Fated | Fangs Of Fortune FF

Chapter 1 : Fated in the Crowd

If it weren't for another day of sneaking out of the Wilderness, Zhu Yan's eyes wouldn't have sparkled like stars. Although his master, Ying Zhao, already knew the young demon's mischievous plans for the day, he feigned ignorance. He simply watched as Zhu Yan hurried toward his quarters, His silver-streaked ash hair, braided down to the middle of his back and adorned with small ornaments, swung with each step in excitement and his pale attire blending with the snow-covered Kunlun Mountain. From a distance, the boy looked like an excited puppy.

Once inside his quarters, Zhu Yan quickly retrieved a few coins he had won in a bet with his master. They were human coins, which meant he could buy something once he ventured into the human world. After looking around to ensure no one was watching, Zhu Yan crossed the bridge separating Kunlun Mountain from the human world. This wasn't his first time visiting, but it was his first time going to a city. He had been to Sinan Water Town before, located at the foot of Kunlun Mountain, but until now, he hadn't mustered the courage to explore a larger city. Today, however, he was determined.

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The Tiandu city gates loomed tall, although they were modest compared to the ones in the Wilderness. Zhu Yan could understand why the city was off-limits to his kind; the place was teeming with humans. Some were busy browsing goods, while others tried to sell their wares. Compared to Sinan Water Town, the city's marketplace was massive, with countless items he didn't even know the names of.

As Zhu Yan wandered through the market, he noticed a crowd gathered around something. Intrigued, he tried to sneak a peek but couldn't even slip his hand through the throng. His curiosity only grew as he wondered, 'What could be holding these humans' attention so intently?' For a moment, he considered flying up to a roof but decided against using his powers. He didn't want to risk being recognized as a demon and disturb the crowd's lively atmosphere.

Looking around, he noticed a young man sitting atop a vendor's shop, eating something and swinging his legs to a rhythm. The young man's laughter reached Zhu Yan's ears, somehow softening the world's noise around him. The stranger's face appeared innocent and radiant, with a golden headband resting atop his head. His robes, embroidered in shades of cream and gold, fluttered with his leg swings, and his long hair cascaded down to his waist, waving gently in the breeze. For a while, Zhu Yan simply watched, captivated by the most beautiful human he had ever seen.

The young man looked down with a smile, a questioning expression crossing his face. Zhu Yan immediately snapped out of his daze, realizing he'd been fidgeting with his hands.

"Can I join you? I can't see what's happening," he asked, his voice hesitant.

Without a second thought, the young man shifted over and patted the space beside him. "Come up," he invited with a warm smile.

Using a nearby chair for leverage, Zhu Yan hopped onto the shop roof, adjusting his white robes. "Thank you," he said with a small smile.

He turned his focus back to the scene below, attempting to ignore the strange flutter in his chest. It seemed the crowd was watching a storytelling performance. A storyteller in the corner was recounting an elegant swordsman's feats, while two performers reenacted the tale with swords—one in a black robe, wielding a sword painted blue, and the other in green, holding a blade that looked close to snapping in two. Zhu Yan listened intently, trying to understand what had captivated the humans.

"Isn't it fascinating?" the young man beside him suddenly remarked. Zhu Yan met his gaze, which was a deep, dark blue, as intense and captivating as the midnight sky.

"What do you mean?" Zhu Yan asked.

The young man offered him a small bag of nuts he'd been eating. Zhu Yan took a few, uncertain if it was polite.

"The play," the young man replied, "Just so you know, Hero Zhuo Yi Xuan looks a hundred—no, a thousand—times better than the actor playing him."

Zhu Yan returned his focus to the performance. The blue-sword wielder sliced through the other's weapon, which brought a cheer from the crowd.

"Young Master Zhuo Yi Xuan, the legendary demon slayer and future lord of the Demon Hunting Bureau, has once again saved our lives by defeating the Human-Slicing Demon!" The storyteller stepped closer to the crowd as the blue-sword wielder pointed his blade at the neck of the green-robed "Human-Slicing Demon." The audience roared in approval.

Zhu Yan had heard of this human in the Wilderness—the one who sent demons back to face punishment for harming humans. He admired the man's ability to capture every demon that escaped the Wilderness.

"Have you seen Young Master Yi Xuan?" Zhu Yan couldn't help but ask.

The young man chuckled softly, a proud smile gracing his lips. "I know him quite well."

Before Zhu Yan could press for details, the young man's gaze shifted to a group of guards pushing through the now-scattered crowd. Beside him, the young man sighed.

"I'm afraid it's time for us to go," he murmured, eyeing the approaching men.

"Us?" Zhu Yan echoed, confused. But before he could ask further, the young man seized his wrist and leapt off the roof. With no choice, Zhu Yan let himself be pulled along as they darted into an alley. Behind them, he heard shouts of "Young Master!" in exasperated tones.

The young man led them through the maze of alleyways, still wearing a playful smile. Zhu Yan, caught up in the thrill of the chase, finally asked, "I didn't get your name."

The young man glanced back. "Yi Chen. And you?"

"Yuan Zhou. Zhao Yuan Zhou," he replied, laughing as they continued to evade their pursuers.

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