The morning sun streamed through the wooden windows, casting long golden streaks across the room. Feiyin sat cross-legged on the floor, absentmindedly tracing patterns on the wooden planks while his body continued to recover from the strain of his last training experiment. The bitter taste of medicine still clung to his tongue, but the soreness had finally faded. His mother's treatments had done their work, and he was fully healed.
A sharp knock at the door startled him from his thoughts. Before he could rise, the door creaked open, and a familiar mischievous voice filled the room.
"Oi, little brother, you still alive in there?"
Feiyin grinned instantly. "Sun Ke!"
The older boy stepped inside, his usual cocky smirk in place, his hands behind his back like he was hiding something.
"I heard you almost roasted yourself," Sun Ke teased, grinning as he sauntered over. "What kind of crazy training were you doing this time?"
Feiyin huffed, crossing his arms. "I wasn't trying to roast myself."
Sun Ke clicked his tongue, shaking his head dramatically. "You're lucky your mother can cook up some pretty good medicine. Otherwise, we'd be seeing a very different Feiyin right now." He finally pulled his hands forward, revealing a skewer of candied hawthorn, its glossy red surface catching the light.
Feiyin's eyes lit up instantly.
"Here," Sun Ke said, tossing it over. "A reward for surviving your own stupidity."
Feiyin caught it quickly, shooting him a glare before taking a satisfied bite, the familiar sweet and sour flavor melting on his tongue.
His mood instantly lifted, but before he could thank Sun Ke, the older boy dropped onto the floor beside him, resting his chin on his palm.
"Anyway, the real reason I came," Sun Ke said, his grin turning conspiratorial, "is because something big is happening in Red Moon City soon."
Feiyin perked up. "What?"
"The Harvest Festival," Sun Ke said, his voice carrying the kind of excitement usually reserved for secret adventures. "It happens every year to celebrate the autumn harvest, but it's not just about food. There are performances, competitions, fireworks, and merchants selling all kinds of rare stuff."
Feiyin's mind reeled. He had never traveled outside of Pine Village before. Red Moon City was only a few days away, but it might as well have been another world for how distant it seemed.
A festival.
A whole city filled with new things to see, people to meet, performances to watch.
"I want to go," he blurted out before he could stop himself.
Sun Ke chuckled. "I figured you would. But you'll have to convince your father first."
Feiyin faltered slightly at that. His father wasn't the type to leave the village for no reason.
Still, he had to try.
That evening, Feiyin sat across from his parents at the dinner table, his chopsticks hovering over his bowl as he carefully chose his words.
"…Father, I want to go to Red Moon City."
Cai Feng didn't look up immediately, taking a slow bite of his meal. "Why?"
Feiyin swallowed, keeping his voice measured but eager. "There's a festival. A big one. It's a chance to see something outside the village, to learn more about the world."
His father's brows furrowed slightly, but before he could reply, Mei Liao spoke first, a knowing smile on her lips.
"I think it's a great idea."
Feiyin turned to her in surprise. His mother rarely suggested leaving the village unless necessary.
"We could use a family trip," Mei Liao continued, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "It's been a while since we've traveled together."
Cai Feng set his chopsticks down, exhaling. "Leaving the village for days isn't something we should take lightly."
Mei Liao tilted her head, feigning innocence. "It's not dangerous, if that's what you're worried about. It's a simple festival, and we can travel with a caravan for security."
Cai Feng rubbed his temple, clearly debating internally. "And if something happens while we're away?"
Mei Liao smiled sweetly. "That's why we're in a village with a militia, my dear husband. They'll survive without you for a few days."
Feiyin bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing at his mother's playful tone.
His father sighed, giving Feiyin a long look before shaking his head. "You two really are teaming up against me, aren't you?"
Mei Liao grinned. "Always."
Cai Feng muttered something under his breath before grunting in defeat. "Fine. We'll go."
Feiyin nearly leapt out of his seat in excitement.
"But," his father added, giving him a sharp look, "you will stay close to us at all times. No running off on your own."
Feiyin nodded quickly, unable to contain his excitement at the idea of finally seeing Red Moon City.
The next morning, preparations began.
Mei Liao packed their travel bags, carefully folding extra sets of clothing and essentials. But Feiyin noticed something curious, when she thought he wasn't looking, she reached into her robes and pulled out a small, unassuming pouch.
Feiyin tilted his head, curious. "Mother, what's that?"
Mei Liao paused for half a second, then gave him a knowing smile. "A little something to make travel easier."
She pulled it open just slightly, revealing a spatial pouch, a rare item, capable of storing an entire cubic meter of space.
Feiyin's eyes widened. "We have one of those?"
Mei Liao chuckled. "Of course. Did you think your mother would go on long trips carrying heavy bags?"
Feiyin had so many questions, but before he could ask, she gently pressed a finger to his forehead. "It's best if we don't draw attention to it. That's why I'm still packing visible bags. No need to make anyone envious."
Feiyin nodded quickly. His mother always thought ahead.
The journey began at dawn.
Mei Liao had arranged for them to travel with a merchant caravan, a group of traders heading to Red Moon City to sell their goods for the festival.
The caravan was a lively mix of people, older merchants discussing trade deals, younger assistants tending to the horses, and guards stationed at different intervals, keeping an eye out for trouble.
Feiyin sat in the back of one of the carts with his parents, watching the scenery change as they left Pine Village behind. The world seemed to expand before his eyes, rolling hills, vast fields, scattered forests stretching toward the horizon.
Every now and then, the caravan would stop for a break, and Feiyin would watch the merchants go about their work, noting how his mother easily conversed with them, exchanging light banter and business talk.
Even on the road, she remained a merchant at heart.
The journey lasted the whole day, the sun dipping low as they finally approached Red Moon City.
And when Feiyin first saw it, he felt his breath catch in his throat.
The city walls were enormous, towering over the land like an unbreakable fortress, their stone glinting faintly in the fading sunlight. The gates stretched wide, large enough for entire caravans to pass through without slowing. Even from a distance, the hum of life within the city was unmistakable, the movement of people, the glow of lanterns, the scent of roasting food drifting through the air.
Feiyin stared in awe, his mouth slightly open.
Cai Feng, standing beside him, let out a low chuckle. "Careful, boy, or you'll catch flies."
Feiyin quickly shut his mouth, scowling up at his father. "I was just, "
His mother giggled, nudging Cai Feng. "Don't tease him. It's his first time seeing a real city."
Cai Feng smirked. "I'm just saying, if he's that amazed by the walls, wait until he sees the festival itself."
Feiyin grinned. He couldn't wait.
As their caravan approached the gates of Red Moon City, Feiyin felt his heart pound with anticipation. The sheer scale of the walls had already been overwhelming, but now that they were drawing closer, he realized something else,
This was the first time he had ever seen so many people in one place.
The road leading to the city gates was packed with travelers, merchants, and city guards, their voices blending into a constant, buzzing hum of life. People moved in all directions, some haggling over goods, others shouting orders, children running between carts, and guards inspecting incoming traders. It was a completely different world from the quiet and orderly pace of Pine Village.
As they passed beneath the massive stone archway, Feiyin felt a sudden shift in the air. The density of people, the sheer volume of movement and sound, it was like stepping into a raging river after only ever knowing a still pond.
And then, it hit him.
Oscillations. Everywhere.
The closer they got to the heart of the city, the more frequencies he felt, dozens, then hundreds, then thousands, all layered over one another. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced before. The subtle shifts of voices, footsteps, clanking metal, pulsing heartbeats, the wind weaving through the buildings, all of it intertwined in an intricate, chaotic symphony of vibrations.
For a moment, it was almost overwhelming.
His mind strained to keep up, to separate and comprehend all the shifting frequencies. He had spent years fine-tuning his ability to sense and interpret oscillations, but he had never been surrounded by this many at once.
But then,
Something within him clicked.
Instead of resisting the storm of sounds and sensations, he let himself flow with it, like adjusting to the current of a fast-moving river. The overwhelming feeling didn't suffocate him; instead, it ignited his excitement even more.
'This is incredible,' Feiyin thought, his eyes wide with wonder.
Cai Feng, noticing the stunned look on his son's face, chuckled. "First time seeing a real city, and you're already lost in it?"
Mei Liao smiled knowingly. "It's a lot to take in, isn't it?"
Feiyin nodded eagerly, barely able to put his amazement into words. This was only the beginning of their journey, and he could already feel it,
Red Moon City was unlike anything he had ever known.