Chapter 58 – Songs of Prelude (I)

Chapter 58

Songs of Prelude (I)

“I lost again,” Elder Qin sighed, his eyebrows pressed together in thought as to how he lost so quickly.

I’ll give you an answer–he sucks. Oh my God, he sucks so bad. He’s worse than the kids I used to play with back in elementary school! I mean, fine, maybe the chess theory isn’t as developed in this world as it was back on Earth (I do not question how we happen to have the same game; I feel it is better for my sanity), but geez-Louise, it has to be better than this!

I refuse to believe that someone like Elder Qin would be considered an ‘expert’ at chess. No, I will never believe it.

“I just got lucky,” I said… again… believing it less and less each time.

“You sound less enthused each new time you say it,” Even he noticed it, and I could only sheepishly smile.

“No, no, I truly did get… lucky… haaah…”

“…” His eyebrows winced for a moment before settling back into place. This was the sixth day in a row that he’d swung by to ‘play chess’ and just so happen to also check upon Xi Zhao and offer some advice.

I didn’t really mind–Xi Zhao was still practicing the sect’s method and arts, as I haven’t yet made one for him, and between Elder Qin and me… yeah, it was obvious who was better equipped to teach the kid.

As for why I haven’t made anything for the kid yet? Cost. I could feasibly create a perfectly tailored attacking art, but I’m still waiting a bit to see if I get any other ‘freebie’ rewards. Cultivation method is likely out of the question for the time being, as he’ll simply have to suffer with his current one for a while; restarting his entire cultivation by now is a bit too late, and I’ll simply eventually use Creation Points to upgrade the sect’s main cultivation method, saving everyone from a whole lot of headaches.

So, Elder Qin swung by to ‘play chess,’ though he spent most of the time here advising the kid, and I got to just do nothing.

“I’ve heard that Elder Zhang came to seek a bit of trouble,” he suddenly brought it up. I did consider complaining to him about the whole ordeal, but if I did, it would get in the way of Long Tao robbing the living hell out of him.

“Just a small scuffle.” I said.

“I was surprised.”

“Hm?”

“That you didn’t come crying for justice.”

“…” It was time for my eyebrows to wince. Just? Maybe. Benevolent? Sure. But this guy was as petty and as grudge-bearing as they come, I tell you. “When have I ever?”

“Will you be alright?” he asked, seemingly out of genuine concern. It felt… strange. After all, though Elder Qin had never been outwardly hostile toward Lu Qi, unlike most others, he was extremely indifferent. The relatively sudden change was a bit… unsettling.

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“Just keep an eye out in case he decides to torch my mountain,” I shrugged.

“Why would he torch it?”

“Maybe he’ll be really cold.”

“…”

“There’s an old saying,” I said. “The child not embraced by its village will burn it down to feel its warmth.”

“Hm, fascinating,” Elder Qin. “Except Elder Zhang isn’t a child, this isn’t a village, and cultivators don’t feel seasonal cold.”

“… I heard Xi Zhao has a few questions to ask you. Why don’t you go and do something you actually can?”

“Being a gleeful winner is unbecoming, Elder Lu,” he said, standing up.

“Then let me be unbecoming.”