The Lesson of the Falling Tower

This tearful young woman was none other than Xu Niantang.

Despite Ye Di’s gentle words of comfort, her sobs only intensified instead of subsiding.

With a wail, her delicate feet thrashed wildly, kicking towards his lower body.

Ye Di startled, quickly hopping a few steps away.

‘A young woman yet to be wed,’ he mused, ‘one would expect her to be in the prime of her innocent and pure youth. How could her heart be so malicious?’

After crying for a while, Xu Niantang realized the surrounding silence.

A sudden tremor of panic seized her heart.

‘Did I overdo it with my pouting and tantrums, scaring him away again?’

With a flutter of anxiety, she opened her eyes.

A lonely, cold wind swept from one end of the alley to the other. Above, fallen leaves swirled, and a solitary white bird perched on a wall, its gaze distant.

‘It seems I really did scare the scoundrel away…’

This time, Xu Niantang truly panicked. Before, her genuine tears had turned into feigned sobs, merely a ploy to get Ye Di to console her more.

Now, the feigned tears wouldn’t come, and genuine fear threatened to unleash a fresh flood.

Suddenly, a warm, large hand gently settled on her shoulder.

“Miss Xu, your sobs sound rather weak and lacking vigor. I imagine you haven’t eaten yet. Come, let’s go to an eatery.”

Xu Niantang’s heart had been a tumultuous mess, rising and falling with his perceived presence. Hearing his familiar voice now, a sense of calm washed over her.

Daring not to throw another tantrum, she sniffled a few times, her eyes red-rimmed, and nodded.

She allowed him to pull her to her feet.

“Mm…”

****

Inside a certain inn in Quzhou City, a private room on the second floor.

The eight-immortals table was laden with an assortment of dishes.

The young woman, holding her rice bowl in one hand, swept her chopsticks across the table with the other. Her cheeks were puffed out, and grains of rice clung to the sides of her face.

Ye Di’s previous meal at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion had been ruined by the large men. His stomach now empty, he too felt a pang of hunger.

He wouldn’t stoop to fighting a young woman for food. Instead, he picked out some bean sprouts and dried bamboo shoots—dishes Xu Niantang didn’t favor—and ate them with plain white rice.

During the meal, he watched Xu Niantang devour her food as if she were a hungry ghost reincarnated. He couldn’t help but comment.

“Slow down. Did you escape from a year of great famine?”

Xu Niantang was vigorously tearing at a somewhat tough piece of beef with her teeth. At Ye Di’s question, she was suddenly startled.

‘I’ve been gorging myself in front of him! Haven’t I completely ruined my image as a lady?’

‘He might even misunderstand, thinking I’m difficult to provide for…’

Such a grave concern instantly quelled Xu Niantang’s appetite. She temporarily set down her chopsticks, returning the beef to her bowl.

Clearing her throat, she spoke with utmost seriousness.

“Actually, I usually eat very little, and I’m quite refined…”

Ye Di glanced at the stack of empty plates piled half as high as a person in front of her. He then looked at her cheeks, smudged with oil here and food stains there, making her resemble a small calico cat.

He nodded. “Miss Xu speaks the truth. I noticed it long ago.”

After they finished eating and called the waiter to clear the messy table, the sun had already begun to set in the west, casting long shadows through the streets and alleys, while the crimson clouds in the sky burned like fire.

Inside the room, Ye Di glanced at Xu Niantang, who was sitting on the edge of the bed.

He wasn’t sure what amused her, but she kept stealing glances at him. When caught, her small face would flush, and she’d quickly turn her head away as if to conceal something.

Yet, her lips remained upturned, and her fair, slender legs dangled and swayed in the air.

Ye Di sighed, picked up a cup from the table, and poured himself some tea.

“Di Ku.”

“Hm?”

Xu Niantang, overjoyed to be reunited with the ‘scoundrel’ and sharing a room with him, was brimming with happiness when she heard those words.

Tilting her head, she pondered for a moment before her eyes suddenly widened.

“You, you, you…”

“What ‘you, you, you’? That’s my name,” Ye Di said.

He had once told the young woman his real name, but she hadn’t believed him at all. She had even expressed disdain for his ‘impersonation’ of Sword Immortal Ye Di.

So he simply separated the characters of “Ye Di.” Recombining them, they became “Di Ku.”

Xu Niantang scrambled off the bed and leaped in front of him. Her eyes sparkled.

“You, you’re actually willing to tell me your real name?”

Ye Di raised the teacup, testing the water’s temperature with his lips. Finding it acceptable, he took a sip and said.

“It’s just a name. What’s there to be willing or unwilling about?”

Xu Niantang shook her head vigorously, like a rattle drum.

“No, no, no! You’re a flying thief! For people in your line of work, isn’t your real name supposed to be a taboo? Only, only…”

The phrase ‘only close people are told’—she was too thin-skinned to utter it. Her face flushed, and she unconsciously bit her crimson lips.

To her surprise, Ye Di’s next words shattered her fantasy.

“Have you read too many wuxia novels? It’s just a name, what’s there to be taboo about?”

Xu Niantang was left speechless by his retort. Feeling indignant, she was about to speak again.

Ye Di continued. “Alright, let’s just rest here for today. I’ll send you back tomorrow.”

Xu Niantang instantly froze.

Ye Di saw the look on her face, on the verge of tears again. He blinked and said.

“What, you don’t want to go home?”

“Mm!”

Xu Niantang nodded vigorously, like a pestle pounding garlic. “I’m not going back! I’m staying with you.”

“What good is there in following a mere flying thief like me?” Ye Di said.

Xu Niantang sidled up to him like a kitten. Reaching out, she tugged at his sleeve, speaking ingratiatingly.

“I don’t want to go home just yet. It’s much more fun outside. Will you take me with you?”

Ye Di’s expression darkened, and he said coldly. “Fun? I think you don’t understand the dangers of the jianghu. To tell you the truth, I, the flying thief, specialize in eating children. Frying, stir-frying, deep-frying, boiling—I’m skilled in everything.”

“Oh, then eat me.”

To his surprise, Xu Niantang was a tough nut to crack. With no trace of fear on her face, she raised her fair chin.

She even thrust her pigeon-like chest forward at Ye Di.

Ye Di’s forehead creased with dark lines. He felt utterly unable to reason with this young woman.

He was just considering knocking her unconscious with a chop to the neck, then simply sending her back like a package.

However, Xu Niantang’s intelligence peaked at this moment. The quick wit she usually lost while studying sage’s books, all resurfaced at this critical juncture.

“Let me tell you, if you dare send this maiden back, you’d better settle all the debts you owe me from these past days first!”

Ye Di was greatly alarmed, thinking, ‘Indeed, a maiden’s heart is the most venomous. I knew that taking favors and being indebted would surely lead to trouble later…’

Seeing Ye Di’s helpless expression, Xu Niantang immediately broke into a wide smile, squatting beside his leg, holding her skirt.

She pressed close to him, like a small dog eager for a bone.

“Scoundrel, thank you for protecting my river lantern the other day. I saw everything—you and that sister in white were fighting fiercely… Will you teach me martial arts?”

Ye Di glanced at Xu Niantang, who was squatting on the ground, resembling a ball of yarn. He said coldly.

“My skills, you cannot learn.”

A hint of proud disdain laced his words.

Xu Niantang immediately sprang to her feet with a *whoosh!*, her skirt swirling and long hair flying. She retorted loudly.

“How can I not learn? You haven’t even taught me yet!”

“You truly wish to learn?” Ye Di said.

Xu Niantang: “Yes, I truly wish to learn.”

Ye Di: “Then I will only teach once. Watch carefully.”

Xu Niantang (nodding repeatedly): “Mm!”

Ye Di rose from the table and found an empty space in the room.

Xu Niantang quickly found a small stool and sat upright beside him, her fair hands cradling her cheeks, gazing at him like an adoring fan.

After a long moment, Ye Di remained still. Xu Niantang thought that a master would be as unmoving as a mountain, yet strike like thunder.

So she waited patiently. But Ye Di stood there like a clay statue for a long time. Xu Niantang finally couldn’t hold back and said.

“Scoundrel, are you… haven’t you started yet?”

Ye Di turned around, revealing a very honest and simple smile. He said. “Well… I’ve always used a sword, but I don’t have a weapon with me…”

Xu Niantang’s apricot-shaped eyes widened. “You know how to use a sword?”

“Mm.”

“You should have said so sooner!”

Xu Niantang immediately became lively. Reaching to her waist, she pulled out a small sword scabbard from her cloud-patterned, gilded silk belt.

She popped open the scabbard, revealing a short sword, several inches long, resting quietly inside. The setting sun slanted through the window, and the sword’s edge glinted, like a beast baring its fangs.

“This is a spring sword?”

Ye Di took the short sword, and with a brief inspection, recognized its origin.

“Quite discerning, aren’t you!”

Xu Niantang nodded in satisfaction, then walked a few steps to the bed with its lowered curtains. With a sigh, she flopped onto the large bed, sprawled out, and mumbled, “Speaking of which, this was custom-made by a renowned craftsman from the capital. It’s a pity I’ve never had a use for it.”

Ye Di acknowledged. “This sword is indeed excellent, certainly a ‘famous grade’ item.”

In the jianghu, when discussing the grades of artifacts, they often followed the rules established by the Mohu Pavilion. These were typically divided into Common Grade, Exquisite Grade, Famous Grade, Immortal Grade, and Unique Grade.

For ordinary people wandering the jianghu, possessing an Exquisite Grade weapon was already quite good. As for Famous Grade and Immortal Grade items, they were usually held in the treasure vaults of renowned sects and prominent families, or carried by influential figures in the jianghu.

As for Unique Grade items, most people had only heard their names. The [Tangxi] Sword was precisely one such Unique Grade item, rarely seen in the world for a hundred years.

Ye Di tested the sword’s edge. He felt that Xu Niantang carrying it was an utter waste, and couldn’t help but suggest.

“This spring sword is a fine item. Since you carry it but don’t use it, why not give it to me…”

“Alright.” Xu Niantang had already pulled an embroidered pillow over her face. Her voice came out muffled from beneath. “Then it’s yours. Just remember to add another entry to the tab later.”

Ye Di’s mouth twitched, and he silently put the sword back.

Xu Niantang snatched the pillow from her face and sat upright. Pushing aside the scattered strands of hair from her face, her eyes blazed as she stared at him.

“Quick! Now that you have a weapon, can you teach me some moves?”

Ye Di felt that with this young woman being so thoughtful, it would indeed be unreasonable not to teach her a few moves. So he nodded.

“Then watch carefully.”

He took the long sword, his wrist gave a sudden flick, and the sword tip pointed directly out the window.

“Let me see, let me see!”

Xu Niantang immediately kicked off her embroidered slippers, revealing her smooth, fair, jade-like feet. She scooted forward on her knees across the bed, then peered out the window with curiosity, gazing into the distance.

Nothing happened.

Outside the window, the sun was setting, and the street scene was utterly peaceful.

Xu Niantang felt she had been tricked. She turned her head, glaring fiercely at Ye Di.

“Where’s your move?”

Ye Di spread his hands, indicating his innocence. “I already used it. This move is called ‘Five Peaks Topple,’ and when mastered, its power is enough to overturn mountains and seas.”

Xu Niantang sneered. “Hmph, ‘overturn mountains and seas,’ yet you can’t even cut down the lantern hanging outside the eaves of the shop across the street?”

No sooner had her words fallen than a mighty *rumble* echoed.

Xu Niantang turned back in astonishment, the setting sun casting a rosy blush upon her delicate profile.

Before her eyes, a tall building across the way.

Before her eyes, the building across the way collapsed.