"Thank you for lending a hand, brother. I am Chen Shichong of the Sword Sect. Shi is the shi in 'the man upon the road is fair as jade; the young lord has no equal in the world,' and Chong is the chong in 'once wind and cloud meet, he becomes a dragon.' Might I ask your name and sect? I will remember your kindness until my dying day!"
Having steadied himself, Chen Shichong bowed to Mu Bai, gratitude showing on his face. He truly was a handsome young man, radiant and graceful as jade.
"It was no trouble, hardly worth mentioning! I am Mu Bai of the Spirit Taming Sect. It must be fate that we met here, Brother Chen."
Mu Bai cupped his hands in return.
"I truly owe you my thanks, Brother Mu. Otherwise..." Recalling it now, Chen Shichong felt a tangle of emotions, unsure how he would look back on these past few days. "Where are you headed on this journey, Brother Mu?"
"I wish to practice a sword art, and I am looking for a chance to obtain a suitable bladed Soul Soldier!"
"Then your opportunity has arrived, Brother Mu!" Casting aside his gloom, Chen Shichong laughed heartily. "Have you heard of our Sword Sect? We excel at swordsmanship and are also skilled at forging soul swords. I could give you an introduction."
"That would be wonderful. Sorry for the trouble, Brother Chen!"
"It is seventy thousand li north of here."
"Seventy thousand li again?"
"Is there something wrong with seventy thousand li? Our Sword Sect is not in the Eastern Ridge, but in the Northern Plains..."
"Nothing at all. I was hoping to travel around this world myself. Sorry for the trouble, Brother Chen!"
Mu Bai was simply far too sensitive to the words