You Look So Beautiful When You Smile

Dawn had only just begun to break.

Chen Shi'an went beneath the willow tree, practiced a round of the Army-Breaking Saber Technique, then continued practicing his draws.

Just then, a door nearby creaked open.

A slender woman dressed in fitted black clothes stepped out. It was Zhao Ling.

"Practicing your saber?" She walked slowly beneath the Old Willow Tree, her gaze settling on the Horizontal Saber.

"Just practicing for fun," Chen Shi'an said with a smile. "Your injuries haven't fully healed yet. Why not sleep a little longer?"

"I've been lying in bed for far too long. If I don't get up and move around, my body will start rusting."

Zhao Ling held out her hand to Chen Shi'an. It was fair and slender, with a modest layer of calluses between her thumb and forefinger.

Understanding her intent, Chen Shi'an handed over the Horizontal Saber.

Zhao Ling hefted the Horizontal Saber, then applied a little strength and drew it in an instant.

Cold light flashed. A willow leaf drifted down from a branch, sliced into four pieces.

Surprise crossed Chen Shi'an's face. He had clearly seen Zhao Ling slash three times in the blink of an eye.

An expert. She was definitely an expert with a saber!

Zhao Ling gave a soft snort and lifted her eyelids. "You certainly enjoy putting on an act. You're already a Ranked Martial Artist. Why look so shocked watching someone at the ninth acquired stage play with a saber?"

Chen Shi'an smiled bitterly inwardly. He was indeed a Ranked Martial Artist, but his saber skills were far inferior to Zhao Ling's.

He looked puzzled. "How did you know I'd already attained a rank?"

Zhao Ling answered quietly, "When you used Origin Force to treat my injuries earlier, I had actually regained consciousness. I just hadn't fully woken up yet."

Chen Shi'an frowned slightly. "I don't want anyone else to know about this, including my sister-in-law and Tiantian. You'll have to keep it secret for me."

Zhao Ling nodded. "Don't worry. I don't know why you're hiding your strength, but you saved my life. I'll certainly keep your secret."

"Thank you."

Chen Shi'an raised his eyes slightly. "Could you make another slash so I can get a better look?"

Zhao Ling nodded and swung the saber again.

This time, her movements were noticeably slower. Once again, she cut a willow leaf into four pieces.

"Let me try."

Chen Shi'an held out his hand.

Zhao Ling handed the Horizontal Saber back to him.

Chen Shi'an sheathed the saber, drew a light breath, and whipped it out.

Cold light flashed. A willow leaf fluttered down from a branch, severed into three pieces.

A strange look crossed Zhao Ling's face. "This is a saber method unique to our Zhao Family. I didn't expect you to grasp its essence after seeing it just once.

"But you're a Ranked Martial Artist. If you'd used Origin Force in that slash, you could have cut the willow leaf into at least six pieces."

"Does this saber technique have a name?" Chen Shi'an asked quietly.

"The Seven Star-Chasing Forms. What you just saw was the first form," Zhao Ling replied softly.

"A pity I only get to see the first form." Chen Shi'an smiled slightly.

Zhao Ling hesitated briefly. "If you can get me a saber, I can teach you the second form."

Delight appeared on Chen Shi'an's face. "Any requirements for its quality?"

"Nothing particularly demanding. Something similar to the saber in your hand will do."

Zhao Ling raised her voice slightly. "With the first of the Seven Star-Chasing Forms, if you're fast enough, you can make nine slashes in an instant.

"Among our Zhao Family's ancestors, the fastest managed seven.

"There are still a few parts of your movements that need adjusting."

With that, she took the Horizontal Saber again, delivered three consecutive slashes, and explained the key points.

Once he had gained a firm command of the First Star-Chasing Form, Chen Shi'an smiled. "Thank you for teaching me your family's saber technique."

Zhao Ling shook her head. "There's no need to thank me. Buying us from the Slave Market was the same as pulling us out of a pit of fire.

"You also healed my injuries. I owe you a great debt. Teaching you a form or two is my way of repaying it."

At this point, she looked puzzled. "I've also learned a little about you and your Chen Family. Given your circumstances, becoming a Ranked Martial Artist should have been very difficult."

Chen Shi'an smiled faintly. "I'm puzzled about something too. You and Qin E'na clearly aren't women from ordinary families. Especially you-as a Martial Artist at the ninth acquired stage, how did you end up a slave in the Slave Market?"

Zhao Ling paused briefly. "I'm sorry. I can't reveal my true identity."

Chen Shi'an's smile remained. "If you wanted to play it safe, you shouldn't have revealed your strength as a Martial Artist in front of me at all."

Zhao Ling shook her head. "Even if I hadn't, you probably already knew. The Slave Market had some information about us.

"Rather than hide it, I might as well admit it openly. It'll make getting along easier in the future."

"On that point, you're much more honest than Qin E'na."

The corners of Chen Shi'an's mouth lifted. "We both have secrets we don't want others knowing. How about we agree not to pry into each other's?"

"Deal!" Zhao Ling answered readily.

Chen Shi'an nodded. "I won't concern myself with who you used to be.

"Now that you've come to our Chen Family, I won't treat you as slaves or servants either.

"I only hope you'll treat my sister-in-law and niece sincerely."

Zhao Ling nodded firmly. "You can rest assured about that. Your Chen Family has done my cousin and me a great kindness. If we have the opportunity someday, we will definitely repay you."

Chen Shi'an hesitated briefly. "In a couple of days, I'll be attending the Demon Hunting Team's selection. If I pass, I'll join the team. When that happens, I won't be home much, so I'll need you to take extra care of things here."

Zhao Ling looked puzzled. "As a Ranked Martial Artist, shouldn't joining the Demon Hunting Team be as easy as saying the word? Why take the assessment?"

Chen Shi'an said quietly, "As I said earlier, I don't want anyone knowing I'm a Ranked Martial Artist yet."

Then he added, "Our Chen Family is facing a serious crisis right now. A powerful enemy is watching us like a tiger eyeing its prey.

"I need to plan carefully if we're to weather this crisis.

"My sister-in-law and niece don't know about this either. You'll need to keep that secret for me too."

Zhao Ling fell silent for a moment. "Today is our first proper conversation. Why are you telling me so much?"

Chen Shi'an looked straight into Zhao Ling's eyes. "Because I trust you-and Qin E'na."

Zhao Ling shook her head. "Those words have no basis. It's hard for me to believe them."

Chen Shi'an cleared his throat. "You two traveled together. If the saber wound on your body had been a little deeper, it would have killed you, yet Qin E'na was completely unharmed.

"In the Slave Market, Qin E'na ignored the threats and the danger to her own life. She threatened to die unless they sold you together.

"The two of you share a deep bond. You lay your hearts bare to one another.

"Wicked, treacherous people couldn't behave that way. Naturally, I trust you."

Zhao Ling was silent for a moment. "Go to the Demon Hunting Team without worrying. While you're away, I'll protect Sister Qingrou and Tiantian with my life."

Just then, Qin E'na emerged from the room and rolled her eyes at Chen Shi'an. "Cousin, what is there to talk about with this sour-faced fellow?"

Chen Shi'an smiled faintly. "Young Lady Qin, I haven't done anything to you. Why are you so cranky first thing in the morning?"

"Just seeing you makes me angry," Qin E'na retorted immediately.

Chen Shi'an kept smiling. "You really are overbearing. But get one thing straight: I've been standing here since early morning. You're the one who appeared in front of me, not the other way around.

"I'm the one who ought to be angry, not you."

Qin E'na refused to back down. "When you're so annoying and irritating, does it matter who came first?"

Chen Shi'an shook his head. "Qin E'na, you're supposed to be a well-bred young lady. Can't you be a little reasonable?"

Qin E'na immediately replied, "I'm just a slave you bought from the Slave Market, not some well-bred young lady. Besides, there's no point being reasonable with someone like you."

Chen Shi'an grinned. "A promising pupil! Your tongue has grown quite a bit sharper in just a few days."

Although Zhao Ling had only recently woken up, she had already seen Chen Shi'an and Qin E'na bicker several times.

So their current behavior no longer surprised her. She stood to one side, smiling without speaking, enjoying the show.

Just then, Su Qingrou came out of the room. "Shi'an, what's gotten into you?

"Why are you arguing with E'na again so early in the morning? Can't you give her a little leeway?"

"Sister-in-law, aren't you being too partial? You haven't even asked what happened, and you're already scolding me."

Chen Shi'an shook his head repeatedly and sighed. "I'm your own brother-in-law! Why are you turning your elbow outward and taking her side?

"I didn't do anything. She came looking for trouble first thing this morning.

"Zhao Ling can vouch for that."

Before he had even finished, Zhao Ling waved her hands repeatedly. "I don't know anything."

"..."

Chen Shi'an smiled bitterly. "Fine, then. All three of you women are ganging up on me."

Just then, Chen Tiantian came out of the room and said with a laugh, "Don't worry, Uncle. I'll help you."

Su Qingrou gave her a sidelong look. "You're a child. Don't meddle in grown-ups' affairs.

"Come along. Help Mother make breakfast in the kitchen. You still have to go study the Spirit Medium arts later."

Qin E'na had finally gained the upper hand for once. She was clearly delighted, the corners of her mouth curling high.

Since coming to the Chen Family, she had been assured three meals a day. Her body was no longer as thin and frail as before; she had filled out considerably and become much prettier.

Her smile blossomed like a flower.

The corners of Chen Shi'an's mouth rose high as well. "You're such a pretty girl, yet you insist on wearing a stern face every day.

"That's more like it. You look so beautiful when you smile. Smile more when you see me, and I promise I won't tease you."

Qin E'na immediately wiped the smile from her face and snapped, "In your dreams!"

Chen Shi'an's smile grew even brighter. "You can't even take a little teasing, yet you dare trade barbs with me? You little upstart!"

With that, he went straight back to his room, closed the door, and buried himself in practicing his draws again.

The Demon Hunting Team's selection was tomorrow.

After lunch, Chen Shi'an went out to find Hou Fang and received confirmation: Hou Fang had already recommended him, and he could attend the Demon Hunting Team's selection three days from tomorrow.

At dinner, the four adults and one child sat around the table.

Once everyone had nearly finished eating, Chen Shi'an spoke. "Sister-in-law, there's something I need to tell you."

"Why do you look so serious? What is it?"

Su Qingrou put down her chopsticks.

Chen Shi'an paused briefly. "Tomorrow, the Demon Hunting Team will be recruiting from across the city. I want to give it a try."

"You want to join the Demon Hunting Team? Why?" Su Qingrou's expression changed at once.

Chen Tiantian abruptly looked up. "Uncle, you can't go! Father told me the Demon Hunting Team is very dangerous. They often leave the Stronghold to hunt Demon Beasts outside, and people are killed or injured every time."

Qin E'na also put down her chopsticks, her gaze settling on Chen Shi'an with a complicated look in her eyes.

Zhao Ling stopped eating as well and sat quietly to one side.

"Shi'an, our chili sauce is selling very well now. We don't have to worry about making a living anymore. Why go join the Demon Hunting Team?" Su Qingrou asked again.

Chen Shi'an cleared his throat. "Sister-in-law, the chili sauce does earn us money, but that isn't enough if we want to live better and more safely in the Stronghold.

"I need a position with enough weight behind it to keep the Chen Family safe."

Su Qingrou waved her hands repeatedly. "Aren't we doing just fine as we are? Why would we need some position to keep us safe?"

"Sister-in-law, we need to mend the roof before the rain comes. The better our chili sauce sells, the more people will grow envious and jealous. Sooner or later, trouble will come knocking," Chen Shi'an explained gently.

"Don't we have the city guards?" Su Qingrou asked.

Chen Shi'an shook his head. "Sister-in-law, you've lived in Windrise Stronghold for over ten years.

"You should know very well that the city guards can protect us, but if the people harming us have enough status or power, there's nothing they can do.

"When real danger comes, not only can we not count on them, we have to worry that they'll become accomplices."

Su Qingrou fell silent briefly. "Shi'an, aren't you overthinking things?

"We're just ordinary residents at the bottom of the Stronghold. We have nothing to do with its important figures. As long as we behave ourselves, why would they make trouble for us?"

Chen Shi'an said, "On this street alone, in just the past year or two, three families somehow offended people they shouldn't have, then perished without even knowing why.

"They were honest, law-abiding people, just like us. All they wanted was to live their own lives.

"But even while you sit at home, calamity can fall from the sky.

"When my elder brother was here, our family lived peacefully, free of disaster.

"Now that he's gone, I have to hold an umbrella over our family.

"The Demon Hunting Team's expansion is an excellent opportunity. If I can seize it, I can rise above the crowd."

"Uncle, I don't want you to go. If something happens to you, what will Mother and I do? What about Aunt Qin and Aunt Zhao?" Chen Tiantian stood up and hugged Chen Shi'an's arm.

"Silly girl, you need to have faith in your uncle."

Chen Shi'an stroked Chen Tiantian's head. "If I'm selected, I definitely won't be home much. You must listen to Mother, Aunt Qin, and Aunt Zhao."

"Uncle, do you really have to go?" Chen Tiantian's eyes were filled with reluctance to part with him.

Chen Shi'an nodded. "Joining the Demon Hunting Team is an excellent way for ordinary people like us to rise in status.

"The Demon Hunting Team used to recruit only from the City Guard Battalion. This time, they're recruiting from the entire city. I have to seize this opportunity.

"Our family will grow wealthier and wealthier. To keep jealous people from entertaining crooked thoughts, I'll earn a position in the Demon Hunting Team and make something of myself."

Qin E'na suddenly spoke. "Chen Shi'an, after all that talk, isn't it just your vanity at work in the end?

"The Demon Hunting Team's casualty rate is so high. Is rising above the crowd really that important?"