As the time for the Great Elder Qingfeng Edge's birthday celebration was still more than half a month away, and because the Master was highly regarded and advanced in years, a disciple was specifically sent to pay a visit, delivering an invitation.
Since the message had been conveyed, they might as well escort the students back to the mountain in their company, mainly because Qingfeng Edge was a hermit who avoided the secular world, living not within but outside the mountain—rarely seen by ordinary folk.
Wang Anfeng had received an extremely exquisite wooden box from Elder Ren, which was just large enough to fit five or six ancient books. It was adorned with complex patterns, where auspicious clouds and exotic beasts could be manipulated by hand, suggesting countless possible combinations, yet only one could open it. Such content must be a rare ancient book or even possibly a martial arts manual.
But why entrust such an important item to oneself, a new caretaker at the Fufeng Academy who had arrived for merely two months?
The youth slightly frowned, feeling somewhat puzzled, but as a member of the Academy who merely needed to sweep the wooden stairs to gain access to any book at will, he found any occasional extra request to be within reason.
Just like in Great Liang Village, occasionally running errands while feeding Uncle Wang's pigs.
Only, this time the errand seemed somewhat farther afield.
Having wiped and sheathed his Eight-Sided Sword, Wang Anfeng slung it over his back and rolled up a package to carry across his body. The intricate mechanical wooden box was placed at the very center, with provisions, a water flask, and a change of clothes packed around it, enveloping the box and cushioning it with the clothing to prevent any bumps or knocks.
After making sure there were no issues, he led his Green-Maned Horse slowly toward the southwestern side gate of the Academy.
Meanwhile, his mind pondered other matters.
It was only yesterday afternoon that the participating students had been selected.
Yet unexpectedly, they were to set off today.
The young man had a slight headache.
He still didn't know who his traveling companions would be or what temperaments they might have. While most disciples of the Fufeng Academy were kind and courteous, there were also those who were arrogant and overbearing among the young students.
Just as he was pondering this, Wang Anfeng's gaze fell upon numerous students' figures, lingering hesitantly as though they wished to approach but were too timid, eventually forming a circle at a distance to watch. Confused, the youth led his Green-Maned Horse through the crowd, excusing himself repeatedly until he finally squeezed through.
He then saw four young ladies dressed in white. Whether older women or girls in their teens, all were clad in plain attire devoid of any adornments, with cold complexions and swords strapped to their backs. Despite the heat of the June weather, looking at these young women made one feel a chill as if in the depths of winter.
This must be the rarely seen Taiyin Inner Strength of Jianghu, right?
Wang Anfeng had a moment of realization and, under the watchful eyes of the surrounding students who had come to witness, stepped forward to greet them and introduced himself.
Since these disciples of Qingfeng Edge had secluded themselves upon arriving at the Fufeng Academy a few days ago, they had hardly been seen and rarely spoken to, so envy was apparent in the eyes of those looking at Wang Anfeng, making the youth a tad uncomfortable.
However, these disciples of Qingfeng Edge seemed indifferent, regarding the surrounding students as they would rocks and weeds. This state of mind made Wang Anfeng envy them.
After waiting for less than half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Baili Feng and Xue Qinshuang also arrived, each looking somewhat surprised when they saw Wang Anfeng. They had won their places but had not inquired who else would join them and were thus unaware that a librarian would be coming along as well, and that Wang Anfeng was also present.
Especially Xue Qinshuang, who upon seeing the familiar young man in front of her, first was taken aback, and then seemed to realize.
So he, too, wanted to visit Qingfeng Edge.
He also wanted to witness the secret swordsmanship of the hidden sects.
Her gaze returned to the Eight-Sided Sword on Wang Anfeng's back, further confirming her thoughts.
Wang Anfeng was also proficient in swordsmanship, which was said to be as intricate as the stars in the sky.
It was a pity they had not yet dueled.
But as a swordsman, the opportunity to spar with disciples of hidden sword sects was something he surely would not miss.
Very well, very well.
Wang Anfeng returned the greeting, looking at the girl dressed in men's attire who exuded a spirited air. He was just about to speak when his mind, inappropriately, recollected yesterday's conversation between the three students on his way back to the Wind Character Tower.
A Snow Lotus Pill that boosts energy and preserves beauty?
The young man's gaze turned somewhat peculiar as he said:
"So it turns out that Brother Xue also wants to go..."
To buy the Snow Lotus Pill.
Xue Qinshuang nodded, assuming he was referring to the matter of seeking advice and sparring; her eyes brightened as she said:
"Of course, you should also understand, how could I miss such an opportunity?"
Wang Anfeng realized and nodded slightly, responding with a smile:
"Right, I was mistaken."
After all, Miss Xue is also a young lady.
"Hahaha, Anfeng, Ashuang, what are you guys talking about..."
While the two exchanged thoughts in an instant, Baili Feng didn't concern himself with these matters. He glanced at Wang Anfeng and then at Xue Qinshuang, his mouth breaking into a broad laugh.
Ever since the incident at Zhao's residence, he had regarded Wang Anfeng and Xue Qinshuang as friends for life. This time, he was originally dragged onto the stage by his master with a broom and beaten until he was forced to fight, but unexpectedly, he was able to travel with his two friends, which made him quite happy for the time being.
Of course, it would have been even better without that madman...
The young man from the Military Family grumbled in his heart.
But he couldn't help rolling his eyes as voices reached his ears.
"Excuse me, excuse me!"
"Please make way, make way..."
Noises from the students filled the air, and moments later, a red-clothed young lady led a horse through the crowd. Sweat beaded her forehead, her eyes were profound, her face rugged and not quite resembling the delicate nature of Central Plains women, yet she was still a striking beauty.
But her brows were too sharp, giving her a somewhat fierce look, and she carried a curved saber on each side of her waist, with golden bells hanging from her clothing that chimed with her movement.
Finally squeezing through the crowd, the young lady wiped the thin layer of sweat from her forehead and hurried to greet and apologize to everyone. The disciple leading the group from Qingfeng Edge nodded slightly, indicating it was no matter, which relieved the girl. She then swiftly leaped to Xue Qinshuang's side and shot a fierce glance at Baili Feng.
Then, turning her attention to Wang Anfeng, her face blossomed into a friendly and bright smile as she cupped her fist and said:
"I am Tuoba Yue from the Mo Family, please give me your guidance."
Wang Anfeng returned the gesture, saying:
"Miss Tuoba, you are too polite. I am Wang Anfeng from Fufeng's Archive Guard, please give me your guidance."
His face remained calm, but inside he felt a slight surprise.
Tuoba... This surname belongs to a royal clan of foreigners. How did it come to be that within the Great Qin Academy, she joined the Mo Family?
At this moment, the disciple leading the group from Qingfeng Edge spoke for the first time:
"Now that everyone is here, let us depart."
"The Master from the Mo Family is not with us for the first time. He has the Mo Family's Mechanical Bird, which can span a thousand miles swift as an eagle on the wing, so he won't be traveling with us."
After a brief explanation, his expression remained unchanging as he led his mount and stepped out of the side door first, followed by the other three young ladies who, despite different appearances, seemed to have been cast in the same mold, all cool and detached.
PS: I really... want to name this 'The Exchange of Steel and Steel.'