Chapter One Leaving Home

  Tie Zhu sat by the village path, staring at the azure sky with a dazed expression. Tie Zhu was not his real name, but a nickname given to him since childhood due to his frail body, which made his father worry that he might not be able to raise him, following local customs.

  His real name is Wang Lin, the surname Wang is a big surname in several villages around, and his ancestors were carpenters. Especially in the county town, the Wang family also has a good reputation, owning several stores that specialize in selling wood products.

  Tie Zhu's father was the second son of a concubine in the family and could not take over the family business, so after getting married, he left the county town and settled in this village.

  Thanks to his skilled carpentry skills, Tie Zhu's family was relatively well-off and had no worries about food or clothing. Even in the village, they were respected by many people.

  Tie Zhu was extremely intelligent from a young age, loved reading books, had many ideas and was almost recognized as a child prodigy in the village. Every time his father heard others praising him, the wrinkles on his face would unfold, revealing a hearty smile.

  His mother was even more caring, and it can be said that from an early age to adulthood, Tiezhu had always lived under the loving care of his parents. He knew that his parents had high expectations for him, while children in other families at his age were already working on farms, he was studying at home.

  The more books he read, the more ideas came to him. He yearned for the world outside the mountain village. Looking up at the end of the small road, Tie Zhu sighed and closed the book in his hand, getting up and walking towards home.

  His father sat in the courtyard, holding a tobacco pouch in his hand, took a deep breath after inhaling, and said to Tiezhu who pushed the door: "Tiezhu, how is your study going?"

  Tie Zhu responded with a few words, and his father knocked on the tobacco pouch, stood up and said: "Tie Zhu, you must study hard, next year is the county exam, your future success or not, all depends on this time, don't be like me, stuck in the village for life, sigh."

  "Alright, you keep nagging every day. I'll tell you, our Tieliu will definitely get in." Tieliu's mother placed the dishes on the table in the courtyard and called out to the father-son duo to come eat.

  Tie Zhu grunted and sat down, randomly pulling out a few mouthfuls. His mother looked at her son with affection and gave him the few pieces of meat she had.

  "Dad, Fourth Uncle is coming soon, right?" Tiezhu said, looking up.

  "Calculating the time, it's about these few days. Your fourth uncle is more capable than your father. Alas, your mother has prepared and packed the mountain vegetables for Fourth Uncle, right?" As soon as Father mentioned Fourth Uncle, a look of envy appeared on his face.

  "Ah, Tiezhu, your Fourth Uncle is a good man. These past few years, thanks to his help, your father's wood carvings have been able to sell for a good price. In the future, if you amount to something, don't forget to repay your Fourth Uncle."

  Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from outside the door, followed by the rumbling sound of carriage wheels. A bright and clear voice echoed from outside.

  "Second brother, open the door."

  Tie Zhu was surprised, and immediately ran over to push open the gate of the courtyard. There he saw a sturdy middle-aged man standing outside the door with piercing eyes. When he saw Tie Zhu, he burst out laughing and rubbed his head, saying: "Tie Zhu, it's only been half a year since I last saw you, and you've grown even taller!"

  Tie Zhu's parents hastily stood up, his father smiled and said: "Old Fourth, I guessed the time, you also came quickly, come in, Tie Zhu, didn't you go get a stool for your fourth uncle?"

  Tie Zhu happily responded with a sound, hastily ran back to the house, took out a stool and placed it next to the dinner table, seriously wiped it with his sleeve, and looked hopefully at the middle-aged man.

  A middle-aged man winked at him and joked: "Tie Zhu, why are you so diligent this time? I remember when I came last time, you weren't like that."

  Tie Zhu's father glared at Tie Zhu and scolded with a smile, "This little rabbit, just now he was asking if you were coming soon."

  The middle-aged man saw Tiezhu's face turn slightly red, and smiled: "Tiezhu, your fourth uncle hasn't forgotten the things he promised you." After finishing speaking, he took out two thread-bound books from his bosom and placed them on the table.

  Tie Zhu excitedly cheered and picked up the book to take a look, unable to contain his joy.

  Tie Zhu's mother looked at her son with a kind gaze and said to the middle-aged man, "Old Fourth, your brother often mentions you, so stay for a few more days this time."

  The middle-aged man shook his head and said, "Second sister-in-law, there are many things to do in the family these days. I have to hurry back tomorrow morning. After this busy period is over, I will come visit you again." After finishing speaking, he apologetically glanced at his second brother.

  Tie Zhu's father sighed and said: "Don't listen to your sister-in-law, Old Fourth. Tomorrow, pack up the goods. Family matters are most important. We can gather again in the future."

  The middle-aged man looked at Tiezhu's father and said, "Second brother, isn't Tiezhu fifteen years old this year?"

  Tie Zhu's father nodded, and said with emotion: "After the New Year, this little rabbit will be sixteen years old. Alas, more than ten years have passed in a flash, it's really fast." As he spoke, his eyes showed affectionate color, looking at his son.

  The middle-aged man hesitated for a moment, his face turned solemn, and said: "Second brother, second sister-in-law, I have something to tell you. The Hengyue Sect is recruiting disciples this year, and our family has three recommended quotas, one of which has been assigned to me."

  Tie Zhu's father was taken aback and turned pale, saying: "Heng Yue Sect? But isn't that the Heng Yue Sect where everyone is an immortal?"

  A middle-aged man smiled, nodded and said: "Second brother, it's that Xianrenmen sect. Our family is considered a respected family in the nearby area and has the qualification to recommend someone. You also know that my son is not good at studying, but he's skilled at dancing with swords. I think Xianren won't accept my son, this quota is precious. I see that Tiezhu has been smart since childhood, likes reading books, maybe he can make it."

  Tie Zhu's mother was overjoyed and hastily said: "Lao Si, this...this..."

  The middle-aged man patted Tiezhu's head and said, "Second brother, second sister, I think this matter is settled. Let Tiezhu go try it out. If he really gets taken in, then that's his good fortune."

  Tie Zhu looked at his parents and Fourth Uncle in confusion, he didn't quite understand what they were saying. Immortal? What's an immortal? Tie Zhu hesitated for a moment before asking softly.

  A middle-aged man with a serious face looked at Tiezhu and said, "Tiezhu, immortals can fly back and forth in the sky. Each of them has great magical powers, which is beyond our ordinary people's comprehension."

  Iron pillar suddenly felt a thread of curiosity towards the immortal.

  Tie Zhu's father stood up excitedly, pulling Tie Zhu's mother to bow to the middle-aged man. The middle-aged man quickly helped them up and said sincerely: "Second brother, what are you doing? My mother died early, if it wasn't for second aunt taking care of me when I was young, I wouldn't be where I am today. Tie Zhu is my nephew, I should do this."

  Tie Zhu's father was moved to tears, and he patted the middle-aged man heavily on the back, nodding his head. Then, in a stern tone, he said to Tie Zhu: "Wang Lin, remember that no matter what happens in the future, you must never forget your Fourth Uncle's kindness to our family. Otherwise, I won't consider you my son!"

  Tie Zhu's heart skipped a beat, although he was still confused about the immortal, but from his parents' expressions, he saw that they attached great importance to this matter, so he knelt in front of Fourth Uncle and kowtowed heavily several times.

  The middle-aged man pulled up the iron pillar and praised: "Good boy, you'll be ready in a few days, I'll come to pick you up at the end of the month!"

  That evening, Tie Zhu went to bed early, and he could still hear the voices of his father and Fourth Uncle in the courtyard. His father was very happy today, and although he rarely drank wine, he insisted on having a few cups with Fourth Uncle.

  "What is an immortal?!" Tie Zhu's heart was racing with excitement, his young mind vaguely aware that this would be an opportunity for him, a chance to go out into the outside world!

  The next morning, Fourth Uncle left. Tiezhu's parents pulled him all the way to the village entrance. On their way back, Tiezhu clearly saw that his father seemed to have become much younger at once, and the look in his eyes was also full of expectation.

  This expectant gaze was much thicker than when he went to the county for a big exam before.

  In Xiaoyu Village, there were no secrets that could be kept hidden. Even if a dog gave birth to several puppies, the news would spread throughout the village in an instant. Soon, everyone in the village knew about it from Tiezhu's mother and came to visit. Each person's gaze towards Tiezhu was different, with some filled with envy, others with jealousy...

  "Wang's family had a good baby, and others were taken as apprentices by Hengyue Pai."

  "This child Tie Zhu I've watched him grow up since he was young, this kid has been clever since childhood, and now he's become a disciple of the Hengyue Sect, in the future he will definitely have great achievements."

  "Tiě zhù yǒu běn shì, yǐ hòu chū xī le kě bié wàng jì zán men cūn, duō huí lái kàn kan a."

  Translation: "You're really capable, after you make it big don't forget about our village, come back and visit often!"

  Such words poured into Tie Zhu's ears, and gradually it became a matter of course that he had become a disciple of the Hengyue Sect. Every time his parents heard this, they couldn't help but laugh with joy, and the wrinkles on their faces seemed to have decreased a lot.

  Every time Tie Zhu walked alone in the village, all the villagers who saw him enthusiastically pulled him to ask questions, and some even took Tie Zhu as an example to educate their children in front of them.

  Half a month's time passed quickly, and the news that Tie Zhuang had become a disciple of Hengyue Sect spread rapidly. The villagers from the surrounding villages came to congratulate him one after another, their main purpose was to take a look at Tie Zhuang.

  Everyone who comes will prepare a gift, and Tiezhu's parents can't refuse, so they accept it. However, when these people leave, they will all prepare a heavy return gift for him. According to Tiezhu's father, our child is going to be a high-ranking immortal in the future, and we can't let him owe so many favors to others. All the villagers who come to visit, we'll give them return gifts.

  At this time, the Wang family members also gradually learned that the old fourth had given his own child's quota to Tiezhu, and they came one after another to congratulate.

  To his own family members, Tie Zhu's father attached great importance to these people, many of whom had previously looked down on him and even forced him out of the family many years ago. Now, one by one, they came to his home, making him feel that the grievances of many years were suddenly swept away.

  He and Tiezhu's mother discussed it and decided to entertain him well, so they spent a lot of money asking the village teacher to write an invitation letter and send it to their relatives.

  The teacher refused to accept any payment and only asked Tiezhu to acknowledge that he had been studying here since childhood, which was a fact that Tiezhu couldn't deny.

  After the wedding ceremony, most of the relatives in the Wang family came to celebrate. Due to the large number of guests, Tie Zhu's father chose the village square as the reception venue and set up hundreds of tables for the banquet.

  The villagers entertained themselves and chatted with each other, all praising the iron pillar as excellent and flattering without end.

  As for Tie Zhu's father, he brought his wife and children to welcome him at the village entrance and introduced each of them to Tie Zhu.

  "This is your third grandfather. When your father left the family, your third grandfather secretly helped a lot. Tiezhu, you should remember to repay him in the future." Tiezhu's father supported an old man with white hair and said to Wang Lin.

  Tie Zhu hastily and obediently promised, the old man looked at Tie Zhu and sighed: "Old Er, time really flies, your child has grown so big, this kid is very good, better than you."

  Tie Zhu's father beamed with pride, saying: "Third Ancestor, this child Tie Zhu has been clever since he was young, definitely stronger than me. You old man, slow down your pace, his mother will support Third Ancestor to pass by."

  Tie Zhu's mother hurried forward and supported the old man as he walked towards the banquet.

  After seeing the old man leave, Tiezhu's father hummed and said to Tiezhu: "This old fellow, he didn't think highly of your dad at first, and forced me out. Now that you've made a name for yourself, he comes to offer congratulations. That's just how relatives are."

  Tie Zhu nodded blankly and asked: "Dad, is Fourth Uncle coming today?"

  Iron Pillar's father shook his head and said: "Your fourth uncle sent a letter saying he can't come back from outside, and will only be able to rush back when he picks you up at the end of the month."

  At this time, another horse carriage came rushing over and stopped at the village entrance. A man in his fifties got out, looked at Tie Zhu's father, let out a soft sigh, and said: "Old Second, congratulations."

  Iron Pillar's father had a complex expression and after a long while said: "Big brother..."

  The old man's eyes scanned and looked at the iron pillar, smiling: "Lao Er, this is your kid, not bad, maybe he can be selected this time."

  Tie Zhu's father furrowed his brow, then relaxed and said: "This kid Tie Zhu doesn't have any strengths, but he's been clever since he was young and willing to read books. This time he will definitely be selected."

  "That's not necessarily true, the Xianrenmen sect is very strict when it comes to accepting disciples, and they place great emphasis on whether or not one has a predestined affinity for immortality. I think this kid is just a foolish simpleton, going there would be a waste of time." A haughty voice floated over, as a sixteen or seventeen year old youth stepped down from the horse carriage.

  The young man was handsome in appearance, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, his face as white as jade, with a hint of disdain in his eyes.

  Tie Zhu's father glared at him with anger in his eyes, while Wang Lin looked deeply at his opponent without saying a word.

  The old man's face turned solemn, and he shouted: "Wang Zhuo, how can you be so rude? This is your second uncle, this is your younger brother Wang Lin. Don't you greet them?" After finishing speaking, he said to Tiezhu's father: "My son speaks harshly, don't mind him, but...". When he spoke here, his tone changed again, and he said: "However, it's not easy for the immortal to accept a disciple, we need to consider the affinity. This time, it was because the Daoxu Shangxian of the Hengyue Sect valued my son that he became interested in the Wang family and gave us three places, including my son."

  Tie Zhu's father grunted and said: "If your kid can make it, mine will definitely be selected too!"

  The young man sneered, not caring about the old man's scolding at all, and looked down on him, saying: "You're Second Uncle, right? I advise you to stop thinking about it. This cultivation system is almost impossible to succeed in, let alone this foolish kid being able to compare with me, Young Master Ben. He's a disciple personally chosen by the Immortal Master, how can he possibly compare?"

  The old man's face flashed with a pleased expression, and then he scolded a few more sentences. He made a fist at Iron Pillar's father and took the young man to the banquet.

  "Tiezhu, don't be under pressure. If you really aren't selected, it's not a big deal. Next year's county exam will be the same." Tiezhu's father held his breath for a long time before slowly exhaling and speaking with a heavy heart.

  Wang Lin's eyes were firm, and he said in a low voice: "Dad, don't worry, I will definitely be selected!"

  Tie Zhu's father patted his son's shoulder warmly, with a hopeful look in his eyes.

  Then they welcomed many relatives, Tiezhu's father finally brought him back to the banquet, at this time the hall was filled with guests, the scene was lively and extraordinary, everyone celebrated together, bustling with excitement.

  "Relatives in the clan, fellow villagers, I, Wang Tian Shui, don't have much culture and can't say many words. But today I'm happy, my child has been chosen as a disciple by Hengyue Sect this time, it's the happiest thing that has happened to me in my life. I won't say more, thank you all for coming here to congratulate me, thank you!" Iron Pillar's father said loudly and finished his cup of wine in one gulp.

  "Lao Er, your kid has been clever and quick-witted since he was young, he must be selected, just like Wang Zhuo's child, to become an immortal."

  "Second brother, you have Tiezhu this child, this life is worth living, just wait for a good fortune from now on."

  "Tie Zhu, for your father's sake, this time you must enter the Hengyue Sect no matter what."

  The scene was suddenly filled with joy and celebration, but in private, many people were secretly watching the commotion, such as Wang Zhuo's father. On the surface, he congratulated them, but in his heart, he had always looked down on this second brother, and even more so on his children. He glanced at his own son and then at Tiezhu, thinking to himself that it was unbelievable that Laosi would give up his spot, although it was unexpected, as long as those immortals were not blind, they wouldn't possibly choose Tiezhu.

  All sorts of people in life, here everyone can see, Tiezhu's father pulled Tiezhu, table by table to toast, introducing him one by one to unfamiliar relatives.

  That day, Tie Zhu's father drank a lot of wine, he had never been so glorious before, until very late, relatives left one after another. When leaving, the young Wang Zhuo still had that disdainful expression, taking advantage of no one noticing, whispered in Tie Zhu's ear: "Stupid kid, you won't be selected, you don't have what it takes."

  He finished with a scornful smile as he followed his father out.

  Back home, Tie Zhu lay on his bed, secretly deciding in his heart that no matter what, he must be chosen!

  Half a month passed in a hurry, and on this day, Tie Zhu's fourth uncle came with a horse-drawn carriage.

  Tie Zhu's parents hastily welcomed him into the house, and the middle-aged man washed his face and said hurriedly: "Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, I won't be able to stay for long this time. I'll take Tie Zhu away immediately, as the Heng Yue Gang will come to pick people up early tomorrow morning."

  Tie Zhu's father hesitated for a moment, a hint of reluctance on his face, and said firmly: "Alright, Tie Zhu, follow your Fourth Uncle. If you're selected, work hard in the Heng Yue Sect. If not... if not, don't worry about it, just come back home."

  Tiezhu gazed at his parents, nodding heavily. His mother took out a package from the room and said lovingly: "Tiezhu, when you go out, listen to Fourth Uncle's words, don't cause trouble, outside is not like home, be more tolerant when things happen, Mom has prepared some new clothes for you, and your favorite roasted sweet potatoes. Mom will miss you, if you're not selected, come back..." As Tiezhu's mother spoke, tears began to flow down her face.

  Tie Zhu had never left his village from childhood to adulthood, this time was his first departure.

  Fourth Uncle sighed and said, "Tie Zhu, for the sake of your parents' reputation, you must be selected. Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, our family will have a grand celebration banquet in a few days. I'm in a hurry today, but I'll come to pick you up tomorrow so we can go together. The results of the three children recommended by our family will be announced then."

  After finishing speaking, he pulled the iron pillar and hastily got on the horse carriage, whipped the horse, and left.

  Tie Zhu's parents kept staring at the fast disappearing carriage, tears streaming down their faces.

  "His father, Tiezhu has never left our side before, will he be bullied this time when he goes out?" Tiezhu's mother bit her lower lip, with a reluctant look in her eyes.

  "The dolls have grown up and have their own blessings..." Tiezhu's father picked up his tobacco pouch, took a deep drag, and the wrinkles on his face suddenly increased.

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  Buddy, don't forget to collect!