That day, the sun shone gently, thin clouds danced across the blue sky, and a soft breeze carried the scent of damp earth and leaves. The village felt alive. Every five days, the small village held a market day. People from nearby villages would come, bringing crops, woven cloth, herbal remedies, and even some metal tools.
Li Yuan walked through the crowd with Mu Yi and Fan Tu. He carried a few vegetables from their garden and eggs gathered by his mother. In the market, the sounds of bargaining echoed, children ran around, and the laughter of women filled the corners of the simple bamboo stalls.
"Li Yuan, look! That's a trader from the next village—they say he has a real sword!" Mu Yi shouted, tugging at his friend's sleeve.
Li Yuan turned. A middle-aged man stood behind his stall. Behind him hung several old swords and hunting knives, neatly displayed. His eyes were sharp, his stance firm, and his face carried the look of someone who had seen the world beyond.
"Interested, young man?" the trader asked as he noticed Li Yuan gazing at one of the rusted swords.
Li Yuan gave a small nod.
"Not to fight… but I want to learn, to understand it."
The man gave a faint smile.
"A weapon is not just a tool for killing—it's a reflection of one's path in life. Remember that."
Those words echoed in Li Yuan's mind.
After selling their goods, the three of them sat under a large tree, eating warm bread and dried fruit they had bought from the market. Fan Tu devoured his bread eagerly, while Mu Yi busied himself observing the newcomers.
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the market shifted. People began glancing toward the eastern road into the village. A group of strangers approached on horseback, their clothing neat and layered—very different from the villagers.
"Who are they?" Mu Yi asked quietly.
"I don't know," Li Yuan replied, his eyes focused.
One of the men dismounted. He looked around the village, then spoke briefly with the village elder. Not long after, a soft yet firm voice rang out:
"We are from the city of Wuyin. We are seeking talented children to send to the Wen family's martial arts school..."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. A martial arts school? The Wen family? That was a prestigious name from the great northern city. Offers like this… were rare, almost unheard of in a remote village like theirs.
Li Yuan said nothing. His heart beat a little faster. A sign. A small door opening to the outside world… a world he had only imagined through ancient library books.
The market day ended as usual. But not for Li Yuan's heart.
Inside him, something had begun to stir. Whether it was restlessness, or perhaps… a calling.
"The world is changing," he murmured as he gazed at the setting sun.
"And I must be ready."