14 Nothing Was For Certain (1/2)

Daiyu studied the boy in front of her with interest. Tears were no longer flowing as excessively, and he appeared to have understood her words. In all honesty, this was a gamble. If the devotion to his mother was resolute, that could mean he was someone who honored past origins. He would be the perfect person to take in as a junior brother as he would honor his origins. If, however, his devotion to his mother was more than that of the sect— then she lost this gamble.

She cared little about his lack of ability or his lack of money. What he doesn't have, she'll give. Nevertheless, what she doesn't have, he'll have to give as well. Nothing was ever for free. In the past, she often gave whatever Guiren wanted of her without any of it reciprocated. It was both a reasonable yet foolish thinking.

One she lived by before and could not tolerate now.

Daiyu stared at the child in front of her. If he were smart enough, he would understand her intent.

He had a chance.

The child clenched and unclenched his fingers. Due to the earlier assault on his body, each finger movement seemed to penetrate into his nerves, and he could feel the pain traveling into his bones. But this was good, he was awake. He used to think he had nothing but...didn't he still have his own two hands?

He didn't believe anything would change, so he never bothered to try defending himself. He didn't have the capability to practice martial arts, so he never tried to learn. A teardrop fell on to his unwashed hands. He was awake now. Today's wages would tie in today, but what about tomorrow? If he was ever kicked out, would he live longer than his mother or would his mother live longer than him?

Daiyu turned away, impassive.

The value of money changed day to day with different greeds and wants. How can someone guaranteed their wealth would never fade? New leaders were always overtaking the old as there were always struggle and conflict for the most prominent seat in power. Sometimes not even the closest of blood ties mattered.

Nothing was ever for certain.

Nothing set in stone.

A moment of recognition was a moment of desire that brings dust.

It was nothing new, yet every soul yearned for these assets. Their goal, their struggles, and their lives were deeply poured in for these desires. Hence, Daiyu wouldn't dare call them meaningless. Whatever meaning one has was to be given to the object by the owner. She didn't possess the right to judge.

However, to her, it was mundane.

How tasteless.

She wanted something that would last forever.

Stretching out her hands, she tenderly caught a small pink petal drifting in the air from the blossom on a tree above her. Nonetheless, she thought, would she ever be able to get it?

What price did she have to pay?

”Senior sister!” The boy hurried forward with firm eyes. His clear voice delivered his answer, ”I'm willing to give my heart to the sect.”

Daiyu turned back, her hazel eyes on his hands. His fingers were no longer trembling and his voice no longer stuttered. This child was not bad indeed, ”Name?”