While Qin Yi was in the western courtyard of the village learning characters with the Young Master, on the barren land east of the village, Zhuzi stood among a group of children, loudly telling a story that sounded like a mythological legend—one he had heard from his younger brother Datou the night before.
"Do you know what Datou is to the Young Master?" Zhuzi shouted proudly. "He's the Young Master's Sword-Bearing Attendant! Do you know what that means? Idiots, you don't even know that? Haven't you seen those portraits of the Martial God with a child standing beside him holding a precious sword? Datou is just like that kid. Isn't that amazing?"
Zhuzi spoke loudly and proudly, repeating what he had heard from Datou, but after adding his own understanding and embellishments.
"Do you know what Datou eats at the western courtyard?" he continued. "Let me tell you—it's not rice, flour, vegetables, or meat like what we eat. Instead, he drinks a kind of sweet, green immortal nectar. Just a small sip and he's already full. It can even last an entire day!"
As he spoke, he gestured dramatically with his hands, as if he had personally witnessed everything.
"Do you know how powerful the Young Master is? With just a casual step, he crushed a thick stone slab into sand! And with a simple wave of his hand, a huge and heavy wooden staff from far away flew into his hand like a dandelion!"
Seeing everyone gathered around him, staring with bright and curious eyes, Zhuzi proudly lifted his chin even higher.
"Do you know what Datou is learning from the Young Master? He's learning characters! What? You don't even know what characters are? Characters possess mysterious power. With just a few strokes, they can give rise to Heaven, Earth, and all things in the universe. Isn't that magical? Isn't that amazing?"
…
Zhuzi's loud storytelling about the Young Master quickly attracted the attention of the entire village.
Even Qin Ding, who usually lived in seclusion, heard about it.
When several of the village elders gathered in his house, Qin Ding immediately expressed his attitude.
"This is outrageous!"
Since the matter involved the Young Master, Qin Ding was furious. With a single slap of his palm, he shattered the table beside him.
"I will handle this matter myself!"
Qin Ding directly took responsibility for dealing with the situation.
The matter involved the Young Master—and the newly accepted Sword-Bearing Attendant.
It was a sensitive issue. If handled well, it would bring little reward, but if handled poorly, it could offend someone important. Naturally, no one wanted to step forward.
Since Qin Ding volunteered, the others gladly agreed.
Of course, Qin Ding had no intention of arguing with children.
Instead, he went directly to find Qin Yong, who was farming in the fields.
"What's going on? How could your Zhuzi dare to publicly talk about the Young Master's affairs? Does he have a death wish?"
Facing the imposing Qin Ding, Qin Yong quickly bowed respectfully before explaining helplessly.
"I specifically told them the night before not to tell anyone. But last night Datou came back from the western courtyard and brought the Young Master's latest instruction, saying that it's allowed to talk about it now… Uncle Ding, to be honest, I don't know what's going on either. But Datou said it was the Young Master's order, so… I didn't dare interfere. If you think it's inappropriate, I'll immediately go stop them."
This time, Qin Ding did not immediately take control of the matter. Instead, after thinking for a moment, he asked seriously:
"Tell me the truth—did Datou really become the Young Master's Sword-Bearing Attendant?"
Whether Datou truly held that position was what Qin Ding cared about the most.
Qin Yong hesitated before nodding.
"It should be true. The day before yesterday, Elder Huang personally came to take Datou to the western courtyard. Yesterday he went there before breakfast and didn't return until before dinner. When he came back, he said it himself—that he had become the Young Master's Sword-Bearing Attendant. He also mentioned drinking Nourishing Essence Soup and learning characters from the Young Master."
Qin Ding already knew that Elder Huang had visited Qin Yong's house that night to take Datou away.
He also knew that Datou had been frequently entering and leaving the western courtyard during the past two days.
Everything matched the information he had heard—except for the earlier request to keep the matter secret.
However, all of this happened right under the eyes of the Young Master and Elder Huang.
Combined with Qin Ding's understanding of Qin Yong's character, he had no doubt about the truth of his words. He simply could not understand why the Young Master had suddenly changed his mind.
Datou had truly become the Young Master's Sword-Bearing Attendant.
What great fortune.
"The Young Master must have his own deeper meaning."
"Very well. Since it is the Young Master's instruction, we will follow his orders."
"I will inform the others. Let's consider the matter settled."
Then Qin Ding looked at Qin Yong and added:
"But Xiaoyong, you handled this matter too hastily."
"For something this important, you should have informed us beforehand. Now everyone is startled and uneasy. That's not good."
After confirming that Datou truly was the Young Master's Sword-Bearing Attendant—and that everything had the Young Master's approval—Qin Ding's attitude changed completely.
"Uncle Ding, it was my oversight. I've troubled you. Let me go with you and apologize in person," Qin Yong said quickly.
Qin Yong was no longer an ordinary villager.
His younger brother was the captain of the Marquis's personal guards.
And his third son had become the Young Master's Sword-Bearing Attendant.
Moreover, the Young Master himself was currently resting in the village.
After a brief hesitation, Qin Ding nodded.
"That's good. All the village leaders are waiting there for news. It would be best if you personally explain it to them."
Thinking about how he had once criticized Qin Yong because of his support for Qin An, Qin Ding felt somewhat embarrassed. Using his only remaining left hand, he patted Qin Yong's shoulder warmly.
"Xiaoyong, you're too polite. We're all family here. In the future, come visit my house more often. And remember to bring Datou with you. I want to take a good look at that child."
"He is the treasure of our village! What was that saying again… something about a qilin? Yes—a Qilin Child. Datou is the Qilin Child of our village! Hahaha!"
"Yes, Uncle Ding. I was just worried about disturbing you."
"I'm idle all day long. How could it possibly disturb me? Whenever Datou has time, bring him over. My door is always open."
…
Qin An naturally could not avoid hearing the rumors about Qin Yi.
"What? Datou from Qin Yong's family has gained the Young Master's favor? He has been entering and leaving the western courtyard for three consecutive days, even eating there, and the Young Master personally teaches him?"
He had lost.
His son had lost as well.
Completely and utterly defeated.
…
At noon, Qin Xu finished teaching Qin Yi the amount of material he himself had once learned in two full days.
Then he stopped.
He instructed Qin Yi to continue practicing and contemplating on his own before lying down on the soft couch to rest.
Only then did Elder Huang quietly transmit his voice privately and ask:
"Young Master, your complexion has improved greatly. Could it be that your injuries are recovering?"
Qin Xu smiled and looked toward Qin Yi, who was concentrating on writing and thinking in the sand.
"It's all thanks to that child, Datou."
His injuries had already been brought under control.
At least for now, he no longer needed to worry about only having a few years left to live.
After a long silence, Qin Xu sighed softly.
"Originally, I thought that meeting me was Datou's fortune."
"But I never expected…"
"Meeting Datou would also be my fortune."
(End of Chapter)