"Hmm, you have a certain potential," she said, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Despite your circumstances, I see a spark within you.
I'm offering you a chance to prove yourself at the Sky Wind Sect as a servant."
Hun Yu fell silent. The offer wasn't without its benefits. Accepting it could provide him with much-needed resources, given his current situation.
"Okay," he replied, his voice steady as he accepted her proposal.
"Here," she said, tossing a pouch toward him with a flick of her wrist. "Take this, clean yourself up, and put on something decent. I'll meet you at the city entrance."
Hun Yu caught the pouch deftly, feeling its weight before glancing down at his disheveled appearance. A good wash was clearly in order.
Navigating through the bustling streets, he eventually arrived at a public bathhouse. The receptionist, a stoic man with a stern expression, held up three fingers, indicating the cost.
Examining the pouch, Hun Yu retrieved three silver coins and placed them on the counter. The receptionist's eyes widened in disbelief; he had expected bronze coins, not silver.
Ignoring the astonished look, Hun Yu entered the bathhouse.
"Beggars seem to have their share of surprises," the receptionist muttered, eyeing the silver coins on the counter.
Inside, Hun Yu wasted no time cleansing himself thoroughly. Emerging from the bathhouse, he felt refreshed.
His long, jet-black hair cascaded down his back, sharply contrasting with his now clean and decently clothed appearance.
The receptionist, still pondering the unexpected payment, couldn't help but stare in astonishment. Hun Yu's transformation was remarkable; he looked more refined and presentable than ever before.
However, before he could gather his thoughts and approach Hun Yu, the young man had already left.
Now standing in front of a clothing shop, Hun Yu entered. The shop owner eyed him suspiciously, clearly wanting to kick him out. However, with other customers present, he refrained.
Hun Yu's gaze fell on a black robe, and he slowly picked it up. "Boss, how much is this?" he inquired.
"Just leave it where you picked it from; you can't afford it," the shop owner replied curtly.
Hun Yu heard the dismissive remark and couldn't help but smile. Finally, a chance to put someone in their place.
Feigning anger, his expression turned hostile, though it was clearly fake. With a swift motion, he threw the money pouch at the shop owner.
As the shop owner inspected its contents, his eyes widened in shock. The pouch held many silver coins, enough to buy half of his shop.
"Is this enough to buy?" Hun Yu asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
The shop owner was momentarily speechless. He had initially assumed the beggar was there to cause trouble, but he hadn't expected him to possess such wealth.
Suddenly, an idea formed in the shop owner's mind. He looked at Hun Yu with a sly grin. "You used stolen money to buy from me?" he accused, pointing an accusing finger at Hun Yu, instantly drawing the attention of the crowd.
Even Hun Yu was taken aback. He had intended to play it cool, but now it seemed to be backfiring.
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Hun Yu retorted, his voice steady but with a hint of unease.
The shop owner smirked, his tone turning more venomous. "Everyone, this beggar used stolen money! Let's teach him a lesson!"
Hun Yu's heart raced as the crowd began to murmur, their gazes turning hostile. "Catch him, he's running away!" the shop owner bellowed, setting off in pursuit despite his portly figure.
Hun Yu ran at a speed that the pursuing crowd couldn't match. After about five minutes of relentless sprinting, he saw the city entrance looming ahead.
Despite his growing exhaustion, Hun Yu knew that stopping meant risking being beaten to death by the angry mob behind him. He pushed himself to keep running.
In the distance, the woman silently stood at the city gate entrance, observing the approaching figure of Hun Yu with confusion.
However, her confusion turned to surprise as she noticed the group of people chasing him.
As Hun Yu reached the city gate, he stopped running and quickly darted behind the woman for cover. The crowd came to a halt as they saw him hiding behind her.
Their pause wasn't just out of surprise; the woman bore the badge of the Sky Wind Sect, marking her as someone of significant status.
"Hey, hand over that thief! He used stolen money to buy things," bellowed the fat shop owner, panting as he caught up with the group.
His face reddened with exertion, but as soon as his eyes fell on the woman's badge, his bravado melted away.
His expression shifted to one of respect and fear, and he hastily saluted her. "Honorable cultivator, please hand over this thief."
The woman raised an eyebrow, her gaze cool and assessing. "What has he stolen?"
The shop owner thrust the pouch forward, his hand trembling slightly. "See this pouch? How can someone like him have so much money? It must be stolen."
With a flick of her wrist, the pouch vanished from the shop owner's grasp and reappeared in her hand.
She inspected it briefly before her eyes settled on Hun Yu, who stood with an innocent look, hands clasped calmly in front of him.
"This isn't stolen. I gave him the money," she declared, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
The fat man's face twisted in confusion, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to process why an esteemed cultivator would give money to a beggar. "But—"
"SCRAM!" she commanded, her voice carrying an authoritative power that sent shivers down the spines of those gathered.
The group dispersed instantly, their footsteps echoing away as they fled from her authoritative presence.
Turning to Hun Yu, she motioned for him to follow. Without a word, they walked together until a premium-looking cart rolled up beside them.
The woman climbed into the cart with practiced grace and gestured for Hun Yu to join her. He settled inside, and as they set off towards the Sky Wind Sect, she observed him closely.
His long black hair, now clean and neatly tied back, framed sharp eyebrows and a defined jawline. From his appearance alone, he bore no resemblance to a beggar.
"Let me explain the rules," she began, her tone firm but not unkind. "You, whatever your name is, are now a servant of the Sky Wind Sect. You will be assigned to the outer area of the sect. Another important thing to note is that you will only serve for a year. After that, you will have to return."
Hun Yu listened intently, absorbing every word. A year seemed like a manageable timeframe. He could earn money, return to the city, start a business, and perhaps even find happiness.
The thought of marrying a beautiful woman crossed his mind, and he nodded in agreement, determination shining in his eyes.
"Good," she acknowledged with a nod.
The cart rolled on, the landscape shifting as they traveled. After about six to seven hours, it came to a stop.
"We have arrived at the destination, Senior," the cart operator announced.
The woman stepped out, and Hun Yu followed suit. After paying the operator, she turned her attention to their surroundings.
Majestic mountains loomed before them, and atop one of the peaks stood an enormous structure with towering spires. Some buildings even appeared to be floating in the air.
As they approached the entrance to the Sky Wind Sect, Hun Yu couldn't help but feel amazed. The grandeur of the sect's architecture left him in awe.
"Already impressed?" the woman remarked, glancing back at him. "Let's go."
Hun Yu silently followed, taking in the sights as they walked. Eventually, they arrived at the main area of the sect. No one stopped him, likely because he was with her.
She led him to his living quarters and explained his duties as a servant. She also provided him with servant clothing.
Hun Yu nodded in acknowledgment, realizing that while he might not be able to cultivate here, he could certainly earn money through his work.
...
In his quiet room, Hun Yu sat on the edge of his simple bed, contemplating the year that had slipped by.
The tasks he had done as a servant were menial, and he hadn't seen the woman who had brought him to the Sky Wind Sect since that fateful day. Now, his time there was at an end.
Packing his few belongings—just some clothes—he prepared to leave. With the money he'd earned, he was ready to return to the city and start his own business.
Looking in the small, cracked mirror, he saw a man who now resembled a noble more than a beggar. He slung his bag over his shoulder and walked toward the exit.
Reaching the base of the mountain, Hun Yu scanned the area for any sign of a cart.
Disappointment flickered across his face when he found none. He decided to set off on foot.
After what felt like an hour of walking, he paused to catch his breath. The landscape around him was serene, the distant chirping of birds mingling with the rustling of leaves.
Taking a moment to rest, he thought about his next steps. Just as he was about to continue, a cool breeze brushed against his skin, causing him to turn around.
The air felt different, almost as if it were beckoning him.
"What is this?" Hun Yu wondered, sensing a subtle disturbance in the wind flow, emanating from a specific direction. Curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to investigate.
Soon, he arrived at a tranquil pond surrounded by lush trees and bushes heavy with fruit.
In the midst of this serene setting stood a solitary house. "Does someone live here?" he murmured, puzzled by the presence of habitation in such a secluded spot.
Suddenly, a chilling presence behind him made him freeze. The cold press of steel against his neck sent a shiver down his spine. "Who are you?" a voice demanded.
Hun Yu's heart raced, and he dared not turn around. "Are you mute? Answer me. Who are you?" the voice insisted, sharp and impatient.
"I... I'm Hun Yu," he managed to croak out, his voice trembling.
"What brings you here? A commoner like you, wandering in the wilderness?" the voice questioned, filled with skepticism.
"I was on my way back to the imperial city after completing my service at the Sky Wind Sect and came here because I felt an unnatural flow of wind coming from this direction," Hun Yu explained, his voice shaky with apprehension.
The silence that followed was thick with tension. The cold pressure against his neck eased, and he cautiously turned around.
Before him stood a tall woman, her long black hair tied back, clad in a magnificent green robe. Her beauty was beyond words, a living embodiment of elegance and power.
He lowered his gaze, understanding instinctively that she was not to be trifled with. He had heard tales of powerful cultivators living in seclusion, and she seemed to fit the description perfectly.
As the evening shadows lengthened, the woman spoke again, her tone softening slightly.
"Though I'm puzzled as to how you arrived here without encountering any danger, it was my mistake that attracted you. I'll transport you near the imperial capital."
With a swift motion, she grabbed his collar, and the ground vanished beneath his feet.
They soared through the air, the landscape below blurring into a tapestry of mountains, rivers, and forests. The wind whipped past them.
Before long, they descended near the outskirts of the imperial capital.
She released him gently onto the ground, and Hun Yu quickly stood up, eager to catch another glimpse of the mysterious woman. But to his surprise, she was gone.
Perplexed, he scanned his surroundings, searching for any sign of her presence. un Yu reluctantly accepted defeat.
He turned his gaze toward the imperial city, sighing deeply as he began to make his way forward.
Approaching the capital's entrance, Hun Yu noticed the guards eyeing him suspiciously. As he neared the gate, they abruptly aimed their spears at him.
"Turn around and leave! Entering the city at night is not allowed!" one of the guards bellowed, catching Hun Yu off guard.
Confused but sensing the seriousness in the knight's expression, Hun Yu reluctantly retreated, finding himself back where he started, just outside the capital.
Sitting on a stone, he thought, "What kind of bad luck is this?" Now he had to wait until morning.
Meanwhile, in the shadows, figures clad in black robes conversed.
"Do you have them all?" one asked, their features concealed.
"We're short one," another replied grimly.