Changing Tides

CHAPTER 1

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"A-die? A-niang? You have been sleeping for two days already. A-Ying's hungry" a small voice came out of the mouth of a dirty child with tattered clothes as he shook his lifeless parents' body, trying to wake them up. Not knowing that no matter how hard he shook a corpse, it will never respond.

The child was no more than four years old and was already orphaned. His cute chubby cheeks was full of mud while his skinny body shook as the cold wind bit his skin. He was so hungry and thirsty but never did he leave his parents' side even for a second.

"I should go look for food so that when A-niang and A-die wake up we will eat together!" the little boy thought as he unstably stood up and dusted off his clothes. He then started to look for food in a town nearby the forest where he and his dead parents were located. Little did he know that without money, you can't eat anything so after getting nothing from the vendors, he started looking for food in the trash. Fortunately, he found a bun. A moldy bun but with his little brain barely functioning he thought it can suffice his hunger. Not long after, a bunch of dogs pounced on him and started fighting him for the bun. Some bit him and some scratched him, making him cry out in pain but he still didn't let go of the bun. He never even got the chance to have a bite before the dogs came pouncing at him.

"Please A-Ying is very hungry" he begged and held it tighter but it only made the dogs fiercer and bit him even more until he lost a hefty amount of blood.

His little body can't take it anymore and let go of the bun while crying and shaking with fear as he watched the dogs leave him with the bun. He slumped on the ground and hugged his knees in an alleyway while crying loudly.

Meanwhile, three people were strolling by the marketplace. Their appearances are that of nobility from their red robes to their swords, truly that everyone who saw them would want to bow before them to show their respect.

"Fuqin, did you hear that cry?" a seven year old kid frowned and looked at his father curiously. Unlike his younger brother, he looked and is extremely cunning for his own age.

"Hmm... Let's check it out" their father  voiced out in a low commanding voice and walked towards the direction of the heart-wrenching cry.

"Fuqin, are we going to help him?" the youngest among the three asked curiously. He was no more than five years old.

"We will know when we check it out" their father answered him and picked him up.

They arrived at the alleyway where the little Wei Wuxian was lying on the ground in a fetal position as tears fell on his cheeks like a waterfall, he cried silently for his voice was long gone because of his continuous screaming earlier.

After seeing this, their hearts grew soft and it was a feeling they never knew they would feel especially the father who is notoriously known as Wen Ruohan. The older brother was known as Wen Xu and the younger was known as Wen Chao. They went over to the poor boy and checked his condition and found out that he was severely injured and lost a huge amount of blood and is in dire need for help. Wen Ruohan knelt down on one knee and gently patted Wei Wuxian's shoulder. After getting his attention his strict feature softened a little bit and he asked the little boy.

"What's your name?"

"M-my n-name i... is W-e...i Ying... Co-courtesy n-na... me... Wei W-uxian" he spoke with difficulty as he slightly winced as he tried to face the man before him.

"Would you like to come with us?" Wen Xu suggested.

"B-ut A-niang and A-die a.. are waiting  f-for me"

"You are severely injured, where did you get those from?" Wen Chao chimed in.

"D-dogs" after he said it, his body trembled and shook with fear for he was traumatized by that horrifying incident.

"How about we get you cured first and then we'll come back for your parents" Wen Ruohan suggested and rubbed his back.

"O-okay" Wei Wuxian had no strength to resist at all so he decided to just agree to what the person said. After all, he thinks that the person was a good guy.

So Wen Ruohan picked him up and set off to Qishan as Wei Wuxian went unconscious in his arms. After sending a physician for Wei Wuxian they decided to investigate about the kid's parents, only to find out that they were already dead. Wen Ruohan decided to adopt poor kid after telling the him that his parents are not coming back. From that moment on another Childe Wen was made known to the world. Wen Ying, courtesy name, Wen Wuxian.

They let him rest for a few more days and decided to make him get used to his surroundings first before letting him practice their way of cultivating. Wei Wuxian was a fast-learner and a very bubbly kid and he got used to his surroundings in no time and only one place wasn't showed to him, which is the dungeon.

One day Wen Xu, Wen Chao, and Wen Wuxian was playing. Actually they dragged along by Wen Wuxian and they can't say no to him especially when he pouts like a child deprived from candy. After spending time with him for only a few days they formed a bond with him and decided to protect him at all costs.

"Da-ge! Chao-ge! Catch me if you can!" Wen Wuxian giggled as he ran towards an unfamiliar place.

"A-Xian slow down!" Wen Xu panted and gotta admit Wen Wuxian is a fast-runner.

"Wen Wuxian! If I catch you I'll teach you a lesson!" Wen Chao shouted furiously and quite concerned for the unfamiliar place Wen Wuxian was heading was a very dangerous place.

"A-Xian don't go there!" Wen Xu shouted after realizing where the giggling boy was heading.

Wen Wuxian didn't stop running and entered one of the prison cells. After a few seconds, a heart-wrenching yell was heard and the two brothers were quick on their feet. The horror scene that flashed by their eyes made them furiously angry. Wen Chao covered Wen Wuxian's eyes as he guided him towards the exit while Wen Xu whipped the beast that almost bit his brother's hand.

"D-dog! H-help me gege!" Wen Wuxian shouted while his eyes were still covered by Wen Chao, only after the dog's howling and was nowhere on sight did he remove his hand on his brother's eyes.

"The dog's been taken care off. The bad dog's not here anymore. Don't cry A-Xian" Wen Chao wiped away the tears that fell on the cheeks of the shaken boy.

"The d-dog's gone?" Wen Wuxian hiccuped and breathed in and out deeply while his bloodshot eyes scanned the area.

"Yes dog's gone so A-Xian doesn't have to be scared anymore" Wen Chao smiled at him to lighten up the mood.

Wen Wuxian also smiled and hugged Wen Chao which made the latter surprised but then reciprocated it with the same warmness and tightness. After a few minutes, Wen Xu came out of the dungeon and saw the cute, wholesome scene that was displayed by his brothers.

"This is why A-Xian, A-Chao and also I have to train, practice and cultivate so that one day when we meet our enemies we will be strong enough to protect ourselves" Wen Xu squatted to reach their height.

"And others!" Wen Wuxian beamed and it caught the two off guard, even their father that was watching from afar was astounded.

"Do we really have too?" they all thought while Wen Wuxian was looking all confused because of their sudden reaction.

A lot of things changed when Wei Wuxian appeared in their lives. They might not be sure what the outcome will be but they are sure that it will be good. The feeling of doubt however was not removed. As long as the seed is planted it will grow, whether the fruit is bad or good the result depends on how it was nurtured.