Though the battle had been won, the yakshas felt no joy in their hearts. They were merely tools of slaughter controlled by a god. Victory had nothing to do with them—defeat had nothing to do with them either. Only when the fighting ended did their bodies belong to themselves, allowing them to move freely.
"Brother Hepuyuan, the fifth is dead, and the sixth too—"
"Brother Hepuyuan, we don't want to fight for that god anymore—"
"Brother Hepuyuan, how can we break free from the god's control?"
After the great battle, every yaksha's hands were stained with the blood of their enemies. They didn't want this. They didn't want to be controlled and forced to kill. But even Hepuyuan himself could not break free from the god's mental control, let alone the weaker ones. From a young age, the god had used elemental power to enslave their minds. As they grew, the control only grew stronger. Unless the god died, they would never find release.
But on this land, the gods were the strongest beings, the rulers. Who could possibly kill a powerful god?
Just as the yakshas were drowning in sorrow, a fragrance reached their noses.
"So fragrant—Brother Hepuyuan's cooking has improved again."
"Almond Tofu, almost ready."
After battle, being able to eat a bowl of sweet, fragrant Almond Tofu was the only luxury these yakshas, who were treated as weapons, could hope for.
Just as they sat together, savoring Brother Hepuyuan's Almond Tofu, the door of the run-down room was suddenly kicked open by the god's henchmen.
Bang!
A very short figure, covered in wounds, was tossed into the room and landed before the yakshas.
Though the henchmen left without a word, the yakshas instantly recognized the newcomer. This green-haired little short one was also one of their kind—a young yaksha. Judging by his injuries, he must have just been subjected to the god's mental control. If he survived, he would become another tool of slaughter.
Filled with sorrow but seeing one of their own, they helped the young yaksha up. Looking at the severely wounded, unconscious child, Brother Hepuyuan said calmly, "Bring a bowl of Almond Tofu. He's too weak. Without nourishment, he won't survive the night."
The yaksha beside him quickly brought a bowl. Hepuyuan himself spooned some Almond Tofu into the young one's mouth. Feeling the sweet taste, the injured yaksha instinctively swallowed.
Seeing this, Hepuyuan rejoiced. "He's alive. As long as he can eat and replenish his strength, his wounds will slowly heal."
The other yakshas smiled as well, but then their expressions darkened. What good was surviving? In the end, he would become the god's killing tool, unable to control his own body, his hands stained with blood. Compared to living, these yakshas would rather die. But under the god's control, they couldn't even kill themselves.
In the days that followed, they fed the green-haired little yaksha Almond Tofu regularly. Though he remained unconscious, his wounds healed quickly.
Five days later, the little yaksha finally woke. The moment he saw the others, he raised a hand, ready to attack if he sensed danger.
The other yakshas were annoyed. "Kid, we took care of you for five days, and the first thing you do is threaten us? You ungrateful brat. Brother Hepuyuan, let me teach him a lesson."
One of them was about to strike when Hepuyuan stopped him. Hepuyuan smiled at the green-haired youth. Just as he was about to speak, the youth's stomach growled. He was hungry.
Hepuyuan laughed. "Bring a bowl of Almond Tofu."
A bowl was handed to him. He offered it to the green-haired youth and said gently, "Little one, what is your name?"
The youth's eyes were wary, still ready to attack. Clearly, he had suffered much torment before coming here, making him hostile to everyone.
Seeing he wouldn't answer, Hepuyuan said, "If you answer my question, this bowl of Almond Tofu is yours."
In this place, being tools of slaughter, getting a proper meal was difficult. Only the Almond Tofu made from tofu and fresh almonds that Hepuyuan managed to trade for could give them a decent meal. The green-haired youth stared at the bowl, smelling its fragrance, and swallowed his saliva.
Quietly, he said, "I... I don't have a name."
Though he spoke, he still maintained a defensive posture, not letting down his guard.
Hepuyuan was taken aback. No name, no family—just like himself once. He saw his own reflection in this young yaksha.
"Since you have no name, how about I give you one? Your true form is a golden-winged great bird. From now on, you shall be called Alatus."
Without waiting for the youth to refuse, Hepuyuan gave him the name. Then he handed him the bowl of Almond Tofu. "From now on, your name is Alatus."
But the youth seemed indifferent to the name. Driven by hunger, his eyes were fixed only on the sweet tofu. He reached out a dirty hand to grab it, but Hepuyuan stopped him.
"You can't eat with your hands. Use chopsticks, or a spoon."
(A/N: Hepuyuan was originally a kite bird created by Rex Lapis from jade, which later became Xiao's weapon. I've adapted him into a yaksha here (Xiao's older brother).)
(T/N: I'm just trusting the author on this one cuz I don't know.)