Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao-Chapter 507 - 278 Initial Understanding

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Lu Xun, after all, was born into the Imperial Family, and through years of genetic enhancement, naturally had a dignified appearance. Combined with the scholarly temperament brought about by frequent reading, he easily garnered people's affection.

"I apologize, but as it's getting late and the sounds of wild beasts are often heard outside, I've had the audacity to seek shelter here for the night," Lu Xun said, feeling embarrassed.

The brother, who had just seemed very fierce, became somewhat embarrassed upon seeing Lu Xun. He awkwardly touched his head and loudly said, "The mountains are indeed dangerous, you can squeeze in with my sister and me for the night."

After saying this, he hurriedly cleaned up the various items that had been lying around on the other side of the room, looking rather sheepish.

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Only then did Lu Xun realize that his sister was lying in bed, apparently suffering from a serious illness.

The young girl seemed very ashamed, her head hidden under the worn quilt, with only her tiny hair bun showing outside. Perhaps because it was hard to breathe under the quilt, she began to cough violently, the sound echoing through the small wooden hut. The youth immediately ran over to his sister and asked with concern, "Chen Li, how are you feeling? Are you having another attack?"

Only then did Lu Xun see the girl's true face. She was a very pretty young girl, who, despite her youth, had the makings of a beauty. With proper nutrition, she would definitely grow into a great beauty. However, her complexion was pale at the moment, and her whole body looked exceptionally thin and frail.

"Brother, I'm alright, I just felt a bit suffocated just now," the young girl said apologetically, her eyes stealing a glance at Lu Xun before she shyly lowered her head.

Hearing this, the youth breathed a sigh of relief and then turned to Lu Xun, apologetically saying, "I'm so sorry, my sister has been ill since childhood and really cannot get up to greet you."

Lu Xun quickly replied, "I am the one who should apologize for imposing on you for the night, how could I expect a sick person to get up to greet me."

After exchanging pleasantries, they finally sat down and began talking. Only then did Lu Xun learn that the siblings were named Chen Xiong and Chen Li, born into a poor family. Because of the harsh times, all their family members had passed away, and they had ended up here while fleeing disaster, getting separated from the main group in the process. They decided to stay here, relying on Chen Xiong's Divine Power to hunt wild animals for food, managing to survive, albeit barely.

It was just unfortunate that Chen Li had been sickly since childhood because of complications during her birth, resulting in an innate deficiency.

Lu Xun too revealed his background, of course, not daring to say he was the Crown Prince. He made up an identity instead, claiming he was from the Lu Family Village, which was actually his ancestral home. However, due to the eight hundred years of changes and the transformation of the world, that village had long vanished into the annals of time, something Chen Xiong like people would not be aware of.

It was also fortunate that Lu Xun, after such a long period of labor, had undergone a dramatic transformation in temperament; otherwise, just based on his appearance and aura, no one would believe he was someone from a small village.

Luckily, Chen Xiong and Chen Li were still young and naive, and they never suspected Lu Xun of lying.

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While they were talking, a rumbling sound arose within the wooden hut. Chen Xiong looked suspiciously at his sister, wondering if she hadn't eaten enough, but he realized she was slightly shaking her head, and then he understood that the sound was coming from Lu Xun's stomach.

"I'm really sorry, I've been on the road all day and now I'm hungry and thirsty. It's quite embarrassing to make a display like this in front of you two," said Lu Xun, feeling awkward.

"Haha, man needs food as iron needs steel; it's only natural to feel hungry. There's nothing to be embarrassed about. Just so happens I caught a rabbit today and there's some meat left. If you don't mind, have some and fill your stomach," Chen Xiong said generously.

"How could I possibly impose," Lu Xun said, though his mouth was already betraying him by starting to salivate. After traveling the mountain roads for so long, he was indeed very hungry.

"Big man, don't be so timid," said Chen Xiong as he thrust the meat into Lu Xun's hands, then turned back to continue caring for his sister.

Lu Xun looked at the rabbit meat still warm in his hand and suddenly felt a surge of emotion. There were many people in the world who were kind to him, but most had ulterior motives. Only this brother and sister gave from their hearts, without a hint of self-interest.

Bowing his head, he slowly stuffed the rabbit meat into his mouth. He had eaten countless delicacies from the mountains and the sea, and rabbit meat was often on the menu, but today's portion seemed especially sweet.

At night, darkness fell, and the three homeless youths lay in the small wooden hut. Moonlight streamed through the broken parts, instantly brightening the small room. The pure moonlight seemed to evoke memories for Chen Xiong, who began to share stories of his and his sister's past with Lu Xun.

Their father was the only Scholar in the village, a true man of letters, and their mother came from a wealthy family. So, at first, they lived a rather good life.

Unfortunately, as the saying goes, "misfortune comes uninvited." Ten years ago, Great Chu began to sink into turmoil with bandits and rogue soldiers everywhere. They fought each other across this land in unrestrained conflict, always to the detriment of the common people at the bottom.

Then came a series of bad years. Their father, though a Scholar, turned out to be the embodiment of the saying, "A Scholar is useless in practical matters." Unable to secure an official position, he was powerless to improve the family's livelihood and could only rely on his wife's dowry to scrape by. But with time, even a dowry will run out.

Poverty struck, and the first to succumb was their mother, who had been weakened by childbirth. One cold winter night, she closed her eyes in peace.

Chen Xiong still vividly remembered that day. A heavy snowfall covered everything, and the thick snow made their rickety house creak in the night—an indelible memory for the young boy. His mother, the kindest and most benevolent woman in his eyes, left them just like that. With her last breaths, she held her children's hands, repeatedly muttering apologies.

Perhaps she knew all too well what her departure meant for her two children. Her husband was idle and unable to produce a living; her dowry had been spent; her family had cut ties. She knew the hard life that lay ahead for her children, hence her constant apologies.

The death of their mother seemed to be the last straw for their father. He could no longer bear the burdens of life and one night hanged himself from the roof beam.