"What is this garbage? You call this food fit for humans?"
"B-but… my shop's been open for hundreds of years, no one ever said it was bad…"
"So you're saying I'm slandering you? I don't care—your food ruined my mood. I'm traumatized. Pay up. Compensation! Now!"
Before they even reached the doorway, Wei Yi and Feixiao heard a familiar voice picking a fight inside the little restaurant.
"This voice… rings a bell." Wei Yi rubbed his chin and exchanged a look with Feixiao.
"I know who it is—Scott, that mangy mutt!" Xing raised a hand like a student answering in class.
"So you've run into him too, huh." Wei Yi sighed. "Amazing the guy's still alive after annoying so many people. Lucky for him they've all been decent sorts. If he'd picked the wrong target, his grave grass would be three meters tall by now."
Bad weeds really do thrive.
"That pest again? I'll call the Cloud Knights and have him locked up for a few days." Sushang already had her phone out.
"No need. Let me handle it," Wei Yi said, stopping her with a wave.
"Don't worry, doctor—we're pros. Our batons swing with force, law enforcement comes with 'warmth,' our kicks never miss, body cams always—uh—out of battery, tasers fully charged. Won't cause any trouble for the Xianzhou!" Sushang declared earnestly.
"…Where did you learn all that?" Wei Yi stared. "Are you sure you're the same sweet Sushang I know?"
"People grow up, doctor. My time on the Luofu taught me some folks won't listen to reason. With that kind, a quick smack works better than any lecture. It's called… 'let the wicked grind the wicked.'"
"Hold up—who are you and what have you done with Sushang? Did a heliobus possess you in the Exalting Sanctum? Blink twice if you're not you!"
"Hee-hee. The saying goes: 'Give me three days and behold me anew!'"
…Okay. That's the Sushang he knew. For a second there he'd thought the wise, solemn version was here to stay. Somewhere, Su Yi would be wearing a very complicated expression.
"Forget it. I'll go settle this." Wei Yi asked everyone to wait, then slipped inside.
Less than thirty seconds later, Scott bolted out like a whipped cur—shoe flying, tail tucked—vanishing down the street. Wei Yi leaned in the doorway and beckoned the others over.
"What did you do to him?" Feixiao asked, genuinely curious.
"Nothing much. I told him if he didn't disappear from my sight in ten seconds, I'd tweak his sense of taste so everything he ate would forever taste like… well, dog crap. He keeps calling himself a 'wild dog,' right? I'd simply help him live his truth. He can't kick the habit anyway."
"That's… brutally effective! But also… kind of gross," March 7th clapped, then made a face. "Scott hardly acts human, but doctor, you might be leaning into the bit a little too hard…"
"Don't overthink it. With scum like that, this is the fastest fix." Wei Yi scratched his chin—then paused. "…Am I being a little too much of a dog here?"
Feixiao tousled his hair with a bright grin. "It's fine. Even if you're a dog, you're my dog."
(And who was panting last night…?) Wei Yi wisely kept that thought to himself. Otherwise he'd end up like the guy she'd just pile-drove headfirst into the street.
"You look like you're thinking something very disrespectful," Feixiao said, eyes narrowing.
"How could I? I am General Feixiao's dog!" Wei Yi snapped to attention with grave solemnity.
"Hey! Enough, you two. Are we extras in your little… play?" March 7th threw up her hands.
"We're younger than them and still getting force-fed PDA?" Xing muttered. "Unbelievable."
"You'll get used to it." Luocha smiled faintly. Clearly, he already had.
Thanks to Wei Yi, the tiny proprietress treated them to a hearty meal in gratitude. Wei Yi glanced at the petite lady and then at her husband—two meters of hulking muscle—and couldn't help musing:
Small frame, big capacity.
Just like his own Feixiao—small Feixiao, limitless capacity. Always insisting "it won't fit," and then somehow taking every last bit anyway…
"I used to think about learning swordplay," March 7th sighed between bites. "Sadly, no talent. My 'Star-Cleave, Cosmos-Sunder: Great Glazed Blade' never came together. I ended up a bow user…"
"Perish the thought." Feixiao wagged a finger, smiling. "Archers have the highest ceiling. As the saying goes: a good archer must fight up close."
"Really? Because my ice blades cut me more than the enemy…"
"If you can draw a bow, your physique is fine. You just lack fundamentals. With the right teacher, you could be an excellent swordswoman," Feixiao said.
"Exactly. In that case—March, want to experience the Martial Exhibition Rite for yourself?" Wei Yi asked. "You're here already. Wouldn't it be a shame to leave with no memento?"
"Me? Can I even do that? I don't know swordsmanship…"
"Of course. This year's Rite isn't limited to swordsmen—anyone who sees themselves as a martial artist can enter. Still, going as a swordswoman has better flavor. Cross blades with elites from every corner—that's an experience." Wei Yi nodded. "You're not weak. With a couple of excellent instructors, seven days is enough to make you a competent swordswoman. Maybe not profound, but strong enough."
"I can really become a swordfighter?" March 7th's eyes sparkled.
"Leave it to me. I'll find you a teacher," Wei Yi said with total confidence.
"Thank you, doctor! I never thought I'd get to chase that dream!"
After the meal they split up—Sushang back on duty, the Express crew scattering, with March 7th still tagging along with Wei Yi and Feixiao.
Before they parted, Wei Yi pulled Dan Heng aside.
"What is it?"
"I need a favor—lend me your Method of Dragon-Transmutation."
"You've found a way to restore the Vidyadhara's fertility?" Dan Heng looked genuinely surprised.
"I can't promise a hundred percent. But I'm Xianzhou now—I have to try. If the Vidyadhara can bear children again, the Alliance will be far steadier. You know how it is: a people's continuation is no small matter. If the dragon-lords keep choosing the path they're on, they'll lead the Vidyadhara into a dead end."
Dan Heng nodded. "All right. Give me a little time to compile a complete version. I inherited a portion of Imbibitor Lunae's memories, but I can't guarantee the method is perfect."
That suited Wei Yi fine. If not for those resurfacing memories, he'd have had to trouble Black Swan to extract them—wasting time.
The Luofu was livelier than ever—markets and stalls everywhere. This year's Martial Exhibition Rite was a massive affair, more like the Charmony Festival: normally internal, but now open to many powers.
More people meant more eyes on the Xianzhou. The Cloud Knights had already nabbed several Abundance cultists trying to sneak in over the past two days. Their enemies wouldn't miss such a grand stage; even if they didn't make a scene, they'd love to cause trouble. If anything happened to the many big names gathered on the Luofu, the Alliance's reputation would crater. Invite the universe and fail to protect your guests? The net would feast.
Wei Yi could already hear the online jeers. What he couldn't quite figure out was: what trick would the Abundance believers try this time?
With March 7th in tow, Wei Yi and Feixiao headed straight for the Cloud Knights' training grounds. A promise was a promise—time to find her a teacher. The best fit, of course, was Yanqing: similar age, good temper, perfect for laying foundations.
Only, when they arrived the arena was buzzing. The grounds weren't a flat ring but a maze of obstacles and rooftops—and on two opposite eaves, two small figures faced off like duelists atop the Purple Forbidden City.
Yanqing and Yunli.
Both gripped long swords; clearly, a bout was about to begin.
"What happened? Why are they fighting?" Wei Yi asked Lingsha, who was watching from nearby.
"Nothing dramatic. Different philosophies of the sword," Lingsha said, helpless. "They're both prodigies—neither can convince the other. So they'll let their blades do the talking."
Hot-blooded youths. When words fail, you fight. There's no truer test than practice.
What followed was a dazzling duel. Yanqing's ethereal blade-work against Yunli's heavy, grounded power—both pushing themselves to the limit. It was more thrilling than anything March 7th had seen on screen. Movies could fake a lot; they could not fake riding a flying sword.
Xianzhou martial arts had long been famed. Centuries ago, the IPC's action films were infamously stiff—until a Xianzhou martial artist jumped ship, became a star, and forced the galaxy to take Xianzhou arts seriously. That was ages past; the star died young, mid-ascendancy.
"Wait—they're getting heated," Wei Yi murmured. What began as restrained sparring was edging toward something real. In a life-and-death match he'd favor Yanqing—months under Jingliu had paid off—but Yunli was no slouch.
Just as both gathered their ultimate strikes, Feixiao drifted between them and, with casual ease, dissolved both blows.
"S-so strong…" March 7th breathed. She hadn't seen Feixiao act often, but every time was unforgettable—and this time she made two peak-genius full-power strikes look like nothing.
"Teacher—you're here?" Yanqing asked meekly once Feixiao had settled them.
Wei Yi always felt a little embarrassed by how reverent the boy was to him. "I've got a favor to ask."
"Please command me. If I can do it, I'll give it my all," Yanqing said, thumping his chest.
"Simple. March 7th wants to enter the Rite as a swordswoman. She lacks foundations. I'd like you to teach her."
"Why not me? You think I'm worse than Yanqing?" Yunli puffed up, bristling.
"I… forgot you for a second," Wei Yi admitted, head aching at the sight of the riled-up cat.
"March, I can teach you too," Yunli said, turning to her. Yanqing also looked over.
"Where did this pointless rivalry come from…" Lingsha covered her face.
In a heartbeat, March 7th was caught between them. Nobody spoke the words, but the meaning was clear: choose.
You could cut the scene into a 'fox-spirit' MV.
March's answer was simple: both.
And so, in that little battlefield of pride, March 7th became the disciple of both Yunli and Yanqing. With only seven days left, they trimmed the curriculum to essentials. March wasn't weak; she just lacked basics. In a week they could teach her simple forms and footwork—in short, how to "walk." Before this, her swordplay had been all pretty flourishes—adrenaline-fueled haymakers that might cute an enemy to death but little else.
Seven days flashed by.
With errands done, Wei Yi and Feixiao returned to Jingliu's home. Jingliu and Baiheng were already back.
"I didn't see you this afternoon—thought you'd gone back to Yaoqing," Baiheng greeted.
"Nope. We ran into March 7th and found her some teachers," Wei Yi smiled.
"I see."
"You planning to stay here awhile?" Wei Yi asked Jingliu.
Jingliu's jewel-bright eyes blinked a question mark. (Wasn't this her house?)
"This is Jingliu's home—of course she's coming back. Don't leave again, okay? Keep me company. It gets lonely here by myself," Baiheng said, eyes hopeful.
"…Mm. This time, I'm back for good," Jingliu nodded.
To welcome her home, Baiheng cooked herself. The dishes weren't lavish, but she wouldn't hear of help. The price: the other three were down to the last sunflower seeds in their bowls by the time dinner landed.
"I didn't expect you to enter the Swordmaster selection," Wei Yi said later to Jingliu—the only times her icy aura thawed were with Baiheng or him. "Did you and the Marshal talk?"
"Her Excellency remitted my sins and invited me home to the Alliance. That's all," Jingliu replied, giving Wei Yi a long look, then shaking her head.
Wei Yi sensed there was more, but didn't press. His gut told him it involved him—and if he asked and got an answer, what then?
That night, back in their room, Wei Yi stretched. "What a day. I was actually a little nervous meeting the Marshal."
"Her Excellency is kind. Most generals owe her something. To many of us she's a matriarch more than a marshal—centuries of tireless stewardship, keeping our ships from drowning in the tides," Feixiao said with a sigh. "I hope this alliance eases her burden. One wrong decision at her level affects tens of thousands—hundreds of thousands—millions of lives."
"It will," Wei Yi nodded. He joked about eating soft rice, but his strength was real—and growing. With him publicly on the Alliance's side, the Xianzhou's situation would improve. Some internal knots could be loosened—or cut.
Like the Vidyadhara's crisis. With the dragon-transmutation method in hand, restoring their fertility shouldn't be out of reach. At worst, he could at least restart their population growth.
"By the way… doesn't that technically make me your superior now?" Wei Yi suddenly remembered. He lifted Feixiao's chin with a grin. "Shouldn't you show some respect when you see your boss? Come on—let me hear 'Grandpa Wei.'"
"I think you're getting cocky. Sounds like you need me to pin you down," Feixiao growled—and tackled him onto the bed.
—
Time rolled on. Seven days passed in a blink.
And the Martial Exhibition Rite… was finally about to begin.
....
My Patreon : patreon/RuneA
If you want to read the novel in advance, you can subscribe for early access. I also have many more novels in my collection that you might be interested in
I upload ten novels a day, with 3 to 4 chapters per title depending on the length. If you're following a particular series, please wait your turn a little
If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it