Morning light pressed through the thin paper window, pale and uneven, revealing grains of dust suspended in it.
His eyes were open, fixed blankly on the ceiling above.
A drop of water fell from the cracked plaster and struck his face.
He did not move.
Another drop fell.
For a moment, the water pooled beside his eye.
In its surface, a small, blurred reflection stared back.
He blinked. It broke apart.
No footsteps in the corridor. No orders from the head butler.
For a moment, there was only the sound of his breath.
Slow.
Steady.
Then—
Drip.
Another droplet touched his cheek. It rolled downward, leaving a faint trail that briefly revealed a warmer tone beneath his pale skin before fading again.
"Twentieth," he murmured, his voice hoarse from sleep.
He pushed himself upright, his legs still tangled in the thin blanket.
A bell rang somewhere beyond the courtyard.
He swung his feet onto the wooden floor. Each step drew a harsh creak from the boards. The single bed barely fit inside the narrow room. The air smelled faintly of old wood and dried sweat.
Outside, wood struck wood.
His heartbeat quickened.
"The young master has begun."
No servant remained in bed once that sound echoed through the estate.
His movements sharpened. He changed quickly. Washed his face and stepped into the corridor.
Every door but his creaked open at the same time.
Servants spilled out into the corridor, hurrying towards one another, their breaths already growing heavy.
In moments, the once-peaceful quarters turned into something like a marketplace.
To his left, a male servant asked urgently for hair oil.
To his right, a maid searched frantically for a missing pin.
Second by second, the noise swelled.
Voices overlapped. Footsteps struck the wooden floor without rhythm.
He pressed his tiny palms against his ears.
Then he moved toward the stairway, still covering them.
Each step felt like a struggle. Each step carried the risk of being crushed beneath the rushing bodies. The older servants towered over him, leaving barely any space to pass.
At last, he neared the stairs.
Suddenly, a maid stepped back.
Her back struck him.
The force pushed him off balance.
His shoulder met the ground.
He gazed up.
No one stopped.
His eyes squinted as he forced himself up with the support of his hands.
He stepped forward, his legs gave out.
His hands shot out, catching the banister just before he fell.
A deep breath left out of his mouth.
He walked away.
His knee pulsed with sharp pain, while his shoulder's pain remained constant with every movement.
His jaw clenched.
He descended the stairway with the help of the railing.
The railing was thick beneath his thin fingers.
He opened the door that led to the pathway that connected the servents quarter from the main house.
He sat down at the tree bench.
He swayed his hands rapidly on his knee.
Peace settled again. His eyes rested on the distant trees.
A faint sound caught his ears. Wood struck wood.
The young master crossed sword.
They were the same age.
— creak —
A group of servants emerged from the gate.
He watched them pass, chattering as they headed toward the main mansion.
"... Is it time?"
He pushed himself up, dusted off his clothes, and made his way toward the main mansion.
Servants prepared for an event. Outside he waited besides the door.
— achoo! —
He sneezed as cold wind spirred.
At a distance stood a boy.
Amber eyes steady.
A wooden sword in hand.
Short white hair caught the light, pale against the morning.
Beside him stood a taller man, smiling faintly. In his hand rested another wooden sword.
His long dark-blue hair fell down his back.
He pushed the door open.
Just as the third young master and the second young master stepped inside the estate, he closed the door.
He gazed behind in the hallway. They were already quite far. He picked up the pace and quietly walked behind them.
"Big brother do you think I have pure spiritual roots?" He gleamed towards his brother.
"Of course! But I think you have the potential to have exceptional ones" he replied.
"I really want to cultivate" the third young master pleaded.
He listened to their conversation from behind. His gaze settled on the wooden sword carried by the young master.
His gaze lingered on it a moment too long.
His arms were clasped behind his back. One hand broke free.
He stared at his tiny palm.
His pulse quickened.
A faint thudding rose in his chest.
His mind circled around the sword and his palm.
His fingers curled into his palms, nails pressing into skin.
He brushed the thoughts away from his mind.
He clasped his hand at his back again and followed them.
Just as the hallway diverged, the older brother covered the youngest's eyes
"Hehehe, how are the preparations going?" The young master asked, giggling.
"Great you naughty little monster, now let's go to your room" the older brother playfully responded.
They ascended the stairs carefully as the older brother was covering the youngest's eyes.
"I don't think you need to cover my eyes anymore" the young master said.
"You are right" he said as he let go of his hands.
Both chuckled as they went inside the young master's room.
He shut the door with care.
His head barely reached the handle. He waited outside the room. Unintentionally listening to their shreiks.
Time passed.
The clock struck 6.
The bell rung.
The elder brother smashed the door opened, both of them ran downstairs.
His eyes widened. He froze.
He ran down.
He found himself in the hallway, the gate at its far end.
He took a moment to steady his breathing.
A servant stood at the entrance of a room.
He gazed inside. The spacious hall had been laid out with a grand buffet, dishes lining the walls. Round table arranged neatly through, each with five seats.
At the far end, the Young Master sat upon an emerald twin-serpent throne, the Second stood beside him.
His eyes lingered on the throne.
A little longer than they should have.
A jolt ran down his spine. The gate creaked open behind him. He flinched back too quickly—his head struck the corner of the wall.
Pain bloomed where he'd struck the wall, but he kept his composure.
Forward a refined family of four entered.
He stood beside the servant.
The servent bowed and gestured to go enter.
He simply bowed.
The moment the family entered the room, he slipped in unnoticed.
The young masters were distracted by the family, he slipped behind them as if he was always there.
The room slowly filled with distinguished guests.
The young master got busier and busier.
...
"Finally a break" young master sighed as he jumped back on his emerald twin serpent throne.
Just as he sighed, his stomach growled.
— Clap. Clap —
Young master gestured.
He bowed to the third young master.
He turned around, one hand clasped behind his back.
He walked to the buffet and took a plate. The serving spoon was nearly too heavy for him; his small arms strained as he lifted it.
He had to complete the task given to him.
"Or what use would a servent have?" He thought.
His body froze.
A rainy day.
Ragged clothes. Bruses. No where to go.
His eyes widened at the thought of it. Sweat dripped from his face.
"Hey! What are you doing? Move it" A voice shouts back from behind.
He jolted,a sharp sound rang as he drops the serving spoon back into the pot.
"Im sorry, please!" he shrieked.
He withdrew a step.
"seriously, do they employ anybody?"
The servant scoffed, as he placed the food on his plate.
A moment later he was gone.
His arms trembled to put the food on his plate.
After filling his plate, he returned to his place.
His arms ached as he served young master his food styled beautifully.
He stepped back, folding one arm over the other and pressing lightly to dull the pain.
— Clap. Clap —
The next order gave him no time to rest.
"Water" the young master ordered.
He quickly fetched a glass of water and brought it over.
Balancing the plate in one hand, he held the glass out to the young master.
After taking a few sips, the young master handed the glass back and resumed eating.
His arm ached as he stood there, holding it.
Time passed.
He stood behind the young master, empty handed.
The second young master entertained the guests.
The door creaked open.
Heavy sandles stepped inside.
No one dared look up.
The music died.
Not a single word escaped through anybody's mouth.
His grey hair was tied at the back of his head, a few loose strands brushing his collar.
His shoulders looked carved from stone, broad and weathered.
His eyes were steady — the kind that had watched years pass.
"Elder zi, it's truly an honour to be in the same room as elder zi" the third young master says.
Rasing an eyebrow he asked "you are... The second, lue, right."
"If you shall see fit then that will be my name from now on, elder zi-" lue lowered his head.
"Your name," Elder Zi demanded.
the second young master fliched, drops ran freely down his face "it- it's wen, elder zi" he replied.
"I see, so where is the man of the hour? I hear he dreams to be a great cultivator" elder zi says.
"Oh he is right here" he says with a light gesture.
"He turns 11 at midnight" he added.
The third young master stood only a few meters away and greeted him.
"Elder Zi, I am Bai Jun, third son of the Bai Family," the Third Master said with practiced elegance.
A moment later, his excitement slipped through. "It has always been my dream to meet you… and now it has come true."
His eyes gleamed.
He stood behind the third young master.
He couldn't recall who elder zi was.
He stared at elder zi's face.
"Elder but that young?" He pondered.
All of a sudden—
His breath grew heavier.
His vision narrowed.
Something crushed his chest.
He grasped for air— nothing.
Tears rolled down from his eyes.
His knees shook.
And it was over.
He could see again, breath again.
He found himself on the ground.
He rose and looked around.
Everyone struggled to catch their breath, coughing as they recovered.
He looked forward.
The third young master slightly panted.
"Alright" elder zi smirked while looking at the third young master.
Elder Zi surveyed the hall before his gaze settled once more on the Third Young Master.
"I apologise" elder zi said while smiling.
"Huh?" Third master asked.
"Little one, I have a gift for you" elder zi said.
"Huh?" Still flabbergasted the third young master said.
Elder zi opened up a box that looked tiny as a pouch in his hands.
A golden pill was placed very carefully on the middle of the box
"This is a pure quality qi refinement pill, only eat it when you reach qi refinement" elder zi said.
The Third Young Master stared in disbelief. "I—I am—"
The Second Young Master stepped forward smoothly.
"Thank you, Elder Zi. My brother is overwhelmed. Please allow me to express the depth of his gratitude."
— Clang —
It hit midnight.
"Happy birthday Bai Jun" elder zi congratulated.
In uneven unison the whole crowd congratulated the third young master.
"Where's the cake? I shouldn't leave the gate unsupervised too long, so I have to hurry" elder zi said.
The cake-cutting ceremony commenced.
Within seconds, half of the six-layered cake was gone.
Silence fell over the room.
In the next instant, Elder Zi seized the Third Young Master's hand and shook it with startling force, leaving it throbbing.
"I must hurry. I shall be waiting," he said, already turning away, crumbs clinging shamelessly to his lips.
No one dared to speak.
Later the whole crowd whispered.
He listened.
"Man, luck can change anything" one gentleman whispered.
"Yeah, a hundred and fifty years ago, he wasn't even allowed to even sit in a room and look at him now" an old lady whispered.
"Seriously, if one is fortunate enough to cultivate and live, one what cannot become" another whispered.
The crowd slowly dispersed.
...
The sun dipped lower.
A murmur spread through the estate.
The cultivation master had arrived.
...
He did not know it yet,
but that night would decide where he stood.