NARRATOR POV :
"Ha?"
Ha Yu Han exclaimed without thinking, still surprised by the force with which he had neutralized his opponent. He looked at his fist for a moment, as if discovering for the first time the extent of his own strength.
"I knew I had gotten stronger... but this much?" he murmured, his eyes narrowing as he pondered, before lowering his gaze toward Tien Yuan, the thief lying unconscious on the ground. His frail body seemed far too fragile to endure such a blow.
He let out a sigh. *What am I going to do with him?*
Shortly afterward, in the bustling market square of the main district, Zhao Chen Xi wandered through the crowd, casting worried glances around. She was searching for her master, who had gone to retrieve the item stolen from him.
"Hey, Chen!"
She quickly turned around at the sound of the familiar voice and froze for a moment in shock. Ha Yu Han was approaching her, dragging the stolen bundle of provisions in one hand and, in the other, the unconscious thief, carelessly pulling him by the collar of his mud-smeared uniform.
"Master, are you okay?" Zhao Chen Xi asked, walking quickly toward him, her gaze full of concern.
"Yes, all is well. I assume this is the thing he stole from you." With a casual motion, he placed a small lacquered wooden comb, decorated with golden floral patterns, into Zhao Chen Xi's hands. The object glistened softly in the sunlight.
Grateful, the young woman held the comb tightly against her chest, relieved and touched.
"It's better not to ask him too many questions…" thought Ha Yu Han as he noticed her tender expression.
She then glanced down at Tien Yuan, still unconscious and dragging like a sack of rice.
"What are you going to do with him, Master?"
Ha Yu Han thought for a moment, observing the merchants around them, whose faces were a mix of curiosity and annoyance. "If I leave him here, they might punish him severely, and he deserves it… But I can't bear the thought of having someone's death on my conscience."
Zhao Chen Xi, a little puzzled, tilted her head slightly. "So, what do you suggest?"
Ha Yu Han took a deep breath. "We'll take him with us."
---
A few hours later, Tien Yuan slowly opened his eyes, finding himself lying in an unexpectedly comfortable bed. A soft scent of incense filled the air, contrasting with the dimness of the room, lit only by the golden glow of the afternoon sun.
"What…"
"Finally awake?" came a calm voice from a corner of the room. Tien Yuan straightened up, tense, his eyes meeting those of Ha Yu Han, who was sitting quietly on a chair near the window.
"What do you want?" the young thief said, instinctively defensive.
"I want you to become my servant," Ha Yu Han replied in a calm tone, as if this declaration was the most natural thing in the world.
Tien Yuan stared at him for a moment before shaking his head with an incredulous laugh. "No, never."
"And what if I paid you?" Ha Yu Han suggested, raising an eyebrow slightly.
"How much?" Tien Yuan asked, despite himself, his interest overpowering his pride.
"Enough to buy yourself a house," Ha Yu Han replied with an enigmatic smile.
A heavy silence filled the room as Tien Yuan pondered the offer. He finally sighed. "Alright, but I want you to do something for me first."
"What do I get out of it?" Ha Yu Han asked, skeptical.
"Nothing. But it's… very important," Tien Yuan murmured, his gaze pleading.
The noble sighed resignedly. "Fine, what is it about?"
Tien Yuan straightened, his eyes gleaming with hope. "You're an alchemist, right?"
"You said yourself I'm not one," Ha Yu Han replied with a mocking look.
Tien Yuan straightened, a little embarrassed. "I admit I said that, but you have powers, so that makes you an alchemist!"
A mocking smile began to form on Ha Yu Han's face. "Hehe… I thank you."
"Shut up," Tien Yuan retorted, embarrassed, his cheeks turning red.
"Well then, I won't help you," Ha Yu Han said teasingly.
"No! I'm sorry!" Tien Yuan quickly exclaimed.
"Sorry, who?" Ha Yu Han insisted, with a provocative look.
Tien Yuan hesitated for a moment, then, in a low voice, murmured: "Sorry… Master."
"That's better," Ha Yu Han replied, satisfied.
---
Meanwhile, in the main wing of the Ha family estate, a tense discussion was taking place between two other characters.
"YuXiang Jun," called a cold, authoritative voice.
"Yes, Master Ha Tie Xong?" replied the man, kneeling before an imposing throne. Ha Tie Xong, Ha Yu Han's half-brother and an alchemy prodigy, observed his servant with a calculating gaze.
"You've gotten soft recently," Ha Tie Xong declared, contempt clearly audible in his voice. "How can I, the future head of the family, be seen with such a pathetic servant like you?"
YuXiang Jun gripped his sword, his face tight with contained rage. "Forgive me, Master. Just give me more time, and I'll become worthy to serve you."
Ha Tie Xong shook his head, feigning a disappointed expression. "No. I no longer need weaklings like you."
-But Master-!
"SHUT UP! Who gave you permission to speak, you fool?!"
The young servant's face flushed with a deep, dark anger. YooXiang Jun dreamed of decapitating his master, but unfortunately, his status prevented him from doing so.
"Forgive me, Master…" he said, regaining his composure.
"I prefer it that way. But don't worry, Jun. You'll still stay in the estate. I've assigned you to my half-brother… What's his name again? Oh yes, Ha Yu Han!"
*Seriously, that second-rate noble who can't even control his soul?* thought YuXiang Jun, suppressing a sigh and reluctantly nodding, his head slightly lowered, resigned despite the bitter weight of his anger.
"Alright, you may go."
The servant nodded and rose, turning his back on his former master before leaving the room, dejected.
*How could I have been assigned to a second-tier noble, such an incapable one? This is undoubtedly the most humiliating experience of my six long years in the Ha family. Six years of relentless effort, six years of loyalty, sacrificed to end up demoted to serve an insignificant prince!*
YuXiang Jun thought as he wandered through the corridors of the estate, a dark rage smoldering inside.
"They will all pay for this!"
---
Back with Ha Yu Han and Tien Yuan, the two young men were now walking through a poor district of the city of Bāhgūh.
"Why did you bring me here?" asked Ha Yu Han, observing the dilapidated houses around them.
"We're almost there," murmured Tien Yuan, walking quickly.
They finally stopped in front of a small, ruined house. Large holes marred the walls, allowing light to filter in unevenly. The place seemed desolate, but Tien Yuan pushed open the door, his head lowered.
Inside, a smell of mold and dampness filled the air, and mushrooms had taken root in every corner of the room. The atmosphere was heavy, almost oppressive.
"Mei, I'm home," Tien Yuan murmured, his voice trembling.
*Mei? Who is that?* Ha Yu Han wondered, intrigued.
Following Tien Yuan through the house, they climbed stairs that creaked under each of their steps. Ha Yu Han noticed the exhausted and ashamed look on his companion's face.
In the room at the top, a small girl about eight years old lay on a makeshift bed. She tried to sit up when she heard her brother, but a coughing fit forced her to lie back down.
"Big brother… you're finally back?" she said in a weak voice.
"Don't push yourself, Mei," Tien Yuan murmured, gently lifting her into his arms.
"Is this your sister?" Ha Yu Han asked.
Tien Yuan nodded. "Yes…"
Mei looked up at the noble, her innocent and curious gaze meeting his. "Who is he, big brother?"
"Someone who will heal you," Tien Yuan replied, holding his little sister tightly against him, his face etched with pain and sadness. Then he turned to Ha Yu Han, his expression pleading.
"I beg you… help her. She's seriously ill, and I have no way to pay for a doctor."
Ha Yu Han firmly placed his hands on Tien Yuan's shoulders, his gaze turning serious. "Damn it… why didn't you tell me earlier? I would have helped you without hesitation!"
Tears began to fall from Tien Yuan's eyes. Ha Yu Han moved closer to the little girl, his determination clear.
"Alright, here we go," he declared with an excited smile.