The Shining Star Above The Heaven

Thud!

A young boy slammed into Aldrian and fell on his butt, but Aldrian didn't budge. He only stared at the boy, who looked about nine years old, dressed in tattered clothes. His dirt-smudged face and messy black hair made him appear more like a beggar. The boy rubbed his backside from the fall before looking up at Aldrian.

"I'm sorry for bumping into you, young master. I hope you don't take it to heart," he said, trying to stand while dusting off the dirt from his pants. Aldrian just smiled.

"It's okay. Be careful next time."

The young boy only bowed to him before running off, disappearing into the crowd. Xin Haotian, who had witnessed the scene, walked over and stood beside Aldrian.

"You know he pickpocketed you, right?" he asked. Aldrian responded with a simple nod.

"You're quite calm for someone who just got their stuff stolen."

"I just wanted to see what he'd do and where he'd go. It's more interesting here, more dynamic than when I'm with the elves." Aldrian said.

What he saw during this short walk could be described as 'wilder' than what he was used to in the Ivory Empire. He could sometimes sense people being beaten up in dark alleys for no reason. He also passed through the red-light district, where worldly pleasures were offered to guests. The artifact vendors occasionally sold fake items. It was truly a new experience for him, as it was very different from the elven cities, but he wasn't surprised. The elves were more disciplined and organized than the demon cultivators, after all.

Aldrian looked down at his waist, where his pouch should have been, a pouch containing defense and escape talismans given to him by Emperor Ladwin. It was more practical to keep some essential talismans outside rather than in a storage ring. He watched as the young boy stole his pouch. From where he stood, Aldrian could still sense the boy's movements and decided to follow his trail.

Xin Haotian merely shrugged and followed him, with their entire group trailing behind the boy, passing through several dark alleys before arriving at a dilapidated building. Aldrian used his camouflage technique to conceal himself and the two ladies, while Xin Haotian employed his own method of hiding. They were so well-hidden that even someone at the grand duke stage wouldn't have realized they were standing there.

They sharpened their senses, listening in on the conversation inside the building.

"Here's the thing from that person. Now can I go?" the boy asked the man in front of him, who had a thin frame and wore a bandana on his head. The boy handed over the pouch he had stolen from Aldrian.

"No, not yet. You still have one more to fulfill your quota," the man replied.

"But I've already stolen five since this morning! I have to take care of my mother. Can't you just ask someone else?" the boy pleaded.

Slap!

The man struck the boy, sending him sprawling to the side. The boy's cheek reddened, and his nose began to bleed.

"You dare talk back now, huh? If I say you have one more, then you'll do it! I don't care about your mother, you should just say 'yes' when I tell you something!" the man shouted.

The boy touched his cheek, trying to hold back his tears.

"I didn't hear an answer!" the man yelled again.

"Ye...yes," the boy stammered. He then stood up and walked towards the door, eager to escape this nightmare. But as he opened the door, he froze, stunned to see someone already standing there.

When he recognized the face of the person in front of him, he was shocked—it was the man whose pouch he had stolen earlier. The boy stumbled and fell on his butt, leaving the man behind him equally stunned.

"Who are you?" the man demanded. He couldn't sense how this young man had appeared in front of the door, as if he had materialized out of nowhere.

"It seems I've lost something here. Care to give it back? I'd prefer not to make my first trip here a bloody one," the young man said calmly.

Despite his wariness, the man burst out laughing. "Hahaha, I don't know what you're talking about, but kid, you shouldn't have stepped in here."

Suddenly, six men emerged from behind the darkness, each at varying cultivation stages, the weakest being a low Viscount, and the strongest a high Earl. They wielded various weapons, but all shared one common feature: a skull tattoo on their upper arms. The man sitting there grinned at Aldrian, as if he were looking at a treasure.

"It's a pity, but you should've been more careful about sticking your nose into other people's business," the man said.

"Boss, he looks rich and has plenty of artifacts on him. We've caught a big fish today," one of the thugs remarked.

"We could even sell this young boy to a slave trader. Look at his smooth face—there'll be plenty of buyers for him," another chimed in.

As the thugs made their comments, Aldrian ignored their words, instead observing his surroundings. His gaze then fell to his feet, where he noticed a small twig fragment. He picked it up, holding it between his thumb and index finger.

"This one is good," he said, causing the thugs to exchange confused glances.

"Is he crazy?"

"I think he's lost it after coming here."

"Whatever, get him! We don't want any mishaps, just don't—"

Before the man could finish his sentence, a sharp slash of energy cut through the air above him, followed by the sickening splash of blood. The sound of bodies dropping echoed through the room, and the smell of iron filled the air. The man's eyes widened in shock as he realized the deadly sharpness that had enveloped the small twig in Aldrian's hand.

"Sword will!" the man trembled, finally realizing that the young man in front of him wasn't just an ordinary rich kid from some orthodox family, but an expert sword cultivator. He glanced at the boy trembling in fear just a short distance away and rushed to grab him, intending to take him hostage. But before he could reach him, another slash cut through the air, severing his hand.

"Arrghh!" he screamed as his hand was sliced off, blood pouring from the wound, adding to the already gruesome scene.

"How dare you touch me! You'll—" He froze mid-sentence when the young man appeared in front of him, pressing his thumb against the man's forehead. Suddenly, he couldn't speak or move; his body felt frozen, as if he had become a living statue.

"How is this possible?! I'm at the peak Earl stage, how can he be so powerful when he's only at the low stage?!" he screamed internally. After a few moments, Aldrian released his forehead, allowing him to move and speak again.

"You…you will regre—" His head was severed to the side before he could finish the classic threat he had prepared for dangerous situations. The head rolled away, marking the end of the bloody spectacle in the room. The boy watched in terror, even more so when Aldrian's serene, emotionless eyes turned towards him. He feared he was about to be killed as Aldrian walked closer.

"No, please forgive me. It wasn't my intention to steal your stuff," he said as he dragged his body backward.

When Aldrian reached him, the boy raised his arms to cover his head and squeezed his eyes shut, crying. But he was stunned when nothing happened. Opening his eyes, he saw that a pouch had been placed beside him. He looked up at Aldrian's face and saw him smiling.

"I didn't know you had a sadistic side, not even sparing a child from your teasing." Xin Haotian remarked from the doorway, followed by Eleine and Sylphia. Sylphia quickly rushed to the boy and used her technique to heal his injuries, her expression filled with pity for the child.

Aldrian shrugged. "It wasn't my intention." He then looked down at the boy. "Inside that pouch are some medium energy stones. Use them to make a better life for yourself and your mother. Stop doing what you did."

The boy was stunned, thinking Aldrian must be joking, but the warm smile on Aldrian's face told him it was real. He then kowtowed deeply.

"Thank you for your gracious heart, young master. I will surely use your gift for the best for me and my mother, but I don't think—"

"You don't have to worry about these thugs group," Aldrian interrupted. "You just have to live better. I've given you enough to start anew."

The boy, brimming with tears once again, kowtowed deeply before excusing himself. The group watched as he walked away, disappearing from sight, then turned their attention to the mess Aldrian had caused.

"What if you got scammed by that kid? What if he lied to you?" Xin Haotian asked.

"He didn't. He's as honest as he seems," Aldrian replied calmly.

"Well, whatever you want. So, what now? Are you suddenly the hero of justice? Do you want to track down the rest of these thugs?"

"We still have an hour before the estimated time, right? Let's make use of it with some productive activities. It's also good for training our bodies."

"You really have a bizarre mindset, and you're quite daring, especially in someone else's territory, not caring about the consequences." Xin Haotian said.

"Well, that's just who I am. Are you coming or not? If not, I'll visit them myself," Aldrian responded.

"Of course I'm in. It's a good chance to loosen up a bit."