Chapter 26: Intelligence so high, even the sky seems low.
Meanwhile,
Outside,
At the dawn, when dew still clung to the tips of jade leaves and cranes circled the distant peaks in pairs, a male and a female.
A figure arrived at Zhao Fan’s courtyard, treading with care upon the mist-veiled steps.
Clad in soft blue robes and bearing the emblem of the Elder Wang’s disciple robe, the youth bowed low before the gates without crossing the threshold.
His breath remained measured and spirit subdued.
"Zhao Gongzi," he intoned with a voice humble as falling snow.
"This lowly disciple, brings greetings on behalf of Elder Wang of the Alchemy Cloud Pavilion. The Elder extends a courtesy... an invitation to partake in morning tea, brewed from thousand-year snow buds picked from the northern slopes of Mount Lanxu hoping Young Master would join,"
The words were respectful, each one flowing like calligraphy on a scroll, yet within them curled unseen barbs.
Behind the curtain of sandalwood smoke, Zhao Fan remained silent for a breath, two, three, and ultimately four.
Then he laughed silently, not so loudly, nor mockingly, but like wind brushing against a stone tablet buried beneath time which happens to be ancient, unshaken, and cold.