Chapter 101: Charles


    "By the way, big brother, where are you from?" The boy suddenly stopped his incessant chatter and asked this question.


    Han Ming''s heart ached.


    Yes, where am I from? My hometown isn''t here. In this different world, no matter where I go, I''m just an outsider. And my own hometown, I can''t go back. So, where do I really belong?


    Han Ming dreaded when people asked about his origins. The feeling of being adrift in a foreign land was something most people couldn''t truly understand. Especially since he knew he could never return to his homeland in this lifetime. He wasn''t afraid of pain or hardship. He was willing to fight alone to protect his homeland, willing to sacrifice his life for a place he could never return to. But no one would ever know about this. No matter what achievements he made, no matter how much he sacrificed, the people of his homeland would never know.


    Perhaps, they already think I''m dead.


    Han Ming suddenly felt an indescribable sense of loneliness.


    Burdened with the mission to obtain the Mystic Ice Silkworm and to prevent the invasion of the demon realm, and now with the Desert Serpent Clan''s kill order hanging over his head, countless people wanted him dead. Han Ming lowered his head, silently taking a big bite of the meat in his hand, chewing it, but it tasted like wax. His heart was heavy with sorrow.


    Seeing Han Ming suddenly quiet down, the boy tilted his head, his big eyes blinking as he looked at Han Ming.


    "I... I guess I''m an outsider. If you really want to know where I belong, I suppose it''s the Wild City."


    Han Ming spoke with difficulty, feeling as if something was stuck in his throat.


    "Oh! An outsider! Haha, I''ve seen quite a few outsiders. The Wild Forest is quite famous, not just in our Northern Alliance Continent, but people from nearby continents can be found here too. But since you''re from the Wild City now, we''re fellow countrymen. I''m from the Monte Empire, my home is in the capital city, Fera."


    After saying this, the boy noticed Han Ming wasn''t responding, just silently eating his meat. He chuckled and handed Han Ming a square piece of green pastry.


    Han Ming looked up slightly at the boy and asked, "What? Don''t you want to kill me?"


    The boy laughed heartily, "Why would I want to kill you? I can''t beat you. Besides, I don''t need the Desert Serpent Clan to do anything for me; our steward can handle everything. By the way, big brother, what''s your name?"


    "Han Ming."


    "Hmm... definitely not a name from our Northern Alliance Continent. Brother Han Ming, here, try this. Take a bite, taste it."


    Han Ming, somewhat amused by the boy''s familiarity, took the green pastry. It felt heavy in his hand. He brought it to his lips and took a bite. The outer layer crumbled into powder with a crisp sound, and the inside, made of some unknown ingredients, was smooth and sweet, with a faint fragrance that lingered even after swallowing.


    It had been a long time... since he had eaten such exquisite pastry. Han Ming closed his eyes, reminiscing and savoring the moment.


    Back in China, a nation known for its cuisine, Han Ming had been fortunate to taste many delicious foods. This pastry reminded him of the flavors of Suzhou snacks, but it was even better.


    The boy watched Han Ming''s expression eagerly, asking repeatedly, "How is it? How is it? Is it good?"


    Han Ming slowly opened his eyes and smiled, "Yes, it''s really good. It''s been a long time since I''ve had such a refreshing snack."


    Upon hearing Han Ming''s approval, the boy cheered excitedly and pulled out a small crystal flask, handing it to Han Ming.


    "This is Fallen Leaf Wine, made from the leaves of the Ganluo fruit tree. Try it."


    Han Ming smiled, feeling a sense of warmth towards this boy who was slightly younger than himself. He took the flask and the cup the boy handed him, slowly pouring the wine and taking a small sip.


    The wine was mellow but not strong, with a lingering aroma and a hint of sweetness.


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    "How is it?" The boy looked at Han Ming expectantly, like a child seeking praise.


    "Hmm... the taste is good, but I prefer stronger liquor."


    The boy chuckled happily and began to talk incessantly about how the wine was made and how precious it was.


    Han Ming watched the boy, feeling a mix of warmth and loneliness. With his keen elemental perception, he had already sensed something.


    "Charles, why have you come to the Wild Ancient Forest?" Han Ming asked.


    Charles stopped his chatter and said, "Didn''t I tell you? My sister, the old steward, and I are here to find a wood-type magical beast core."


    Han Ming nodded, "Yes, you did mention that."


    The sun had fully risen, and the two sat cross-legged on the ground, chatting away.


    The boy''s cheerful and humorous nature endeared him to Han Ming. The fatigue of the past few days seemed to dissipate as they talked.


    "Charles, Charles, where are you?"


    A clear female voice called out from the forest.


    "Ah, my sister''s here. Sister, I''m over here!" The boy quickly stood up, waving towards the direction of the voice.


    Soon, a beautiful woman and a hunched old man emerged from the trees.


    Seeing Han Ming sitting with Charles, the woman was slightly surprised but then smiled, greeting Han Ming casually before turning to scold Charles for wandering off.


    Charles, being reprimanded, lowered his head but occasionally made faces at Han Ming, making him chuckle.


    "Sister, this is Han Ming. He''s also from our Monte Empire. Look, he has the Desert Serpent Clan''s kill order on his head. He''s really impressive. Brother Han Ming is very nice; we''ve been chatting until now," Charles happily introduced Han Ming to the woman and the old man.


    "Hello, thank you for looking after my brother. You can call me Vivian," the beautiful woman nodded slightly at Han Ming, who returned the smile.


    "Hello, I''m Maren," the old man extended his hand to shake Han Ming''s.


    As soon as their hands touched, Han Ming''s heart skipped a beat. He was shocked, looking at the kindly old man in disbelief.


    While shaking hands, the old man had subtly released a trace of his combat aura. He was a fifth-stage, first-tier Battle King!


    Han Ming''s heart raced. What was such a formidable person doing in the Wild Ancient Forest?


    "Young man, your elemental perception is quite good. Haha, with the Desert Serpent Clan''s kill order on your head, you must be quite the reckless youth."


    The old man released Han Ming''s hand, chuckling.


    Han Ming quickly nodded in agreement, not daring to show any disrespect.


    If this old man wanted to kill him, it would be as easy as snapping his fingers. Han Ming couldn''t afford to be careless.


    "Let''s go, we can talk on the way," the old man smiled and gestured for Han Ming to follow.


    "Yes, Brother Han Ming, let''s go together. I want to keep chatting with you," Charles looked at Han Ming eagerly, afraid he might refuse.


    Deep down, Han Ming didn''t want to travel with these three. The old man posed a significant threat to him.


    But when he saw Charles''s hopeful gaze and thought about what he had discovered, his heart softened. He sighed lightly and nodded in agreement.


    The old man named Maren gave Han Ming an approving look, saying, "Don''t worry, young man. With us, no one will dare to trouble you."


    Han Ming absolutely believed this. Who would dare provoke a Battle King? That would be suicidal.


    As they walked, Charles stayed by Han Ming''s side, continuously sharing information about the Wild Ancient Forest. Their laughter echoed through the woods from time to time.


    The woman watched Charles''s joyful demeanor, her eyes filled with tenderness and affection.


    "Brother Han Ming, do you know? The Wild Ancient Forest has quite a history. There used to be a Tree of Destruction here, born from the fallen leaves of the famous Tree of Life. It was terrifying. Many creatures were killed by the Tree of Destruction. Look at these strangely shaped trees around us. Can you guess what they are?"


    Han Ming smiled slightly, "I don''t know. Please tell me."


    Charles proudly raised his head, "These used to be living animals and people. After being destroyed by the Tree of Destruction, they turned into these black, eerie trees. Look at that one, doesn''t it look like a tiger? And that one, doesn''t it resemble a person? They weren''t trees originally; they were living magical beasts and humans. Scary, right?"


    Han Ming was startled, suddenly understanding. No wonder these trees looked so bizarre; they were once living beings. He couldn''t help but marvel. No wonder the attendant from the Falcon Mercenary Group had said the Wild Ancient Forest was both the most dangerous and the safest place. Without the Tree of Destruction, the terror of this place had significantly diminished. But just looking at these trees, one could imagine the horrifying era this place had endured.


    "Charles, I need to talk to Mr. Han Ming. Go chat with the steward, okay?"


    Vivian approached Charles, gently stroking his head with a smile as soft as a spring breeze.


    Charles pouted and went to find the old steward Maren, clearly a bit unhappy.


    Vivian watched Charles''s expression and couldn''t help but laugh.


    "Mr. Han Ming, right? The steward mentioned your exceptional elemental perception. Have you noticed something?"


    When Vivian turned to Han Ming, her expression suddenly turned cold.


    Han Ming smiled slightly, "Yes, I have. But you don''t need to be so wary. Despite the kill order, I''m not a bloodthirsty villain. I quite like Charles."


    Vivian sighed softly, "You must have noticed that I''m much older than Charles."


    Han Ming nodded, "Yes, how long has Charles been dead?"


    Vivian''s eyes sharpened, coldly staring at Han Ming, observing his expression.


    After a long pause, seeing Han Ming''s unchanged smile, Vivian''s eyes dimmed, filled with unspeakable sorrow.


    "It''s been about ten years. He was such a pure and cheerful child. I didn''t want him to suffer any harm, but I don''t know why fate was so cruel to him. What did he do to deserve this? I would gladly give my life to bring him back."


    Vivian stared at Han Ming, "Charles doesn''t know he''s dead. His current body is something the steward and I worked tirelessly to preserve. We used the best herbs we could find to maintain his state as it was before death. So, to ordinary people, he still looks alive. For the past ten years, the steward and I have come to the Wild Ancient Forest to spend time with Charles. But his time is running out."