Chapter 2, The Golden Book of Brahman

Acceptance or resistance

"Damn that Wu Xiucai, that heartless scoundrel!" Chu Tian tightly embraced Qing'er, hoping to warm her with his body heat

No, brother will always be with you, just as the moon accompanies the mountains, and the mountains accompany the river

Wu Xiucai remained silent, but the woman spoke up angrily: "How dare you ask? We agreed on ten taels of silver each month, where is the money? This little wretch consumes my resources and wears my clothes, yet is both lazy and disobedient. I have suffered a great loss!"

After a long wait, Scholar Wu opened the door, holding an oilcloth umbrella, and leaned out to look around.

"I am not afraid of the cold," Qing'er comforted her brother thoughtfully, yet her teeth were chattering incessantly

"Is that you?" Chu Tian was taken aback, turning around to see the old man in a white robe who had thrown him into the river during the day standing behind him and Qing'er. "What are you sneaking around and following me for?"

When the white snow once again covers the chaotic footprints of Chu Tian, the miracle remains hidden in the pitch-black night sky, never revealing its smile. Chu Tian's heart, like his body, has become icy and stiff, suffocating in the depths of despair.

"Where is that?" Qing'er asked Chu Tian, in her mind, her brother was almost omniscient

Only a second had passed when the sharp scream of the scholar's wife echoed in my ears: "The beggar is hitting someone—let me show you how I deal with you!"

"Brother, I want to be with you. I can help you beg for alms, don't abandon Qing'er." Qing'er whispered pleadingly close to Chu Tian's ear, tears swirling in her eyes before finally rolling down her cheeks.

At that moment, Chu Tian suddenly pointed to the crimson flames rising in the distant night sky and said, "Look, there is a fire over there!"

It seems to be in the depths of my heart, it seems to be by my ear, a voice is speaking to me:

Who is born lowly, who is destined to be a beggar, and who determines that they should be inferior to others

She grasped Chu Tian's neck with both hands, her nearly 200-pound body pressing down like a mountain

"You want to leave? What do you think this place is?" The scholar's wife rushed over, reaching out to grab Qing'er. "Let's settle the accounts first!"

This time, the old man in the white robe was somewhat more courteous to him than during the day; instead of directly throwing Chu Tian into the river, he tossed him onto the snow, leaving him sprawled on his back.

The old man in the white robe blocked Qing'er’s path and extended his right hand, saying: "I have finally found you, come with me."

A mysterious and extraordinary aura emanated from the jade tube, seeping into his skin and hair like fine threads, flowing through his entire body like a clear spring, washing away all fatigue and soreness. Chu Tianqing could not help but pick up the jade tube from the wooden box and hold it in his hand

Help! The little beggar is killing people! The scholar's wife cried out in a frenzy, resembling a mad wildcat

"Dream on!" Chu said fiercely, drawing his dagger and threatening, "I will not give Qing'er to you. If you don't leave now, I will not be polite to you!"

"I haven't finished washing the clothes for the gentleman, the lady, and the two young masters yet," the little girl replied timidly

However, Chu Tian stopped and did not run down the path, he chased after the cries of Qing'er in the wind, until the night sky fell silent, and Qing'er's figure along with her cries vanished into the north wind

Are you ready

I don't want it! Chu Tian got up and charged over again, "Give me Qing Er back!"

All along, he believed that he was doing his utmost to care for and nurture Qing'er, yet he failed to realize that in his life, Qing'er had already become his everything. She is the meaning of his existence, and she gives him the courage to await the dawn of a new day

The seemingly arrogant and cold old man in the white robe is truly Qing'er’s grandfather. Will I ever have the chance to reunite with Qing'er?

The cold morning wind pressed his thin clothing tightly against his body as Chu Tian ran faster and faster, racing back to the bridge arch where he was staying. He lay down in despair, his eyes blankly gazing upwards, lost in thought

"Take it, no charge!" The elder sister spoke with a strong Huaiyang accent, stuffing the steamed bun into Chutian's hand. "It's cold, how can you not eat something?"

The little girl leaned against Chutian, her small delicate body trembling involuntarily, as she timidly looked at her brother

Chutian's heart convulsed painfully; he began to loathe himself. The suffering that Qing'er endured was all due to his ignorance and incompetence

Chutian, if you don't come soon, I will have to go find you! Last time you promised to bring the money in two days, how many days have passed since then?

Above

With wealth comes dignity and status. The more wealth one possesses, the greater the dignity and the higher the status.

Chutian shook his head; although his body was suffering from extreme hunger and cold, he truly had no desire to eat

He lay on the bluestone slab covered with white snow, gazing at the night sky, tears streaming uncontrollably from his eyes. In his heart lingered a glimmer of hopeless expectation, perhaps, perhaps that old man, that old man who came and went like a ghost, would return once more and bring Qing'er back to him

Chutian was suddenly moved by his emotions and could not help but crouch down on the ground, covering his face and sobbing

"The ignorant brat." The old man in the white robe let out a snort, rising with the wind as he carried Qing'er across the wide river.

Chutian felt a slight release of the pressure on his body as he listened to the woman hurling insults at him, calling him "bastard" and "beggar". The accumulated anger finally erupted.

Ah— the scholar's wife suddenly raised her voice to the highest pitch, piercing the eardrums like a wailing ghost

The old man in the white robe smiled faintly, picked up Qing'er, and turned to look at Chu Tian, who was staring at him like a hungry wolf

Chutian stumbled and rolled from the top of the bridge to the foot of the bridge, his head, hands, and face bruised and swollen. After a moment of numbness, he was overwhelmed by a piercing, excruciating pain all over.

"Stop being so verbose, he is your saint, not mine." Chu Tian tossed the broken silver into Wu Xiucai's arms

At that moment, blood gushed forth like a spring

Chutian smiled gently and then walked into the alley, arriving outside the door of a household

They lay on the deserted riverbank, gasping for breath, allowing the cold snowflakes to fall on their faces

Below

A faint golden-red halo emanated from the wooden box, within which lay a radiant jade tube. The surface of the tube was adorned with golden patterns depicting dragons and phoenixes, resembling colorful clouds encircling a line of red seal script. The brushwork of the seal script was ethereal and ancient, and after some guesswork, Chu Tian barely managed to decipher: "Sanskrit Gold Script"

December in Huaiyang is the coldest time of the year, yet the clothes she wears are hardly sufficient to withstand the autumn winds

Chutian was both shocked and angry, tenderly holding the little girl's hands in his embrace, continuously rubbing them with his own hands

Qing'er was taken away by the old ghost, Wu Xiucai's house was burned down, and the young man who fell into the river is likely in grave danger... Their shadows continuously flickered before Chu Tian's eyes like a revolving lantern, causing a feeling of heaviness, obstruction, and even madness in his chest

It has been more than half a month since I last visited Qing'er. Chu Tian always comes at night, not wanting others to know that Qing'er has a brother who spends his days out and about.

Poor thing—" The elder sister was taken aback and said: "From now on, if you are hungry, just come here to eat buns; I won't charge you any money!"

Brother! Qing'er called out, running towards Chu Tian

Qing'er did not respond, or her answer was very blunt, as she opened her cherry-like lips and viciously bit at the hand that reached out to her

Chutian trembled with anger, having thought that Wu Xiucai was a scholar, and that Qing'er could study and practice writing here, no longer having to endure the hardships of the seasons in the bridge's arch. Who would have expected that she would end up as a rough servant girl for the scholar's wife.

He gradually felt warmth enveloping him, and his mind became slightly clearer. In a hoarse voice, he said: "Thank you, sister-in-law"

I want to take her away" The old man in the white robe pointed at Qing'er

The old man in the white robe slightly turned his wrist and grasped her shoulder. Qing'er was instantly rendered unable to move.

He lethargically reached out his hand, his fingers brushing against a hard object, angular and edged, resembling a wooden box

The old man in the white robe let out a cold snort; without any visible movement, Chu Tian's body was suddenly thrown into the air.

Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks. At the entrance of the narrow alley ahead, a small boy was curled up, his entire body shivering as he buried his head deep between his knees. In front of him lay a chipped porcelain bowl, in which three copper coins lay pitifully.

Brother! A six or seven-year-old girl heard the commotion in the front yard and rushed out from the kitchen

"Little brother, it's time to go home early." Chu Tian approached the young beggar, tossed a piece of broken silver into his porcelain bowl, and quickly pulled out a one-hundred-tael silver note, quietly slipping it into the other party's dark little hand

"Don't say anything more, Chutian has sent the money." Wu Xiucai's expression was somewhat awkward

As Chu Tian had just rushed to a distance of five meters behind the old man in the white robe, he was struck by an invisible force, causing his body to fly up once again

"Old man, let go of my sister!" Chu Tian got up, shouting as he raised the dagger and charged at the elder

Chutian suddenly felt a sense of fear, standing up quietly while pressing his hand against the dagger, trying to appear fierce and intimidating as he asked, "Who exactly are you?!"

"Is it cold?" Chutian brushed the snowflakes off Qing'er’s clothes and hair, bringing her small hand to his lips to warm it with his breath

This is the first lesson of the urban survival rules learned from Chutian

"Brother, may I not go back to Mr. Wu's house anymore?" Qing'er suddenly asked softly in his arms

Wu Xiucai hurriedly responded, and then heard Chu Tian say: "In a few days, I will take Qing'er away. Where is she?"

"You have money now; it can't possibly be stolen, can it?" Wu Xiucai looked at Chu Tian with suspicion, "The sage said: 'A gentleman does not drink from the water of a stolen spring..."

The male head of this household is a failed scholar who has opened a private school to support his family. Qing'er usually resides in his home.

"This is the home of Wu Xiucai." Someone suddenly answered in place of Chu Tian from behind.

"Take your time eating, don't choke." The sister-in-law quickly scooped half a bowl of soy milk from the pot and handed it to Chu Tian

At the moment when Chu Tian was feeling lost and despondent, he suddenly sensed a long-lost compassion from the world. His nose tinged with acidity and tears threatened to fall again. Lowering his head, he placed a steamed bun into his mouth and took a bite, chewing silently.

Individuals like Chu Tian and Qing Er, who are without support and are outsiders, often face the most bullying and ridicule

"I am here to deliver money, is it enough?" Chu Tian picked out the largest piece of broken silver, which weighed approximately five or six taels

The elder sister crouched down, wiping away the tears and dirt from Chutian's cheeks, and gently asked, "Little brother, where are your parents? Is there something troubling you that you can share with me? Perhaps if you talk about it, you will feel a bit better."

The little beggar's eyes sparkled, and in a flash, he darted into the alley and disappeared without a trace

Tonight, he deliberately changed into clean clothes and used the wide cuffs of his pants to cover his tattered shoes, trying his best to appear as respectable and polished as the city dwellers.

Mr. Wu, what is going on?

But he soon despaired, realizing that even if he rushed across the bridge, it would be impossible for him to reclaim Qing'er. The white figure that took her away was like a fleeting wind, vanishing in an instant into the depths of the snowstorm.

A large-bodied woman walked out from the room, standing under the eaves with her hands on her hips, scolding.

What is contained inside? Unable to contain his curiosity, Chutian opened the wooden box

Uncertain how much time had passed, Chu Tian felt a dull pain in his lower back, as if something was pressing against him

He despises his own powerlessness, he loathes this cold and unfeeling world towards him, he resents the suffering imposed upon him, yet how can he extricate himself from their entanglement

"Washing clothes, whose clothes are being washed?" Chutian paused for a moment and asked the little girl

Chutian walked upright in the snow, his eyes carefully observing the movements around him. He had developed this vigilant habit, constantly arming himself like a hedgehog, while also possessing the keen sense of smell akin to that of a wolf. Although bustling cities are beautiful, they are not so for everyone

Your innate talent is quite good; if you are willing, you may become my disciple.

The owner of the pastry stall is a middle-aged woman. She observed Chu Tian, who was ragged and pale, lingering in front of the stall without saying a word, and silently took out two steaming white buns from the steamer and handed them over.

Chutian pulled Qing'er and rushed out the door, desperately running along the deep, deserted alley. On the silent and cold snowy night, they ran aimlessly, slipping and falling repeatedly until they were both utterly exhausted

Chutian wandered along the riverbank in a daze. The heavy snow had unknowingly ceased, yet the sky remained gloomy, devoid of sunlight. Gradually, voices began to emerge by the river, and Huaiyang City started to awaken from its slumber

No, I don't want you, I don't know you!" Qing'er cried loudly, "Let go of me, I want my brother...

Wu Xiucai chased after Chutian, secretly biting the broken silver with his teeth, and asked in surprise, "Where are you taking her?"

Chutian suddenly shivered, stood up, and ran away.

Mr. Wu! He knocked on the dilapidated gate of the courtyard, where the black paint was peeling off.

Get lost! Chu Tian was completely enraged, pulling Qing Er behind him and charging headfirst into the scholar's wife's abdomen.

Wu Xiucai's three souls and seven spirits had nearly been scared away, leaving him standing there in a daze, trembling lips unable to utter a word without any warning

"Your mother is no longer here, do you still remember her? I have been looking for you for a long time." The old man in the white robe continued, "You can go home with me now"

The old man in the white robe did not respond, seemingly focused on examining Qing'er’s profile.

Could this be something left behind by that young man from yesterday

Suddenly, a dazzling light flashed before his eyes, and a bizarre scene accompanied by countless mysterious words and images surged towards him, as if in an instant, a brand new world had been opened up.

Chutian had been hungry for nearly a day and a night, and he involuntarily slowed his heavy footsteps in front of a pastry stall

"Brother, brother!" Qing'er cried heart-wrenchingly in the arms of the old man in the white robe, her voice growing fainter.

My parents are both gone..." Chu Tiandao said

Chutian unconsciously took a sip, and a warm and sweet current flowed down his throat into his empty stomach

The elder sister tossed her head back and laughed, "What is there to thank for? Who hasn't gone through tough times?"

However, from now on, things will undergo a tremendous change, Chu Tian thought to himself, as he touched the silver in his bosom

Little brat, hurry back and do the laundry. What brother or sister nonsense is this? If you don't finish your chores, you won't be allowed to sleep tonight

Chutian grasped the cold little hand of the girl, carefully examining it in the light that filtered through the room. The delicate hand bore numerous cuts, horrifyingly crisscrossing each other.

Yet suddenly, existence has lost its meaning, and the dawn of tomorrow no longer holds any promise. The only joys in life have been ruthlessly stripped away by others

"I am your grandfather, and your mother is my only daughter," the elderly man in white said to Qing'er

I want everyone to see just how despicable these two little brats are! The scholar's wife and Chu Tian both rolled down together

Thus, a twelve-year-old boy, on this snowy night, allowed himself to be buried in the white snow, allowed his tears to pour down like rain, allowed himself to cry out in despair, lamenting the loss of his dearest loved ones taken away by cruel fate. Yet the heavens and the earth remained silent; apart from the gushing river beside him witnessing his sorrow, who else would share a portion of love with this helpless boy

Let us go! Chu Tian's eyes were ablaze with fury, a surge of impulse to tear that massive body into pieces roiling violently in his chest

Chutian felt a torrent of fiery magma surging within his chest, while a wolf-like voice howled in his mind. All the anger could no longer be controlled, nor did he wish to restrain it, as his hot blood surged uncontrollably through his veins like a volcanic eruption

He pushed away the scholar wife who was pressing down on him, scrambled to his feet, waved the dagger in his hand at Wu the scholar, and shouted: "Don't come over!"

I also want to accompany my brother like this—" Qing'er smiled happily, tilting her head to kiss Chu Tian's cheek

Seeing the twisted and pained expression on the scholar's wife's face, while holding the weapon in his hand, Chu Tian couldn't help but feel a bit flustered

This must be around four or five taels, it's too much. I cannot accept it; one must be honest in life! Besides, at your young age, where did you get so much money? The elder sister was taken aback and pushed the money back to Chu Tian.

A row of bare poplar trees lined the riverbank, beneath which several breakfast stalls were set up. The enticing aroma mingled with the acrid smell of coal smoke, wafting through the dry, cold air, bringing the first breath of vitality to the city

Chutian was pinned down on the cold, hard ground, with his face and arms covered in scratches and blood. In the chaos, he bit down on the other party's plump neck.

In a moment of clarity, Chu Tian realized that he was tightly gripping a dagger, its幽碧如水 blade deeply embedded in the rear of the scholar's wife

Ah—he suddenly burst into tears, his tears pouring out like a flood that had broken through a dam

Daylight has arrived

From this moment on, everything will change, everything will be different

Ah, indeed they are two beggars! The scholar's wife places her hands on her hips, thinking that by adding a few colorful feathers she can impersonate a phoenix. Doesn't she take a moment to look at herself in the mirror?

"Qing'er, Qing'er—" Chu Tian, unable to swim, ran madly towards the nearest ferry bridge

Her small face was pale, and she wore several layers of thin clothing, yet she resembled a joyful little bird flying through the snowy night, diving into the embrace of the vast sky.

Madam, madam, please stop, what will the neighbors think if they see this? Wu Xiucai wanted to intervene but did not dare, and was so anxious that he kept stamping his feet

Chutian shook his head and took out a piece of broken silver from his pocket, handing it over.

The snow continues to fall, yet a warmth quietly spreads in the cold night.

As night fell, the snow gradually decreased, yet the wind remained strong. Huaiyang City was devoid of its usual hustle and bustle, as if it had already succumbed to slumber.

The snow on the ground has accumulated thickly, and stepping on it with both feet produces a "crunching" sound; one could easily slip if not careful

"Eh, where did this thing come from?" Chu Tian, puzzled, pulled out a wooden box from beneath him. Seeing that it was less than one foot long and no more than two inches wide, he shook it in his hand, and it emitted a muffled "dong dong" sound from inside.