Butterfly

By the Mishui Riverbank, waves lapped against the shore. It was tranquil yet brimming with life. The Painted Boat drifted endlessly upon the lake, never once docking.

Morning light spilled down. At the start of another day, the quiet mortal world inside and outside the Painted Boat gradually came alive once more.

On the boat, the little girl who wanted to sleep in was hauled out of bed and immediately began throwing a tantrum.

"Can't I practice a little later?"

Yin'er wrapped herself in her blanket, half awake and half asleep, her little face pitifully scrunched up.

"What time do you think it is? You're still sleeping?"

Ning Chen carried the little girl by the scruff, utterly helpless.

"I went to bed late last night."

Yin'er burrowed desperately back into her blanket, unwilling to get up.

"Aren't you ashamed? What martial artist still sleeps until this hour every day?"

Ning Chen dragged the little girl back out again and lightly scolded her.

"I'm already very powerful. I don't need to cultivate from dawn to dusk."

Yin'er rubbed her large eyes, looking dissatisfied.

"You've got the nerve to call yourself powerful? A fool like you—I could beat more than a hundred of you by myself. Stop talking nonsense and get up. Today, I'm teaching you swordsmanship," Ning Chen said irritably.

Yin'er frantically rubbed her hair, then suddenly froze. Something felt off. Looking at the person before her, she asked suspiciously, "Why does that sound so familiar?"

"You've slept yourself stupid."

Ning Chen pulled the little girl to her feet, then headed out of the boat. "Hurry up and get dressed. I'll wait for you on shore."

With that, Ning Chen walked out of the boat and leaped toward the riverbank.

Yin'er thought hard, yet could not remember when she had heard