Song Zhizhi choked up for a moment. Only after taking a sip of the water Xie Xiuji handed her did she recover. She glanced at Xie Xiuji, then at the fragrant pan-fried dumplings before her. Stuffing one into her mouth, her tone softened considerably. "Why are you telling me all this? I'm not angry. Do whatever you want, there's no need to report everything to me."
In truth, Song Zhizhi was not usually this sensitive. She had once left Xie Xiuji without a word herself. She was not so double-standard as to think she could do such a thing while Xie Xiuji could not. His silent disappearance for three days had not affected her life, so there was no reason for her to be angry.
It was only because she was pregnant and the hormonal changes in her body sometimes made her feel angry, sensitive, and wronged for no apparent reason. It was Song Zhizhi's first pregnancy too, and she did not know how to handle these sudden emotional shifts.
After breakfast, perhaps because good food could brighten one's mood, the gloom in Song Zhizhi's heart vanished without a trace. Watching Xie Xiuji pack away the food box, she propped her chin on one hand and asked, "What am I learning today?"
Sword Venerable Mingxiao thought for a moment and said, "You are now at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, not far from Foundation Establishment. Once you have chosen a suitable cultivation method and achieved Foundation Establishment, I will teach you a new sword technique."
Song Zhizhi nodded. "All right, then what am I supposed to do these next few days?"
Sword Venerable Mingxiao took a neatly folded square of paper from his sleeve. "Over the next few days, elders at Teaching Peak will be teaching the essentials of Foundation Establishment. It has been too long since I established my foundation, and I have never taught disciples before. In this regard, I am not as experienced as the elders. You may attend these lessons."
Song Zhizhi took the paper and unfolded it. Written upon it in Xie Xiuji's vigorous, forceful handwriting was a careful schedule of which elder's class she should attend each day.
Song Zhizhi could tell that this schedule had not been written carelessly. He had considered her circumstances and mulled it over before deciding on it. He had put his heart into it.
Song Zhizhi put away the paper and said to Xie Xiuji, "Thank you."
A faint smile appeared in Sword Venerable Mingxiao's eyes. He said to Song Zhizhi, "An elder is teaching at Teaching Peak today, but Teaching Peak is too far from Clear Snow Peak, and you do not yet know Sword Flight. I will take you there by sword."
Song Zhizhi remembered that the first class listed on the paper began at the Hour of the Snake today, which was nine in the morning. It was already eight o'clock, so time was indeed a little tight.
She nodded, then saw Xie Xiuji bring his fingers together and summon a snow-white narrow sword only two fingers wide. Cold light gleamed from its blade. Song Zhizhi suddenly grew worried. Could she really stand on such a narrow sword without falling off? Even if she did not fall, would the blade cut her feet?
Just as she hesitated, a familiar crane cry rang out overhead.
"Chirp!" Your Highness, look at me, look at me! Are you going out? This crane can take you!
Song Zhizhi's eyes lit up. She said to Xie Xiuji, "The white crane can take me there, so there's no need to trouble you."
Sword Venerable Mingxiao's face darkened for an instant. He raised his gaze and swept it coolly toward the white crane flying in midair, his eyes sharp and chilling.
The white crane, which had been preparing to land, suddenly sensed a burst of killing intent. It looked down and met Sword Venerable Mingxiao's icy gaze.
Heavens! This is the end of the crane! He's going to kill this crane! Why is he here? With that look in his eyes, does he want to boil this crane?
"Chirp!" The white crane shrieked, flapped its wings, and flew away again.
Song Zhizhi:?
"Why did it fly away again?"
"Perhaps something urgent suddenly came up." Sword Venerable Mingxiao said blandly.
"That white crane still has the temperament of a child. Last time, it even threw the person on its back off. You do not know Sword Flight, so it would not be safe to ride it. I should take you to Teaching Peak these next few days."
Song Zhizhi gave a surprised "Ah" and believed him. Mainly because she felt that Sword Venerable Mingxiao had no reason to lie to her over such a trivial matter. At once, she gave up the idea of riding the white crane to Teaching Peak.
She carefully stepped onto Xie Xiuji's flying sword, clutching the clothes on his back. The sword was not long, and she was practically pressed against his back. "Fly slowly," she said softly. "I'm a little scared."
"Mm." Xie Xiuji nodded. He took Song Zhizhi's hand and placed it around his waist, saying solemnly, "Hold on to me. Then you will not fall."
Song Zhizhi's hand rested against Xie Xiuji's firm, powerful waist and abdomen. She looked up at him, unable for a moment to tell whether he was doing it on purpose or simply afraid she would fall.
But why was Xie Xiuji's waist so slim? He looked like a frail young master from a wealthy household. If she had not seen Xie Xiuji without his clothes, she would never have imagined that abdominal muscles were hidden beneath that delicate-looking exterior!
Song Zhizhi thought of some rather unhealthy scenes, and heat flooded her face. Even after they reached Teaching Peak and she stepped off the flying sword, the warmth in her cheeks had yet to fade.
Sword Venerable Mingxiao stared at her face in puzzlement, his brows knitting slightly. "Why is your face so red?"
Song Zhizhi said, "...The wind was too strong. It blew me this way. I told you not to fly so fast—you even blew my hair all out of place."
Song Zhizhi adjusted her utterly unmoved hair, lying through her teeth with her eyes wide open.
Sword Venerable Mingxiao began to wonder if it had been too long since he had used Sword Flight and his skills had grown rusty. Perhaps he had forgotten to set up a protective Formation while flying, allowing Song Zhizhi to be buffeted by the wind.
"Class is about to begin. I'm leaving first." Song Zhizhi successfully fooled Xie Xiuji, then turned and headed up Teaching Peak.
Sword Venerable Mingxiao nodded. Like an old father seeing his child off to school, he quietly instructed Song Zhizhi, "Do not wander around after class ends. Wait for me to pick you up."
Song Zhizhi waved a hand to show that she understood.
The courses Song Zhizhi attended had been painstakingly selected and tailored specifically for her by Sword Venerable Mingxiao. Their difficulty was somewhat challenging for her, yet not so difficult that she could not understand them. At the very least, after one lesson, Song Zhizhi had gained something.
Still, Song Zhizhi's appearance at Teaching Peak drew some attention. Most of those who came to Teaching Peak for lessons were Outer Sect Disciples without masters. Other Inner Sect Disciples had experienced masters of their own to teach and guide them, answer their doubts, and unravel their confusion. Unlike Song Zhizhi, whose master had vanished somewhere the day after accepting her as a disciple, while Sword Venerable Mingxiao, her temporary senior brother, had little teaching experience.
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