บท 2: Determination
"Cheap slaves! Cheap! Buy two and you get a discount for the third one!"
"Look at this breast! Look at this butt! She will serve you well in bed!"
"Child slaves for cheap!"
Within a cage, a bunch of starving, skinny children could be seen cramped there.
Their eyes are lifeless and their expressions are emotionless.
Ximen Wei is among them, devoid of all hope, despite living in a poor village, he was being well fed, the vegetables and fruits were abundant after all, however, after spending almost a month in this underground market, he was so skinny to the level where his bones could be seen.
These past days, his meal consisted of fragments of hard, rotten black bread and leftover bones.
After the massacre at his village, he got captured and put up for sale in this slave market.
However, unlike before, he was no longer in his dazed state, as for now, he was thinking rationally and coming up with ways to escape this rotten place.
Even though the chance was so small it is almost negligible, Ximen Wei still wanted to try.
At least, he would rather die trying then stay here and await his fate.
'Hah, I guess it's my fortune to not get bought during these past weeks.' - Chuckled Ximen Wei to himself.
'Either way, once the cage's gate opens and the guards stop looking, I will make a run for it, if I get caught, so be it, I'm already fed up with this shit.'
'Or maybe I can gamble and wait for some lord to purchase me?'
'My chances of escaping this place are almost zero, I can wait to get bought by someone then find an opportunity and escape, either from their residences or while they are transporting me.'
'Hopefully I get lucky…'
After making up his plans, Ximen Wei took a deep breath before he studied his surroundings.
Cages filled with human slaves littered the street as people wielding whips and bats were trying everything they can to come up with some creative that can bring customers.
Their expressions were filled with enthusiasm as they gave all sorts of offers and discounts to their clients.
However, the people in the cages wore miserable faces as they tucked their heads in and either sobbed, screamed or cried.
Every single one of the slaves was in a depressed state, even Ximen Wei is not an exception.
'This place is really fucked up tho… How come is this not illegal? Why is Western Wan allowing this place?'
Such a thing disgusted Ximen Wei to the limit.
He never saw such an atrocious place ever in his two lives.
'No matter what, I have to leave this place...'
'Sigh, I guess there's a chance of reinforcements from the Su Dynasty as well, but that's very unlikely, we're deep into the enemy territory after all.' - Ximen Wei gave a helpless sigh as he observed his surroundings a bit more.
A fat wealthy man walked up to the child slavery stall and started communicating with the seller.
Occasionally, he would glance at the children with a perverted gaze as he pointed towards a few young males and exchanged dirty jokes with the seller.
Once Ximen Wei saw that, shivers ran up his spine as he hid behind a bunch of kids, praying to god the fat man wouldn't pick him.
At least, when his escape plan fails, he can still be your average child slave who is forced to do physical labour, however, once he gets bought by this fat man, he's doomed.
No one wants to be turned into a plaything, especially when the player is of the same gender as him.
After thinking about the consequences, goosebumps spread across all his body as he prayed even harder.
"That one behind the bald boy." - Said the fat man.
Unfortunately, the wealthy man pointed towards Ximen Wei and expressed his desire to purchase him, he rubbed his stomach and licked his lips, as if preparing himself to indulge in a tasty, luxurious meal.
Ximen Wei: "…"
The seller got into the cage and picked up Ximen Wei, his gaze carrying a trace of pity as he handed him to the wealthy man.
'What a misfortune! Why must this happen to me!! What did I do to deserve this!!'
"Hey kiddo, I'm Song Peizhi, hehe, from today onwards, you're my slave, comply with everything I say, else… the consequences will be dire, hehe." - Said Song Peizhi as he eyed Ximen Wei pervertedly.
"Mhm" – nodded Ximen Wei, his face pale.
'Looks like the escape plan have to succeed no matter what, or else, I'm afraid I will have to end it all.'
Taking a deep breath, Ximen Wei looked ahead with a clear and resolute gaze as he thought to himself:
'The moment I find a chance.. I will run for my life.'
After mounting a fancy noble carriage, Song Peizhi looked outside the window and said with an eerie tone:
"Haha, today is gonna be a good day! Kiddo, what's your name?"
'Indeed it is a good day! I'm tied instead of cuffed! My chances of escaping increased greatly.' - Despite thinking so to himself, Ximen Wei dared not express his thoughts, instead, he replied emotionlessly, his tone carrying a tine of despair.
"Ximen Wei."
Crack!
Song Peizhi whipped Ximen Wei.
"Where are the honorifics? A mere slave like you dare not show me respect? I will discipline you properly tonight hehehe."
A bitter expression surfaced upon Ximen Wei's face, however deep inside, he was brimming with joy.
'The rope is thick, but the knot is not complicated, given some time, I will be able to untie it stealthy and untie my hands.'
'At least my hands are behind my back and I'm tied directly to the carriage, or else things will be quite troublesome since I won't be able to keep my stealth.'
The horse carriage headed towards a big and majestic city called the Green Lotus City.
The most eye-catching thing about this city is undoubtedly the sky as multi-colored, dazzling and bright sky lanterns floated around.
The sky lanterns were emitting a bright glow and alternating between colors every once in a while, giving rise to a euphoric atmosphere within' the city.
This otherworldly sight made Ximen Wei speechless, when Song Peizhi saw his expression, he was a little bit amused as he mocked:
"Country-side bumpkin, this is the Green Lotus City, it is managed by a revered Qi Expert lord. Obviously it's going to be beyond extraordinary!"
'Great, now I'm no longer restrained, I may as well try to fish as much information as possible from this fat fart.'
"Qi Expert?"
"Haha, truly a country-side bumpkin! You don't know what a Qi Expert is!"
"M-master, can you please explain to me who are Qi Experts?"
"Since I'm in a good mood today! I will explain to you who are Qi Experts, in exchange, you will have to be extra compliant tonight hehe" – An evil grin flashed across Song Peizhi's face as he continued:
"Simply put, Qi Experts are people who mastered the way of Qi! Rank 1 and Rank 2 Qi Experts are moving, armored tanks, even the sharpest of swords can't pierce their thick skin while Rank 3 Qi Experts and higher are gods who control fire and lightning!"
Hearing this, Ximen Wei's eyes brightened up before they quickly dimmed.
'Rank 1? Rank 2? The books mentioned nothing about this!'
"Master, what are the rankings of Qi Experts?"
The fatty got worked up when he heard Ximen Wei's question, he looked outside the horse carriage with a gaze filled with admiration, longing and respect as he explained with passion and reverence:
"Kiddo, you really don't know anything at all! Qi cultivation is classified into five ranks! From rank 1 to rank 5! Green Lotus City Lord is a rank 2 wind path Qi Expert, he is a legendary figure who held off ten thousand men of the Su Dynasty all by himself!"
"When he guarded the border, not a single soldier out of the ten thousand strong Su Dynasty army dared take a step forward…"
Spit flew everywhere as Song Peizhi spoke with fanaticism, evidently, he holds the stories of these heroes and legends in high regard.
'Fortunately, I managed to get some important information off him. He's a noble after all.'
'The City Lord of the Green Lotus City is a rank 2 Qi Expert and managed to hold off a ten thousand men army all by himself. If it were those Rank 3 and Rank 4 Experts who control fire and lightning, what will happen?'
'Anyway, when I escape, I can try and find him, I'm pretty sure he won't take me as a discipline but it's worth a try, I'm desperate after all.'
The horse carriage passed through the gates and entered the city.
Green Lotus City was worthy of its' name.
It's lively and full of activity, the streets were bustling with people and the market here was flourishing as stalls and shops are everywhere.
The noble fatty Song Peizhi was still spitting nonsense while Ximen Wei's eyes darted around, looking for a chance to escape.
'When the carriage passes by a crowd, I will directly jump out. I will bid my time and wait for a proper chance.'
After having gained his mobility, Ximen Wei could escape anytime he wanted, however he wanted to increase his escape chances to the maximum.
Hiding inside a thick crowd and mixing with people is inevitably the best strategy.
'Now is the time!'
The moment the horse carriage entered the market, Ximen Wei jumped out without hesitation.
Song Peizhi was still immersed in narrating his stories, since he was not paying any attention to Ximen Wei, he was caught unprepared.
After couple moments, realization dawned upon him as he yelled in fury:
"GUARDS!!"
City guards wearing leather armor and wielding batons gathered around the horse carriage, awaiting orders.
Song Peizhi's status as a noble is nothing to scoff at, with just a word, the city guards are at his beck and command.
"Find that little rascal, he looks like…"
Meanwhile, Ximen Wei was darting inside the crowd.
His small, little physique gave him great mobility as he evaded the people around him, just like a fish in water.
Guards could be seen moving inside the crowd of people, inspecting every child they come across, however, they were pretty far away.
After spending almost an hour on the run, Ximen Wei finally hid in an inconspicuous corner.
His escape succeeded, as long as he is careful enough, he won't get caught and, as a result, maintain his freedom.
'Great, I finally shook them off.' - Panted Ximen Wei roughly.
'Now, I gotta become a Qi Expert!'
Upon thinking of the power Qi Experts hold, Ximen Wei's eyes shone brightly.
'Becoming a Qi Expert is the only way I can think of if I want to return home.'
'The City Lord is a wind path Qi Expert? Is that some sort of branch? Since he is a wind path Qi Expert, he should be able to control wind… If I become a space path Qi Expert, theoretically I should be able to control space, right?'
Qi is a mysterious and magical power.
There is countless forms of Qi such as fire Qi, water Qi, lightning Qi, wind Qi etc…
If one masters fire Qi, he will become a fire path Qi Expert, someone who controls the power of fire. The same thing applies to other forms of Qi.
The City Lord of Green Lotus City is a wind path Rank 2 Qi Expert, rumours say his punch carries with it the might of a tornado and his breath alone is able to summon powerful winds that topple trees and collapse houses.
'My path to returning home is a bit clearer now, I hope the powers Qi Experts provide are enough, if not… With the long lifespan of Qi Experts, I may be able to construct some sort of spaceship? Anyway, that will have come after I become a Rank 5 Qi Expert.'
'For now, my goal is to become a legendary Rank 5 Qi Expert, no matter what.'
Resolution flashed across Ximen Wei's deep, abyss-like eyes.
'I have to act faster, after all, my family, my relatives, my friends… They're waiting… She's waiting…'
An image of a hazy, feminine figure emerged in front of Ximen Wei.
Magically, the filthy and dirty surroundings changed into a beautiful sunflower field.
The sun shone brightly and the birds chirped ever happily.
The girl was wearing a white robe that extended to her knees, and a sunhat that's decorated with a crimson red flower.
She turned around and looked at him, despite her facial expressions being blurred, Ximen Wei could tell she is smiling at him.
His breath turned rough and his heart thumped loudly, however, when he reached out his arm to her, she disintegrated as she turned into black particles that dispersed alongside the wind.
'I'm… sorry…'
Like an deflated balloon, his arms dropped as his tears dropped down.
'When I'm back… I swear… I will fix everything.. I won't repeat the same mistakes again… I won't ever hurt you again..'
Surrounded by filth and garbage, Ximen Wei sobbed quietly in the dark corner.
After sorting his feelings, he wiped up his tears and stood up.
Determination and resolution shone through his eyes, giving his dark, lifeless irises some color.
He clenched his fists and looked up.
Facing Heaven and Earth, he made a vow.. A vow to return home, return back to Earth… And fix what he broke.
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