Chen An himself gradually came to understand his master's intentions.
He knew his talent in the Martial Dao was ordinary. Even with Li Xiao's pills and guidance, his future achievements would be limited.
If he could ease his master's burdens and properly handle all the affairs of Flying Cloud Peak, freeing up more time for Li Xiao to cultivate, that would be the greatest value he could offer.
He therefore devoted ever more care to these matters, often rising before dawn to read through documents and remaining at his desk after dark to check accounts and scheduling arrangements, afraid of making even the slightest mistake.
Li Xiao saw all this and felt considerably more reassured. At least this disciple was dependable and hardworking, and would not cause him trouble.
With Chen An sharing the administrative burden, Li Xiao finally escaped those trivial affairs and once again had time to cultivate in peace.
He spent most of each day meditating and circulating his true qi, then went to the Martial Arts Training Ground toward evening to practice the Iron Wire Fist and the Four Symbols Sun-Shooting Arrow Method. His days were busy, but fulfilling.
One evening, just after returning from the Martial Arts Training Ground, he saw Chen An waiting at the courtyard entrance with a stack of documents in his arms. His expression held a mixture of seriousness and nervousness; clearly, he had something important to report.
Li Xiao took the documents and glanced through them. His gaze shifted slightly before he looked up at Chen An, his voice calm but serious. "Has word come from Mu Province?"
Chen An nodded and lowered his voice. "The Golden Blade Sect sent someone with a secret letter. They said something has changed at the ore vein."
Li Xiao closed the documents without