Greed and Delusion (3)

Just as he was lost in thought, familiar laughter and conversation drifted in from beyond the bamboo grove, drawing nearer.

Tan Yin swiftly composed himself, forcing the roiling emotions from his eyes back into the deepest recesses of his heart. Leaning on a bamboo branch and borrowing what little support it offered, he slowly moved his feet back to the hard-packed clearing before the little cottage.

Several junior brothers from the Heavenly Sword Sect had come, ones who visited often. Still young, their faces brimmed with the vigorous spirit unique to their age, untouched by the grindstone of worldly affairs. They carried fresh vegetables still damp with earth and a small sack of rice and flour, approaching with light steps.

"Senior Brother Tan!" The leading disciple smiled brightly, his voice ringing out as he gently set the items on the flat bluestone before the house that served as a table. "The vegetable patch we opened ourselves behind the mountain has done especially well this year. We specifically brought some for you to taste while it's fresh! How is your recovery? Has there been any improvement?"

A habitual smile surfaced on Tan Yin's face. He nodded. "A little better. Thank you for remembering me."

The disciples chatted with him one after another. Before long, they began discussing gossip from within and beyond the sect—recent amusing incidents in the sect and small difficulties in cultivation.

Yet young people's topics always leaped about. Somehow, the conversation turned and wound its way to the Azure Rock Sect, with whom they had long been at odds.

"By the way, Senior Brother Tan, have you heard any news from the Azure Rock Sect lately?" One particularly sharp-witted disciple seemed to recall something and lowered his voice mysteriously.

Tan Yin shook his head. Now that he was