Chapter 1

In the northern land, a thousand miles are sealed in ice, and ten thousand miles are covered in snow, a vast expanse of white. In the Northern Liang Kingdom, amidst the rugged mountains, birds and beasts were rarely seen, and most wealthy households had already retreated to their homes, warming themselves by the charcoal fire. However, at the foot of the mountains to the east of Qingzhu County, a group of young men were dressed in black single-layer clothing, swinging their long knives repeatedly in the bitter cold.

On a high platform, a middle-aged martial artist with eyes as sharp as an eagle's watched the disciples practicing on the training ground.

Lu Xiaotian, wearing a gray fur-lined jacket with a woodcutter's axe tucked into his belt, looked enviously at the Lei Dao Sect disciples practicing their sword techniques on the training ground.

"Still not moving, dawdling around! If you don't chop enough firewood today, there will be no dinner for you!"

A middle-aged man, also dressed in a thick gray jacket, scolded sternly.

"What did you say, try saying it again!" A tall youth, almost a head taller than Lu Xiaotian, strode in from the outer hall entrance and coldly rebuked the middle-aged man.

"Big Brother Shi!"

Lu Xiaotian's face lit up at the sound of the voice. The person who arrived was Shi Qingshan, who, like him, came from Hushe Village. However, Shi Qingshan was the pride of Hushe Village, selected as an outer sect disciple by the Lei Dao Sect at a young age. Due to his outstanding talent, he became an inner sect disciple in less than a year.

In the past, in Hushe Village, he and Shi Qingshan had the best relationship. Last year, the village suffered a drought, and his family had two more younger siblings. The limited farmland could not support so many people. Shi Qingshan brought him to the Lei Dao Sect, but due to his lack of martial talent, he became a servant, doing tasks like fetching water, cooking, and chopping firewood. Although it was hard, at least he could survive in this impoverished and chaotic world.

"An inner sect senior, I, I was disrespectful, I didn't know that Little Tian was a senior's acquaintance. Please forgive me, Senior and Little Tian!"

Zhao, the servant manager, who usually acted arrogantly, turned pale and hurriedly apologized to Shi Qingshan and Lu Xiaotian. Even he, a mere servant manager, could not afford to offend an inner sect disciple, let alone an outer sect senior.

"Big Brother Shi, Manager Zhao is just worried that I won't chop enough firewood in time. He meant no harm, please don't blame him."

Lu Xiaotian defended Manager Zhao. Having stayed in the servant quarters for so long, although he had no martial skills, he was more adept at human relations than Shi Qingshan. It didn't matter if Shi Qingshan offended Manager Zhao, but he would have to work under Manager Zhao for a long time. If Manager Zhao was replaced, the next one might be even more difficult to deal with, making life harder.

"Alright, since Little Tian is speaking for you, I'll let it go this time. If I see you bullying Little Tian again, you'll regret it. Now scram."

Shi Qingshan glared at Manager Zhao with a fierce look.

"Yes, yes, I won't dare again." Manager Zhao nodded repeatedly, looking embarrassed, and hurriedly left.

"The disciplinary hall is too strict. I've only just reached the third level of the Wind Splitting Saber Technique, and my master allowed me to rest for two days. That's why I only have time to see you now."

After driving away Manager Zhao, Shi Qingshan said apologetically to Lu Xiaotian.

"That's great, the more powerful Big Brother Shi is, the less people will dare to bully me in the servant quarters."

Lu Xiaotian said happily.

"Of course, anyone who dares to bully Little Tian will be beaten to the ground by me."

Shi Qingshan said with great confidence.

As they were talking, a pair of young men in white martial attire and a particularly beautiful young girl, who were standing not far ahead, waved to Shi Qingshan, "Senior Shi, why are you still standing there? Hurry up, we're going to the county town."

Seeing that someone was waiting for Shi Qingshan, Lu Xiaotian said, "Big Brother Shi, there are people waiting for you. Go ahead, I need to go chop firewood. I still have to complete my task today."

"Since I have time today, I'll help you chop firewood."

Shi Qingshan shook his head.

"No need, I go every day, and it doesn't take long. Big Brother Shi, you finally have two days off, don't waste it on trivial tasks like chopping firewood."

Lu Xiaotian pushed Shi Qingshan, but Shi Qingshan, who had been practicing martial arts for years, was strong and robust, and couldn't be pushed away.

"Alright, I'll go out first, and I'll bring you some good food."

Shi Qingshan was also tempted, being a young man, and usually focused on martial practice, he also wanted to visit the bustling county town during his free time.

"Great, thank you, Big Brother Shi."

Lu Xiaotian waved, turned, and walked into the snow-covered back mountain, his steps deep and shallow. Looking back, he saw Shi Qingshan and the other two disciples chatting and walking away, and the smile on his face suddenly turned to a sense of loneliness. This was the difference between a martial artist and a servant, they lived in completely different worlds.

But perhaps it was fate, he lacked the talent for martial arts, and no matter how hard he tried, he would still be a servant. He should focus on how to chop more firewood to complete his task.

In a few days, the monthly silver would be distributed. Thinking of the two silver beans he had saved, a smile appeared on his face. He would send some silver back home from time to time, but he also saved some for himself. When he had enough money, he would go to the city to learn a trade. Whether it was carpentry or blacksmithing, the Lei Dao Sect was good, but a servant was always a subordinate. Even if he couldn't become a martial artist, he didn't want to be a subordinate who had to rely on others forever.

Holding the two silver beans in his pocket, it was like holding his dream. The snow-covered ground, which was usually difficult to walk on, didn't seem so hard anymore. The back mountain of the sect was a vast forest, with undulating mountains stretching as far as the eye could see.

Lu Xiaotian walked into the forest but didn't immediately start chopping firewood. Instead, he took out a patched fishing net from a hidden cave and set it up between several trees. He then took a bag of grain from his pocket and scattered it on the snow under the net.

After patting his hands, he was satisfied and drew his woodcutter's axe, walked a short distance, and started chopping a somewhat decayed tree in the forest.

Crack!

Crack!

The sharp axe swung repeatedly on the not too thick tree trunk, and snow fell from the branches. Lu Xiaotian shook off the snow from his body and continued to swing the axe.

After more than two hundred swings, the not too thick tree trunk fell with a loud thud, splashing snow on his face.

In the bitter cold, he repeatedly swung the axe, and a slight warmth rose from his body. After nearly two hours, Lu Xiaotian put the chopped firewood into his basket. He estimated that it was time to check the trap he had set.

During this period, he could continuously support his family and save some silver, thanks to his frugality and the wild animals he caught in the mountains. Although he couldn't catch large beasts, some wild chickens and mountain birds were enough to make him happy.

Cluck...

He heard the sound of wild chickens and their flapping wings from a distance, and his heart leaped with joy. The noise indicated that there was more than one, so today would be a bountiful harvest. The sound gave him extra motivation, and his steps were even lighter than usual.

However, a low growl made Lu Xiaotian, who was walking quickly, suddenly bristle with fear.

Lu Xiaotian tightly gripped the handle of his woodcutter's axe, his eyes scanning every gap in the forest, and his back pressed against the trunk of a large tree.

Soon, a wolf as big as a calf slowly emerged from the forest, its eyes flashing with a fierce light, and its sharp fangs bared. It growled and slowly approached Lu Xiaotian.

With the appearance of the wolf, the joy of catching wild chickens vanished, replaced by intense fear. Even his father, an experienced hunter, would find it dangerous to encounter such a large wolf in the mountains, and he was just a young boy, barely over ten years old.

Lu Xiaotian regretted not letting Shi Qingshan come with him. If Shi Qingshan, who was already a martial artist, were here, they would have a chance to fight the wolf. Now, he could only wave the axe and shout to scare the lone wolf.

No, it wasn't a lone wolf. On the right side of the forest, another smaller wolf appeared. Lu Xiaotian felt a wave of despair. One wolf was already hard to escape from, and now a second one appeared, making it almost certain death!