The sun rose to its highest point, showering the world with bright sunlight. Under the vast, cloudless sky lay Bright Star City, a beautiful city surrounded by the Black Wind Wildlands.
The city was bustling as always, as it connected the north to the rest of the Empire. Everyone traveling between the Northern states and other states had to pass through this city, so it remained ever lively.
The Ye Clan occupied the eastern part of Bright Star City, with their manor directly bordering the Black Wind Wildlands. That was where Ye Jun's main source of income lay.
Because of its unique position, no one in the city could do farming to sustain themselves and had to rely on other professions. And Ye Jun helped in that.
As the Wilderness was dangerous even for cultivators, few dared to enter it to collect herbs and many other things. So Ye Jun risked his life every day to gather various herbs and monster meat before selling them in the city.
He didn't earn much from it, but it was enough to sustain his lifestyle, which was pretty simple overall.
Usually, Martial Artists required many resources, so they lived an expensive lifestyle, but it was different for Ye Jun, who couldn't even cultivate before.
Hence, he went to the Wildlands outskirts and collected everything he needed before coming back. Then, he left the Ye Manor and went down the hill the Ye Manor sat on to head toward the market.
Entering the busy market, Ye Jun couldn't help but smile. He looked at the street vendors, food stalls, and people going on their way wearing various colored robes.
Many shops stood on either side of the road, providing basically every type of necessity for travelers and citizens alike. After all, Bright Star City's whole economy depended on travelers.
Buildings were small, unlike what Ye Jun was used to. Instead of glass and metal skyscrapers, all he saw were structures made of stone, clay, wood, and other materials.
The air didn't smell good, though, so Ye Jun didn't like that. But that was understandable, and he had lived in worse conditions, so he easily ignored it and made his way toward the many stalls and shops where he usually sold his stuff.
One by one, he visited them and took what little money they gave. Then, he also bought some rations for himself and bought a pair of robes for himself as well.
Afterward, he made his way toward the lower section of the market, where mostly roadside vendors placed their stalls and sold their items. This was where the poor earned their living.
Greeting a few people he knew along the way, he went toward the end and heard a familiar voice calling out to him.
"Big Brother Jun!!"
He smiled and turned to his right, where he saw a ten-year-old-looking girl running toward him with a big smile on her bubbly face. The moment she reached him, she jumped into his arms and giggled.
"Careful. I have stuff on me, you know," Ye Jun sighed and rubbed her head lovingly.
"Hehe! I know you can handle it," she giggled softly. "You're strong, Big Brother."
"Only you would say that," Ye Jun chuckled and said. "Anyways, where is your father, Wan'er?"
"He's selling the new medicines," Su Wan said as she backed away. "Let's go! I made rice balls today, and I want you to taste them."
"You made them yourself?" Ye Jun asked as he let her lead him through the crowd.
"Hmm! I've gotten so much better at them!" she nodded.
Ye Jun smiled and walked with her as she shared everything about her day and what happened with her father.
He knew her from the new memories.
Ye Jun liked to sell most of the herbs he collected to a disabled man named Su Yunfei, since that man was very kind toward him. He had fed Ye Jun many times even though he could barely afford to live for his own family.
Su Wan, his daughter, was his only family member, so they were acquainted. And Ye Jun was someone who repaid kindness with kindness.
It didn't matter whether it was Ye Jun or Weaver, they were both similar in this aspect. As someone who had rarely received kindness from the world, they valued it a lot.
So, even though the current Ye Jun had little to do with these two, he felt thankful to them for being there for the previous Ye Jun. He knew better than anyone how even a single act of help could save someone.
'Perhaps his emotions also got mixed with mine. I'm more compassionate than before.'
They soon stopped before a stall. A middle-aged man with crutches sat there, having a small table full of various types of medicine before him.
His sunken cheeks spread into a smile when he spotted Su Wan and Ye Jun as he said, "You're finally here..."
He was going to say more when he noticed Ye Jun's face and frowned. "You had a rough fight?"
"W-What?" Su Wan exclaimed as she turned around to scan Ye Jun's face. Her eyes widened immediately. "Who beat you up, Big Brother?"
"I'm a Martial Artist, so wounds and injuries are common for me," he smiled and put a bag beside the table. "Forget about that and take this. I brought some special ones this time. Even Purple Carflog you requested earlier, Uncle."
"Ah! I'm really thankful for this," Su Yunfei sighed. "But I can't pay you yet."
"It's fine. Not like either of us are going anywhere," Ye Jun waved his hand and said. "Just give me a healing paste. The last one ended."
"Big Brother, do Martial Artists really train so hard?" Su Wan asked, blinking her small eyes cutely at him. "You always come injured and use so many healing pastes."
"No pain, no gain, Wan'er. It's just how life is," Ye Jun replied as he crouched down and took the healing paste from Su Yunfei and pocketed it.
Su Yunfei smiled and gave a warm look to his daughter. "Wan'er, didn't you want your Big Brother to taste your rice balls?"
"Yes! I forgot!" She knocked on her head and smiled. "My memory has gone mad after eating so many medicines."
Before her father could scold her, she slipped off and soon returned with a wooden box. As she opened it, Ye Jun could see three rice balls wrapped in a clean cloth.
She gave one to Ye Jun, one to her father, and kept the last one for herself. She smiled sweetly and said, "Eat it!"
Ye Jun nodded and took a bite of the rice ball. His eyes brightened as he tasted it and exclaimed, "It's really good, Wan'er! You've really improved a lot since last time."
"Hmph! I'm a born Master Cook!" Su Wan raised her head and rubbed her nose in pride.
Of course, she looked like an adorable rice ball to Ye Jun, which made him laugh. He messed with her hair and said, "So master cooks like you burn their food?"
"That did not happen!" She pouted and resisted his grip. "You're lying just to tease me."
"Really? Then how about we ask Uncle?" Ye Jun proposed with a smile.
"Don't drag me into your matters," Su Yunfei waved his hand. "I'm too old for it."
"See? This settles it then. I never burned the rice," Su Wan said.
"I never mentioned rice," Ye Jun said, making Su Wan flinch. "Thanks for telling me."
"Stop teasing me!!" Su Wan punched him with her small hands, though he felt little damage from them.
He just laughed it off and spent some more time with the duo, even helping them get some customers. After everything that happened with Ye Chen, he felt much better after having fun with them.
'Sometimes simple people are the best company you can ask for.'
Ye Jun was glad he spent time with them, as he knew the moment he went back to the Ye Manor, things would definitely ruin his mood. Or at least try to.
After bidding farewell to the father-and-daughter duo, he came back to the Ye Manor. By then, the sun was drowning on the other side, casting a beautiful orange radiance over the world.
Though, the moment he stepped inside the gates, a guard blocked his way and said,
"The Elders have summoned you. If you don't show up now, you'll be expelled."