Watching the Three Mountain City group walk away, Lin Zhengren said nothing yet — but his younger brother Lin Zhengli was already fuming: "Mountain barbarians, how rude!"
Lin Zhengren led the Riverview City delegation this time, while Lin Zhengli competed as the Riverview City Academy's first-year representative.
At his brother's words, Lin Zhengren only smiled slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Every cultivator in the room wore jade and gold. Their families in Riverview City were rich and noble, so they carried themselves with no small amount of spoilt arrogance. Even on Maple City's turf, they spoke freely and insulted whoever they pleased.
"Once the Trial starts, we'll teach them a lesson!"
"Maple City isn't much either. I said I wanted to visit the Three-Scent Pavilion, and they wouldn't even take me! Cheapskates!"
"Hahaha, they're poor. Look at the courtyard they put us in — is that fit for people? No floor heating at all. The mattress is plain cotton-silk!"
"Ah, these poverty-stricken runts. What can you do? I've already sent servants to buy proper bedding. We'll make do for two days."
As the complaints ran on, a voice cut in: "Where's Fu Baosong? He skipped again?"
"Who cares about him!" Lin Zhengli sneered. "I don't know how the dean let him into the team. Sour and stinking."
Lin Zhengren set his cup down lightly, and Lin Zhengli shut up at once.
Lin Zhengren lifted his chopsticks. "Eat."
The mood warmed again.
* * *
Under Jiang Chen's supervision, An'an returned all the treasure she'd earned from her classmates, and promised to stop writing answers for them. From now on she would take her own exams properly — and score well, to bring glory to the Jiang name.
The price: an extra helping of Guixiang Bakery pastries after every dinner.
Hope she doesn't rot her teeth!
While Ling Chuan and the others hosted the visitors from Three Mountain City, Jiang Chen finished the day's cultivation and went to the Hall of Bright Virtue to pick up his sister.
He had to admit: with the Essence Control Art's help, his command of Dao essence was improving at a satisfying clip. The most visible sign was that he could now lay out array points with ease — he hadn't made a mistake in a long while.
Combined with the Four-Spirit Body Refining Art's strengthening of his flesh, he could push through many more meridian-charging sessions. Had he not held back, he might already have founded his Dao vortex. Even pacing himself, he was close.
An'an in hand, he was heading off for a proper meal when a girl with a head full of little braids jumped in front of him.
She pointed at Jiang Chen, rudely: "You're the one who won't let An'an play with me?"
Jiang Chen recognized her. The little demon from the Hall of Bright Virtue, the other day — a girl who had obviously been spoiled rotten.
The beads on her braids alone — little pearls, jade drops, emeralds — spoke of serious money.
Jiang Chen had no quarrel with a child. "Little friend, I only told An'an not to cheat with you. I never said she couldn't play with you."
The braided girl sniffed: "Then why did you send back all that treasure? Those were the tokens of our friendship!"
"Friendship can't be witnessed with money." Jiang Chen had limited patience for other people's children, and gave the standard lecture. "All right, I'm taking An'an home now."
"No! You're not leaving until you explain yourself!" The braided girl spread her arms and blocked the road.
Jiang Chen sighed and played his trump card: "I'll tell your teacher."
"You dare?" The braided girl rolled up her sleeves, furious. "Think I won't hit you?"
Before Jiang Chen could answer, An'an spoke up: "Qingzhi, if you hit my brother, I really won't play with you anymore!"
"Ah, wait." The girl named Qingzhi hastily rolled her sleeves back down. "Fine, I won't hit him then."
Jiang Chen stood by, speechless. Like you could beat me anyway. Little girl!
"I'll say it once more, little friend." Jiang Chen said. "As long as you two don't do bad things together — cheating, skipping class, that sort of thing — I have no problem with An'an playing with you. Understood? Then wait here for your family to pick you up. An'an and I are going for boiled meatball soup!"
An'an had wanted to say a few more words to her friend, but at the mention of soup she lost all interest in talking. She waved: "Bye, Qingzhi! See you tomorrow!"
The braided girl waved back and stepped aside, and Jiang Chen carried An'an off at a brisk pace.
Watching his retreating back, she sniffed again and muttered: "What's so great about you."
* * *
The Three Mountain City cultivators finally reached the little courtyard the academy had prepared for them.
The moment the gate closed, the "hidden demon" the townsfolk feared sat down hard on the ground, voice full of grievance: "Can you all leave now? I'm inside Maple City. Where could I possibly run?"
He had tried a hundred ways to escape back to Three Mountain City along the road, and every single time they'd dragged him back. When they neared Maple City, they'd even surrounded him and marched him in.
The Three Mountain City cultivators all looked awkward. Some studied the sky, some studied the ground; two examined each other's fingernails. No one moved an inch.
The real demon — small, fierce, and bouncing — skipped into the house, toured all six rooms, then hopped back into the courtyard. She pointed at the westernmost room. On each wrist hung a silver chain with a little silver hammer that swung as she moved.
"All right, pick your rooms! That one's mine."
Everyone scattered at once.
"Sun Little Fatty!" Sun Xiaoman called to Sun Xiaoyan, who had scrambled up. "You take the room next to mine!"
"No!" Sun Xiaoyan roared — then met his sister's eyes and lowered his voice at once: "Can't I say no?"
"No, you can't." Sun Xiaoman blinked.
She had large, bright eyes. When she blinked, they were like moonlight reflected in a stream.
Sun Xiaoyan only wanted to shiver.
Sun Xiaoman skipped forward, hands behind her back, her pair of silver hammers swinging and clicking with each step. "Little fatty, come with big sister~"
Sun Xiaoyan followed her reluctantly into the room, whining: "Don't call me Sun Little Fatty, okay? I have a real name!"
"Fine, Sun Little Fatty." Sun Xiaoman turned, unbothered, and waved. "Come. Sit here."
Sun Xiaoyan sat obediently, his bulk squashing the chair to overflowing.
Sun Xiaoman reached out and pulled off his hood, revealing the pudgy, swollen face beneath.
"Oh, this is bruised." When she wasn't being fierce, Sun Xiaoman's voice was almost sweet.
Oh my god. She's worried about me. Warmth crept into Sun Xiaoyan's heart.
Then he caught himself. Hah!
He spat mentally, hard.
Sun Xiaoman produced a small jade bottle, pulled the stopper, and a wisp of fragrance drifted out.
She scooped out a dab of translucent ointment with her pinky nail and pressed it gently onto Sun Xiaoyan's face, spreading it with her fingertip.
Sun Xiaoyan didn't dare resist, and sat perfectly still. First a coolness, then comfort — the pain seemed to ease on the spot.
"There!" Sun Xiaoman patted his big face after she finished. "Leave it on overnight. The swelling will be gone by tomorrow."
A thank-you almost slipped out of Sun Xiaoyan's mouth, but he bit it back.
Sun Xiaoman put the jade bottle away and smiled: "Next time, don't be so impulsive. A scarred face is ugly — and it'd embarrass Three Mountain City."
Who do you think did this to me?!
Sun Xiaoyan's heart burned with grievance, but his face managed a smile. "Yes, jie-jie."