Yan Huanglou got up very early to set up his stall.

His legs weren’t as nimble nowadays, and moving things was exhausting. He’d busied himself for quite a while when Chen Changsheng came to help him carry the remaining items to the stall.

After sitting down, Yan Huanglou brewed two pots of tea. He didn’t dare cook porridge anymore; times weren’t as safe as before, and anything valuable had to be hidden, or else people would covet it.

Yan Huanglou took a sip of tea and let out a long sigh. “If I had much more stuff, I reckon I’d collapse right now.”

His words sounded casual, but the truth was, he was utterly worn out, both body and mind. He leaned heavily on the chair behind him; without its support, he might have collapsed any second.

Chen Changsheng shook his head. “You really are stubborn.”

Yan Huanglou just chuckled quietly but said nothing more.

After a little while, people started filling the street.

Not many people stopped for tea in the early morning, but a few stragglers came by.

Earnings: four copper coins. Yan Huanglou counted them carefully, grinning from ear to ear.

Chen Changsheng asked, “You already got the fan. Why are you still so greedy for money?”

Yan Huanglou looked thoughtful. “You’re right.”

“I don’t even know why I’m so happy. Maybe it’s just habit.”

“Is that so…”

Chen Changsheng murmured this softly and spoke no further.

Yan Huanglou made a small noise of agreement. He watched the people flowing through the street. He’d seen it countless times, but it never seemed to bore him.

“Tea!”

A voice came from behind him. Chen Changsheng turned and saw a woman entering the tea stall.

The woman was rather forward; she sat down at the same table as Chen Changsheng.

Yan Huanglou looked a little surprised to see her but didn’t question it. He just said, “Tea costs one, three, five, or ten copper coins. Miss, which kind do you want?”

“The ten-copper kind.”

With that, the woman placed ten copper coins on the table.

“Alright, coming right up!”

Yan Huanglou answered brightly, scooped up the coins, and went to make the tea.

Chen Changsheng’s hand, holding his teacup, paused. He looked at the woman sitting beside him, hesitating for a moment.

Even though the person in front of him had disguised her appearance, Chen Changsheng still recognized her.

The woman looked back at Chen Changsheng. She couldn’t help but freeze, her eyes filled with disbelief.

How could it be? How could one person show absolutely no trace of time passing?

He looked exactly the same as he had all those years ago.

Chen Changsheng spoke, “There’s an empty table right beside us. Why did you choose to sit with me?”

The woman snapped out of her daze. She pressed her lips together and said, “Sitting alone is boring. I prefer a bit of company.”

Chen Changsheng couldn’t help but smile slightly at this reason. “I see. What would you like to chat about?”

The person opposite him responded immediately. “About what…?”

“How about we talk about you?”

“About me?” Chen Changsheng asked.

“Mmm.” She continued, “I see your clothes are fine and your face is quite handsome. Are you perhaps a Young Master from some noble family?”

Chen Changsheng shook his head. “No.”

“A private tutor?”

“Why do you think so?”

“You dress like one.”

“Is that so?” Chen Changsheng said. “People used to often call me ‘sir’ in the past, but I was never a tutor.”

“Then…” The woman thought for a moment. “A Jianghu People maybe? A fair-faced scholar who kills without blinking.”

Chen Changsheng laughed softly at this. “Not that either.”

“What, then?”

“Let me think…” Chen Changsheng pondered briefly. “A man of the Mortal World.”

“How is that an answer?”

“Why not?”

She didn’t press him on it. Instead, she waved her hand. “Fine. Then guess who I am.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“You carry some malice about you. It doesn’t seem like you’re a very good person.”

The woman objected sharply, “That’s not fair! Ruthlessness comes from killing, it’s true. But whether that makes you bad depends on who you kill. I never kill innocent people.”

Chen Changsheng made an acknowledging sound. “Going by what you say, you must be a Jianghu People?”

To this, she declared, “A physician.”

“So, a physician?” Chen Changsheng remarked.

The woman paused, surprised. “Aren’t you curious why a physician kills people?”

Chen Changsheng said evenly, “A physician can kill far more effectively than any Jianghu People.”

“Have you studied medicine?”

“I only know a little.”

“Well then, tell me, how does a physician kill?”

“Pressure points. Needle techniques. Poison. I’m just not sure which one you specialize in, Miss.”

“I’m skilled in all three.”

Chen Changsheng looked directly at her. “That’s rare. You must have dedicated a great deal of effort to your art.”

At that moment, Yan Huanglou arrived with the tea.

“Tea’s here!”

The woman took a small sip. She continued her conversation with Chen Changsheng. “Try it?”

“Try what?” Chen Changsheng asked.

“My… ‘medical skill’.”

Chen Changsheng thought for a moment. “You’re welcome to try.”

Yan Huanglou, who had been listening, was startled. “What are you two planning?”

Chen Changsheng waved his hand dismissively. “No need to worry.”

“Watch out!”

The woman struck without warning. Three silver needles flashed like streaks of silver light, shooting through the air from her hand.

Chen Changsheng raised his hand and cleanly caught all three needles between his fingers.

The woman stared, then quietly said, “Impressive.”

“Your needle technique isn’t bad either,” Chen Changsheng praised.

Immediately, she struck again. This time, her hand formed into two fingers, shooting straight towards Chen Changsheng’s mute pressure point.

Chen Changsheng shifted his body aside and caught her wrist with one hand.

The woman froze for an instant, then wrenched her hand free.

Next, she attacked with both hands. Sitting across the small table, she pressed the assault while he defended.

Chen Changsheng raised both arms, blocking her strikes again and again. He deflected her hands each time with calm precision.

The woman’s movements were impressive. Her strikes were sharp and direct, quick and ruthless. But frustratingly for her, her opponent always seemed just a fraction faster, anticipating her moves and shutting her down each time.

Bang! Thump! Smash!

The table and chairs rattled violently.

Yan Huanglou watched from the side, his heart pounding with fear.

“What in heaven’s name are you doing?! Don’t break my table!!”

He stumbled back several steps, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.

Chen Changsheng lifted his hands, redirecting force with each block, dissolving the strength behind the woman’s strikes.

The woman executed a quick twist, slipping off her stool and landing nimbly on her feet in front of Chen Changsheng.

She took a deep breath, calming herself. “Excellent skill.”

“You flatter me, Miss,” Chen Changsheng replied calmly.

He continued, “Pressure points, needles, poisons… You’ve held back one.”

The woman in front of him shook her head. “Poison… no. The poisons I use are too potent. There are many I can’t even cure myself. We’ll leave that one aside.”

As she spoke, she reached towards her neck.

Her fingers found a tiny seam. Carefully, she caught the edge and carefully peeled off the thin layer of skin covering her face.

Her true face was revealed.

It was a face that could have been strikingly beautiful, if not for the numerous, jagged scars marring her cheeks. They ruined what would have been lovely features.

Yan Huanglou stared, frowning slightly. He felt he’d seen this face somewhere before.

The woman offered Chen Changsheng a warm, almost shy smile. “Changsheng,” she said, her voice much softer now, carrying a hint of nostalgia. “Long time no see.”

But unexpectedly, Chen Changsheng raised his hand. He formed his fingers into a loose, knuckle-forward shape and gently tapped the woman on the forehead.

Aqing rubbed her head where he’d tapped it. Chen Changsheng then spoke, his tone familiar, warm, even slightly chiding.

“You don’t act like a girl at all.”