Chapter 1: The Boy Walking in the Rain

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In the Lingqiao Realm, in the Tanzhou Prefecture of Jinghu South Road, Song Kingdom, torrential rains had fallen continuously for fifteen days.

The heavy rain cleansed the sky, washed away the dust, and purified the roads.

Flowers, plants, and trees brimmed with vitality; the air was exceptionally fresh.

There were no idle wanderers on the streets; those inside shops sighed as they watched the downpour, only able to chat idly with neighbors across and beside them.

“What on earth has happened in Tanzhou Prefecture? Fifteen days ago, suddenly dark clouds loomed overhead, followed by thunder and lightning, and now the fierce storm rages on.”

“Surely some grave injustice must have occurred to anger the heavens so.”

“I heard the lord of the prefecture and his wife vanished overnight. Could it be related?”

“Shh. Don’t speak so carelessly. They are high cultivators in the Qi Refining stage, among the top in Song Kingdom. How would they disappear without reason? Who could make them vanish?”

“Sigh, that’s true. Such powerful figures are beyond our reach, but I still hope the lord is safe. Because of him, Tanzhou Prefecture has lived in peace and prosperity... Yet no matter how I think about it, everything seems connected to their disappearance. The timing really fits.”

“The lord is indeed good, but right now, I just want the rain to stop, even if just a little. No one goes out, no customers enter the shops, no income... Oh! Look at that person! Braving the pouring rain, walking down the street.”

They all turned to look. Through the mist and rain at the street’s end appeared a figure, slowly approaching.

As he drew near, they saw it was a youth. His hair was tied atop his head, secured with a small stick; his clothes and trousers were full of tears and clung to his body, water cascading down like a waterfall; he carried something on his back resembling a rod. Each step stirred water ankle-deep, with even spacing, neither hurried nor slow, calm and steady.

The youth’s expression was simple and honest, but his gaze was profound and unfathomable, creating a stark contrast.

They only saw him from the side, as the youth’s eyes never wavered, staring straight ahead.

Passing in front of the shops, no one dared speak until he had gone by, then their chatter resumed.

“He doesn’t even wear a rain hat or cloak. Is he out of his mind?”

“Every step sinks into a water puddle, carrying that short rod on his back, indifferent to rain and wind. I can only say, the young man looks impressive.”

“That’s not a short rod, it’s a sword.”

“No, it’s a war mace. A sword has a blade; a mace has edges.”

“It’s definitely a sword. A mace has four edges and a square end; a sword is slim with a sharp tip. This youth’s sword looks unsharpened, commonly called a sword embryo. Yet this sword embryo doesn’t seem high quality; the color is off.”

“As expected from someone who’s sold weapons before, shopkeeper Fang really knows his stuff.”

“Flattery aside, this youth is only about fourteen or fifteen, walking so steadily amidst the heavy rain. Where did he come from, and where is he going? If he’s in a hurry, why is his pace so calm and measured?”

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After saying this, shopkeeper Fang called out loudly to the youth’s back, “Sir, why not stop and rest? Wait for the rain to ease before continuing.”

The youth didn’t stop but slowly turned his head.

This time, everyone got a clear look at his face: eyebrows like swords, thick, black, and slender; eyes somewhat large, calm and gentle; lips slightly pursed but showing firm resolve... Overall, simple and honest.

They watched the youth, and he identified who had spoken and replied, “Thank you. No need.”

Then he turned his gaze forward again, his steps steady and unhurried, maintaining the same rhythm and distance.

As the youth disappeared into the mist and rain, conversation resumed.

“Shopkeeper Fang, after calling him ‘sir,’ did you notice anything?”

“Of course. This shop once sold some weapons and dealt with warriors... Didn’t you notice each of his steps was peculiar? Equal distance, stepping in water without splashing.”

“That youth’s eyes were strange. At first, I felt uneasy, but when he turned to look, they were so pure.”

“Yes, I felt panic before, so I kept silent. When he turned, it vanished. Is it just psychological?”

“I had the same feeling. This youth is unusual.”

“...”

Some spoke, some felt a chill.

When the youth approached a shop called Eagle’s General Store, the thin shopkeeper’s face showed shock, his mind filled with disbelief: “Isn’t that the city lord’s worthless son? Not dead? They said he had broken limbs and a cracked skull. Why do I see no injuries? So many tried to kill him, and not a single one succeeded. All useless.”

The stout errand boy rubbed his eyes and whispered anxiously beside the shopkeeper, “Shopkeeper Wang, wasn’t he pushed down Death Cliff? How can he still be here? Is it really that idiot?”

Wang replied coldly, “Isn’t it? Didn’t you see with your own eyes, you big fool?”

The errand boy blurted out, “My heavens, was he struck by lightning and revived? When that idiot fell down Death Cliff, a huge dark cloud came flying, the sky blackened, thunder roared, and lightning flashed. It scared them all away. When they returned, they had fevers that still haven’t healed.”

Wang’s eyes darted rapidly, his face turned ashen. “No matter what, this must be reported. Watch the shop; I’m going out.”

He took out an oil-paper umbrella, opened the back door, and quickly vanished into the rain.

The errand boy stared at the youth’s fading figure, eyes burning with doubt. “Is it really him? I don’t believe it. No one ever returns alive from Death Cliff. They say lightning kept striking him. How was he not killed? Instead, he’s grown taller and his aura is steadier.”

Their conversation went unheard by the youth.

Heavy rain can cleanse dust, but it can also muffle sound.

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Passing another shop, a burly man laughed, “Young man, walking in such heavy rain—isn’t that foolish?”

The woman beside him slapped him sharply and scolded, “Mind your own business! Your loose mouth will get you in trouble sooner or later.”

Startled, the man sheepishly lowered his head and chuckled, “I’ll be careful next time, I promise.”

The woman whispered sternly, “People like him—if not resolute in mind, then insane. Either way, we can’t afford to provoke him...”

The youth heard their words but did not turn his head. He continued walking at his own steady pace amid the storm.

After some distance, he turned into a quiet alley.

The alley was wide enough for two horse-drawn carts to pass side by side. With no shops, it was deserted.

At the alley’s end stood a large gate, above which hung a plaque inscribed with two gilded characters: “Qin Manor.”

The youth paused at the alley’s mouth.

This alley had once bustled with traffic, regardless of weather. Now it lay abandoned.

Reaching the gate, he looked up at the plaque, staring at the “Qin Manor” characters for a moment, then murmured, “These two characters are good, still bearing the Qin clan’s spirit. From now on, I will help you avenge your grievances, repay your hatreds, find your family, and lead them to glory.”

He ascended three steps and reached out to knock on the door knocker.

Soon, the gate opened, and a head peeked through the crack.

The head froze.

A voice came, “Qin Ji, who is it?”

Another head appeared, pushing aside Qin Ji to peer through the gap.

“Young master, how have you become like this?”

“Qin Anyu, why have you come back?”