Windgrave city stood located in the wind swept plain of the Green Wind province, the city was know as the place where the wind stay still and always releases a burst of strong wind at the same time. Windgrave city was a great trading hub and military power in its prime and was one of the proud branches of the ancient Zhou Clan, but it fell into decline over the years, becoming a shadow of its former self.
But facing south is the Blackscale jungle another large mountainous region covered with impossibly tall broad leaf trees covering the region in darkness all the time. The Blackscale jungle is host to many scaled creatures, creatures even that typically have fur have scales on some parts of their body
This anomalous occurence which has yet to be discovered by historian gave the region its name "Blackscale forest", people also believe that people who live too long in the forest will also gain scales on their body making the forest forbidden for anyone despite the thriving monsters and precious herbs it holds.
This forbidden region separates the Windgrave city from the Blackscale village of the Wu clan.
"bang!, bang!!, bang!!"
"who is there" Yaun asked getting up from his bed while rubbing his hurting head to soothe the pain as he stretched his morning sleepiness away.
"Cao Yaun" a rough and distrustful voice replied from the other side of the door.
"you are called by the patriarch"
the voice replied again after few seconds of silence followed by another silence of confusion in the courtyard
"for what?" Yaun asked narrowing his eyes in distaste after waiting for whoever's voice it was to reply but as the next few second passed Yaun got up from his bed and put his ears on the wooden door.
"hmm hope, it is not what I am thinking" Yaun muttered to himself turning around to check the room for anything he might need before leaving, Yaun realized with a frown that the only thing he have in this room fit to carry was the skin bag with few trashy things in it
The Wu clan great bronze gong in the center of the training ground rung out loudly through the inner courtyard, the sound of the gong getting attention from every disciple young and old.
Rows and rows of youths stood in the courtyard wearing emerald green and black robes standing in a formation, their breath visible in the air as they stood waiting. While on the front line sat the elders in stone benches their faces as expressionless as stone.
While in the front line of the standing youths stood dai Yaun clad in torn and patched tunic cloths, raising his head Yaun coldly looked at all the elders present there, this evening as his suspicious heart foretold what would likely happen to him this night.
Elder Wu Han stood up his voice as sharp as a drawn blade.
"Cao Yaun, orphan of unknown blood and origin. For years you have brought dishonor to this great Wu Clan, you are seventeen years old and have yet to obtain a spirit root, you defy the heavens with your mediocrity and now this madness of yours is affecting the youths of our clan, their mental and martial progress is in danger due to your constant outbursts."
He said gesturing to the report in his hand a report of Cao Yaun's strange collapse on the training grounds. "Whether possession, demonic influence or madness it matters not, the Wu Clan will no longer tolerate this insanity or what ever it is affecting you or the youths of our clan"
The gathered youths murmured in disapproval.
The accusations in Wu Han's voice fell like a blade.
"As of this day you are expelled from the Wu Clan, you will no longer be tolerated within the Wu Clan grounds, your name shall be stricken from our records and you are forbidden to set foot on Wu Clan grounds ever again."
The words fell like a thunderclap, Yaun raised his head to look at the faces of the elders and senior members of the Wu clans, their indifferent and mocking expressions said it all, it finally came to him that the entire Wu clan have had enough of him and decided to expele him
"Understood," he said quietly.
There was a ripple of surprise among the assembled disciples, no one dared to protest, no one dared to ask for mercy, only two quiet words came from dai Yaun's lips.
Elder Han seemed disappointed at the lack of reaction. "You may gather your belongings and leave before the evening bell."
"thank you clan master!"
Yaun bowed deeply before turning around to leave the hall as the clan disciples gathered to let him pass.
By the time the evening bell rung Yaun already parked his things and left the Wu clan residence, stepping out of the residence gates Yaun knelt and looked back at the clan in silence as memories of his time in the clan flashed before his eyes.
Taking a deep breath, he resolved to turn around and went back towards the Blackscale village outskirt.
The Black scale village boarders on a vast fertile plain bordering the Blackscale jungle, withing this region several miles from the village lies a large vegetation of coniferous looking trees separated the jungle from the village, the Blackscale village surrounding have this region of lone trees dotting the out living area.
But people always seek wealth in danger, and usually the most dangerous place houses the most rich bounty, the region that lies within the bounds of the outer forest of the Blackscale jungle, is the hunting and also pastoral region of the Blackscale villagers.
Having been fending for himself these past few yeas after Grandpa Mo went missing, dai Yaun have gotten somewhat familiar with the southern, western and eastern area's surrounding the village, during which he have even prepared certain places for this rainy day.
As he approached the village entrance, dai Yaun greeted the guard clad in a black iron armor standing by the gate.
"young Cao" the guard said with familiarity as he faced Yaun, "where are you headed to by this time of the day?"
"no where uncle Li"
"I am going out to search for some herbs" Cao Yaun waved to the clad middle aged man, having been a frequent visitor to this southern region of the village outskirt almost all the village guards stationed here know him, as his giant stature would always stand out among his peers.
"well you ghat to be careful kid" uncle Li said while nodding towards dai Yaun as he walked past the village entrance,
"and you make sure to come back early before the night comes kid"
"yes uncle Li" CaoYaun said forcing a smile on his face.
Leaving the Blackscale village behind, he walked southwest towards a lone hill about a thousand miles or so from the village. Making his way through the sparse thicket of grasses and trees, Cao Yaun arrived at the foot of a great mountain covered in overgrown grasses. Half buried in the grasses at the base of the mountain was a wooden crude and worn out cottage only the shape of the cottage could be made out.
"squick" the cottage answered as he pulled the crawling grass covering the door away from the entrance revealing some squeaky hinges.
"creek"
Cao Yaun pushed the door of the cottage open after pulling away the hanging vegetation covering the entrance but as he did so a bat zoomed out across his head giving him a start as he stumbled back on his buttocks.
"Damn it!"
Cao Yaun cursed as he picked himself of the ground patting his beating chest to calm his frightened heart, Yaun cautiously moved closer to the opened door and peeped inside before stepping in after making sure there is no any other creatures inside.
Cao Yaun found these cottage during one of his time out in the forest while searching for herbs and fruit, due to the proximity of these area with the Blackscale jungle wild animals rarely come to these area of the forest and strangely people don't usually frequent these area too, maybe it due to the lack of resources and only spiky looking grass growing all over the area.
Although the view of the village is slightly blocked by the tall grasses and trees one can still make out some movements and commotion when it happens outside the village.
"cough! Cough!! cough!!"
Cao Yaun began coughing after carelessly inhaling the dust from inside the cottage, quickly covering his mouth, Cao Yuan examined the now dirt covered room full of cobwebs and dust revealed by the light coming in through the opening in the wall of the cottage.
"sigh"
Releasing a deep sigh Cao Yaun dumped his load outside the cottage and begin cleaning the inside of the cottage. After taking his time to clean and tidy the cottage up, dai Yaun began placing his things at the other side of the cottage opposite the entrance.
By the time he was done with everything night has arrived and only the creaking sounds of crickets filled the entire world of his. Closing his eyes Dai yuan slowly drifted away into a deep slumber as a result of exhaustion from the day's events.