"Yu Shidi! What are you really up to?" Da Shixiong boomed, his voice laced with worry and fury. His face, already flushed, creased further in displeasure as he pulled away his shidi's hands from little rabbits.
Yu Lingyu, in contrast, grinned mischievously, a hint of hoarseness in his voice. "What? Did I do something bad crime, Da Shixiong?" he teased, his eyes sparkling playfully.
The handsome figure in front of him seemed even more angry.
Da Shixiong, a vision in his brown-and-white robes cinched with a golden sash, glared at him. His long sword swung at his back, and his clear eyes, usually gentle as clear water, now narrowed fiercely. His brows were furrowed, and he must have been thinking about how he would deal with his Naughty Shidi.
"A crime? How can hunting rabbits in broad daylight be not a crime?" His voice trembled with indignation. His little apprentice, Yu Shidi, had gone and gotten himself covered in dirt – not exactly the best look for a student of their refined sect.
Now, despite being barely nine years old, Yu Lingyu possessed extraordinary features. His light brown eyes were shaped like a phoenix, and his overall appearance was so striking. But his image was so striking that his cultivate was by no means good. If he was not a maternal relative of his Shizun, he would have been expelled from the sect by now.
"I didn't hunt them down." Yu Lingyu mumbled; defiance laced with a hint of knowing smugness. He seemed to understand that his Da shixiong wouldn't punish him these days. "Just playing," he insisted, the twinkle in his eye unrepentant.
Wei Yunhe, usually the picture of patience, felt a vein throb in his forehead. He could have chucked this troublesome imp down the mountain, such a nuisance he was! The boy was a stain on the sect's pristine reputation.
The Wen Sect, a mighty behemoth nestled amidst the towering Tianmen Mountains, earned its name "Tianmen Wen" with pride. Each of its five peaks housed unique talents and renowned masters. Wei Yunhe, the crown jewel of Jun Peak, was known for his calm demeanor and impeccable character. Even though Jun peak had a considerably lower talent compared to other peaks, no one was dared to talk down of Wei Yunhe. Yet, here was this pint-sized rascal prancing about, blatantly ignoring his senior's words.
"Yu Lingyu!" The little boy, startled by his full name booming through the air, released the rabbits by their ears, watching unhappily with a pout as they hopped away. Because he just doesn't want to upset his da shixiong again.
Besides, no matter what, he will catch those rabbits again.
Jun Peak, nestled amongst the mountains, was a paradise of dense forests and breathtaking scenery.
Over fifteen hot springs steamed across the slopes, while the land nurtured nearly every kind of medicinal herb imaginable. Even the student quarters were beautiful and sturdy, offering more than enough food and drink. But despite this haven, most students hadn't even mastered the basics of qi circulation. Only Yunhe, at such a young age, had managed to reach the core formation stage, a rare and impressive feat.
"Come with me now. Look at you, all covered in dust." Wei Yunhe huffed, pulling his mischievous Shidi by the hand. Despite his anger at Yu Lingyu's antics, the boy's past always tugged at Wei Yunhe's heartstrings. He wouldn't let his frustration turn into harsh words.
Yu Lingyu, surprisingly obedient for once, followed like a curious puppy. He washed up and slipped into fresh clothes, the dust of his adventures replaced by a clean glow. "There you go," Wei Yunhe chuckled, tightening the knot of Yu Lingyu's belt. A stray wisp of hair peeked out, so he gently combed it back, the scene almost domestic despite the earlier furor.
He blew on a steaming bowl of meat stew, feeding it to Yu Lingyu with surprising tenderness. At this moment, with his gentle touch and watchful gaze, Wei Yunhe looked more like Yu Lingyu's mother than his da shixiong.
The silence stretched on, broken only by the crackling fire in the hearth. Finally, Yu Lingyu piped up, "Da Shixiong?"
His tiny room might have paled in comparison to the lavish abodes higher up the mountain, but nestled on this cliffside, it had a charm all its own. Usually, chaos reigned supreme within its four walls, but now, a semblance of order prevailed. One could walk across the floor without tripping over an abandoned bird's nest or painted papers. Yu Lingyu knew instinctively who to thank – his Da Shixiong.
Though emotions were foreign to him, shrouded in a mist he couldn't penetrate, something stirred within him. He didn't understand the ache in his chest, the warmth that spread from his belly. He didn't know the words for "pain" or "love," but he knew he owed his Da Shixiong a debt deeper than words could express.
"Thanks," mumbled Yu Lingyu, his awkwardness charming. Wei Yunhe's face broke into a gentle smile. Though Yu Lingyu had expressed gratitude before, this simple "thanks" in the quiet room held a different magic. Wei Yunhe's anger, a smoldering ember, vanished completely.
"Good, good," he chuckled, popping the last spoonful of stew into Yu Lingyu's mouth before rising. "Off to bed now, little rabbit. Sleep tight, no worries."
Yu Lingyu opened his mouth to protest. The sun hadn't even started its descent, yet bedtime? Too early! And didn't this break Jun Peak's rules? Waking up at seven in the morning and going to sleep at ten at night was the usual practice of Jun peak. It was not a strict rule but almost everyone followed it. But seeing the concern etched on Wei Yunhe's brow, Yu Lingyu swallowed his objections. This one he wouldn't win tonight.
"Hmph," Yu Lingyu grunted, feigning acceptance. A mischievous glint flickered in his eyes as Wei Yunhe ruffled his hair and said goodbye. If Wei Yunhe had lingered a moment longer, he'd have caught the sly grin blooming on Yu Lingyu's face. The "sleepy rabbit" act was just that – an act. Little Yu Lingyu had a determined smile adorning his lips. Indeed! He would not allow the rabbits to escape.
***
Peeking outside to make sure the coast was clear, Yu Lingyu slipped on his boots and hopped out of his cabin. The setting sun bled crimson across the land, painting everything in fiery hues. Grabbing his small bag, he darted down deserted lanes, weaving between cabins perched amidst stunningly beautiful trees. These were the homes of the disciples, while Yu Lingyu's nestled closer to the cliffside, arguably the best spot on Jun Peak.
Every student should be down at the training grounds by now, but Yu Lingyu, his heart a drum in his chest, took precautions. He ducked between shadows, his feet silent on the worn path. The lower forest beckoned, its whispers promising forbidden adventures and secrets waiting to be unraveled.
Those rabbits! He must catch them today. Tomorrow was Wei Yunhe's fifteenth birthday and Yu Lingyu planned to catch them for him. Yu Lingyu had come close to success earlier had it not been for Wei Yunhe who suddenly burst in. Since Yunhe loved rabbits, he was furious when he saw Yu Lingyu playing with them defiantly. Yu Lingyu had decided to catch a small cub.
He'd find the tiniest, cuddliest cub, one Wei Yunhe couldn't resist. Even if Wei Yunhe loved rabbits, he didn't have one of his own. Today, those rabbits wouldn't escape. Tomorrow, Wei Yunhe's face would beam brighter than the sun.
Lost in his thoughts, Yu Lingyu rushed towards the forest. By the time he reached the entrance, it was barely dark and in a moment everything would be dark. He put down the bag on his shoulder and entered the forest with some traps. rabbits lived mostly in the front and for that reason had no desire to go further into the forest.
But who knew rabbits were so fierce? Yu Lingyu caught a cub without any hesitation. Like never before, the cub was golden in color and had eyes like bright rubies. As soon as it was caught, the cub bit Lingyu's hand and ran away into the forest.
Yu Lingyu wouldn't give up. No way! He chased the golden cub deeper into the forest, darkness closing in like a blanket. Soon, the little fluffball vanished, leaving him alone in the pitch black.
Weird shapes loomed through the trees, and the air hummed with unknown sounds. Animals scurried unseen, some friendly, some maybe not. And somewhere out there, hidden in the shadows, lurked venomous snakes.
Even though he was lost and unable to find his way in such an unknown place, Yu Lingyu felt no fear. He did not even notice that the blood was flowing from his leg.
The moon peeked shyly through the trees, casting long shadows that danced around Yu Lingyu. He pressed on, searching in vain for the golden cub. He knew he had to be back before ten but leaving empty-handed felt like defeat. At 10 o'clock, the seniors were visiting the disciple houses, if even one person is not in their cubicle it will be a really big problem. Especially if Wei Yunhe found out – Yu Lingyu could just picture him searching all night, heartbroken like a lost puppy.
Without any information about the cub,
throwing himself into a bunch of nearby plants, with the moon peeking through the branches like a shy lantern, Yu Lingyu used his arms for a pillow and gazed at the night sky.
He'd hummed himself a tune, a playful melody he'd made up on the spot, but something about it struck a chord. It felt strangely familiar, a whisper from a forgotten dream. He racked his brain like a dog chasing its tail, trying to place the tune, but it remained elusive. It hummed in his memory, just out of reach, a phantom music box playing a forgotten song.
Yu Lingyu's concentration was suddenly interrupted by a golden shadow that caught the corner of his eyes. The shadow was fleeing to the northwest. He got up immediately and went after it. He won't let that arrogant brat escape again.
Yu Lingyu chased the shadow without giving up, bumping into the branches and sometimes tripping and falling. No matter how much he scratched, he did not feel any pain, so he did not care about them. In short, he did not feel that his foot was swollen and bleeding due to a snake bite.
"Ah." Yu Lingyu stopped due to a sudden feeling of dizziness. The world spun around Yu Lingyu, a dizzying blur under the pale moonlight. He stumbled, hands instinctively flying to his head, and felt his knees hit the unforgiving earth.
The snake venom, a chilling serpent slithering within him, slithered closer to his heart with each struggling breath. Unlike others blessed with the touch of Qi, nine-year-old Yu Lingyu possessed no shield against such venom. If help didn't find him soon, darkness would claim him with chilling certainty.
He lay face-down on the cold ground, gripping his head in a desperate attempt to quell the throbbing agony. Every bite of his lip drew a metallic tang, the only sensation against his alarmingly pale skin. The forest, once abuzz with night whispers, had fallen silent as if holding its breath for the verdict.
The fluffy ball of fur paused sensing Yu Lingyu's pursuit had halted. Twirling its tiny nose, it circled him cautiously. The bite, the venom – the cub understood. It nestled close, nuzzling his scent as if searching for answers. In its innocent eyes, Yu Lingyu seems like a brat. Yet, guilt weighed on him. The cub was feeling that it was his fault that the child ended up like this. This would not have happened if he had not run into the forest.