Chapter Four: The Little Wanderer's Silhouette

July nodded silently, feeling reluctant and a little lost, glancing around in hopes of seeing something more. But Bu Jingxian pulled her away, urging her to hurry.

"The Han army is coming. If they see us, they'll shoot arrows from afar. Zheng won't care if slaves like us are killed!"

Meanwhile, Zheng Pi, furious, followed General Cheng to the border. Hearing from the soldiers that some slave children had escaped into Zheng's territory, Zheng Pi ordered General Cheng to lead his troops across the border to capture them.

The Zheng army, upon seeing the Han troops arrive, immediately assembled and blocked the road.

After learning the situation, the Zheng commanders dismissed the Han army with indifference, telling them to return. Zheng Pi, enraged but outnumbered, pressed to force their way through, but General Cheng, knowing the seriousness of the matter, dared not. Negotiations failed, and General Cheng gently persuaded and dragged Zheng Pi back to camp.

Zheng Pi cursed all the way, but General Cheng took no offense. Back at camp, General Cheng personally poured Zheng Pi a cup of wine and finally spoke. "Young master, we've been brothers for years. I don't mind your reproaches today. But allow me to speak frankly: it's true, you're a renowned merchant in Han, but at the end of the day, you're a merchant, not a court official. Today, not just you—even if our country's top general were here, he wouldn't dare violate Zheng's territory. This isn't a matter that can be solved with money. If Zheng uses this as a pretext to wage war, what then? We are barely able to defend against Chu, let alone face Zheng, the overlord!"

Zheng Pi knew he was in the wrong, but having never suffered humiliation since childhood, his pride was deeply wounded. Especially the words of the Zheng commander—"Who do you think you are?"—had left him feeling humiliated, nearly faint with rage.

Even after General Cheng's words, Zheng Pi remained indignant.

"So now Han must live at Zheng's mercy! What are the officials doing? A bunch of useless fools!"

General Cheng hurried to say, "Young master, it's fine to say this to me, but don't let anyone else hear."

Zheng Pi's complaints were not unfounded. Han had barely entered the ranks of the Seven Powers. Some years ago, during the chaos, Han had allied with Zheng. At that time, Han faced mortal peril; countless tribal alliances sought to seize Han's lands and cities. Han united, everyone contributing what they could. After countless battles, following Zheng's lead, they defeated over a hundred tribes, gained land, and became one of the Seven Powers.

But after the nations, under Zheng's leadership, agreed to a ceasefire, Han grew complacent. From the king down to the commoners, they became arrogant, proud of their place among the Seven. The court never dared offend Zheng; even a mere magistrate from Zheng would be greeted personally by the Han king. Trusting Zheng's promises, Han drastically reduced its army, cut spending, and focused on economic development. However, the country became flooded with Zheng merchants who trampled laws and disrupted order. Not only did Han's native merchants suffer, but even the king's decrees could not be enforced.

Right after the great wars, Han ranked fifth among the Seven Powers: Zheng, Qi, Chen, Chu, Han, Wei, Yan. Now it had fallen to last place. Even the small nation of Yan was stronger.

Decades of war had transformed the world from tribal structures to a nation-based system. The former royal family was left with only a single city, just north of Zheng's border. Zheng, oddly, never conquered it, instead continuing to honor it as the emperor, sovereign of the world.

After the ceasefire, most states strove to grow stronger, except for Chen, which was mired in succession disputes, and Han, whose power declined. Yet the court officials remained idle, indulging in pleasure every day. The Han king, too, feasted and reveled nightly, lost in wine and women, living in a dream.

Zheng Pi, after his anger had somewhat cooled, suddenly grabbed General Cheng's hand.

"We are brothers. I beg you for one thing now—don't refuse me! If you do, I will resent you forever, even break off our friendship!"

"If you have a request, just say it. No need for such angry vows! We've been brothers for years. Even if you wanted my life, I'd never hesitate."

"Good! I want to enter politics. I need your help to open doors. I don't care how much silver it takes!"

General Cheng stared in shock, finally understanding how fierce Zheng Pi's pride was.

As for Bu Jingxian and July, after entering Zheng's territory, they continued northward.

By the tenth day, their food was gone, and they had no choice but to beg along the way. July could eat prodigiously; even though Bu Jingxian gave her nearly all the food they managed to beg, it still couldn't satisfy her miraculous appetite. Fortunately, July never complained. She followed Bu Jingxian, carefree and full of laughter.

Only when she saw food would she stare longingly, as if lost in a trance.

Their greatest joy was finding a Gulu fruit tree.

Gulu fruit was the most magical fruit in the world. Oval and flattened, they came in various colors, their flesh sweet or sour, but always harmless. The wonder of Gulu fruit was that they could speak—yes, speak. Gulu fruits had faces, with two slits that opened as eyes, and a long slit below that curved into a smile. Once picked, the fruit began to dry and die; they could not be kept for long.

Gulu fruit were plants, but they could talk and understand human speech. The two children always gathered every fruit, sweet or sour, whenever they found a Gulu tree. When tired, they would chat with the fruits until they had to eat them before they spoiled.

Gulu fruit accompanied them, making their journey less lonely, bringing joy.

"When we reach North Spirit Mountain, everything will be fine. My father told me I must go and seek a master. With a teacher to guide me, we won't have to worry about survival."

"Okay."

After years of chaos and only a brief period of peace, refugees and beggars were everywhere. The two children wandering together did not surprise anyone. The kind-hearted would sigh, "Poor children." Some wanted to adopt them, but Bu Jingxian politely declined.

July knew Bu Jingxian's background; they had suffered together, and he treated her well. She had no wish to part from him.

July ate much but was frail. When tired, Bu Jingxian would carry her, always teasing that he didn’t know where all the food went, as she weighed so little it was no effort to carry her. July believed Bu Jingxian said this to comfort her, for whenever he carried her, he was drenched in sweat. Unless she truly couldn't walk, she refused to let him carry her. Whenever they begged food, she would try to share, but Bu Jingxian insisted she eat more, always outdoing her stubbornness.

The children were most delighted when they met wandering martial artists, armed and traveling. To them, every one seemed a mighty hero. July would always ask Bu Jingxian, "Brother Bu, when we reach North Spirit Mountain and learn martial arts, will we be as impressive and capable as these wandering heroes?"

"Yes."

"Good. Then I won't fear the slave overseers anymore. I’ll kill all those wicked masters."

July watched the martial artists leave with longing.

As they begged along the way, they found that although Zheng was prosperous and had many refugees, most people lived decently. Seeing the two children together, many assumed they were siblings, and those with a bit of kindness would give them food and drink.

Along the road, they also encountered many seekers of spiritual will. Gathered in groups, few ever begged; even when they did, once people saw they thanked in the name of the Undying Spirit, faces would instantly darken.

"Young and idle, instead of finding honest work, they follow those twisted teachings of the Spirit Sect, dreaming all day. If you don’t work, where does your food and clothing come from? Go on, get lost, a bunch of lunatics, fools. Believing the Spirit Sect’s nonsense—Spirit Mountain was wiped out by General Hanfeng, yet they still won’t wake up and repent..."

July would tug Bu Jingxian's sleeve, asking, "Brother Bu, why are followers of the Undying Spirit so disliked?"

Bu Jingxian had no answer. On Spirit Mountain, people said it was because the world was drunk. But Bu Jingxian always wondered: if the Spirit Sect’s ideals were right, why would people rather stay drunk than awaken?

Begging and wandering for over a month, they finally reached the small town at the foot of North Spirit Mountain.

The town basked in the warmth of the winter sun, its walls blanketed in white snow. Carts and travelers passed through the gates, and it did not feel bleak or desolate. Behind the town rose a chain of hills, among which a single towering peak soared above the rest, piercing the clouds and mist.