Liu Yao: The Revitalization of Fuyao Sect

Chapter 19

That was where the spices in the incense came in—the katydid burnt master's mustache into a strand of flavorsome charred hair.

On that very same day, both Han Yuan and Lin Yun were punished by writing the scriptures twenty times; Yan Zhengming also didn't escape the punishment. He was made to write it out ten times because he was the initiator and it was too unreasonable of him to sleep overtly in the morning class. Although Cheng Qian played a part too, considering that he had no intention of that and had admitted his fault timely, he was the only one that was spared.

Because of this, Yan Zhengming unashamedly halted Cheng Qian on his way back to Qing'an Dwelling in the evening. Putting on the air of first senior brother, he said, "Little Copper Coin2, I happen to have free time today, do you want me to give some guidance on your swordsmanship?"

Through the past period of getting along with him, Cheng Qian had already got him sussed out—when it came to eating or playing, young master Yan was bound to march first. But once asked to sit down to study, he'd immediately become a "sick beauty", grumbling that he was aching from toenails to hair.

Just now when Yan Zhengming was practicing swordplay, he even claimed to have heatstroke.

He offered to give some guidance? Only when pigs fly.

Unsurprisingly, in the next moment, his first senior brother spoke out his true purpose unblushingly. "Alas, I suddenly remembered that master asked me to copy the scriptures. Hmm... it seems that I don't have free time now, but if you could help me with that..."

As they saying goes, an owl in the house—he doesn't come with nothing.3

So Cheng Qian declined him without any hesitation. "Senior Brother, you might as well just write the scriptures. I dare not trouble you to do such heavy manual labor as practicing swordplay. I'm afraid you may sprain your back."

Yan Zhengming: "..."

Why couldn't people forever remain the same as they used to be? His hypocritical yet courteous third junior brother would never return.

"Wait!" Yan Zhengming was loath to give up. He turned his head and scanned around. Seeing nobody else, he threw his arm around Cheng Qian's neck and pulled him over, saying quietly, "Write me a few copies, and I'll tell you a secret."

Cheng Qian sighed and said in all earnestness, "First Senior Brother, if the secret is 'how to tie your belt to make it flutter', you needn't tell me."

Without a word, Yan Zhengming just took advantage of his height and abducted Cheng Qian by carrying him under his arms—he walked so quickly that it was as if wind blew under his feet, not one bit like someone who'd gotten sunstroke.

Cheng Qian seldom wandered around the mountain. His life was confined to a narrow trip between Qing'an Dwelling and Mission Hall.

Of course it wasn't because he had no curiosity, but that he had strong self-control. He thought that it would be unacceptable if he ran about before he truly learned something. Therefore, although he knew there were a lot of caves left by predecessors, he never visited any of them.

Yan Zhengming carried him to the top of a hill. In the whistling of the wind, he took him to a big stone which resembled a monkey. "Here we are."

Cheng Qian shot a glance at the stone and was surprised. "This... Is this a statue put up for little junior brother?"

"Little brat, just go on with your acid humor, you'll be begging me soon enough." Said Yan Zhengming, his tone triumphant.

Finishing that, he produced a handkerchief out of his bosom and wiped the dust off the stone, revealing a crack outlining the shape of a gate.