Chapter 1: The Woodcutting Boy

The Northern lands were frozen for a thousand miles, a vast expanse of white snow. In the Beiliang Kingdom, deep within the rugged mountains, birds and beasts were rarely seen. Most wealthy families had already hidden themselves away at home, warming themselves by charcoal fires. However, at the foot of the mountains to the east of Qingzhu County, a group of youths dressed in thin black tunics were repeatedly swinging long sabers in the bitter cold.

On a high platform, a middle-aged martial artist watched the disciples training in the courtyard with eyes as sharp as an eagle’s.

Lu Xiaotian, wearing a gray fur-lined jacket with a wood-chopping knife tucked into his belt, looked on with envy at the Thunder Blade Sect disciples practicing their blade techniques.

"Still not moving? Dawdling about! If you don't chop enough firewood today, there’ll be no dinner for you!"

Behind him, a middle-aged man also dressed in a thick gray jacket scolded him with a feigned air of authority.

"What did you say? Say that again if you dare!" A youth, a head taller than Lu Xiaotian, strode over from the outer hall entrance. Hearing the middle-aged man’s words, he spoke in a cold, sharp tone.

"Brother Shi!"

Lu Xiaotian’s face lit up when he heard the voice. The newcomer was Shi Qingshan, who had come from the same Huyang Village as him. Shi Qingshan was the pride of Huyang Village; he had been selected as an outer sect disciple of the Thunder Blade Sect at a young age, and due to his outstanding talent, he had become an inner sect disciple in less than a year.

Back in Huyang Village, he and Shi Qingshan had been the closest of friends. Last year, when the village suffered a drought and his family had added a younger brother and sister, their meager fields couldn't support so many people. Shi Qingshan had brought him to the Thunder Blade Sect, but because he lacked talent for martial arts, he became a handyman, doing chores like fetching water, cooking, and chopping wood in the mountains. Although it was hard work, it at least allowed him to survive in this impoverished, chaotic world.

"So it is an inner sect brother. I—I apologize for my rudeness. I didn't know Xiaotian was an acquaintance of yours. Please, Brother, and Xiaotian, forgive my offense!" Steward Zhao, who usually threw his weight around among the handymen, turned pale and hurriedly apologized to both Shi Qingshan and Lu Xiaotian. Never mind an inner sect disciple, even he was just a handyman steward whose position wasn't secure; he couldn't afford to offend even the higher-ranking outer sect disciples.

"Brother Shi, Steward Zhao was just worried that I wouldn't be able to chop enough firewood in time. He meant no harm, so please don't blame him."

Lu Xiaotian spoke up for Steward Zhao. Having stayed in the handyman quarters for so long, although he possessed no martial arts skills, he was far more adept at social nuances than Shi Qingshan. It wouldn't matter if Shi Qingshan offended Steward Zhao, but he had to work under the steward for a long time to come. If Steward Zhao were replaced, there might be an even more cunning and mean-spirited steward, making life even harder.

"Fine. Since Xiaotian is pleading for you, I'll let it slide today. If I catch you bullying Xiaotian again, you’ll regret it. Now get lost!" Shi Qingshan glared at Steward Zhao with a fierce expression.

"Yes, yes, I won't dare again!" Steward Zhao nodded repeatedly and fled in a disheveled, panicked state.

"The Punishment Hall has been keeping things too tight. I only managed to practice the Wind-Splitting Blade technique to the third level, and only then did Master let me out for two days of rest. That’s why I’ve only had time to see you now," Shi Qingshan said apologetically to Lu Xiaotian after chasing off the steward.

"That’s great! The stronger you are, Brother Shi, the less anyone in the handyman quarters will dare to bully me," Lu Xiaotian said happily.

"That won't happen. Whoever dares to bully Xiaotian, I’ll make them kneel and beg for mercy," Shi Qingshan declared with immense bravado.

As the two were talking, a youth and a particularly beautiful girl, both dressed in white martial attire, stood not far ahead and waved at Shi Qingshan. "Brother Shi, why are you still standing there? Hurry up, we’re going to the county town."

Seeing that people were waiting for Shi Qingshan, Lu Xiaotian said, "Brother Shi, someone is waiting for you. You should go ahead; I need to chop wood. I still have to finish my task today."

"Since I have time today, I'll help you chop wood," Shi Qingshan said, shaking his head.

"No need. I have to go every day, and it doesn't take long. You’ve finally got two days of rest, Brother Shi; don't waste them on chores like chopping wood," Lu Xiaotian said, pushing Shi Qingshan. However, Shi Qingshan had been practicing martial arts for years and was strong and sturdy; he wasn't someone Lu Xiaotian could push.

"Alright then, I'll head out first and bring you back something good to eat." Shi Qingshan was tempted; after all, he was still a youth at heart. Having trained hard, he wanted to visit the lively county town while he had the leisure.

"Alright, then thank you, Brother Shi."

Lu Xiaotian waved, turned, and walked toward the back mountain, his feet sinking into the deep snow. Looking back, he saw Shi Qingshan walking away, laughing and chatting with the other two junior disciples. The smile that had been on Lu Xiaotian’s face suddenly faded into loneliness. This was the difference between a martial artist and a handyman—they lived in two completely different worlds.

But perhaps it was fated; he had no talent for martial arts, and no matter how hard he tried, he would always be a handyman. He should just focus on chopping enough wood to finish his task.

In a few days, the monthly silver would be issued. Thinking of the two silver beans he had saved, a smile returned to his face. Every so often, he would send some money home, but he had managed to save some for himself. Once he had enough, he would go to the city to learn a trade to make a living. Whether it was carpentry or blacksmithing, the Thunder Blade Sect was good, but a handyman would always be a servant. Even if he couldn't become a martial artist, he didn't want to be a servant who had to look at others' faces forever.

Clutching the two silver beans in his chest was like clutching his dreams. He felt that the snow-covered path, usually so difficult to walk, wasn't so hard after all. The back of the sect was a vast, wild forest, with rolling mountains that stretched beyond sight.

When Lu Xiaotian reached the forest, he didn't immediately start chopping wood. Instead, he took a mended fishing net from a hidden cave, spread it between several trees, and threw a bag of grain he had brought from his jacket onto the snow beneath the net.

After clapping his hands, he was finally satisfied. He drew his wood-chopping knife, walked a distance, and found a somewhat withered tree trunk in the dense forest to start hacking away.

*Clack!*

*Clack!*

The sharp knife struck the trunk again and again. Snow fell from the branches from time to time, and Lu Xiaotian would brush the snow off his body before swinging again.

After more than two hundred strikes, the trunk, which wasn't very thick, crashed to the ground, splashing residual snow all over his face.

In such bitter cold, the repetitive swinging caused a wisp of steam to rise from his body. Nearly two hours later, Lu Xiaotian packed the chopped wood into his basket. He figured it was time to check the traps he had set.

During this time, being able to constantly support his family and save some money was due not only to his frugality but also to catching wild game in the mountains. Although he couldn't catch large beasts, catching a few pheasants or sparrows was enough to make him happy for a while.

*Coo-coo.*

From afar, he heard the calls and fluttering of pheasants. Lu Xiaotian’s heart leaped with joy. Judging by the sound, there was more than one; it seemed like a bumper harvest today. With this extra motivation, his steps were even lighter than usual.

However, a low growl suddenly made the hair on Lu Xiaotian’s body stand on end.

Lu Xiaotian gripped the handle of his wood-chopping knife with both hands, his eyes searching every gap in the forest while he backed himself against the trunk of a large tree.

Soon, a green wolf the size of a calf slowly emerged from the woods, its eyes flashing with a fierce light, baring a pair of sharp fangs. It growled, closing in on Lu Xiaotian step by step.

With the appearance of the green wolf, Lu Xiaotian’s joy from catching the pheasants vanished, replaced by deep-seated tension and fear. Even for an old hunter like his father, encountering such a giant wolf in the mountains was extremely dangerous, and he was now just a youth in his early teens.

Lu Xiaotian couldn't help but regret not having Shi Qingshan come with him. If he had his Brother Shi, an initiated martial artist, he would have had a fighting chance against this wolf. Now, he could only wave his wood-chopping knife and shout to intimidate the lone wolf before him.

No, it wasn't a lone wolf. On the right side of the thicket, another slightly smaller green wolf appeared. Lu Xiaotian felt a wave of despair. He could barely escape one, and now a second had appeared—it was a hopeless situation!