Chapter Four: Trampling on Dignity

The great fire raged for a full hour before it finally died down. Within a radius of several hundred meters, everything had been reduced to ashes. A gentle breeze stirred, sending blackened dust swirling through the air, veiling the moon and stars.

With a thunderous crack, the ground parted somewhere, and Old Yuan leapt forth, surveying his surroundings. The fire had only just gone out, and waves of heat still rolled across the land, enough to roast a person alive. Yet, standing amidst the searing air, Old Yuan seemed untouched.

Suddenly, with a sweep of his wide sleeve, a tempest arose, and the lingering waves of heat were swiftly driven far away. Once the area had cooled, he lifted his gaze to the star-strewn sky, his aged eyes filled with sadness, relief, and a trace of longing.

He did not sleep the entire night, keeping watch over Qin Feiyang.

At dawn, the sun slowly rose above the horizon. At last, Qin Feiyang awoke from his deep slumber. That night, no nightmares plagued him; he slept soundly for the first time in memory. After a night’s rest, his wounds had largely healed, save for the scabs that had yet to fall away. Even his two broken arms had been rejoined; so long as he didn’t overexert himself, he would be all right.

Qin Feiyang stood and stretched, marveling, “The effect of these elixirs is truly extraordinary.” Without the Bone-Mending and Healing Pellets, he doubted he could even get out of bed for at least a month.

With a swish, Old Yuan jumped into the chamber, looking Qin Feiyang over and grinning. “You’ve recovered well!”

Qin Feiyang scratched his head, unable to hide his eagerness. “Old Yuan, can you give me the Marrow-Cleansing Pellet now?”

“You’re really in a hurry,” Old Yuan chuckled, shaking his head as he drew a jade box from his robe and handed the white pellet to Qin Feiyang.

“So this is the Marrow-Cleansing Pellet…” Qin Feiyang took it with trembling hands. Five years—he had struggled for five years in Iron Ox Town for this. Failure after failure, despair after despair, humiliation upon humiliation—anyone else would have broken long ago. But giving up had never crossed his mind. He always believed that opportunity favored those who worked hard. Heaven does not forsake the determined; at long last, the moment had come.

Old Yuan sighed deeply and smiled. “Feiyang, you don’t blame me for this, do you?”

Qin Feiyang replied, “Though I don’t know why you did what you did, whatever the reason, I’ll never blame you.”

A flicker of guilt passed through Old Yuan, but he smiled. “Go on, take it.”

Qin Feiyang nodded, sat down where he was, glanced at the pellet in his palm, took a deep breath, and swallowed it.

The pellet melted instantly on his tongue, transforming into a surge of formidable energy that coursed through his limbs and bones, cleansing every inch of flesh, every cell, every internal organ, and his entire skeleton.

Gradually, dark crimson liquid seeped from every pore—poison left in his body after consuming the Accursed Spirit Pellet. As the toxins left him, Qin Feiyang could feel his body changing.

Time slipped by. After nearly half an hour, he was drenched in the foul-smelling, dark liquid.

Suddenly, his body shuddered, and he spat out a mouthful of blood—also dark red.

At that moment, he opened his eyes; they shone brilliantly, full of life.

“At last…” he whispered. “At long last…” Qin Feiyang clenched his fists, feeling the strength rapidly returning within him, so excited he was lost for words.

“Heaven has not abandoned me—I am reborn!” He sprang to his feet, looking skyward through the chamber’s entrance, and let out a series of long, jubilant howls that echoed in all directions.

Tears streamed down his face.

For five years, every day had felt like a lifetime. That nightmare, like a curse, had clung to him ceaselessly. Since his exile from the imperial capital, he had never slept soundly, waking each night in terror. But from now on, there would be no more nightmares. His fate had changed; he was now qualified to fight back!

Though he remained weak now—so insignificant that, in the eyes of those people, he was not even worth considering—he believed that one day, he would stride openly into the capital of the Great Qin Empire and reclaim all that was rightfully his.

Old Yuan watched with a broad smile, making no move to interrupt. He had witnessed all the injustice Qin Feiyang had suffered over these five years. Now, after such an ordeal, it was only right to let him vent his feelings.

Meanwhile, several hundred meters away, a stretch of woodland lay. A girl of fourteen or fifteen was dashing through the trees, breathless. Though still young, her skin was fair as snow and her features exquisitely delicate. Her long, glossy black hair was tied with a white silk ribbon, and she wore a fitted black outfit that highlighted her budding figure, lending her a sprightly, valiant air.

Yet her smooth brow was tightly furrowed, and her clear, bright eyes brimmed with worry. “Feiyang, I stole a lot of elixirs from home for you. Please, you must hold on…” she muttered as she ran.

In her hand she gripped a finely crafted cloth pouch—a Universe Pouch, a magical container with seemingly endless space inside.

Suddenly, she stopped, looking skyward as the faint sound of a long howl reached her ears.

“That’s Feiyang’s voice… But everyone in town said he was gravely injured and unconscious, carried home by Old Yuan. How has he woken up so quickly? And what is he shouting for?” Full of questions, she hurried on toward the lake.

Emerging from the woods, she looked toward the lakeshore and blanched.

“How did this happen? Feiyang, Old Yuan, where are you? It’s me, Yiyi—come out!” she cried out anxiously as she ran.

Inside the chamber, Old Yuan heard her and a smile creased his weathered face. He scooped up Qin Feiyang, leapt out onto the ground, and said, “Feiyang, go wash up—don’t let Yiyi see you in this sorry state. And take the dagger with you for a rinse.”

Qin Feiyang accepted the dagger, looked at the approaching girl, and smiled. “That little lass is quick indeed.” With a glance at the blackened earth, a cold gleam flashed in his eyes. He ran to the lake and dove into the cool water, emerging refreshed and invigorated—one word: splendid!

Meanwhile, Old Yuan stamped hard on the ground; the earth caved in, instantly burying the chamber beneath.

With a smile, he went to greet the girl.

Her name was Lin Yiyi, the cherished daughter of the Lin family’s head in Iron Ox Town, and the first friend Qin Feiyang had made since coming to the town—a friendship especially close.

Lin Yiyi reached Old Yuan, breathless, and asked, “Old Yuan, what happened here?”

Old Yuan smiled wryly. “Last night, I was careless and knocked over a candle, burning everything down.”

Lin Yiyi’s expression changed and she asked urgently, “Are you and Feiyang hurt? I brought plenty of elixirs—see if any are useful.” She thrust the Universe Pouch toward him.

“No need, no need, we’re both fine.” Old Yuan waved her off with a smile, then frowned. “Yiyi, tell me honestly—did your father know you took these elixirs?”

She shook her head. “My father has always been prejudiced against you. If I’d asked, he’d surely have refused. I sneaked out while he wasn’t looking.”

“Yiyi, you’ve gone too far—stealing from home!” No sooner had he spoken than an angry shout rang out.

“Oh no—Father’s followed me!” Lin Yiyi stiffened, her face draining of color.

Old Yuan turned to see a middle-aged man in white striding over, his face thunderous.

“This doesn’t bode well,” Old Yuan thought with a sigh. He turned to Lin Yiyi. “Don’t be afraid, I’ll explain everything.”

She nodded, but worry and fear lingered; she could hardly bring herself to look at her father.

Old Yuan stepped forward. “Master Lin, it’s been a long time.”

Master Lin halted, frowning. “Are we close?”

Old Yuan’s expression froze, but he smiled. “Master Lin, anger harms the body. Please, calm yourself.”

“I don’t want your platitudes. Tell me—did Yiyi steal those elixirs for Qin Feiyang?” Master Lin demanded.

Old Yuan nodded.

“I knew it! You guard against thieves day and night, but it’s the ones inside your own house… Just wait till we get home, Yiyi.” He glared at his daughter, then turned a cold gaze on Old Yuan. “Yiyi is young and ignorant, but you—an old man—should know better! Do you realize how precious those elixirs are? Wasting them on Qin Feiyang is a crime!”

Old Yuan frowned. “Master Lin, I have always respected you. Please, show some respect in return.”

Master Lin sneered, “Respect must be earned. You and Qin Feiyang are both scoundrels—outcasts. The fact that I’m even speaking to you is more than you deserve.”

Old Yuan’s fists clenched, joints creaking.

Lin Yiyi found her courage, lifted her gaze to her father, and said, “Father, Old Yuan and Feiyang are both upright men, not scoundrels.”

“Silence!” Master Lin thundered. “You dare contradict me to my face? Do you mean to rebel?”

“I wouldn’t dare.” Lin Yiyi bowed her head, tears of humiliation spilling down her cheeks.

“Hmph!” Master Lin snorted, then glared at Old Yuan. “Qin Yuan, let me be clear: from today, neither you nor Qin Feiyang will get anything more from Yiyi. Lin Yiyi, what are you waiting for? Let’s go!”

“Yes, Father.” Lin Yiyi replied quietly, head bowed, and walked toward him.

“Master Lin, please wait!” At that moment, Qin Feiyang stepped out from behind a willow tree. All the filth had been washed away, though his clothes—burned in the fire—were still the same tattered rags as before.

His face was dark with anger. He had intended to surprise Lin Yiyi, but instead overheard everything. Old Yuan was his only family now. He could endure humiliation himself, but if anyone dared insult Old Yuan, he would never allow it.

Old Yuan tried to hold him back. “Feiyang, let it go.”

“We’ve done nothing wrong; why should we let it go?” Qin Feiyang gently pushed Old Yuan aside, faced Master Lin directly, and said, “Master Lin, today, I want you to tell me plainly—over all these years, what exactly have Old Yuan and I taken from Yiyi?”

End of chapter.