Adam stepped to the village gates, pungent scents of cattle, mud, and sweat crashing against his nose. He grimaced before a smile curved his lips, and memories flooded his mind. The poor atmosphere, burly men dragging ropes tied around their reluctant beasts’ necks, and the makeshift militia glaring daggers at them reminded him of Julius’ birth village and Alina’s ungrateful first job.
He... missed them in moments .
A melancholic sigh escaped his lips, yet they curled upward as short legs dangled down his chest. He gazed at the cheerful girl perched on his shoulders, chuckling at how she tilted her head and admired her reflection in the ice mirror.
Just like her, he would reunite with his family one day. The only thing lacking was his strength and knowledge—the two pillars that had never betrayed him. And he was on the right track to expand them.
But for now, the girl who kept making him roll his eyes with her whispers took priority.
"I’m so beautiful I might blind the guards... I’m almost blinding myself. Oh, no! What do we do?"
"Why would a kid blind them? They’ll find you cute at best."
She pushed on his head, puffing her cheeks in an adorable pout. "Cute? That’s it? Humph. I’m sure most will try to marry me."
He paled. Surely, they wouldn’t try to marry a girl barely seven years old... He shook his head. ’It’s the cultivation realm’s countryside. They might do it... In fact, some sick individuals might even do it in the magic world.’
A shudder ran down his spine. "You know you must refuse them, right?"
"Of course." She nodded. Yet before he could sigh in relief, she dealt him a critical blow. "Now that I’m this beautiful, I’ll only accept to marry a noble!"
He pinched the bridge of his nose, clicking his tongue. "If it’s because of money, you won’t need to worry anymore. So, why don’t you marry someone you love?"
Surprised, she tilted her head. Money not a problem? Then, someone she loved indeed sounded better. She leaned forward, her golden hair and grinning face hanging before his. "I’ll marry you then!"
Brows twitching, he face-palmed. "Whatever. I give up." He added, muttering. "At least you won’t jump into a stranger’s arms for the wrong reason until you’re all grown up. As for me, you’ll eventually move on after I leave."
Grumbling, he queued behind the farmers until a guard noticed him, especially his embroidered robes.
Seated over a rugged table inside their relaxing room, the guard blinked twice and rubbed his eyes. Yet Adam’s straight back and confident aura remained despite the kid perched on his shoulders. A curse flew out of his lips as he called for his colleagues.
"The cultivator is here! Call for boss Hu!"
As the others stood up urgently, he leapt through the window and rushed to Adam, his rough armor strapped by coarse leather swinging against his lean chest.
"Sir cultivator! Why are you queuing with the commoners? You should have told us you would visit our modest village." He bowed his head, smiling politely. "Follow me. Our boss will arrive to guide you soon. Don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything."
Adam pointed at the girl, shrugging. "I can’t give the wrong example, can I? Besides, I’m just bringing her back to her family. Don’t disturb your boss over such a small matter."
A frown creased the guard’s brow. He leaned forward, cupping his hand over his mouth and whispering. "Are you not from the Verdant Peak sect, sir? Or perhaps your elders didn’t brief you? They did it last time, too. But don’t worry. We’ve prepared everything as usual. You only need to bring the merchandise to your elders at nightfall."
Silence lingered for a few seconds as Adam tucked his fingers around his chin. ’A secret arrangement? Curious...’
His eyes narrowed into slits. He still remembered the witch’s threat of reporting him to this sect. Though he didn’t know what shady deal they had struck, it was worth investigating. Not for him—for the girl’s safety. Thoroughness was one of his guidelines, and he wouldn’t let her live under a powerful organisation’s threat.
But first, her parents.
"Since it concerns the sect, would you mind helping us cut the line? The earlier I drop her off, the earlier we can focus on..." He rubbed his fingers together in the shape of a coin. "Business."
"Of course, sir." The guard waved his arm to ask him to follow and walked toward the gates as he spoke. "I see you live up to your honored sect’s reputation. Despite the rogue mages running amok, you even found time to escort this beautiful flower back to her garden. As a fellow citizen, I can’t help but admire your selfness."
Adam scratched his head, a wistful smile curving his lips. "I was just lucky to stumble on her on the way." He cupped his fists as they reached the gates. "I appreciate your help, but prefer to continue on my own. It shouldn’t take me more than an hour, though, so relax in the meantime."
"I’ll see you to boss Hu in an hour, then." The guard nodded reluctantly and returned to the resting room.
Adam lingered for a second, then stepped onto the village’s muddy road, flanked by modest houses arranged in a winding maze of narrow alleys. Villagers in dishevelled tunics moved about, weaving between bulls that hauled heavy carts laden with vegetables and sacks of rice. ’Crude, but not too shabby for a village.’
"Where is your parents’ house?" He asked the girl, who had remained silent the entire time.
She pointed to a street, frowning. "I’ve seen the verdant Peak sect’s cultivators visit the witch. They were kind and laughed with her each time. So I don’t believe you’re from the same sect."
Adam chuckled on his way. "True. You can say I’m an unaffiliated cultivator."
"Why did you lie, then?" Her frown deepened.
"Lie?" An impish smirk curved his lips. "Did you hear me claim I was one of them? No, I never lie. That’s too easy and beneath me."
Her eyes widened while he continued. "But you mentioned something interesting. Why did they visit the witch instead of beheading her?"
"I-I don’t really know, sorry. I’ve just seen them make boxes vanish into rings and talk about shipments. Oh! After each visit, the witch began to stir that big pot of hers for days, too. I thought the stench would suffocate me, so I remember it."
"Mhh." He crossed his arms, pondering the new information.
The witch must have traded potions with them. How distasteful. Did they not see the rust and dirt on her cauldron? He wouldn’t drink a single drop even for a tier nine material. But that was beyond the point. What mattered was why they needed them?
Two reasons came to mind. Either the alchemist union in the sect had failed to nurture a seven-star alchemist, or they used them as currency with other rogue mages. A mix of both was also a possibility.
He could accept the first reason, but the second? That was harder to swallow. Even if they wanted to buy time, strengthening their enemies for a fleeting peace sounded quite foolish. Well, he would find out soon enough.
Meanwhile, the girl pointed at a house Visit NovelHub for more amazing novels and chapters. Like its neighbors, holes riddled the roof’s dark tiles. Despite the sad sight, the girl chirped in delight.
"That’s our house! Quick, go in. No, let me down first!"