12th Day of the Fourth Month. Year 735
Oakwood Town.
At the gate of a humble cottage situated on the edge of Oakwood Town, a handsome young man with long, indigo-colored hair stood bowing before a throng of people.
"Thank you for coming, everyone. This Wuzhi greatly appreciates your thoughtful concern."
The young man's voice was serene and steady. His words were spoken with utmost politeness as he sincerely thanked every visitor.
"Aiyo! Don't be like that, Wuzhi. Each of us here have come, not out of simple duty but because we appreciate everything that you and your mother have done for this town. Her passing will be deeply felt by every resident of this town. I'm sure of it!" A middle-aged man dressed in all black spoke his mind.
"Right, right! Don't put yourself down like that. We are here because we appreciate your family."
"She was a good woman. It's a shame how good people die young while evil bastards like the Colony Governor seemingly get younger with each passing year."
"Don't curse on such a solemn occasion. And don't go ruining the atmosphere by speaking that pig's name either!"
One after the other, the gathered crowd spoke words of sympathy before leaving. Wuzhi continued to patiently listen and chat with each guest before sending them off one by one. Soon, much of the crowd dispersed leaving behind only the middle-aged man who had spoken at the start and a vivacious young lady, who looked at Wuzhi with tears in her eyes.
"How are you feeling, Wuzhi? You know you can be honest with me, right?" the middle-aged man asked with concern lacing his words.
Showing a sincere smile to the middle-aged man, Wuzhi replied, "This Wuzhi appreciated Mayor Situ's concern. But really, I am fine."
Pausing for a moment, he stared blankly for an instant before continuing. "Mother's health had always been less than ideal. Her passing comes as no surprise. I have been more or less ready for this." His voice could not help but turn a little despondent towards the end.
Mayor Situ sighed at his words. After staying quiet for a few moments, he slowly asked, "So, what do you plan to do after this?" An expectant tone laced his words.
Taking a deep breath, Wuzhi smilingly replied. "With the funeral duties complete, I will follow through with my original plan and leave this town tomorrow. Perhaps, I'll head to the Heavenly Spirit Empire or maybe to the South Aislu Continent."
Turning his head to look at the bright blue sky, Wuzhi continued with a sincere smile on his face. "The current world is abound with countless opportunities and I am still too young to settle down in one place. I shall travel as far as my two feet will take me and try to make something of my life. Who knows? Perhaps I might even be able to leave my mark on this world."
"Oh, Wuzhi!!" The beautiful, teary-eyed young lady, who bore some semblance to Mayor Situ, found herself unable to hold back her feelings and leapt towards Wuzhi with her arms wide open.
Embracing the young man in a tight hug, she buried her face into his chest and cried, "Can you please not stay in this town with me!? Can you please not go!?"
Wuzhi did not reply but simply pat the young lady on her back. He then raised his gaze and found Mayor Situ looking at him with a bitter smile.
"Can you not stay and be my successor? I'll even wed Little Lan here to you," said Mayor Situ.
At the end of his words, Wuzhi could feel the body of the young lady embracing him stiffen. From the corner of his eyes, he could see the young woman raise her face to look at him with an expectant gaze.
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Helplessly laughing on the inside, he searched his mind for proper words to form his rejection. An instant later, he replied, "To receive such high evaluation from Mayor Situ is this Wuzhi's great fortune. In fact, it is so high that this Wuzhi feels wholly unworthy to bear such a burden. It is my great regret."
Gazing into Mayor Situ's eyes with his argent-colored pair, Wuzhi finished. "I can assure you that with Mayor Situ's providence you will find a successor who is far more worthy than this lowly Wuzhi."
Hearing his polite but stern rejection, Mayor Situ could do nothing but sigh. Although he had known that this would be his answer, a part of him couldn't help but try once again to recruit this talented young man.
Wuzhi's talent in administration was great enough to be called divine in Mayor Situ's eyes. Unfortunately, this also meant that a person of his calibre of talent was bound for greater heights. It wasn't that Wuzhi was unworthy of this town's governance but that this town was unworthy of being governed by someone like Wuzhi.
Still, Mayor Situ had wanted to try his luck one final time. He even went as far as throwing his darling daughter as bait, knowing of her positive feelings towards the young man.
But alas, Wuzhi did not bite. It was a shame.
Having dealt with the elder, Wuzhi then turned his gaze towards the young lady in his bosom. A kind look appeared within his argent eyes as he gazed at the young woman. With a soft voice, he then began speaking.
"Young Lady Lan, it honestly warms this Wuzhi's heart to learn that the young lady holds such positive feelings towards my lowly self. In the end, unfortunately, Young Lady Lan is a noble woman while this lowly Wuzhi is but a commoner. Not only will it be an improper union in the eyes of society but it would also be a case of a toad lusting after a swan."
"Young Lady is destined for greater prospects. I am certain that with your beauty and grace, you will catch the eyes of many young and talented men who are far, far better than me."
The young lady, who seemingly wanted to protest after his first set of words, could not help but turn silent after hearing the latter part. Her tears growing more pronounced she buried her face deeper into his chest and cried louder.
Wuzhi spoke no more and allowed the young lady to finish pouring out her feelings. After five minutes or so, the young lady seemed to finally calm down as she disengaged from him with her head lowered. Turning around to face him with her back, she quietly spoke.
"Five years. I'm willing to wait for you for five years."
Hearing her words, Mayor Situ immediately frowned. Just as he was about to speak up some words of denial, he caught sight of Wuzhi mouthing to him some words.
'It's fine. Let her have this. Trust me."
After dealing with the father, Wuzhi wore a humble smile on his face and deeply bowed. "Young Lady's grace leaves this Wuzhi carrying a great burden. Alright! If, by five years, this Wuzhi is unable to make a name for himself, I shall obediently return to this town and take Young Lady Lan as my bride."
"Really!?" The vivacious-looking young woman immediately turned around with joy and exclaimed.
"If Young Lady Lan will still have me that is," Wuzhi added.
"Definitely! It's a promise!!" The young lady instantly declared, not allowing Wuzhi to go back on his words.
After having secured a promise, her face suddenly blushed as she realized the meaning of her actions. Lowering her bright red face, she quickly turned around and dashed off into the distance.
Left behind, only Wuzhi and Mayor Situ remained at the entrance of the gate.
Seeing his daughter dash off, Mayor Situ sighed. "It seems that the saying 'All daughters will eventually leave their fathers in favor of their husbands' does ring true after all."
Wuzhi showed a helpless smile at his words and replied, "Young Lady Lan's fascination is but a passing folly. This Wuzhi is certain that upon meeting a more qualified individual, the Young Lady will be able to quickly overcome her feelings for me."
"Do you honestly have no feelings for my daughter?" asked Mayor Situ.
"Wuzhi's feelings for Young Lady Lan are akin to that between blood siblings. This Wuzhi can promise Mayor Situ that there is nothing more than that." Wuzhi replied sincerely.
Seeing the young man's sincere eyes, Mayor Situ could not help but believe his words. "Alright, alright, I believe you."
The two men stood in silence for a few minutes. After seeing the sun slowly move to set into the distance, Mayor Situ spoke first. "It's getting late. Well, I shall say this once again. I am deeply thankful for everything that you and your mother have done for this town." Mayor Situ offered a small bow.
"And I also wish you the best of luck in your endeavors. I hope you succeed in whatever it is that you wish to do."
Wuzhi returned the bow and replied, "This Wuzhi shall etch Mayor Situ's words in his heart. If Providence wills it, we shall meet once again."
Patting the polite youth on his shoulders, Mayor Situ nodded his head and walked away. Left all alone, Wuzhi turned around and stared at the rapidly darkening sky. His face looked still and expressionless.
After a few seconds of stillness, a big grin filled his face. Intense desire bordering on madness reflected within his argent-colored eyes.
"Finally! I can finally leave this damned cage! I can finally become… free! HAHAHA!!"
A dark, resounding laughter left his lips as Wuzhi revealed his truest emotions for the first time today.