Silken Tresses Entwined for Whom, Steal Heaven Swap Sun to Borrow from All, Temper My Rebirth in Fire!

The next day, at dawn.

Lu Manor, Blue Brick Courtyard.

Inside the main hall, quite a few people sat around a large table.

Ji Wei's little face was rosy. Dressed in an emerald-green padded skirt and gauze shawl, she brought dish after dish of hearty fare to the table: braised pork elbow, white-cut chicken, pork tendons, and more.

"Little sister, let me help you."

The honest-looking youth seated at the far corner of the table rose to his feet, dressed in the standard uniform of the Wind and Cloud Association, eager to lend a hand.

But the little girl's eyes curved into crescents as she smiled back.

"It's fine, Little Qing. I'm nearly done already. Besides, the food you make might not suit everyone's tastes."

"Sit down and eat! My brother's in a good mood today, so he's treating everyone to a feast!"

Little Qing was Zhang Liu Zi, formerly Ji Xiu's neighbor in that drafty old house. His full name was Zhang Qing.

Ever since he had taken Ji Xiu as his master and joined the Wind and Cloud Association, life had improved considerably. He now wore proper clothes and had become an Entering Force martial artist.

He scratched his head and stood there somewhat awkwardly. Then Ji Xiu, seated at the head of the table, waved a hand.

"Liu Zi, sit down. No need to be so polite."

"How things were before is how they are now."

A slender saber hung at his waist, its hilt embroidered with the words: "May I follow the moonlight as it flows to shine upon you."

The blade looked long, narrow, and thin, yet when worn by him, it gave off none of the impression of delicacy or softness. Instead, it was like a hidden flood dragon lurking in a deep pool,