Chapter 2

Chapter 2

On the peak of White Cloud Mountain, inside the White Cloud Temple.

A child of about three years old, dressed in a Daoist robe, was lying by the window, looking at the little birds on the tree outside, saying, "Big Brother, when will Little White's mother come back? If she doesn't come back soon, Little White will starve to death."

"She will come back when the time is right," said a boy of twelve or thirteen with delicate features and a calm demeanor.

"What if Little White's mother got stuck somewhere because of the heavy rain yesterday?" the child asked.

"......"

"But that was yesterday. The rain has stopped for a long time, and she still hasn't come back."

"......"

"Does it mean she doesn't want Little White anymore? Then Little White will be just like me. But I still have Master and my elder brothers, while Little White doesn't have any relatives left." The child's round eyes suddenly became watery.

Smack! A palm struck the back of his little head.

"A tiny kid like you, already bemoaning the sorrow of spring," said a young boy of about ten years old as he walked into the room, his forehead adorned with a red mole and a pair of lively, starry eyes.

"I've finished my morning lessons, Big Brother Two. Why do you always hit me on the head? You'll make me silly," the child protested, pouting his soft, chubby lips.

"Hmph, with that wooden head of yours, a few more hits won't make a difference. Did you water the vegetable garden in the back?" Second Brother asked.

"It rained all night yesterday. Those vegetables don't need watering. I'm not stupid," the soft, tender child replied, unsatisfied.

"Big Brother One, Big Brother Two, it's time to eat," a hasty little figure rushed in, his hair disheveled and his face covered in soot, looking utterly miserable.

"Hahaha, Little Brother Three, your face... Hahaha, it's as black as the bottom of a pot," the child laughed.

"Go away, I did all this for you guys. Don't you dare not eat later, or you'll go hungry," Third Brother said, picking up the chubby child and carrying him towards the dining hall, pinching his round, fleshy cheeks along the way.

"You seem to have gained weight recently. Your cheeks look even chubbier," he teased.

The little boy immediately covered his face. "No, I didn't. Third Brother, you're just bullying me. Big Brother One, look at him," he whined, struggling to get down, refusing to be carried by his sarcastic Third Brother. He wanted to walk on his own, hmph.

The four of them poked at the black, unappetizing dishes in their bowls, with only Little Three seeming to have any appetite.

"Brother, Master has been in seclusion for half a year. When will he come out? I've forgotten what the old man looks like," the soft, tender voice of the chubby child asked.

"Master said before he went into seclusion that he would come out when the time is right," the elder brother replied, still poking at the food in his bowl.

"I've calculated it, hmm... He'll come out when the time is right," the boy with starry eyes said, squinting his eyes and pinching his fingers, nodding and shaking his head.

"Pfft... Big Brother Two, you look like a fortune-teller doing that," Little Three chuckled, his mouth full of food.

"Shoo, you little brat, what do you know? The Daoist Qingshan from the neighboring Green Cloud Temple does it like this," Big Brother Two retorted.

"Big Brother Two, you're actually imitating that bull-nosed old Daoist from Green Mountain. I'm going to tell Master when he comes out of seclusion," Little Three threatened, immediately throwing down his chopsticks and hiding behind Big Brother One.

Big Brother Two jumped up, intending to pinch his cheeks, but the little brat was quite fast.

The elder brother, his eyes filled with amusement, pulled Little Four onto his lap and said to Big Brother Two, "Enough, you're the elder brother. Don't bully Little Four so much."

"I wouldn't dare bully this little brat. He just knows how to act spoiled and cute because of his young age," Big Brother Two grumbled.

"Blehhh..." The chubby child stuck his tongue out at him.

The room was filled with laughter and joyful banter.

"Owoooo... Owoooo..."

A few wolf howls interrupted the peaceful scene.

"This... is that a wolf howling, Big Brother?" the three-year-old child asked, frightened by the sound as he hid in the elder brother's embrace, not daring to move.

"You coward, what's so scary about wolves?" Big Brother Two scoffed. "It's probably just a lost wolf from the forest that wandered here. Big Brother, I'll go check it out," he said, about to rush out.

"Be careful. If it's just a lost wolf, chase it away," the elder brother cautioned.

"I know." With that, Big Brother Two grabbed his precious sword and dashed out, disappearing in an instant.