Holding her tea, Jiang Chan said, “That’s Xiao Feng’s own talent. If you enjoy his cooking, you can send someone to learn from him for a while.”
Old Feng’s eyes brightened. “Really?”
“Of course. I keep my word.”
Satisfied by her assurance, he continued eating. Feng Feishuang and Feng Feiyang had long since finished and were merely keeping him company, taking an occasional bite.
When everyone had nearly finished, Xiao Feng fetched Jiang Chan’s pastries from the kitchen.
“Master made these. Please try them. May everyone have a sweet year after eating them!”
Supper ended only at nine, and everyone returned to their rooms. Old Feng walked ahead with his stomach protruding, the brothers trailing helplessly.
The evening had been uncomfortable for them, principally because Old Feng, well fed and content, had told Jiang Chan many embarrassing stories about them. Now both felt awkward around her.
Near the guest rooms, Feng Feishuang happened to look up and paused. Hadn’t she returned to her room? Why was she on the roof, apparently admiring the moon?
What was so interesting about that crescent? Looking at it, he smiled thoughtfully. Xianyue admiring a crescent moon, her namesake, was rather fitting. The clinic’s main hall was tall. Reaching its roof suggested considerable skill.
Indeed, someone who could knock his younger brother out with one palm could hardly be weak. With that thought, he returned to his room.
Jiang Chan sat hugging her knees on the roof. Her disciples were asleep, but she felt no sleepiness. On such a lonely night, she suddenly missed the orphanage children and Grandma Fan terribly.
Here she was alone, with no siblings or close friends. Even someone as strong as her felt lonely at year’s end.
Was this moon the same as the one in her real world? Seeing a layer of frost over the courtyard, she descended. It was time to rest.
The clinic was lively in the morning. Jiang Chan practiced martial arts while Dongqing and Rendong led Xiao Feng and the others in strengthening their bodies. They earnestly punched and kicked, stealing glances at her movements.
When would they become as powerful as Master?
The Feng brothers rose early too. Martial artists practiced every morning. Watching her leap and turn through the courtyard, Feng Feiyang had to admit his previous defeat had been deserved.
Two hours later, she withdrew her hands and took a long breath. Her internal energy had advanced again. Growing stronger was perhaps her greatest pleasure.
Overall, her New Year was pleasant, though some fools came looking for trouble. After dealing with a third uninvited visitor, she glared at Feng Feiyang.
It was the second day of the New Year. Since New Year’s Eve, intruders had repeatedly broken in, striking ruthlessly. Without her ability to defend herself, everyone in the clinic would have been finished.
Under her gaze, Feng Feiyang shrank back. He knew the demonic sect had come for revenge and felt guilty for dragging her into it.
Feng Feishuang was far more responsible. “I’m sorry, Doctor Xianyue. We’ll leave immediately. We’ve caused enough trouble these past days.”
She frowned. “Forget it. What can I say to you? One’s unreliable, one’s injured, and one’s so old. Meeting your brother was eight lifetimes’ worth of bad luck.”
Repeated attacks from the demonic sect had crossed her line. Of course, when compassion prompted her to shelter the brothers, she had foreseen this possibility.
“I need to think. They keep coming here as though I don’t matter. I ought to give them a proper gift in return.”
Her lips curved, and she seized Feng Feiyang’s collar. “You’ve scouted their headquarters, haven’t you? You’re coming with me. Try anything clever and, hmph!”
“As for you two, look after the clinic’s children. I’ll be back soon.”
Dealing with the demonic sect early would let her begin searching for Qingyuan’s treasures sooner. Taking in the brothers had benefits after all. Here were ready-made fighters.
Better than facing the sect alone later. Its headquarters lay only two days from Yun City. During those two days, she and Feng Feiyang barely spoke. He was a walking disaster, bringing bad luck to everyone he touched.
As a fragile supporting female character, she would be better off keeping her distance.
Two evenings later, they finally reached the headquarters. Security was strict, with guards controlling every entrance.
“I went in here last time. It’s the weakest point. Elsewhere, patrols change every quarter of an hour. Here, only once an hour.”
He spoke quietly. It was already dark outside. Jiang Chan leaped into the courtyard so lightly that no one noticed the intruders.
After several corridors, Feng Feiyang kicked a vase at a corner. The faint sound immediately drew a shout. “Who’s there?”
She glared at him. Useless fellow, better at ruining things than accomplishing them!
People were already approaching. Jiang Chan pinched her throat and squeaked several times. This was her special skill. After centuries as a treasure-hunting mouse, she knew how mice sounded.
“Only a mouse. Captain, aren’t you being too jumpy? With our security, how could anyone get in?”
“Better safe than sorry. You know how much the leader values Madam Liu. We should check.”
The leader. A lady. Jiang Chan immediately remembered that the Song family’s destruction had stemmed from his sick concubine. Hearing of their supposed lifesaving medicine, he had attacked them. Could this be that concubine’s residence?
With these thoughts, she suddenly moved, pushed open a nearby door, and entered. Feng Feiyang stared, then hurried after her.
The elegantly decorated room was clearly a woman’s bedroom, with fine curtains and a carefully furnished dressing table. One glance convinced Jiang Chan this must be Madam Liu’s room.
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