In a small village filled with the sound of trickling water and the scent of fresh leaves, a young man named Su Jian lived as the village’s laughingstock. With a skinny frame, tattered clothes, and a vacant gaze, he was nothing more than a fool whose strange antics often drew laughter. Yet, there was something about him that no one knew.That morning, the village was busier than usual. The residents whispered among themselves as they carried flowers and red lanterns. Amid the hustle and bustle, Su Jian sat by the roadside, engrossed in playing with a wooden stick like a child discovering a new toy. He paid no attention to the mocking gazes or soft laughter directed at him. To him, the world was an endless game.“Hey, Su Jian!” shouted a burly man named Lao Wu. “Do you know what’s happening today? You’re getting married to the most beautiful girl from the Xia family! Haha! You probably don’t even understand, do you?”Lao Wu and a few other men laughed heartily, as if the news was the f

The woman laughed mockingly. "Yes, your life must be simple. But be careful, Su Jian. Not everyone here is happy with your marriage."Su Jian tilted his head, feeling a bit confused. "What do you mean?"But before the woman could elaborate, she walked away, leaving Su Jian with even more questions swirling in his mind.Day by day, Su Jian began to notice the growing distance between himself and Xia Lengyi. They hardly spoke to each other, and Lengyi became increasingly cold toward him. Yet, despite her frosty demeanor, Su Jian couldn't ignore the tension that lingered in the air. He felt that there was more to Xia Lengyi than what she allowed others to see, and he couldn't help but wonder about it.What puzzled him even more was the way Lengyi sometimes softened when she thought no one was watching. Like when she saw him eating heartily, or when she overheard him laughing to himself, she couldn’t stop a small smile from forming on her lips. What was Xia Lengyi truly feeling? Su Jian w

A few minutes later, the oven was turned back on at the correct temperature, and the new tart was baking. Su Jian stood there, waiting with hope that this time, the outcome would be better.During the process, the maid spoke to Su Jian in a gentle tone, “Don’t worry, Mr. Su. Everyone starts from zero. Someday, you’ll be able to make a tart like this on your own.”Su Jian chuckled awkwardly. “I hope so. I just don’t know how. All of this feels like such a complicated task.”The maid smiled, looking at him with sympathy. “For some, the kitchen can be a daunting place. But don’t worry. If you’d like, I can teach you.”Su Jian was impressed. He didn’t expect someone to be so willing to help him. While he felt awkward about not being able to do it himself, the maid’s kind intentions made him feel slightly more appreciated.After a while, the tart was finally done. Though slightly burnt on some edges, it still looked good, and its sweet aroma was enticing. The maid skillfully sliced the tar

"Should I go in?" Su Jian wondered, hesitating at the threshold. But his curiosity outweighed his fear. Carefully, he descended the small hidden staircase behind the door. Each step echoed, and the darkness surrounding him deepened the eerie atmosphere. After a few moments, he arrived in a room that seemed to glow on its own, as if the walls emitted a soft light. At the center of the room stood a small altar, and atop it lay a long sword sheathed in a black and red scabbard. "Wow," Su Jian murmured, stepping closer, his eyes locked on the exquisite blade. The hilt was adorned with a carving of a small dragon, and the partially visible blade shimmered with a mesmerizing blue hue. Before he could touch it, a voice echoed in his mind. "You... have finally arrived." Su Jian jumped back, nearly losing his balance. "Who's there?!" "I am the sword," the voice replied. "I have been waiting for you for many years, master." "Master?" Su Jian stared at the sword, bewildered. "W

Lengyi gritted her teeth, realizing her opponent was far stronger than she had anticipated. Their attacks grew fiercer, and she began to tire. A shallow cut appeared on her arm after one of the attackers broke through her defense.Just as Lengyi was about to lose her footing, Su Jian suddenly appeared from the side, panting heavily but with an unusual determination in his eyes. “Lengyi!” he shouted. “What’s going on?”Lengyi glanced at him briefly, her eyes wide with shock. “Su Jian, get out of here! It’s too dangerous for you!”Before Su Jian could respond, one of the thieves lunged at him with a blade. Time seemed to slow down. In that moment, Su Jian felt his body move on its own, as though guided by an unseen force. He dodged the attack in a way he couldn’t even comprehend.“Wait, what am I doing?” he thought in panic.The mysterious sword he had found a few days earlier suddenly trembled on his back, as if reacting to the situation. A faint blue light surrounded Su Jian as he uns