"With the old year gone and the new year upon us, every household is celebrating reunion. Young friend, why do you walk alone, braving the wind and snow? Where are your family?"

In a small border town.

An elderly man, holding a peach wood cane, sat on the steps of a tavern, gulping down wine. Beside him stood a young boy in rough hemp clothing, his cheeks red and skin rough and dry, but his eyes were bright and spirited. He held a sword in his arms and leaned against the tavern door, speaking calmly:

"My family is poor, living deep in the mountains, about several hundred miles from here. I am on my way to the Imperial Capital to study, hoping one day to become a man who stands tall, to repair the houses in my village and improve their lives."