At a café, two eye-catching figures sat at an outdoor table.
One was a young woman who was clearly nervous, occasionally shifting in her seat while sipping her Immortal's Delight as if it were some sort of calming medicine.
Opposite her sat a man with a calm, steady aura. His crimson eyes carried an indescribable pressure, subtle yet suffocating, causing Sushang to avert her gaze more than once.
Qin Shaoqing—currently radiating the presence of a swordmaster—was in complete inner turmoil.
He stared seriously at Sushang, wondering whether something was wrong with her head… or if his system was somehow involved in all of this.
After much deliberation, he shook his head.
Thinking about it now was pointless.
'Good thing I read all those wuxia novels as a hobby,' Qin Shaoqing silently thanked his past self before refocusing on the present situation.
He calmly took another sip of Immortal's Delight, his steady gaze examining the young woman before him—only making her even more nervous.
In Sushang's eyes, she had truly encountered a hidden master of the Luofu.
The aura Qin Shaoqing usually kept dormant now felt like a raging tide pressing down on her—his Drain-enhanced presence unconsciously amplifying his calm into something overwhelming. His composed demeanor became an immovable mountain: vast, resolute, and utterly insurmountable.
"So," Qin Shaoqing finally spoke, his tone mild yet carrying invisible weight, "Miss Sushang, why do you believe I am suitable to be your master?"
Cold sweat formed on Sushang's face, trickling down like a waterfall. Several times she opened her mouth—only for the words to get stuck in her throat.
Noticing her reaction, Qin Shaoqing's expression shifted slightly, and he let out a quiet but noticeable sigh.
That alone nearly shattered her composure.
Then—just as suddenly—the invisible pressure vanished.
Qin Shaoqing's aura softened, returning to that of an easygoing, approachable man.
"Let's take it easy, Miss Sushang," he said with a small smile. "Let's chat first."
The abrupt change caught Sushang off guard—but relief quickly followed.
They began talking about mundane topics, drifting from one subject to another. The conversation flowed smoothly, carrying the comfortable familiarity of old friends rather than strangers.
Eventually, Qin Shaoqing circled back.
"So, Miss Sushang," he asked again, gently this time, "why did you decide that this humble individual deserves to be your master?"
This time, Sushang answered without hesitation.
"Oh, don't be so humble. I saw your movements when you fought that big guy. Even I couldn't see where his blade was going—and you dodged everything so effortlessly."
"But surely many of your seniors could do the same," Qin Shaoqing replied.
"Maybe… but they're all busy protecting the city. And it's hard to approach them—they're so strict and serious." She hesitated before adding, "You seemed like a retired veteran with plenty of free time. Were you once a Cloud Knight? I've never seen footwork like that."
"Haha," Qin Shaoqing chuckled. "You flatter me. Those techniques were self-taught."
He deliberately avoided answering the Cloud Knight question, maintaining an air of mystery.
Sushang immediately worried she had crossed a boundary.
"I-I see…"
"To change the topic," Qin Shaoqing said smoothly, "what made you decide to become a Cloud Knight in the first place?"
"Well…" Sushang's gaze drifted to the street.
Children walked ahead while their parents followed behind. Workers hurried by carrying goods, merchants called out to customers—yet despite the bustle, smiles were everywhere.
"I think protecting these people… is reason enough."
"I see." Qin Shaoqing smiled faintly, clearly satisfied. "A commendable answer."
Then, without hesitation—
"I will take you in."
"…What?"
"I accept you as my disciple."
Sushang shot to her feet in excitement, then quickly forced herself to calm down, hands clenched tightly at her sides.
Seeing her reaction, Qin Shaoqing shook his head slightly.
So naïve.
"Do you," he said solemnly, lifting his cup, "Li Sushang of the Xianzhou Yaoqing, accept I, Qin Shaoqing of the Xianzhou Luofu, as your master?"
"Y-Yes!" Panicking, Sushang looked around for something ceremonial—then, in her haste, poured her own Immortal's Delight into his cup.
The moment she realized what she had done, her face flushed bright red—then immediately turned pale.
"Pfft—haha—ha!" Qin Shaoqing burst into laughter, unable to contain himself. He had only been joking—yet she had taken it completely seriously.
[Mission complete! Your rewa—]
Overtaken by laughter, Qin Shaoqing ignored the system entirely.
'I—I just poured my teacher my drink!'Sushang's thoughts spiraled in panic, though seeing his reaction, she realized he didn't seem offended.
Thinking back, she remembered how serious his expression had been when accepting her—only to soften when he noticed her nerves.
The realization warmed her heart.
She had truly chosen a kind teacher.
"Haha… ah." Qin Shaoqing wiped tears from his eyes and regained his composure. "Apologies for the unsightly reaction."
"N-No need, Teacher."
The unfamiliar title made Qin Shaoqing's expression waver for a split second before stabilizing.
'Right… how am I supposed to teach her…'
Then he remembered.
[Mission complete! Reward acquired: Absolute Sword Sense!]
His eyes lit up—until he read the description.
[Absolute Sword Sense: Your eyes, honed by countless battles, can perceive every flaw in an opponent's swordsmanship. However, no matter how hard you try, you will never perceive the flaws in your own sword.]
The sparkle died instantly.
'This is cursed. DAMN YOU, AEON.'
Internally, Qin Shaoqing hurled every imaginable insult into the infinite galaxy—while outwardly remaining perfectly composed.
'Can't even see my own flaws… Are you mocking me now? Come fight me, you clown of an Aeon.'
After venting internally, he calmed himself.
'At least I can keep up the façade.'
"Sushang," he said at last, "could you show me how you fight?"
"Yes, Teacher!" Her eyes lit up with excitement.
To avoid disturbing others, they decided to relocate to Qin Shaoqing's home, which conveniently had a small courtyard suitable for sparring.
Truthfully, Qin Shaoqing was quite satisfied with his current residence—low rent, quiet surroundings, and just enough space.
It was, in every sense, his dream home.