Chapter 5 - That's Not Supposed To Happen

I look at the soup like it had just bit me... That wasn't supposed to happen! I shouldn't feel pain... ANY PAIN! They both look at me with concern so I awkwardly smile and say "Hah... I'm so hungry I couldn't wait." Grandma Ling smiles and says "Well, slow down, we have plenty more."

I smile at her gratefully as I scoop up another spoonful. I carefully blow on it as Grandpa Ling tells Grandma Ling about me calling the mountain mine. Once I know it's cool enough to eat, I take a sip of the soup with wonder. I could taste it... and my belly was actually filling.

This... something isn't right. I eat the whole bowl but when Grandma Ling goes to get more I stop her. "I can't eat anymore... thank you for dinner it was very good." Grandma Ling pats my hand before saying "I'm glad you like it dear but you should really eat more... you're a growing young man. You need the extra food! Look how skinny you are!"

I smile at her kindly as Grandpa Ling smacks me on the back saying "Do you have a place to stay tonight?" I look at him awkwardly as Grandma Ling says "You can stay with us, dear. Grandpa Ling could use the help going into town and selling the chives tomorrow."

I nod my head and follow Grandpa Ling to there "guest" room. It was small but it was clean. They give me some blankets before bidding me goodnight. I sit on the blankets in the middle of the room lost. I try to log out over and over but nothing works. The candles in the room cast shadows along the walls as my heart slowly sinks.

I go to pinch myself but stop... that would hurt either way. I need something from this world. I slowly get up and open the paper windows. I leap out of the window and bend down to pick up a rock. I take the rock and try to cut myself. It's not sharp enough...

I throw the rock down in irritation but when it hits my foot I have to quickly cover my mouth to keep from crying out. Shit! That hurts! My eyes water as I jump around holding my foot. After a few minutes, I limp back over to the window and crawl back in.

This isn't good...

~~~~~~~~~

Bai Lei sits at the private table drinking his glass of wine. That little brat actually ran away... heh. I'm going to catch him and teach him a lesson myself. "My lord, The shadow guards can't find the young boy... what are your orders?"

Bai Lei smiles as he looks out the window. How far does this mouse think he can run? "Continue looking for him, he shouldn't have gotten far. He's probably still in the village." Ren cups his fist and bows.

To think... in this small village, in some remote land, I would come across such a cheeky brat. Heh... but what bothers me more is how I met him. What was that light? How had he come down from the sky? At first, I thought he was powerful but he was so weak it was pathetic.

But his eyes... the boy had the color of jade for his eyes... I've never seen that color before. He was such a pretty boy I thought he was a girl at first! I smirk and take another drink of the peach blossom wine. Maybe after teaching that boy some manners I'll keep him by my side as a disciple.

The others were always nagging about me taking one so maybe I'll take on the brat. I feel like he's different somehow... I just can't put my finger on it. Maybe if I keep him by my side I can find out what it is...

"You may leave," I say to Ren as I continue staring out the open window. Ren watches his master with worry but he still leaves. Just wait until I find this brat! I'll beat him into a pulp! Master hasn't been like this in a very long time... Nothing good ever comes from him being like this.

His master was like a Demon when it came to looking for someone or getting his way... Master doesn't even bow to the kings of the lands! Yet this brat... had the audacity to touch him and call him a bug! Master will surely skin this kid alive... he's done it for lesser things before.