The old house creaked faintly as Little Water pushed its worn wooden door open. Morning sunlight spilled in from the cracks of the roof and broken shutters, illuminating the dust that danced lazily in the air. He stepped across the stone threshold, his bare feet making little sound on the cold floor. The house was no longer the ruin it had been when he first set foot here. Walls had been repaired, the beams reinforced, and the central hall swept clean of cobwebs and rubble. Only the private bedroom remained incomplete, the work of hammer and nail still waiting to be finished.
A sharp scent of earth and mildew lingered in the air, a reminder that this house had stood abandoned for decades. Yet now, under his hands and will, it was slowly being reborn—not just a house, but a place where shadows and secrets could grow.
Little Water's gaze sharpened as it fell on a slumped figure in the corner. The unconscious guard, the same one who had dared to attack Qianya before, lay bound by a simple cord of spiritual thread. His breath was shallow, his head tilted awkwardly against the wall.
Little Water walked over, his steps deliberate, and without a word, lifted his hand. The crisp sound of a slap echoed through the hall.
The man jerked awake, eyes wide and bloodshot. For a brief moment, confusion painted his face—then horror as his gaze settled on the youth before him. Little Water's calm, unreadable eyes made the guard tremble. He struggled against his restraints, but they only tightened.
"What will happen to me now…?" the man asked, his voice quivering like dry leaves in the wind.
Little Water crouched down, his lips curving into a faint smile that held no warmth. "You will be given two choices. You choose one, and accept the result."
The guard swallowed hard. "T–two choices…?"
"Yes." Little Water's voice was calm, measured, and far colder than the draft seeping through the walls. "First choice: you die here, now. Simple, quick." He let the words hang in the air, watching the guard's pupils shrink.
"The second choice: you work for me."
The man blinked in confusion, then cautious hope flickered. But Little Water's tone remained sharp.
"Don't misunderstand. Choosing to work for me doesn't mean you won't die. It means you buy yourself some time. If you are sincere, if you prove useful, and if luck favors you… you may live. But luck is fickle, and my patience is not endless."
The guard stared at him, stunned by the strange mercy. Death was certain if he refused, but survival—even slim—was a gamble worth taking. He clenched his teeth and forced out the words:
"I… I bet my life on luck. I choose the second."
Little Water's smile deepened, though it was more of a predator's grin than kindness.
"Good. Then listen well. You will build something for me. Here, beneath this house."
The man tilted his head, bewildered. "Beneath… the house?"
"You have until tomorrow's sunrise to complete it."
His heart skipped a beat. "What do you want me to build?"
Little Water stood, hands behind his back as he turned toward the half-finished bedroom. His voice carried a quiet authority that made the room feel smaller.
"An underground room. Large enough to store herbs, tools, and cages. It will be used for medicine making, poison brewing, and testing."
The guard's face paled at the word testing.
Little Water continued, ignoring his fear. "There will also be… experimental pigs. Perhaps people like you, if they are unlucky. But don't worry—if you serve me sincerely, I won't use you in such a way. Build also a small bed, enough for one person to sleep. Simple, but sturdy."
The silence stretched until the guard's lips trembled into a strange, desperate smile. He forced himself to his feet, bowed deeply, and said with a voice laced with false bravado:
"I will be victorious, Sir!"
He grabbed the shovel that leaned against the wall, summoned what remained of his qi energy, and began to dig into the packed earth floor. Each strike of the shovel was laced with desperation, sparks of qi loosening stone and soil. Sweat broke across his brow within moments, but he worked with the frantic energy of a man who knew his life was tethered to the rising sun.
Little Water watched him for a moment, the corner of his lips twitching upward. "Good."
He turned away and left the man to his labor, walking toward the study room.
The study was small but orderly. Shelves had been salvaged and filled with scrolls, bottles, and dried herbs. A faint fragrance of ink mixed with the sharp scent of medicinal powder. Sitting cross-legged on the mat, Little Water closed his eyes and sank into cultivation.
He did not use the advanced arts that hummed within his blood. Not now. Instead, he cultivated with the old mortal method, channeling the qi of heaven and earth slowly into his dantian. Hours passed like drops of water into a still pond.
When his eyes opened again, a faint shimmer lingered in his gaze. His cultivation had risen to the Qi Collector Peak Stage. Progress, but he held himself back from rushing forward. Patience was his greatest weapon.
Rising, he stretched and decided to bathe. The house's restored bathroom was simple—a wooden tub, heated stones, and clear water drawn from the well outside. Steam curled around him as he slipped into the warmth, the grime of cultivation washing away.
The sudden knock on the front door broke the stillness.
Little Water frowned slightly. Qianya, most likely. He called out, "Come in."
He finished quickly, stepped from the bath, and draped a robe over his shoulders. Water dripped down his chest, tracing lines across his skin as he walked into the corridor that connected the study to the bathroom.
Halfway through, he froze.
Two figures stood in the study doorway. One was Qianya, her eyes wide and cheeks faintly flushed. Beside her was a young woman with lively eyes and a mischievous smile—her close friend, Yun Feixue.
For a heartbeat, even Little Water was caught off guard. Then his composure returned.
"Wait for me in the study room," he said calmly, ignoring their surprise.
Qianya and Yun Feixue exchanged glances, then walked inside. As soon as the door shut, Feixue leaned close to Qianya with a teasing grin.
"Is he the one who stole your heart, little sister?"
Qianya's face reddened. "No! Don't talk nonsense!"
Feixue giggled. "Don't lie to me. I saw the way you looked at him just now. If I weren't here, you would have jumped into his arms."
"Xue'er, stop it!" Qianya hissed, her ears burning.
Behind the door, Little Water finished dressing, amused by their chatter. When he entered the study, robe tied properly, he asked lightly, "Is Qianya stealing glances at me again?"
Feixue chuckled openly. "She's like an open book when it comes to romance."
Qianya glared at both of them, but her silence was as good as confirmation.
Little Water shifted the subject with practiced ease. "I am Little Water. And you are?"
The other girl bowed slightly. "Yun Feixue. Close friend to Qianya, and guard to Miss Ruyin. Today, I came with Qianya because… well, I feared she might pounce on you if left alone."
Her smile was playful, but her eyes assessed him with the sharpness of someone trained to guard.
Little Water allowed a brief awkward cough and then waved it off. "Very well. But let's return to the matter at hand. I don't yet have an instant cure for your poison," he said, turning to Qianya. "Nor a way to subdue it quickly. For now, we must take things slowly. What I need from you… is your blood."
Qianya's eyes flickered with disappointment, though she nodded in quiet acceptance.
Feixue frowned. "How much?"
Little Water picked up a small porcelain teacup from the table, holding it delicately between his fingers. "Three full cups like this. For now."
Feixue's brows knitted. "That much? If she gives you that, she'll grow weak, unable to even walk."
"I know," Little Water replied calmly. "That is why you are here, isn't it? To care for her until morning. I knew someone would accompany her tonight."
Feixue fell silent, surprised by his foresight.
Qianya gave a soft laugh, though her voice was tired. "You only need my blood? Nothing else?"
"For now, nothing else."
Without hesitation, she drew a small dagger from her sleeve and pressed it against her palm. A shallow cut opened, and crimson droplets fell into the cup.
The scent of fresh blood filled the air. Little Water watched carefully as the dark liquid slowly filled the porcelain. When her head swayed with dizziness, he gestured. "Rest on her shoulder."
Feixue guided Qianya gently, letting her lean against her as the blood continued to flow.
To fill the silence, Little Water asked casually, "Tell me, Yun Feixue… what of the world outside? The affairs of kingdoms?"
Feixue's expression grew thoughtful. "Then listen. There are four great kingdoms: TheImperial Kingdom, Tiger Kingdom, Phoenix Kingdom, and Turtle Kingdom. Each bears strengths, weaknesses, and dangers."
Her voice lowered, like one reciting secrets. "The Imperial Kingdom's Emperor is Mu Tianlong, father of Mu Yueli, Mu Jianxun. His wife, Empress Feng Yuyan, hails from the Phoenix Kingdom. And Miss Ruyin, whom I serve, is one of his concubines."
She glanced at Qianya before continuing. "The Emperor's twins, Yueli and Jianxun, are… peculiar. They often crossdress, roaming the streets in disguise. Few know the truth."
Little Water leaned back, listening with interest.
"There is also Mu Zhenyuan, the retired Emperor. Though retired, rumors whisper he secretly serves as Tianlong's hidden bodyguard."
"And near the Emperor, always," Feixue added with a trace of unease, "is Qin Youhun. A greedy adversary, bearer of the Lantern of Deads. He wields no elemental power, but cultivates Soul Power. He takes the souls of the dead, weaving them into his strength."
Her words lingered in the dim light, painting images of power and danger.
By then, three cups brimmed with Qianya's blood. Her breathing was shallow, her eyes fluttering shut.
Little Water capped the last cup carefully and said softly, "It's late. Take her back. She needs rest."
Feixue gave him a sly grin as she helped Qianya to her feet. "You're polite, but I wonder… are you as calm inside as you seem?"
He said nothing, merely opened the door for them.
Feixue supported the drowsy Qianya and guided her toward Miss Ruyin's private chamber. Their figures disappeared down the corridor.
Little Water watched them go, then turned back.
The old house was quiet again. He closed the door behind him.
"Little Water closes his door."
----To be Continued---