"You're really going out with them?"Once you've made up your mind to leave, there's no point in dragging it out—you just pack up and go.
In the room, Caelan was gathering his things. His spiked mace leaned against the wall. Lumière, his sarcastic spirit bound to the weapon, watched him busying about and casually asked,"Is this really what you want?"
Caelan shrugged. "Isn't it? You've been nagging me about the herbs not being good enough, the furnace not up to par, pushing me to get out there."
A dry chuckle came from Lumière. "I want you out because there's a bigger world and more resources beyond these walls—not because you should wade into political power struggles. Especially with someone like Cassius Evernight involved. With your current skills, you don't even know how you'll die."
"So?" Caelan stopped packing and shot back coldly, "What if Evernight sends more of those so-called demon-cleansing mists? The first time came and went, the second will too. If the root cause isn't dealt with, peace is just a dream. I couldn't get close to the Arch-Lector before, but now with the Northcrest siblings' influence, this might be the best chance to end it once and for all."
Lumière waved off his concerns. "You're leaving. Why care about what happens here? Honestly, might as well burn down this village—then you'd have no ties left."
Caelan squinted at his mace, contemplating tossing it into the foul stream behind the house.
Sensing his mischief, Lumière quickly added, "Fine, fine. Even if your goal is to avenge your old body, you have to kill your enemies. Otherwise, you'll never clear your mind enough to cultivate properly."
"Enemies? I think they might want you dead more than me." Caelan shot him a glare.
Lumière chuckled nervously. "I was already meant to die back then—doesn't count as murder. But you messed up my plan. Who are you to glare at me?"
You still want to eat me alive? Caelan ignored him and resumed packing.
Most of these herbs and concoctions were just for practice to build experience, probably useless now—but better take them anyway. You never know when they might come in handy...
He opened a hidden compartment by the bedside, revealing some silver coins and a blue-covered manual. The book had no title—something his current body had carried along. Caelan called it the "Nameless Manual."
At first, he thought it must be some low-level technique since the original owner hadn't made much progress despite training for years. But the book's texture was strange—like those invincible martial arts manuals from wuxia tales, impervious to fire and blade. Such material meant it wasn't a beginner's method. Lumière guessed either the original owner failed to grasp the technique or the base skill was just very difficult.
Martial arts had potential here too. Look at Prince Adrian Northcrest—normal cultivators probably wouldn't stand a chance against him. Plus, with fate, there were alternate development paths. Since Caelan wasn't ready to learn cultivation from Lumière yet, mastering martial arts was the best way to protect himself. Carrying the mace around, practicing combat even felt fitting...
Lumière didn't scorn him for choosing martial arts either. Instead, he helped him identify herbs to strengthen his body and taught him staff techniques. Maybe they shared the same mindset.
For over two months, the two of them had been cohabiting this small room—each guarding their own secrets. No matter the reservations or suspicions, they were probably the closest beings to each other in this world. Though their bond was unconventional.
...
When they finally left, the Northcrest siblings rode horses while Caelan walked beside them, lacking a steed of his own.
"We'll get you a horse first thing after we leave," Adrian said apologetically. "Should have thought of this earlier."
Caelan raised an eyebrow. "You're clearly from a wealthy family, strong enough to oppose the Arch-Lector. You two just go out with no guards? Not worried about trouble?"
Adrian smiled. "Our family encourages its young ones to grow through experience, to face hardships."
Caelan glanced at Aria. "What if your sister got herself into trouble with me last night and fell into my trap?"
Aria's face flushed red with anger. She wanted to retort but remembered if Caelan really meant harm, she might be dead already. Trying to do anything else would only make things worse. So she said nothing, just turned away.
Adrian looked surprised by his sister's reaction. He had assumed she had scolded Caelan, but now it seemed she might have lost out in that encounter. How did Caelan, who seemed only trained in basic body conditioning, pull that off? Maybe there was more to his alchemist skills than he thought.
He smiled quietly. "Even if Aria was harmed by you last night, it's her own fault for lacking skill. Of course, I'll avenge my sister by killing you." He paused, then added, "Besides, Aria is a woman. At this point, there's no need to hide things from you... Maybe you've already figured it out."
Aria snorted and turned her head away.
Caelan shook his head. "Your family really is... unusual."
As they spoke, villagers who saw Caelan preparing to leave called out,"Little Qin, going out for fun? When'll you be back?"
Caelan pointed at his pack on the horse. "I'm heading out to explore."
At those words, a crowd gathered, dropping their tasks.
"Really leaving the village?""What a shame. I was gonna marry my little Peach Blossom to you...""What's so great out there anyway...""Good riddance! And what about the four coins you owe me for medicine?"
Caelan broke into a cold sweat.
"Clear the way!" an old man pushed through, tapping his pipe on a barrel. "What nonsense are you all spouting?"
His eyes scanned the Northcrest siblings with distrust. "You sure about this? City folks are ruthless. Don't get sold out and help count the money for them."
Adrian only smiled, not responding. Caelan said, "Don't worry, Uncle Xu. I know my limits."
The old man puffed on his pipe a few times and sighed, "Just make sure you've thought it through. You're young and smart. Your family... well, no one really needs you back home. Hiding out in the mountains doesn't do you any good. It's time you stepped into the world."
The crowd soon chimed in:"Exactly. I said long ago, Little Qin shouldn't be stuck in that ditch...""When you're tired of it, come back anytime. My Peach Blossom will wait for you for years...""We're holding your place here. Anyone who tries to take it will lose a leg!"
Adrian's smile grew knowing. Everywhere they went, it seemed people were intentionally steering attention to Caelan—clearly wanting to push him out of the mountain.
This place was curious. The villagers deliberately attracting outsiders to find a rumored immortal, and the outsiders deliberately noticing Caelan. Different perspectives, but both had their own plans.
Was Caelan unpopular in the village, so they wanted him gone? Adrian doubted it—there must be other reasons.
Caelan thought it strange too. His current body's style was so different from his own, yet the villagers seemed oblivious—maybe just simple folk to an extreme degree?
He didn't dwell on it and bowed deeply to the crowd. "Thank you all for your care all these years. This village is my home. If I'm free, I'll come back to visit. Peach Blossom, if you marry, save me a little Peach Blossom, okay?"
The crowd erupted:"Get lost! Shameless!"
Amid the uproar, Uncle Xu spoke again: "Why come back? If you make it big, don't come back. If not, there'll always be a meal waiting for you."
Then he turned and brought over an old horse. "This horse won't last long. Take it and ride out. Hope you don't ride it back. Go on, get out of here!"
Even a dying horse was a treasure to Uncle Xu, yet now he gave it away so easily.
Caelan took a deep breath, said nothing more, bowed low, and mounted.
Adrian cast a meaningful glance back at the little village, then mounted with his sister. Three horses rode off into the rising sun.
"Wait, I haven't asked—what's our destination?"
"The capital of Northcrest. The City of Eternal Flames."
One who had once sought immortality but refused it. One who longed to find immortals. One who didn't believe in immortality at all. Together, they left the mountain village rumored to harbor immortals, stepping into the mortal world.