“The request today is to hunt down five dire boars?”
A youth with a short ponytail stood respectfully next to an elderly person.
“En, there have been sightings of boars near the village’s crops. With autumn closing in, the boars will be actively hunting for food before it snows.”
The elderly person is called Wang Wei, the village elder. The youth is the village hunter, Long Tian.
Long Tian cups his fist and bows. “As you wish, Elder Wang.”
Taking up his spear that was leaning on the elder’s hut, Long Tian headed towards his shack where the majority of his hunting tools rest. Brushing the fur cloth that covered his doorstep aside, Long Tian took with him a stone axe, a bow with its arrows, and an extra spear. He glanced at an area surrounded by a table covered in white cloth. On the table laid three stone tablets, each with the names of his deceased family member.
“…”
With a heavy heart, Long Tian sighed and walked out.
Walking towards the field and into the woods, a group of farmers greeted Long Tian.
“Oh? Long Tian? Are you hunting those boars now?”
“Ah. Uncle Du, yes. Here’s the spear you requested.” Long Tian handed the extra spear to Du Zhao.
“Thank you Tian’er, the village would be in quite a bit of trouble without you. Stay safe.”
“I will uncle, I will.”
As the farmers watch Long Tian walk towards the forest, one of the members turns towards Du Zhao.
“Say, wasn’t an important figure coming today?”
“… Yes, the young master of the Ming family. One of the young masters.”
“I hope Long Tian doesn’t meet him. His family had always despised cultivators.”
“I hope so too, but I wished he would learn that not all cultivators are bad people…”
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Sqeee!
A dire boar squeals and charged madly at Long Tian. Having one of its eyes gouged out by an arrow and another arrow stuck on its back, how could the giant boar not go berserk?
Long Tian dropped his bow and pulled out the stone axe. He swung the axe towards the right side of the boar where its eye has been gouged.
Sqeeeee!
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The charging boar stumbled and fell sideways. It tries to pull itself up, but Long Tian reacted faster and stab at its throat with his spear.
Choking, the boar twitched before going stiff.
Whew.
Wiping the sweat off his forehead, Long Tian dragged the leg of the boar towards a nearby tree with multiple markings he carved with a knife. He would drag his kills towards the marked tree and then transport them back to the village. Since the boars are heavy, he would need some help dragging them back.
Long Tian started to calculate whether he should construct a makeshift sled to pull a handful of his kill, or drag one back and asked for the villagers to help him.
“If I had known better I would have brought the sled with me… Who’s there?!”
“Audacious! How dare you point a weapon at the Ming's convoy?!”
An armored soldier bellowed and glared at Long Tian, a large floating carriage floated silently behind him. Several other armored soldiers appeared, all riding horses.
Ming convoy?
The Ming family is well known and is one of the most influential noble families in the Heavenly Azure Empire.
'… They must be here for the exam at that damned mountain sect.'
Suppressing his anger, Long Tian put on his most respectful face and kowtow at the convoy.
“Forgive this village nobody! I had no idea there was –“
“Silence.” A bored voice emitted from the floating carriage. “Bring him over here, I would like to see who was foolish enough to stand in my way.”
Two guards dismounted and pulled Long Tian up. They pushed him towards the carriage before forcing him down. Inside the carriage sat a young man with piercing eyes and long silky black hair. His looks were above average, with a slightly square chin and thin cheeks. The young man narrowed his eyes even more as he saw Long Tian. This bastard was more handsome than he is!
“What’s your name?”
“This nobody is Long Tian, young master.”
“I see.”
The young man blurs and appears before Long Tian. With a sharp kick, Long Tian was sent flying from the guard's grasp into a tree.
Puah!
Long Tian spewed blood out of his mouth. Collapsing onto the ground, Long Tian coughed and glared at the young man.
Pa!
A powerful slap caused Long Tian to lose several of his teeth.
“How dare you glare at me?” Gripping Long Tian by the neck, the young man lifted him into the air.
“Since you’re nobody. It won’t matter if I just kill you here.”
Ptoo!
Long Tian spat on the young man’s face.
“Go… To hell… Ugly...”
The young man’s face scrunched up and raised a fist to Long Tian’s face.
Father, mother, little brother… Soon…
Long Tian closed his eyes as his consciousness faded.
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“I’m afraid it’s not like that, Long Tian.”
Long Tian’s eye shot wide open. He was lying on the side of the river, with half of his body floating on the clear blue water. His body no longer hurts and showed no signs of injuries.
Long Tian slowly pulled himself out of the river and surveyed his surroundings. He spotted an elderly man with flowing white hair and beard standing on a gold-colored road.
“Greetings Long Tian. I’ve been waiting for you.”
Long Tian stood up and cautiously greeted the saint-like figure.
“How… Can I greet senior?”
“Oh ho! Forgive me. I am Ji-Ching, the Gatekeeper of the Heavens.”
“The… Heavens?”
“Indeed, this is the realm above all else."
“…”
"While your fate demands your demise, we have plans for you. You may be wondering why we choose you but bear with me. The Celestial Emperor will explain everything.”
“…”
Long Tian didn’t know what to say. How can one make sense of this situation, much less a mere mortal like him?
“… Long Tian, are you willing to serve the Heavens? If you wish not to, the Heavens will allow you to move onto the next life.”
Long Tian's ears perked at Ji-Ching’s offer. His parents had always patronized the Heavens and it seemed that Long Tian has always fallen for their ways.
“Senior Ji-“
“Ji-Ching is fine, oh ho!”
“Ji-Ching, how may I be of service to the Heavens?”
“You shall serve as the Heaven’s envoy! You will descend into the lower realms and suppress those who defile the Heaven!”