Li Guanqi was somewhat puzzled, wondering whose child that was.
"Still... that little girl has quite strong vitality. She's probably only five or six years old."
Without giving it further thought, Li Guanqi pushed open the courtyard gate and stepped inside.
The moment he entered, the youth froze in his tracks—the courtyard was simply exquisite.
Compared to the house he had lived in back at Fulong Village, his old dwelling was practically a pigsty...
Spring water channeled down from Tianlei Peak flowed through the front courtyard, passing under a small bridge beneath strange rocks, pines, and cypresses.
Beyond it sat a stone table, and stepping further into the courtyard led to an enormous main hall, measuring well over six zhang across.
All the furniture inside was crafted from brand-new redwood. Passing through the main hall brought him to the living quarters.
There were three rooms in total: one master bedroom and two side chambers.
The environment was almost too good to be true. In the backyard lay a plot of land—a small spirit garden.
The soil had a dark sheen, sprinkled with green powder that was likely fertilizer to nourish the spirit garden's earth.
*Thump, thump, thump.*
A gentle knocking sounded. Li Guanqi hurried out to answer, but a gentle voice came from outside.
"Take your time, Junior Brother~ No need to rush."
Li Guanqi paused slightly. Judging by those words...
"Could they be Tianlei Peak disciples?"
"Didn't they say the peak induction ceremony isn't until tomorrow?"
*Creak~*
When Li Guanqi pulled open the courtyard gate, he saw seven or eight people standing outside, every one of them older than him.
Smiles brightened all their faces. Some held bundles of wadded cotton, while others carried wooden basins and various daily necessities.
When their eyes fell on the strip of cloth covering the youth's eyes, an unmistakable flicker of heartache showed in their gazes.
All were dressed in the white sect robes, distinguished by two trails of purple lightning embroidered from their shoulders downward.
Over the sect emblem on their chests was a purple character for "Thunder."
Leading the group was unexpectedly a young woman with lightly tanned skin.
She looked around eighteen or nineteen, her hair tied in a high ponytail, with an oval face.
Her features were delicate despite her tanned skin, and her large eyes shone brilliantly.
Casting a stern look at the people beside her, the young woman pointed toward the youth's eyes, silently warning everyone not to speak out of turn.
Then, in a gentle voice, she said, "Hello, Junior Brother. I am Gu Ran, a disciple under Tianlei Peak's Second Elder.
"You can just call me Senior Sister, hahaha. These folks are all disciples of our Tianlei Peak, so you can consider them your senior brothers.
"We came over today mainly out of worry that you wouldn't have any quilts or bedding for the night."
Li Guanqi quickly stepped aside and cupped his fists with a smile. "Junior Brother Li Guanqi greets all senior sisters and senior brothers. Please don't stand at the door, come inside and have a seat."
Gu Ran beckoned the group inside, and several tall, burly senior brothers headed straight for the master bedroom to make the bed with the brought linens.
Watching the people bustle about for his sake, the softest spot deep inside the youth's heart was suddenly touched.
The youth's past had always been the most deeply hidden part of him.
His present temperament had been shaped little by little over eight years with Su Xuan.
Or rather, he was intentionally emulating his grandfather's free and easy spirit.
Gu Ran came up beside him, taking him by the arm and walking at a snail's pace.
"Walk slowly. Get familiar with the layout first. There's a step beneath your feet, and right above is a stone bridge—ten paces.
"On your right is a stone table, and on your left is a pond. You'll need to watch your step later on.
"I went ahead and collected your sect uniform from the internal affairs hall. Try it on in a bit to see if it fits; if not, I'll have them swap it.
"From now on, consider Tianlei Peak your home. We're your family.
"If anything ever happens, just holler back here at Tianlei Peak, and your senior brothers and sisters will definitely back you up!
"If anyone dares bully you, tell me. Sister Gu will stick up for you."
Even after saying all that, neither of them had stepped off the bridge yet, showing just how slowly they were moving.
And the youth simply let Gu Ran hold his arm, walking forward step by careful step.
"Datou! Go help Zhugan pad the furniture corners. All you know is how to stand there like a pole!"
The tallest young man offered a sheepish grin. "Right away, Senior Sister."
"Little Junior Brother, if Elder Xu really only brought you back this time, you truly are the youngest junior brother in all of Tianlei Peak, hahaha."
"Going to Senior Sister Gu always works! It was the same when I first arrived—I even thought she cared more about me than my own mother."
"Datou, are you itching for extra training~? Hmm?"
"Hahaha! You're just asking for an earful, you rascal."
"Three years! I finally have a little junior brother."
Listening to the warm, homely banter around him, the youth felt as if a lifetime had passed.
Their words were like the warm spring sun, like a mountain brook,
melting into currents of warmth that flowed through his heart.
Suddenly.
From beneath the black cloth binding his eyes, two clear lines of tears streamed down.
He could endure Zhao Yuanlin humiliating him before the crowd, accusing him of selling his sister's life for money.
He could openly admit before everyone that he was blind, a lowly beggar.
He could laugh off the ridicule of thousands, viewing them merely as wild dogs barking in ignorance at the village entrance.
Yet he could not withstand the slightest tender kindness from people he had never met before.
"So this mortal world isn't made only of hardship..."
*Drip.*
Gu Ran froze slightly. Then, without hesitation, she wiped her hand across the youth's face,
clearing away his tears while yelling at the others, "What are you all staring at? Don't you have work to do?
"Hurry up! In the time it takes an incense stick to burn, we have to head to cultivation!"
Then Gu Ran handed the brand-new white robe to Li Guanqi and said softly, "Go change into it quickly so we can see if it fits."
Li Guanqi gave a gentle smile, cradled the clothes, and said softly, "Thank you, senior brothers and senior sisters. Guanqi is honored to become your junior brother."
Though he saw everyone scramble to dodge out of the way, he bowed deeply all the same.
Straightening up, an amused curve touched Li Guanqi's lips. "Senior Sister, if you keep tugging on Senior Brother's hair, you're going to pull it all out..."
As he spoke, the youth turned his head as if looking right at the woman.
Gu Ran blinked in surprise, then waved her hand in front of his eyes and asked cautiously, "Aren't you unable to see?"
Li Guanqi slowly untied the cloth strip, revealing those startling, pure white eyes.
"I really am blind, but... I opened my mind's eye."
"What?! This kid had us fooled!"
"Exactly! I thought he really couldn't see—I've already wrapped every single table corner!"
"Brothers! Beat him up!!"
The group swarmed in, wrestling and playing with Li Guanqi until a few senior brothers finally spoke up.
"We're off to the martial arts arena! Today I'm going to challenge Senior Sister!"
"Pfft~ As if! I'll spar with you today."
"Right, should we pick up a few tasks tomorrow? I've been so broke lately..."
Once the crowd had departed, Gu Ran looked at the white-robed youth and nodded in approval. "Not bad! A handsome lad really does look best in white!
"That sword casket of yours is quite large. A gift from an elder? Is there a sword inside?"
Li Guanqi scratched his head; he had no idea what was in it either.
Gu Ran flashed an easy, spirited smile and turned to leave. "Junior Brother, get some good rest today. The peak induction ceremony starts early in the Chen hour tomorrow morning. Don't be late!"
After everyone was gone, Li Guanqi looked at his transformed quarters, the corners of his mouth lifting into a warm, gentle smile.
That night, he slept more peacefully than he ever had before.
Chapter 15