In the early morning, as the sun began its slow climb over the horizon, the soft sound of steady breathing filled the crisp air.
On the training ground nestled atop the mountain, a lone figure moved with sharp precision.
Hua punched into the empty air—each strike sharp enough to whip up gusts of wind that stirred the grass and scattered loose leaves. Her kicks followed, slicing the air with force, sending another burst of wind rippling outward.
She grinned slightly to herself, her fists never slowing.
No matter how many times she practiced, she never got tired of it. The rhythm, the movement—it was part of her now. It felt right.
Hours passed in the blink of an eye.
By the time she finished her training, the sun had fully risen, casting golden light across her mountain. The once-fresh chill of dawn was replaced by the gentle warmth of morning.
Hua wiped her forehead, then walked to a serene pond she had crafted herself two months ago, near the edge of her domain.
The water was calm and clear, reflecting the pale blue sky and the trees that lined the mountain.
Sitting by the pond's edge, Hua crossed her legs and closed her eyes, breathing in deeply. She let her mind settle, sinking into meditation.
Almost nine months had passed since she came to this world.
Nine months of growth, change, and building a life from nothing.
She had watched as her simple log house gradually transformed into something resembling a palace—or perhaps a small sect straight out of the manhua and manhwa she used to read back home.
The once barren mountain was now alive.
There were cultivated fields, stone paths winding through manicured gardens, training grounds with bamboo dummies..... and there even small shrines at the foot of her mountain built by the people who now worshiped her as their guardian or deity.
She had accepted their devotion awkwardly at first, but over time… she simply let it be.
Hua exhaled slowly, releasing her breath like a soft whisper.
"Fuh..." she murmured.
Her blue eyes fluttered open, reflecting the morning sun like calm waters.
"Time to take care of the plains," she said quietly to herself, rising gracefully to her feet.
As she walked toward the cultivated lands on the lower slopes, Hua couldn't help but glance around, admiring the place she now called home.
Stone archways she carved herself, the gleam of golden tiles on her rebuilt home, fields of crops swaying gently in the breeze.
From nothing, she had made all of this.
And looking at it now, she couldn't help but feel a warm flicker of pride deep inside her chest.
While tending the crops on her land, Hua reflected on how much had changed over time.
Ever since the day the villagers first offered her those simple gifts—the jade teapot, the fine mirror—the offerings hadn't stopped.
More and more items arrived every few days: cloth, herbs, pottery, even books written in the old script. They brought whatever they could craft or trade.
At first, Hua didn't pay it much mind.
But before she knew it, the number of people living at the foot of her mountain had swelled to nearly two hundred.
She even visited once, openly without hiding her presence.
She regretted it almost immediately.
The moment the townsfolk saw her, they all dropped to their knees, faces pressed into the dirt, showering her with praise and offering even more gifts.
It wasn't that she disliked attention but she hadn't come to be worshiped. She simply wanted to check on the little settlement they were building.
Still, she had to admit... she was impressed.
The village, once only a handful of tents, had flourished into a lively town with dirt roads, sturdy wooden houses, workshops, and markets bustling with activity. And most importantly—
They had made tofu.
Proper tofu.
Her favorite food.
Now, standing under the sun, Hua smiled with deep satisfaction as she finished harvesting a basket full of potatoes from her fields.
Carrying her harvest, she stored the ingredients carefully inside the stone warehouse she had built to keep them fresh.
Her work finished, she returned home, a small but elegant residence atop the mountain, surrounded by cherry blossom trees.
In the kitchen, she brewed herself a fresh pot of tea, its rich aroma filling the air.
Setting the pot and a cup onto a carved wooden table near the window, she prepared a bowl of silky tofu pudding drizzling it with a sweet syrup made from the nectar she collected from her 'tamed' whopperflowers.
Satisfied, Hua settled into her chair by the open window.
The mountain breeze was gentle, carrying the distant sounds of life up to her home.
She took a slow sip of tea, savoring its warmth, and then a small spoonful of her tofu pudding.
----------------------
Walking down the mountain path, Hua couldn't help but question herself.
Why did I even start farming in the first place?
Looking at the town below—now a proper settlement—she realized she could easily just ask the villagers for food or buy it with the endless gifts they kept offering her.
A sigh slipped from her lips.
It wasn't like she hated farming... she actually liked gardening—small gardening. Not full-scale farming like she had been doing lately.
She shook her head lightly, chuckling at herself.
From her vantage point, she glanced over the bustling village, sensing for any nearby threats as she always did. Satisfied that there was no danger, she decided to walk away, further from her familiar mountain.
Lately, a sense of restlessness had been growing inside her.
I can't just stay holed up on Taixuan Mountain like a frog at the bottom of a well, she thought.
"I wonder if I can find anything interesting out there," Hua muttered to herself, a small, mischievous smile playing on her lips.
Without a particular destination in mind, she broke into a run, letting her instincts guide her steps across the wild, open landscape.
The fresh air rushed past her as she dashed across fields and hills, her figure a blur against the morning light.
Her journey had only just begun when she stumbled across... a goat.
A very big goat.
It stood proudly in a grassy clearing, its massive body covered in shaggy white fur. Two strange, twisted horns curled from its head like ancient tree branches.
Curious, Hua slowed her pace and approached the creature.
"Hey, can you speak?" she asked casually, half-joking, half-hopeful. After all, in a world like this, who knew what could happen?
The goat stared at her blankly.
Then, without warning, it charged forward, mouth open, clearly intending to ram—or possibly eat—her.
Bad move, Hua thought.
With a swift, practiced motion, she sidestepped and, with a casual flick of her hand, beheaded the creature cleanly.
The body slumped to the ground without a sound.
Shrugging, Hua decided not to waste good meat. She gathered some dry wood nearby, lit a fire, and soon the scent of roasting goat filled the air.
Sitting cross-legged by the fire, Hua tore a piece of the cooked meat and munched thoughtfully.
"It's a little bland without seasoning," she mumbled, chewing.
She took another bite, smiling faintly to herself.
"But still good."
As Hua sat by the crackling fire, enjoying her meal of roasted goat, she sensed something—or rather, someone—approaching.
There was no killing intent, no threat in the air. Still, Hua didn't allow herself to fully relax. She continued eating, pretending not to notice, but every muscle remained coiled, ready if needed.
Footsteps crunched softly over the grass.
Soon, a small figure emerged from the trees.
A little girl, no older than six, stepped hesitantly into Hua's view. She had long, black hair that hung limply around her small shoulders, and her wide, Munsell Yellow eyes fixated not on Hua—but on the meat in her hand.
The child's clothes were tattered and filthy, stained with dirt and faint traces of dried blood. She looked like she had been through hell.
Hua's gaze softened slightly.
What happened to this kid...?
"Hey, kid," Hua called out in a gentle tone, lowering the meat slightly. "Where are your parents?"
The little girl only shook her head, her expression guarded but full of silent longing as she kept staring at the food.
Hua frowned slightly, thinking.
Maybe she was told not to speak to strangers...
She lifted a piece of roasted goat meat higher.
"You want this?" she asked casually.
The girl hesitated for a moment, then gave a tiny, shy nod.
Hua chuckled under her breath. She reached over to the fire and grabbed another chunk of meat, this one still warm and juicy, and extended it toward the child.
"Here. Take it," Hua said, keeping her voice calm and friendly.
The little girl stepped closer, snatched the meat with both hands, and sniffed it cautiously. After a few quick sniffs, she bit into it—and immediately, her eyes lit up.
A pure, innocent joy crossed her face as she chewed eagerly, savoring every bite.
Seeing that made Hua's heart feel unexpectedly light.
She watched the girl with a small, satisfied smile—until the child suddenly started coughing from eating too fast.
"Hey, slow down," Hua said with a chuckle, shaking her head. "That's all yours. No one's going to steal it."
The little girl looked up at her briefly, cheeks full, then returned to devouring the meat like it was the first real meal she'd had in days.
Hua leaned back slightly, gazing at the girl thoughtfully, the fire crackling between them.
"Hmm?" Hua blinked in confusion as the little girl stretched her hand out toward her.
"You want more to eat?" Hua asked, tilting her head.
The girl shook her head firmly. "No," she said softly.
Hua raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. "Oh, so you can talk."
She leaned in slightly. "Then… what is it? You want the food only?"
The girl hesitated, glancing between Hua and the remnants of the roasted goat. Her Munsell Yellow eyes flickered with a strange mix of emotion before she quietly said, "Yes… no."
"...Me?" Hua asked, pointing to herself.
"Yes," the girl replied, voice faint but certain. "Thank you."
A small smile tugged at Hua's lips. "You're welcome, child," she said warmly.
Yet the girl's hand still remained stretched out toward Hua, unwavering.
Curious, Hua gently placed her hand atop the child's smaller one. The girl immediately grasped it and started pulling.
Of course, she was still just a child—there wasn't much strength behind her tugging. It was almost comical how hard she tried.
"You want me to follow you?" Hua asked, half-amused.
The girl nodded eagerly. "Yes!"
Hua chuckled softly, brushing some soot off her sleeves. "Alright, give me a moment."
She quickly wrapped up the remaining pieces of roasted goat in a cloth, tying them neatly to carry with her. After securing everything, Hua straightened up and nodded.
"Lead the way."
Without wasting a second, the little girl turned and started trotting through the trees. Hua followed close behind, letting the child guide her.
Despite her usual caution, Hua wasn't worried about an ambush. This girl was too young, too sincere. Besides, the environment showed no signs of other threats—only old claw marks gouged into the bark of trees and deep scratches in the earth, evidence of a past monster attack.
After some time, they arrived at a dark cave entrance hidden between two rocky slopes. The air around it felt cool and slightly damp, carrying the faint scent of moss and earth.
Hua narrowed her eyes at the entrance, observing the surroundings carefully.
There were definitely monsters here before… judging by those claw marks.
Before she could inspect further, the little girl dashed inside without a hint of hesitation, leaving Hua standing at the entrance.
"Hey—wait!" Hua called out softly, then sighed.
Shaking her head, Hua stepped into the cave, following after the tiny figure
(A/n: guess who)