“Father when can I start working in the mines? I’m 12 years old now I should be old enough to work with the others!”

A young boy sits in front of his father, the noble of the mining village which they live in. His name is Bei Xing, he is a boy with wavy black hair that dangles below his ears and red, fiery eyes filled with spirit. From the look of his outfit one might think the boy is the son of a commoner, not a noble.

Despite being the noble’s son Bei Xing does not act like he is from a noble family. He does all his required studies and practices whatever his father asks of him, but whenever he gets the chance Bei Xing goes out on his own. He enjoys going on adventures and exploring the forest around his village, and because of this his robes are constantly dirty or torn which annoys his father.

“Son how many times must I explain this to you. You cannot work in the mines with the rest of the village boys. Not only are you unable to use any mystical arts, but you are my son. The son of Luse Village’s noble lord (Luse meaning “green” in chinese). It is unbefitting to have my child working in the mines when he should be cultivating the mystic arts or practicing politics at my side.”

Lao Xing is Bei Xing’s father and the noble in charge of Luse Village. He is a middle aged man with long black hair and dark brown eyes. His face is very clean shaven despite being in his mid-thirties which gives off the impression that he is much younger. Lao Xing’s deep voice and prideful posture make him look king-like as he sits atop his elevated chair with a guard at both his sides. The dark blue robes that rest on his body are well kept and very silky-soft. Their color pops out even more with the white clothing he has on below his robe.

The boy rolls his eyes at his father and kneels down on one knee before dropping his head.

“To this day I have yet to have any talent in the mystical arts because my body does not generate qi nor can I cultivate it. And no offense but your politics do not interest me. Why will you not let me live how I want seeing as how the heavens have already cursed me?”

Lao Xing hears the saddened tone in his son’s voice and realizes just what exactly he had done. Rather than letting Bei Xing live his own life he had forced the child to adhere to his own expectations in order to keep his pride as the noble lord of Luse village.

“Rise to your feet Bei Xing and follow me. I think it is time we had an honest discussion.”

Bei Xing stands up and makes eye contact with his father before nodding his head.

Lao Xing returns the nod and rises to his feet before walking over to his sons as the two guards follow suit.

The father and son exit the town center and begin walking south to the edge of town.

As they are walking it is easy to see that Luse Village is somewhat of an oddball. Their village income is low yet the village itself is maintained very well. This is because Lao Xing is a fair and merciful noble lord. Rather than hoarding gold for himself he spends it on helping maintain and expand the village whenever necessary. His noble acts of kindness make him well respected by the commoners around the village, and many refuse to leave because he is their lord.

Such virtues are rare in a world where those with power control and domineer everything.

The pair continue walking after they make it to the edge of the village and go up a tall hill to sit on the ledge overlooking the town.

Lao Xing waves off his guards and they bow before turning around and guarding the backside of the hill where they walked up at.

Bei Xing sits on the ledge and begins swinging his legs. His father approaches from behind and sits next to him.

From this view they can see the entire village and it’s surrounding areas.

The village has a small market in the middle of town where villagers and traders exchange goods. Bei Xing’s favorite bakery, the White Loaf, sits across the street from it. Nearby is the town center, which is larger than any other building in town, but actually small in comparison to the town centers built by other nobles in their domains. On the far side of town closest to the hill they currently sit on is the training grounds where cultivators of the mystic arts practice their skills and train. Even their home is visible on the edge of town.

Around the village is a thick forest filled with lush green trees and a small lake where the villagers get water and fish from. Beyond the forest is a mountain range that forms somewhat of a natural barrier around the village. The only ways to enter this peaceful valley being from the north east and south west, where the mountains and forest part.

“Do you see all of this son? The village and it’s people, the beautiful green forest, the tall mountains...All of it will be yours one day.”

Bei Xing lets out a sigh.

“Yeah yeah yeah, I know father you’ve told me this before.”

“Oops, have I?”

He lets out a chuckle which causes Bei Xing to laugh a little too.

“Nonetheless my dear son, I mean it. One day my time will come and I will have to leave the duties as noble lord of Luse Village to you. Then all of this which you see before you will be under your leadership.”

“But father I have no interest in being the lord of the village. I just want to live a life free from responsibility. One where I can follow the wind as it leads me from one adventure to another.”

“Ha ha, of course you do. Just like every other young boy in the village. But shall I let you in on a secret that no one else may know?

“What might that be?”

“Well when I was your age you and I were no different.”

“Ha! No way! You’re so formal and uptight about your duties as the noble lord of the village. How could you be so lax and carefree like I am?”

“Simply put I was also a child, like you are now. My father did the same to me as I do you, by having me study the job of being noble lord and practicing basic martial arts.”

“At least you can practice basic martial arts. I have no talent in any of the mystic arts. I’m a useless child with no future as the noble lord, can’t you just let me be?”

“Do not be so harsh on yourself my son. The heavens have not gifted you their talents yet, but your day will come.”

“When will that day be? A day from now? A year? A decade? I’ve waited for 12 years and watched as all the other children around town have been gifted with various skills and talents in the mystic arts. When will it be my turn father? Why must I be the village cripple?”

Bei Xing becomes saddened by this and even lets out a tear.

“The heavens work in mysterious ways. This is all I can say to you for now. I am not an envoy of the gods or a fortune teller of any sorts. However, what I do know is that you are my son. And no matter what both your mother and I will love you for as long as you live, cripple or not.”

Hearing this message from his father made Bei Xing smile and wipe his tears away. He then shoots up from his sitting position and clenches his fist.

“I appreciate hearing you say that father. Just know that the heavens may be punishing me right now, but sooner or later I will come into my own. I am Bei Xing, something as silly as fate can’t even hold me back!”

“Good, it’s nice to see you smile and act enthusiastically. But remember, if you do obtain power it is important to use it justly. Those that use their power to harm others and corrupt the world we live in are vile snakes that cannot be trusted.”

“Yes father, I swear on my life that I will live my life as fairly and justly as you do. Power or not.”

“That is good to hear. Now come, let us return home and see what your mother and sister are preparing for dinner.”

As Lao Xing stands up and grabs his sons shoulder the two guards who were protecting them run over carrying a message.

One guard bows and then conveys the message to his noble lord.

“My lord, your brother She Xing has alerted us saying the royal envoy has arrived at the town center and is awaiting your arrival.”

“Really? I wonder what they are doing here in our village. We live in the far north of the Empire and hardly ever receive envoys directly from the imperial capital.”

Lao Xing turns and looks down at his son.

“Before we go home let us stop at the town center and see what the emperor has to say. This will be a good learning experience for you as a man and future noble lord.”

Bei Xing laughs off his father’s last remark and smiles at him.

“Yes father, as you say.”

They then begin walking back to the town center while their guards follow on both sides of them.

As they walk Lao Xing ponders why exactly the emperor would be sending an envoy to Luse Village of all places. This truly is a peculiar situation...

Chapter End.