Xu Qing watched Sun Ping's retreating back for a while, then turned and returned to the inner courtyard.
He still had to train.
Ever since he had mentioned wanting better pills to his master, Zhao Yan had personally brought him a porcelain bottle the very next day, containing ten gleaming white pills.
Zhao Yan said they were "Mighty Origin Pills," three times as effective as Blood and Qi Pills. Zhao Yan did not say how much each pill cost, and Xu Qing did not ask.
He opened his mouth and swallowed a Mighty Origin Pill. His blood and qi immediately surged within him. Without further hesitation, he stepped onto the Plum Blossom Stakes and assumed his stance.
On the official road outside the city, there were few travelers, and the cold wind cut to the bone.
Sun Ping wrapped his faded old padded jacket tighter around himself and walked on with his neck hunched. The cotton inside had long since hardened into clumps. It provided no warmth at all; whenever the wind blew, it pierced straight through.
After walking for a while, he felt cold and quickened his pace. But the wind was faster than he was, slipping in through his collar, cuffs, and hem, cutting him like blades until it hurt.
By the time he reached home, he felt as though his body had nearly frozen stiff.
His home had a small courtyard, with mottled earthen walls. The Spring Festival couplets on the doorframe were still from the year before last, their corners curled and their red paper faded pink.
In the kitchen, his mother was busy at the stove while his father crouched beside her, tending the fire. Both their backs were bent.
"Father, Mother, I'm back," Sun Ping called.
His mother turned around. When she saw