Volume One, Chapter One: The Master Descends the Mountain
Beihai Province, Huaguo, atop Qingcheng Mountain.
“Duan, my boy, I am no longer your match. You may descend the mountain now!”
“Old man, don’t think I don’t see through your schemes. You just want me gone so you can sneak down the mountain to meet Widow Wang, don’t you? Let me tell you, if you’re hoping I’ll leave, don’t even dream of it!”
“Oh? Is that truly what you think? Well, then, I’ll go down to cancel your engagement.”
“Wait, old man, what did you say? Cancel my engagement?”
“Yes, years ago, I arranged several marriage contracts for you. Since you won’t leave the mountain, I shouldn’t hold up those girls’ lives.”
The word “engagement” sent Duan Wuhen into a panic. How could the cooked duck simply fly away? He hurried to grab his master’s sleeve.
“Oh, Master, I was only joking with you. I’ll pack my things right away and head down.”
Secretly, Duan Wuhen wondered why he had never heard of these betrothals before. Still, if those girls were as lovely as flowers, he’d regret it for life if the marriages were called off.
“Very well. Since you’re finally leaving, I suppose I should not keep it from you. Years ago, while wandering the world, I heard of turmoil in Han City. The once dominant Duan family was wiped out. I rushed there, but arrived too late—only to find an infant swaddled in cloth.”
Duan Wuhen stood stunned, at a loss for words.
“Old man, are you saying I was that abandoned child?”
The old man stroked his beard and sighed softly.
“Yes. There was a jade pendant in your swaddle, engraved with the characters ‘Wuhen,’ so I named you Duan Wuhen. Your journey down the mountain is not only to find your fiancée, but also to seek out those behind your family’s destruction.”
Duan Wuhen clenched his fists, determined to uncover the truth and avenge those relatives he’d never met.
He quietly returned to the thatched cottage, packed his belongings, and descended Qingcheng Mountain.
“Sigh… That boy, I haven’t finished speaking! Well, let him go. Recently, something’s stirring in the Cold Palace of Liyue. Perhaps it’s time I reenter the world.” Watching Duan Wuhen’s departing figure, the old man smiled, and in a flash, he too left Qingcheng Mountain.
…………
“Anyone getting off at Han City up ahead?”
“Yes, yes!”
With a clatter, the coach stopped, and a roguish young man stepped off.
“Humming away…” The youth, with a stalk of foxtail grass between his teeth and a canvas bag slung over his shoulder, strolled leisurely into Han City.
“Wow! So this is the big city! The women here are all more beautiful than Widow Wang!”
It was summer, the heat sweltering, and the streets were filled with stylish women in cool, short skirts.
Duan Wuhen stared unblinking at their exposed skin. If he hadn’t kept his head down, others would surely think him a pervert.
“Miss, may I ask how to get to Yan Group?”
He stopped a fashionable woman walking toward him. Her gaze was first drawn to Duan Wuhen’s handsome face, but then, seeing his shabby attire, her expression changed.
“Which countryside are you from? Get lost!” She waved dismissively, as if the air around him stank.
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“What’s wrong with being from the countryside? I’m just asking for directions! If you don’t want to tell me, fine. But why insult me?”
The woman ignored him and hurried away.
After enduring several scornful glances and persistent effort, Duan Wuhen finally found out where Yan Group was located.
“There are still good people in the world!”
Then, with the last of his money, Duan Wuhen planned to enjoy a hearty meal.
After eating and drinking his fill, he wiped the crumbs from his mouth with a napkin.
“Manager, the bill!”
“Hello, sir. Your total is eighty yuan. Will you pay with cash or PayPal?”
“What? Eighty yuan, why is it so expensive?”
“Expensive? Sir, that’s the market price. If you can’t pay, you may wash dishes until your debt is cleared. Of course, if you try to dine and dash, I’ll call the police.”
Three hours later, Duan Wuhen stumbled out of the restaurant.
He looked at his swollen fingers, almost in tears.
Three hours! He had no idea how many plates he’d scrubbed; his hands were sore and tired.
Walking along, Duan Wuhen cursed under his breath. Everything in the city was ridiculously expensive!
Back in Widow Wang’s mountain shop, the same meal would cost, at most, thirty yuan.
“But, according to the old man, my fiancée’s family is supposed to be fabulously wealthy! Ha! I’m about to start living the good life!”
Duan Wuhen looked up at the towering building of Yan Group, clicking his tongue in admiration.
“How extravagant!”
He then entered Yan Group.
“Hello, I’m looking for Yan Mingjun.”
The receptionist murmured in confusion, “Yan Mingjun… That name sounds familiar. Qianqian, do we have someone like that?”
“You’re out of your mind! Yan Mingjun is our chairman!” The girl named Qianqian tapped her colleague’s head.
“Oh, right, now I remember. But, sir, do you have an appointment?”
“Appointment? What’s that? Just tell Yan Mingjun that the person he invited has arrived! And my surname is Duan!”
The receptionist scrutinized Duan Wuhen’s attire, weighing the likelihood of his claim.
The girl named Qianqian whispered, “This guy looks like he’s from the countryside—no way he knows the chairman. Let him sit for a while; he’ll leave on his own soon.”
Smiling, the receptionist said to Duan Wuhen, “Sir, I’ll notify the chairman now. Please wait over there for a moment.”
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Duan Wuhen nodded and sat down to wait.
Time passed, and he nearly nodded off.
Seeing that Yan Mingjun still hadn’t appeared, Duan Wuhen grew irritated.
“The city folk are so full of themselves, making me wait so long! If he doesn’t come soon, I won’t stick around!”
After another ten minutes without any news, Duan Wuhen stood to leave.
“See? I told you this kid didn’t know the chairman!”
As Duan Wuhen turned to go, a voice called out behind him, “Wait!”
He looked back and saw a tall, beautiful woman approaching.
“You are Duan Wuhen?” she asked.
Duan Wuhen scratched his head, thinking privately: Could this beauty be Yan Mingjun? He nodded and smiled, “Yes, and you are?”
“I’m the chairman’s assistant. Sorry for keeping you waiting so long. The chairman is in a meeting and can’t step away. Please follow me to the guest lounge.”
She smiled apologetically.
Duan Wuhen nodded and followed her toward the elevators.
As they passed the reception, the woman glanced at the two and spoke softly.
“You’re both fired. Go to finance for your pay, and then leave.”
“Ah, Assistant Liu, what did we do wrong? Why are we being dismissed?”
“Hmph! Because you delayed an honored guest, nearly jeopardizing the chairman’s business!”
It turned out that Yan Mingjun had received a phone call earlier.
“My apprentice has been waiting for ages!”
With that, the caller hung up.
Yan Mingjun hurriedly paused the meeting, instructed his assistant to receive Duan Wuhen, and made another call.
“Xiyue, I don’t care what you’re doing—return to the company immediately.”
Taking the elevator to the top floor, Duan Wuhen was left awestruck by the sumptuous surroundings.
A middle-aged man approached, grasping Duan Wuhen’s hand.
“Ah, dear nephew! I was overwhelmed with work just now, forgive my neglect. Xiao Liu, serve tea!”
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