Chapter 8: Oakwood City
The forest gradually gave way to cultivated fields and well-maintained roads as father and son emerged from the wilderness that had nearly claimed yet forever changed one life. Su Tianhao's eyes immediately fixed on a magnificent creature standing beside the roadway—a horse unlike any he had ever imagined.
"Wind horse!" he breathed in awe and disbelief, recognizing the breed from countless hours spent reading in Willow Creek's library.
The animal stood nearly six feet tall, its pristine white coat gleaming like polished marble in the afternoon sun. Most striking was its flowing silver mane that caught the light with an ethereal shimmer, while intelligent dark eyes regarded them with obvious recognition.
"Haha! I didn't expect you to identify a Wind horse so easily," Su Huiqing laughed with genuine delight. "Where did you learn about spirit beasts? Have you encountered them before?"
Su Tianhao quickly shook his head, his breathing hurried. "N-No, Father—this is my first time seeing a spirit beast in person. But I read about them extensively in the library." He paused, studying the creature with fascination. "According to the texts, Wind horses are peak Grade 3 spirit beasts with endurance and strength equal to a 9th Level Martial Adept!"
Su Huiqing's smile widened at how naturally the boy had shifted to calling him father. "A bookworm, are you? How interesting indeed."
Su Tianhao felt warmth spread through his chest at the approval in his new father's voice—a sensation he had never experienced but found deeply satisfying.
"Come then, let's see how you handle your first spirit beast ride." Su Huiqing vaulted onto the horse's back with fluid grace, then reached down to help Su Tianhao settle in front of him. "Ready?"
"Yes," Su Tianhao whispered, his voice tight with excitement and nervousness. Not only was this his first time riding any horse, but to experience it on such a majestic creature seemed almost dreamlike.
"Hyah!" Su Huiqing called out, and the Wind horse leaped into motion with surprising smoothness.
As they picked up speed, Su Huiqing's voice carried easily over the rushing wind. "Oakwood City lies south of Willow Creek Town, so we won't pass through your old home."
Su Tianhao nodded, then turned to watch as the familiar outlines of Willow Creek's buildings gradually disappeared behind rolling hills. A complex mixture of emotions churned in his chest—sadness at leaving the only world he had ever known, excitement for the unknown future ahead, and gratitude for the miraculous turn his fortunes had taken.
"Is there anyone you wish to say farewell to before we leave?" Su Huiqing asked gently, noticing the boy's backward glances.
"No," Su Tianhao replied quietly, facing forward with newfound resolve. "My past is behind me now. The heavens have provided a new path, and I intend to walk it without looking back."
His hand moved unconsciously to the diamond pendant hidden within his robes, fingers closing around the smooth surface. 'This will be my reminder. The last relic of my former life as a thief. From this moment forward, I am Su Tianhao of the Su family.'
---
For the next hour, the only sounds were the rhythmic thunder of the Wind horse's hooves and the whistle of wind across open grassland. Su Tianhao found himself mesmerized by the blurred landscape rushing past—endless fields of grain, scattered farmhouses, and distant mountains seemed to stretch toward infinity.
Soon a black dot appeared beyond the horizon and slowly began to resolve into architectural details that made his breath catch.
"Incredible," Su Tianhao whispered as Oakwood City's outer walls came into view.
The fortifications rose nearly fifty feet into the air, constructed from massive blocks of gray stone that spoke of both wealth and military necessity. Watchtowers punctuated the walls at regular intervals, while broad gates stood open to accommodate the steady stream of merchants, travelers, and residents flowing in and out of the city.
Most impressive of all was the bronze nameplate mounted above the main entrance—letters three feet tall that proclaimed "OAKWOOD CITY" in characters so perfectly crafted they seemed to gleam with their own inner light.
"Wait until you see what's inside," Su Huiqing said with amusement, watching his son's wide-eyed amazement.
The Wind horse barely slowed as they approached the gates. Su Tianhao narrowed his eyes in confusion, noticing the lack of guards that he had imagined in his mind.
Noticing his questioning look, Su Huiqing explained calmly, "Unlike most cities, Oakwood has no single lord or mayor. The three great clans—Su, Ye, and He—share governing responsibilities. Their combined reputation is sufficient to maintain order."
As they passed through the gates and into the city proper, Su Tianhao felt as though he had entered a different world entirely.
---
The streets teemed with activity that made Willow Creek's market days seem like quiet country gatherings. Merchants called out their wares from elaborate stalls, displaying everything from gleaming weapons to bottles of mysterious liquids. Restaurants filled the air with enticing aromas, while teahouses buzzed with animated conversation. Multi-story buildings rose on all sides, their architecture ranging from practical workshops to elaborate pavilions that clearly served the city's wealthier residents.
However, the most remarkable of all were the people themselves. Nearly every adult Su Tianhao observed carried some form of weapon—swords, spears, daggers, or more exotic implements he couldn't identify. Their bearing spoke of combat training and physical conditioning that set them apart from ordinary townspeople.
"Cultivators!" Su Tianhao gasped in awe and reverence, his golden eyes twinkling like brilliant stars.
"Look—it's Patriarch Su!" someone called out from the crowd, and suddenly a dozen other voices rose in greeting.
"Welcome back, Patriarch Su!"
"Greetings, honored sir!"
"May your family prosper!"
The respect in their voices was unmistakable and genuine. Looking around, Su Tianhao couldn't help but feel a rush of pride at being associated with someone so respected.
"My father has quite the reputation among the people," he murmured, testing how the words felt on his tongue.
"It's not just reputation," Su Huiqing replied, his voice carrying easily despite the crowd noise. "In the cultivation world, strength commands respect above all else. These people honor the Su family because they know we have the power to protect them."
Su Tianhao nodded thoughtfully, filing away another lesson about his new world.
Their passage had not gone unnoticed. As they moved deeper into the city, curious whispers began to follow in their wake.
"Who's that boy with Patriarch Su?"
"Never seen him before—looks like a commoner's child."
"Whoever he is, the Patriarch clearly values him highly... even able to share his mount in that way."
"Best not to gossip too openly. The Su family has long ears and longer memories."
"True enough. If Patriarch Su has taken interest in the boy, he must have good reason."
Su Huiqing's voice rumbled with quiet amusement. "Ignore the chatter. People will always find something to discuss, especially when they see something unfamiliar."
However, Su Tianhao was too busy absorbing his surroundings to even bother paying attention to the gossips. Every street corner revealed new wonders—weapon craftsmen working red-hot metal with sparks flying in brilliant showers, alchemists grinding mysterious herbs in mortars carved from unknown materials, inscription masters drawing intricate patterns on silk scrolls that seemed to glow with inner light.
"There are cultivators everywhere!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with amazement. "In Willow Creek, they were rarer than phoenix feathers!" He beamed.
Su Huiqing chuckled softly. "In Oakwood City, even merchant families practice some level of cultivation."
He continued, his voice taking a more lecturing tone. "Of course, most can only afford inferior cultivation techniques and low-grade pills, so their progress remains limited. But everyone understands that in this world, cultivation is necessary for survival and prosperity."
Su Tianhao's analytical mind reeled with the implications of those words. "So in essence, without sufficient resources, even talented individuals can't advance very far."
"Exactly." Su Huiqing nodded. "A basic cultivation technique costs at least a few hundred silver coins, while even Grade 1 pills require tens of silver coins. For most families, such expenses represent months of income." Su Huiqing's tone carried a note of sympathy. "This is why clan membership is so valuable—we provide resources that individual families could never afford."
The revelation struck Su Tianhao like a physical blow. Hundreds of silver coins—many times the amount that had seemed like a fortune when he'd bribed his way into the Lu family compound. And that was merely for the most basic techniques.
'Without today's miraculous encounter, I would never have had any chance of entering the cultivation world,' Su Tianhao thought with bitter realization. 'Father has given me an opportunity, so many opportunities that determination alone couldn't purchase.'
"What are you thinking about so intensely?" Su Huiqing asked, noticing the boy's thoughtful expression.
Su Tianhao looked up, gratitude shining in his golden eyes. "Just realizing how fortunate I am, Father. Without your kindness, I would have remained forever locked out of this world."
"Perhaps," Su Huiqing replied thoughtfully. "Or perhaps you would have found another path. I suspect you have more potential than you yet understand."
Before Su Tianhao could ask what he meant, the Wind horse turned onto a broader avenue lined with impressive residences, each surrounded by high walls and ornate gardens. At the street's end stood a compound that dwarfed all others—a complex of buildings and courtyards that spoke of centuries of accumulated wealth and power.
"Welcome home, Su Tianhao," his father said quietly.
Su Tianhao stared up at the massive gates bearing the Su family crest—a silver dragon coiled around a bronze cauldron, its golden eyes seeming to watch all who entered—his mouth hung open in awe. "This is... this is really my home now?"
"It is indeed, and I think it's time you met the rest of your new family."