What Xu Min needed the most right now was a position where he could earn money. With money, it would be possible for the young boy to protect his sister. That was what he learned from the world where even his own parents had to sell him and Xu Wu so they wouldn't starve to death.
These were the thoughts that drove Xu Min forward, and forced him to keep working hard. His eyes gleamed with determination, and his breathing quickly changed to follow a specific pattern, which Overseer Tian taught to him. Golden specks surrounded his body as every muscle was pulled taut, soaking in the golden specks Xu Min inhaled.
Xu Min had entered the ideal training stance, becoming one with the world around him. It was an act that was very hard to achieve, but the boy's stubbornness and grand ideas were what pushed him beyond his limits every single day, allowing him to accomplish things that others his age could not achieve.
Overseer Tian's shock changed to astonishment as he saw Xu Min's accomplishment. A flash of pride was shown on his face, because the child had listened to every instruction Overseer Tian had ever given, from which Xu Min greatly benefitted.
While Overseer Tian was feeling proud and amazed by the sudden change, the young master of the Zhong Family felt a sour taste in his mouth as his eyes narrowed slightly and filled with hate once again.
The young master was perfectly well aware of Xu Min's talent, and because the boy had no one to back him up, the young master was certain that if he truly wished to kill him, then no one would get in his way.
The only reason that Xu Min was still alive was because the young master did not just wish to kill him. He wished to thoroughly humiliate Xu Min before he finally ended his life. To make him taste the same agony which he felt every morning while he had to look at Xu Min. He wished to break the proud young man, to only let him wallow in self-pity and hate. He wanted to break him so hard that he would want to die, but wouldn't have the ability to do so.
While the young master was thinking these thoughts, Xu Min continued to stay on the training ground long after everyone else had finished and gone home. He stayed in his trancelike stance, pushing the limits of his endurance, and forcing his fingers to support his weight the whole time. Only when the sun began to set behind the horizon did Xu Min stand up, his fingers numb, and his arms filled with a strange prickling feeling.
A large smile was evident on Xu Min's face as he slowly clenched his fists, feeling a sensation of strength rushing through his body.
"Don't start slacking off just because you reached the Student Warrior rank!" A voice said from behind Xu Min. It was Overseer Tian who had been watching him the whole time. He walked up to Xu Min, who still had an expression like he was drunk on his newly acquired power on his face.
"What I have taught you was how to strengthen the body, and to use specific martial arts; however, in order to use this strength you need to be able to cultivate Qi on your own."
Hearing the same words every single day, Xu Min nodded his head seriously, his eyes shining happily as he knew that Overseer Tian was reminding him for his sake. Xu Min could not help but feel grateful to the older man.
"I promise to work hard!" Xu Min promised with a slight bow, then the young boy rushed back towards his home, where Xu Wu was waiting for him.
It was now evening, which meant it was also time for dinner. Dinner was always congee, which was why it could get repetitive at times, but his sister Xu Wu was very good at cooking, so it did not happen too often. She would regularly talk about what the women in the household had done the previous day. Due to this, Xu Min knew much of the gossip about the Zhong family. Although he lived a poor life, the young boy loved to laugh at the many intrigues and masquerades that happened in the family just because they were rich.
Although Xu Min wanted money, he only wanted it for the sake of stabilizing his and his beloved sister's lives, but sadly he knew that this dream was very far away.
Walking towards his home, Xu Min was filled with excitement, wondering what gossip he would hear about today. A smile appeared on his face as he rushed back home.
A short while later, Xu Min frowned slightly and wrinkles appeared on his face as he noticed an unexpected smell on his way home. His eyes widened in fear, as he realized which direction this smell was coming from.
It was the pungent scent of smoke from burning wet wood! Xu Min started running very fast, yelling, "FIRE, FIRE!" Xu Min yelled as loudly as he could, straining his lungs as he gasped for air.
The shouts caused the quiet and peaceful Zhong family compound to burst into action as some families started to gather water buckets and others blankets. People from every house appeared and followed Xu Min as he rushed to his home.
After he furiously ran around the last turn, Xu Min nearly stopped in his tracks as he saw the young master and his friends watching the house burn. Scared expressions could be seen on their faces as screams could be heard coming from inside the house.
As soon as he heard the shrill cry, Xu Min's eyes widened. He accelerated to run as fast as he could, but by the time he got to the front of the house, the house had already been completely swallowed up by the vicious flames.
Jumping into the nearby stream, Xu Min soaked himself from head to toe, and rushed into the house, prepared to rescue his only family member at any cost.
Xu Min kicked some burning wood away from the door and ripped it open. He managed to completely shatter its charred remnants by doing so, and fearlessly entered into the small shack.
Although it was considered the residence of Xu Min and Xu Wu, it was truly just one room which was used as both kitchen and bedroom. Although the young boy used to wish for a mansion to live in, rather than this shack, he was now grateful that everything was gathered in just one room.
Shock filled Xu Min as he saw a figure collapsed on the floor. With a scream of pain, Xu Min managed to drag her out of the cabin. It was not one moment too late, since the shack collapsed behind him in flames.
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