John Smith hurriedly got up, sat by the window, and examined his palm carefully in the sunlight. It was indeed a pattern—a blue, wave-like design, exactly the same as the one on the bronze fragment he had obtained earlier. It was only the size of a fingernail and looked as if it had been tattooed on.

Chapter Four: A Bowl of Chicken Soup

It seemed as if that bronze fragment had merged into his palm? John Smith clenched and unclenched his fist repeatedly, but no matter how many times he tried, he couldn’t detect any foreign sensation, nor was there any energy reaction. He couldn’t feel any use for it at all.

Maybe it requires a certain amount of energy to activate? John Smith pondered to himself.

John Smith had always been a proactive and adaptable person. From the very first moment he opened his eyes after crossing over, he had been facing reality, trying to understand and integrate into this new environment. Mixing with this group of violent women who didn’t value human life was dangerous, but it was also a good opportunity. As things stood, whether he wanted to learn about this world or practice martial arts, there was no faster way than to build a good relationship with these women. So, the first thing to do was to gain their trust, and only after securing his footing should he think about the future.

Looking out the window, he saw the blue sky stretching endlessly, the air clear and fresh, orioles flying and grass growing lush. Having lived in a modern city for over twenty years, John Smith hadn’t seen such a countryside scene in a long, long time. Even when he went to the outskirts, the sky was usually shrouded in a gray haze, making people feel oppressed, not this kind of refreshing clarity.

For John Smith, who had no family ties in the present world, this moment made him feel that crossing over wasn’t such a big deal after all—just a change in lifestyle, right? The fortune he had worked so hard to accumulate over the years was gone with the wind, and the starlets he had dated were gone too, but what was there to regret? In a brand new world, facing an unpredictable future, what was there to worry about? If he could start from scratch back then, he could do it again now.

John Smith let out a long breath, feeling much more at ease. Looking around, he realized they were no longer on a mountain path, but seemed to have reached a flat official road. In the distance ahead, he could vaguely make out the outline of a city, which was probably their destination.

Lily Carter was not far off to the side, her clothes fluttering as she walked on the grass. John Smith stared at her bare feet and was certain she never actually touched the ground, only skimming over the tips of the grass, like a butterfly flitting among flowers.

The martial prowess in this world is really high... A thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl with such lightness skills, and she looks so relaxed. If she went all out, could she actually fly? But then again, if you’re all so amazing, why do you even need a carriage?

As if sensing his gaze, Lily Carter turned her head, grinned, and made a gesture as if gouging out her eyes, as if to say: If you keep staring, I’ll dig your eyes out.

John Smith, searching for something to say, pointed toward the city: “Miss Carter, what place is that?”

“The capital.”

“We’re heading to the capital?”

“What’s it to you?”

“I’m supposed to be your accountant, you know.”

Lily Carter burst out laughing and floated over to the window, sizing him up: “You look much better now. You were so sickly before—our medicine really does work.”

John Smith rolled his eyes inwardly and kept the conversation going: “Why aren’t you riding in the carriage, miss?”

Lily Carter puffed out her cheeks: “Shifu is tallying up the losses we suffered in the south. Those numbers give me a headache, so I came out for some fresh air.”

John Smith was a bit surprised. When they switched carriages earlier, he’d seen quite a few female guards sitting at the front and back. If you’re bored, why not chat with them? Why play at running on the grass all by yourself?

As if reading John Smith’s thoughts, Lily Carter’s eyes curved into crescents, clearly amused: “Looks like you really don’t know who we are—do you really think just anyone dares to joke around with my shifu and me like you do? I can’t tell if you’re missing a screw or just too ignorant.”

John Smith leaned against the window, tilting his head to look at Lily Carter’s loli-like face. Her skin was as smooth as cream, with a pair of shallow dimples that made her look absolutely adorable. He shook his head and smiled: “I admit I’m ignorant and don’t know who you and your shifu are. But even if I did, I don’t see why I should be afraid to talk to such a pretty little girl.”

Lily Carter scraped her cheek: “You’re all talk. If you knew who my shifu was, you wouldn’t say that.”

“Then may I ask your esteemed shifu’s name?”

Lily Carter blinked: “She actually has the same surname as you—her name is Qingqiu.”

So, Su Qingqiu? John Smith recalled the icy, chilling light in those beautiful eyes. He couldn’t quite match that name to such a terrifying master, and actually thought the three even tones sounded a bit awkward together. He laughed: “So we’re from the same clan. All the more reason not to be afraid.”

Lily Carter widened her eyes and stared at him for a long time as if he were a monster, then finally burst out laughing: “Really... Fine, fine, as long as you’re not afraid.”

He hadn’t heard of Lily Carter, which was fairly normal—after all, she was only thirteen this year, hadn’t made a name for herself in the martial world, and had no achievements to boast of. But as for her shifu—who was she, really?