Chapter 5: Hungry Eyes
After Ming left, the silver coin felt cold and heavy in Nie Lianfeng's hand. He sat quietly in the shrinking shade by the wall, turning the coin between his fingers.
The delicate cloud and lotus design marked it clearly as a silver coin nothing like the rough copper ones used in the Outer District.
For the first time since waking up in this harsh, unfamiliar world, he felt a small sense of safety. It wasn't comfort or strength, but it was something real that helped him feel steady, even if only for a moment.
'Maybe things are starting to change', he thought, holding onto the warmth of that idea.
For now, at least, he had a place. A reason to keep moving forward. A few more days that felt like the beginning of something better.
The street felt different now.
It was the quiet part of the afternoon slower and worn out after the busy morning. Vendors shouted without much effort, a few kids ran after a piece of cloth, and down an alley, someone played a slow, lonely tune on a reed flute.
Nie Lianfeng watched the sunlight hit the dust in the air, making it look like floating gold it was pretty and quick, even in a dirty, old place.
Auntie Li leaned out from her stall, wiping her hands on her apron, a knowing smile on her face.
"You're smiling," she said. "Either someone paid you too much, or you've finally lost your mind."
Nie Lianfeng chuckled softly. "Maybe both."
She looked at the coin in his hand and her face turned serious in an instant. "Keep it hidden, kid. There are too many hungry eyes lurking around here, people who'd snatch that coin without a second thought." She nodded toward a group of ragged kids across the street the coin-snatchers trained by the local gangs.
In this world, no one was really safe.
Nie Lianfeng nodded and slowly tucked the coin into his sleeve, thinking about the warning and how dangerous this world really was.
"Alright," she said, tossing a chipped cup of warm, slightly burnt tea toward him. It landed softly by his mat. "This one's free. Just don't use it to predict when I'm going to kick the bucket."
Nie Lianfeng smiled softly. "Come on, Auntie, I'm pretty sure you'll live a long, long life. No need to worry about that."
Auntie Li smiled kindly. "I hope you're right, kid. Just remember, life's never that simple around here."
Nie Lianfeng nodded. "I won't forget."
Auntie Li just looked at him quietly and said nothing else.
As the sun went down, the market grew quiet. Nie Lianfeng watched the people leave, but instead of using his Eyes to watch the fate threads, he focused on keeping his vision normal.
Even though he was slowly getting used to this new life, a deep fear still lingered inside him.
If he wanted to use his Eye power without getting killed or kidnapped, he had to get stronger.
But how? How could he even start cultivating?
He remembered Aunt Ming saying this area was controlled by the Azure Spirit Sect, one of the top sects here.
But did he even have what it took to join? He was almost past his teen years, so they probably wouldn't invest much in him.
And the competition inside the sect was fierce.
What if he died suddenly, before he even had a chance?
He thought about this new world. No sounds of cars, no screens just people working, sweating, and trying to get by.
He saw small things, a potter packing broken pots, a musician arguing with his helper, and Auntie Li telling off a stubborn dog.
Life was simple, but hard.
'Maybe this is how life was meant to be', he thought. 'No distractions, just the struggle to survive. But how do I fit in? How can I get strong enough to stay safe here'?
A limping beggar passed by, quietly mumbling blessings for some spare food.
Out of habit, Nie Lianfeng looked over and his Eyes suddenly flashed open without meaning to.
He saw the beggar's fate: thin silver and black threads tangled together a fragile balance.
The man's future wasn't just bad luck there was a clear, urgent turning point coming. Something felt wrong.
Nie Lianfeng quietly gave the man half of the meat bun he had saved. "You'll find warmth soon," he said softly. "Just stay away from the north gate tonight."
The beggar bowed low, his quiet thanks sounding like dry leaves rustling. Auntie Li watched them with a gentle frown. "That poor soul might not even remember you by tomorrow," she said softly.
Nie Lianfeng took a slow sip of the bitter tea. "Maybe he doesn't need to," he said softly, his eyes distant. "Sometimes, kindness is remembered by fate itself, even when we forget."
Auntie Li blinked, surprised by his words. She paused for a moment, then said quietly, "Maybe you're right. Sometimes, even in this harsh world, there's more going on than we can see."
Nie Lianfeng nodded slowly, feeling a little lighter inside. The world was cruel, but maybe kindness still mattered, even if no one saw it.
Auntie Li smiled a little. "Just don't let that kindness make you weak. This world is full of danger."
He looked at her and said, "I won't."
As the sky turned dark blue, the first street lanterns flickered on, casting a dim, oily light over the dust.
Auntie Li started carefully cleaning her stall, humming a soft, old folk song that was a little off-key.
Nie Lianfeng sat quietly, finishing the last of his tea, lost in thought as the evening settled around them.
The quiet night felt both peaceful and heavy like the calm before a storm.
He knew that to survive in this world, he couldn't rely on luck or kindness alone. He needed strength, and that meant finding a way to cultivate.
But how?
The questions stayed with him: Where do I begin? Can I really live in a world this hard? Doubt was there, but deep inside, a small hope stayed alive a soft reminder that maybe, just maybe, he could find his own way.
As he was lost in thought, Auntie Li finally slammed shut the heavy wooden shutters of her stall.
"Go home, fortune-teller," she said with a small smile. "Nights are colder here than you think."
Nie Lianfeng smiled faintly. "Thanks, Auntie. I'll be careful."
He stood up, feeling the chill in the air as night fully settled around him.
Auntie Li gave him a nod, then turned to lock up the rest of her stall.
As he walked back through the narrow, dark street toward the inn, he passed a group of gang members gathered at a corner, laughing too loudly.
He caught a glimpse of the Iron Hook symbol on one of their leather sleeves.
Their laughter cut off the moment he passed, replaced by a heavy, dangerous silence but no one moved to stop him.
'They're watching. One wrong move and I'm done'. A cold wave of adrenaline hit him, tightening his chest. Every instinct screamed at him to run, but he just kept walking.
Under the flickering lantern light, Nie Lianfeng held the silver coin tight inside his shirt.
It was just a silver coin but in this city, even silver could bring serious trouble at any time.