Chapter 2: The Day of the Festival
The day shone brighter than any other, bathing the Huìyǔ Empire in a golden hue. Birds chirped merrily, their melodies blending with the sounds of laughter and celebration. The plants appeared greener than ever, and the sky stretched out in a clear blue canvas, reflecting the joy that filled the air. It was finally the day of Yùhéng Jié, the long-awaited occasion when the deity Xuányè Zhào would descend to the mortal realm for a hundred years.
The streets buzzed with excitement, alive with bustling citizens. Colorful stalls lined the pathways, each offering a variety of goods, from vibrant fabrics and intricate pottery to mouthwatering delicacies that filled the air with tempting aromas. Children raced through the crowd, their laughter ringing like bells.
Amidst the festivities, a young boy darted through the throng, his small frame adorned with an abundance of shimmering jewelry. He was a little taller than most children his age, around six years old, with jet-black robes beautifully embellished with rose gold and silver jewelry, glistening with rubies and diamonds. His hair was tied neatly into a ponytail, bouncing with each exuberant step as he ran past the smiling faces of the people, drawing their curious gazes.
The boy ran with the exuberance of youth until he spotted a secluded area, hidden behind tall bushes. As he pushed through the foliage, he found a tranquil pond, its clear water shimmering like glass, revealing smooth rocks nestled at the bottom. Surrounding the pond were vibrant flowers in bloom, their colors a delightful contrast to the lush greenery.
With a contented sigh, he settled down on a patch of soft grass near the water's edge, picking up small pebbles and tossing them into the pond, watching the ripples dance across the surface. Just as he began to lose himself in the serenity of the moment, a rustling sound disrupted his peace. He turned to find five rough-looking men standing behind him, their clothes torn and worn, yet toughened by hardship.
As his gaze fell upon the knives they brandished, the boy's expression shifted from surprise to a bored disinterest. He stood up, brushing off his robes with a nonchalant flick of his wrist.
"Hey, kid, don't you think it's a bit dangerous going around dressed like that?" one of the men sneered, a mocking grin spreading across his face.
"And by who? You lot?" the boy replied, his tone flat as he crossed his arms defiantly.
The leader of the group took a step forward, brandishing his knife. "You think you can just flaunt your riches without consequence? Hand over your jewels, and we'll let you go."
The boy raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "You really think you can scare me?" He took a step back, and with a sudden gust of wind that seemed to come from nowhere, three of the five men staggered, caught off guard by the force of it.
"Wha—what was that?" one of the men stuttered, glancing nervously at his companions.
"Is that supposed to intimidate me?" the boy said, rolling his eyes. "You don't know what you're dealing with."
Suddenly, the tension snapped. The leader lunged at him with his knife, but the boy sidestepped effortlessly, barely breaking a sweat. "Seriously? Is that all you've got?" He thrust his hand forward, sending a wave of energy that knocked two of the attackers off their feet.
"Get him!" the leader yelled, his bravado faltering as he regained his footing. The remaining three men charged at him together, knives glinting in the sunlight.
The boy sighed, unimpressed, and raised his hands, summoning a stronger gust of wind. As it swirled around him, he directed it toward the oncoming attackers. The wind struck them like a wall, sending one crashing into a bush and the other tumbling backward, his knife clattering to the ground.
"Honestly, you guys should rethink your career choices," the boy said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. He turned slightly, his eyes narrowing at the leader, who had now lost his confidence.
With a defiant shout, the leader charged again, swinging his knife wildly. The boy effortlessly sidestepped the attack, his expression still bored. "Do you really think you can catch me?" He shifted aside once more and kicked up some dirt, momentarily blinding the man.
In that instant, the boy's gaze turned serious. "You're wasting my time," he said, a hint of annoyance creeping into his voice. He unleashed a concentrated blast of energy that knocked the leader off his feet, sending him sprawling into the grass.
As the remaining attackers stumbled in confusion, the boy crossed his arms again. "Now that was fun. But really, it's time for you to go."
The men exchanged frightened glances, the fight clearly draining from their eyes. They scrambled to their feet, fear overtaking their bravado as they retreated back into the bushes, leaving behind their fallen comrades.
With a satisfied smirk, the boy watched them go, the thrill of the brief encounter fading. He turned back to the pond, shaking his head at the absurdity of it all. "Just another day in the Huìyǔ Empire," he muttered, tossing another pebble into the water and watching the ripples fade away.