Chapter 3
1181 Words
Twenty years later, at the foot of Black Cloud Mountain in the Kingdom of Tuming, Dongsheng Shenzhou, in a small courtyard with curling smoke from the chimney.
A hunter, dressed in a sleeveless vest, paced anxiously around the courtyard, frequently glancing at the dark, greenish-black door to the north, his demeanor one of great distress.
Suddenly, the previously clear sky darkened, and a violent wind arose, causing the already dilapidated house to shake and creak ominously.
The hunter was taken aback and hurriedly abandoned his pipe, rushing to the window to brace himself against the partially blown-open pane.
Gazing at the ominous sky, the hunter's face showed signs of desperation: “I, Liu Shan, have never committed a wrongdoing in my life. Heaven, I beseech you, cease this wind, I implore you!”
Perhaps Liu Shan’s plea was indeed effective, for the fierce wind abruptly ceased, and the shrouding black clouds rapidly dispersed.
“Eh?”
Liu Shan, astonished by the sudden change, quickly fell to his knees in gratitude.
Then, an increasingly loud birdcall filled the air, making Liu Shan curious as he stood up to investigate.
To his amazement, a swarm of black crows emerged from the western mountain, gradually forming a massive, dark cloud, numbering in the tens of thousands.
“Why are there so many crows?”
Liu Shan, puzzled by this sight, was soon confronted by an even more unexpected development.
The dense swarm of crows flew directly over his courtyard, circling menacingly and emitting terrifying cawing sounds. Liu Shan rushed to the wall, skillfully nocked an arrow, and took aim at the avian menace, bracing himself.
Such a multitude of crows, even if only a fraction descended, would be overwhelming.
After a tense quarter-hour, Liu Shan’s breathing grew ragged, and his hands trembled as he held the bow.
Just as Liu Shan felt he could no longer endure, the crows swiftly dispersed and vanished without a trace.
“What on earth is happening today?”
Gasping for breath, Liu Shan sank onto a stone seat in the courtyard, seeking respite.
Wah... Wah...
At that moment, the cry of a newborn emanated from within the house.
“Has the baby been born!?”
Liu Shan, trembling with excitement, hurriedly ran to the wooden door, peering through the crack with fervent anticipation.
“Born! It’s a boy!”
Accompanied by the joyful announcement, the door swung open.
A portly, middle-aged woman wearing a blue and white headscarf emerged, colliding with Liu Shan and sending him sprawling.
“Ah... Ah Miao.”
Liu Shan scrambled to his feet, somewhat embarrassed.
“Oh, really, what are you doing standing in the doorway?”
The woman named Ah Miao scolded him, then noticed the bow and arrow in his hands. “Even as a father, you’re still preoccupied with archery?”
“It’s not that, Ah Miao...”
Liu Shan attempted an explanation but then shook his head, “Never mind, you wouldn’t believe it anyway.”
“Believe what? What nonsense are you babbling? I’m telling you, your wife Cui Qing has given you a healthy baby boy!” Ah Miao said with a smile.
“A son?”
Liu Shan’s breath became rapid, “Really? I have a son now? The Liu family has an heir!?”
“Thank you, Ah Miao, thank you so much!”
Liu Shan, overwhelmed with joy, lifted Ah Miao and twirled around with her.
“Let me down immediately! You’re embarrassing me!”
Ah Miao struck Liu Shan a few times, prompting him to set her down.
“I’m sorry, Ah Miao. I was too excited.”
Liu Shan, scratching his head, said apologetically and then turned his gaze toward the house, “I need to see my wife.”
As he moved toward the door, Ah Miao grabbed him back.
“Why the hurry? You can’t go in just yet. Your priority is to get a crucian carp and a basket of eggs from the market to nourish your wife. We’ll deal with everything else when you return.” Ah Miao instructed.
“Alright, I’ll go now!”
Liu Shan quickly agreed and rushed out.
“Don’t forget your bow and arrow!”
Ah Miao called out, and Liu Shan, in his haste, dropped the bow on the ground and ran off without looking back.
“Honestly, that old Liu is becoming more and more impossible…”
Watching Liu Shan’s retreating figure, Ah Miao shook her head and then, with a sudden realization, glanced at her own body, “But come to think of it, if he could lift me just now, perhaps I really have succeeded in losing weight?”
Ah Miao smiled with satisfaction and hurriedly re-entered the house.
……
Time flew by, and a year had passed in the blink of an eye.
During this time, Liu Shan had named his son Liu Yun.
The name was quite simple, with “Yun” meaning “cloud,” inspired by Black Cloud Mountain, though modest, it was memorable.
By the age of one, Liu Yun could already speak and walk, displaying boundless energy and easily pulling back a bowstring. His favorite pastime was playing with the stone seat in the courtyard, a sight that both amused and delighted Liu Shan.
Having spent his life hunting on the mountain and fully understanding the hardships of the profession, Liu Shan decided not to let Liu Yun follow in his footsteps. When Liu Yun turned three, he hid away his hunting gear and purchased books for the household.
Although Liu Shan was a rough man, his wife Cui Qing had attended private school for a few years. Liu Shan hoped she could teach Liu Yun to read and write, hoping for a better future for him. However, just five days later, Cui Qing informed him that Liu Yun was beyond her ability to teach. Initially skeptical, Liu Shan was deeply impressed when he witnessed Liu Yun’s remarkable memory and aptitude.
To ensure Liu Yun received the best education, Liu Shan hired a scholar named Zhao Yuan, which made their already modest means even more strained.
Yet, within just five years, Liu Yun had read countless volumes and solved numerous literary puzzles left by the ancients, astonishing Zhao Yuan, who marveled at Liu Yun’s extraordinary talent.
By the age of twelve, Liu Yun could engage in scholarly debates with anyone within a ten-mile radius, unmatched by any peer.
In the local community, Liu Yun’s prodigious talents were the subject of widespread admiration and praise.
Despite this, the family’s circumstances did not improve significantly due to Liu Yun’s youth and Liu Shan’s uncompromising nature. Their situation grew even more difficult after Liu Shan’s leg injury from a fall.
Nevertheless, Liu Shan insisted Liu Yun continue his studies while he persevered in hunting.
Liu Yun, aware of Liu Shan’s temperament and understanding his own position, had never displayed his full potential. However, Liu Shan had secretly tested his strength, and with a single punch, Liu Yun could effortlessly shatter a boulder weighing ten thousand pounds.
- Writer
