Chapter 1: New Life
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Chapter 1: New Life
There was a gun barrel against his head. Sage was thrust into what he could only describe as his worst nightmare. A cold sweat formed on his back as he blinked his eyes, staring up into the darkness of his bedroom. His eyes crossed as he tried to stare at the object pressed between his eyes. As hard as he tried, nothing came forth from his lips, and the look of utter terror was pasted on his face.
Sorry kid. You saw something you werent supposed to see.
That voice seemed to come from the darkness itself before he heard a loud bang and everything went white.
Is this a dream? Have I died?
There was only silence.
Whats going on? Where am I? How long have I been here?
It felt like an eternity had passed before a soft voice rippled through the silence. It seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at the same time. This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.
Theres a karmic bond between us. In order to sever it, I give you this second chance now.
What? What the hell is that supposed to mean? Who are you? Why cant I see and why does it feel like youre talking in my head?
Sages questions werent answered. The whiteness simply dimmed, everything gradually went dark. A dim flicker of hope was the only thing left in Sages mind, wanting to believe that disembodied voice.
As luck had it, he was right. Sage suddenly sat up. The sheet and blankets on the bed seeming like a terrible restraint that he fought to break free of. Blinking his eyes, he realized he was alive. His senses had returned. Such sudden contrast had him testing his eyes, clapping his hands, sniffing the air, rubbing the blankets, even picking up the sheet and giving it a lick. It was only then that Sage finally believed he was alive again and that whole thing had been a terrible nightmare.
That was until he actually took a look at his surroundings. It was no longer his bedroom.
Since when does a middle-aged white guy go to sleep and then wake up as an asian child? What kind of elaborate joke is this? Did somebody drug me?
The door opened again and the older man came in with a food tray. Setting it down on the desk beside him, he pointed at the bowl of white soup.
Heres your congee, Shenger. Eat up so you can get your strength back.
Sages confusion had turned into numbness. Simply choosing to accept things as they were and figure out what the situation was.
Who are you? Who am I? I cant remember anything.
Since this was a dream, he might as well play along and enjoy it. Treating it like a video game, the first step is to learn about the setting and then figure out your status.
Shenger you. You really dont remember anything?
After more questioning the man finally nodded with sad acceptance on his face as he started to explain. Sage decided that being a sudden amnesiac was much better than telling people he was in someone elses body. The old man introduced himself as Uncle Zhang, the brother of Shengs deceased father. The body he was in now was named Lang Sheng. Lang, the Mantis Clan and Sheng which, conveniently, meant sage. He was eight years old this year and his parents were both deceased. Shengs mother had died in childbirth, while his father had died a few years ago serving the clan. It seems he was now an orphan, raised among the common children of the clan and looked after by his only remaining close kin, Uncle Zhang.
Okay, thats enough for now. Youll probably remember everything soon enough, eat your congee and go back to bed. You got real banged up in those mines and Im sure youll feel better with more rest!
Sage was still amazed at this whole situation so he didnt have any more real questions, wanting to figure out how to wake up from this silly dream as soon as possible. With these thoughts in mind, his face was twisted uncomfortably and Uncle Zhang misinterpreted his feelings.
I know you went down there because you heard legends of treasures, but you have to be more careful! A treasure cant make up for real strength. Once youre better again its time you start cultivating.
Cultivating? What is that? Do I have to grow something?
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Chapter 1: New Life
There was a gun barrel against his head. Sage was thrust into what he could only describe as his worst nightmare. A cold sweat formed on his back as he blinked his eyes, staring up into the darkness of his bedroom. His eyes crossed as he tried to stare at the object pressed between his eyes. As hard as he tried, nothing came forth from his lips, and the look of utter terror was pasted on his face.
Sorry kid. You saw something you werent supposed to see.
That voice seemed to come from the darkness itself before he heard a loud bang and everything went white.
Is this a dream? Have I died?
There was only silence.
Whats going on? Where am I? How long have I been here?
It felt like an eternity had passed before a soft voice rippled through the silence. It seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at the same time. This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.
Theres a karmic bond between us. In order to sever it, I give you this second chance now.
What? What the hell is that supposed to mean? Who are you? Why cant I see and why does it feel like youre talking in my head?
Sages questions werent answered. The whiteness simply dimmed, everything gradually went dark. A dim flicker of hope was the only thing left in Sages mind, wanting to believe that disembodied voice.
As luck had it, he was right. Sage suddenly sat up. The sheet and blankets on the bed seeming like a terrible restraint that he fought to break free of. Blinking his eyes, he realized he was alive. His senses had returned. Such sudden contrast had him testing his eyes, clapping his hands, sniffing the air, rubbing the blankets, even picking up the sheet and giving it a lick. It was only then that Sage finally believed he was alive again and that whole thing had been a terrible nightmare.
That was until he actually took a look at his surroundings. It was no longer his bedroom.
Since when does a middle-aged white guy go to sleep and then wake up as an asian child? What kind of elaborate joke is this? Did somebody drug me?
The door opened again and the older man came in with a food tray. Setting it down on the desk beside him, he pointed at the bowl of white soup.
Heres your congee, Shenger. Eat up so you can get your strength back.
Sages confusion had turned into numbness. Simply choosing to accept things as they were and figure out what the situation was.
Who are you? Who am I? I cant remember anything.
Since this was a dream, he might as well play along and enjoy it. Treating it like a video game, the first step is to learn about the setting and then figure out your status.
Shenger you. You really dont remember anything?
After more questioning the man finally nodded with sad acceptance on his face as he started to explain. Sage decided that being a sudden amnesiac was much better than telling people he was in someone elses body. The old man introduced himself as Uncle Zhang, the brother of Shengs deceased father. The body he was in now was named Lang Sheng. Lang, the Mantis Clan and Sheng which, conveniently, meant sage. He was eight years old this year and his parents were both deceased. Shengs mother had died in childbirth, while his father had died a few years ago serving the clan. It seems he was now an orphan, raised among the common children of the clan and looked after by his only remaining close kin, Uncle Zhang.
Okay, thats enough for now. Youll probably remember everything soon enough, eat your congee and go back to bed. You got real banged up in those mines and Im sure youll feel better with more rest!
Sage was still amazed at this whole situation so he didnt have any more real questions, wanting to figure out how to wake up from this silly dream as soon as possible. With these thoughts in mind, his face was twisted uncomfortably and Uncle Zhang misinterpreted his feelings.
I know you went down there because you heard legends of treasures, but you have to be more careful! A treasure cant make up for real strength. Once youre better again its time you start cultivating.
Cultivating? What is that? Do I have to grow something?
Chapter 1: New LifeThere was a gun barrel against his head. Sage was thrust into what he could only describe as his worst nightmare. A cold sweat formed on his back as he blinked his eyes, staring up into the darkness of his bedroom. His eyes crossed as he tried to stare at the object pressed between his eyes. As hard as he tried, nothing came forth from his lips, and the look of utter terror was pasted on his face. Sorry kid. You saw something you werent supposed to see.That voice seemed to come from the darkness itself before he heard a loud bang and everything went white. Is this a dream? Have I died?There was only silence.Whats going on? Where am I? How long have I been here? It felt like an eternity had passed before a soft voice rippled through the silence. It seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at the same time. This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.Theres a karmic bond between us. In order to sever it, I give you this second chance now.What? What the hell is that supposed to mean? Who are you? Why cant I see and why does it feel like youre talking in my head? Sages questions werent answered. The whiteness simply dimmed, everything gradually went dark. A dim flicker of hope was the only thing left in Sages mind, wanting to believe that disembodied voice. As luck had it, he was right. Sage suddenly sat up. The sheet and blankets on the bed seeming like a terrible restraint that he fought to break free of. Blinking his eyes, he realized he was alive. His senses had returned. Such sudden contrast had him testing his eyes, clapping his hands, sniffing the air, rubbing the blankets, even picking up the sheet and giving it a lick. It was only then that Sage finally believed he was alive again and that whole thing had been a terrible nightmare. That was until he actually took a look at his surroundings. It was no longer his bedroom. Since when does a middle-aged white guy go to sleep and then wake up as an asian child? What kind of elaborate joke is this? Did somebody drug me? The door opened again and the older man came in with a food tray. Setting it down on the desk beside him, he pointed at the bowl of white soup.Heres your congee, Shenger. Eat up so you can get your strength back.Sages confusion had turned into numbness. Simply choosing to accept things as they were and figure out what the situation was. Who are you? Who am I? I cant remember anything.Since this was a dream, he might as well play along and enjoy it. Treating it like a video game, the first step is to learn about the setting and then figure out your status. Shenger you. You really dont remember anything?After more questioning the man finally nodded with sad acceptance on his face as he started to explain. Sage decided that being a sudden amnesiac was much better than telling people he was in someone elses body. The old man introduced himself as Uncle Zhang, the brother of Shengs deceased father. The body he was in now was named Lang Sheng. Lang, the Mantis Clan and Sheng which, conveniently, meant sage. He was eight years old this year and his parents were both deceased. Shengs mother had died in childbirth, while his father had died a few years ago serving the clan. It seems he was now an orphan, raised among the common children of the clan and looked after by his only remaining close kin, Uncle Zhang. Okay, thats enough for now. Youll probably remember everything soon enough, eat your congee and go back to bed. You got real banged up in those mines and Im sure youll feel better with more rest!Sage was still amazed at this whole situation so he didnt have any more real questions, wanting to figure out how to wake up from this silly dream as soon as possible. With these thoughts in mind, his face was twisted uncomfortably and Uncle Zhang misinterpreted his feelings. I know you went down there because you heard legends of treasures, but you have to be more careful! A treasure cant make up for real strength. Once youre better again its time you start cultivating.Cultivating? What is that? Do I have to grow something?
