Meanwhile, as Lei Tei was undergoing the transformation to become a Dragon General, somewhere far, far away in a village bordering Grey Whisper City, life continued at a tranquil pace. The village, nestled between lush green hills and dense forests, seemed worlds apart from the tumultuous events unfolding in Dragon Heart.
In this peaceful village, a farmer named Zhang Wei stood by the edge of a serene lake. The lake's surface mirrored the clear blue sky, with only the occasional ripple disturbing its stillness. Zhang Wei, a man of simple pleasures and hardworking nature, had come here to fish, a cherished pastime that allowed him to escape the demands of farm life.
Zhang Wei cast his fishing line into the water, watching as the lure disappeared beneath the surface. The rhythmic sound of water lapping against the shore and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze created a soothing symphony. He took a deep breath, savouring the tranquillity of the moment.
As he waited for a bite, Zhang Wei's thoughts drifted to the recent rumours that had reached the village. Tales of a powerful gang of bandits rising in the distant mountains, led by a mysterious and formidable leader. The villagers spoke in hushed tones of strange occurrences and warriors with extraordinary abilities.
"These stories must be exaggerations" Zhang Wei thought, shaking his head.
"Life is simple here, and that's just fine by me."
Suddenly, he felt a tug on his line. His heart leaped with excitement as he began to reel in his catch. The fish fought valiantly, its silvery scales glinting in the sunlight as it broke the surface of the water. With a final, deft pull, Zhang Wei landed the fish, a sizable carp that would make a fine meal for his family.
"Ah, what a beauty, he mused, admiring the carp. This will certainly make for a great dinner." Zhang Wei muttered.
As he was about to head back to the village, Zhang Wei suddenly noticed something floating on the river. It looked far too heavy and big to be a fish. His heart skipped a beat as he squinted, trying to make out what it was. The current gently carried the object closer, and Zhang Wei's eyes widened in shock as he realized it was a human!
Not just any human, but a child!
Without a moment's hesitation, Zhang Wei sprang into action. He waded into the cool, clear water, feeling the current push against his legs as he made his way toward the floating body. His mind raced with worry and determination.
How did a child end up in the river? Are they still alive?
Reaching the child, he carefully lifted the small, limp body into his arms. The child was soaking wet, their clothes clinging to them like a second skin. Zhang Wei could feel the weight of the child, heavier than he expected.
"You're quite a heavy one, you know," Zhang Wei gasped for air as he relaxed after pulling up the body. The exertion made his muscles ache, but he didn't mind. The child's life was far more important.
He quickly checked for signs of life, placing his ear close to the child's mouth and nose. To his immense relief, he felt a faint breath against his skin and saw the slight rise and fall of the child's chest. The child was alive but unconscious. Zhang Wei gently laid the child on the grassy bank, his mind racing with thoughts of what to do next.
"I need to get help immediately. This child needs warmth and medical attention !"
Wrapping the child in his own cloak to keep them warm, Zhang Wei carefully lifted the child again and began making his way back to the village. Each step was deliberate, his heart pounding with urgency.
As he walked, he couldn't help but wonder about the child's story. Where did you come from? How did you end up in the river? His mind was filled with questions, but he knew they would have to wait. The priority now was to ensure the child's safety.
As Zhang Wei approached the outskirts of the village, he shouted for help, his voice carrying through the quiet afternoon air. Villagers quickly gathered, their faces filled with concern as they saw the unconscious child in his arms.
"Help! This child needs help!" Zhang Wei called out, his voice urgent.
Several villagers rushed forward, including the village healer, an elderly woman named Mei Ling. She immediately took charge.
"Bring the child to my clinic," Mei Ling said, her voice calm but commanding.
"Alright." Zhang Wei nodded and followed Mei Ling to her clinic, which was just a slightly larger mudhouse meant to house two individuals.
"Lay him there." Mei Ling pointed to one of the beds made of grass. Zhang Wei obediently followed her instructions, gently placing the unconscious youth on the makeshift bed.
As Mei Ling checked the boy, Zhang Wei, who was watching closely, realised that the so-called boy was actually quite a tall and handsome teen. He was well-built, with sharp features that suggested a life of discipline and training.
"I reckon he is probably eighteen," Zhang Wei made a rough guess as Mei Ling finished her examination.
"The kid will be alright. It's nothing too severe, just unconscious. I'm guessing he fled a caravan that was raided by bandits. Must have been tragic for the boy," Mei Ling shook her head in dismay, her face etched with concern.
"When will he wake up?" Zhang Wei asked, his worry evident in his voice.
"He should be waking up in a couple of hours. I suggest you take him to your home, or you can just leave him here," Mei Ling replied.
"No, thank you. I'll be taking him to my home." Zhang Wei had heard rumours about how Mei Ling was interested in individuals who were far younger compared to her age, so he took no chances.
—----------------------------------
As the youth was laid down on one of Zhang Wei's spare beds, kept for emergencies, Zhang Wei couldn't help but wonder about him. The boy's serene face belied the ordeal he must have endured.
"You must've come a long way, haven't you?" Zhang Wei murmured to himself, his mind racing with questions about the youth's past and how he ended up in the river.
What he didn't know, however, was that the person he thought was just a simple boy was none other than the most talented individual the world had ever known. This young man had traveled through worlds and created his own techniques from the tales of dead gods.
It was none other than Ling Xuan.