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"That... Mr. Qi..." Shen Tang hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.
Qi Shan lifted his eyelids and said indifferently, "Speak directly if you have something to say. I don't like people who beat around the bush or are not straightforward."
"Then I'll be direct—if it's convenient, Mr. Qi... could I follow you for a few days?" Shen Tang seemed a little embarrassed. "I know my identity as an escaped prisoner will cause trouble, and I shouldn't bother you, but I'm unfamiliar with this place and truly don't know what to do..." Qi Shan could flexibly use his Literary Heart. Such a good opportunity for free extracurricular tutoring, wouldn't it be a disservice to herself not to seize it? The opportunity was rare; miss this village, miss this shop. If she could learn more about Literary Heart, she would be better able to integrate into this unfamiliar world in the future. Shen Tang fully exploited her young age and pitiful, disheveled appearance, showing weakness to try and evoke sympathy.
Qi Shan, however, didn't show a hint of pity. He merely looked with interest at this young lord, who had his head down and looked pitifully innocent. A rookie who barely understood how to control a Literary Heart dared to directly confront a third-rank Zanniao and not fall behind. Where was the pathetic little puppy? He was clearly a wolf cub with sharp teeth and devouring eyes! Although his fangs were still tender, once he gained confidence, he would start eating people. Showing weakness? This trick might fool others, but it wasn't enough to fool him.
Qi Shan lowered his eyelids, his fingers playing with the deep green Literary Heart signature seal hanging from his waist as an ornament. After much thought, he finally said, "It's not impossible, but—we'll have to part ways at the next town, or you'll regret it."
Shen Tang asked in surprise, "Regret? Why?"
Qi Shan pointed to the sword at his waist and retorted, "Do you think this sword of mine is for decoration or a handy weapon?"
Shen Tang: "..."
Qi Shan chuckled, "Young lord, don't assume someone who helps you once is a good person. The trouble I carry is far greater than yours as an escaped prisoner. Not just me, but in the future, if you see anyone walking alone, whether they bear a Literary Heart signature seal or a Martial Courage tiger tally, be vigilant."
Shen Tang blinked, muttering in a low voice that Qi Shan could hear. "...Mr. Qi, you think too simply of me."
Qi Shan chuckled inwardly. This young lord was indeed not simple, but Shen Tang's request wasn't excessive either. It was merely to follow him. Since he had already helped once, why not help again? Consider it sending Buddha all the way to the Western Heaven, forging a connection.
The two built a bonfire in a sheltered spot. Qi Shan, with his hands clasped around his sword, dozed. Before sleep could fully claim him, he heard Shen Tang's stomach rumbling. He opened his eyes and looked at her. Shen Tang, clutching her stomach, smiled awkwardly: "Having marched seven or eight shichen (two-hour periods) with shackles all day, and only eating a stale biscuit, I couldn't help but make an unseemly sound... I apologize for disturbing your rest, sir..."
Shen Tang's rumbling stomach wouldn't cease, and he couldn't pretend not to hear. So, he unhooked his waterskin and dry food pouch from his waist and handed them over.
"Eat some to tide you over."
Shen Tang didn't stand on ceremony. "Thank you."
Once the slightly cool, soft dry food slid down her throat and into her stomach, the intensely burning hunger finally subsided a little. Despite being famished, she only ate half, leaving the other half untouched. Qi Shan was somewhat surprised but said nothing. This interlude had dispelled his sleepiness. He took out a scroll made from tanned animal hide from his travel bag and read it carefully by the bonfire. Shen Tang vaguely saw the words "Spirit Language" on it, her curiosity piqued, and she seemed engrossed.
Qi Shan, stared at by her curious and bright eyes, found it hard to concentrate. He sighed faintly: "Curious?"
Shen Tang hugged her knees, smiling sheepishly: "Mm, curious! Literary Heart is truly amazing. Can xiansheng teach me?"
Qi Shan said, "You're really not shy."
"Didn't xiansheng say you dislike people who beat around the bush or aren't straightforward?"
Qi Shan: "..." He didn't say he teaches people, though. However, the scroll in his hand wasn't a rare item; it contained some commonly known Spirit Languages he had compiled, essential lessons for strategists. Shen Tang would gradually encounter them if she sought knowledge in larger town bookstores or academies. Moreover, Spirit Language was a very intuitive thing, mostly understood through realization rather than explicit teaching. The same segment of Spirit Language, some could learn, but others would never grasp. Only Spirit Languages suitable for oneself, or those one could comprehend, had a chance of being fully mastered and used as if an extension of one's own body.
"See for yourself," Qi Shan generously lent the scroll. "If you don't understand, then ask." Shen Tang took it, her curiosity bursting. After reading just one line, she was completely bewildered.
Qi Shan: "You don't recognize the characters on it?" If so, he couldn't help either.
Shen Tang shook her head. "I recognize the characters. I just want to ask, things like 'drawing a cake to satisfy hunger' [or 'thirst for plums']... are these also Spirit Languages?"
"Naturally. Don't let their conciseness, similar to Martial Courage Spirit Languages, deceive you. Their power is not to be underestimated, and they are among the essential Spirit Languages a strategist must master. If the wielder's Literary Heart is potent and used appropriately, it can even sway the outcome of a war at a crucial moment."
Shen Tang was dumbfounded. "Sway... the outcome of a war?"
"Naturally. This saying, when used, can boost an army's morale." Seeing Shen Tang's skeptical expression, he thought she might be misunderstanding that all Spirit Languages were long, so he explained, "This particular Spirit Language was originally quite long, recorded in a chapter on stratagem. 'When Wei Wu (Cao Cao) was on campaign and lost the water source, his army was parched. He then ordered: "Ahead is a large plum forest, abundant with fruit, sweet and sour to quench thirst." Hearing this, the soldiers' mouths watered, and using this, they reached the front source.' But after being refined, only four characters remained."
Shen Tang's mouth slightly agape, an expression of a new world opening up to her. "Then what about this... 'Stars scattered across a chessboard'?"
Qi Shan said, "It can arrange troops and engage the enemy in strategizing."
"'To cut weeds and eliminate the roots'?"
"It boosts the morale and strength of soldiers, but consumes a great deal of power, so it shouldn't be used lightly."
Shen Tang pointed to the scroll again and asked, "'To walk into one's own trap'?"
Qi Shan said, "Mostly used in troop deployment, to disrupt enemy forces and make them fall into disarray."
No need to ask about the rest. Looking at Qi Shan's dense annotations, she knew that every single one was for military campaigning. No wonder he said he wasn't a good person. Looking at these Literary Heart Spirit Languages and the simulated military formations drawn on the scroll, Shen Tang knew that this man was a fanatic of aggressive defense and ambush tactics, only lacking "I'm a schemer" written on his face.
"Mr. Qi, I have another question."
Qi Shan fell for her mischief. They had only known each other for so long, and her words were mostly questions. After one, there would surely be another. However—thinking of Shen Tang's Literary Heart, he narrowed his eyes, a little more patient.
"Ask."
Shen Tang read further and found that there were not only Literary Heart Spirit Languages but also Martial Courage Spirit Languages. To be honest, she didn't quite understand the difference between the two. Weren't they all very effective in combat?
"What is the specific difference between Literary Heart and Martial Courage?"
Qi Shan: "..." He once again suspected that Shen Tang was a wild person from some remote corner. Every question was unexpected to him.