Zhao Long looked at his father with sparkling blue eyes. On the boy's face was a bright smile full of curiosity. "Father, why were you daydreaming?" he asked innocently, tilting his small head.
Zhao Xiao snapped out of his thoughts and chuckled softly. "Daydreaming? No, Long'er. I was just thinking… what should we play today? Since I'm not working." His voice was gentle and warm, like the morning sun rising behind the hills.
From the kitchen, his wife—who was stirring porridge—turned around. Thin steam rose from the clay pot, dancing in the air with the scent of dried leaves simmering slowly. Seeing her husband and son laughing together, a sincere smile appeared on her face. "If you want to play, don't go too far," she said softly. "The wind is still cold after last night's rain."
Zhao Xiao looked at his wife for a few seconds. Her gentle smile soothed his heart, easing the burden weighing on his chest. In his heart, he whispered, "Whether I become a cultivator or not, I will protect this family. No matter what."
He slowly finished his porridge, then stood up and straightened his worn clothes whose colors had begun to fade. "I'm taking Long'er to the city," he suddenly said.
His wife stopped stirring, her face instantly turning anxious. "To the city? Zhao Xiao, that's dangerous. Many arrogant nobles roam around there. They like to take advantage of common folks like—"
"Calm down," Zhao Xiao cut her off gently, looking at her with firm certainty. "We will be fine. We just want to look around, buy some food, and see the market. I promise, we'll be back before sunset."
His wife fell silent. The look in her husband's eyes was so calm—so full of conviction that it was hard to refute. Finally, she let out a long breath and nodded. "Alright… but be careful."
Zhao Xiao smiled and leaned forward to kiss his wife's forehead before turning around to lift Zhao Long onto his back. "Come on, Long'er. Today we'll go see a bigger world," he said with a small laugh.
Zhao Long giggled brightly, hugging his father's neck tightly. "Really? To the city?! Father, you're amazing!"
Zhao Xiao opened the door of their small home. Sunlight poured inside, filling the room with gentle warmth. The morning breeze brushed against his face, making his short black hair flutter. His dark eyes gazed at the horizon with deep resolve. His worn clothes swayed in the wind, and the grass around the house danced along.
"Looks like it won't rain today," he thought calmly. "I must protect Long'er well."
He stepped outside and said, "Let's go!"
They jogged down the damp dirt path, their laughter blending with the sounds of nature. Zhao Xiao ran while carrying his son, his steps light even though his body was still weak from last night's injuries. The morning air felt fresh, carrying the scent of wet leaves and earth kissed by the sun.
After about an hour of walking, they arrived at the city gate.
The gate wasn't grand, but it stood firm and dignified. Two six-meter stone pillars flanked the road, their surfaces partly covered with green moss. At the top hung a large wooden sign that read Xianglu City, the letters faded by time. Two guards in simple leather uniforms stood near the entrance, yawning lazily, reflecting how peaceful the place was.
Zhao Long's eyes widened in awe. "Father… are cities always like this? It's so big!" he said, his voice trembling slightly from excitement.
Zhao Xiao laughed quietly and patted his son's back. "Of course. You've never been here before, right? This is your first time, Long'er."
The boy nodded quickly, his face glowing. "Yes! I want to see everything!"
"Alright," Zhao Xiao said warmly. "Let's go in and see what the outside world looks like."
As they stepped past the gate, the scenery of Xianglu City opened up before them. The main road was paved with flat stones still wet with dew, reflecting the golden morning light. Houses lined both sides—mostly wooden with gray tile roofs. There was no luxury there—only simple, modest life.
The voices of merchants calling out to customers overlapped. A fruit seller arranged red apples on a woven mat; beside him, a blacksmith hammered hot metal in a rhythm that echoed through the street. In the distance, children ran around waving paper kites, their laughter reaching Zhao Long's ears.
Women in simple clothing walked by carrying bamboo baskets on their backs, while men hauled sacks of rice or pulled carts. The smell of baked bread, charcoal, and spices blended together to form a warm, familiar aroma.
Zhao Long looked around with shining eyes. "Father… everyone looks so happy," he whispered.
Zhao Xiao glanced at his son's earnest face and smiled. "Yes, Long'er. This is the life of ordinary people. No power, no magic—just hard work and a peaceful heart. That is true happiness."
Zhao Long stared at his father with admiration, as if those words were truths he would carry for life. To him, the world felt vast and beautiful, and his father was the one who could guide him through it.
Zhao Xiao patted his shoulder gently. "Come on, let's look around. Maybe we'll find something nice to bring home."
With light steps, the two of them walked down the lively street. Birds flew above the rooftops, their shadows dancing among the sunbeams slipping through thin clouds.
Zhao Long walked beside his father, his eyes wandering like a pair of tiny gems discovering a new world.
"Ayah," he whispered with excitement, tugging on his father's sleeve, "Are there cultivators in this city? I want to see one! They say they can cut stones with their bare hands or jump as high as rooftops!"
Zhao Xiao glanced at him, holding back a chuckle. There was hope in the boy's eyes—hope that warmed his heart and made him feel guilty at the same time. "There are," he finally replied. "There are cultivators in this city."
Zhao Long's eyes instantly widened.
"But…" Zhao Xiao added gently, "they're probably busy. It might be hard to see one today."
The boy pouted in disappointment. "Ah… really?"
Zhao Xiao patted his head. "Don't worry. Next time, I promise we'll see them. Among all cultivators… I'm sure there's someone truly incredible."
The boy's eyes lit up again, as if his father had placed a falling star into his hands. "Okay, Father! Next time we'll see them!"
But Zhao Long did not know—his father was lying. Not a single word about cultivators was spoken with certainty. Zhao Xiao had never dared to deal with the arrogant, dangerous cultivators. But he did not want to extinguish his child's dreams.
As they continued walking, Zhao Long spotted a food stall selling pastries sprinkled with thin sugar. His eyes sparkled. "Father… can I get one of those?"
Zhao Xiao looked at the food. It looked delicious. Then he smiled. "Alright."
They approached the vendor, an elderly man with a kind face. "Back for more?" the vendor asked.
"Two, please," Zhao Xiao replied.
The vendor thought for a moment and said, "Four silver coins."
Zhao Xiao froze. Four silver coins? That's half my weekly wage…
But he hid his anxiety. A small smile remained on his face.
"I'll take them," he said quietly.
He paid, then gave one pastry to Zhao Long and stored the other in a small cloth pouch for his wife.
"Thank you, Father!!" Zhao Long shouted with joy.
Warmth—and a sting—filled Zhao Xiao's heart. But he kept walking with that small smile.
The market remained lively until suddenly—
Someone bumped into him.
"Wah!"
A mug of beer fell to the ground, spilling its bitter smell. Zhao Xiao staggered. People turned to look.
The man who bumped into him wore elegant white robes, embroidered with gold threads. His hair was long and black, falling to his back. He looked around forty, handsome and dignified. And the aura around him… different. Zhao Xiao knew instantly.
A cultivator.
His face turned pale. His heart raced. He bowed deeply in fear.
"S-sorry! I'm sorry, Sir! I didn't see you—I didn't mean—"
But a light laugh cut him off.
"It's alright," the man said with a wave of his hand. "I wasn't watching where I was going. The beer doesn't matter."
Zhao Xiao froze. The man smiled kindly—not angry, not threatening, not condescending. He even nodded politely.
"I have business to attend to. I'll be on my way."
He walked off, leaving behind the faint smell of beer and a crowd still watching in surprise.
Zhao Xiao exhaled deeply. "Hah… I thought he—"
He looked at Zhao Long still biting his pastry, then chuckled. "I guess I was mistaken."
Zhao Long blinked. "Father, what was that?"
"Nothing," Zhao Xiao said, patting the boy's head. "Let's continue our walk."