Jian Wen

The walk to the nearest town, Time's End, was estimated at an hour's arduous journey. Since the ancestor of the clan refused to move to at least a bustling town if not the city saying he will not abandon his roots. All of his son's had gone to the city and had made a name for themselves and only her father returned to this remote village that was an ignorable existence in jade ascendence but still this family was feared by many people even in the city. This clan was very big and even though those living in big towns and in the city the main clan remained in this village.lets say the whole village belonged to the Jiang family and the remaining residents were their servants and workers ,with only a few merchant families and a couple of renown families that lives here chasing the peace that was brought by nature. One must say this village was one of the few that had an intact forest remaining.

A zipline, a sleek silver cable snaking across the valley, a five-minute descent, but it was a luxury she could not afford,it was five yuan per person fare. As for the Teleportation arrays, shimmering portals of shimmering energy, although it offered instantaneous transit, but it was more impossible because it was super expensive for her. Even a humble carriage ride was beyond her reach – five yuan was a small fortune for her family. The taunts of Jian Ling and Jian Xikong lingered, a bitter aftertaste in her mouth, their words echoing the unspoken judgments that followed her like a shadow. The unsettling haste of the servant who had interrupted their attack gnawed at her; no one dared interrupt Jian Ling, yet this servant had been clearly flustered. The reason for their urgent recall remained a dark and disturbing mystery.

Entering the town gates of Time's End was like stepping into a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds. The air thrummed with the energy of commerce; the narrow streets teemed with vendors hawking their wares, their voices a vibrant chorus that momentarily drowned out the anxieties clawing at her mind. Stalls overflowed with brightly colored silks, intricately carved wooden toys, fragrant spices, and shimmering gemstones. Larger establishments boasted polished brass doors and liveried door servants who announced the arrival of each customer. The sheer abundance was both captivating and a painful reminder of her family's impoverished state.

Jian Meilin's job hunt began in the bustling heart of the town, amidst the aroma of simmering meats and exotic spices. She approached the restaurants first, hoping to find work washing dishes or even scrubbing floors. But luck, it seemed, had abandoned her. She was turned away from one establishment after another, a familiar pattern of rejection forming a disheartening loop. She was too thin, some proprietors claimed; others, more blunt, simply declared that they were fully staffed. Several businesses, especially those with higher incomes, employed sophisticated, tireless working bots that eliminated the need for human labor. Only the five major clans of Jade Ascent possessed the advanced technology that enabled the use of mechas and personal aircraft, a sharp contrast to the meager resources available to the rest of the population. Even many of the wealthy families who possessed the technology were unable to freely use them because of the five clans' attempts at suppressing them.

By midday, her stomach gnawed with hunger. The three yuan her mother had given her felt like a cruel joke. After purchasing two dry steamed buns and a cup of lukewarm water, her meager lunch provided scant comfort. She continued her search, her legs heavy with fatigue, the cobblestones under her worn sandals feeling as if they were grinding into her flesh. The irony wasn't lost on her; once she'd had everything and more; now, even a simple cup of water was a carefully measured luxury. She was struck, once again, with the stark contrast between her past and her present reality, a sharp pang of regret.

As evening approached, the town began to quiet down. With the setting sun painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Jian Meilin decided to make her way home, her spirit as heavy as her aching feet. Upon reaching her humble home, her mother was already preparing a simple meal, a comforting stew of wild edible roots gathered from the nearby forest.

"Lin'er, you're back," her mother said, her voice gentle, a soft smile playing on her lips. Jianwen lay on the bed in the room, a thin, white cloth draped across his forehead.

A sudden wave of anxiety washed over Jian Meilin. "Mama, what happened to Wen wen? Does he have a fever?" Jianwen's strong constitution was rarely affected by illness, so seeing him pale and listless sent a jolt of fear through her.

Her mother's usual composure crumbled, her face etched with worry and exhaustion. "Yesterday, he encountered a level-two wild beast. He managed to escape, returning with the rabbit he'd hunted but he could not remain unscathed he was injured. But that stubborn boy didn't mention the injuries and sneak out again before the sun was fully up. Only to faint in the backyard." She sighed, her voice thick with unspoken guilt. "If I hadn't gone to look for the roots, who knows what might have happened?" She served Jian Meilin a bowl of rice, adding a sweet tuber root to the meager dish, before gently approaching her son's bed. She removed the damp cloth from his forehead, replacing it with a fresh one. "He has a high fever and a broken rib. I don't know how he endured the pain all this time, Lin'er. I've failed you both. I'm not strong enough to fight for you." Her voice was close to breaking, but she refused to let tears fall.

Juan Meilin's heart ached for her mother. She rushed to her side, her voice firm despite the tremor in her hands. "Mother, don't say that. We understand. You've sacrificed so much for us. One day, we'll be better. I'll go out again tomorrow. Wen wen's strong; but he… When he wakes up, I'll scold him for you. But Mama, we'll never blame you. Trust me, I'll turn things around."

She knelt by her brother's side, gently measuring his pulse. Though her vast ocean of mental energy remained sealed, preventing her from practicing medicine with her full skill, her years of observation had given her a rudimentary understanding of diagnosis. His pulse, though weak, was steady and regular. He had pushed himself to the brink; his unconsciousness was the body's defense mechanism. Reassured, she sat down and ate her meal in silence, her thoughts swirling with determination. The events of the day had been harsh, but they had also strengthened her resolve. The weight of responsibility rested heavily on her shoulders, but she knew, deep in her heart, that she would not give up. She would find a way to protect her family, and to carve out a future for them where such hardships wouldn't occur again. The town, with its wealth and opportunities, beckoned, and tomorrow, she would return.

The setting sun cast long shadows across the floor, painting the humble hut in warm light. But the darkness outside, mirrored the darkness in their hearts—a darkness that the determination in Jian Meilin's eyes struggled against. She was not so sure about tomorrow, but for now, the sound of her brother's steady breathing and her mother's quiet sigh offered a fragile promise of hope in the midst of despair. The struggle for survival had become a testament to the unwavering bond of this small family in the shadow of the powerful Jian Clan.