke, his eyes darkened to a deep gray and he locked onto a group of girls far away.
"Let go of all that you are, Sever the tether that binds your spirit to the material world and become a vessel of nothingness."
"Lonely Beggar Concealment Arts"
His skin took on a shimmering, translucent quality. He seemed to melt into the air, becoming a swirling vortex of gray mist. As he dissolved into nothingness, a faint scent of smoke lingered in the air.
Within this crowd, a group of girls gathered in front of a clothing stall, chatting and laughing.
"Chun Min, look at this gown! Isn't the color gorgeous?" said one of the girls, holding a piece of clothing in her hands.
"Oh, that's cute! But Xin yi, this gown doesn't complement your figure." Her friend replied while squinting slightly, scrutinizing the gown.
"What about this Chun Min? I think it suits her." Lifting up a gown with different emborided patterns, she looked over to the two as she questioned, "
"Not bad, but maybe something with a brighter color?" She nodded slightly and continued to browse the stall.
"You're always so stylish, Chun Min," remarked the lady holding the gown.
"Oh, these are perfect for her! I have a similar one, and it's so comfy." Suddenly, a cheerful voice called out from behind them.
"Oh, hi! Have we met before?" seeing the newcomer, Chao Xiang, questioned,
"No, I just overheard you talking about clothes and couldn't resist joining in. I love shopping!" She replied enthusiastically, remanants of gray smoke at her feet.
"So do we, What's your name?" Chun Min asked, smiling faintly.
"Bi Biyu, Nice to meet you all!"
"Bi Biyu, have you been eavesdropping on us?" raising her brow Chao Xiang inquired in tone with a hint of suspicion.
"Haha, eavesdropping? I just have a canny knack for appearing at the right time, don't you think?" She spoke with delight, her face beaming with innocence.
She showed the clothes in her hands to the girls, saying, "This one is not as fancy, but its simple design brings out your eyes beautifully."
"It would be perfect for your date!"
"Date?" Chun Min had a face full of surprise as she questioned, turning to look towards Xin Yi, whose face was beet red.
"Xin Yi yo..you have a date planned?"
"Y-Yes I-" Xin Yi stammered, interrupted by Chao Xiang, before she could finish speaking.
"And you didn't tell us?! Who is the guy?" she said in a tone full of curiosity as she and Chun Min began to bombard her with questions, not noticing the new girl dissolving into the air.
Elsewhere In this lively village, two kids, their laughter echoing through the air, clashed wooden swords in a spirited duel.
"Baihu, get ready for a beating!" Goquiang exclaimed.
"Bring it on, Goquiang!" Baihu replied. "I've made a special move just for you".
They clashed their wooden swords together, the sound echoing in the air.
"Not bad," Goquiang said. "But you can do better than that!"
"Hehe," Baihu said. "Watch this!"
They continued exchanging blows full of vigor.
After a while, both of them huffed large breaths as they stared at each other with resolute expressions.
"Baihu," Guquaing said with a grin. "Let's settle this."
"Come," Baihu replied with a smirk.
They raced towards each other, screaming with their swords held high. As the distance between them closed, Baihu's mind flashed back to the previous night, when he had trained the secret move that he planned to use to come out victorious.
*BASH*
Sweat glistened on their foreheads as their faces contorted in determination. With each clash, the intensity of their duel escalated.
Baihui, with fiery determination in his eyes, lunged forward with a swift strike, only to be met with an agile parry from Guoqiang.
The air crackled with the energy of their competition, and the villagers watched, enthralled.
"Who do you think will win today?"
"I can't say... it's pretty even right now."
"Hmm..Baihu seems to have something up his sleeve."
"He's running out of breath, though; he needs to end this quickly or he'll lose."
Guoqiang, seizing an opening, held his sword horizontally and executed a daring spinning slash , attempting to catch Baihu off guard.
However, he deftly sidestepped, countering with a skillful sweep that momentarily unbalanced his opponent.
Seizing the opportunity, Baihu's face hardened with resolve. He gripped the sword handle tightly and bent down, gathering tension in his legs. With an explosive leap, he reached the peak of his jump and slashed down with all his might.
"TAKE THIS GUQOUAING!"
"Special Move! Mountain cleaver!"
"Baihu!! Look out!!" Suddenly, one of the villager shouts resounded out, followed by another.
"Special Move! Mountain cleaver!"
Suddenly, a third kid appeared, unseen by the other two, with a wooden sword in hand. Copying Baihu's special move, he proceeded to strike his back with the same downward slash.
"Wh...what?!" Baihu Stammered, carrying a look of shock as he landed face first into brown earth.
*Thud*
"Ugh" Baihu groaned, rubbing his head while getting back on his feet.
"Sneaking and attacking is shameless; where's your warrior pride?" Guoquaing shouted, pointing his sword at the newcomer.
"Who are you!? How did you know my special move!?" Baihu exclaimed, staring at the newcomer with a look of incredulity.
"Ask your grandfather!" The newcomer shouted with a confident smile and joined the skirmish, his movements as graceful as if he had been part of their ongoing battle all along.
"Hey, who's this?" Baihu asked Guoqaing, his voice a mix of surprise and curiosity.
The new kid effortlessly parried their attacks, swiftly countering with moves that seemed almost choreographed. His eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as he seamlessly integrated into the swordplay.
"I don't know, but he's good!" exclaimed Guaquaing, a grin forming as the trio continued their spirited clash.
"Hey, whose kid is that? never seen him before."
"He resembles Baihu closely."
"You're right... Chiang Shi, that bastard, he has another son?"
The mysterious third kid, still a stranger in name but not in skill, revealed an uncanny knowledge of their every move.
It was as if he had read their minds, now bringing an unexpected harmony to their impromptu game.
Intrigued, the initial duo exchanged glances. "His moves, it's as if he's battled us hundreds of times."
"And why does he look like me?" Their confusion soon evolved into amusement. The village center became a stage for an unexpected alliance.
A trio of young warriors forged a bond through the shared language of wooden swords and the unspoken joy of a newfound friendship.
Moments later, the three sat down on the brown earth, exhausted.
"That was awesome! I can tell my swordsmanship has improved."
Bahui took a deep breath and savored the feeling of the cool air entering his lungs. He had never felt so alive. He looked at the other two kids, and they smiled back at him. They were friends now, and they had bonded over their shared love of swordplay.
But the mood of celebration was short-lived. He turned to the third kid once more, who had been so skilled and mysterious. "Hey, what's your nam-huh? Where did he go?". But the kid was gone.
A wisp of gray smoke lingered in the air, marking the spot where he had been.
Guoqiang looked around in confusion. He couldn't believe that the third kid had vanished into thin air. He turned to the other villagers, but they were just as confused as he was.
Suddenly, a gust of wind whipped through the air, carrying with it a swirling vortex of gray smoke. As the smoke cleared, the old man emerged, his figure shrouded in a faint aura of mystery.
He smiled faintly at Zhihui, his eyes sparkling with ancient wisdom.
"Your turn."