FENG LIQIN'S POV
Life was never easy for me, but I never complained. For me, the simple life was the best life. Even though there were some hardships that needed to be faced, I face it as if it were just some life lessons that I needed to learn within this life.
My father thinks that I shouldn't face these hardships at such a young age, but I just ignored his words. My father is part of the emperor's councilman. He's the emperor's advisor. So that makes my family one of the most important families beside the royal family. I don't live an easy life like most young masters of a wealthy family. My mother came from a simple and poor family. After marrying my father, mother and her family led an easy life. But, she made sure that I learned what it's like to have a hard life. That's why at the end of every week I would go and give a stock of food and some clothes to each of the poor families living on the other side of the city. Those who don't have homes and lives on the streets, I would ask fathers guards to build a small house for them. Those families who do have houses, but are run down, a few of my maids and I would help fix the houses.
It's hard but fun at the same time. Seeing their smiling faces makes me happy because I know that I could help ease their life even a little. During the weekdays, I would teach the children at my house and pay them a few copper or silver coins for helping me in my garden.
I'm really happy that I could help the poor families in the capital city. It makes me sad that the emperor takes little notice of them. I know he has a lot of things that he needs to handle, but taking care of the poor is better than taking care of the rich.
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It was a wonderful afternoon as I dance on the open spaced yard. The children that I taught this morning were doing their duty of cleaning and gardening my garden. I'm not taking advantage of these children for your information. I can take care of my own garden just fine. I'm just helping the children earn money by doing these odd jobs since I can't think of any other job for them to do because they're still young.
After finishing my first dance, I hear claps coming from the corner of the building. Seeing my big brother standing there surprised me. My swords fell from my grasp and I ran towards him. After not being able to see him for two weeks, I feel so relieved and happy having him in arms again. Even though he is the big brother, I feel like I'm the eldest since he's sometimes clumsy and easily forgets where he puts his stuff around. I'm always thankful that his magical beast, Ying is always there to help him and is very patient with him.
I sent the children home and sat at the gazebo built in the middle of the pond at my families house with my brother.
"So, how was your mission? Did everything go well? Did you get any injury along the way? Do you have to depart soon? If you do, are you feeling well to have to go for another mission this fast? Just tell the emperor you're not feeling well and stay home brother." I asked questions one after the other. My brother just chuckled.
"Calm down little brother." He held my shoulder to emphasized his meaning and laughed. "The mission went well and I don't have any injuries. I'm also staying home until the emperor says otherwise. For now, I'll be training the new recruits in my division. You don't have to worry now."
I sigh in relief and smiled at him. I was glad he had to stay home for now. I didn't want him to get hurt while he is on his missions. If it were about him training the new guards in his division, I'm not really worried since he's focused and doesn't get any injuries while training. It's also because the physician is there if he were to be injured. "That's good. I would be at ease now." I said.
Brother laughed and pat my head. "You're always worried about me. I'm doing well as a general and I'm also one of the emperors trusted people. No harm would come near me easily. Even if they did, they wouldn't be on the same level as me to inflict any injury on me." He said.
I pouted and hugged him. "I know. But I can't help myself to become worried about you."
He sighs. After a while, he spoke. "How about this, you go and cultivate so that you can level up. If you don't, father would be angry. You have a lot of time on your hands and yet, you're not using it to level up your cultivation level and practising your power. You should know that your power is rare and one of the hardest to control."
I can't help but think about what brother said. He was right. I need to train and control my power so that I can protect myself and won't cause any damages towards the people around me. My powers are dangerous if not controlled properly.
Afterwards, at night we had dinner together knowing that father would come home late. As I combed my hair, Xiaoli came in from the window.
"Xiaoli, where have you been? I was worried that something might happen to you." I said to the tiger curling itself on my bed.
"I just went to the forbidden forest to eat. I missed hunting in that forest. Don't worry that little head of yours. It's enough that you are always worrying about your father and brother. You don't have to be worried about my wellbeing so much. You can feel it if I was hurt or in danger." She said to me in my head and yawned.
"I know, but there is no harm in asking is there?" I replied to her.
"No. There is none. But it's time you put your worries behind you for a while and start cultivating again. Your strength is mine and I can't grow towards my full potential if you don't level up."
"Alright. I'll start training tomorrow after teaching the children." With that said, I finished getting myself ready for bed and went to lay down beside Xiaoli.
"Oh, yes. Before I forget. Since you are at a low level of King Stage. You need to continue your cultivation and training in the forest because your an earth elemental." Xiaoli said to me.
"Why should I train and cultivate in the forest, Xiaoli?" I asked my tiger.
"It's to connect with the earth, plants and air of the forest with you. When you immerse yourself with the surrounding of the forest, you would be able to control your powers easily. Not only that, the stubbornness of the earth, plants and so on would lessen. They would listen to you or every command after connecting with you through cultivating." Xiaoli answered me.
"If that's the case, then why can't I do it in my garden?"
"Do you want your garden to be destroyed?"
"Of course not!" I said angrily at Xiaoli.
"Then, you have your answer."
"Alright." I sigh. "Goodnight Xiaoli." She replied with a nod.
It's frustrating talking to her when she doesn't reply clearly. But when she does, you would be able to understand her meanings clearly. Another thing about her, she doesn't answer bluntly like how she criticizes people.
What would I ever do with her? I wished she was a lovable tiger that likes to cuddle instead. Though, I am thankful for her overprotective attitude towards me when I'm in danger or when meeting 'unwanted people' as she says. I giggled. Then, I slowly fell to unconsciousness.