"Just a warning: don't underestimate these children, or you'll suffer for it." Xuanzhu folded her arms and stepped aside to watch the show.
The tallest of the Little Beans was only half a head shorter than her. They looked like children, but their eyes glittered with intelligence. The youngest was only three or five years old, barely reaching her legs, and blinked up at her.
Dongfang Minghui watched them work with remarkable efficiency. Every one of them moved quickly, and within an incense stick's time, they had turned the empty little square into an unusual training ground.
Once everything was in place, the Little Beans formed a small line of their own accord, standing before the Thieving Strange Hand with their hands behind their backs.
"This is the honored guest your senior sister Xuanzhu invited. Who wants to entertain her on your master's behalf?" The Thieving Strange Hand pointed at Dongfang Minghui.
The Little Beans looked at one another.
"Master, I will."
The youngest Little Bean, who had been stealing glances at Dongfang Minghui while working, stepped forward and spoke.
"I challenge you."
The Little Bean walked slowly up to Dongfang Minghui and tilted his head back to look at her. There was a dirty smudge on his little face, and his clothes were covered in patches. He looked rather pitiful.
His eyes, however, were perfectly clear.
Dongfang Minghui looked down at him quietly. Only after a while did she realize that this little fellow had challenged her. She frowned slightly and crouched to meet his gaze. "Are you sure you want to challenge me?"
The Little Bean puffed out his chest and answered crisply, "Of course."
"At what?"
The Thieving Strange Hand clapped, and two Little Beans soon brought over two covered basins filled with something unknown.
"If you