Beneath the ever-blooming cherry tree, I took my usual place on the ground, sheltered by its delicate pink petals as I did every afternoon. The mornings were far from ideal for meditating or studying the scrolls I had taken; the younger members of the clan always crowded this place for training, their incessant drills disrupting the quiet I needed.
Two months had passed since my reincarnation into this body, and I'd come to learn much about the clan and the world surrounding me. Firstly, I was born into a family of highly esteemed alchemists here in Bāhgūh. My father, *Ha Zhan Feng III*, had practiced alchemy for nearly 300 years, making him one of the oldest and most revered masters of the art on the southern continent.
The Kingdom of Zheng, my homeland, had been at war for two decades. Neighboring countries had formed an alliance against us, determined to crush our people. But, despite the overwhelming numbers, our kingdom's powerful alchemists had pushed them back, resisting their onslaughts for nearly five years until the alliance finally retreated, defeated. Now, however, relations with these nations were hanging by a thread. Rumors whispered of renewed war, while others warned that the strength of our kingdom had dwindled over the past ten years and that we would not withstand another assault.
Yet, none of this affected me deeply. Once I mastered alchemy, these threats would be of no concern. I envisioned a life of peace and prosperity, where I could pursue knowledge and the pleasures of a secure life. For now, though, all that mattered was my progress.
Under the vibrant pink cherry blossoms, I focused on my breathing, the sound of each inhale and exhale soothing my mind as I continued refining my soul. My recent alchemical studies had revealed something crucial: alchemy, at its core, was rooted in the soul. It was an art meticulously studied by the greatest alchemists for over 900 years.
To master it, one needed a deep understanding of the body and soul's interconnectedness. Just as blood flows through veins, the soul circulates throughout the body. In other words, every part of one's being contained fragments of the soul. To physically manifest the soul, one must open these vessels, establishing a flow between the soul and the body.
For over two months, I had painstakingly refined both my body and soul. Slowly, my efforts bore fruit; I began to manifest a faint aura, mere traces of my soul slipping into the physical realm. It was far from mastery, but I was undoubtedly on the right path.
Lost in my thoughts, a soft voice broke the silence.
"Master Ha Yu Han?"
I looked up, my gaze settling on Zhao Chen Xi standing above me, her beauty as radiant as ever.
"Always meditating?" she asked, a gentle smile tugging at her lips.
"As you can see," I replied, smiling faintly.
Without another word, she gracefully settled down beside me, watching the cherry blossoms drift to the ground, each petal swirling gently before resting on the earth. Zhao Chen Xi wasn't like the other servants; she was unique—free, in a sense, unbound by the strictures that enslaved others. Although she served me, she always carried herself with ease, a quiet confidence that shone through her kind demeanor. This was mutual; Zhao Chen Xi was, after all, the first person I had truly spoken to in this new life.
"Oh! I nearly forgot, I have errands to run," she exclaimed, her expression one of sudden realization.
"If you'd like, I can accompany you," I offered, brushing off the petals that had settled on my robes as I stood.
"Truly, Master? You don't have to," she replied, though her eyes brightened at the suggestion.
"I insist. Besides, I've finished my session for today," I said with a reassuring nod.
She smiled, dipping her head in gratitude. "Very well, if you insist…"
Together, we left the Ha family estate and made our way to the bustling heart of Bāhgūh. The streets were alive with merchants hawking their wares, townsfolk haggling over prices, and an air of lively chaos enveloped the market square. We were here to gather provisions, a routine I had come to enjoy for the vibrant sights and sounds that filled each visit with something new.
As we moved through the crowded main street, I followed behind Zhao Chen Xi, who was guiding us through the throng when, suddenly, someone darted past, roughly colliding into her. She stumbled, losing her balance and falling to the ground.
"Are you alright, Chen?" I asked, helping her to her feet, concern lacing my voice.
"Yes…thank you, Master…" she murmured, brushing herself off, though she seemed shaken.
Just then, angry cries erupted from the crowd:
"Thief!"
"Catch that demon!"
"Yuan! You won't get away this time, you little devil!"
"Well, they certainly seem furious," I muttered, glancing at the fleeing figure who had caused the commotion.
The name *Yuan* had become infamous around these parts—a notorious thief who had a hand in nearly every robbery reported. Each time he struck, he managed to vanish without a trace.
"Don't worry, Chen. They'll lose him soon enough. Let's finish what we came for; I don't want to be late for my training session."
But as I turned back to Zhao Chen Xi, I noticed the alarm on her face. She seemed utterly distraught.
"Chen, is something wrong?"
"M-Master…" she stammered, "He…he took something very precious to me. We have to catch him!"
I sighed, considering her words. After a brief moment, I nodded.
"Alright, I'll find him," I said, straightening with determination.
"Thank you, Master!" she exclaimed, relief flooding her face.
This was the perfect chance to see if my two months of training had yielded any results.
In a dark alleyway, the young thief, Tian Yuan, rifled through his stolen goods, tossing aside what he deemed useless.
"Useless… useless…" he muttered, discarding items with swift, careless motions. He picked up a pink comb, turning it over in his hands. "Hmm, this might fetch something…"
"Hey, idiot."
The voice echoed from the alley's entrance, prompting Tian Yuan to turn. Standing there, bathed in the light, was none other than myself—Ha Yu Han. I crossed my arms, wearing a look of smug confidence.
"How did you track me here?" Yuan demanded, a scowl crossing his face.
I smirked. "For an alchemist, it's no challenge."
"An… alchemist? You?" he scoffed, his face twisting in disbelief.
"Yes."
"Stop lying."
"Why would I lie?"
"First off, real alchemists don't go bragging about it to strangers. Secondly…" He paused, his gaze sweeping over me, appraising. "You're far too young to be one."
'Damn, he has a point,' I thought, wincing inwardly.
"Well, you caught me. But knowing that won't save you. Hand over what you stole, and maybe I won't drag you to the authorities."
"Oh, please…" he sneered.
With a quick motion, Yuan hurled a sack of provisions at my face, aiming to blind me in a bid to escape.
'Clever,' I thought, immediately understanding his ploy. 'He wants to distract me and make a break for it. This guy's dangerous.'
But despite my outwardly slender build, my training had sharpened my reflexes. Without missing a beat, I deflected the sack with one hand, reaching out with the other to grab Yuan by the collar, forcing him to the ground. The impact left him dazed, a thin trail of foam forming at his mouth as he lost consciousness.
"Huh…?" I muttered, a mixture of surprise and triumph filling me as I looked down at him.