Lost in thought, Shi Yongheng was about to doze off under the sun when he suddenly heard footsteps.
When he opened his bleary eyes, several people had already approached, their shadows blocking out the blazing sun.
"Little beggar, what are you doing here at Mount Hua?"
A young couple looked down at Shi Yongheng, their expressions differing.
The young man had an upright, refined appearance and clear, bright eyes. Dressed in a long robe with wide sleeves, he carried himself with the bearing of a gentleman.
The woman looked to be around twenty. She had a voluptuous figure, flawless snow-white skin, gentle brows and eyes, and looked like a newly blossomed begonia.
"My name is Shi Yongheng. I came to Mount Hua to take a master."
The young man gave the ten-year-old child a once-over, then said, "Get up and speak."
"Yes!" Shi Yongheng struggled to his feet.
"Where are you from?"
"The northwestern frontier."
"Who else is in your family? How did you end up wandering here?"
"This boy lost both his parents when I was young and grew up living off the charity of others."
"A few years ago, the northern lands suffered a drought. On top of that, the court kept imposing harsh taxes, and bandits were everywhere among the people. The villagers could no longer survive, so they all headed south. I followed them all the way and have had to earn my own living ever since."
Yue Buqun nodded slightly and sighed silently.
"How old are you this year?"
"Eleven."
"Can you read?"
"A little."
Yue Buqun nodded again. "Despite such circumstances, you can still read. You are quite a studious child."
"Tell me, what sorts of work have you done these past years? And why do you wish to join Mount Hua?"
Shi Yongheng