The room was pitch-black. The window paper gradually turned a hazy white, and he heard Daoist Jiang and Huang Xing getting up early to work, lighting the fire and boiling water before dawn so they could eat early. A clear cry of surprise rang out in the courtyard. Huang Xing had spotted the Short Sword on the table. Setting down her firewood, she hurried over and picked it up to examine it closely. One glance told her it was expensive.
She suddenly sensed someone behind her and nearly dropped the Short Sword in fright.
Clutching her chest, she backed away two steps before recognizing the mysterious little boy with the expressionless face.
"Whew! You scared me to death! People really can frighten each other to death!"
Jin Si sniffled.
"It's for you. Don't hurt yourself."
He turned and walked to the kitchen doorway. Steam and smoke from the boiling pot drifted through the upper half of the opening, while air curled inward through the lower half. He addressed Daoist Jiang, who was inside feeding wood into the fire.
"There's fighting down the mountain. Is the Village School still open?"
Daoist Jiang coughed twice as the smoke caught in his throat, but his hands kept working.
"The city hasn't fallen. It won't interfere with your studies. Keep your wits about you when you're out and about. The more chaotic the world gets, the easier it is for your eyes to be clouded, until you can't tell truth from falsehood." "All right."
"You still mustn't go to those nearby rivers. Someone has driven Dragon-Suppressing Stakes into the water to trap you and keep you from cultivating through the water veins. They originally laid a scheme to spread rumors and ruin your incense offerings, but they never expected the war to throw all