Legend of Eternity
Chapter 1: The Village on the edge of the Forest
“Second Fool opened his eyes and stared at the mud and thatched roof above his head. The blanket that covered his body was a deep yellow and smelled musty. It was so old that its original color could no longer be distinguished.
Next to him lay his second brother, Han Zhu, who appeared to be sound asleep. Snoring intermittently floated as he slept.
Five feet away from the bed was a wall of earth that had experienced many cracks due to the passage of time. From the other side of the wall came the sound of her mother's scolding and the occasional sigh of her father who was sucking his pipe.
Second Fool slowly closed his eyes, trying to force himself to sleep. He knew that if he did not sleep now, he would not be able to get up early the next morning. If he woke up late, he would not be able to go to the mountain with his good friends to collect firewood.
Second Fool's real name is Han Li. This elegant name was not given to him by his parents. When she was born, her parents had offered two pieces of cornbread to village elder Zhang in exchange for giving baby Han Li a second name.
(TL: “Second Fool” [er leng zi ] in Mandarin has a pleasant sound despite its meaning)
When Uncle Zhang was young, he went to school with rich kids in the city. Since he was the only one in the village who knew how to read a few words, over half of the children in the village were named by him.
Han Li was called “Second Fool” by the people in the village. Despite his name, he did not look stupid or stupid. Instead, he was actually the smartest person in the village. But like other children, other than when they were at home, no one called him by his official name “Han Li”. Instead, they called her by her pet name “Stupid Both”.
The reason why he was nicknamed “Stupid Both” is because there is already someone named “Stoh” in the village.
This type of nickname is nothing. There are children in the village named “Doggy” and “Stupid” Eggs. These names hardly sound as fun as “Smooth Second”.
Therefore, Han Li felt comforted even though he did not like his nickname too much.
Physically, Han Li was very ordinary. She is brown and fits the general description of a child born in an agricultural community. Deep down, he had matured faster than anyone else of the same age. Ever since he was young, he yearned one day, he would be able to leave his small village and explore the fertile lands of the outside world that Uncle Zhang had always talked about.
Han Li never dared to talk about his dream to others in the village because they would be so shocked. After all, leaving this place was an idea that even adults did not easily think about, let alone small children. Kids his age only know how to chase chickens and pet dogs. They never accepted the strange idea of leaving the village.
The Han Li family had a total of seven members, including two elder brothers, one older sister and one younger sister. He is the fourth oldest child in his family and is ten years old. Together, they lead a harsh yet honest lifestyle. It is rare that they can eat meat and fish, but the whole family is content to live with the few resources they have.
At this moment, Han Li floated between a state of sleep and consciousness. As he slowly fell asleep, only one thought was on his mind. While in the mountains, he had to pluck more red berries for his little sister whom he cared about the most!
The next morning, at noon, Han Li protected himself from the scorching sun overhead under the shade of the wooden pile on his back. Around his chest was a pouch filled with red berries that bounced around his every step as he walked home. He had no idea that at this moment, there was a guest in his house, a guest who would change his fate forever.
This guest was actually someone who had a very close blood relationship with Han Li. It was his Third Uncle!
There were rumors that his Third Uncle was the shopkeeper of a restaurant in a nearby town. According to his parents, Third Uncle was the most capable in their family. After several hundred years, the Han family finally produced someone like his Third Uncle, a figure with status and respect unrivalled in the family.
When Han Li was young, he only met his Third Uncle a few times. Big brother Han Li became a blacksmith disciple in the city thanks to the introduction of Third Uncle. Often, this Third Uncle would even give food to his parents to take home and eat. Since he had been taking care of the Han Li family thoughtfully, Han Li had a very good impression of him. Although her parents never said anything, she knew that in their hearts, they were very grateful.
Han Li's eldest brother was the pride and joy of the family. As an apprentice blacksmith, he was able to take home 30 copper coins every month, minus the living expenses. And when he finally graduated from his internship, he would earn even more money!
So when Han Li saw the new satin robe and round face belonging to his Third Uncle, Han Li was overjoyed.
While putting firewood in the outer corner of the house, he went to the front of the house to greet his Third Uncle. “Third Uncle, Han Li greets you.” After doing so, he obediently stood to the side and listened to Third Uncle chat with his parents.
Third Uncle beamed at Han Li as he opened his mouth, praising his nephew. “Consense child!” After praising Han Li, he turned his attention back to Han Li's parents and explained the reason for his visit.
Although Han Li was unable to fully understand the words his Third Uncle had said because he was too young, he still roughly understood what he was saying.
It turned out that his Third Uncle's restaurant had the support of the Seven Mysteries Sect. The sect was divided into inner and outer divisions. Not long ago, Third Uncle had been officially recognized as an outer disciple. That meant he could bring a child between the ages of 7 and 12 to take the Inner Disciple Exam.
Once every 5 years, the Seven Mysteries Sect would officially issue an invitation for young people to take the examination to become Inner Disciples. The test will officially begin the following month. Third Uncle was a smart and ingenious man who had no children, so he naturally thought of Han Li who met the age requirement.
As the usually docile Father Han heard the words “Jiang Hu” and “Sekte”, along with many other phrases he had never heard before, he felt very doubtful. Carrying his cigarette pipe to his lips and sucking on it, he sat down without saying a word.
(TL: “Dad Han” is Han Li's father's title)
According to Third Uncle, the Seven Mysteries Sect could be considered one of the best sects within a few hundred miles.
If one became an Inner Disciple, not only would he be able to practice martial arts for free, he would also receive a monthly allowance and his needs be met. Not only that, those who did not pass the Inner Disciple Exam could still enter the outer division of the sect and become outer disciples like Third Uncle. They still had the chance to help the Seven Mysteries Sect handle its outer affairs.
Hearing of the possibility that his son could receive monthly allowances and even become as successful as his Third Uncle, Han Li's father finally decided to give his approval.
After obtaining the approval from Han Li's father, Third Uncle felt excitement in his heart. Leaving behind two silver coins, he said that he would return in a month to escort Han Li to the testing area. During this period of time, Han Li's father had to make sure that Han Li was dressed and well fed to improve the condition of his body so that it was easier for Han Li to pass the examination. After giving these instructions, Third Uncle said goodbye to Han Li and his father, patted Han Li's head and went to the city.
While Han Li did not fully understand Third Uncle's words, he could understand that he would be able to earn money in the big city. It seemed that her dream from before would come true, making her so excited that she could not sleep for the first few nights.
After a month had passed, Third Uncle returned to the village, escorting Han Li to the testing ground. Before he left, Han Li's father repeatedly instructed Han Li on how to behave properly.
One must be honest, have the capacity to persevere, and avoid unnecessary conflict with others. Meanwhile, Han Li's mother urged him to take care of his health and eat and sleep well.
The day finally arrived and Third Uncle came to take Han Li away by train. As his parents gradually disappeared from his sight, Han Li bit his lips to prevent his tears from flowing in his eyes.
Although he was always more mature than other children of the same age, he was still a ten-year-old. This was her first time leaving the house, so she naturally felt depressed. A longing developed in his heart. He was determined to rush home after he was wealthy, never to be separated from his parents.
Han Li would never have thought that from this moment on, money would lose any meaning to him. He would suddenly walk on a different path than an ordinary human. Instead, he would walk his own path towards Immortal Cultivation!
