C1 First Meeting

In the year 343 of the Federation Calendar, during a sweltering summer night on Zither Island, the heat was relentless. Even deep into the night, the oppressive warmth persisted. The sea breeze, far less refreshing than in winter, was hot and salty, hastening pedestrians to seek refuge from the heat in their homes.

Zither Island, shrouded in the tranquility of nightfall, remained a haven of peace and quiet. The stifling temperatures had prompted even the street patrol officers to retreat early to the cool respite of the police station. Most residents had already retreated to their homes to enjoy various cooling measures or to escape into the comfort of sleep, away from the day's scorching embrace.

Yet for some, the vibrant nightlife of summer was just beginning. In the suburban areas of Zither Island, particularly near the docks, the night was alive with lights and the air was thick with the sound of raucous voices. This was not a gathering place for the average citizen, but a haunt for ruffians and rogues.

By day, they toiled under the harsh sun, eking out a living on the sea. By night, they congregated to gamble and drink. But on this particular evening, two unexpected visitors, a man and a woman, one tall and one small, ventured silently into the darkened district.

The young man led the way, striding confidently with a large box in his grasp, its contents a mystery. Despite the burden and the heat, not a bead of sweat marred his brow—a curious sight indeed. The young girl at his side, fresh to such sordid surroundings, clutched her nose in disgust. It was a stark contrast to the sheltered life she had known as the pampered princess of the Yu family.

They moved swiftly, passing by onlookers before they could even register their presence, disappearing into the distance as if they were mere apparitions.

The Old Butler's Tavern stood as the largest and finest establishment on the docks. Inside, bare-chested men who bore the unmistakable mark of thuggery drank their fill of ice-cold beer, their voices loud with coarse language. Poker cards lay scattered on the tables amidst loose change, testament to the night's ongoing revelries.

A group of thugs encircled two individuals, who were the main contenders in today's betting match. The onlookers were merely there to place their bets.

One of the bettors was unmistakably a seasoned sea trader, his body muscular and his face fierce, exuding the unmistakable scent of the ocean.

Across from him sat someone quite unexpected—a boy, slight of build and no taller than a child of eight or nine. Yet, he sat among the thugs without a trace of fear.

The boy's eyes shone with an intensity that belied his youthful appearance, hinting at a maturity beyond his years.

He fixed his gaze on the cards and said coolly to his opponent, “Brother Shen, count to three and we'll reveal our hands. If you lose, no backing out.”

The burly man's eyes nearly bulged out of his head as veins throbbed on his face. He gestured dismissively, “No worries, no worries. I've got plenty of money. Let's do this!”

They exchanged a glance and whispered together, “One, two, three—reveal!”

Amidst the fervor of the game, no one noticed a man and a young girl, a pair, making their way into the tavern.

The girl cast a disdainful glance at the gambling thugs. Reluctantly following the young man's lead, she wondered what—or who—could possibly be worth finding in such a rundown place.

The young man, however, seemed intrigued by the lively gambling scene. Approaching the lengthy bar, he flashed a smile at the bartender and requested, “A beer, please. Three rounds, neat.”

His words, seemingly nonsensical, were a deliberate code, audible only to the bartender.

The bartender, initially taken aback, quickly adopted a respectful demeanor. “Ah, sir, it's you. I'll fetch the owner immediately.”

The young man gestured dismissively, “There's no need. Guan is likely asleep by now; I wouldn't want to disturb him. Just pour me a fine glass of wine.”

The bartender nodded, grabbed a glass, and headed to the wine rack to pour a drink.

The little girl took a seat on a stool at the counter, looking at the young man with a puzzled expression. "Teacher, why bring me to a place like this? It's filthy and chaotic here. We..."

She was cut off by a sudden shout from across the room, "Open!" The noise startled her, and she shot an angry look at the group, but she held her tongue.

The young man was lounging with his legs crossed, watching the thugs continue their gambling. He swirled the beer the bartender had just served and chuckled, "Wen, we're here to enjoy the show, so no complaints. Otherwise, I might not take you out for fun again."

At his words, Wen stuck out her tongue, gave him a glance, and fell silent.

Meanwhile, at the gambling table, a little boy was grinning ear to ear as he scooped up all the coins. His face was alight with barely contained glee.

The burly man who had lost to him was still smiling, not demanding the boy return his winnings. Any onlooker would have been in disbelief at the scene.

The boy called out, "Hey, Little Li! A round of ale for all the big brothers here! I'm in high spirits today, so this round's on me!"

The burly men laughed heartily. "Hey, Guan, aren't you being a bit tight-fisted with just one round of ale?"

Despite their teasing, they were quite pleased. At Old Guan's establishment, ale was a luxury, and these ruffians wouldn't normally splurge on it.

The boy then took half of his winnings and handed them back to his opponent. "Guan, what's this about?" the man asked, puzzled.

The boy grinned. "Brother Shen, I know the Zhao family's been cracking down hard lately. Times are tough for you guys. Keep some cash—quit gambling and save it for necessities."

The others around them chuckled, looking at the boy with newfound warmth.

The young man at the counter overheard and smiled to himself. "The kid's got a knack for people, alright. He's got the same old charm."

The boy stuffed his earnings into his pouch, which bulged with the sudden wealth. He tossed the purse playfully as he strolled over to the counter.

As he walked, he surveyed the people around him until his gaze landed on a young man.

The young man and the boy locked eyes. In that brief exchange, the boy felt as though he wasn't looking at a person, but rather an immense ocean—boundless and immeasurable.

As the proprietor of Old Guan's Tavern, the boy had encountered a wide array of individuals, including the elusive martial arts experts of legend. Yet none had ever struck him with the same sense of dread as this young man.

The girl seated next to the young man scoffed with a dismissive curl of her lip, "He's biting off more than he can chew."

Despite her words carrying a tone of scorn, her gaze upon the boy held a different quality. For some reason, from the first moment she laid eyes on him, he was etched into her memory.

Maybe it was because he was quite handsome?

The young man offered a faint smile. "Little brother, come have a seat. I'll buy you a drink."

Upon hearing his invitation, the boy shook off his initial astonishment. Yet, the unease lingered in his heart. He approached and took a seat beside the young man.

With a simple gesture from the young man, the bartender knew exactly what to do and placed a fine beer before the boy.

In a hushed tone, the bartender addressed the young man, "Sir, this is our Little Brother Guan. If there's any inconvenience, please be understanding."

The young man gestured dismissively, signaling his acknowledgment, and the bartender discreetly withdrew.

The boy scrutinized the young man, noting his attire—all from well-known brands in Region No.1.

He didn't recognize the styles, but the logos were familiar. Emblazoned on the young man's clothing were the prominent words "Feishang."

Feishang was a globally renowned clothing brand, celebrated for its high-quality and expensive garments. Only those with considerable means could afford to wear such attire in their everyday lives.

With this in mind, the boy cast another glance at the girl by the young man's side. But as he did, his mind reeled as if struck by a powerful force.

He had never before seen such a beautiful girl: her skin was porcelain, her eyes bright and teeth gleaming, exuding an extraordinary elegance. She was a rare beauty, still young but unmistakably destined to turn heads.

The little girl caught the boy gazing intently at her, and with a blush tinting her cheeks, she shot him a glare. "What's the stare for? Haven't you ever seen a pretty girl before?"

Unabashed, the boy replied, "No, I haven't."

Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red at his directness.

The young man couldn't suppress a chuckle at the amusing exchange between the two children.

Suddenly, the boy remembered the presence of the impressive figure beside him and no longer dared to flirt with the young girl, sitting quietly instead.

Clearing his throat with a couple of coughs, the young man said with a smile, "Relax, there's no need to be so formal. Your foster father and I have been close friends for years. You're Jie Mu, right? I even held you when you were a little one!"

Jie Mu, momentarily taken aback, struggled to remember, but found no recollection of the young man. Nevertheless, he courteously responded with a smile, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Uncle."

The young man nodded approvingly. "Ah, you have good manners. It seems Guan has taught you well. I am Donglin Chenmu, and this young lady is my apprentice, Yu Wen."

Jie Mu offered another polite bow, then turned to the girl with a smile. So her name was Yu Wen—a lovely name indeed. Yet, he harbored some doubts about the young man's peculiar name.

Donglin Chenmu? What kind of name was that? Was his surname Dong or Donglin?