The water level in the well dropped, and the leaves of the pagoda tree fell. Both were ominous signs.
Qi Jingchun reminded him, "Zhao Yao, do you still have that pagoda tree leaf I told you to keep?"
The young boy nodded eagerly. "I kept it together with the seal you gave me, Teacher."
"Tell me, in this world, where do you find a leaf that falls from the branch but remains lush, vibrant, and fresh? In this small town with thousands of people, only a handful have had the chance to experience the 'Blessing of Prosperity.' That leaf you hold may seem ordinary now, but one day, it might bring you unexpected fortune."
The scholar's eyes deepened. "Over the years, I've instructed you to do good deeds and form kind connections in this town. No matter who you interact with, always treat them with respect and sincerity. In time, you'll understand the hidden significance. These small, seemingly trivial actions are like water wearing down stone—they'll bring you rewards no less valuable than owning a complete 'County Chronicle.'"
Zhao Yao noticed a golden bird perched on the stone beam nearby, chirping occasionally.
The scholar, with his hands clasped behind his back, tilted his head to observe the bird with a solemn expression.
Zhao Yao couldn't see anything unusual about it.
Suddenly, Qi Jingchun glanced toward the entrance of Clay Bottle Alley and frowned.
With a light sigh, he muttered, "The dormant insects are stirring, awakening to the call of spring. But as guests, isn't it crossing the line to sneak around under the host's nose, scheming with ill intent? Do they really think that with just half a cup's worth of preparation, they can do as they please here?"
Zhao Yao grew concerned. "Teacher?"
Qi Jingchun waved dismissively, signaling that it had nothing to do with the boy. He led Zhao Yao to the final plaque at the end of the street.
As they walked, Zhao Yao suddenly heard what sounded like the faint call of awakening spring insects. He stopped in his tracks, staring blankly ahead.
Not far away, he saw a girl in black. She wore a thin veil that obscured her face. Her figure was well-proportioned—neither slender nor overly curvaceous. At her waist hung a long sword in a snowy white sheath and a smaller dagger in a green scabbard. She stood beneath the plaque that read Qi Chong Dou Niu ("Lofty Aspirations That Pierce the Heavens"), arms crossed, looking up at it.
Qi Jingchun found the sight amusing and cleared his throat softly.
But Zhao Yao stood rooted to the spot, completely missing his teacher's subtle reminder to observe proper decorum.
Qi Jingchun merely smiled knowingly. He neither scolded nor disrupted the moment, allowing the boy to gawk openly at the mysterious girl.
The girl, for her part, seemed oblivious to Zhao Yao's gaze.
She appeared deeply captivated by the four characters on the plaque. Unlike the first three plaques, which were meticulously written and carried an air of solemnity, this one exuded a whimsical, almost reckless charm.
She liked it.
Suddenly, Zhao Yao snapped out of his trance as Qi Jingchun gave him a pat on the shoulder and chuckled. "Zhao Yao, it's time to return to the academy and pack your belongings."
The boy blushed furiously, lowering his head as he followed his teacher back toward the school.
Only then did the girl release her grip on the hilt of her dagger.
From afar, Qi Jingchun teased, "Zhao Yao, I've just saved your life."
Startled, Zhao Yao stammered, "Teacher?"
The scholar hesitated briefly, then spoke with a serious tone. "In the future, if you see her again, make sure to avoid her at all costs."
The boy, dressed in simple green robes, looked puzzled and slightly disappointed. "Teacher, why?"
After a moment of thought, Qi Jingchun declared with certainty, "Her presence is sharp and overwhelming. She's destined to be a blade without a sheath."
Zhao Yao hesitated, as though wanting to say more but holding back.
The middle-aged scholar smiled and added, "Of course, if it's just a secret admiration, even the saints and sages wouldn't object. Even our great Confucian masters, with all their rules and teachings, only admonished us to refrain from improper speech, actions, sights, and sounds. They never said anything about improper thoughts."
At that moment, Zhao Yao suddenly blurted out, as if possessed, "She smells really good!"
The words escaped his lips before he could stop himself, leaving him frozen in shock.
Qi Jingchun sighed, not out of anger but out of exasperation at the awkward situation. He spoke firmly, "Zhao Yao, turn around."
The boy instinctively obeyed, facing away from his teacher.
Under the shrine, the girl turned her head, her killing intent palpable.
Her hands fell to her sides, her thumbs resting on the hilts of her sword and dagger.
She took a step forward, and in an instant, her weapons leapt from their scabbards in a deadly arc, aimed straight at Qi Jingchun. Two streaks of light cut through the air.
There was no magic or mystical technique—just raw, unparalleled speed.
Qi Jingchun remained calm, unmoving, and lightly stomped his foot.
A tremor rippled outward.
In the next moment, the girl's assault was abruptly halted, leaving her standing back where she'd begun, her killing intent undiminished.
Her attack had failed entirely.
Qi Jingchun smiled. "Impressive. Like a lion attacking a rabbit, you gave it your all. However, my student's mistake, while offensive, hardly warrants death, wouldn't you agree?"
The girl, her voice deliberately mature, sheathed her sword slowly and pointed her dagger at Qi Jingchun. "What you think doesn't concern me. I couldn't care less."
She stepped forward, her voice cold. "What I do is my business. Of course, you can... stop me."
Then she lunged, lightning-fast.
The ground beneath her feet cracked, leaving small craters where she'd stepped.
Qi Jingchun, with one hand behind his back and the other clenched in a loose fist near his stomach, chuckled. "In combat, speed reigns supreme. But unfortunately, within this square formation of heaven and earth, even if the entire structure collapses, as long as it's intact, not even ten Immortals working together could shatter it. So what can you do?"
The girl suddenly appeared ten steps to his left, seemingly deep in thought, her eyes closed.
Qi Jingchun shook his head, smiling. "This isn't some sleight of hand. This formation is akin to the 'microcosms' described in Buddhist teachings. Here, I am..."
He paused, his expression shifting as he swiftly moved next to her. With two fingers, he pinched the tip of her dagger.
"Who taught you your swordsmanship and dagger techniques?" he asked.
The girl didn't answer, her left hand gripping her sword hilt as it slashed horizontally toward his waist in a burst of cold light.
Qi Jingchun snapped sharply, "Retreat!"
The ground beneath them rumbled, dust rising into the air. When it settled, a crack stretched between the girl's feet and Qi Jingchun, as if the earth itself had been split open.