Awakening in a Foreign Place
David Haipoli's first sensation upon waking was pain—a dull, burning ache that radiated from his wounded shoulder. His body felt heavy, as if weighed down by exhaustion and lingering fever. The scent of dried herbs and wood smoke filled his lungs, mingling with the faintest trace of damp earth.
For a brief moment, he did not remember where he was. Then the memories came flooding back—the betrayal, the ambush, the desperate escape through the forest, and finally, the stranger who had saved him.
His fingers twitched against the rough texture of a woolen blanket. Slowly, he opened his eyes.
The room around him was simple, modest—a far cry from the grand halls he had once known. The wooden walls bore signs of wear, and a single oil lamp flickered in the dimness. Shelves lined with jars of dried roots and medicinal leaves suggested that this was no mere home but the dwelling of a healer.
And then he saw her.
The woman—Lily—sat near the fireplace, stirring a pot of herbal broth. She was dressed in plain, earth-colored clothes, her sleeves rolled up as she worked. Though she had the look of a common village girl, there was a quiet resilience in her posture, a strength that set her apart.
She turned at the sound of his shifting weight.
"You're awake," she observed.
David took a slow breath, testing his body. The fever had receded, but weakness remained.
"Where am I?" His voice was hoarse, the simple act of speaking an effort.
"My home," Lily replied. "In a village outside Ping Shui City." She stood and moved toward him, pressing the back of her hand against his forehead before nodding in approval. "The fever's gone. You're lucky—I wasn't sure if you'd survive the night."
David's mind raced. Ping Shui… That meant he was still within the borders of the Canglang Empire, but far from the capital. He was alive, yes, but still a hunted man.
"How long have I been here?" he asked.
"Three days."
Three days. Bismarck's men would still be searching for him. The empire believed him to be dead, but that assumption wouldn't last forever. He had to be careful.
"You're not from around here." Lily's voice pulled him back to the present. Her dark eyes studied him, sharp and observant. "Who are you really?"
David hesitated. His name was a death sentence.
"Daniel," he said at last, repeating the alias he had chosen before passing out.
Lily's expression remained neutral. Whether she believed him or not, she didn't push further.
"Fine, Daniel." She ladled some broth into a wooden bowl and handed it to him. "Eat. You'll need your strength if you want to survive."
He took the bowl, the warmth seeping into his fingertips. He was alive, yes—but survival was only the beginning. His enemies were still out there, and one day, he would return to face them.
---
A Village on the Edge
The following days were spent recovering. Though David's body remained weak, his mind never stopped working.
Through careful observation and conversation with Lily, he learned more about Ping Shui.
It was a small trade town, caught between the influence of noble lords, corrupt tax officials, and ruthless merchants. The people lived in quiet suffering, crushed under heavy levies imposed by greedy aristocrats. Bandits roamed the outskirts, preying on the weak while the local guards turned a blind eye.
The situation reminded David of something his father had once taught him:
"Where there is oppression, there is also opportunity."
The village was suffering. The people needed a leader—someone who could challenge the existing power and offer them something better.
Perhaps, he could be that leader.
But first, he had to ensure his survival.
---
A Threat in the Shadows
One evening, as David sat outside Lily's cottage, gathering his thoughts, he noticed a group of armed men entering the village. Their clothes were fine, their weapons polished—not simple bandits, but enforcers of some noble lord.
Lily tensed beside him.
"They're here again," she murmured, gripping her sleeves tightly.
David glanced at her. "Who are they?"
"The tax collectors," she spat the words like a curse. "They come every month, demanding more than the people can give. Those who can't pay are beaten—or worse."
David's jaw tightened. He watched as the enforcers dragged a frail old man from his home, throwing him to the ground.
"You were late on your payment, old man," one of them sneered. "You know the price for defying Lord Wu."
The old man coughed, clutching his ribs. "Please… I just need more time…"
The leader of the enforcers raised his boot, ready to strike—
And David moved.
His body still ached, but instinct took over. Before Lily could stop him, he stepped forward, his voice cold and commanding.
"That's enough."
The enforcers turned. A few villagers gasped at the sight of David, who still bore the air of nobility despite his rough state.
The leader sneered. "Who the hell are you?"
David met his gaze, unflinching. He could not reveal his true identity—but he could still command authority.
"Someone who doesn't appreciate cowards attacking the defenseless."
The enforcer laughed. "Brave words for a nobody." He stepped forward, reaching for his sword.
David didn't hesitate. Even without a weapon, he moved swiftly. He sidestepped the attack, caught the enforcer's wrist, and with a sharp twist, sent him crashing to the ground.
The other enforcers tensed, hands on their blades.
David exhaled slowly. He was not at full strength yet. He could not afford a full fight.
He glanced at the villagers, saw the fear in their eyes. If he backed down now, the enforcers would return stronger, crueler.
So instead, he smirked.
"Tell your master that his rule here is over," David said. "If he wants his taxes, he can come take them himself."
The enforcers hesitated. Then, seeing their leader still groaning on the ground, they grabbed him and retreated.
Lily exhaled in disbelief. "You just made an enemy of Lord Wu."
David wiped the blood from his knuckles. "No," he corrected. "I made sure he knows he has an enemy."
Lily studied him for a long moment, then gave a small, knowing smile.
"You're not just a runaway, are you?"
David said nothing. But in that moment, he knew—his exile was over.
It was time to rise again.