Chapter Forty: Return

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The cabin was adorned with ancient, rustic carvings, pelts of wild beasts marked with intricate patterns, and weapons of at least ‘Hundred Forgings’ quality or higher hanging on the walls. The display was dazzling, exuding a primitive yet elegant beauty. In Cloud City, such arrangements within a wooden house were considered the height of luxury. This stood in stark contrast to the simple and spotless interior of Brother Bai’s cabin—a true study in extremes.

Upon entering, Li Le followed behind the woman, paying no special attention to the decorations. She appeared accustomed to such things, her expression calm and unruffled. In her previous life, she had accompanied her father to countless banquets and business venues; she had seen and handled many rare treasures. These items, so exquisite in the eyes of the people of this world, seemed rather unremarkable to her—somewhat crude, even. They were hardly worthy of awe.

The woman beside her led Li Le through the cabin, chatting as they walked, all the while subtly observing Li Le’s expression. Seeing no trace of surprise or admiration—indeed, noticing her air of indifference—the woman couldn’t help but regard her with renewed estimation.

The current District Chief Bai had grown up living off the kindness of many families. Though he now held an important position, everyone knew the state of his household was nowhere near as well-off as her own. Yet this child before her showed not the slightest hint of awe or wonder. Rumor had it that the district chief had only recently brought her home—perhaps her origins were more extraordinary than they appeared?

With this thought, the woman’s demeanor grew even warmer as she quickened her pace, guiding Li Le deeper inside. Soon, they reached a door to the inner chamber and stepped within.

The room was not bright, but the windows were large, letting sunlight stream in. Thanks to Li Le’s current eyesight, she found the lighting more than sufficient.

There, seated in the main position beside a table, was an old man of seventy or eighty years. He was the very elder who, during the meat division the other day, had persuaded Brother Bai to retreat from the rapids. The elder sat with his cane resting by the chair, eyes closed in repose, exuding a tranquil aura shaped by the passage of many years.

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This was the district elder, a man held in the highest respect throughout District 13. He was of such advanced age that none but a few equally venerable elders from other districts knew his true years. Yet there was no doubt—he was a man of great wisdom.

At the sound of their footsteps, the old man opened his eyes in mild surprise. His gaze was sharp and penetrating, its intensity almost tangible—as if it could make one’s very hair stand on end and sting the eyes, awe-inspiring and daunting. But upon recognizing his own granddaughter and the young girl she brought, his expression softened at last.

The woman led Li Le over, preparing to introduce her. “Grandfather, this is—”

But the old man tapped his cane against the floor, gently interrupting her. “There are only a handful of children in our district. No need for you to trouble my old bones with introductions.”

He turned his eyes upon Li Le, now full of affection, stroking his beard as he chuckled. “Little one, you must be the sister Yezi just acknowledged, yes?”

His smile was kindly, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothing out. Yet Li Le, having felt the old man’s sudden burst of presence, knew better than to mistake him for an ordinary person. No common man could survive so long in a world as perilous as this.

She dared not underestimate the quick flashes of shrewdness in his gaze. Imagining him as her grandfather from her previous life, Li Le looked at him with curiosity and warmth, responding, “Yes, Grandpa. I’m Brother Bai’s sister; I joined him just a short while ago.”

Her voice was soft, making her seem even younger than the woman beside her—innocent and endearing, lowering anyone’s guard.

“Grandpa, the jewelry you gave me was all picked up and returned thanks to her,” the woman interjected with a smile, ruffling Li Le’s dark hair as she drew her to a seat. “With District Chief Bai out on patrol, there was no one to look after this little one, so I brought her home for a hot meal.”

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The old man’s eyes grew gentle at these words, his gaze toward Li Le taking on the warmth one reserves for the younger generation. “Your name is ‘Le’?”

“Sit down, child. It’s rare to meet someone so thoughtful who returned Ruì’s bone necklace—that was a gift from me, and she treasures it dearly. If it had been lost, I’m afraid she would have made quite a fuss…”

He glanced at the woman standing nearby, stroking his beard with a smile.

The woman, who looked no more than twenty, couldn’t help protesting at his words. “Grandpa!”

The old man waved his hand, laughing. “Alright, I’ll say no more. It should be nearly time for the meal in the kitchen—go and have a look, will you?”

The woman huffed, shot him a glance, and turned toward the kitchen, her muttering still audible: “Just wait until I tell Feng about this—hmph!”

Whether the old man heard her or not, his expression didn’t change. He turned to Li Le, his voice kindly, “Child, how old are you this year?”

Li Le replied with a smile, “Grandpa, I’m eighteen.”

A flicker of surprise passed through the old man’s eyes. Stroking his beard, he mused, “Then in two ‘Gui’ you’ll be of age for the ‘Ge Ceremony,’ correct?”

‘Gui’ was a unit of time unique to this world. One cycle of Dead Mist—six months—was considered a ‘Gui.’ Thus, the two ‘Gui’ he spoke of meant one year.