"Saber techniques, fist techniques, movement techniques..."
Wei He pondered for a moment, then nodded. "I understand."
"Indeed, there are a few good Core Formation Realm martial arts in The Department's armory that match your requirements."
He looked at Jiang Yuechu and slowly said, "Tomorrow, I will have someone compile them into a book and send it to your residence."
"Thank you, sir."
"However, there's a condition."
Wei He's expression became a bit more serious. "These Cultivation Techniques were collected by the Great Tang Demon Suppression Division from all over the world, at the cost of countless efforts. You may use them yourself, but you must never pass them on. Otherwise, it will be the crime of betraying The Department, and not even immortals can save you."
Jiang Yuechu nodded; she naturally understood such rules.
"I understand."
Seeing her agree, Wei He's expression softened slightly, and the atmosphere in the hall also relaxed.
"Oh, right, have you visited Wei Qing recently?"
Jiang Yuechu was startled, not expecting him to suddenly ask about this. After thinking for a moment, she answered truthfully.
"I haven't had much time lately..."
"If you have time, go see her more often," Wei He shook his head. "In a while, she might not be in the Region anymore."
"Huh?"
Jiang Yuechu looked up.
"Where is she going?"
Wei He showed a hint of a helpless smile. "This girl insisted on following me to this Region back then, saying she wanted to see the world and gain experience. But after so many years, the family is still worried. Chang'an has already found a path for her, and she will set off soon."
Chang'an, huh... Jiang Yuechu nodded thoughtfully, saying nothing more.
Seeing her like this, Wei He assumed she had taken it to heart and waved his hand. "Go on."
"Then I'll take my leave."
"Mm."
...The Wei family residence was as elegant as ever.
The guards at the entrance, no longer unfamiliar with her, bowed respectfully and even skipped the announcement, directly inviting her in.
"Miss Jiang, the Young Miss is reading in the pavilion in the back garden."
"Alright."
Jiang Yuechu walked through the courtyard, knowing her way around.
Before she even got close, she heard a clear burst of laughter.
In the pavilion, Wei Qing was leaning against a beauty rest, engrossed in a storybook, laughing foolishly from time to time.
Jiang Yuechu stepped onto the stone stairs, deliberately coughing loudly.
"Cough!"
Wei Qing was startled, almost dropping the book in her hand.
She looked up, saw it was Jiang Yuechu, first showed joy, then immediately put on a stern face and hid the storybook behind her.
"You girl, why are you walking so silently? You scared me to death!"
Jiang Yuechu raised an eyebrow, her gaze falling behind her. "What are you reading? So engrossed?"
"None of your business!"
Wei Qing's cheeks were slightly red. She got up and pulled Jiang Yuechu to sit beside her, examining her up and down, clicking her tongue in wonder.
"I finally understand what they mean by 'one should look at a scholar with new eyes after three days apart.' You, on the other hand, haven't been seen for a few days, and you've caused such a stir."
She extended her slender finger and poked Jiang Yuechu's arm.
"Dragon-Slaying Fairy? Stepping on auspicious clouds? And human-sword unity?"
"…"
Jiang Yuechu's face instantly darkened.
Seeing her look so chagrined, Wei Qing finally couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.
"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore."
After she had laughed enough, she waved her hand. "Tell me, you never visit without a reason. Why do you have time to come here today?"
Jiang Yuechu watched her silently, not speaking.
The meaning in her eyes was obvious.
Don't you know why I'm here?
Wei Qing felt a bit guilty under her gaze. She cleared her throat and reluctantly stood up. "Alright, alright, I know, I know, always thinking about food! Wait, I'll go to the kitchen and cook myself."
A moment later.
The dishes were brought up, still as exquisite and delicious as ever.
The two sat in the pavilion, chatting idly.
Mostly Wei Qing spoke, and Jiang Yuechu listened, occasionally responding with a word or two.
After eating and drinking to their fill, Jiang Yuechu put down her chopsticks, looked at the smiling woman beside her, and, as if possessed, asked a question.
"I heard your brother say that you'll be returning to Chang'an in a while?"
The smile on Wei Qing's face froze slightly.
She was silent for a moment, then softly hummed in response.
The atmosphere in the room instantly grew cold.
After a long while.
Wei Qing finally let out a soft sigh, her gaze lost in the distant pond.
"My brother told you everything?"
"Mm."
"Actually, it's nothing."
Wei Qing tugged at the corner of her mouth, revealing a somewhat forced smile. "To be honest, when I followed my brother to this Region, I also wanted to practice martial arts, thinking about what was written in storybooks, about heroines wandering the world with swords, seeking revenge and living freely."
"But after I came, I realized that the world isn't that easy."
She turned her head and looked at Jiang Yuechu's calm face.
"This world is, after all, a bit harsh on women. Although there are no longer the restraints of the Three Obediences and Four Virtues like in the previous dynasty, wielding a saber and practicing martial arts is inherently much harder for women than for men."
"To stand out, one must have extraordinary talent, talent that surpasses everyone else's."
Her voice lowered, carrying a hint of indescribable melancholy.
"I've tried, and I've worked hard, but I... am simply not cut out for it. I'm afraid I'll never even touch the threshold of the Hearing the String in this lifetime."
"So, I've accepted my fate."
She smiled again, but there was no longer the brightness of before in that smile.
"Returning to Chang'an is quite good. Everything is arranged at home. Isn't it good to live a stable life?"
"Unlike you."
"Seeing you, I realized that women can truly reach this stage, and even go further than ninety-nine percent of men in the world."
Jiang Yuechu listened silently.
In the courtyard, only the rustling of wind through bamboo leaves remained.
"Is the food in Chang'an delicious?"
Wei Qing was startled by this sudden question, but then she couldn't help but burst out laughing, bending forward and backward, laughing away all traces of melancholy.
"Of course!"
She wiped away the tears of laughter from the corners of her eyes and grandly waved a hand.
"When you go to Chang'an in the future, I'll take you to eat all the best food in the city!"
Jiang Yuechu nodded seriously.
"Okay."