On her first solo trip down the mountain, Sang Zhi brought back three baskets of spirit herbs, a furry little creature that hiccupped, and a great partner for her next training expedition.
She leaned against the table, counting on her fingers as she praised him to her master.
“His sword is fast, and he's a good person. He never argues with me over how we split things. Master, you know Senior Brother Pei from the Mingjian Sect, right?”
Xie Linyuan was looking at the newly formed scab on the base of her thumb.
“I know him.”
“He said that if I ever want to go somewhere, I can just send him a message.”
The fingertips resting on her wrist paused for a moment.
Sang Zhi didn't notice. Her other hand was already reaching for her message jade. Senior Brother Pei had just invited her to catch greenwater crabs, and she needed to find out whether he meant the kind you eat or the kind that eats people.
Xie Linyuan let go of her and asked quietly, “You're going again?”
“Of course.”
She lifted her face, her eyes so bright that no one could bring themselves to scold her.
“Such a good senior brother. If I don't act quickly, someone else might invite him first!”
Outside the window, the wind suddenly fell still.
Sang Zhi rubbed her arms, thinking her master's room felt awfully cold.
