The noon sun blazed overhead, casting everything in harsh white light.
*Tap, tap, tap.*
Zhang Wei's boots crunched softly on the dry grass as he crested the small hill. Before him lay a village nestled in a shallow valley, with a large weathered boulder standing guard at its entrance. Words had been carved deep into the stone, worn smooth by years of wind and rain:
**Little Wolf Village**
"So this is where Mei Yan grew up," he murmured, squinting against the brightness. The sun felt like needles in his eyes, leaving dancing spots in his vision. He'd left his weapon at home today. Visiting a friend didn't require steel, and he had no wish to appear threatening
Besides, with magic flowing through his veins, weapons made little difference when facing ordinary folk.
The village spread out below him, simple wooden houses with thatched roofs and small gardens. Smoke drifted lazily from a few chimneys. It looked peaceful, untouched by the chaos of larger towns.
Where would her house be? Perhaps that old man could help.
An elderly villager sat in the shade of a small shelter beside the dirt road. His grey clothes were patched but clean, and he was slowly eating what looked like purple berries from a wooden bowl. When he spotted Zhang Wei approaching, his weathered face broke into a welcoming smile.
"Come, young traveler! Rest your feet and try some mountain grapes."
Zhang Wei stepped into the blessed shade and accepted the offered fruit gratefully. The moment he bit down, his eyes widened in surprise.
"This is incredible! I had no idea such treasures grew in these mountains."
The berries burst with sweetness on his tongue—like grapes, but with a unique floral note that made his mouth water for more.
The old man chuckled, pleased by the reaction. "So what brings you to our little village, young man? Looking to buy wolf pelts, perhaps? Or maybe fox fur? Our hunters bring back the finest quality—perfect for noble ladies' winter coats."
Zhang Wei wiped sweat from his brow as he settled deeper into the shade. The heat was becoming unbearable. "Actually, I'm searching for someone. A young woman named Mei Yan."
"Mei Yan?" The old man's expression shifted, becoming more alert. "You mean Yang and Yan's daughter? The girl who awakened her magic last week?"
His tone had grown cautious, protective. Zhang Wei could see the wheels turning in the man's mind.
Zhang Wei hesitated. "I'm actually her friend. We met recently, and I have some business to discuss with her."
The old man studied him carefully, taking in his clean clothes and confident bearing. After a long moment of silence, he stood and brushed crumbs from his pants.
"Well then, whether you're friend or foe, we'd best find out for certain. Follow me."
"I really am her friend," Zhang Wei said with a helpless smile as they walked.
The village's interior surprised him with its cleanliness and order. While tools and lumber were scattered about—evidence of ongoing repairs and improvements—nothing felt chaotic or abandoned. Vegetable gardens flourished behind neat wooden fences. Laundry fluttered on lines strung between houses.
Children's laughter echoed from a nearby clearing where a group played with carved wooden toys. Their eyes followed the stranger with open curiosity.
"Hello there!" Zhang Wei called to a boy holding what looked like a wooden wolf. "Having fun?"
"We're playing hunters and wolves!" the child replied brightly. "Are you new? I've never seen you before."
"I'm visiting a friend," Zhang Wei answered, but they'd already reached their destination.
"Uncle Chen? What brings you this way?"
"Hmm? Ethan?!"
Mei Yan's voice rang out clear and happy. She stood beside a two-story house where several workers were busy adding what appeared to be a third floor. Sawdust filled the air, and the sound of hammers created a steady rhythm.
The old man—Chen—nodded approvingly. "So you really are friends. My apologies for the suspicion, boy."
"Thank you for guiding me," Zhang Wei replied as Chen departed with a wave.
Turning to Mei Yan, Zhang Wei noticed immediate changes in her bearing. She stood taller, spoke with more confidence. Her eyes held a spark that hadn't been there before—the look of someone who'd discovered their own power.
Though at the same time, not much had really changed.
"Did you forget? I said I'd give you news once the people from the Eastern Red Lands arrived."
"Of course. So what's the plan? Should I prepare formal clothes, or something?"
"No, don't be in such a rush. I assume it will start tomorrow."
"I see… that's good. I'll have time to prepare!"
She smiled with relief.
Zhang Wei gestured toward the bustling construction. "Is this your family's house? Looks like major renovations."
A middle-aged worker nearby looked up and greeted him with a smile before returning to his task. Mei Yan turned, glanced at the house, and her lips curved into a proud smile.
"Yes. Thanks to the herbs and magical plants I found on the road, I earned a decent amount of money in the city," she explained. "When you have money, you should spend it on what matters—and a beautiful home makes for a beautiful life, don't you think?"
"Yeah, I agree," he nodded.
She pointed to the workers. "Those are my father's friends. They're helping repair the roof and add proper windows. Good people, and they tell the funniest stories while they work."
Her expression grew playful, almost teasing. "Though I suppose it can't compare to your mansion, can it?"
Despite her words carrying a hint of self-deprecation, her tone remained light and confident.
Zhang Wei chose not to address the comparison directly. "You weren't cheated in the city, were you? Though I suppose now that you've awakened your magic, merchants wouldn't dare. No one wants to anger a future mage over a few coins."
Mei Yan's cheeks flushed slightly at the praise. "Come on," she said, eager to change the subject. "There's a beautiful spring just outside the village. Ela is probably swimming there by now—you should meet her. The water's perfect on days like this."
Zhang Wei considered for a moment. He had nothing pressing to do, and truthfully, he didn't want to return to his mansion just yet. The place felt cold and oppressive—though he supposed he was part of that oppression, being nobility himself. Still, the cautious faces and nervous movements of the servants didn't bring him any joy.
"Yeah, let's go."
"Great! Follow me!"
She raised her head with a bright smile, leading him toward a path that wound between towering trees.
"Uncle, we're heading out for a bit—is that alright?" she called back to the workers.
They paused in their hammering and waved cheerfully. "Go ahead! Don't worry about us—we've got this handled. Enjoy yourself, little Yan, and watch out for slippery rocks!"
"You know," one of them said to his companion as the two figures disappeared into the forest, "when's the last time we visited that spring ourselves? Makes me nostalgic."
The forest path surprised Zhang Wei with its openness. Instead of the dark, dense woodland he'd expected, shafts of golden sunlight pierced through the canopy, creating dancing pillars of light filled with floating dust motes. The Tyndall effect painted everything in warm, ethereal tones.
Half a step ahead of him, Mei Yan walked with her hands clasped behind her back, humming a cheerful tune. The difference from their first meeting struck him again—gone was the fierce, serious expression he'd seen when she fought those three bandits.
"Ethan," she said, turning her head with curious eyes, "what do people from the... um... North Land look like?"
She'd never traveled beyond this province. The farthest she'd ever been was to the nearest city, and even there, the travelers she'd overheard spoke only of places within the same region.
"Eastern Red Lands," Zhang Wei corrected gently, "not North Land."
"Oops, my mistake!" She stuck out her tongue with an embarrassed grin. "So it's Eastern Red Lands. What are they like?"
"They're human, with the usual two arms and two legs," he said with amusement."Not some strange creature."
"Really? They look just like us?"
Mei Yan stepped around a massive tree trunk that blocked a third of the path, continuing their leisurely walk.
"Were you expecting someone with two heads and six arms?" Zhang Wei found himself unusually comfortable talking with her—something about her genuine curiosity put him at ease.
"Of course not! I'm just curious. Wouldn't you be curious if you were in my shoes?"
Zhang Wei was about to respond when he suddenly stopped dead in his tracks.
"Who's there?!"
His shout rang through the forest, directed at a cluster of thick, vine-covered trees beside the path.
"Ethan? What's wrong?" Mei Yan halted, confusion clear on her face as she followed his gaze.
"I heard something. Someone's hiding behind that tree." He pointed toward a spot roughly twenty meters away.
His eyes narrowed as he extended his magical senses, feeling the subtle disturbances in the air currents. The wind told him everything he needed to know—someone crouched behind that tree, gripping what felt like a dagger.
The outline was crystal clear to his enhanced perception.
Then, realizing he'd been discovered, the hidden figure burst from cover.
"Damn! I was found!"
A man with wild eyes and unkempt hair rushed toward them, blade gleaming in his hand.
He'd been hiding in the forest outskirts for days, waiting for her to leave the safety of the village.
"Little bitch! I finally found you!"
"You ruined everything for me!"
Zhou Jin's voice cracked with rage as he fixed his murderous gaze on Mei Yan. "You destroyed my gang, killed my brother, and turned me into prey for those bounty hunters!"
Spittle flew from his lips as hatred consumed his features. "I'm going to break every bone in your body!"
If it weren't for her, his brother would still be alive. he wouldn't be hunted by the bounty hunters the village had hired through the city guard. Now he couldn't even enter the city for fear of being recognized—one glimpse by the wrong person and he'd be shot dead at the gates without question.
In this world, a criminal's life held no value. Justice only mattered if you had connections or power.
He aimed his dagger straight for her heart, dismissing the boy beside her. Just some weaponless kid—what could he possibly do?
Suddenly, a flash of cold light appeared between them.