After returning home, Gu Xu did not sit down to rest.
He placed the book of herbs carefully on the table, then picked up two empty buckets and headed to the well.
The evening air was cooler now, and most people had already finished their work for the day.
A few villagers were still there, drawing water and chatting quietly.
Gu Xu waited for his his turn, filled both buckets and carried them back while being careful not to spill any.
By the time he reached the cottage, his shoulders and forearms ached slightly, but he did not complain.
Gu Xu poured the water into the wooden tub behind the house and took a bath, scrubbing the dust and sweat from his body.
When he finished, he poured the remaining water over the veranda to settle the dust, then went back inside and began cleaning the house.
He wiped the table, folded the bedding properly, arranged the few utensils they owned neatly, and then took the broom and began sweeping from the back of the cottage toward the front.
The sound of the broom brushing against the wooden floor was steady and rhythmic.
When he stepped out onto the veranda to sweep the last bit of dust, he noticed the sky had turned orange and gold.
The sun was just setting behind the trees, and long shadows stretched across the ground.
Gu Xu rested the broom against the wall and looked at the sun for a moment.
Then he remembered something, De Qianfan had said he would come today!
Gu Xu looked down the empty path leading to his cottage. No one was there.
Gu Xu frowned slightly and muttered to himself, "He was lying."
He did not wait any longer. He finished sweeping, gathered the dust into a pile, and threw it away. Then he put the broom back in its place and looked around the cottage to see if there was anything else left to do.
Everything looked clean and in order...except the things from that morning.
The woven basket Maki had used to gather herbs was still sitting near the door.
Gu Xu walked over and crouched beside it.
He picked it up and examined it carefully, turning it slightly in his hands.
The weaving was tight and even, the structure strong but flexible. It was clearly made by someone very skilled. Even the way the handle was attached showed careful craftsmanship.
Gu Xu ran his fingers along the inside and noticed small bits of leaves and crushed herbs stuck in the corners. He took the basket outside, emptied the contents properly, then washed it with water and a cloth, making sure no plant residue remained.
After that, he left it outside to dry before bringing it back in and placing it neatly near the door.
Only after all his chores were finished did he finally sit down.
He lit the oil lamp and placed it on the table, then brought out the book of herbs Maki had given him.
The book was thick, filled with drawings and notes. Gu Xu opened to the first page and began to read.
At first, he read slowly, studying the drawings carefully. The shapes of leaves, the thickness of roots, the color differences between similar plants, the locations where they grew, and what they were used for.
He read on and on, turning each page after absorbing the information on it.
Without realizing it, he became completely absorbed.
The world around him grew quiet. The only sound in the cottage was the occasional crackle of the lamp flame and the soft sound of pages turning.
Unknown to Gu Xu, he had always had a good affinity for studying—especially when it came to his memory.
When he was younger and had nothing to do while his father was away, he would sometimes read old scraps of writing or listen to stories and remember them word for word without trying very hard.
Now, as he read Maki's book of herbs, the information settled into his mind naturally, with the shapes, the names, the uses—they stayed in his memory after only one careful reading.
He read from the first page to the last page without stopping.
When he was looking at the drawings of the herbs on the third last page, the words Maki had said returned to his mind.
Some people already suspect you.
He turned a page but did not see the words.
Gu Xu had realized something clearly.
The lions den was not the only place he could die.
If he did nothing…
He might not even survive the month...
By the time he closed the book, the lamp oil was nearly gone and his eyes felt heavy.
He stretched slightly, closed the book, and placed it carefully on the table.
"I'll read it again tomorrow," he murmured.
He lay down on his bed and fell asleep almost immediately.
The next morning, Gu Xu woke up before the crack of dawn.
The sky outside was still dark blue, and the village was quiet. He washed his face, lit the lamp again, and sat at the table with the herbal book.
He opened it and began reading again from the beginning.
This time, he noticed that many of the drawings and descriptions felt familiar, as if he had seen them many times before.
He tested himself by covering the text and trying to remember the plant's name and use just by looking at the drawing.
To his surprise, he could remember most of them.
So he continued reading, repeating the information in his head, organizing it, memorizing it.
Time passed quickly.
Not long after the sun rose, there was a knock on the door of his home.
Gu Xu looked up, surprised. No one ever knocked on his door this early.
He stood up and opened it.
Outside stood the clothes merchant from yesterday, along with a servant who carried a wrapped bundle.
The merchant smiled when he saw Gu Xu's surprised expression.
"You are surprised," the merchant said. "But I am only doing what Master Maki expects of me. He is very meticulous about such matters."
The servant stepped forward and handed the bundle to Gu Xu.
"Two training outfits," the merchant said. "The other two will be ready tomorrow."
Gu Xu held the bundle carefully. "Thanks."
The merchant nodded politely, then turned and left with his servant without wasting any time.
Gu Xu closed the door and placed the bundle on the table. When he opened it, he found two neatly folded training uniforms inside. They were simple but well-made, with strong stitching and flexible material that looked suitable for movement and exercise.
Gu Xu quickly glanced at the light coming through the window and suddenly realized the time.
He was going to be late.
He immediately changed into one of the training outfits.
The clothes fit him well—snug but not tight, light but durable. He tied the belt last, adjusting it until it felt secure.
Then he walked over to the small mirror hanging on the wall.
For a moment, he did not recognize the person looking back at him.
He looked… different.
No longer like the usual lazy boy sitting around the house, constantly on edge waiting for punishment from Gui Xu.
He looked like someone who was about to train.
He looked like a warrior.
Gu Xu stared at his reflection for a few seconds, then poked his belly and squeezed his soft arm with his other hand.
"I can't wait," he said to himself, "until this turns into muscle like the other boys and men in the tribe."
He took a deep breath, then straightened his belt.
Before leaving, he checked the house carefully—lamp out, book safe, door bar ready.
Then he stepped outside, locked the door properly, and started walking toward Maki's house.
The morning air was cool and fresh, and the sun was just beginning to rise over the village.
Gu Xu walked a little faster than usual.
Training was about to begin!