The sky that day was heavily overcast, a sign that rain would soon fall. Yue Chan returned with a basket of herbs, crossing the front gate of her home.
"Tianwei, I brought some herbs for you. With these, you'll be completely healed. I wanted to take you with me earlier, but you were sleeping so soundly that I just let you be," Yue Chan said.
An uneasy feeling filled Ji Tianwei's heart. He looked at Xiao Chao and Yue Chan. "I'm sorry, Mother, for being such a trouble. I am very happy in this new family. Father and Mother have accepted me so willingly, and I will never forget this kindness."
"It's alright, Tianwei. Humans help each other. It's normal for you to feel uneasy; it's a sign that you are a good child," Xiao Chao replied.
Yue Chan smiled. With her soft hand on his cheek, she approached Ji Tianwei and knelt down. "Yes, son, what your father said is true. Now, let's go inside. I'll cook you a delicious meal today, hehe, just leave it to me. After that, you'll drink your medicine and get some rest."
Ji Tianwei nodded. They went inside the house.
...
Night fell. The rain had stopped, but the air felt cold. Ji Tianwei and his new family were chatting warmly inside the house. The dim light cast their silhouettes, creating a peaceful scene.
From behind the fence, a person whispered, "Is he really here?"
The figure, dressed in black and with a covered face that only revealed their eyes, crossed their arms and leaned against the wall. "Maybe, but we must be careful. This isn't a safe area for us; many cultivators are on patrol," said their companion, who was perched on a tree branch.
"Don't worry, I have a plan. We'll do it tomorrow morning," he replied with his eyes closed.
His companion smiled, as if knowing what he was planning. He climbed down from the tree, handed over some artifacts and a poster of a person's face. "I've given you the artifacts and the poster. I'll be heading back now. You can do as you please, but leave him alive," he said, before disappearing as if swallowed by a shadow.
"Understood," the figure replied, a terrifying grin on his face, as if he didn't care about his companion's warning.
...
"Father, when is Sister Xiao Qing coming home? She said she was taking leave," asked Ji Tianwei, who was sitting on Yue Chan's lap.
"Son, your sister might come home tomorrow. Why do you look so worried?" Xiao Chao replied, sitting across from him.
"Don't worry, your sister is an elite disciple. She is probably very busy with her work at the sect," Yue Chan chimed in.
Ji Tianwei sighed. "I just have a feeling. There might be a change of seasons, just like what Father said this morning."
Upon hearing that, Xiao Chao thought, Is it happening that fast? Hmm... maybe I should train more.
"Maybe, son, your father feels it too. But a little boy shouldn't think too much, or you'll get old fast like me, haha!" Xiao Chao laughed loudly, trying to ease the tension.
"Now, go to bed early, okay? Let the medicine do its work," Yue Chan said, stroking Ji Tianwei's head.
Ji Tianwei got off his mother's lap and walked to his room. "Thank you. I'm going to sleep. Good night," he said with a cheerful smile on his small face.
After Ji Tianwei left, Xiao Chao and Yue Chan exchanged glances. "Husband, did you feel an evil aura around our house earlier?" Yue Chan asked.
"I've been feeling it for a long time. Ji Tianwei's intuition is so sharp; if he grows up, his instincts might even surpass mine," Xiao Chao replied cautiously, staring out the dark window toward the forest.
"What should we do, Husband? Should we go after them?" Yue Chan asked.
"No need. We'll just protect Tianwei. If they dare to enter this yard, I will kill them," Xiao Chao said, a powerful aura emanating from his body.
Yue Chan smiled. They began to cultivate in the room, accompanied by the fragrant scent of orchid incense.
...
In his room, Ji Tianwei sat on his bed, his mind full of questions. Will the food be coming? I've been waiting. But if this family sees me, it will look suspicious. I have to hide my power. He lay down, focusing his meridians as they flowed through his body, and entered his sea of consciousness.
"Nirvana, where are you? I want to talk to you," Ji Tianwei called.
Nirvana emerged from a dense darkness, a grin on its face. "Are you finally aware, Ji Tianwei? My power will make you a target of bad luck. Don't hope for a peaceful life."
"No... it's just that this conflict came too soon. I wanted to relax," Ji Tianwei said with a sigh.
"Perhaps your existence and the power you possess are being marked by the fate of the heavens. Don't you want to increase your power? If you keep having fun like this, when will you become strong?" Nirvana asked.
"Calm down, I have a plan. I think, if the demon cultivators are hunting me, ah, I just remembered something... Su Chanqing might still be alive," Ji Tianwei said with a slight smile on his face.
"Nirvana, I'll come back if I need you again." Ji Tianwei returned from his sea of consciousness, sighed, and fell asleep.
...
The next morning, the scent of dew and orchids filled the room. Ji Tianwei woke up as the morning sun hit his face.
"Ah... Hooooammm! It's morning already," he groaned. His body felt better, but there were still deep scars from the time his dantian was sealed.
He rubbed his eyes and got out of bed. The delicious aroma from the kitchen made his stomach rumble. It smells so good. I wish I could live a life like this, hehe, he thought, walking toward the kitchen where Yue Chan was cooking.
The sound of the wok and the fragrant smoke filled the kitchen. Ji Tianwei greeted her, "Good morning, Mother. My body feels much better. What are you cooking?"
Yue Chan turned around. She wore a simple dress and a light blue lotus apron. "Tianwei, my son, you're already up! Are you hungry? I'm cooking a specialty dish from this village. Wait a moment, it's not ready yet," she said, humming a tune as she cooked.
Ji Tianwei sat on a chair, watching Yue Chan from behind. The sight reminded him of his own mother. He wondered if, when he grew up, he would have a wife like her—kind and understanding.
Ehh... I forgot, this isn't the time to relax. I feel a presence watching me, Ji Tianwei thought. He remained calm, waiting for his mother's cooking to finish while planning to take a walk around the village.
A few minutes later, Yue Chan was done. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and served the various dishes on plates.
"Mother, where is Father? Is he out?" Ji Tianwei asked.
Yue Chan saw Xiao Chao sneaking up behind Ji Tianwei. "Your father... is probably right behind you," she said with a smile.
Xiao Chao sighed. "Darling, why did you tell him? Hah! Oh, well. Tianwei, do you want to take a walk after this?"
"Father, you almost scared me! If Mother hadn't told me, hehe," Ji Tianwei said with a smile. He had actually known, but he wanted to play along and enjoy this warm life before something happened, even though to him, it felt fake.
After they ate and laughed together, Ji Tianwei prepared to go for a walk with Xiao Chao. "Darling, I'm going now, leave Tianwei to me," Xiao Chao said.
"Mother, I'm leaving now," Ji Tianwei said with a cheerful smile.
"Be careful, okay? I'll be waiting for you at home," Yue Chan replied, waving her hand before going back inside.
At the same time, an old man with shabby clothes and a cane walked by outside the gate, passing Ji Tianwei and Xiao Chao.
Who is he? I haven't seen him around here, Xiao Chao thought. He paid no mind, holding Ji Tianwei's hand tightly, and walked toward the bustling village center.
I've found you, Ji Tianwei, haha, the old man thought, a terrifying grin on his face that was unseen from behind.