Volume One: A Youth Steps into the World Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Duel Approaches

At the entrance of Zhou Xiaodie’s courtyard, Fang Tian still stood there in a daze, feeling the lingering warmth on his cheek and recalling the figure that had already departed. A complex emotion welled up within him. It was the first time he had experienced something like this; thinking about Zhou Xiaodie’s actions, the corners of his lips unconsciously curved into a gentle smile, as if he finally understood his own feelings.

Turning around, Fang Tian walked back to his own quarters. Another day passed just like that. When morning came, Fang Tian woke, tidied himself, and with nothing else on his mind, headed straight for Zhou Xiaodie’s residence.

He did not know what had come over him. Every time he thought about leaving this place soon, a restless urge surged inside—a longing to see Zhou Xiaodie. He told himself there was still some time left, and he could speak with her, chat a little more before he had to go.

Standing once again at her courtyard gate, Fang Tian stepped forward and knocked.

Soon, the door opened slowly, revealing Zhou Xiaodie’s maid. She bowed to Fang Tian with a calm demeanor, different from before.

The maid spoke, “Young master, I must apologize. My lady says she is not feeling well and cannot see you today. Please return in a few days.”

Hearing this, Fang Tian felt puzzled. Yesterday she had been perfectly fine, and today this sudden change left him at a loss.

But it was not his place to press further. He nodded and turned away, and the maid watched his departing figure before closing the gate and heading directly to Zhou Xiaodie’s room.

Arriving before her mistress, the maid stopped and said, “Miss, Young Master Fang Tian has left.”

Zhou Xiaodie was seated at her desk, apparently engrossed in a book. Whether she was truly reading intently or merely pretending was uncertain. Upon hearing the maid’s words, she paused, lifted her head, and said, “Yes, I know. You may go.” She waved her hand, signaling the maid to withdraw.

The maid found it odd—her lady had suddenly decided not to see Fang Tian, which was unexpected. Still, she kept her thoughts to herself and quietly left.

Once the maid departed, Zhou Xiaodie let out a sigh of relief, as if she had finally relaxed. Resting her chin in her hands, she stared blankly ahead.

Her thoughts were in disarray, recalling her bold actions the previous night. If she met Fang Tian today, the encounter would surely be awkward, perhaps unbearably so, and she doubted she could maintain her composure before him. Yet, the realization that she would not see him today left her feeling forlorn; ultimately, she blamed herself for avoiding him.

With a sigh, she lowered her hands and buried her face in her arms, eyes fixed upon a pillar, quietly lying across the desk, motionless. In that moment, she seemed lost, unwilling to do anything else.

Meanwhile, Fang Tian wandered the streets, aimlessly drifting from place to place. Before he realized it, he had arrived at the training grounds. Noticing he had once again passed by there, he took the initiative to step onto the field.

Approaching Zhou Quan, he patted his shoulder. Zhou Quan turned and, seeing Fang Tian, broke into a delighted grin, throwing an arm around him. “Fang Tian, my brother, you’re finally out! I’ve missed you these past few days!”

Fang Tian smiled, “Me too. I haven’t been here for days, so I wanted to come see you all.”

“But I heard you spent all of yesterday with Xiaodie. By rights, shouldn’t you be with her again today? What are you doing here?” Zhou Quan grinned mischievously.

Fang Tian was momentarily at a loss for words. He understood Zhou Quan’s meaning; his original plan had been to visit Zhou Xiaodie, then come to the training grounds. But this morning, as if spellbound, he could only think of seeing Zhou Xiaodie—and was refused at her door.

Thinking about it, he felt a little guilty and didn’t know what to say.

Zhou Quan, seeing Fang Tian’s troubled expression, sensed something was amiss and refrained from teasing further. Instead, he laughed heartily and dragged Fang Tian along to spar and train.

Fang Tian did not refuse, and so began practicing with Zhou Quan. As for Zhou Xiaodie, Fang Tian decided he would visit her in a few days; for now, he would help Zhou Quan and the others train, especially with the three clans’ competition approaching.

Thus, Fang Tian stayed at the training grounds for four or five days, accompanying them in their practice, going nowhere else. Under his guidance, the Zhou family’s disciples gradually improved their skills.

In the early morning, Fang Tian, as usual, headed to the training grounds. He saw Zhou Quan had already arrived and went over to greet him.

Zhou Quan welcomed Fang Tian with a smile. “Good morning, Fang Tian!”

He threw an arm around Fang Tian’s shoulder with enthusiasm.

Fang Tian smiled and nodded. At first, Zhou Quan’s friendly gestures had made him uneasy, but as their acquaintance deepened, Fang Tian grew accustomed to it, considering Zhou Quan a friend and no longer bothered by his warmth.

But just as Zhou Quan was smiling, he suddenly became serious, staring intently at Fang Tian as though something important had happened. Fang Tian felt a bit uneasy, unsure what was coming.

Zhou Quan asked, “Fang Tian, did you forget something?”

Fang Tian thought for a while, unable to come up with anything, and replied with a puzzled look, “I don’t think so. Maybe you could give me a hint?”

“So tell me, how many days have you been at the training grounds?”

“Four or five days, why?”

“And before those days, what were you doing?”

“I was with Xiaodie…”

Before he could finish, Fang Tian realized Zhou Quan’s meaning. He had been so absorbed in training with them that he had forgotten about Zhou Xiaodie.

Now that several days had passed, he supposed Xiaodie would no longer refuse to see him.

After thinking it through, Fang Tian said, “Zhou Quan, today I won’t train with you. I’ll go see Xiaodie.”

“Go ahead, Fang Tian. What we’re doing here is trivial; your business is far more important!” Zhou Quan instantly broke into a smile, returning to his usual self.

“I’m off, then.”

“Hurry! Don’t keep Xiaodie waiting.”

Fang Tian said no more and turned, heading toward Zhou Xiaodie’s residence.

Zhou Quan stood where he was, smiling as he watched Fang Tian leave. When Fang Tian’s figure disappeared, Zhou Quan’s smile faded and his face returned to calm, betraying no emotion.

He muttered under his breath, “Almost time. Only a few days left until the three clans’ competition. Just a little longer…”

After a moment, Zhou Quan resumed training the Zhou family disciples. At that moment, there seemed to be secrets weighing on his heart.