Sure! Here's the expanded version of Chapter 6, where Jian and Hu
The morning sun hung lazily in the sky as Jian and Hu Win made their way through the heart of Hiun. The town, now bathed in golden light, seemed even more vibrant than the day before. The air was warm, the smells of fresh bread and roasting meat drifting through the streets, tempting even the most disciplined travelers. For the first time since he'd left the estate, Hu Win felt a sense of freedom, an exhilarating sensation of being surrounded by so much life, so much possibility.
As they walked, the pair fell into a rhythm. Jian's pace was steady, measured, his hands resting lightly on the hilt of his sword. Hu Win, on the other hand, struggled to keep up with his long strides, but he was determined to stay by his side. The town was bustling, but it wasn't as crowded as the capital city, Zhojian, which Hu Win had only heard about in stories. The streets here were filled with local farmers, blacksmiths, traders from distant regions, and all sorts of travelers who seemed to have no destination other than the moment itself.
"So," Hu Win began, after a long period of silence, "how did you end up on this path, Jian? You've been traveling for so long, I imagine."
Jian glanced sideways at him, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "My path has been... different," he said, his voice calm, though there was a weight to his words. "I wasn't always a wandering swordsman. I had a place once, a life. But the world doesn't always allow us to keep what we want."
Hu Win frowned slightly, sensing there was more to the story than Jian was letting on, but he didn't push him for details. Instead, he let the question hang in the air as they continued their walk through the town, heading toward the outskirts where the roads began to grow quieter.
"What was your family like?" Hu Win asked after a moment. "I mean... you're clearly not someone who was born to a poor family, right?"
Jian chuckled, though it was more of a quiet exhalation than actual amusement. "I wasn't born into poverty, but I wasn't born into luxury either. I grew up in a small village far from here. My family... we didn't have much, but we made do." He paused, glancing ahead as the road opened up before them. "As for the rest... well, that's a story for another time."
Hu Win nodded, his curiosity piqued, but he could tell it wasn't the right moment to press further. The conversation drifted into more general topics. Jian spoke of different places he had been, of strange towns and even stranger people. He mentioned a few of the skills he had picked up over the years, not just with a sword, but in survival, hunting, and even the art of bargaining. As they talked, Hu Win found himself fascinated by the breadth of Jian's experience, and for the first time, he realized just how little he knew about the world outside of his family's estate.
"So," Hu Win said after a long pause, "what are we going to do next? I mean, I don't know how to fight yet, and I definitely don't know anything about surviving on my own."
Jian gave him a sideways glance, his voice laced with a hint of amusement. "You're eager, aren't you? Don't worry. First things first, we'll find a place to rest. You'll need to learn the basics before we move on to anything else."
Hu Win nodded, feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension. He had made the decision to leave his old life behind, but now the reality of that decision was starting to settle in. It wasn't going to be easy, and he wasn't sure how he would handle it.
They continued walking, the streets thinning out as they neared the edge of the town. The area around them became more rural, with smaller cottages and fields stretching into the distance. Hu Win didn't notice it at first, but after some time, he realized that they had been walking for much longer than he had anticipated. His legs were beginning to ache from the constant motion, and the bright sun above felt oppressive on his skin. He glanced sideways at Jian, who showed no signs of slowing down. His pace was as steady as ever, his face a picture of calm determination.
"Jian," Hu Win began, his voice strained as he caught up, "I thought we were just going to find an inn or something. How far are we going?"
Jian didn't answer immediately, instead keeping his eyes on the horizon. He finally spoke after a few moments, his tone cryptic. "Not far now."
Hu Win, confused but curious, glanced around. Nothing in the surroundings indicated that they were nearing anything of particular importance. The dirt road continued, winding through fields of crops and sparse trees, with nothing on the horizon but more farmland.
But then, as they crested a small rise, Hu Win saw it.
A massive structure stretched before him, rising up from the land like a forgotten castle. Its grandeur was not just in its size—it was in the intricate architecture, the towering walls that seemed to go on forever, and the sheer opulence of the place. The mansion was built from stone, with intricate carvings and grand windows that let the light shine through in a way that made the entire structure look as if it were glowing. At its peak, it looked like it could stretch halfway to the heavens.
Hu Win stopped in his tracks, his mouth falling open in awe. "What... what is this?" His voice was barely above a whisper.
Jian turned to face him, his expression unreadable. "This," he said simply, "is mine."
Hu Win blinked, trying to comprehend what Jian was saying. "Yours?" He looked up at the massive estate, incredulous. "I thought you said you were poor."
Jian's lips curled into a half-smile. "I never said I was poor. I said I wasn't born into luxury." His tone was casual, as if he were commenting on the weather, but Hu Win could hear the layers beneath it. "This mansion," Jian continued, "was once my home. It's where I grew up. But I left it long ago."
Hu Win stood there, dumbfounded. His mind couldn't quite grasp the reality of the situation. The boy he had been following, the swordsman who had saved his life multiple times, had been the heir to all of this?
"I thought you were just some wandering swordsman," Hu Win said, the words tumbling out of his mouth before he could stop them. "I didn't think you had... this."
Jian shrugged, his eyes softening for a moment. "What does it matter now? The mansion is empty. It's just a reminder of a life I've left behind. A life I didn't want anymore."
They stood in silence for a few moments, Hu Win taking in the massive estate. It was clear that Jian had a history here, and whatever that history was, it was something he had chosen to walk away from.
"Do you want to go inside?" Jian asked after a long pause, breaking the silence. "It's been years, but it's yours for as long as you need it."
Hu Win shook his head quickly. "I... I don't think I'm ready for that." He paused, glancing at Jian, who had already turned to leave. "But I'll come back someday, if you'll let me. Maybe to learn from you more."
Jian gave a small nod, not turning to look at him. "Then keep walking. We still have a long way to go."
And with that, they continued down the path, the mansion slowly fading from view behind them. But for Hu Win, the weight of what he had just learned about Jian would stay with him foreve