Rascal

Tang Xiaoyu and Liu Yuxin began asking around for the location of Fengxi Sect. Tang Xiaoyu grabbed a young man, "Kid, where is Fengxi Sect?"

The young man was also a hot-headed calf not afraid of tigers: "Looking for trouble? Do you know who I am?"

Tang Xiaoyu lifted him up with one hand: "What did you just say? Who are you?"

The young man smirked, "Brother, let's talk nicely. I'm nobody, just let me go!"

Tang Xiaoyu put him down: "Where is Fengxi Sect?"

The young man pointed in one direction: "Walk fifty miles that way and you'll reach Fengxi Sect."

"Your eyes tell me you're lying to me."

"Brother, I really didn't lie to you."

"If you dare to lie to me, I'll beat you every time I see you." Tang Xiaoyu threatened.

Tang Xiaoyu knew the boy was lying, but you can't force a confession.

The escaped boy gloated: "Still want to go to Fengxi Sect? I'll tire you to death."

The woman looked at the leaving boy: "He's lying to us. I'll ask instead!"

"You noticed too?"

The woman smiled faintly: "I'm not some spoiled young lady who hasn't seen anything. This is nothing."

Then the woman found an old granny: "Granny, which way to Fengxi Sect?"

"Girl, keep going straight along the west gate road. Fengxi Sect is at the end of the road."

"Thank you."

"No need to be so polite, girl."

The woman looked at Tang Xiaoyu: "Let's go!"

Tang Xiaoyu curiously asked: "Why did you ask me for directions?"

"I feel like you're a good person, with a kind heart."

Tang Xiaoyu stroked his face: [Is my kind nature already written on my face?]

"Young lady, your ability to read people impresses me. May I ask your surname and given name, where you're from, and if you're engaged?"

The woman generously answered: "Liu Yuxin, from Li Village of Horizontal Martial Empire. No one has proposed yet. You?"

Tang Xiaoyu introduced himself: "Tang Xiaoyu, from Tang Village of Horizontal Martial Empire. Also single."

Liu Yuxin happily said: "You're from Horizontal Martial Empire too! How wonderful. Have you participated in sect recruitment before?"

Tang Xiaoyu truthfully replied: "I've participated but never got selected."

Liu Yuxin consoled: "Don't lose heart. I've participated too without success. That's why I'm trying my luck at this second-rate sect."

"We must have confidence in ourselves. Who knows, we might both get selected this time!"

Tang Xiaoyu nodded: "Yes, we will definitely get selected."

Seeing Liu Yuxin walk towards the west gate, Tang Xiaoyu stopped her: "It starts in three days. Going now is a bit early. Let's find an inn and stay first."

Liu Yuxin advised: "Tang Xiaoyu, you don't seem like a rich man. How can you not understand frugality?"

Tang Xiaoyu looked at his attire and touched his face: [Do I not look poor?]

"I was just worried a young lady like you wouldn't be used to it outside!"

Liu Yuxin rolled her eyes at him: "I got here just fine by myself. No need to worry."

Tang Xiaoyu joked: "Aren't you afraid of bad people taking advantage of you?"

"I look plain. Who would go after me? And I know martial arts."

Tang Xiaoyu looked closely: "I think you look quite delicate and pretty."

In terms of height and figure, Liu Yuxin measured up. She just looked slightly undernourished, which paired with her delicate features, still made for a fine young woman. Tang Xiaoyu was not exaggerating at all.

Liu Yuxin sighed: "Don't console me. I even picked this name later, hoping that even if I don't look good, at least my name sounds nice! Over time, I feel more and more that I don't match this name."

Then, Liu Yuxin looked up laughing: "But it's fine. As long as I like it myself, let's go!"

The two left through the west gate, following a winding bluestone path into the distance.

After chatting while walking for three hours, they saw a signpost up ahead.

"Fengxi Sect should be up this mountain. Let's stay at the foot for two days!" said Liu Yuxin.

Tang Xiaoyu didn't mind, that was how he always came before.

"You didn't bring anything?" Liu Yuxin just noticed.

"Oh, threw everything away. Thought I'd buy new stuff!"

"I meant rations, food. But no worries, I brought extra rations. You can eat mine." Liu Yuxin generously offered.

"Then thank you."

"Don't mention it. Helping each other on the road is proper. And we're from the same hometown!"

Then the two found a suitable camping spot. Liu Yuxin took out a water jug: "Have some water. I'll heat up the cakes and we can eat."

Tang Xiaoyu accepted the water jug and drank two gulps before returning it.

Liu Yuxin took out some hard cakes from her body and roasted them over a fire with sticks.

"Don't let the hardness fool you. Roasted, they become crispy and delicious."

Hearing her explanation, Tang Xiaoyu just smiled without commenting.

After a while, Liu Yuxin passed a cake to Tang Xiaoyu: "Try it, so fragrant now."

Tang Xiaoyu accepted the cake and took a gentle bite. It was crispy but hurt his cavities and gums.

"Pretend it's roasted lamb or duck as you eat, and it'll taste better and better."

No matter how Tang Xiaoyu imagined, he couldn't conjure up the flavors.

Liu Yuxin demonstrated: "Close your eyes and imagine this is your favorite food."

Seeing Liu Yuxin's expression, Tang Xiaoyu nearly laughed out loud but held it in.

After finishing the cakes, Liu Yuxin drank a big gulp of water and offered the jug to Tang Xiaoyu: "Have some water, then your stomach will be full."

Tang Xiaoyu accepted the jug, wavering over whether to wipe it or not. In the end, he didn't dare wipe it after seeing Liu Yuxin hadn't, and drank a mouthful.

Tang Xiaoyu stood up: "Rest here, I'll walk around to see if there's a river to get water."

"Okay, be careful."

Taking the water jug, Tang Xiaoyu headed into the deep woods.

After walking five or six miles, he finally came upon a small stream with very clear water that revealed swimming fish.

After filling up the jug, Tang Xiaoyu took off his clothes and started catching fish bare-handed.

After much splashing, he finally crawled ashore with several one-jin sized fish.

Just as he was about to get dressed, several female disciples of Fengxi Sect passed by while playing in the woods.

The timid ones covered their eyes but peeked through their fingers. The bold ones started scolding Tang Xiaoyu:

"You shameless rascal, big pervert! In broad daylight with no clothes on, doing indecent things."

Tang Xiaoyu looked at himself then the female disciples: "I'm wearing shorts! You peeping Toms saw my body then falsely accused me."

Pointing at the scolding female disciple: "Indecent woman, you're still looking. All of you turn your heads away. And you peekers, turn too!"

The female disciples actually turned their heads. The peekers flushed red with embarrassment.

After Tang Xiaoyu dressed, he refused to let it go: "Scolding me a shameless rascal, yet your eyes never left my body."

"You peeping Toms, big perverts, ogled me then argued forcefully. Let me tell you, don't think I'm easy to bully."

"Hmph!"

Tang Xiaoyu snorted, picked up his things and headed back, muttering: "What is this world coming to, even the wilderness has indecent women now."