Chapter 3- Guests

As An Ling sat lost in thought, a man approached him respectfully, addressing him as "young master." With a heavy heart, the man revealed yet another troubling news - another worker had left, worsening the already fragile state of their workforce.

An Ling, visibly upset by the recurring issue, furrowed his brow and asked, "Again? Why does this keep happening?"

The Chief of Labor, reflecting the seriousness of the situation, sighed before responding, "Young master, it's not just about money. We're struggling with a deeper problem – a lack of laborers."

An Ling nodded in understanding, mixed with frustration. "Hmm?It's hard to convince workers to stay in a mine with low pay accordingly to work , especially when skilled warriors can earn more elsewhere."

With a somber nod, the Chief of Labor agreed, "Exactly, young master. And now, we're left with only five workers, including myself."

An Ling's dismay grew. "Only five? That's far fewer than expected. And what about those who had specific duties?"

The Chief of Labor hesitated before replying, "Six have left, and we're not sure if they'll come back. The rest are on the verge of leaving too."

Determined to address the crisis, An Ling stated firmly, "This situation needs urgent attention. We can't afford any more disruptions to the mine's operations."

Just when he thought things couldn't get worse, the Chief of Labor shared another concern, "Young master, I must also leave due to family matters. My children, skilled martial artists, are facing a serious threat, and I fear the worst."

Shocked by this revelation, An Ling exclaimed, "You too? Go if you must. But I'll stay and see this through. Let the others know they're dismissed."

An Ling rose from his seat and made his way towards the forest, his resolve unshaken by the Chief of Labor's departure. As he departed, the Chief of Labor, casting a disparaging glance, remarked to An Ling: "Why would anyone choose to labor under the useless and lazy master?" With those cutting words, he left, disseminating the same sentiment amongst the remaining workers.

In the wake of his departure, a wave of relief washed over the workers, prompting their immediate abandonment of their duties and hastened retreat homeward. Thus, the once bustling rock mine fell eerily silent, echoing the desolation of previous times.

As An Ling walked through the forest and reached the river bank, he felt a sense of familiarity. Having lived in the area for two years, he was well-acquainted with the forest, the river, and its inhabitants. However, he realized that while he knew this side of the forest well, he had never ventured to the other side during his time here.

Feeling saddened, An Ling reflected on the events of the day. His father had given him a job, marking the end of his carefree and leisurely lifestyle. He dreaded the thought of returning to work, especially knowing that the workers had left the rock mine, leaving it as silent and eerie as it was two years ago.

An Ling worried that if his father discovered the state of the mine, he would call him back to the bustling and dangerous merchant business, where thieves, hunters, and bloody battles were common occurrences. His frustration grew as he realized he lacked a system or cheats to help him in adventure.

After spending several minutes in

contemplation, An Ling prepared to depart from the area. However, his departure was delayed when he noticed the presence of an elderly man seated nearby. Curiously, there had been no sign of the old man upon An Ling's arrival, nor had anyone approached the area during his stay. Despite the initial confusion, An Ling, being a martial arts enthusiast, quickly recognized the elderly man's demeanor and concluded that he was a highly skilled master.

This realization sparked a glimmer of hope within An Ling, as he pondered the prospect of apprenticeship under the old master. However, as he approached the old man, An Ling was startled to discover that he had passed away mere moments before. It appeared as though the old man had been patiently awaiting someone's arrival before departing from this world.

Witnessing this scene left An Ling feeling a profound sense of disappointment and sorrow. Despite the fleeting opportunity for mentorship, it was overshadowed by the loss of the old master. An Ling decided to honor the old man's memory by burying him between two trees by the riverbank. Only the old man's robe remained, as An Ling searched for any personal belongings but found none.

Filled with a blend of frustration and deep sorrow, An Ling made the difficult decision to depart from the scene, leaving behind the remnants of his encounter with the old master.

He carefully watered the old man's robe, paying his respects before departing from the solemn scene.

An Ling, as he journeyed back through the forest, meticulously examined the robe's intricate design and expert craftsmanship. Despite its weathered appearance, the garment exuded a regal aura, piquing An Ling's curiosity.

He was particularly intrigued by the robe's unique features: joining the sleeves produced a delicate flower, while fastening the belt revealed a majestic crane with outstretched wings. Upon donning the robe in its entirety, An Ling felt a transformative sensation, as if it bestowed upon him the essence of a warrior. This newfound curiosity drove him forward on his path.

However, upon arriving home, he was surprised to find two figures standing at the house gate, prompting An Ling to ponder, "Guests? At this hour?"