emptycourtyard

<< Previous Chapter Table of Contents Next Chapter >> Between the patches of dry grass and sandy dunes stood a small town protected by three layers of short earthen walls. Its flat buildings were built from various grey and yellow stones. Its name was Sucheng. Drunk soldiers slouched against the sides of the main street. When they saw a young soldier walk alone towards the open plaza, many cheered. “His squad finally deserted him! I finally won a pool!” a man shouted. Liquor fell from his jug. “Oh please, the odds were stacked in the first place. Who can stand […]

<< Previous Chapter Table of Contents Next Chapter >> Danlu picked a nearby stool and placed it by the wall to sit on. When he saw Qiyang’s bewildered posture on what to do, he brought him a stool as well, before his attention fixated on the meeting again. Manager Chen slammed the table. “I don’t care if they leave, but they’re making a mess as they’re doing so.” “More than a mess.” Chu Su was reading the ledger the First Head Accountant handed to him. “Most of the damage has been prevented and the branches remain relatively stable. It is […]

<< Previous Chapter Table of Contents Next Chapter >> A still sleepy Danlu woke up and dragged his feet to the kitchen. In his mind, he went through everything he was going to do today. The first aspect of his plan was already ruined when he opened the kitchen door. Someone was already there. Xiyun stood before the heating iron pot on top of the kitchen stove, waiting while holding a large bowl of cut pork on one hand and a large bowl of cut mutton on the other. After a moment passed, he dumped both into the broth. “Xiyun? […]

<< Previous Chapter Table of Contents Next Chapter >> Six individuals sat surrounding the courtyard’s circular table. Yeon glanced across the stone surface. “Why are you here?” “Not voluntarily, that’s for sure.” Gaokang picked up a cup of tea that Chu Su had prepared and placed it by his lips. His eyes swept a glance at Xiyun who sat beside Yeon. “You are impartial, right?” Xiyun said. “Like my father, I can act as an intermediary between the masters themselves and the Back Manor. I will only answer questions that are within my functions.” Xiyun nodded “That’s fine, I have […]

<< Previous Chapter Table of Contents Next Chapter >> When the day began, Qiu Gaokang left the main manor and stood at the east path, watching the entrance to a certain courtyard. From the direction of the compound, Chu Su walked up to the side of Gaokang in a slouch and followed his gaze towards the entrance. “It is today. Are they even stressed at all?” Gaokang said. “How can that be possible?” The gate opened and three youths walked out. Xiyun walked in the lead and appeared more relaxed than usual. Yeon skipped. Danlu walked in wide strides while […]

<< Previous Chapter Table of Contents Next Chapter >> Several days after the Lantern Festival, classes at the Capital Schools officially began. Ruidie sat on her cushion and collapsed on the desk in front of her, waiting for her first class, The Way, to begin. There were five rows of five seats in the room that slowly filled with students that she didn’t pay attention to. The back wall’s screens were completely open except for hanging straw drapes and allowed for the sun to light class. A finger poked her shoulder and she turned her head to see Shibara. “Good […]

<< Previous Chapter Table of Contents Next Chapter >> Morning arrived in Taiping. A small carriage stopped on a lonely street. “I’ll go in alone.” Luo Yizuan was helped off the carriage. Guo Yi’s expression wrinkled, but he didn’t object. Unlike Luo Yizuan, he had no status to consider stepping inside the Capital Schools. Yizuan passed the open gate and entered the campus of the Thousand Thought Institute. Before he could pass the great trees and reach a building, a small figure fell down from the tree line. It was a small grey-furred monkey that shined silver in the morning […]

<< Previous Chapter Table of Contents Next Chapter >> Israk had decided on his Path. Shibara chose hers next. “This one.” “The Heart Path?” Ruidie flipped open Fundamental Dao Heart. The summary was surprisingly similar to the description of the Union Path. After entering the Path, the usage of energy within the body was also meant to subtly change. Yet, instead of becoming more acclimated to a single object, it was to a specific natural occurrence referred to as a law. As an example, whereas every sword is unique, iron remained the same no matter where it came from, but the […]

<< Previous Chapter Table of Contents Next Chapter >> Bi Tong stepped inside Luo Manor’s study. Her gaze was straight and though her lips arced slightly, her eyes remained sharp. Sun Ming and Guo Yi stood behind the sitting Luo Yizuan while Lo Fuzhe watched uneasily from the side. They were all strangely silent, waiting for her to speak the entire time. Luo Yizuan watched the young woman walk across the study and glanced towards his other student who stood too close to him. “Sun Ming, let me go. I have somewhere to visit,” he said tonelessly. Bi Tong huffed. […]

<< Previous Chapter Table of Contents Next Chapter >> Xiyun and Yeon stayed inside the carriage service headquarters until the evening. They watched as Chu Su read scrolls and spout out orders. Although he wasn’t sure, Xiyun thought that the display impressed Gaokang. The building had a kitchen that was able to provide a small meal between their stay. At one point, Xiyun picked up one of the records outlying the timeline of new routes and new branches established by the service. There was nothing better to do than to read it. Throughout everything, the Fourth Miss, Xuexu, never complained […]