SpaceMage

"I want that lowly slave in the dungeon by tomorrow!" Song Peizhi commanded once again, his voice filled with anger and determination. "Get working on it, Old Mao!" An old, shivering servant with a skinny body bowed deeply before him. "This servant heeds your command, my lord," he said, his voice trembling with fear.

"Good! No one shall ever tarnish the Song Family's reputation!" Song Peizhi declared, his face twisted with malice as he moved towards the window. It was night, and the moon shone brightly in the sky, casting a pale light over the city.

The sky lanterns shone brightly in the night sky, each one glowing with a different color and casting a dazzling light over the city of Green Lotus. The streets were alive with activity, people bustling about as they went about their business, and the market was flourishing with stalls and shops.

But behind the scenes, there was a darkness lurking, one that threatened to consume everything in its path. Song Peizhi stood at the window, mesmerized by the city's beauty, but his thoughts were twisted and perverted. He chuckled to himself and murmured in an eerily tone, "Ximen Wei, right? When you're in my hands, I will make sure to savor you slowly, hehe..."

The man was a monster, taking pleasure in the suffering of others, and the very thought of him sent a chill down the spine of anyone who knew him. But in the city below, people went about their lives as if nothing was wrong, unaware of the darkness that lurked in the shadows.

Ximen Wei found himself in a dimly lit alley, surrounded by the stench of excrement and feces that littered the ground. The smell was overpowering, making it hard to breathe, and the surroundings were filled with a sense of despair and hopelessness.

He had been running for god knows how long, ever since he jumped out of the horse carriage. He was not familiar with the city and had just run as fast as he could, trying to shake off the city guards and escape. Eventually, he collapsed in this alley, exhausted from the chase.

As he stood there, trying to catch his breath and figure out his next move. Ximen Wei knew that he had to leave Green Lotus City as soon as possible. The dangers that threatened his freedom were everywhere, and he knew that he could not afford to stay in one place for too long. He had to keep moving, no matter how tired he was.

He knew that leaving through the city gates would be extremely dangerous, and he would have to find a way to smuggle himself out. Maybe he could hide inside a caravan's goods, or find a way to blend in with the crowds. He had seen posters for wanted criminals and slave escapees while the horse carriage was passing through the city gates, and he knew that the city guards would be working diligently to catch anyone who tried to escape.

But there was another problem to consider: basic survival. He was an eight-year-old child, all alone in a city with no money or shelter. If he was ever caught begging in the streets, he knew he would be in serious trouble. He had to find a way to survive, even if it meant taking risks.

As he stood in the dark alley, his head was filled with worry and uncertainty. He knew that his journey would be tough.

Ximen Wei made his way through the crowded streets, his eyes scanning the area for potential targets. He knew that he had to steal in order to survive, and he was determined to do whatever it took to make it through the day.

The economic industry in Green Lotus City was flourishing, with merchants flocking to the city to trade their goods. Thanks to the protection of the Rank 2 Qi Expert, the city was considered one of the safest places to do business. This made it the perfect place for Ximen Wei to find wealthy merchants to steal from.

As he walked through the crowded streets, he was on the lookout for anyone who seemed wealthy or well-off. He knew that he had to be careful, and he couldn't afford to get caught. But he was also desperate, and he knew that he had to do whatever it took to survive.

As Ximen Wei walked further into the outskirts of the city, the atmosphere changed from bustling and lively to desolate and empty. The buildings were run-down and poorly maintained, and there were few people on the streets. Occasionally, he would catch glimpses of tattered figures in the broken windows of these buildings. These were the people who had come to the outskirts of the city to seek shelter - criminals, beggars, and slave escapees like himself.

Ximen Wei sighed at the thought of having to live among these people. He had always hoped for a better life, but it seemed like his circumstances were forcing him to live in the shadows, always on the run and hiding from those who would seek to enslave him once again. Still, he knew that he had to do whatever it took to survive, and if that meant living among the marginalized and forgotten people of the city, then so be it.

"I guess I have no choice then." - Ximen Wei sighed as he looked at the dilapidated buildings in front of him.

"I will have to join these outcasts and try to survive with them. At least, until I find a way out of this city."

The air inside the building was stuffy and musty, the smell of sweat and dirt filled the atmosphere. Ximen Wei could see thin blankets and rags covering the figures on the ground, all of them huddled together in an attempt to keep warm. The children looked malnourished and their eyes were dull, a clear indication of their poor living conditions. Some of the adults had wounds and scars on their bodies, a testament to their rough lives on the streets. Overall, the scene was pitiful and heart-wrenching. Ximen Wei could feel a pang of sadness and despair in his heart as he realized that this is his new reality, at least for now.