Rise of the Devil's Soul

Just as dawn was stretching its rosy fingers across the sky, Fu, the old man with more wrinkles than a raisin, appeared with a bucket of cold water.

With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, he dumped the icy deluge on the sleeping Wu Xie.

The effect was immediate and dramatic. Wu Xie jolted awake with a sputter, flailing and cursing in English like a startled sailor with a stubbed toe.

For a moment, he was as disoriented as a penguin in a desert, his eyes wide with surprise and his mind struggling to catch up with reality.

But as he blinked away the sleep and took in the sight of Fu standing before him, the memory of his outburst made him cringe.

He quickly reassured himself that no one here understood English, so his colorful language would have gone unnoticed.

But Fu, with a grin that could outshine the Cheshire cat's, proved him wrong. "Even if I don't know the language you used just now, I know exactly what you said, young lad," he said, his voice filled with amusement as he watched Wu Xie's reaction. "Now, wake up and get ready."

Wu Xie, still feeling the shock of the cold water, looked at Fu with a mix of confusion and annoyance. "Get ready for what, old man?" he asked, his voice filled with a mixture of bewilderment and irritation.

He glanced outside, where the world was still cloaked in the soft shadows of early morning. The stars were still twinkling faintly in the dark sky, the world around them silent and peaceful.

"It's still dark outside," Wu Xie pointed out, gesturing towards the window with a wave of his hand. "What on earth do you want me to do at this ungodly hour?" he questioned, his voice echoing in the quiet room.

Fu simply chuckled at Wu Xie's confusion, clearly enjoying the moment. "Perhaps you've forgotten the events of yesterday already," Fu began, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

His eyes twinkled in the dim light, reflecting the flickering flames of the nearby fire. "You made a promise, remember?" he continued, his gaze fixed on Wu Xie.

It was as if he was trying to jog Wu Xie's memory with the intensity of his stare alone.

He paused for a moment, letting the words sink in. Then, with a slight nod of his head and a twinkle in his eye, he added, "From now on, you should address me as Master Fu."

His voice was firm but not unkind, the new title hanging in the air between them like a newly forged bond.

The words 'Master Fu' echoed in the room, a testament to the new chapter that was about to unfold in their lives. It was a title that carried weight and respect, a symbol of the bond that was forming between the old man and Wu Xie.

"Huh? Master Fu?" Wu Xie was taken aback, his mind trying to make sense of the situation. "What exactly does that entail?" he asked, his curiosity piqued despite his confusion.

"This seems like a movie, I think I know what's going to happen next," Wu Xie said, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. He settled himself cross-legged on the floor, facing Fu with an eager expression.

Fu, his face a mask of wisdom and experience, looked at Wu Xie with a stern gaze. "Let me tell you," Fu began, his voice steady and calm, "I'll be teaching you things that no one else can."

"The knowledge I possess is unique, passed down through generations, honed and refined by time and experience. It's not something you can find in books or learn on your own."

He paused, letting his words sink in, then continued, "We have two missions, two goals that we must strive towards. The first is to bring back my wife."

His voice softened at this, a hint of sorrow creeping into his tone. "She has been taken from me, held captive by forces beyond my control. But I believe, with your help, we can free her."

"The second mission," he said, shifting his gaze back to Wu Xie, "is to send you back to your world. And I promise you, I will do everything in my power to help you return home."

"But remember, this won't be easy. It will require dedication, struggle, and a willingness to face whatever challenges come our way."

"Wait a minute," Wu Xie interjected, his eyes lighting up with a sudden idea. He leaned forward, his hands gesturing animatedly as he spoke.

"I can take you to my world too. You can come with me, with your wife," he said, his voice filled with excitement.

He paused for a moment, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.