Chapter 002: Foster Father

A giant kite, laden with nearly one million pounds of purple gold, returned with footsteps that were noticeably heavier than when it departed, and the thunderous sound of its fiery wings could be heard from twenty to thirty miles away

One year, Chang Geng fell seriously ill. Xu Baihu was, as usual, not at home. The doctors all said it was perilous. It was also his little foster father who carried him back home and kept vigil over him day and night for three days.

Is it appropriate for the occasion? Long Geng thought silently

"Having milk means having a mother, you scoundrel." Shen Shiliu laughed, placing his arm around Chang Geng's shoulder as he escorted him out. "Hurry home, don't wander outside in the dead of night during the Ghost Month."

As he walked back home along the corner gate, the moment he stepped through the door, he suddenly felt that the tune played by Shen Shiliu on the xun was somewhat familiar. Although it was completely out of tune, upon careful reflection, it vaguely resembled the melody of "Sending the West" often heard during folk mourning rituals.

Since the northern barbarians submitted and paid tribute fourteen years ago, every year on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, about ten giant eagles set out from major towns along the border to patrol northward, each following a predetermined route, intimidating for a thousand miles, with the barbarians' slightest movements being keenly observed.

How much determination is required to ensure that one does not go astray under the influence of Shen Shiliu, transitioning from a mischievous child to a graceful young man

In Shen Shiliu's room, only a dim little oil lamp was lit, casting a glow as large as a bean, resembling fireflies

The dream was too vivid; in the dream, the hands of the sixteen were as if still pressed against his body. Chang Geng has been unable to comprehend this to this day. Wasn't that person a frail one? How could there be such steady and strong hands in such a terrifying icy world?

When Chang Geng woke up again, he found himself being carried in someone's arms, wrapped in a large cloak.

Chang Geng lowered his head to glance at the iron wristband on his wrist, unsure of what material it was made from. Having been pressed against his skin for an entire night, it surprisingly did not warm him at all. Taking advantage of the coolness of the cold iron, Chang Geng quietly waited for his restless heart and blood to calm down. He smirked and dismissed the absurd thought of "dreaming of his adoptive father in a spring dream," and then, as usual, lit a lamp to read.

"Of course it is true, I like this child, benevolence," Sixteen finally spoke, "That person probably means the same thing—if in the future I can truly adopt this child, those people will also feel at ease, and his own life will be much better, isn't that a win-win situation?"

Chang Geng sometimes thinks, although Shen Shiliu cannot carry burdens on his shoulders or lift things with his hands, and is neither accomplished in literature nor in martial arts, who knows, in the future, there might be someone who is deceived by his good looks

Mr. Shen is watering the flowers in the courtyard; he is not hard of hearing, and he can hear the conversations inside the house very clearly. It is truly impossible to judge others by one's own half-deafness.

It is said that the best silk from the sleeve, when propelled by the spring mechanism of the iron clasp, can split a hair from several zhang away.

In the next moment, he clearly saw the contents of the box, and immediately shut his mouth, his eyes widening in surprise.

This night, the river flows with lights, and the soul returns to its homeland

Chang Geng exclaimed joyfully: "Foster Father!"

After speaking, Shen Shiliu bent down and began to rummage through the clutter on the desk. He could not see clearly, and his nose was almost touching the table. Chang Geng could only helplessly say: "What are you looking for? Let me do it."

Ke Chang-geng, however, was neither panicked nor flustered. His reaction was subdued; he merely sat on the bed for a moment before casually tidying up. A hint of barely perceptible disgust crossed his face. He went out to fetch a bucket of cold water and washed his newly formed body from head to toe. He changed into the neatly folded clothes by his pillow, drank the leftover tea in one gulp, and began his daily studies as usual

Shen Shiliu set the xun aside and took the medicine bowl: "White-eyed wolf, isn't it better for you to be my son? I have treated you so well."

Every time Shiliu goes out, regardless of how far or near, and no matter what the purpose, he always brings back some small trinkets or snacks for Chang Geng. Although Chang Geng does not have a fondness for small trinkets, he cannot help but cherish the thoughtfulness that is always on Shiliu's mind for him

He said with a confused expression: "There are more people who hate me."

Chang Geng casually picked up the prepared medicine and entered the room of his little adoptive father

Chang Geng is simply unbearable to look back on

Shen Sixteen: "Here you go, take a look."

That person is 16

I do not know what kind of liquor that was, and afterwards, Chang Geng never tasted it again. I only remember that the liquor from beyond the pass was not as strong; it felt like a ball of fire rolling down his throat, igniting all the blood in his body with a single sip

He is not naturally playful or carefree; he has his own plans for everything and is very strict in executing them. He does not like to be disturbed by others and is often extremely annoyed by Shen Sixteen's antics

The wind that day surged mercilessly like white fur, the blood in the wound had not yet flowed out, but had already congealed into icy shards. The howls of the pack of wolves approached from afar, yet the dulled sense of smell could not detect the metallic scent of blood. With each breath, a bone-chilling, salty sweetness choked him. Chang Geng's limbs were stiff, his insides burned as if on fire, and he thought he would be left as nothing but bones in the heavy snow.

Xu Baihu is rarely at home throughout the year, and he is rather dull in nature. Although he treats Chang Geng well, he does not often communicate with his stepson. It seems that during these crucial two years, when Chang Geng is around twelve or thirteen years old, he has spent most of his time with Shen Shiliu, this unreliable adoptive father.

Shen Shiliu smiled and pushed the door open, entering the room with the hem of his long robe lifted.

The young boy is going through voice changes, and it is somewhat difficult to converse with this half-deaf person. Fortunately, this time Shen Sixteen heard it, and the urgent sound of the xun abruptly ceased

The giant kite of the northern expedition set off in the first month, and it traveled for half a year, only returning during the season of flowing fire

Chang Geng was momentarily taken aback, and Shen Shiliu knew what he was about to ask. He spoke slowly, saying: "I heard from the seller that this is a defective product. There are no other issues, it’s just that the size is a bit smaller. It has been overlooked by others, which is why it was sold to me at a low price. I have no use for it, so you can take it to play with, but just be careful not to hurt anyone."

In the future, my little uncle will surely marry and have children. Once he has his own biological children, will he still think of me, his adopted child?

Then, he couldn't help but complain again: "I am already this old, why do you keep giving me a bunch of things meant for entertaining children?"

Mr. Shen fell silent for a moment and said softly, "First, you must ensure that he does not hate you—aren't you the least bit worried?"

Chang Geng exclaimed in surprise, "Where did you get this from?"

Chang Geng rarely shows his joy on his face: "Thank you ... ..."

Shen Sixteen: "Who should I thank?"

Before the fifth watch of the night, Chang Geng woke up feeling hot all over, with a thin layer of sweat sticking to his back, and his underpants were also damp.

In addition to deterrence and patrol, the giant eagle is also responsible for transporting the annual tributes from the various tribes of the Northern Barbarians back to the court, primarily consisting of "Purple Flowing Gold"

Shen Shiliu, as a wayward youth with no direction, not only squandered his own time but also insisted on dragging Chang Geng along with him. He would either urge him to go to the market or pull him along for horseback riding. On one occasion, he even picked up a "puppy" from somewhere for him to raise—Mr. Shen was so frightened that his face turned pale, for it turned out that this blind man had brought back a wolf cub instead.

He took the medicine without any difficulty, clearly accustomed to it, downing it in one go. He then took a couple of sips from the mouthwash that Chang Geng handed him, and waved his hand to decline further. "There is a fair over at Changyang Pass today, and I brought something fun for you, come over."

It might be a slingshot, or perhaps a package of cheese; in any case, it is nothing of substance. Chang Geng opened it without any expectations and casually remarked, "Even if I have some spare cash, I should still be frugal. Besides, I..."

Everyone has a desire for beauty, and even though he is accustomed to it, Chang Geng's breath still momentarily catches. He quickly blinks, as if trying to blink that dazzling cinnabar mole out from under his eyelids. Clearing his throat, he raises his voice and says: "Sixteen, it's time to take your medicine"

He remembered that the person had a snow-white collar, and there was a distant, bitter medicinal scent about him. Upon seeing that he had awakened, he asked nothing, but simply took out a wine flask and offered him a sip of wine

Suddenly, a rumbling sound came from the distance, causing the ground and the small house to tremble. Chang Geng was taken aback, and only then did he remember that according to the calendar, the "Giant Kite" of the Northern Patrol was about to return.

Shen Sixteen: "Shh—don't let Shen Yi hear this, it's not a game. If he sees it, he'll start nagging—can you use it?"

However, the annoyance is usually short-lived, as Shen Shiliu does not merely take advantage of him verbally, but genuinely treats him like a son.

In summary, every day when Chang Geng sees Shi Liu, his liver fire becomes exceptionally vigorous; however, when he does not see him, he is constantly preoccupied with concern.

However, he did not actually have any erotic dreams; instead, he dreamed of a heavy snowfall outside the pass that could freeze a person into a coffin

Shen Shiliu squinted his eyes to see clearly the person standing at the door, Chang Geng: "Who are you calling so casually?"

Sixteen does not engage in conversation

Chang Geng does not know how others are.

There is actually a metal wrist strap in that box

Mr. Shen: "Enough, stop pretending to be deaf and mute—do you really want to raise him as your son?"

Chang Geng followed Shen Yi to learn how to disassemble the steel armor, and skillfully put on the iron wrist clasp, only then did he realize the uniqueness of this item

It would be better to cause less trouble and give me more time to learn something useful—this thought circled in Chang Geng's mind, and when it was on the tip of his tongue, it felt somewhat hurtful, so he refrained from saying it.

Chang Geng ignored him and carefully placed the medicine bowl in front of him: "Drink it while it's hot, it's getting late. Finish it quickly and lie down right away"

He is actually only about seven or eight years older than Chang Geng, still unmarried, and perhaps has some awareness of his own inability to achieve anything substantial. He has prepared himself for the loneliness of not being able to afford a wife. When he finally encounters such a convenient son who does not require his support, he wishes to cling tightly to him, often emphasizing his identity as 'father' whenever he gets the chance.

Mr. Shen: "The best iron wrist buckle made of Xuan iron, with three silk threads from the sleeves crafted by Master Lin in autumn, has become a limited edition since the master's passing... Is this a defective product?"

The so-called "Iron Arm Buckle" is actually a part of the light armor used in the military, consisting of a single band that wraps around the wrist, making it very convenient. As a result, it is often detached for individual use. The Iron Arm Buckle is approximately four inches wide and can conceal three to four small knives. These knives are made using a special technique, thin as a cicada's wing, and are also referred to as "Silk in the Sleeve"

He was sitting by the window, most of his face shrouded in the shadows of the lamp, revealing only a hint of his features. Perhaps he was about to rest; Shen Sixteen had not donned his cap, his hair cascading down. At the corners of his eyes and beneath his earlobes, there were two small vermilion moles, resembling needle pricks. The scant light in the room seemed to be gathered and concentrated in those two small moles, almost blinding.

Under the light, a person appears even more vibrant than usual

Every young person, upon reaching maturity, will inevitably go through such a state of panic and confusion, even if someone has guided them beforehand

Recalling this matter, Chang Geng felt an indescribable sense of frustration. He found a square box on Table 16 and briefly shook off a head full of chaotic thoughts, handing it to Shen Shiliu with little interest: "This?"

Chang Geng suddenly remembered that this day was indeed the fifteenth of July

The "Giant Kite" is a vessel over 5,000 feet long, equipped with two wings made up of thousands of "Fire Wings." When the Giant Kite takes off, all the "Fire Wings" simultaneously emit white vapor, resembling mountains and tides, marshes and dreams. Each "Fire Wing" contains a bowl-sized core of purple liquid gold, shimmering with a purplish-red glow amidst the vast expanse of misty waves, resembling a myriad of household lights.

However, there is none

Mr. Shen, waiting in the courtyard, expressionless, extended his hand to support his elbow, guiding him into the room

Shen Shiliu bid farewell to Chang Geng, lowered his head and searched for a while, and only then did he barely see the outline of the threshold, carefully stepping over it and closing the door securely

The production of silk from sleeves is not easy, and it is rarely found in the market. Most of the iron wrist clasps available are old goods that have flowed out from the military, and their sizes are naturally suited for adult men. However, the one that Shen Sixteen brought back is noticeably a size smaller, perfectly fitting for a young man