《Immortal Drunkard [Cultivation | Xianxia | Fantasy | No-Harem]》 V1. Chapter 1: Orphanage On the outskirts of the Darlik Kingdom, in a small town nestled by the mountains, stood a humble shelter. It was constructed from bamboo and the cheapest wood available. Its roof was thatched with tightly-packed straw, covered by uneven clay tiles. Each tile seemed to have been carefully shaped manually and then dried in the kiln. Within this place lived orphans, those either abandoned or left on the doorstep of the shelter. Occasionally, children who had found themselves on the streets would stumble upon this refuge by chance. The heart of the shelter was its abbess, a woman named Frida ¨C a mature fifty-year-old with a mane of black, thick hair, through which strands of gray occasionally peeked. Despite her age, she possessed an incredibly slender, even somewhat gaunt, body, with taut muscles. From her hands, it was clear that physical labor had played a significant role in her life. The palms bore the marks of cuts and scars, her skin appearing rough and weathered. It was worth noting that in this world, for a common woman to reach such an age was a rarity. Perhaps luck was on her side, for she lived in these lands rather than a bustling city. Aside from Frida, the shelter also housed four caregivers. In truth, they too had grown up under this roof. Now, they were young women with rather ordinary appearances. Their figures couldn''t be considered delicate, as they worked just as hard as Abbess Frida. In reality, these women didn''t stay in the shelter out of kindness or noble intentions. For them, it was nearly the only chance for a moderately peaceful life. The situation for the children wasn''t any better... Finding oneself in such a place was a blessing. In this world, child mortality was commonplace, and no one would bat an eye. On the other hand, the caregivers could also manage a relatively normal existence. The city offered them nothing, not even the distant promise of a ¡°good life¡±. It was a world of brutal warriors and power. You could be killed, violated, or enslaved simply because you were weak. Such occurrences were frequent and went unnoticed by passersby and onlookers. In another world, this shelter could have been a haven... A mountainous landscape, abundant greenery, fresh air, and even a small river cascading down from the mountains... But alas, in this world, the common folk struggled to remember the taste of meat. If it ever appeared on their tables, it was only in dried form, preserved for longer durations. And it should be added that such occasions happen once every few years, and even then, only by luck. This was because the wild lands were home to numerous fierce beasts. Not every warrior could venture far beyond the city''s boundaries, let alone the villagers. Some said certain creatures could reach heights of three meters and lengths of ten. Delicacies like meat could only be enjoyed by the strongest, those fortunate enough to catch some game outside the city. There were ordinary animals as well, such as birds or small, tasty creatures. Yet, they too served as sustenance for the ferocious predators. To steal food from such creatures, one needed immense courage and impeccable skill. In this world, strong individuals ruled ¨C warriors capable of fighting and defending themselves. Strength was an unquestionable law, and weakness rendered one as mere cattle. Legends circulated that there existed people who had cultivated their strength to such levels that they could manipulate the forces of nature and even conjure fire from the air. Those capable of such feats were called cultivators ¨C those who had developed the so-called energy... However, for common folk, this was merely a beautiful legend... Such stories were told to children, so they would have something to dream about. Power was universally revered. It was for this reason that, deep down, everyone desired to possess it. Here lived a little seven-year-old boy named Kai. He had snow-white hair and incredibly vivid azure eyes. All of this set him apart from the other children and adults. Frida would tell him how he had simply been found on the riverbank, not far from the shelter. He was fortunate that one of the caregivers stumbled upon him. Otherwise, he might have been cast into the river or even devoured by beasts... The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. From early childhood, Kai was remarkably calm and thoughtful. He hardly ever cried and had an astonishing ability to quickly understand the children and even adults around him. All the orphans adored him, and many referred to him as an older brother, even if they were older in age themselves. This could be attributed to his aura of tranquility and thoughtfulness. He seemed much older than his peers, and at times, even resembled an adult... There was even a local legend at the shelter that before Kai was found, the entire area had shimmered, and a storm had erupted on a sunny day! Frida loved to recount this tale, and the other children readily believed it, as Brother Kai noticeably stood apart from them. Kai was kind to everyone, yet he maintained a certain distance. For many, it was a mystery what was truly going on in his mind... There''s no need to be mistaken about life at the shelter. In this place, it was relatively easy only for the naive children. From birth, they thought hunger was normal. Even with the strenuous work of Abbess Frida and the caregivers, there was never enough food for everyone. Occasionally there were days when the children didn''t eat anything at all... On those days, the adults tried every possible way to distract them and invent a cheerful reason for enduring the hunger. Kai was an incredibly curious child... At the age of seven, he already knew the landscape and geography of everything around his shelter. Fortunately, there were no fierce wild beasts in this region. Kai would often escape from the shelter to the town to steal food or earn some for himself. But who needed a useless seven-year-old boy? So, mostly, it all boiled down to theft... There were times when he was caught, and he miraculously escaped with his life, while his injuries and wounds were nursed back to health at the shelter for weeks. But even after countless conversations between Abbess Frida and Kai, he still ran away regularly. He always knew that if he could gather some provisions in the village, his brothers, and sisters at the shelter would have more to eat. One day, as usual, Kai slipped away to the village to find some scraps of food. The streets were very untidy... The paths between houses were a mixture of mud, straw, and gravel. The houses were made of wood, covered by bamboo and tiles. Occasionally, there were buildings partially constructed from stone. The villagers were mostly lean but incredibly sturdy. This was due to the scarcity of food and the incredible amount of physical labor. The village was guarded by the Head and his small clan. They were all strong individuals, and only their strength allowed them to maintain the small town. There were even rumors that the village Head had started to sense energy within his body. But it wasn''t clear whether these were rumors or simply something everyone wanted to believe. Nonetheless, their safety depended on these people... Kai noticed that on this day, all the villagers were deeply puzzled, and an atmosphere of panic and apprehension hung in the air. He managed to steal some food effortlessly. At that moment, he observed a crowd gathered in the main square, and curiosity ignited within him. He started squeezing through the rows of villagers to hear what was happening. In the center of the square, on an elevated platform, stood the village Head. Kai could distinctly feel an enigmatic aura emanating from him, and recalled the rumors about the Head''s energy and power. However, currently, it didn''t matter, and Kai didn''t attach much importance to such matters. "You all! Today, word has spread that the neighboring Empire of the Ethereal Halberd has begun an incursion into our Moonlit Radiance Empire. For now, it''s not a full-scale invasion, just a border test. This can be trusted, as the information came directly from Lord Flick''s Mansion!" The village Head said gravely, scanning all the villagers with his gaze. "But don''t worry! Although we are on the border, I don''t believe our village will attract much attention from the Empire of the Ethereal Halberd. To warriors like them, we are no more than ants. Who in their right mind would bother crushing an ant unless it bites them?" The village Head rhetorically asked, implying that the villagers should avoid causing trouble. At that moment, Kai became slightly cautious... While he agreed with certain aspects of the Head''s words, he pondered for a moment and then smirked cunningly. Amidst the chaos, he could certainly steal a considerable amount of food! This would undoubtedly aid the shelter''s survival, especially if enemies were to arrive. Moreover, they were just ordinary children who surely wouldn''t be harmed. No need to worry! Thus, throughout the day, Kai roamed around the village, slowly amassing provisions... V1. Chapter 2: Troubles This continued until nightfall. As he had anticipated, amidst the chaos, he managed to steal food not only for himself but also to bring some back to the shelter. He even managed to pilfer a few apples, which he intended to share with his brothers and sisters. On this evening, the moon was exceptionally beautiful. In such moments, Kai couldn''t quell his curiosity and yearning for freedom. He loved to wander around the outskirts of the village during such times. Lost in his thoughts, he meandered towards the river. As he gazed at the water, he began to reflect aloud: "I wonder why my parents abandoned me. Although, why am I surprised in our world? Kai chuckled §Þelancholically. "Perhaps my parents simply didn''t have enough food, and feeding another little person would have been problematic... Or maybe they fell into trouble? Damn, perhaps I''m the offspring of a noble family that their enemies destroyed, just like in those epic bedtime tales? Hahaha, well, to hell with it... I''m already lucky just to be alive. Luck is practically my second name! He-he". Kai laughed. "Yeah, I need to grow up a bit first and try my luck in the outside world... The world must be huge. I''ve decided that when I grow up, I''ll roam the world, earn money, and support the shelter... Quite a merry plan." Kai chuckled. Kai was always drawn to strength. With his insightful mind, he had long noticed the patterns of this world. Therefore, he wasn''t concerned about injuries from theft or potential death. He had seen plenty of that around him... Although he was only seven years old, his mental resilience was astonishing. Since childhood, he had been running around and training his body, albeit not fully consciously or systematically. He did it in a way he thought was right. The systematic thieving and skirmishes had developed his reflexes and endurance. Pain threshold? Pff, physical pain didn''t frighten him at all. The evening continued languorously, but suddenly, Kai heard distant shouts and saw lights illuminating the night sky. He swiftly stood up and ran towards the shelter; his innate instincts alerted him to danger. For about a quarter of an hour, Kai sprinted until the shelter began to appear through the trees. And there he stood frozen in place... The shelter was ablaze! "Oh no! I need to call for help quickly!" Just as Kai was about to rush towards the city, he witnessed a large man and several others in black armor throw Abbess Frida out of the shelter. "Ugh! There are no beautiful women, no alcohol, not even decent food in this backwater! Damn it, where are your supplies?" The man barked. "But, Sir, we''re just a rural shelter, we don''t have enough food for proper sustenance. For the past two days, we ourselves have barely eaten, we have nothing!" Frida pleaded. "Hmm, fine, damn it..." Scratching his head, the man pulled an halberd from his shoulders and calmly drove its blade into Frida''s throat. From the woods, Kai could only watch as the halberd''s tip slowly emerged from the back of Frida''s head. He was so shocked, he couldn''t even cry. "Alright, go and kill the little rats, and let''s keep moving. The commander said not to linger." Saying this, he turned around and began walking towards the city. His three lackeys started entering the shelter. When Kai heard what the man said, he grabbed a sharp rock near his feet and sprinted towards the shelter. At that moment, there was nothing in his mind but the word KILL! This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. As he ran, he muttered to himself: "KILL! KILL! KILL! I must kill these scum!" As he burst through the doors of the shelter, he saw nothing but a bloody massacre and the scattered bodies of his friends. His brothers and sisters! And the laughing warriors. At that moment, he leaped and tried to drive the rock into the neck of a man standing nearby. Due to the element of surprise, they didn''t notice him, and he grazed the man''s neck with the rock. Unfortunately, all he managed to do was lodge the stone slightly under the man''s skin. For a warrior, such wounds were like minor scratches from shaving... Kai only saw something sharply slash across his chest and throw him to the side. All the food he had gathered in the city spilled onto the ground. All he saw was a lot of blood, the bodies of his friends, and apples lying in crimson fluid and mud. He only thought about how damn unfair it was... He wanted to kill, but he couldn''t... Furthermore, he wanted to save, but he couldn''t... In the end, he couldn''t even feed his siblings... "Hahaha, the spry kid even scratched you a bit. The guys in camp will die of laughter when they hear about this." The monster who had cut Kai''s chest laughed loudly. "Alright, let''s go. This trash is already dead; we need to hurry to the commander, or they''ll skin us alive." Saying this, they started leaving. The man Kai had scratched considered finishing him off, but then he just clicked his tongue and left with the others. Lying on the ground, Kai felt nothing but overwhelming pain, both physical and emotional. "Unfair!" He wanted to cry, but he couldn''t! "Does strength really decide so much? They''re just monsters who decided to crush ants. For fun... They knew damn well there was nothing to take from the shelter... Why?" Lying on the ground, Kai thought. Presently, Kai resolved that he didn''t want to die; he wanted to live, to find strength, to seek vengeance ¨C he wanted to kill those scoundrels. He decided to calm himself. His tears and regrets wouldn''t help him now. This was a cruel world, and he had always known it, though he tried not to acknowledge it. After all, the dead couldn''t be brought back. All he could do now was try to survive. And perhaps, someday, he would be able to kill all those who had destroyed his settlement. Something clicked in his mind, and he quickly composed himself. He began to think about where he could escape to. "Right, to the river!" Kai exclaimed silently in his mind. There was no one there. The river had saved his life once before; if he leaped into its waters, luck might smile upon him again. The currents could carry him away from the enemy forces. "But first, I need to bandage my wound¡ I''m starting to hallucinate from blood loss". Gathering his determination, he removed his jacket from one of the corpses. "Forgive me, it''s no longer of use to you". The boy said with sadness. After bandaging himself, he looked at his brothers and sisters one last time, tears rolling down his face. Turning away, he wiped his face and decided that this was the last time he would cry. If you sense injustice, if you feel resentment, if you feel pain, you simply need the strength to confront their source. The strong dictate the law, the weak are merely stepping stones on the path of the strong. "Death is the eternal companion of all living things in this world". Kai thought to himself. Stumbling, he walked toward the river. Whether from his body''s resilience or from his familiarity with enduring injuries from his thieving days in the city, he managed to stay conscious and not lose heart despite his wounds. "I didn''t go through all that in my short life for nothing. It toughened my body". Kai laughed ironically, dragging himself toward the river. When he reached the spot where just an hour ago he had dreamed of a larger world and the prosperity of his brothers and sisters¡ Amidst distant horrifying cries, he approached a cliff. He pondered: "I''ll end my story in this refuge, where it began¡ Fate plays wicked tricks. Nevertheless, if the universe allows it, I will live, and then I''ll consider everything else. Currently, I''m exhausted and¡" Before he could finish his thoughts, losing consciousness, Kai fell into the river. V1. Chapter 3: Mysterious Sphere In the tumultuous waters of the river floated a child''s body with torn clothing on its chest. Occasionally, it bumped against rocks or surfaced briefly. Remarkably, its heart still beat... Thankfully, his young age had endowed him with a robust body that had managed to staunch the bleeding. But how long this had gone on was unknown... "Doo-doo!" Suddenly, Kai opened his eyes, confronted by an entirely dark expanse in front of him. Rising with a pounding headache, he began to look around. Wherever he looked, darkness prevailed ¨C underfoot and overhead alike. He couldn''t make sense of what had happened to him. "Am I dead?" That was Kai''s first thought. Checking his chest, he realized it was smooth skin that met his touch. Rubbing it, he understood that there was no wound anymore. "Hmm, this is very strange... I distinctly remember falling bloody into the river," Kai began to panic a little, but quickly regained his composure and continued to survey his surroundings. Suddenly, he saw a faint glow in the distance... He couldn''t explain to himself what it was exactly. It seemed like light, yet it was dark at the same time... Kai cautiously started moving towards the source, taking slow steps. After a few minutes, he reached the glow and saw a peculiar sphere nearby. It seemed to be made from some dark material. Kai had never seen anything like it... It didn''t resemble stone, glass, or even metal. Gazing at the sphere, he felt as though it was consuming his soul and body. He began to feel dizzy, and he increasingly lost understanding of what was happening... At that moment, under the influence of a strange compulsion, he extended his hand and with trembling fingers began to approach the sphere. This feeling, like being intoxicated, enticed him! His consciousness wrestled with it, as he realized that something unusual was occurring. Kai tried to resist, yet at the same time, his hand continued to move slowly. Touch... "Tong!" Such an incredible resonance resounded, as if a celestial bell had rung! Kai felt as though an unparalleled melody was penetrating his soul. It sounded as if someone were playing on strings woven from the essence of existence itself. Some notes were like birdsong, others akin to epic explosions, some induced bliss, like the bubbling of a hot spring. He felt a spectrum of sensations he had never even heard of before. This caused Kai''s head to split. It seemed his mind couldn''t fully comprehend everything transpiring. He felt as if red-hot needles were being inserted into his brain. His heart constricted incredibly, rhythm faltering, and his stomach ached fiercely. Because of this, he collapsed to his knees instantly. Suddenly, throughout the entire space, the sounds seemed to merge and resonate. Kai couldn''t explain what he was feeling right now. This epic sound had no words, but its meaning was crystal clear... It was as if the information were imprinting itself onto his soul and heart, the essence flowed through his entire body. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. "The Uncertainty of Time-Space is the first law. Imperceptible and unperceived, it seems to have existed before everything and will persist after." "The Causelessness of Luck is the second law. One cannot fathom the causes and effects of the universe''s manifestations, as if everything is decided by the roll of dice with infinite sides, giving birth to the most incredible regularities." "The Eternity of Will is the third law. Will exists in all that is living and non-living, an immaterial essence that sets all laws of existence in motion." "Life and Death are the fourth law. The result of the creation of the supreme triad of laws ¨C time-space, luck, and will. Luck and the will to evolve within infinite time give rise to entities and lead them to non-existence." "The Law of Flesh is the fifth law. Everything begins with flesh, the flesh of the living and non-living, material and spiritual flesh; even natural phenomena have a form of flesh." "The Law of Energy is the sixth law. Development and activity of everything generate myriad variations of energy, its combinations, and forms." "The Law of Spirit is the seventh law. With sufficient time, everything gains its spirit and its consciousness, manifesting the highest form of being." Breathing heavily and striving to clear his mind, he wiped off sweat and pondered the words. These words had incredibly struck his mind. In a trance, he began to repeat these laws allowed and contemplate them. "The Law of Time-Space, everything in our world is subject to the flow of time..." "The Law of Causelessness of Luck... Indeed, luck has often saved me from scrapes. But also because of bad luck, my refuge is now destroyed..." "The Law of Eternal Will. Only the strong survive in this world, and to reach the pinnacle, an iron will is needed to overcome all obstacles, even those I had to face today." "The Law of Life and Death... Hah, indeed, I''ve observed this so many times in nature, when an animal''s death becomes nourishment for plants, and plants become sustenance for humans... Even the lives of my siblings turned into death instantly..." Kai sighed heavily. "Next, we have..." "The Law of Flesh... Does everything possess flesh, does even the inanimate have flesh?" Kai uttered doubtfully. This was unclear to Kai... But he decided to remember all the laws he had heard. It seemed to him that this was something incredibly important! However, Kai didn''t even notice how his thought patterns had subtly changed. As if these laws had melded with him, endowing his mind with a fragment of their wisdom... "The Law of Energy? Hm, is this about the energy that masters sense in legends? I must understand it too, to become stronger. Then, I''ll obliterate those scoundrels who killed my loved ones. Even though death replaces life, it doesn''t mean I should forget about those bastards." "And the last one was... the Law of Spirit... Is this like my thoughts? When I think, is that the law of spirit?" "Time and Space, Luck, Will, Life and Death, Flesh, Energy, and Spirit! I must never forget these, regardless of what happens!" Kai firmly declared. At that instant, a bright flash occurred, completely blinding Kai! Kai coughed violently, spitting out water. He began to open his eyes... With incredible surprise and concern, he realized he was lying on a rock by the riverbank. His chest was torn open, and moving even slightly was painful. Continue Reading on Amazon & Kindle Unlimited! Dear Readers, I wanted to inform you about some changes regarding my web novel! The first volume is now exclusively and freely available on Amazon Kindle Unlimited. This decision was made to ensure the best reading experience and to expand the accessibility of my work. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. If you wish to continue immersing yourself in the universe of "Immortal Drunkard," I would be delighted to see you on Amazon. [Link to the novel] Thank you for your unwavering support, and I look forward to meeting you again in the pages of my novel! Sincerely, Mortykay Full 3 Volume! Greetings to all! I am thrilled to announce that the complete version of Volume 3 is now available on Amazon Kindle and for Kindle Unlimited subscribers! This milestone was made possible thanks to your unwavering support throughout this journey, and I am genuinely grateful to each one of you for believing in my project. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. My efforts to bring you this volume have been a labor of love, dedication, and countless hours of hard work. I hope that you find the continuation of my story engaging, entertaining, and worth the wait. Thank you once again for your support, encouragement, and for being a part of our growing community. I am excited for you to dive into the new chapters and join in the adventures that lie ahead. Warmest regards, Mortykay Full 4 Volume Avaliable! Hey everyone! Got some awesome news for all of you who''ve been eagerly waiting for the next part of the "Immortal Drunkard" novel. I''m super excited to let you know that the challenging yet inspiring journey of translating and editing Volume 4 of this gripping tale is finally done! This new volume is now up and waiting for you on Amazon Kindle Unlimited! You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Your enthusiasm and engagement are the fuel that keeps me going. So, a huge shoutout to everyone for your feedback and support! Best regards and wishes, Mortykay Full Volume 5 Available! Hey everyone! Got some awesome news for all of you who''ve been eagerly waiting for the next part of the "Immortal Drunkard" novel. I''m super excited to let you know that the challenging yet inspiring journey of translating and editing Volume 5 of this gripping tale is finally done! This new volume is now up and waiting for you on Amazon Kindle Unlimited! This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Your enthusiasm and engagement are the fuel that keeps me going. So, a huge shoutout to everyone for your feedback and support! Best regards and wishes, Mortykay Full Volume 6 Available! Hello everyone! I''ve finally finished Volume 6, and it''s now available to read on Kindle Unlimited! Also, Volume 3 was blocked on Amazon for a whole month. If you don''t mind, I would greatly appreciate a review on Volume 1.?????? I hope that numerous reviews will help protect my book series from such blocks in the future! If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Thank you so much! Mortykay Full Volume 7 Available! Hello everyone! I''ve finally finished Volume 7, and it''s now available to read on Kindle Unlimited! I also have a small request. I hope you can help! I''m currently trying to promote my novel to take my hobby to a more professional level in the future. I would really appreciate it if you could leave a review with a few words under the first volume! The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Thank you so much! Enjoy your reading! Full Volume 8 Available!