Chapter 1

The gentle breeze from the mountains swept through the green valleys, carrying with it the fresh scent of pine trees and wildflowers. Liang, a small village hidden deep within the mountains, was a place where time seemed to flow at a slower pace. The days passed without hurry, like the calm waters of the Jing River, which wound its way along the hills, providing sustenance to the village.

The morning sun had already begun to rise on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of gold and pink. The soft glow of sunlight bathed the wooden houses, each one carefully hand-carved, reflecting the tradition and hard work of generations of artisans. Castian watched everything from his porch, feeling like a part of that scene. The tranquility of the morning made his heart beat in a serene rhythm, but there was a restlessness within him, a seed of curiosity that grew with each passing day.

"Castian, come have your tea!" His mother Mei's soft voice called him from inside the house. He hesitated, still absorbing the peace around him. Something inside him longed for more than this peaceful routine.

With one last look at the horizon, he went inside. The interior of the house was simple but cozy. The warmth of the fire crackled in the clay stove, while the aroma of freshly brewed tea filled the air. Mei stood by the table, pouring the tea into simple but elegant porcelain bowls. The warm, familiar environment always brought comfort to Castian, but today he felt a slight discontent.

"You spent a lot of time outside today," Mei said with a loving smile. "What were you watching?"

Castian accepted the bowl, trying to put into words what he felt.

"Just the village... Sometimes I wonder what it's like out there... beyond the mountains." Castian answered his mother, a dreamy expression on his face. He wasn't sure why the words felt so heavy.

Mei looked at him with a mixture of affection and concern.

"There's time for those adventures, Castian. Life here is good. We have peace and tranquility. The world out there can be much more dangerous than you imagine." Her tone was gentle, but there was a subtle warning beneath it.

He felt a chill in his stomach at his mother's words. "But what if there's something incredible out there? Something I can't see here?" The doubt echoed in his mind, but he knew that speaking it aloud would only worry his mother more, so he kept the thought to himself.

Before he could dwell on the possibility, Cheng, his father, entered, bringing with him a gust of fresh air that seemed to invigorate the house.

"Ah, Castian, you're already up!" Cheng's deep, warm voice made Castian's heart swell with warmth. "Today we'll have a lot of work. The fields are ready for sowing, and I need your help."

"Of course, Father," Castian replied, admiring Cheng's strength and determination, who seemed to carry the weight of the village on his shoulders yet always found time to share laughs and stories with his children.

After the tea, father and son set out for the fields. The path was familiar, flanked by tall bamboo trees swaying in the wind, whispering ancient secrets. Castian listened to the sounds of nature, the soft melody of birds and the rustle of leaves, but his mind was elsewhere.

"Remember, son," Cheng said as he plunged the hoe into the soft soil. "We can't rush the earth. Just like in life, everything has its time. Pushing fate only brings pain and regret."

"Is this life what I want for myself?" Castian thought as he listened in silence, absorbing his father's words, yet a restlessness grew within him. "What if my destiny isn't here? What if there's something more beyond the mountains?" These thoughts plagued him, but he knew he should respect his father's wisdom.

When the sun was high, they finally returned home for lunch. Mei had prepared a simple but delicious meal: rice, fresh vegetables picked from the garden, and a hot tofu soup, its intoxicating aroma filling the kitchen. They sat at the table, and as they ate, Castian realized that life was good where they lived, but the feeling that his existence was incomplete gnawed at him.

After lunch, Castian lay under the shade of a large tree, gazing up at the sky. The clouds moved slowly, as if they, too, had no hurry to reach anywhere. He felt the cool grass beneath his back and closed his eyes, trying to calm his mind.

"If only I could see what's beyond the mountains," he thought, the restlessness and curiosity not leaving him. Then, a noise in the distance caught his attention. Castian opened his eyes and sat up. On the road leading to the village, a solitary figure approached.

"Who could that be? It's not common to see strangers here." He thought, his curiosity growing in his chest. The gentle wind seemed to whisper to him that this moment was special.

The figure moved slowly, wearing a dark cloak and carrying a small bag slung over their shoulder. As they drew closer, Castian could make out the face - an old man, frail in appearance, but with deep, penetrating eyes that seemed to hold centuries of wisdom. His eyes were the color of the sky before a storm, and there was something mystical about his presence that made Castian's heart race.

"Father, do you see that?" Castian asked, turning to Cheng, who was a few steps behind him, watching the scene with a serious expression.

"Yes, I see it. It's rare for travelers to come this far." Cheng replied, his tone grave and cautious. "Stay close, Castian. We don't know his intentions."

Castian nodded, but the feeling that something important was about to happen enveloped him, as if fate was drawing invisible lines between him and the old man. Added to this was an inexplicable sense of familiarity, as if he had met the man in a distant dream.

When the old man finally reached them, he stopped and looked at Castian. There was a recognition in his eyes that left the young man disconcerted.

"Greetings, young one. My name is Shen. I've traveled far and seek shelter."

Castian swallowed hard, the weight of his father's words still echoing in his mind. It was rare for anyone to appear in the village, and his protective instinct made him hesitate. But there was something in Shen's tone that conveyed sincerity.

"We... we can help you," Castian replied hesitantly, feeling an inexplicable force urging him to act.

"Thank you very much," Shen said, a faint smile forming on his lips, revealing a set of white teeth despite his age. "The kindness of strangers is a treasure in times like these."

Cheng studied Shen for a moment, his gaze serious and evaluating. "What brings you here? This is not a common place for travelers."

Shen looked at the ground, as if the memories passing through his mind were heavy. "I seek answers, as many before me have. The mountains hold secrets that cannot be ignored."

Castian felt his heart race at hearing these words. "Secrets? What does he know? What's beyond the mountains?" His mind buzzed with questions, and a wave of emotion surged through him.

"What did you see out there?" Castian asked, unable to contain himself. Stories of adventures and a world beyond the tranquility of Liang began to dance in his mind.

Shen smiled, his eyes gleaming with deep knowledge. "I saw beauty and pain, hope and despair. The world is vast, and each corner has its own story. Sometimes, the answers we seek lie in the shadows of what we already know."

The old man seemed to know that Castian needed more than just words; he was searching for a purpose. Castian exchanged a meaningful glance with his father, who seemed reluctant to open up to the stranger, but even so, did not stop his son from engaging.

"Why don't you join us for a meal?" Mei suggested, having approached and overheard the conversation. "We cannot leave you alone. We always have a place at the table for a traveler."

Shen accepted gratefully, and the small family led him inside. As they settled in, Castian felt that somehow, this encounter would change the course of his life. The curiosity about what lay beyond the mountains had never been more intense, and Shen's presence seemed to be the catalyst he had been waiting for.