Thin mist swirled, sunlight like threads of golden sand piercing through layers of overlapping tree shadows, casting mottled spots of light onto the damp earth.
The warm sunlight melted the heavy mist in the forest. Dewdrops hung on the verdant branches, flowing down along the leaf veins, finally dripping onto the head of a little boy with black hair and black eyes, dressed in simple clothes.
Like an activated mechanism, the little boy opened his eyes. A faint purple light flashed within his pupils, quickly disappearing into the depths of his eyes.
"It's already this late."
The little boy looked up at the rising sun climbing towards its zenith in the distance. He stood up, patted the grass debris off his clothes, and sighed. He walked to the base of a tree, picked up the large grass basket that was incongruous with his small frame, slung it over his shoulder with familiarity, and turned to look at the distant red sun. After a few minutes, he turned back. His slender body seemed to rise like a phantom, each step leaving afterimages. He ignored the uneven ground of the mountain, using a peculiar gait to tread as if on flat ground, heading straight for their home at the foot of the mountain.
"Suisui, I'm back from picking today's wild vegetables."
The little boy walked with steady steps, pushing open the worn wooden door and raising his voice to call into the house.
"What are you shouting about? What time is it?"
The expected response didn't come. Instead, another low, hoarse male voice emerged impatiently from behind a curtain of tattered cloth.
The little boy paused. Seeing the burly man lift the curtain and emerge, he opened his mouth and calmly called out, "Dad."
The man, clad in tattered robes, carried an empty wine bottle and slowly ambled to the table. He poured himself a cup of water and drained it in one gulp.
Sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the man's sallow, haggard features and revealing stubble that hadn't been shaved for a long time. His dusty hair was as messy as a ruffled chicken coop, and his bloodshot eyes were unfocused and vacant. Reeking of alcohol, a subtle glint flickered in his muddy eyes only when they fell upon his son, whose small face was calm and unperturbed. He spoke with a hoarse voice, "That girl had a high fever yesterday. She's still sleeping."
There was no trace of concern or any other emotion in the man's voice. It was as if he was casually mentioning someone else, as if the sick child wasn't his own daughter.
Upon hearing this, a hint of worry broke through the little boy's calm expression. He pursed his lips and said, "Then I'll go warm up my sister's medicine for today first."
The man grunted and stumbled back into his alcohol-scented room.
He watched the man's retreating back as he lifted the curtain and left. Instead of warming the medicine, he first entered another small room. He walked to the bed and reached out towards a huddled lump. He gently brushed aside the soft strands of hair clinging to her forehead, then placed the back of his hand on her forehead to check her temperature. Confirming it was normal, he breathed a sigh of relief and quietly, soundlessly, withdrew from the room.
After the little boy left, the girl on the bed, who had been "soundly sleeping" under the covers, slowly opened her pair of clear blue eyes, still carrying a hint of grogginess from waking up.
'He's gone to warm your medicine.'
'What a good brother.'
A light voice echoed in the girl's mind, carrying a hint of amusement.
Hearing this, the girl closed her eyes and replied in her mind to the voice: 'I would be even happier if his name wasn't Tang San.'
'But there's nothing we can do. Who told him he's the Son of Destiny?'
Son of Destiny...
The girl closed her eyes and lay still, unfazed.
She wasn't originally from this world. She was a wandering soul from the 22nd century. She died of exhaustion from playing the mobile game Onmyoji all night, and after transmigration, she was reborn into this world where spirit power reigned supreme and strength was paramount.
Just like in her previous life, her name was still Tang Sui.
Before she realized she had transmigrated into an anime she watched in her past life – Douluo Continent – she truly cherished this brother who genuinely loved and cared for her.
Due to her inherently weak physique since childhood, for over five years, although she was alive, she had been plagued by constant illnesses and frailties. Yet, her brother, Tang San, had never once spoken of giving up or abandoning her.
She was deeply touched and cherished this hard-won sibling affection.
However, when she noticed the strangely familiar experiences of their family, her father's and brother's names, and certain revealing small gestures that matched an anime she had watched in her past life, she was struck by lightning.
It's over!
Her own brother was actually the protagonist, Tang San, who was following a script of vengeance for the wronged and oppressed!
Then what was she, a small loli who didn't exist in the original anime and could be swayed by a gust of wind, supposed to be? She was surely a cannon fodder who wouldn't survive an episode!
After learning the truth of the world, Tang Sui fell into a period of self-pity, but not entirely.
Because... she had transmigrated with the shell of her Onmyoji shikigami child – Menreiki.
The one speaking in her mind now was one of the seven ability masks of Menreiki, the fox mask representing wisdom.
She hadn't seen the other masks since gaining consciousness. For the past five years, it had been the fox mask communicating with her consciousness.
'It's almost time for Tang San's sixth birthday, the day of his spirit awakening. You and Tang San are twins. Will you choose to go for the spirit awakening together, or continue to lie here and hide?'
The fox mask spoke again. Tang Sui opened her eyes and stared intently at the gray ceiling. After a long while, she hugged her little quilt and turned over, softly saying, "He's my brother. What can I do?"
Of course, she had to go with him.
Perhaps after her spirit awakened, her sickly body could improve?
But... would she have a spirit?
With this question, Tang Sui fell into a drowsy sleep again.
The fox mask also remained quietly in Tang Sui's sea of consciousness without speaking. The room instantly returned to its usual silence, leaving only the occasional creaking of the wooden windows in the wind.
...
"Clang! Clang!"
The crisp sound of blacksmithing echoed within the small house. Tang San diligently swung the small iron hammer in his hand, continuously striking the same spot on the hot iron.
"Tang Hao, busy?"
Just as Tang San precisely and forcefully landed the final blow on the same spot, an aged voice drifted in from outside.
With a "creak," the wooden door of the small house slowly opened from the outside. An old man, leaning on a wooden crutch, stood at the entrance. His eyes lit up upon seeing Tang San forging the iron. "Little San is here too!"
Tang San took the towel hanging around his neck and wiped the sweat dripping down his cheeks. He smiled and greeted the old man, "Grandpa Jack."
Village chief Old Jack of Holy Spirit Village, who usually took good care of them, the siblings.
"Hello, Grandpa Jack."
A soft, sweet voice followed from behind and to the left of Tang San.
Old Jack looked at the little girl who had moved a small stool and was sitting not far from Tang San, helping to wash wild vegetables.
She was supposed to be a cute, adorable little girl, but now, due to her congenital frailty and illness, she was a small, emaciated figure, appearing much smaller than Tang San, who was the same age. Her face was pale and sickly as usual, looking as if a gust of wind could blow her over, which was quite heartbreaking.
"Sui Sui, helping brother wash vegetables? Sui Sui is so sensible."
A flicker of distress crossed Old Jack's wrinkled face. Just as he was about to say more, Tang Hao, who had emerged from the house, interrupted him with a muffled voice:
"What is it?"