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Stories tell that to see her wield the White Oblivion Scythe is to invite doom, for nothing short of complete destruction awaits.
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Long Tianyu had always been diligent, and Hua Qingqing, naturally gifted and precise, made their daily practice sessions almost sacred. Every morning, just as the first rays of the sun crept over the village's mountains, they would meet in the open courtyard at the edge of the bamboo grove. The dew on the ground sparkled like scattered jewels, and the air was filled with the soft scent of earth and Shadowjade Bamboo. Long Tianyu would stretch his arms, feeling the tension in his muscles slowly melt away, while Hua Qingqing, as ever, already stood poised, her small frame balanced perfectly, the tips of her fingers lightly grazing the hilt of her practice sword.
Long Tianyu had never beat Hua Qingqing. No matter how fiercely he trained, she seemed to anticipate his movements, parrying and dodging with fluid grace, her eyes sharp yet calm. And yet, he never minded. In fact, he rather enjoyed the challenge; there was a quiet thrill in pushing himself against someone who was always just out of reach of defeat. Each block and thrust, each swing of their wooden swords, was a conversation, a test, a way of understanding each other beyond words. Sometimes, after a particularly long bout, they would collapse onto the grass, breathing heavily, smiling at each other through sweat and tousled hair.
"What are you thinking about?" Hua Qingqing asked once, brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead.
"Nothing," Long Tianyu said, though a faint smile tugged at his lips. "Just trying to keep up with you."
"You don't have to keep up.." she replied, her voice soft but teasing.
Outside of practice, Long Tianyu had somehow convinced the other children to call him "big brother" when speaking of matters of qi. It wasn't that he was older in experience, but in learning qi, he had somehow edged out most of the village's youngsters. Most of the children finally gave up. All except Xiao Chi, whose disdain was obvious every time Long Tianyu approached.
"Big brother?" Xiao Chi spat the words like they were bitter herbs. "I'm older than you!"
Long Tianyu just shrugged, amusement in his eyes. "Then call me whatever you like. It won't change that I'm the big brother."
Xiao Chi grumbled and stomped away, but there was no denying the quiet admiration he harbored, even if he would never admit it.
A week passed in a blur of sun and wind and the rhythmic clash of wooden swords. And then, one morning, a distant rumble announced a rare and extraordinary event. The villagers stirred, curious, as the sound grew louder, echoing across the valley. Long Tianyu, standing atop the small hill near the edge of the village, squinted toward the road. A caravan was approaching, its grandeur unlike anything he had ever seen.
The merchants came from Moondragon City. At the head of the procession strode a massive Greathorn Thunderstep Ox, its hooves striking the ground with a thunderous rhythm. The animal was adorned with polished brass plates that reflected the sunlight, jingling softly with each step. Its massive horns were capped with golden rings, engraved with intricate patterns that seemed to writhe and twist as the ox moved. The sheer size and majesty of it made Long Tianyu's heart race with wonder.
Flanking the ox were guards, clad in polished armor, their eyes scanning the horizon with sharp precision. Behind them came finely decorated wagons, rich with silk, jade, and other precious goods. Banners fluttered in the wind, emblazoned with the insignia of the Golden Trading Merchants.
He wished he could know more about the world beyond the village, beyond the mountains and rivers he had always called home. The sight of the caravan stirred a yearning within him, a desire to experience the grand cities, the bustling markets, and the endless sky stretching beyond the hills.
As the caravan entered the village square, Long Tianyu stood motionless, his eyes wide, watching every detail. The merchants themselves were an imposing sight. Merchant Bai, the apparent leader, rode a sleek black horse, his robes flowing like a river of silk in the wind. His demeanor was calm but commanding, and even from a distance, Long Tianyu could sense the wealth and influence he carried.
Chen Jie and Zang Liu stood nearby, their eyes tracking every movement of the caravan. They exchanged a subtle glance, silently confirming what they already knew: the merchants they would not steal from, for any misstep could mean death to the entire village. It was a tacit understanding, a lesson about restraint and responsibility that Long Tianyu had yet to fully grasp. But even as they admired the merchants, they felt a pang of envy. They were so far from the ordinary, so untouched by the village's simple rhythms, and he couldn't help but marvel at their luck and confidence.
Meanwhile, Song Xuan stepped forward, greeting Merchant Bai with a respectful bow. They spoke briefly, their conversation punctuated with nods and smiles. The group would stay for a few days before continuing their journey, which meant that for a short while, the village would become a small window into the wider world.
After the greetings and formalities, the merchants began to set up their stalls, displaying goods that seemed almost magical in their beauty. Hua Qingqing and Long Tianyu wandered among them, their eyes filled with awe and curiosity. Silks that shimmered like liquid moonlight, carved jade ornaments that seemed to glow from within, and small trinkets that clicked and chimed with every movement.
Hua Qingqing's gaze lingered on a bracelet made of golden jade. It was delicate yet strong, with intricate carvings. Long Tianyu's chest tightened as he looked at it, remembering the coin he had saved from countless chores—fetching water, sweeping the village hall, tending to the small garden by his house. He had been saving, not knowing for what, but now the answer was clear: this was for her.
"They're from Moondragon City," Hua Qingqing said suddenly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Merchant Bai is part of the Golden Trading Merchants."
"How do you know?" Long Tianyu asked, curious, though he suspected he already knew the answer.
She giggled, a sound like chimes in the wind. "Of course you didn't hear it. You were too busy looking at other things while I overheard the guards speaking with Song Xue."
Long Tianyu's ears burned faintly, but he couldn't help but laugh. She always seemed to know more than him, always two steps ahead in awareness.
They didn't purchase anything at first, content to wander and explore, marveling at the intricate designs and foreign wares. But when the crowd thinned and the villagers were busy with their duties, and they split up, each going home. Long Tianyu felt a sudden surge of determination. He waited until Hua Qingqing's disappeared, until he was certain no one was watching. Then, without a second thought, he turned and ran toward the stall where the golden jade bracelet lay.
At the same moment, Hua Qingqing, with the same mischievous determination, dashed back toward the merchants as well. And as fate—or perhaps the universe itself—would have it, they collided in the middle of the square.
"OUCH!" they both screamed, staggering back and clutching their shins.
"What are you doing?!" Long Tianyu gasped, laughter already threatening to break through his words.
"No! What are you doing?!" Hua Qingqing shot back, equally breathless and laughing.
"Buying you a gift!" Long Tianyu blurted, holding up the carefully saved coins with a triumphant grin.
"Buying you a gift!" Hua Qingqing repeated, her own eyes shining with excitement.
They burst into laughter together, the sound ringing through the quiet square like bells.
Long Tianyu carefully handed over the coins, and the merchant, noting the boy's earnestness, presented the golden jade bracelet with a polite nod. Hua Qingqing, in turn, chose a small, leather-bound book on swordsmanship, its cover embossed with intricate patterns of dragons and waves. She had saved some coins herself, eager to offer a token in return, something that symbolized her admiration for Long Tianyu's skill and dedication.
As they exchanged gifts, they sat on the edge of the square, unwrapping their treasures with quiet reverence. The bracelet glimmered softly in the sunlight as Hua Qingqing fastened it around her wrist, her delicate fingers adjusting it carefully. Long Tianyu opened the book, leafing through the pages with wide-eyed wonder.
For a moment, the world outside the village seemed to pause. The rumble of the Thunderstep Ox, the chatter of merchants, and the watchful eyes of guards faded into a distant hum.
"You think we'll ever see a place like Moondragon City?" Long Tianyu asked quietly, his fingers tracing the embossed dragons in the book.
"Maybe," Hua Qingqing said, her eyes following the sunlight as it danced across the square. "But even if we don't, we can always bring a bit of the world here. We can learn, we can practice, we can dream."
Long Tianyu smiled, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the morning sun. The world was vast, yes, full of dangers and wonders alike. But for now, here in this small village, with Hua Qingqing by his side and a book and bracelet to mark the memory, it felt like the universe had opened a door just for them.
They spent the rest of the day wandering between stalls, their laughter mingling with the soft jingles of trinkets and the low murmur of villagers talking quietly among themselves. Every so often, Long Tianyu would glance at the Thunderstep Ox or the polished armor of the guards, his imagination running wild with possibilities. Hua Qingqing noticed but said nothing, content to walk beside him, sharing in the quiet awe and joy of simple moments.
As the sun began to sink behind the mountains, casting long shadows across the village square, they sat together once more. Hua Qingqing flipped through the pages of the swordsmanship book, pointing out moves and stances with the enthusiasm of a teacher and the pride of a friend.
That night, as the caravan set up camp at the edge of the village and lanterns flickered against the darkening sky, Long Tianyu lay on the grass outside his house, the swordsmanship book beside him and the image of Hua Qingqing's laughing face burned into his memory. He thought of the Greathorn Thunderstep Ox, the merchants, the wealth of Moondragon City, and the stories yet untold.
Hua Qingqing, too, reflected quietly as she adjusted the jade bracelet on her wrist. It was not the material worth but the thought, the care, and the courage behind it that mattered. Long Tianyu had shown her a glimpse of something larger than their small village, and she had returned the favor with her own gift. It was a silent promise, a shared understanding: whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, one step at a time, learning, growing, and dreaming.
The next morning, as the first light broke over the hills, they would resume their daily practice. Wooden swords in hand, they would move through the familiar patterns, the clang of wood against wood echoing in the crisp morning air.
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End of chapter 10 - Golden Trading Merchants