Chapter One - Reminisce the change of Fate
The capital city of the Du Dynasty stood tall and bright under the midnight moon. The activity throughout the city had not lessened, mere the people were different. Even as peddlers announced their wears and the city garrison patrolled the streets, the residential district maintained its tranquillity.
In the noble district, the Long Clan residence was quiet as the clan members rested and servants quietly did their duties. In a particularly large pavilion within the residence, a youth sat atop a boulder staring at the night sky.
"Young Master Long, the madam has asked for you to retire for the night. It is quite late and tomorrow is an important day for the Long Clan," a pretty maid quietly whispered to the man as not to disturb him.
"Hmm, tell mother that I will rest shortly, tomorrow's event is not until the afternoon after all."
"Yes young master," the maid bowed as she backed out of the pavilion, off to take care of the young master's orders. She left the luxurious pavilion filled with small mountains and a stream, with an exquisite residence situated close by, yet the young man still sat atop the boulder, as if nothing had happened.
'sigh', 'it has been 13 years since I have arrived in this world, being born the second son of a powerful clan is satisfying, without the responsibility of the heir but with the wealth and comfort it still brings. Alas the technology on this world remains that of the ancient times, I would give half my wealth for a proper toilet right now.'
Indeed, it had been 13 years since Long Xie had been born in this world. His past had been an above average (in intellect) individual living the middle-class life in Canada. Life had been mundane at best and safe at worst, what with living in the safest country on Earth. He had never imagined he would end up in a world so similar to ancient China that, were it not for the fact that he saw someone fight using flames and wisps of smoke that came out of their body, he would have believed he had merely travelled back in time to ancient China.
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His past life was nothing much, perhaps he would have become a prominent businessman or accountant by playing the stocks or something in the future, but dying at the age of 22 right before completing university put a damper on that thought. Perhaps jumping into the flowing river to retrieve the scarf of the girl he was trying to court was not the best idea, especially as it resulted in him hitting his head on a protruding rock and drowning soon after. But what is done is done.
'Tomorrow elder brother should be coming back from the Imperial Acadamy, it has been nearly a year since I have seen him.'
As Xie continued to think of his past and his fortune, or perhaps misfortune of ending up in this world, a few stray thoughts once again came up to him.
'Mom and dad back on earth must have grieved for my loss. I have not seen them again for 13 years, the thought itself is painful. Even after all this time I still can't forget..."
'At least the support of my new parents is able to fill up a little of the loss I felt.' 'sigh.'
'The Imperial academy, without the pressure of being the next clan head, I need not worry about going there, it leaves me with the much better option of pursuing my dreams instead. Immortality and cultivation, ah, they truly are marvellous. This world is a lot like the xianxia I have read back on Earth, and my current talent is not bad, but this is but a mortal country, a mere tip of the ice burg. There is so much more to explore and learn. So much more power to gather. I look forward to the day I can fly through the sky and search for treasure...'
"Master..." As Xie continued to reminisce, a shadow in the corner of the pavilion shifted as a figure cloaked in black walked towards him. Covered from head to toe in black clothing, from a scarf, robe and pants to shoes and gloves, the figure as if gliding travelled over of Xie before taking a kneeling posture on one knee, performing the standard Chinese salute with a palm covering a fist.
"Report, Yang"
"Yes master, I have completed the task, the target has been eliminated. But master..."
"Do not hesitate, speak."
"Yes, master Long. I have confidence in Master's ability but... Would it not be prudent to meet in a different place? This is the Long Clan estate, after all, I can be discovered, and if word of what happened at the Yun compound travels..."
"You need not worry, my grandfather already knows what I am doing, if he did not condone it this would not have lasted this long. Haha, now that that is taken care of, tomorrow just became a lot more interesting..."
The cloaked man stood and disappeared into the shadows after receiving a signal from his master.
Tranquillity once more took over the pavilion owned by the second young master of the Long Clan, the third child of the Long family Patriarch, Long Xie.