Wei Shun lurked deeper into the forest and hunted a few more games. As the sun hung high in the center of the sky, he convinced himself that he had had enough and returned to the village.
On his body hung three different animals: a large rabbit, a small bird, and another rabbit smaller than his first catch.
"Oy, Xiao Shun, lad! Quite a catch you have there!" Uncle Bao, carrying a dirtied hoe on his shoulder, glanced at Wei Shun in surprise.
"Uncle Bao, I just got lucky, hehehe," Wei Shun humbly smiled, though internally, he was smug.
"It seems that you are definitely the lucky type. Wei Han is blessed to have you," Uncle Bao sighed as his eyes landed on the three games hanging on the boy's body.
Wei Shun, knowing that his uncle is easily envious, immediately said his farewell and rushed into their house.
On the way, villagers greeted Wei Shun with both shock and envy, stating that he was the chosen one, the reincarnation of an immortal, or the manifestation of heaven's luck. Regardless, Wei Shun waved his hands and replied with a short greeting before hurrying over.
In front of him was a sturdy-looking wooden house built from planks and a thatched roof. Though it was smaller than the apartment that he had before he transmigrated, Wei Shun felt that his current circumstances in terms of familial bonding were much better than before.
Wei Shun pushed the door open, the hinges creaking. Inside, smoke rose from the stove where Yan Lan fanned the fire. Beside her, Ling'er looked up with bright eyes that widened at the sight of her brother.
"Brother! You're back!" she squealed, darting across the room and flinging her arms around him.
"Ling'er, Mom." Wei Shun chuckled, patting her head with one hand while balancing the bundle of game with the other.
Her eyes darted to the three animals slung over him. "So many?!"
"Hahaha! Of course. Your brother is amazing. This is nothing." He puffed his chest, grinning smugly.
"Hmph! What amazing? You never give Ling'er gifts!" she pouted, turning her back.
Wei Shun's lips twitched. This girl…
"Ling'er, don't hassle your brother." Yan Lan smiled faintly, but then her gaze shifted to the scratches on Wei Shun's arms. Her smile vanished. "Shun'er, are you hurt? Did you encounter danger?"
"Mother, your son is the greatest. What danger could there possibly be?" He waved her off with a grin.
Yan Lan's brows pinched together. "Don't talk nonsense. We've already lost neighbors to carelessness in the forest!" Her voice sharpened into a scolding rhythm.
Wei Shun scratched his cheek awkwardly. In my past life, I survived exams and deadlines. Now I'm losing to my mother's nagging…
"Enough, Mother," Ling'er piped up proudly, tugging at his sleeve. "Brother brought so much food. Even Uncle Bao will be jealous!"
Yan Lan exhaled, softening again. "Haa… troublesome children."
Just then, the front door opened. A broad-shouldered man stepped in, a hoe resting on his shoulder.
"Yan Lan, Shun'er, Ling'er. I'm back."
"Father!" the siblings shouted together.
"Husband, you're home," Yan Lan greeted warmly.
Wei Han set the hoe aside and ruffled his son's hair. "You did well, Shun'er. We'll cook some of this for lunch."
Not long after, the aroma of simmering broth wafted through the small house, which carried the hint of savory fresh game and the faint sweetness of herbs. The pot on the stove bubbled faintly, releasing wisps of steam that drifted into the air.
Wei Ling was the first to rush over, her nose twitching like that of a rabbit. "Mmm! Smells so good! Mother, you cook the best!" she declared, jumping on her toes.
Yan Lan ladled the soup into wooden bowls, the golden surface shimmering with oil. Wei Han set the chopsticks and rice, steady and practiced. Finally, the family of four gathered around the wooden table, embraced by the warmth of the meal.
Even Wei Shun felt the chill of the forest slowly erode from his body.
"Ah, it feels so refreshing!" he closed his eyes, felt as if he was basking under the warm glow of sunshine in spring.
At that moment, Wei Han put down his chopsticks and narrowed his eyes as he looked at Wei Shun. The son stumbled upon this and knew that something must have happened in the village.
"Wei Shun," Wei Han said slowly, releasing a long breath. "The annual merchant caravan is near. But this year… they say a surprise is coming."
"A surprise?" Wei Shun straightened, curiosity stirring.
The family's eyes all turned to Wei Han, waiting.
"I cannot be certain, but word is that a cultivator from a nearby sect will arrive with the caravan. Looking for disciples." His hands folded together on the table, voice heavy. "It seems your chance may have come."
Wei Shun's chest tightened with excitement. A cultivator… here? Finally, a chance to prove himself.
Across from him, Yan Lan's hands retreated to her lap. Her face was downcast, her fingers had curled against her worn dress. In her heart, she wished only for more time before her children departed, being carried away by the winds of fate.
"Dad, what's a cultivator?!" Wei Ling, uneducated about such things, suddenly asked out of nowhere.
The tense atmosphere vanished, replaced by Wei Han's lecturing of his daughter.
"Ling'er, cultivators are immortals. They can step on swords, ride along the winds, and jump between mountains." He patiently explained, even if he knew that her daughter stood no chance of being selected at all.
"They are ethereal and far from us. You shouldn't ask too much, or else they might hear about it!"
Wei Han warned, afraid that his daughter might get too curious and put the entire village in trouble. He subconsciously glanced at the window, afraid that some hidden cultivator was eavesdropping on their conversation.
Just then, a knock on the door startled Wei Han, almost making him jump out of his seat.
"Uncle Han, Auntie Lan! Are you there?" the voice of a maiden shouted, her tone carrying a hint of longingness, "It's me, Zhang Yuexin! I have something to tell you about!"
"Husband, go get that lass, Yuexin. I'll handle the dishes…" Yan Lan stood up while wiping the tears about to fall from her eyes.
Wei Han nodded and went over to open the door for Zhang Yuexin.
"Yuexin, it's noon now. Have you eaten?"
"Ah, Uncle Han!" Zhang Yuexin was startled before lowering her head, red-faced, "Ah, yes. I had already eaten with Grandpa Gong. I came here to tell you something…"
Her eyes darted around the interior, noticing the smiling Wei Shun in the corner of her eyes. She quickly tossed her head to the side while evading Wei Shun's gaze.
"The… the…"
Looking at her flustered face, Wei Han sighed, "Yuexin, come in first."
Zhang Yuexin was startled, "Ah, okay…" and stepped inside their house. She bowed respectfully to Wei Han and Yan Lan before stealing a glance at Wei Shun, her fist pressed lightly to her lips.
"The merchant caravan has now entered the village, Uncle Han. If… if you want, I can… I can lead you there now, hehe," the girl said with her eyes glued to the floor.
Wei Han turned his head over to Wei Shun and Wei Ling, nodding to them.
"Shun'er, Ling'er, time to get dressed. The caravan is here!"
Wei Shun gripped his fist tightly, afraid that he had misheard earlier.
It's here. Finally, it's here! My road to being a cultivator!