Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

CLAP. CLAP.

Xie Yuan clapped his hands in admiration.

"I may not know the first thing about music, but even I feel refreshed and revitalized just by listening. It’s clear that Miss Qin’s skill with the zither is extraordinary."

Situ Qin smiled faintly at his words and said charmingly,

"I’ve heard plenty of compliments, but one as rough as yours is a first. And yet, for some strange reason, it’s pleasant to hear."

"That’s because my praise is sincere."

Xie Yuan sat down at a nearby tea table, upon which were several plates of snacks that looked like sesame balls and crystal cakes, though they appeared more exquisite than usual.

"I woke up late. Please forgive me, Miss Qin."

"It’s no bother. This was all prepared for you. Please, help yourself."

"Then I won’t stand on ceremony."

Xie Yuan’s stomach was already rumbling. He ate his breakfast while listening to Situ Qin play another tune.

As the exquisite music echoed through the waterside pavilion, a sense of peace washed over Xie Yuan.

A beautiful woman playing the zither beside him while he enjoyed tea and snacks... This was the life of an immortal.

’It would be nice if things could always be like this.’

When Xie Yuan finished his breakfast, he had thought the few small snacks wouldn’t be enough to fill his stomach. To his surprise, after eating, a warmth spread from his belly, and he actually felt quite full.

He waited for Situ Qin to finish another piece before asking,

"This breakfast tastes great, and it’s surprisingly filling, isn’t it?"

"It’s a medicinal meal, meant to replenish blood and bolster qi. It’s good for your injuries and especially filling," Situ Qin explained.

Xie Yuan clicked his tongue in amazement.

"I can’t believe a medicinal meal could taste this good. Hmm, you’re very thoughtful, Miss Qin. Thank you."

"This is nothing! I told you before that I’d treat you to some good food. Don’t be so formal over such a small thing."

Situ Qin waved her hand with a rather magnanimous air.

Xie Yuan nodded.

"This is indeed a small matter. However, I will never forget that you saved my life yesterday."

"Thank you, Miss Qin and Elder Li, for lending me your aid."

Xie Yuan stood up and performed a deep bow, his clasped hands reaching toward the ground.

Situ Qin cried out in surprise and rushed over in two steps to help Xie Yuan up.

"Why are you being so formal? It makes me uncomfortable. You helped me last time, and I helped you this time. Let’s just call it even."

"It’s not the same..."

Situ Qin pulled Xie Yuan up. Looking at her so close, his gaze met her eyes that shone like brilliant stars, and he suddenly forgot what he was about to say.

They were standing a little too close.

Situ Qin held his gaze for a moment, then, after a brief silence, she turned her head away slightly, feeling a bit awkward.

A breeze from the lake blew past, lifting a few strands of her hair and brushing them against her jade-like cheeks.

She made a small sound and broke the silence as she tucked her hair back into place.

"That’s settled, then. No more talk about it! You’ll be my guest here for the next couple of days, and I’ll show you around and treat you well, just as a host should."

Xie Yuan nodded silently, subtly putting some distance between them as he returned to his seat.

The two chatted idly for a while. Situ Qin told Xie Yuan about the local customs of Yunzhou Prefecture, broadening his horizons;

in turn, Xie Yuan spoke of matters from the mountains and villages and interesting stories from his escort missions. This was all new to Situ Qin, and for a time, the conversation flowed without any awkward pauses.

After some time, their conversation eventually drifted back to the topic of cultivation.

Xie Yuan paused thoughtfully for a moment before asking,

"Miss Qin, you know that I came upon my Inner Power technique by chance and have been practicing on my own. While I haven’t run into any major problems, I feel my progress is slow. I was wondering... are there any aids that can help one advance in Inner Power?"

"You’ve reached this level of strength just by practicing on your own, and you want to be even faster?"

Situ Qin had heard Xie Yuan mention that he hadn’t been on the Martial Dao path for long, and a strange look appeared in her eyes.

"Your innate talent is already this good, yet you’re still not satisfied. Inner Power is inherently a slow, nurturing practice; it can’t be rushed. Your progress is already extraordinary, and you still think it’s slow?"

Even to the worldly and knowledgeable Situ Qin, Xie Yuan’s cultivation speed was incredibly fast.

"Compared to a true master, I’m still a long way off,"

Xie Yuan said, shaking his head.

Situ Qin understood his meaning, and her voice softened.

"Don’t be impatient. With your talent, getting your revenge is only a matter of time. And... while Inner Power can’t be rushed, there are some methods that can help."

"I have a few medicinal ingredients in my storehouse—they could be considered earthly treasures. They can aid in cultivating Inner Power, so you can take them and use them. Or, I have useful formulas for replenishing qi that I can just give you directly."

Seeing that the wealthy young lady was about to give him things again, Xie Yuan shook his head repeatedly.

"I cannot accept rewards without merit. Miss Qin, you have already been very good to me. I can’t just take your things for free again."

Situ Qin shook her head, unconcerned.

"It’s not like I’m short on these things. Are we friends or not? If we’re friends, there’s no need for such formalities."

"Of course we are. It is my good fortune to have met a friend as good as you, Miss Qin."

Xie Yuan nodded and smiled.

"But if we are to be friends, I can’t just take your things for free. Otherwise, our friendship wouldn’t last."

Hearing this, Situ Qin was taken aback for a moment.

She had always been surrounded by people, most of whom wanted something from her. Having been born with a silver spoon in her mouth, she never placed much importance on material possessions and had always been generous.

But as she thought back carefully, she realized that while there were many people around her, very few could be called friends. Most people she’d hit it off with initially would change after she gave them things and benefits became involved. Their interactions would slowly sour.

They would either become insatiably greedy, asking for one thing after another—and though she was generous, she wasn’t a fool and wouldn’t play the sucker;

or, after receiving her favors, they would lose their confidence and become subservient, making it impossible to interact as equals anymore.

’He really has a point. If Xie Yuan were only interested in my things, even if I didn’t say it out loud or even consciously think it, I probably wouldn’t be as keen to invite him over again.’

’A Xie Yuan like that would be no different from everyone else—boring. He’d just be better-looking, that’s all.’

’But he... he seems completely different from the others.’

Situ Qin looked at Xie Yuan, her gaze flickering as she sized him up for a good while before finally smiling.

"So, Master Xie, you not only have a strong backbone but also understand some profound principles. Hmm, it seems you want to be friends with me for a long time, too!"

Seeing Situ Qin’s mischievous, girlish expression once again, her cheerful smile and chatter utterly captivating, Xie Yuan could only silently look away and take a sip of his tea.

Situ Qin propped her chin on one hand, tilted her head, and thought for a moment. Suddenly, a playful look appeared on her face.

"Alright, since you say you can’t accept rewards without merit, how about this? You do something for me, and I’ll give you a formula to aid your Inner Power cultivation as payment!"