Being a servant is all he had ever known
De Ming was never meant to be anything more, born a servant, he was ordinary at best, nether attractive nor ugly, his height average , cursed by fate with a timid personality and no martial talent he knew of
Yet fate is cruel, this ordinary young man is now stuck between a crossroad of ether losing the only person that had ever showed him warmth or confronting his own mediocrity, fighting against destiny itself
I will change, no matter what
A mantra etched in his heart as the spruce flooring creaked beneath his resolute steps
He was not gonna let Zhu Lian slip through his fingers, that wasn't an option, the thought doesn't even cross his mind even once
His steps came to a stop as he turned his body and look up
" Hu's office" , the words etched above a pair of sliding doors, was in front of Elder Hu's office.
De Ming raised his hand nervously, he hesitated remembering that he is in no position to disturb him while he's working
No, he couldn't back down now.
De Ming clenched his fist and bit his lips as he motioned three confident knocks before awaiting a response
"Come in"
A stern voice came from beyond the door, gruff and worn, a testament to his many years of service to this household
De Ming grabbed on the door's grooves and slid them apart, revealing a modest workspace illuminated by oil lamps and candles.
A scholar-like elderly man sat at his desk, scribbling lines of inks among a pile of papers, surrounded by a warmly lit room, decked with shelves holding weathered scrolls, puppy-eared books, well-maintained calligraphy brushes and unused ink blocks, finished an ornate window framing the night sky behind him
"Ming? Is there a problem"
Elder Hu looked up from his work, slightly lifted his eyebrows in surprise before inquiring De Ming's appearance
"Elder Hu, can I request something?"
De Ming asked in a uncharacteristically sured tone, as beads of sweat started to form on his forehead
"A request? At this hour? Speak"
Elder Hu said ask his eyes locked onto De Ming, trying to pry a look into his intentions
"May I request a cultivation technique?" He said with confidence despite his nerves telling him to shut up
Elder Hu shone a intrigued look, clearing his voice before replying sternly
"You may not"
De Ming newfound resolution took a hit
His eyes breaking contact with Elder Hu's as his fear screamed for him to run, his timid personality pulling his feets away as doubts creeped back into his mind
No! I will change
The mantra repeated in his head before he tightened his hand into fist and planting his feet in place
"Why not Elder? Don't our household need more martial artists? " De Ming spoke, recalling that he saw an influx of martial arts hired into the house in recent days
Elder Hu's eyes seemed to display a glint of pride as he continued sternly
"We do, but you are a servant Ming, do you understand the weight of what you're stepping into?"
"I don't" De Ming pause, he looked down, seemingly disheartened
"But i do know one thing, if i don't become a martial artist then I'll lose that chance to be close to young mistress Zhu Lian…"
"Preposterous!" Elder Hu replied in a feigned aggressive manner as his gaze pierced De Ming
"Zhu Lian is this house's young mistress! You, a mere servant does not deserve to wish for such a thing"
"I know!" De Ming shouted, his tone almost pleading
" She is destined to climb higher, that I understand is something beyond a mere servant " De Ming answered, his voice pained as he recalled that She was leaving to participate in the martial art expo and join a sect
" I understand… yet, i do not wish to be left behind "
His fist tightened as he looked up to face Elder Hu's glare head on, his mundane brown eyes shining with a brilliant light of resolution, rebellion against his own fate
Elder Hu observed his will intently before speaking sternly
"To be a martial artist is to be in a constant battle of mind and body, only death await the foolish and untalented, failure lurks in the shadows of even the most formidable practitioners"
He paused, letting the full weight of his words hang in the air, the path of martial arts is no walk in the park, and it's especially cruel to those without talent, a hard pill to swallow for many.
But this was not enough to deter De Ming, No, he was determined to change, even if he had to face dangers beyond his comprehension, it would still be better than to live a life of being trampled upon by those of higher birth, the risks was well worth it
"Do you really wish to set foot on such a path"
He declared as his First-rate Qi, a mark of his martial mastery, filled the room, his scholarly robes fluttering wildly as he stared De Ming down, the pressure alone enough to buckle his stance, bringing De Ming to his knees, his breath labored and shallow, staying awake alone was a struggle
"I-I am!" He uttered in between battered breaths before steeling himself
Using all his might, De Ming stood up, his leg struggling to remain upright, each second he stood was a torrent of uncontrollable aches and pain
"please… *huff* g-give me a chance" De Ming said in all earnestness
De Ming's face, now scrunched up from pain, beaded with sweat and beat red from suffocation
But his eyes, his eyes shone brighter than ever before with unshaken resolve
He gave Elder Hu one last look before his body gave up, collapsing completely onto the cold spruce floor
As he lay there battered, Elder Hu promptly withdrew his Qi
De Ming's vision started to darken, a ringing in his head deafening the surrounding
A flicker of respect crossed Elder Hu's stern and wrinkled face, the corners of his mouth lifts slightly into a rare smile
"Very well"
Elder Hu's voice sublty rang with acknowledgment, loud enough for De Ming to catch before his consciousness slipped away