Xiao Min woke up, rolling over in her bed as she rubbed her eyes. She looked around and saw the familiar sight of the small wooden house she had known all her life. The walls were made of rough-hewn planks, and the faint smell of damp wood and earth filled the air.
She got up and went outside, greeted by the sight of her mother washing clothes and picking up the shattered remains of alcohol bottles scattered around the courtyard. Her father was busy sweeping away the trash, including unused wooden boxes and broken candles. Xiao Min smiled, thinking of how the last few weeks had gone for her.
Just a few weeks ago, Xiao Min had lost her position as the head and personal maid to the young mistress of the Blazing Dawn Sect. She returned home with only a single silver teals that Mistress Li Mei had given her. She used it as dowry for her elder sister’s wedding, though it was far from sufficient. But fate had other plans for her.
Only a day after she returned, she received a deal from the Shining Blade Sect offering her two silver teals in exchange for sending a letter to Young Mistress Edina. Despite her initial hesitation, the prospect of earning enough money to secure her sister’s wedding was too tempting to pass up. Once she delivered the letter, everything went smoothly.
Just yesterday, all the rituals and ceremonies for her sister’s wedding were completed. Xiao Min watched with pride as her sister, adorned in a beautiful red wedding dress, participated in the various traditional rites. The courtyard had been filled with the sounds of laughter and celebration, a stark contrast to the quiet mornings she was used to. The whole village had gathered to witness the event, and for a day, their home had been the center of joy and festivity.
Thinking back, Xiao Min felt a mix of relief and gratitude. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, things had worked out for the better. She was glad to see her family happy and her sister starting a new chapter in her life. Now, as she stood in the courtyard, she felt a sense of contentment, knowing that she had played a part in making it all possible.
“Xiao Min! What the hell are you doing grinning like an idiot! Go fetch some water!” her mother called out, noticing her standing there smiling. Xiao Min grunted in response and nodded, grabbing a bucket.
As she walked toward the well, she looked at the vast Hin Lake shimmering on the horizon. Her village had always been a quiet, overlooked place within the jurisdiction of the Blazing Days Sect, the governing sect of this region in Gunghua Province, which was an affiliate of the larger Blazing Dawn Sect. Merchants rarely passed through, and the village economy had long struggled as a result.
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Recently, however, things had started to change. The Tianlong Merchant Group had established a small trade center in a nearby fishing village, bringing a significant increase in business and activity to the area. Xiao Min noticed the difference immediately. Where once the streets were mostly empty, now there were merchants setting up stalls, selling goods ranging from spices to silk. The sounds of commerce filled the air, blending with the natural sounds of the countryside.
As she approached the well, she took in the familiar sights around her. The old stone well stood sturdy and worn, a testament to its long years of service to the villagers. Surrounding it were the houses of her neighbors, modest structures built from wood and clay, with thatched roofs and small gardens. Children ran around playing, their laughter adding a lively backdrop to the scene. Farmers led their oxen to the fields, and the scent of freshly tilled earth mingled with the smell of cooking fires beginning to light up as people prepared their morning meals.
Xiao Min reached the well, lowering the bucket into the cool, clear water. She watched as it filled, thinking about how much had changed in such a short time. The arrival of the Tianlong Merchant Group had not only brought prosperity but also hope for a better future. There was a sense of optimism in the air that hadn't been there before, and Xiao Min felt it too.
As she hoisted the full bucket back up, she marveled at how quickly circumstances could change. Just weeks ago, she had been worried about her family's financial future, but now, things were looking up. The increased trade had brought more money into the village, and with it, more opportunities. It seemed like a promising start to a new chapter for her village, and for her own life as well.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Xiao Min carried the heavy bucket of water back home, ready to face whatever the day would bring.
Her village, the small Dongu Village, was starting to change.
Inside the Upper Mount Hua Sect, atop the majestic Mount Hua Peak in Hua Province,
the crisp mountain air filled the atmosphere outside the administrative headquarters. Chen Feng Ling walked up to her husband, Elder Yang Feng Ling, who was waiting for her so they could enter the hall together.
“Our grandson is quite the young man; he was brimming with lifeforce. I am sure he will break through to the second grade easily,” Chen said with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with pride.
Yang grunted in agreement. “As if! Of course he will. I can’t believe he decided to climb Mount Hua while still being a grade one! That recklessness! It must be from that stupid son-in-law of mine.”
Chen smirked, recalling the scene from earlier. “Yet, you were the one who ran to him nervously when he fainted at the gates after finally reaching the upper sect.”
Yang cleared his throat, trying to maintain his grumpy facade. “Of course, of course. He is still my grandson, after all.”
Chen laughed inwardly at her husband’s antics. Despite his efforts to act tough and grumpy, it was clear how deeply he cared for and loved his grandchildren. The decades-old feud with their son-in-law never diminished his affection for them.
The headquarters of the sect were an imposing structure, with ancient stone walls covered in ivy and large wooden doors carved with intricate designs depicting the history of Mount Hua. Inside, the halls were filled with the echoes of past meetings and decisions that had shaped the sect over the centuries.
“Now, now, let’s go in. We have kept the sect leader waiting long enough,” Chen said, nudging her husband gently.
As they entered the meeting hall, the air was filled with a sense of solemnity and tradition. The room was spacious, with high ceilings and large windows that allowed sunlight to stream in, casting a warm glow on the polished wooden floor. The sect leader sat at the head of a long table, surrounded by other elders and important figures of the sect, all waiting for the meeting to commence.
Chen and Yang took their seats, exchanging nods with their peers. The meeting was about to begin.