But it hardly mattered anyway. Li Piaoqing stretched. "It's too late today. Why don't we compare notes tomorrow?"
It was indeed very late. Everything around them had truly fallen silent; even the insects in the little courtyard seemed to have stopped chirping. Beyond the courtyard wall, the windows left open for ventilation in the small building had all been shut. Only one in the middle of the third floor had been overlooked, still showing a pitch-black opening beneath the dusky blue night sky.
"All right. Get some rest, Miss Li."
"Mm. See you tomorrow."
Li Piaoqing had only just turned away when she heard a thump behind her. Turning back, she found the boy already lying beneath the tree, his head pillowed on the Sword Case.
"...Aren't you going back to your room to sleep, young hero?"
"I don't have a room here. I usually sleep at an inn, but it's late today. I can make do."
"How can you do that?" the girl exclaimed. "There are empty rooms in my courtyard. Come stay with me."
"Huh? No, no, that would be too presumptuous."
"Not at all. It's a big courtyard. Even with several of my senior brothers and sisters staying there, it isn't full."
Oh, there are other fellow disciples. Pei Ye rose with a smile. "Then I'll trouble you for a night."
"Why just one night? You can check out of that inn and simply stay here, young hero Pei," Li Piaoqing said sincerely.
Naturally, Pei Ye hastily waved his hands in refusal.
They left the Martial Field one after the other, and only then did Pei Ye learn that this girl was the one staying in the West Courtyard.
The girl led Pei Ye to an empty room, then said goodbye and left. Pei Ye said a