Taking a Master

By the time Li Xiao returned to the small courtyard assigned to him at the garrison, the sky had already begun to darken.

The moment Li Xiao pushed open the courtyard gate, he saw a familiar figure squatting beneath the eaves, clutching a wooden stick and absently scratching lines into the ground.

Hearing the gate, the figure abruptly looked up. It was Chen An, his face full of anxiety and worry.

Seeing Li Xiao walk in unharmed, Chen An froze for a moment, then sprang to his feet and hurried over.

"Master! You're finally back! I heard you went to Whitewater Commandery alone, and even slaughtered your way through the Demon Race's defensive line... I... I was worried sick..."

Li Xiao looked at the young face, still childish yet written all over with concern. This child's talent might not be exceptional, but such a disposition was truly rare.

He reached out and patted Chen An's shoulder, his tone gentle.

"It's fine. Isn't your Master perfectly alright? Stop worrying blindly. Practice your blade well—that's stronger than anything."

Chen An nodded hard. His eyes were still a little red, but he could no longer hide the smile on his face.

After giving him a few more instructions regarding cultivation, Li Xiao sent him back to his room to rest, then pushed open the door and entered the main room.

The room was not large, but it was clean and tidy. A pot of unknown flowers sat on the windowsill, bearing several pale yellow blossoms. Clearly, the disciples responsible for cleaning the garrison had tended to it with care.

Li Xiao sat by the bed, shut the doors and windows, crossed his legs, closed his eyes, and sank his consciousness into his body.

He began to sort through himself.

As the enemies he