CHAPTER 1: PROLOGUE: SUCH IS THE WAY OF HEAVENS

In a town called, Shenjeng, on a lot of dry patchy fields, a young boy was working without much rest for a whole two days. The town has been suffering from drought for two years in a row, and no amount of effort put by the boy could help this field regain its vitality.

His sweaty body was covered in mud as he laid down on the ground for a quick break, his chest huffing and puffing, trying to catch a breath.moistening his throat that has become dry from dehydration.

Maybe for some, his action in the face of adversity may look heroic; but for most people in Shenjeng, his actions were ridiculous. Chen Yang didn't care though, his face which used to be as white as snow was now tanned from the glaring sun, and even his innocent and energetic eyes have grown dull. He simply laid there, gulping forcefully in hope of moistening his throat that has become dry from dehydration

Chen Yang who turns ten years old this month was originally from a rich family back in Xinhua.

His father was a merchant and his mother died during his birth, Chen Yang father sold beauty potions for old ladies in the castles, among other products from cities to towns

This led to Chen yang experiencing frequent home shifts, this time he was leaving Kenkau after living there for two years.

That time, he moved from Kenkau to Shenjeng. The trip was peaceful however on one night, their carriage was suddenly attacked by bandits from the Black Hell organization, an infamous group known to spare none of their victims' lives.

Remembering the events of that night, Chen Yang's eyes grew red from grief.

Chen Yang still could see his father with an arrow stuck on his back; his pale face and his eyes emitted out endless sadness as his body collapsed on to the ground. Chen Yang had rushed towards him and had lifted his father's head up and rested him on his lap, careful enough to not hurt him more than he already was.

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"Dear Chen I watched you grow up in my lap, now you've grown to be a fine child."

He then coughed blood and said in a sad weak voice as he was panting for breath.

"Where is he? We have to kill him before night otherwise there would no meal for us", said a voice echoing in the forest, as another voice replied " quick let's hurry and not waste time

"Run away my child or else they will kill you too", said his father, then from his pouch he slowly took out a wood piece with the image of a map with some characters on it. He placed it in Chen Yang hands and told him that the piece of wood was from Xham Chen, a friend who was like a brother to him when he was younger.

" I'm sure he can raise you to be a fine young man ", he said as he coughed a mouthful of blood, he then ordered him to run away to follow the road which also leads to Shenjeng.

" Dear Chen I've got not much time left in the world and please remember that your father always loves you"

and then he caressed the amulet one last time and put the amulet in Chen Yang hand and said that I should always wear it. I should never lose it and then father passed away then I buried him in the forest right under mangrove tree and kowtowed three times and escaped from there.

Chen Yang still remembered that day clearly. He sighed as he cleared the tears with his small hands from his eyes and then he took amulet from his inner clothes and closely studied it. It was a star-shaped amulet father said to wear this always so he will.then he slowly hid it under the clothes and then suddenly a foot kicked Chen Yang out of his daze.

"Ouch!"

Chen Yang said as he looked up, it was Xie Hung the eldest son of uncle Xham Chen. He still remembered that day when his father said to go to his old friend, but upon arriving Xham Chen treated coldly towards him and Chen Yang was made to slave away in the fields that are dry because of drought;furthermore, his sons always bullied him upon arriving here and if he ever tried to talk back they will whip him.

"Why aren't you working you freeloader,"

Xie Hung said with a cold look in his eyes and then beat Chen yang furiously and then spat on him and then berated him saying trash that can't even plow properly father should never have taken you. To Chen Yang, though this became so regular to him so he knew if he ever tried to talk back he will beat him more. So Chen Yang always silently endured.

As Xie Hung is beating Chen Yang, a hard metal stuck to his feet; Xie Hung carefully looked towards Chen Yang then.

Xie hung shuffled through Chen Yang clothes and he took the amulet and inspected closely and it looked expensive he whistled and thought he can probably sell it for a fair amount of price and then beat Chen Yang more till he was bruised and almost unconscious and then got ready to leave.

Chen Yang almost unconscious somehow managed strength enough to hold on Xie Hung leg and pleaded "please anything but that amulet" he said. This only strengthened Xie Hung suspicion that this amulet must be expensive.

He smirked and said "you, you must have stolen it you wretch see how I'll beat you"

then he whipped him some more and said " remember kid strong always prey on weak such is the way of heaven you understand " and then he left whistling.

Xie Hung could never imagine that this sentence will be the pathway to prominence for the Chen yang but for now, Chen yang lied there unconsciously.