"Heh, in the end, my Cause and Effect with that worthless elder brother of mine ran too deep."
With that, she turned and left. She seemed to move slowly, yet it was as if she were an Inch from the Horizon. In just a few steps, she vanished from Yuan Tiangang's sight.
"Seems she hasn't let her martial arts fall behind." Watching Li Wan'er's departing figure and speed, Yuan Tiangang muttered to himself.
"Boss, who was that old lady?"
Yuan Tiangang glanced at him. "You don't need to know. Just be respectful if you see her again.
"And anyone in tianxia might harm you, but she never will."
"Yes, Boss!"
Mount Qingcheng, Yuzhou City
Within a secluded valley lay a small lake spanning half a li. Its clear waters reflected several elegant buildings along the shore. Built from bamboo, the tough green stalks had yellowed slightly after years of wind and rain. A small plaque bore the words "Sword Hut" in silver-hook, iron-stroke calligraphy, lending the place a distinctive charm.
In the woods of the Back Mountain, a twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy lay on a stone slab with his eyes narrowed.
The basket beside him was completely empty.
Suddenly, a figure appeared eerily in the distance. Looking at the boy, she smiled and walked toward him.
"Kid, wake up!"
"Ah, Master, I wasn't slacking off! I'll gather herbs right away!"
At that, the boy rolled over and sprang nimbly to his feet.
"Huh? Granny, who are you? I've never seen you at the Sword Hut. And you feel so familiar!"
Li Wan'er reached out and stroked the boy's forehead, smiling. "Is that so? Then it seems we're fated.
"As for me, just think of me as your granny.
"What was that just now? Does your master treat you poorly?"