Idly watching the fight

Zhang Ling had barely taken a few steps before he realized he had no idea where the kitchen was. He immediately stopped, stepped aside, and with a cheerful grin, let Qin Yi lead the way. Qin Yi only shook his head, fully understanding the young man's temperament.

Following behind Qin Yi, Zhang Ling couldn't help but observe his surroundings. The estate was vast, yet not a soul was in sight, though the courtyard was exceptionally tidy. From time to time, Zhang Ling glanced at Qin Yi in silence, his steady footsteps revealing a hint of world-weariness, while Zhang Ling seemed lost in thought.

Until—

One dish, then another—he lost count as one plate after another was set on the table, only to be emptied within seconds each time. After he was nearly full, Zhang Ling's doubts finally surfaced. Wiping the grease from his mouth, he asked curiously, "Master Qin, it seems you’re the only one in this manor. With so much food, can you really finish it all?"

Qin Yi glanced at the plates, now picked clean, then looked woodenly at Zhang Ling and replied earnestly, "Every few days, someone from Liufeng City comes to deliver food and tidy up."

Then, changing the subject, Qin Yi said, "Zhang Ling, this must be your first time stepping into the martial world."

Zhang Ling nodded, still eating. Qin Yi continued, "Although all gatherings eventually part, traveling alone will always be more troublesome."

Zhang Ling suddenly paused, recalling those three fools. He shook his head and asked, "Are you saying, Master Qin, that you’re leaving the manor?"

Qin Yi gazed outside, his eyes fixed on a willow tree, then shook his head again. "No, I’ll probably spend the rest of my life here."

"You came out this time for the Dao Academy as well, didn’t you?"

Zhang Ling looked at him, surprised. "As well?"

Qin Yi explained, "Dao Academy is the foremost academy in the Chen Kingdom. Whether in martial arts or heritage, it stands above all else, with the court’s full support. Each year, thousands apply, and during this time, every major faction sends a disciple to compete. There are also those without affiliations who believe in their own abilities. So, these thousands are the Chen Kingdom’s most outstanding youths. The academy doesn’t only accept martial artists—it welcomes scholars as well, since the court values talent greatly. But in truth, those who actually enter the academy are rarely more than ten."

Hearing this, Zhang Ling was stunned. "That strict? But why not exactly ten?"

"Because the Dao Academy’s principle is to prefer quality over quantity. If there isn’t a single outstanding candidate, they’d rather admit no one than accept mediocrity."

Zhang Ling asked respectfully, "Do you have any advice, Master Qin?"

Qin Yi replied bluntly, "None."

Zhang Ling’s face showed indifference, but Qin Yi added, "However, I recommend you find someone to travel with. Once you enter the martial world, there’s no telling what might happen. Having a companion is always safer."

"In a few days, the families of Liufeng City will begin selecting their representatives. You can go see if there’s anyone suitable to accompany you. Liufeng City isn’t far—if you ride, you’ll reach it in half a day."

With that, Qin Yi went to prepare a horse for Zhang Ling. But Zhang Ling called after him, hesitating, "Um... I don’t know how to ride."

Nevertheless, Qin Yi brought out a horse—a snow-white, robust beast. Around it, peach and plum trees grew, yet none were in bloom. Gazing at the horse, which snorted heavily, Zhang Ling felt an unexpected surge of excitement. Qin Yi teased from nearby, "Zhang Ling, you’re supposed to be a martial artist, yet you can’t ride a horse? People will laugh at you. Since the three great families of Liufeng City won’t begin their contest for another five days, you should stay and learn to ride first."

Feeling underestimated, Zhang Ling retorted, "It’s just riding a horse. I’ll pick it up in no time."

With that, he leapt onto the horse’s back. The animal immediately resisted, stamping its legs and bucking furiously. Zhang Ling gripped the reins, struggling to keep his balance. The horse took off wildly, but each time it approached a tree, it stopped short, and after several tries, Zhang Ling was thrown off.

Clutching his aching backside, he stared incredulously at the horse. He had trained in martial arts for months—how could he not manage a horse?

Sitting on the steps under the eaves, Qin Yi smiled faintly, "Truly, a dashing youth in fine clothes and on a spirited steed."

As the horse finally calmed, Zhang Ling turned to Qin Yi, who remarked with a hint of a smile, "Do you know about Mo Yu horses?"

Zhang Ling nodded. Qin Yi continued, "Mo Yu horses are called thousand-li horses, though they’re small by nature. On the grasslands, there’s a famous breed called the Blood-Sweating Horse—fierce and hard to tame. But this horse of mine is rarer still, one in ten thousand."

Still unreconciled, Zhang Ling mounted again and was promptly thrown off within minutes. He tried repeatedly, but eventually noticed that Qin Yi had quietly left. As for the horse, it had no intention of letting him ride. Just as he was about to try again, his stomach growled.

"Hungry again."

So Zhang Ling sneaked two drumsticks from the kitchen and strolled leisurely along the corridor, eating as he went. Suddenly, the sound of clashing weapons reached his ears. Curious, he followed the noise.

A middle-aged man and woman were sparring with swords.

"There are others in this manor?"

Zhang Ling sat calmly by the corridor, watching them as he gnawed on his chicken.

The woman’s steps were light—seemingly chaotic yet exquisitely ordered—and her sword moved as swiftly as the wind. The man, however, only defended, as if he could anticipate every move, easily parrying each strike.

At that moment, Zhang Ling sensed something and looked up. At some point, Qin Yi had appeared beside him, holding out an uneaten drumstick. "Want one?"

Qin Yi didn’t look at him, only said coolly, "Focus on the match."

Zhang Ling turned his attention back, eating as he asked, "Master Qin, who are they?"

Qin Yi kept his eyes ahead. "Now, the two heads of the Gold and Silver Sect—a husband and wife. Yang Xiao and Lin Rui."

"They look powerful. What rank are they?"

"First rank, Inward Profundity."

Zhang Ling pressed on, "Can you beat them, Master Qin?"

"If I couldn’t, they wouldn’t be staying in my manor. They’ve been here half a year now, fighting almost every day. I can’t count how many of my flowers have perished because of their duels." Qin Yi sighed.

"What about you, Master Qin? What’s your level?"

"Condensing Dao Realm. But rank doesn’t determine strength. The two of them are especially difficult to deal with together—their hearts and minds are as one."

Outwardly calm, Zhang Ling was inwardly thrilled. He hadn’t expected to encounter three master-level experts so soon after entering the martial world.

Just as Zhang Ling was about to ask more, Qin Yi murmured, "They’re done."

Zhang Ling looked back—the two fighters had sheathed their swords.

"Is it over already?"

The pair approached, saluting Qin Yi with a cupped-fist gesture.