“Heavens, is this the fate you've granted me? Why bring me into this wretched life, only to endure endless humiliations? What crime did I commit by being born? Answer me!” Gao Yuan's voice echoed through the desolate skies; his anguished plea directed at the heavens. His roars reverberated across the landscape, but all that replied was a deafening silence.

Leaning against a solitary oak tree on a mountain's cliff, he surveyed the bustling city below.

Gao Yuan clutched the edge of his torn clothes, biting his lower lip against the biting winds that assailed his battered face. Despite the cold, his eyes blazed with an unwavering determination as he gazed at the reddish canvas of the sky.

“I won't endure this suffering and humiliation any longer,” he whispered, eyes shifting toward the sparkling lights of the city. “Today, I'll put an end to this pain,” he declared, taking a deep breath.

Stepping off the tree, he approached the cliff’s edge in gentle and measured steps; his limbs trembling with each step. Heart pounding, he stood on the precipice.

I'm sorry, everyone. I couldn't endure it anymore. Please don't be disappointed in me, he thought, tears clouding his eyes. The young man’s disheveled black hair swayed according to the whims of the frigid winds while he took deep breaths.

“Fang Mu, I curse you with every fiber of my being. May your days be dark and slippery and may everything you seek in this life slip from your grasps. May everything you attain be lost to the hands of your enemies, and I pray you live long enough, in pain and sorrow, to lose everything and everyone you have ever loved. O’ heavens, you have denied me everything I needed in life, at least do not deny me this,” Gao Yuan screamed toward the skies once more, then he lowered his gaze.

As he prepared to jump, the echoes from his bitter resentment echoed toward the heavens.

“Jesus Christ,” a sudden voice echoed.

Startled, Gao Yuan sharply turned, slipping but catching onto a sturdy root.

“Pull me up! I'm going to fall! Please pull me up!” he screamed, desperately hanging on for dear life.

A hand extended to him, and he gripped it tightly, pulling himself up. As he lay on his back, panting and staring at the clear skies, relief washed over him.

That was so scary. I really thought I was going to die… but who saved me? Did they come here to die too? Gao Yuan wondered, struggling to sit up.

The cliff and the tree had an infamous eputation as a hotspot for those contemplating suicide. The possibility of someone randomly stumbling on the location was nigh-impossible.

Wait, I know this face… Gao Yuan furrowed his brows as he stared at the smiling youth who paced around the oak tree. Isn’t he the useless young master of the Han clan? Did he decide to give up too?

Sensing Gao Yuan's gaze, Han Rui turned with a gentle smile. “Are you okay now?” he asked, approaching with measured steps.

“Thank you for saving my life, young master,” Gao Yuan said with a courteous bow.

“Don’t mention it,” Han Rui replied with a casual smile, halting in front of the young man. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop earlier, but it seems you have a lot on your mind.”

Gao Yuan opened his mouth to speak, but he couldn’t find the right words. “Young master, it’s not something worth discussing,” he managed to say, looking Han Rui directly in the eyes. “Forgive me for being impertinent, young master, but did you come here to end it all too?”

“Fuck no,” Han Rui answered without hesitation.

“Ahem, I mean, no,” Han Rui replied in a more dignified manner befitting his status. However, Gao Yuan wasn’t convinced.

There weren’t any guards in sight, nor could he see anyone other than Han Rui in the vicinity. Why would someone of Han Rui’s status come to the cliff’s edge of all places if he didn’t plan on ending it?

“I understand, young master. I know how it feels,” Gao Yuan said with a solemn nod.

“Understand what? I think you have got the wrong idea. I really didn’t come here to end it all,” Han Rui said, but the more he spoke, the more convinced Gao Yuan became of his conjecture.

Han Rui sighed, sensing the futility of his explanations. “I don’t mean to pry into your matters, but the Fang Mu you mentioned earlier, is it the same Fang Mu from the Fang clan, or someone else?”

Gao Yuan’s features soured as soon as Han Rui finished speaking, and he subconsciously balled his hands into fists.

“Your reaction tells me all I need to know,” Han Rui said softly. He placed his hand on Gao Yuan’s right shoulder as he continued. “I usually don’t interfere in matters that don’t concern me, but suicide changes nothing. Even if, and that’s a massive if, your curse works, the Fang clan has the resources and connections to find someone capable of purging it. Then, all your effort and sacrifice would be for naught.”

“Do you think I don’t know that?” Gao Yuan said as he swatted Han Rui’s hand to the side. “What else would you have me do?” he mumbled as he choked on his words, tears streaking down his face. “That bastard ruined and killed my sister. My mother died from the shock, and yet that beast felt no remorse. Even in death, he still smeared the name of my sister, accusing her of using cheap drugs to seduce him.”

Han Rui’s expression soured as he gently placated the sobbing young man. “Have you spoken to the elders of the Fang clan? Regardless of your standing, they’re reputable for upholding justice.”

This time, Gao Yuan burst out laughing. “Justice?” he laughed again.

“I already did that. But Fang Mu was a thousand steps ahead. I don’t know how he did it, but the council found my sister guilty. Traces of an aphrodisiac were found in Fang Mu’s cup that night. You know what’s funny? That beast didn’t shy away from admitting his crimes. Instead, he claimed he had accidentally lashed out and unintentionally killed her. My mother and sister are both dead, while that beast will only serve a couple of months in confinement as punishment,” Gao Yuan explained.

Han Rui’s expression changed again, doubt clouding his eyes.

“I know what you might be thinking—what if that bastard was indeed telling the truth. But my sister had taken a Solitary Vow; you know what that is, right?” Gao Yuan asked.

Han Rui nodded.

“Then, tell me. Why would someone who had consciously taken a vow bestowing death on themselves for having impure sexual desires and relations purposely attempt to violate someone of Fang Mu’s status? Especially when she had a fiancé she was very much in love with.”

Gao Yuan couldn’t hold back his tears; meanwhile, Han Rui stood there, silently placating the sobbing young man as he fell into deep thought.

This matter is more delicate than I thought. The punishment for breaking the Solitary Vow is the extinguishment of one’s soul, so it’s practically impossible for her to have spiked Fang Mu’s drink. The problem now is that it’s virtually impossible for anyone to assert she made the vow, since the mark disappears as soon as they have any sexual relations. Unless…

Han Rui opened his mouth again. “What about her fiancé? Did they make the vow together?”

Gao Yuan nodded.

“Then where was he during the trial?” Han Rui asked.

“I wish I knew,” Gao Yuan managed to squeeze out his words. “I have searched everywhere, the same with people of the Fang clan, but for some reason, he has magically disappeared,” Gao Yuan said while wiping his eyes.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“I don’t know if Fang Mu had him taken out too, or if he was bribed and sent to a faraway place. In fact, it doesn’t matter; nothing really matters. The rich and powerful will continue to get away with their crimes, while people like me can only…” Gao Yuan paused, using his robes to clean his eyes. Then, he gently pushed Han Rui’s hand to the side. “I won’t trouble you with my matters, young master. Thank you for saving my life. If I can, I hope to someday repay this favor.”

Gao Yuan bowed solemnly before walking toward the gravelly path leading out of the infamous spot.

“Wait,” Han Rui suddenly called out.

Gao Yuan paused in his steps, turning toward the young man.

“I might not be able to help you, but there might be someone who can. There are rumors of a famous alchemist prowling the red-light district. Apparently, he has been found twice in the seventh alley adjacent to the Pure Bliss tavern. Good luck,” Han Rui said.

Gao Yuan nodded before turning to leave once more.

Saying nothing further, Han Rui watched as the young man disappeared behind the rocky path.

[So, what do you think?]

Han Rui sighed while shaking his head. “The matter is too complicated. I do feel for him, though. Nobody deserves to go through what he experienced. Judging from the cuts and bruises on his face, it seems he has been taking a series of beatings for a while now.”

[That’s not what I asked, though. Are you going to interfere? There’s no telling if what he said is true or otherwise.]

“It’s not my fight, so I have no stake in whatever happened between him, Fang Mu, and the Fang clan. However, there’s nothing stopping me from selling him a couple of items. Whatever he does with them has nothing to do with me,” Han Rui said with a cheeky smile.

[Hmm… I see!]

[So, are you going to harvest it now?]

Without staring at the flashing system panel, Han Rui turned his attention toward the oak tree braving the frigid wind.

“Who would have thought the tree I planted all those years ago would become a part of a suicide hotspot,” Han Rui muttered, stopping in front of the tree as he gently caressed its rough bark.

“How ironic. You were planted here to give birth to new life, yet you have witnessed so many deaths over the years. Don’t worry; it’s time for you to come home.”

Han Rui knocked on the massive tree thrice, and a distinct chime filled the area. The branches and leaves shuddered nonstop, as if each of them was a living being with its own consciousness. Then, a burst of minty green radiance descended from the skies, coating the entirety of the tree as it detached itself from its earthly shackles.

The radiance turned brighter and brighter, and with a flash, it disappeared into Han Rui’s clothes. A massive hole had replaced where the tree once stood.

I have gotten the final ingredient. There’s nothing left to do here, Han Rui thought, leaving as quietly as he arrived.

Nightfall quickly arrived, yet it did nothing to dampen the liveliness of the city. Mortals and cultivators, in the thousands, boisterously and quietly went about their business amidst the dazzling lights emanating from the starry skies.

Gao Yuan quietly weaved through the human sea; his legs aimlessly taking him across the land while his thoughts sank further into his worries.

I should have swallowed my pride back then and asked young master Han for some spare tokens. I don’t think what’s left of my savings will survive beyond tomorrow, Gao Yuan thought, his eyes lingering on three scratched bronze coins in his right hand.

Should I have taken the settlement money… no! Gao Yuan paused in his tracks as he furiously shook his head. There’s no way I’ll ever take dirty money like that. I’d rather die than take money from those beasts.

“Young friend, don’t block the way,” a voice suddenly called out to Gao Yuan.

“S-Sorry,” Gao Yuan said, before moving to the side. “Please go on your journey,” he urged with a bow.

The young man didn’t see the face of the man who had spoken or those accompanying him, nor did he have the will to do so. After all, the voice from earlier had echoed in his mind, accompanied by a primal sense of dread he had never felt.

Gao Yuan subtly raised his head, sneaking glances at the blue and caramel white robes of the ongoing party of five.

“Isn’t that the uniform of the Skywave Monastery?” Gao Yuan pondered; his blue eyes locked onto the blue globe on the back of the departing disciples. “Why are they in the Celestial Ridge? Come to think about it, there has been an influx of disciples from notable sects over the past couple of months. Could there be some hidden treasure about to emerge in the Celestial Ridge?”

The young man pondered on the topic for a minute before shaking his head. Matters relating to cultivators aren’t something I have the right to speculate on. I’m better off finding a place that would be willing to hire me. Maybe I should consider leaving…

He would be a liar if he said he didn’t envy the unrestrained lives of cultivators; however, he knew all too well that there were limits to one’s dreams in the cruel world.

Lost in his thoughts, the conversation of two passersby filled his ears.

“Hey, let’s go to the heavenly flower pavilion. I heard they’ve got a new courtesan who is like a fallen fairy.”

“Nonsense. Another exaggeration. Aren’t you the same guy that was deceived by those old hags wearing makeup?”

“Sheesh, don’t say that out loud, damn it. But it’s true this time. We should at least check it out, I’m paying.”

“Now you’re talking. Let’s go.”

Gao Yuan stared in the direction of the two passersby, and his brows arched for a moment. That reminds me, young master Han mentioned something about an alchemist in the red-light district. Did he mention it because of my injuries, or was there a hidden meaning behind his words?

He pondered for a moment before deciding his next steps. Regardless of young master Han’s intentions, I should find the alchemist. If I’m lucky, maybe he would be willing to accept me as his errand boy.

Gao Yuan clutched his coins tightly as he walked eastwards.

One hour passed in a flash, and Gao Yuan arrived in the most bustling section of the city.

“This isn’t my first time here, but this place doesn’t cease to amaze me,” he whispered, staring at an array of flashing lights.

There were establishments for both men and women seeking all manner of thrills and indulgences. Each building was comparably larger and more secular than the modest structures in the other sections of the city. What’s more, the scenery and ambiance were a lot happier too. After all, it was a place housing numerous beautiful women as well as devilishly handsome men.

Gao Yuan gawked at a few seductively clad women calling at him, but he continued heading toward his destination. Although the red-light district was famous for fulfilling even the most sacrilege desires, it was also home to some of the vilest people within the city. One wouldn’t even know how they died if they looked at the wrong person.

Young master Han mentioned the alchemist was found twice in the seventh alley adjacent to the Pure Bliss tavern. The only problem now is how I’m going to recognize him. Did I make a mistake coming here? Gao Yuan pondered, but his legs continued carrying him forward.

The young man weaved through the crowded streets until he arrived at his destination. Naturally, he stood out like a sore thumb amidst the sea of refined and macho men usually found in the area. However, no one paid him a second glance. It wasn’t uncommon for a few beggars to wander into the area. While no establishment would welcome them, they couldn’t stop them from feeding their eyes.

“How long am I supposed to wait?” Gao Yuan pondered out loud as he leaned against the cold wall. He quietly slid to his behind, sitting in a position that wasn’t all that conspicuous but also not hidden.

Barely a minute passed since Gao Yuan sat down before a refined middle-aged gentleman in striking, unmarked white robes stepped into the alley. Gao Yuan quickly got to his feet as he locked eyes with the man.

Could it be him? he pondered as he sized the man up.

His black hair with sparse silver strands was neatly arranged over his shoulders while his beard was freshly trimmed and styled. What’s more, a concentrated waft of medicinal aroma filled the alleyway as soon as the middle-aged man appeared.

It has to be him, Gao Yuan believed.

He opened his mouth to speak, but the refined gentleman cut him off midway through. “I’m here now, lower your pants. We don’t have much time.”

Gao Yuan doubted he heard what he heard as his mouth remained open as he stared at the smiling man.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” the man asked, puzzled by the silence of the young man. “Or do you prefer it in the mouth?”

Gao Yuan instantly clenched his teeth and buttocks while retreating with cautious steps. He would run if he could, but he had no idea what the man was capable of, and there was no telling what he would do to his behind if he presented it to the smiling man.

An awkward silence loomed over the two, and the face of the middle-aged man flushed red. “Young friend, you’re not Tsun Tsun, right?”

Gao Yuan vigorously nodded, still retreating cautiously. A fresh wave of embarrassment washed over the middle-aged man as he managed to squeeze out a smile. “Isn’t this the ninth alley behind the Pure Bliss Tavern?” he asked.

“This is the seventh adjacent to it,” Gao Yuan said, increasing the distance even further.

“Oh. I apologize for the mix-up. I’m unfamiliar with these streets. I’ll be on my way now.” The man smiled again while bowing slightly. Saying nothing further, he departed from the alley.

What the hell was that? I can’t stay here anymore. To hell with that alchemist… Gao Yuan thought as he sprinted toward the exit. The moment he turned a corner, he slammed into a figure before crashing to the ground.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t see… you,” Gao Yuan said, staring at the old man in black and white tattered robes with disheveled hair even messier than his. However, his gaze remained focused on the white paper signboard extending from the pants of the old man.

"I am an alchemist," it read, written in a clumsy yet artistic manner.

Gao Yuan massaged his temples while taking deep breaths. Is this the person young master Han was talking about? This guy looks even more wretched than I am. Why did I even believe some kind of fortuitous encounter would befall me?

The young man sighed deeply while extending a hand toward the old man. “Sir, are you okay? I didn’t see you earlier,” Gao Yuan said as he locked hands with the man.

For someone that looks so feeble, his grip is firm and sturdy, Gao Yuan thought as he pulled the old man to his feet.

“Well, since you’re okay, I’ll be on my way,” Gao Yuan said with a gentle smile. However, a hand gripped his wrist before he could take his first step, forcing him to involuntarily turn toward the old man.

“Hey kid, do you want to buy some drugs?”